Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening leaders to expand community leadership and economic development
Leadership and Community Development
Allen, Bryant Popham, Hinton, Pruneda
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Arts Engagement
Local Food Systems
4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within Breckinridge County is critical for the sustainability of the community’s rural, agriculture infrastructure. With limited industry and businesses many youth and adults travel outside the county for jobs and work force training. Through the efforts of the Extension agents, paraprofessionals, and volunteers local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions that will support the strengthening of families and the county.
In addition, many leadership scholars and youth development professionals agree that leadership development is an important, but often overlooked facet of youth development and education (MacNeil ,2000). The development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people and their communities. Leadership skills, such as goal-setting, problem-solving and sound decision-making, are not just necessary for leaders-these skills are needed for success in today's world (MacNeil, 2000). Furthermore, helping young people develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation (O'Brien & Kohlmeier, 2003). Young leaders also demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improved high school completion rates (Bloomberg, Ganey, Alba, Quintero, & Alcantara, 2003).
Breckinridge County's health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership that is engaged to solve local problems.
Cattleman's, Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Young Farmers, will provide leadership for Extension Programming.
Extension volunteers, Farm Bureau Leaders, Cattleman's Association and Young Farmer and youth will practice and sharpen personal leadership and communication skills in clubs, schools and community outreach while assessing needs, developing programs and implementing solutions for community problems.
Support the new local Fairboard and encourage their participation in other local leadership organizations, such as Farm Bureau and the Rotary Club.
We will nominate local leaders to programs such as the Soybean Association young leaders program as well as KALP, and Farm Bureau LEAD program.
Develop local leadership program for farmers to become familiar with inter-relationship between farm policies and the legislature in Frankfort and Washington D.C.
Extension participants will gain an increased awareness and desire to participate in programs to improve their communication, organizational and leadership skills and serve as officers and club/workshop leaders.
Initial Outcome: Participants will gain an increased knowledge base, self-confidence, willingness and desire to serve their community
Indicator: Increased number of volunteers participating and assisting in programs
Method: Monthly statistical reports
Timeline: Program year 2019-2020
Intermediate Outcome: Growth in volunteer led programs and clubs
Indicator: Increased number of volunteers serving on councils and committees
Method: Monthly statistical reports
Timeline: Program year 2019-2020
Long-term Outcome: Extension leadership involved in policy, systems and environment development work.
Indicator: Extension leadership serving with community organizations to strengthen communities.
Method: Monthly statistical, observations, and testimonials
Timeline: Program year 2019-2020
Audience: 6th grade youth across the county
Project or Activity: Grow It, Wear It and Eat It
Content or Curriculum: Promotion of Agriculture commodities
Inputs: Materials designed by all commodity groups on the importance of them
Date: Spring 2020
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: County wide event
Content or Curriculum: Beef, Eggs and Ag Issues
Inputs: County and state commodity groups and local leadership from the Extension Council, farm groups (BCCCA and Farm Bureau), and local youth organizations.
Date: April 2020
Audience: Extension Volunteers and Officers, KEHA, 4-H Council members, CEC members
Project or Activity: Officer training and leader updates
Content or Curriculum: KELD, Step Up to Leadership, Unlock Your Leadership Potential
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: 2019-2020 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Academy and Advanced Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2019-2020 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Club
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2019-2020 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Board
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2019-2020 program year
Audience: Youth (4th-5th Grade)
Project or Activity: 4-H School Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2019-2020 program year
Audience: 4-H Project Club Officers
Project or Activity: 4-H Project Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2019-2020 program year
Audience: Young Farmers
Project or Activity: Leadership programs
Content or Curriculum: Prepare nomination forms and application and prepare for interviews.
Inputs: Ag Agent and other organizations, and secured donations
Timeline: 2019-2020
Audience: K-5 grades in the county
Project or Activity: STEM, An Agriculture Adventure
Content or Curriculum: Programs developed by Ag In the Classroom Project.
Inputs: Ag Agent, BC Farm Bureau, Local FFA Chapter
Timeline: Spring 2020 / Summer 2020
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Breckinridge County population is comprised of approximately 20% seniors (over the age of 65). Many are dealing with life changes which can include loss, reduced mobility, and change in living situations. The Breckinridge County Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Breckinridge County Master Gardeners partnered with the Breckinridge Memorial Nursing Facility to conduct a horticulture therapy program. The partners worked to install several raised beds, made at an
Author: Alexandria Bryant
Major Program: 4-H Volunteer Programming
The Cooperative Extension Service relies on volunteers to extend the reach of extension programs. A well maintained 4-H program should include volunteer training, recognition and motivation. For the past decade, a team of agents, volunteers and specialists have created a premier conference titled “Kentucky Volunteer Forum” or KVF to address basic needs and beyond of volunteer development. This conference is held every two years with the last held in February of 2020. The
Author: Lynnette Allen
Major Program: Community Leadership Development
According to the Corporation for National and Community Civic Engagement, volunteerism is the support system for a strong nation. When considering volunteerism in local communities, Kentucky is ranked 36 of the 50 states and has only an average of 23.5% residents volunteering. But with these statistics it also shows that Kentucky ranks 17th with parents that volunteer and 8th in volunteer retention. This suggest that families value volunteering to support their children and those tha
