Strengthening leaders to expand community leadership and economic developmentPlan of Work

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Breckinridge County CES

Title:
Strengthening leaders to expand community leadership and economic development
MAP:
Leadership and Community Development
Agents Involved:
Allen, Bryant Popham, Hinton, Pruneda
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Arts Engagement
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
Situation:

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).

Long-Term Outcomes:

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.

Intermediate Outcomes:

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.






Initial Outcomes:

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.

Evaluation:

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

Learning Opportunities:

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 



Success Stories

Gardening for all ages

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

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Breckinridge County 4-H Leaders at the 2020 Kentucky Volunteer Forum

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

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Building Communities with Volunteers

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

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