Extension
It Starts With Us
Empowering Community Leaders
Building Human Capital
Christy Ramey, Catherine Webster, Jason Phillips
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Mobilizing Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP)
Research shows that effective leadership is one of the factors necessary for success within today’s communities and organizations. Knowing one’s own leadership skills and characteristics is a critical starting point; without intrapersonal leadership knowledge it is difficult to understand what effective leadership looks like within an interpersonal, organizational or community context.
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within Simpson County is critical for the sustainability of the community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthening the community and addressing critical issues. In response to a local community visioning activity, the Cooperative Extension Service in Simpson County took the lead in developing a community leadership program to recruit and train new and emerging community leaders. There is continued request for the program by both individuals and the Chamber of Commerce – our partner in the program. Trained leaders and volunteers will help stimulate economic development, community engagement and implement Extension programming. In addition, the development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people. Helping youth develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation. Young leaders demonstrate high career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improve high school completion rates.
Long-term Outcomes:
Critical community issues are identified and effectively addressed through active engaged local leaders. Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth. They will also use leadership and communication skills needed to be successful in the future.
Community leaders apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems.
Participants in leadership programs demonstrate improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs.
Extension program leaders will accept leadership positions and fulfill responsibilities such as conducting meetings, completing reports, and serving on committees.
Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills learned during their time in 4-H, in their day to day lives. They will engage in community based service projects and one day become adult leaders.
Initial Outcome:
Participants in Leadership Franklin Simpson identify the leadership needs and opportunities in the community and build their individual leadership skills.
Adults increase knowledge, skills, and confidence through participation in leadership workshops and communication programs.
Youth will learn the communication, leadership, and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting. They will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player, and communicator. Youth will acquire decision making skills, learn how to set goals, and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.
Outcome: Current and graduated Leadership Franklin-Simpson class members assume positions of leadership in addressing community issues and facilitating community projects.
Youth learn the concept of leadership then effectively use the leadership skills learned.
Indicator: Participants serve on committees, serve as officers in organizations or committees, and move into higher leadership positions. Evaluations from new class members indicate they acquired new leadership skills.
Youth / 4-H members can lead a group, serve as mentors to younger youth, set & accomplish goals, finish a job they started, take responsibility for their own actions, and respect others ideas.
Method: Agent observation, verbal communication with program participants, reports of local coalition, committee and group activities will document the involvement of current and past Leadership program participants. Alumni group will demonstrate leadership skills through the formation of an Alumni Association that holds quarterly meetings and has a board of directors.
For youth, agent observation and written evaluation of program participants.
Timeline: July 2019– June 2020
Indicate the audience you intend to reach through specific learning opportunities that will be provided. First, describe the project or activity. Then, describe the content that will be delivered or the curriculum used. Next, indicate the inputs or resources used to conduct the program (e.g., volunteers, paid staff, facilities, grant funds, etc.). Finally, tell when the project/activity will occur.
Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):
Audience: General population
Project or Activity: Leadership Franklin-Simpson
Content or Curriculum: KELD
Inputs: Community Leaders, Leadership Alumni, Chamber of Commerce,
Donations from businesses, Agent time, Staff time
Date: April 2020-October 2020
Audience: Leadership Alumni Board
Project or Activity: Planning the 2017 Class, safety committee, community
committee
Content or Curriculum: KELD, strategic planning
Inputs: Leadership graduates, volunteers, guest speakers, meeting spaces
Date: July 2019-June 2020
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Walking with Your Elected Officials
Content or Curriculum: MAPP
Inputs: Magistrates, City councilmen, Get Healthy Simpson Coalition, Leadership graduates, Agent led
Date: Spring 2020
Audience: Agriculture representatives
Project or Activity: Motivating & Educating Agricultural Leaders (MEAL)
Content or Curriculum: self-assessment tools, ag opportunities & challenges, communications, issues management, media training, producer and consumer connection, working with elected officials, farm transitions & ag law
Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, meeting facility, UK publications, newsletters, news articles, radio programs
Date: June 2018 – March 2019
Audience: Master Gardener Graduates
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Community Volunteer Projects
Content or Curriculum: Providing community service through horticulture education, demonstrations, donations, etc.
Inputs: Master Gardener Volunteer’s time, agent’s time, paid staff, UK resources
Date: July 2019 – June 2020
Audience: 4-H Clubs
Project or Activity: 4-H Club Officer and Leader Trainings
Content or Curriculum: Unlock Your Leadership Potential, County 4-H Club Leader Handbook, State 4-H Website/Agent Resources
Inputs: Extension Office, Staff, Agents, 4-H Council, 4-H Volunteers/Leaders/Members, Community Park, School District
Date: August 2019-January 2020
Audience: 4-H Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Fundraisers
Content or Curriculum: Parents/Leaders/Members plan & leader fundraisers to benefit 4-H Camps, Clubs, Council, & John Swack Scholarhips
Inputs: Extension Agent, Office/Pavilion, & Staff, Community Park, County Clerk, TSC, Piggly Wiggly, Downtown Franklin Square, Franklin 1st UMC
Date: July 2019 – June 2020
Audience: Extension Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Council and Homemaker & FCS Councils
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Council By-Laws, Homemaker Council By-Laws
Inputs: 4-H Leaders, Homemakers, Extension Agents, Extension Office, Community Leaders
Date: July 2019 – June 2020
Author: Catherine Webster
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
The country ham has been a food tradition in Kentucky for hundreds of years. The Kentucky 4-H Country Ham Project began over twenty years ago with just forty youth. Today some 800 youth across Kentucky cure country hams each year, ending at the Kentucky State Fair in August. The 4-H hams are judged by KY Country Ham Producers while the 4-H members present a speech on some aspect of curing hams. 4-H participants learn about food production and how the country ham fits into
Author: Catherine Webster
Major Program: 4-H Volunteer Programming
The Kentucky Volunteer Forum is the premier volunteer development opportunity for Kentucky 4-H. It equips county volunteers with the skills and resources necessary to deliver 4-H programming to all youth. In 2020 Simpson County had eleven volunteers & two teens register for the forum, the 4-HYD Agent presented three educational workshops, and the ANR agent served as a room host. Two of the volunteers assisted with the John Swack 4-H booth and three assisted the 4-HYD agent with t
Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The country ham has been a food tradition in Kentucky for hundreds of years. The Kentucky 4-H Country Ham Project began over twenty years ago with just forty youth. Today some 800 youth across Kentucky cure country hams each year, ending at the Kentucky State Fair in August. The 4-H hams are judged by KY Country Ham Producers while the 4-H members present a speech on some aspect of curing hams. 4-H participants learn about food production and how the country ham fits into
