Developing Youth Into Productive and Contributing CitizensPlan of Work

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Green County CES

Title:
Developing Youth Into Productive and Contributing Citizens
MAP:
Youth Development
Agents Involved:
Tyrone Gentry
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Science, Engineering, and Technology
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Leadership
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Civic Engagement
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Health
Situation:

Preparing youth with diverse skills enhances their academic offerings and creates youth who are better prepared to be leaders, entrepreneurs, and contributors to a better community.  According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 2017 STEM Jobs Update, Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workers help drive our nation’s innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas and new companies.  Employers look for leadership skills in future employees.  Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the 4-H program is a priority.  With these pressures upon the youth, many youths struggle with obesity, addiction, and self-esteem. 25% of youth report some form of emotional or behavioral condition and suicide rates are at a record high (KY suicides per 100,000 people: 15.3, 10th highest in the nation). By working closely with schools and communities, Kentucky 4-H Programs can provide experiential, real-world opportunities for 4-H Members, participants, and families to explore and pursue their future options while building their self-esteem and personal confidence.  

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:
Learning Opportunities:


Success Stories

4-H Evolves in Distancing Programs During Times of Change

Author: Tyrone Gentry

Major Program: Natural Resources

MC Hammer said a long time ago, “you can't touch this.”  Was he thinking of how programs are delivered today?  With the pandemic, 4-H strives to provide activities for youth to still “touch” and gain the proven benefits of experiential learning.  For spring through mid-summer, 4-H moved project-based activities online with supplies readily available at home.  An online calendar was created to coordinate the 4-H virtual activities locally and across

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Forestry Club Focuses on Community's Natural Resources

Author: Tyrone Gentry

Major Program: Natural Resources

Forestry Club Focuses on Community's Natural Resources

Green County has an abundance of natural resources.  The Green River garners her name from the county and is home to six endangered or threatened species.  One particular resource our youth are most proud is we are home to Wyatt Jeffries Woods which is believed to be the last old-growth forest located in this part of the state.  Our natural resource club decided to focus on the coming year and reorganize as the Green County 4-H Forestry Club to celebrate our community's herita

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Summer Camp Evolves To Reach Youth

Author: Tyrone Gentry

Major Program: Camping

Summer Camp Evolves To Reach Youth

Extension programs required a major paradigm shift in the 2021 program year to reach the needs of our youngest clientele.  The health guidelines ran the gamut of almost complete isolation in the early days to various levels of social distancing and mask-wearing requirements near the end.  As health is a major curriculum focus of 4-H youth programs and the fear of putting our youth in potentially dangerous situations, 4-H modified our long-held camping protocols to allow successful over

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Communities Are Equipped with Competent, Effective Leaders

Author: Tyrone Gentry

Major Program: Volunteer Development

Over the last program year, 4-H volunteers were asked to change how they provided experiential, hands-on educational activities to the youth of our community. These protocols were often changing at a pace that was dizzyingly rapid as new information was brought to the forefront of the pandemic.  Green County 4-H recognized the importance of keeping volunteers engaged with contemporary skills to be effective leaders in educational youth projects.  For the program year 2021, Green County

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Garden Club Grows Healthier Nutrition Habits

Author: Tyrone Gentry

Major Program: Agriculture

Garden Club Grows Healthier Nutrition Habits

With the pandemic having people at home more than ever, there was a greater interest in learning gardening skills by our families.  The Cooperative Extension Service noticed an increase in questions related to different garden types, best management practices and preservation techniques of personally raised vegetables.  Green County 4-H applied for a Kentucky 4-H Foundation grant to establish a garden club for our youth and families.  The $620 grant would be used to purchase seeds

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