Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Leadership and Volunteer Skills for Engagement with Community, Country and World
Leadership Development, Civic Engagement, and Community Pride
Fries, Hagler, Howard, Smith
Leadership
Volunteer Development
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General
The nation is at a time of public discourse and significant conflict. Nelson County’s leaders are predominantly older white males, while the demographics of the county have changed to reflect more diversity.
The recent statewide needs assessment identified Leadership Development, Civic Engagement and Community Pride as a high priority for Cooperative Extension. In Nelson County, 469 respondents ranked 62 community issues on a scale of “very important” to “not important.”?In the community vitality portion of the survey, the community identified the following three priorities:
1.More qualified leaders to prepare community for the future
2.More youth community leadership opportunities
3.More citizens helping to solve local issues
When focus groups were asked about their vision for a vibrant community in Nelson County, they indicated a desire to see a community with progressive leadership and open-minded citizens, where people feel connected and aware of resources (human capital) in the community. Improved infrastructure, facilities for community activities and increased youth development opportunities were also noted.
Youth and adults in Kentucky need programming support to enhance skills for influencing change. Extension can provide educational opportunities that build and nurture effective and engaged adult and youth leaders in and for our communities. Community leaders and citizens will benefit from the use of civic engagement techniques and listening sessions.
Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities for youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create a positive impact on their future. Leadership opportunities for youth create a setting that reduces the access of youth to risk factors that can negatively impact their success.
Basic leadership knowledge & skills are essential for success in almost any field. The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others. Employers look for leadership skills in future employees. Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the Nelson County Cooperative Extension program is a priority.
Communities are equipped with competent, knowledgeable and effective leaders.
Community members engage others to initiate projects.
Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members.
Communities become more prosperous.
Citizens put skills into practice by becoming more engaged and taking on leadership roles.
Leaders and citizens use improved skills in communication or problem solving in addressing organizational issues and needs.
Graduates of leadership programs initiate civic engagement and move from informal leadership roles into increased involvement/action.
Strategic plans are inclusive and strategies are adopted by communities and organizations.
Increase in diversity of individuals taking on leadership roles.
Youth engage in current and future civic involvement, community service and volunteerism.
Increase knowledge of effective leadership skills.
Develop/enhance the leadership skills of youth and adults.
Citizens are informed about community systems, better connected to communication networks, more confident and skilled in identifying and implementing strategies for systemic change.
Outcome: Increased knowledge of leadership skills
Indicator: Number of individuals attending programs
Method: Retroactive pre-post, 4-H Common Measures
Timeline: Following every leadership training, 6 month follow-up with 5 questions.
Outcome: Increased abilities in communication/problem solving
Indicator: Number of individuals who attend training
Method: Retroactive pre-post, 4-H Common Measures
Timeline: Following any program that includes communication skills training.
Outcome: Citizens (adults and youth) taking new leadership roles,
Indicator: Number of people reporting new leadership roles
Method: observation, Survey and/or interview
Timeline: Post training, 3, 6 and 12 month with survey and/or phone call.
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Leadership Training: Teen Council and Leadership Boards, 4-H Leadership Boot Camp, 4-H Teen Conference, 4-H Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, 4-H National Congress, 4-H Achievement Program, 4-H National Conference, 4-H Summit, 4-H Camp Counselors, Local Leadership Clubs/Events?
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Development Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers,
Date: Summer/Fall 2020
Audience: Adult community leaders (existing or rising leaders)
Project or Activity: Chamber Leadership Program
Content or Curriculum: KELD
Inputs: Agents, Community Partners
Date: Fall/Spring 2020-21
Project or Activity: Master Clothing Volunteers
Content or Curriculum: Master Clothing curriculum
Inputs: Agents, volunteers
Date: Fall 2020, Fall 2021
Audience: Kentucky ANR clients
Project or Activity: KALP
Content or Curriculum: KALP
Inputs: UK faculty and specialists, agents, local farmers, businesses
Date: August
Audience: ANR Clientele and Volunteers
Project or Activity: Ky Agriculture Leadership Program (KALP), Community Innovation Lab, Ky Water Quality Program, County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) Master Gardener, Master Horseman, Master Grazer, Master Woodlands Stewards Program, Master Cattleman, Master Logger, Ky Beef Leadership Forum.
Content or Curriculum: Packaged programs from Specialists, Beef IRM Group,
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, and Volunteers.
Date: Ongoing
Audience: FCS Clientele and Volunteers
Project or Activity: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association, Master Clothing Volunteers, Champion Food Volunteers
Content or Curriculum: KELD Curriculum
Inputs:
Date:
Project or Activity: KY Forest Leadership Program
Inputs: Agents, UK Specialists
Date: Winter
Author: Marsha Hagler
Major Program: Community Engagement
The 4-H Helping Hands Project was developed by the members of the Nelson County 4-H Teen Council. This group of 20 members meets weekly to learn about needs in our community and how they can develop meaningful engagement projects to address those needs. Some projects are lead by extension staff and some by members of the 4-H Teen Council. The goal of the project was to introduce youth to meaningful community engagement projects that they can replicate to multiply the impact in
Author: Hollyn Howard
Major Program: Civic Engagement
In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, food insecurity in our community increased and the 14 Nelson County 4-H Market-to-Market Ham Club members recognized an opportunity to give back. Members donated a total of three club hams--one country ham to a Habitat for Humanity family of 5 and two hams to Communicare, a residential behavioral health clinic. Members of the 4-H club cure two country hams each. Many years, including 2020, extra hams that the club auctions at the end of the year for fund
Author: Hollyn Howard
Major Program: Leadership
During the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, Nelson County 4-H agents felt that it was a priority to host an awards ceremony, accommodating Covid guidelines, rather than cancelling the event. With collaboration with the 4-H Adult Council, arrangements were made to create a drive-in movie atmosphere for the event. Agents incorporated state officers to share greetings, a performance from the state level performing arts troop, individually packaged popcorn and water for snacks, as well as their own greeti
Author: Hollyn Howard
Major Program: Leadership
The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are to develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, and to expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas. To gain club, county and state 4-H program skills, have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills through networking, develop youth-adult partnerships, and become acquainted with the University of Kentucky to aid in college and career readiness of Kentucky 4-H&r
