Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening leaders to expand community leadership and economic development
Community Vitality
Allen, Bryant Popham, Crawford, Hinton, Pruneda, Tucker
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Master Gardener
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Leadership
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within Breckinridge County is critical for the sustainability of the community’s rural, agriculture infrastructure, to solve local issues with active citizenship, and to develop a strong, healthy community. The Kentucky Extension Community Assessment surveyed Breckinridge County citizens and 31.5% identified a priority for more qualified leaders to prepare the community for the future, 21% identified a need for more pride in the community and its assets, and 20% identified a need for more citizens helping to solve local issues. 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. 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 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). Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy). Breckinridge County Extension continues to expand and develop a leadership base to serve the community.
Breckinridge County's health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership that is engaged to solve local problems. Extension Council, Extension District Board, Extension Homemakers Council, FCS Council, 4-H Council, Cattleman's, Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Young Farmers, will provide leadership for Extension Programming.
Extension volunteers (e.g. FCS, 4-H, ANR), 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 will be provided to local adult and teen Extension volunteers and encourage leaders to serve in roles within and outside of Extension. Support will be provided to the local Fair Board and encourage volunteers to participate 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; 4-H Common Measures; Program Evaluations
Timeline: Program year 2020-2021
Intermediate Outcome: Growth in volunteer led programs and clubs
Indicator: Increased number of volunteers serving on councils and committees
Method: Monthly statistical reports; 4-H Common Measures; Program Evaluations
Timeline: Program year 2020-2021
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 2020-2021
As needed, the Extension Service will provide “Grab-N-Go" kits, virtual programs, and other alternative formats due to Covid-19.
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: Annual Leadership Conference for High School Youth
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) staff and facility, public schools, community action, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources, local organizations and business sponsorship
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: Annual Leadership Conference for Middle School Youth
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) staff and facility, public schools, community action, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources, local organizations and business sponsorship
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Cultural Program (e.g. Exchange Program, Cultural Project Club, School Enrichment)
Content or Curriculum: KY 4-H Approved Curriculum (e.g. Backpack to Adventure curriculum)
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: 2020-2021 program year
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 2021
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 (BCCA and Farm Bureau), Chamber of Commerce and local youth organizations.
Date: April 2021
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) and KSU agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES and KSU publications and resources
Date: 2020-2021 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: 2020-2021 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: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Boards
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: 2020-2021 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: 2020-2021 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: 2020-2021 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: 2020-2021 program year
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 2021 and Summer 2021
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Sustainability through Leadership
Content or Curriculum: Real Colors, KELD, KEHA Academy Resources, KEHA State Plan of Work
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: Fall 2020-21 Program Year
Author: Alexandria Bryant
Major Program: Volunteer Development
Volunteers are at the heart of the 4-H program, building positive relationships with youth, sharing knowledge and experiences, and developing life skills among youth in the community. The positive impacts are most evident in volunteer-led, 4-H Clubs. Volunteers share their time, talents, and energies, leading to long-term positive impacts. Volunteering impacts individuals and communities, providing social, environmental, and even economic benefits. For instance, the Volunteer Measurement Project
Author: Alexandria Bryant
Major Program: Volunteer Development
On October 12, 2020, Breckinridge County 4-H leaders hosted a community development program designed to energize their volunteer base and facilitate planning. Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) is a participatory, story-based evaluation technique that is typically used to assess the direct and indirect impacts of a complex program. In this case, the goals of the program were: (1) to recognize the hard work of volunteers and consider the ways that programs connect to create collective impac
Author: Alexandria Bryant
Major Program: Leadership
The National Council for the Social Studies contends: “The primary purpose of Social Studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.” These skills, habits and qualities of character will prepare students to accept responsibility for preserving and defending their liberties and empower them to think critically, reason and problem sol
