Extension
It Starts With Us
Skills Development through Youth Development
Skills Development through Youth Development
4-H agent and assistant(s)
Agriculture
Science, Engineering, and Technology
21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
Natural Resources
Youth desire a chance to develop their skills in areas that interest them (mastery) while at the same time experiencing belonging, and developing meaningful relationships with caring adults. Youth development through 4-H and other youth-serving programs bring positive self-worth to individuals over their lifetime. They are able to set goals and develop and action plan to achieve. They are more likely to have confidence in their abilities, engage in community issues, be civic focused, and make positive choices that lead to a more stable life. They are more likely to return volunteer time to their organization as adults so they can mentor and provide positive youth development opportunities.
- Volunteer-led programming increases over time with new opportunities added to the 4-H Youth Development county program.
- 4-H camp is volunteer-led by former camp-age participants.
- Participants gain mastery of skills in their chosen field(s) of study.
- Experienced youth in a program area mentor new youth in the program.
- Youth display their project work at fairs or other types of county/district showcases.
- Youth utilize scientific method to solve everyday problems.
- Youth will increase STEAM knowledge in the general population and/or pursue careers in sciences and arts.
- Youth pursue careers in STEAM-related fields due to skills gained through 4-H.
- Youth make choices that protect the environment and natural resources.
- Youth produce entrepreneurial products for sale.
- Youth will create and apply skills learned from STEAM-programming.
- Youth adopt practices that make a positive impact on the environment, natural resources, and resources in the community.
- Youth practice skills learned through project work.
- Youth continue to attend 4-H camp year-after-year and gain leadership skills to be camp volunteers.
- Youth demonstrate the use of developed life skills in everyday situations.
- Youth acquire knowledge in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math).
- Youth acquire skills in STEM and arts and/or develop an improved attitude toward STEAM-related subjects
- Youth acquire knowledge of careers in arts and sciences.
- Youth acquire knowledge of the interrelationship and interdependence of ecosystems and identify how natural resources are used in their home and community.
- Youth develop life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, etc.
- Youth enroll to attend 4-H camp while in elementary school.
Outcome: Youth learn and implement natural resource conservation practices.
Indicator: 25% of participants encourage recycling at home
Method: post-program evaluation; youth participate in a recycling program through 4-H
Timeline: spring
Outcome: Youth learn electricity concepts and construct circuits.
Indicator: 50% of youth can follow a pattern to complete a circuit
Method: observation
Timeline: winter
Outcome: Youth produce art and/or SET projects that can be entered into fairs.
Indicator: 1/3 of youth produce a quality final project
Method: observation and scoresheets
Timeline: conclusion of program
Outcome: County meets or exceeds state 4-H camp attendance expectations
Indicator: camp attendance
Method: final count of camp attendees
Timeline: summer
Outcome: sewing and needlework projects completed
Indicator: ½ of participants advance their knowledge and skills in sewing and needlework
Method: scoresheets from county and state fairs
Timeline: conclusion of project and fairs
Outcome: Food and Nutrition programs
Indicator: youth gain knowledge and skills to prepare food and make healthy food choices
Method: observation; post-program evaluation
Timeline: September-February
Audience: Youth
Activity/Project: 4-H Shooting Sports
Content/Curriculum: state 4-H shooting sports guidelines
Inputs: volunteer leaders; practice facility
Date: year-round programming
Activity/Project: electricity and energy education
Content/Curriculum: state and national 4-H curricula
Inputs: volunteers; curricula; Snap Circuits
Date: during school year
Activity/Project: 4-H Camp
Content/Curriculum: camp schedule
Inputs: attendees; volunteers; financial donations
Date: summer 2022
Activity/Project: Arts projects (including visual, music, theater, photography, etc.)
Content/Curriculum: 4-H curricula
Inputs: volunteers; financial support for arts resources; cameras
Date: throughout program year during evenings and/or daycamps
Activity/Project: science, engineering, and technology programs
Content/Curriculum: resources on KY 4-H SET website
Inputs: volunteers; hands-on kits; off-site location if needed
Date: throughout program year
Activity/Project: sewing day camps
Content/Curriculum: state and national 4-H sewing resources
Inputs: volunteers: meeting space: sewing machines, fabric, and notions
Date: summer 2022
Activity/Project: needlework programs
Content/Curriculum: 4-H needlework handbook
Inputs: volunteers; meeting space; yarn, fabric, threads, needles, etc.
Date: winter/spring
Activity/Project: cooking program
Content/Curriculum: national 4-H curricula; Super Star Chef curricula
Inputs: volunteers; meeting space; cooking utensils and ingredients
Date: September-March; summer day camps
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The Russell Co. 4-H program presented a series of beginner cooking activities to young people in the county. Life skill development is a need identified by the County Extension Council and local 4-H Council. Cooking with young people lets them develop their math and reading skills as well as teaching life skills and promoting healthy eating. Young people will usually try any recipe that they help cook which gives them opportunities to develop their taste for new, healthy foods.  
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Camping
The 4-H camping program has been a longtime tradition in the 4-H Youth Development summer programming. According to the Journal of Extension (December 2009), youth that attend 4-H camp generally make improvements in the areas of independent living, self-esteem, leadership, social skills, character development, decision-making, and citizenship (J. Hedrick, et al). Russell County 4-H promoted the program, recruited volunteer leaders, helped develop the schedule, recruited class teacher
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Natural Resources
Russell County 4-H presented a program on tree care as part of an ongoing series focused on plants. Approximately 200 youth participated in the program. The youth learned to identify the major parts of the tree and the function on each part. They also learned to count tree rings and how that weather and seasonal changes impact tree growth. The youth then hypothesized about tree scarring (i.e. fire, insect damage, tree crowding, etc.). A few weeks after the program,
Author: Laura Rogers
Major Program: Agriculture
Kentucky State University's Small Farm Program and Beginning Farmer Project, in collaboration with the University of Kentucky 4H agent Christy Martin of Russell County, worked together to form a photography club for 4H and clover buds students.4H clients met once a month to learn the proper techniques for photography. A few subjects covered were the rule of thirds, foreground, background techniques, and focus. After class discussion, the participants photographed agriculture subjects,
Author: Laura Rogers
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Kentucky State University's Small Farm Program and Beginning Farmer Project, in collaboration with the University of Kentucky 4H agent Christy Martin of Russell County, worked together to teach succulent classes for 4H and clover buds students.The material covered in the classes was the proper technique to plant a dish garden with succulent plants. Why succulents do very well in a dish garden, and other plants will not prosper. We instructed students on a succulent water storage system, the
