Extension
It Starts With Us
4-H Youth Development
4-H Youth Development
David Embrey
Camping
Natural Resources
Family and Consumer Science
Agriculture
4-H Youth Development is part of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Extension agents and volunteers take the results of university research and explain it in such a way that different age groups can learn and apply the information to their own lives. 4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. According to 2014 population data from Kentucky Youth Advocates there are 1774 youth living in households in Edmonson County in the recommended 4-H age range. Edmonson County lacks youth organizations and facilities that surrounding counties have. According to After School Alliance there are approximately 20 to 25 hours per week that children are out of school while most parents are at work, creating an “after-school gap.” In return Self-care and boredom can increase the likelihood that a young person will experiment with drugs and alcohol by as much as 50 percent. Youth tend to develop patterns of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use - or nonuse – from ages 12 to 15. Research also shows us developing a strong sense of personal identity, responsibility, caring, compassion, and tolerance are essential first steps toward being engaged at the community level (National 4-H Council, 2014).
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES:
Youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society.
Youth will have reduced risky behavior in the future.
4-H alumni will participate and 4-H leader and volunteers in Edmonson County.
4-H youth will successfully enter the workplace and/or institution of higher learning.
Youth utilize the skills gained through education and involvement in Extension programs to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.
Gain and maintain employment through life skill development.
INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES:
Youth will use scientific decision making techniques to make decisions on a daily basis.
Youth will express themselves to others in group settings and on an individual bases.
Youth apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community.
Youth set and achieve goals through a 4-H program.
Youth construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing.
Practice healthy eating choices
INITIAL OUTCOMES:
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the decision making process
Youth learn skills need to communicate with others.
Youth learn and develop life skills through 4-H.
Youth learn steps in goal setting and developing a plan of action.
Youth write an outline, including an introduction, body and conclusion for their speech or demonstration.
Youth understand risky behaviors and their consequences.
EVALUATION:
Initial Outcome: Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the decision making process, learn skills need to communicate with others,learn and develop life skills through 4-H, learn steps in goal setting and developing a plan of action,write an outline, including an introduction, body and conclusion for their speech or demonstration,and understand risky behaviors and their consequences.
Indicator: Youth demonstrate an understanding of problem solving, goal setting, and communication skills.
Method: Written and verbal evaluations after the program.
Timeline: Up to 6 months after the educational program.
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will use scientific decision making techniques to make decisions on a daily basis, will express themselves to others in group settings and on an individual bases, apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community, set and achieve goals through a 4-H program, construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing, and practice healthy eating choices.
Indicator: Youth apply skills gained in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community, achieve goals they have set, and improve their eating habits by making at least one healthy choice a day.
Method: Written and verbal evaluations
Timeline: 6 months -5 years.
Long-term Outcome: Youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society,will have reduced risky behavior, 4-H alumni will participate and 4-H leader and volunteers in Edmonson County, and 4-H youth will successfully enter the workplace and/or institution of higher learning.
Indicator: The number of youth and young adults serving in community volunteer roles will increase, reported negative youth behavior issues in the school will decrease, 4-H alumni will start new 4-H Clubs or volunteer,and successfully hold employment or attend college/higher education.
Method: Written and verbal evaluations, school surveys.
Timeline: 6 years+
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Summer Camp
Inputs: Agents, Camp Staff, UK Cooperative Extension, 4-H Volunteers
Date: Summer 2022
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: Horse Leader Curriculum, Horse Achievement Level 1,2,3,4
Inputs: Certified Horse Leaders, Agents, UK Publications
Date: Monthly
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Speech & Communications Contest
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Speech & Communications Publications
Inputs: Agents, 4-H Volunteers, UK Publications
Date: Spring 2022
Audience: Edmonson County Middle School
Project or Activity: Reality Store
Content or Curriculum: Reality Store
Inputs: Agents, Family Resource Center, Youth Service Center, Community Volunteers
Date: Spring 2022
Audience: Edmonson County Middle School
Project or Activity: S.T.O.P
Content or Curriculum: S.T.O.P Curriculum (Truth & Consequences)
Inputs: Agents, Family Resource Center, Youth Service Center, Community Volunteers
Date: Spring 2022
Author: David Embrey
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The Kentucky 4-H Passport Kitchen program provided 426 young people from Kentucky the opportunity to experience the food cultures of different countries in a self-paced experience. As part of the 4-H Passport Kitchen program, young people received six country kits in the mail during a six-week window. These kits provided all the needed instructions to complete a recipe, a video explaining the recipe, one ingredient for the recipe, information about the country, and a worksheet to help them explo
Author: David Embrey
Major Program: Camping
A longitudinal study of 4-H by Tufts University revealed young people involved in 4-H programs have a consistently higher level of positive youth development, contributions to their community, and increased life skills. “The results of this longitudinal study continually reinforce the idea that when youth participate in programs such as 4-H, they thrive in numerous ways including health, positive development, and community contribution,” said Dr. Richard Lerner. “The comparison
Author: Bridgett Poteet
Major Program: Natural Resources
According to the Community Assessment conducted in 2019, Edmonson County community members identified these are areas of need in their community related to community vitality:More pride in the community and its assets 24.43% More youth community leadership opportunities 19.77%One response to these community concerns, the Edmonson County Cooperative Extension Office, led by KSU agent Bridgett Poteet partnered with multiple community organizations to organize the first annual 4-H Soil Conserv
Author: Bridgett Poteet
Major Program: Leadership
The 99th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 13-16, 2023. The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, 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
Author: Bridgett Poteet
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development (Jones, K. R. 2006)This year 181 youth participated in State Communications Day. These youth have gained knowledge in public speaking through county and area grouping contest
