Extension
It Starts With Us
Cultivating community leadership, engagement and pride through educational and experiential learning.
Empowering Community Leadership Engagement and Pride
Tiffany Bolinger, Matt Futrell, Kelly Jackson, Jeremiah Johnson, Mary Anne Garnett, Katie Mills
Family and Consumer Science
Master Gardener
Facilitation Training
Civic Engagement
According to the United States Department of Labor- Bureau of Labor Statistics, the volunteer rates declined by 0.4 percentage point to 24.9 percent for the year ending in September 2015. Approximately 62.6 million people volunteered through or for an organization at least once between September 2014 and September 2015 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Volunteering in the United States, 2015"). There is an increasing need for educated volunteers to assist agents to address local needs. Volunteers provide nonprofit institutions the opportunity to provide additional programs and services. Persons that volunteer need to be educated to be able to accept volunteer and leadership opportunities and understand the importance of volunteering as a contribution to the community. By providing education and resources to those volunteers, the foundation has been laid to empower them as community leaders and ignite success in the programs offered by extension.
* Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
* Youth will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism in their daily life.
* Youth will identify and address critical issues that impact the community
* Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
* Youth will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.
* Christian County citizens will be volunteering on a regular basis to the extent that volunteerism is recognized as a valuable resource in the community.
* Extending the outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service by improving knowledge and communication skills of Master Gardeners, Extension Volunteers, 4-H Leaders and Volunteers, Extension Homemakers thus creating a pool of volunteers with the abilities and willingness to apply their many skills in leading and educating the public through community education projects and activities.
* Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives.
* Youth will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities and other venues with 4-H and other community organizations.
* Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp or other project based group of younger 4-H members.
* Youth will indicate increased awareness of diversity issues in their community and personal lives.
* Youth will engage in community based service projects selected to address identified needs.
* The Christian County population will volunteer more hours or will take on additional leadership roles.
* Number of hours reported by extension volunteers.
* Youth will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting.
* Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator.
* Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
* Youth will learn about diversity and will demonstrate inclusivity.
* Youth will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.
* Youth will learn how to set appropriate, attainable goals.
* Youth will listen to people who have different ideas from them.
* Clientele will become more aware of the needs of their community.
* Clientele will become more educated in specific subject matter areas to teach, lead and train others.
* Number of volunteers participating in Master Gardener classes.
Initial Outcome: Stronger, more cohesive, productive 4-H Council
Indicator: Completed goals, committee work
Method: Workshops, education programs and incentives
Timeline: Program year 2023-2024
Initial Outcome: Extension Boards and Councils will have increased diversity and numbers of members attending.
Indicator: Increased participation and attendance in council and committee meetings, functioning committees, and regular rotation of leadership roles.
Method: post test evaluations of programs
Timeline: at the conclusion of program
Intermediate Outcome: Youth leaders exhibit improved leadership skills.
Indicator: Youth assume leadership roles in clubs, councils and committees, and develop community service projects.
Method: Observation through increases programs and teen involvement
Timeline: Program year 2023-2024
Intermediate Outcome: Increased number of Master Gardener volunteer hours reported by active members.
Indicator: A minimum of 25 Master Gardeners will repay volunteer hours, resulting in 375 volunteer total hours.
Method: Master Gardener volunteer hours recording form.
Timeline: Forms are to be completed quarterly, totals reported by December each year.
Audience: Youth and volunteers
Project or Activity: Empowering youth and adult volunteers to become community leaders
Content or Curriculum: Civic engagement, Citizenship, Service Learning, My Leadership Workbook, Character Counts, Extension council trainings
Inputs: Program administration, Staff & Support Staff Time, Volunteer Support and time, Volunteer & youth development research based information, funding, travel, printed and online resources, communications & networking, commitment to inclusivity, partnerships with community & state organizations, facilities, local, county, district, state, and national network.
Date: Program year 2023-2024
Audience: County & Military Youth
Project or Activity: Jr. Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (Jr. MANRRS)
Content or Curriculum: Civic engagement, Citizenship, Service Learning, My Leadership Workbook, Character Counts, Leaders in Me
Inputs: Extension Agents, community partners, University administration and departments, Colleigiate MANRRS, travel, local, state, and national conferences to include workshop presenters, career/opportunity fair exhibitors and agriculture industry sponsors and partners
Date: Program year 2023-2024
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Kentucky Master Gardener Training
Content or Curriculum: State MG Curriculum
Input: Agents; specialists, volunteers, local gardeners
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Homemaker Members
Project or Activity: Officer Training; Leader Lessons
Content or Curriculum: Officer Training on Responsibilities/Roles; Monthly lessons, volunteer opportunities
Inputs: agent, facilities, curriculum, extension resources
Date: year round
Author: Katie Mills
Major Program: Camping
According to the American Camping Association, “Camp provides children with a community of caring adults who nurture experiential education that results in self-respect and appreciation for human value. All of the outcomes — self-identity, self-worth, self-esteem, leadership, and self-respect — build personal competencies.” This has proven to be true within the Kentucky 4-H Camping Program with youth growing in their responsibilities, having a positive adult leader, and b
Author: Tiffany Bolinger
Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
The Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association (KEHA) is a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for families and communities through leadership development, volunteer service, and education. As a grassroots organization, KEHA has a rich history of community involvement and service. KEHA members work closely with Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) agents to plan, provide, and attend leadership, volunteer, and educational opportunities. Yet, the mission of K
Author: Mary Anne Garnett
Major Program: Leadership
Middle school is a crucial period for youth development, marked by significant physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. Fostering leadership skills in middle school students is essential for preparing them for future challenges and responsibilities. Engaging them through interactive and enjoyable activities not only makes learning fun but also instills vital qualities such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making. At this age, youth encounter numerous physical, cognitive,
Author: Katie Mills
Major Program: Camping
There are times within the realm of an Extension Agents job that we have to learn how to pivot when the time arrives and that is exactly what Christian County 4-H had to do. We were excited, buses rented, bags packed, paperwork finished and almost a good night rest to go to 4-H Camp when the unexpected happened. A storm that affected Dawson Springs, West Kentucky 4-H Camp and many in our county. This storm had the power off at West Kentucky 4-H Camp from Sunday morning to Tuesday night causing 4
Author: Mary Anne Garnett
Major Program: Communications
Public speaking is an important skill that is losing to a very digital age of pre-recorded video for entertainment and knowledge. This year we had 7 school host contests during, which is the largest number of schools participating. The school level contest allowed student to compete against their classmates and winner qualified for the county contest. This spring 80 students from the 7 local schools held a communications contest for grades 4th-12th. Two winners from each division moved on to the
Author: Mary Anne Garnett
Major Program: Camping
Christian County 4-H was unable to go to camp this year due to storm damage at West Kentucky 4-H Camp. We had to tell all our campers that they were not going to camp, which was heartbreaking. After multiple Zoom calls and lots of planning, we were able to put together “Camp-A-Palooza!”. This project day resulted in 80 kids participating in full day of camp within 5 hours. With various camp classes covering natural resources, cooking, exercising, and art the campers then
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
Major Program: Leadership
Middle school is a crucial period for youth development, marked by significant physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. Fostering leadership skills in middle school students is essential for preparing them for future challenges and responsibilities. Engaging them through interactive and enjoyable activities not only makes learning fun but also instills vital qualities such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making. At this age, youth encounter numerous physical, cogni
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
Major Program: Leadership
The 100th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference took place at the University of Kentucky from June 11th to 14th, 2024. The conference aimed to achieve several objectives for its participants, including developing leadership and teamwork skills, improving communication abilities, fostering civic engagement, expanding knowledge in 4-H core content areas, and enhancing social skills through networking. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity for youth to become acquainted with the University
Author: Kelly Jackson
Major Program: Master Gardener
Master Gardeners is a program run by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service to train citizens in many areas of horticulture. Upon completing the Master Gardener education program, participants return 40 hours of community volunteer service through organized projects within one year to earn the title of Master Gardener and 15 hours annually to maintain their volunteer status. During the 2023 program year, Master Gardeners volunteered:681 hours of service in planting and maintain
Author: Mary Anne Garnett
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
“My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher but every day, three times a day, you need a farmer.” -Brenda Schoepp. Since starting in 1985, Farm Day is long standing program in Christian County 4-H that is provided to all first-grade students in the Christian County Public School System, Private Schools, and Homeschool. Luckily this year we were able to have an in-person program offered to all the schools with
