Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Youth Into Productive and Contributing Citizens
Youth Development
Tyrone Gentry
Science, Engineering, and Technology
Leadership
Civic Engagement
Health
Preparing youth with diverse skills enhances their academic offerings and creates youth who are better prepared to be leaders, entrepreneurs, and contributors to a better community. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 2017 STEM Jobs Update, Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workers help drive our nation’s innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas and new companies. Employers look for leadership skills in future employees. Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the 4-H program is a priority. With these pressures upon the youth, many youths struggle with obesity, addiction, and self-esteem. 25% of youth report some form of emotional or behavioral condition and suicide rates are at a record high (KY suicides per 100,000 people: 15.3, 10th highest in the nation). By working closely with schools and communities, Kentucky 4-H Programs can provide experiential, real-world opportunities for 4-H Members, participants, and families to explore and pursue their future options while building their self-esteem and personal confidence.
- Youth will increase STEM literacy in the general population.
- Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders.
- Successful completion of secondary programs, entry into careers of choice, and acceptance into college programs.
- Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in 4-H programs.
- Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits.
- Youth will adopt new methods or improved technology.
- Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in community organizations, volunteer and participate in community service and civic engagement opportunities.
- Youth will make high school planning decisions based upon lifestyle choices and their understanding of cost of living and lifestyle choices.
- Youth will increase adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that includes making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior, and handling stress.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communications, and leadership.
- Youth increase knowledge of effective leadership skills.
- Youth will be participants in College and Career Educational Programs.
- Youth will have an improved awareness of health concerns for youth.
- Youth increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player, and communicator.
- Initial Outcome: Youth plan and implement a Science, Engineering and Technology project (e.g., Aerospace, Electricity, Robotic etc.)
Indicator: Number of youth who indicated they are interested in learning more about science, engineering, or technology projects? (KOSA)
Method: 4-H Common Core Survey
Timeline: September and June- Intermediate Outcome: Youth become more engaged as a leader in their community (planning a service project, serving as a mentor, increasing participation in local/state/national levels).
Indicator: Youth serve in a volunteer, leadership role.
Method: 4-H Common Core Survey
Timeline: April, May- Initial Outcome: Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in 4-H programs.
Indicator: Youth will have an increased number of positive assets.
Method: Survey using Search Institute Asset Approach
Timeline: November and March- Long Term Outcome: Youth demonstrate the necessary teamwork, leadership, and communications skills needed to be successful in the community, advanced education, and the workplace.
Indicator: Youth will be engaged in community organizations, mentoring and advancing their career aspirations.
Method: 4-H Common Core Survey
Timeline: May- Long Term Outcome: Number of youth who indicated they can use healthy life skills to make positive changes in their life.
Indicator: Youth will use skills acquired through 4-H to make positive healthy lifestyle choices.
Method: 4-H Common Core Survey
Timeline: September and May
- Audience: Youth ages 4-14
Project or Activity: Summer Camp
Content or Curriculum: Approved State 4-H camping curriculums
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Schools
Date: June- Audience: Youth grades 6-8
Project or Activity: Pre-Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: Approved State 4-H core curriculums
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Green County Middle School
Date: January - March- Audience: Youth grades 6-12
Project or Activity: Capital Experience
Content or Curriculum: Civic Engagement Manual
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers,Legistators
Date: January - March- Audience: Youth in grades Pre-School and Third Grade
Project or Activity: Ag Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventure, KY Farm 2 School, Home Alone, First Aid in Action, SPARK
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Community Leaders, Schools
Date: September- Audience: 4th-8th grades
Project or Activity: Project Days
Content or Curriculum: Computer Science, Natural Resources, Healthy Living, Robotics,
Inputs: Agent, Schools, Parks, project materials
Date: August, September, March, May- Audience: 7th Graders
Project or Activity: Financial Management and Career Planning
Content or Curriculum: Reality Check, World of Work
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Schools, Businesses, Community Leaders, Banks
Date: February- Audience: Youth 4th-12th grades
Project or Activity: Healthy Living Project
Content or Curriculum: Health Curriculum, Activities for Building Character and Social-Emotional Learning, Centering on Me, Keeping Fit & Healthy—Staying Healthy, SPARK After Schoo;- Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, local parks, Local Businesses
Date: January, February, May, August- Audience: Youth 4th-12th grades
Project or Activity: Global Education
Content or Curriculum: Empowering Students to Improve the World in Sixty Lessons (Version 1), 4-H Backpack to Adventure: Youth Leaders in a Global World, WeConnect: A Global Youth Citizenship Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Local Businesses
Date: October, November, January, February- Audience: Youth 4-12th grades
Project or Activity: Civic Education
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum, Unlock Your Leadership Potential
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Local Businesses
Date: January, February, March, April, August, September, November
Author: Tyrone Gentry
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
The problemToday's youth are overwhelmed with digital information to the point they often can't see the forest for the trees. Their social lives are dominated by messaging and video games; the educational life is now taught through smart boards and laptops. Green County 4-H sought to show youth the value of our natural resources and how they can be a valuable asset to their mental health and our community. The educational program responseGreen County 4-H partnered with
Author: Tyrone Gentry
Major Program: Health
Providing rural youth with knowledge and strategies to be safe in their homes and communities is a foundational skill for being a responsible adult. Youth are at increased risk of experiencing certain types of harm. Rural youth are more likely to die in car accidents, farm accidents, and suicides than urban youth. They are also more likely to experience violence like bullying. Rural youth may have fewer resources to cope with harm. Rural communities o
Author: Tyrone Gentry
Major Program: Leadership
Kentucky youth deserve leadership and civic engagement opportunities like community service through 4-H because it fosters well-rounded individuals prepared to tackle tomorrow's challenges. Equipping them with leadership skills allows them to confidently navigate group projects, future careers, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. 4-H's community service aspect fosters a sense of civic responsibility, teaching them the value of giving back and making a positive local i
Author: Tyrone Gentry
Major Program: Leadership
Youth need an understanding of diversity, inclusivity, and multiculturalism in their daily lives, which they are not experiencing in their predominantly monoracial rural communities. Percy Jackson said, “our differences are our strengths, not our weaknesses.” During the Youth Educational Series, the youth participants experienced guided activities through the eyes of one of the largest nongovernmental employers in our country, exposing personal cultural filters empowering the y
Author: Tyrone Gentry
Major Program: Camping
A typical 5-day 4-H Camp session offers 96 hours of direct, uninterrupted contact between youth and their cabin leaders/counselors. That’s the equivalent of a family sitting down at the dinner table for 30 minutes, 192 days of the year. The interactions offered in a residential camp/group living setting is so meaningful to youth. The time we spend with youth in the camp setting provides opportunities for those youth to feel a sense of belonging, to have mean
