Extension
It Starts With Us
2023 Adult & Youth Leadership Development
2023 Strong Communities and Leaders
Dan Allen, Joan Bowling, Lori Clark, Denise Donahue, Diane Kelley, Brandon George
Master Clothing Volunteer
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Leadership
Community volunteers contribute time, expertise, and money to Cooperative Extension. Volunteers extend the outreach of Cooperative Extension to audiences which would otherwise be under-served. Building capacity of volunteers is critical for sustaining the community infrastructure that strengthens families and communities. Kentucky has 13,000 KEHA members, 120 Master Clothing Volunteers, over 1,500 Master Gardener volunteers, and over 18,000 4-H Youth Development volunteers. Extension volunteers engage youth and adults in their communities in education, respond to community issues and implements solutions in strategic partnerships with community organizations and local government.
- Social: Teens will become more active as volunteers; increasing the amount of unpaid service that they provide throughout their communities. Adults will increase their rate of volunteer involvement in their communities and in Extension.
- Economic: UK CES and non-profit organizations will experience an increased rate of volunteer involvement as more people select community organizations in which to contribute their time, talents and energies. Additional volunteer involvement reduces the stress on staff and extends the outreach of the non-profit organization to individuals and audiences which would otherwise be unserved.
- Environmental: Teens and adults will make a positive contribution as community volunteers. This increased level of community involvement will continue throughout their twenties and thirties. Additionally, communities will experience an increased retention rate as people who are engaged in their communities experience a heightened sense of belonging and are more likely to settle and reside in that community.
- Youth and adults will develop a sense of belonging in their communities.
- Youth and adults will master skills related to their specific volunteer role.
- Youth and adults will experience a feeling of generosity as they contribute to councils, boards and other groups.
Youth and adults will increase their knowledge of the types of volunteer service opportunities available to them in their communities.
Outcome: Long term will allow agents of CES to expand community programing.
Indicator:
· The number of youth and adults engaged in volunteer service in their communities through the extension program (SEEC)
· The number of youth and adults who participated in volunteer training/orientation (i.e. club officer orientation, volunteer education/certification, etc.) (KOSA)
· The number of 4-H youth and adults who have volunteered in a non-4-H community non-profits two or more times during the year (SEEC)
· The number of hours of youth or adult volunteer related education provided in the county (i.e. orientations, trainings, education workshop, club management seminars, etc.) (KOSA)
Method: Surveys, Observation, Interviews, Extension Statistical Reports
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: County Extension Council members
Project or Activity: Regular County Extension Council Committee meetings
Content or Curriculum: Agents each mentor a committee
Inputs: County Extension Council Members, County Agents
Date: August 2023, October 2023, February 2024, May 2024
Audience: County Extension Council members
Project or Activity: Extension District Board
Content or Curriculum: UK District Board Handbook
Inputs: County Extension Council Members, County Agents, County Treasurer
Date: Bi-monthly meetings 2023-2024
Audience: Adult volunteers
Project or Activity: Client Protection Committee
Content or Curriculum: UK Client Protection Handbook
Inputs: Agents and program funds
Date: July 2023-June 2024
Audience: Adult VolunteersProject or Activity: 4-H Horse, Livestock, and Dog Volunteer Certification and Re-certification
Workshop Content or Curriculum: UK 4-H Horse, Livestock, and Dog Program Manuals and Kit
Inputs: County special projects fund will support volunteers’ registration fees. County program money for other supplies.
Date: November 2023, January 2024
Audience: Master Clothing Volunteers and candidates
Project or Activity: Master Clothing Volunteer Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Sewing and clothing construction techniques
Inputs: County special projects fund will support volunteers’ registration fees. County program money for other supplies.
Date: October 2023
Audience: 4-H Teens
Project or Activity: 4-H State Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: State Teen Conference Agenda
Inputs: Teen club meetings, 4-H Achievement forms meetings
Date: June 2024
Audience: 4-H Teens
Project or Activity: 4-HIssues Conference
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Issues Identification
Inputs: County 4-H Agents and Program Teaching Assistants volunteer Adult Project LeadersKenton County Cooperative Extension Office The University of Kentucky State 4-H Youth
Development Staff County Program Funds
Date: August 2023 - November 2024
Audience: Adult Volunteers
Project or Activity: Livestock Volunteer Certification & Re-certification
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Education, UK selected/development materials
Inputs: The county special projects fund will help support volunteers' registration fees that participate in volunteer Livestock Certification workshops. County program money will fund other projects. Durr Center will be utilized for county programs.
Date: September 2023 - August 2024
Project or Activity: FCS Advisory Council
Content or Curriculum: FCS Agent Designed
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Agents and Specialists, Kentucky and CES Partnering Agencies, Publications and Resources, FCS program funds USDA, Partnering Agencies
Date: December 2023
Project or Activity: Increase FCS Social and General Media Outreach
Content or Curriculum: Kenton Agents design, UK publications
Inputs: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Local newspaper, FCS assistant
Date: All Year
Project or Activity: KEHA-Area Homemaker Leadership Positions
Content or Curriculum: Kenton County Volunteers, Member appointed
Inputs: New KEHA leadership program, area trainings
Date: All year
Project or Activity: ANR/Advisory Council
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent classes offered
Inputs: KCES Agents, Specialists, partnering agencies/publications, CAIP funding, commodity group
Date: All year (quarterly meetings)
Project or Activity: Adult Sewing Programs
Content or Curriculum: Master Clothing Volunteer program
Inputs: FCS Agent and MCV expertise
Date: Fall and Spring series 2023-2024
Project or Activity: Kenton Co. Homemakers Scholarship Fundraisers
Content or Curriculum: Homemaker designed for local HS scholarships
Inputs: Homemaker council, planning committee
Date: Fall 2023, Spring 2024
Audience: Kenton County 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Kenton County Youth ages 9 yrs. to 18 yrs. Camp Counselor Training
Content or Curriculum: Camp Counselor Training manual
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers & assistants
Date: June 2024Audience: Kenton County 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Clubs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Club meeting outline for Parliamentary Procedure.
Inputs: Agents & Assistants
Date: All yearAudience: Kenton County 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Camp
Content or Curriculum: Leadership/Team Building Class obtained and reflected upon by the Junior Counselors while working at camp.
Inputs: Agents & Assistants
Date: Summer 2024
Audience: Kenton County 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Leadership School Clubs for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Steps Up to Leadership Curriculum.
Inputs: Agents & Assistants
Date: September 2023 thru May 2024
Audience: Kenton County 4-H Youth
Activity: Capitol Experience
Content or Curriculum: Citizenship
Inputs: Agent & Assistants & Volunteers
Date: March 2024
Audience: Kenton County 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Shooting Sports Certification
Content or Curriculum: Shooting Sports
Inputs: 4-H Council and grants will help support volunteers’ registration fees that participate in Shooting Sports. County program money will fund other projects. Either the Durr Annex, Durr Center, or Lloyd Wildlife will be utilized for county programs. Staff and volunteers will conduct most of the educational sessions.
Date: Fall 2023, Spring 2024
Audience: Kenton County 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp Counselors
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Camp Counselor training guides
Inputs: The county 4-H council and County funds will help support and train volunteers that will be attending 4-H camp.
Date: Pre-camp Summer 2024Audience: Adult or teen volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Communication event
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communication
Inputs: County program funds will be used to train teens and adults to serve as room monitors and judges for the county communication event
Date: July 2023 - June 2024Audience: Middle school Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: State Agenda
Inputs: Agent, Volunteers & State Staff
Middle school youth Kenton county
Date: Winter 2024Audience: 4-H Council members
Project or Activity: Regular 4-H Council Committee meetings
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Council Books
Inputs: 4-H Council Members, County Agents
Date: August 2023-July 2024Audience: 4-H Executive Council members
Project or Activity: Regular 4-H Executive Council Committee meetings
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Council Books
Inputs: 4-H Executive Council Members, County Agents
Date: August 2023-July 2024
Author: Lori Clark
Major Program: Leadership
Social media platforms have allowed people of all ages to make connections around the world. While these connections can be helpful, they are only the starting point. A recent County Extension Council meeting, attended by program volunteers, discussion was focused on applicable ways to engage diverse audiences. For people to become truly connected and immersed they must experience it firsthand. The 4-H International Program and Language Laboratory (LABO) provides opportunities for Japanese youth
Author: Anna Meyers
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
In the beef industry, consumers have shown concern regarding the welfare of how the animals are treated throughout the production process. In an August 2022 study of the Consumer Beef Tracker, 52% of beef consumers had concerns with cattle production, and their largest concern was animal welfare. To address this concern, the Kenton County 4-H Livestock members took part in the Kentucky Beef Quality and Care Assurance Program (Ky-BQCA). The program served as part of the 4-H membe
Author: Lori Clark
Major Program: Communications
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 grou
Author: Diane Kelley
Major Program: Leadership
Fortunately, community volunteers contribute time and expertise to Cooperative Extension educational efforts. 4-H Volunteers extend the outreach of programs to audiences who might otherwise be considered underserved. Building the capacity of volunteers is critical for sustaining the infrastructure which strengthens families and our community. Kenton 4-H currently engages 168 4-H volunteers. 4 educational programs were held this spring in addition to opportunities at the
Author: Brandon George
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
Success Story 6/13/2024 Brandon George, Kenton County Horticulture Agent A Wild Horticulture Wednesday at Middleton-Mills Park On June 12th, 2024, the Kenton County Horticulture Agent participated in the Wild Wednesdays Program at Middleton-Mills Park. This event is designed to educate children during the summer months on a variety of science-based topics with speakers invited to share their knowledge. Organized by Rhonda Ritzi, Recreation Programs Coordinator for the Kenton Count
Author: Diane Kelley
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
The U.K., Cooperative Extension Service, Kenton County 4-H shooting sports volunteers, plan and facilitate youth shooting sports safety, practice, education, and activities. In conjunction with the Kenton County 4-H Council the groups indicated prior also plan and execute the youth opportunities to participate in contests across the state including the State Shooting Sports competition. The 4-H shooting sports project involve safely handling live ammunition and firearms with sustaine
Author: Diane Kelley
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Volunteers are important to the process Cooperative Extension has in local communities. Volunteers are integral to the duties, functions, and tasks and possess varied and diverse knowledge, skills, and backgrounds…(Radhakrishna & Ewing, 2011). The success of Extension programming is due, in part, to the dedication of a large cadre of volunteers (Smith, Dasher, & Klingborg, 2005). The U.K., Cooperative Extension Service and Kenton County Extension Council (CEC) vol
