Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting Leadership and Community Development
Community Vitality
Pullin, Hieneman, Stephens, Presley Adkins Grubb
Community Leadership Development
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Leadership
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Volunteers are critical to most communities in our society today. Many community organizations, causes and events rely on individuals who provide services without monetary compensation. This is especially true for the Greenup County Extension Service. Volunteerism is an activity or experience that not only contributes significantly to recipient organizations and the community, but also benefits the health and development of the individual volunteer. Volunteering has been found to improve leadership, interpersonal and communication skills, increase knowledge, and develop organizational and managerial skills.
Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in all program areas of Extension. The Greenup County Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities for youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create a positive impact on their future. Leadership opportunities for youth create a setting that reduces the access of youth to risk factors that can negatively impact their success. Leadership opportunities for adults create a setting that meets the volunteer at his or her current skill level and provides the training and support needed to grow their own personal leadership skills.
Basic leadership knowledge & skills are essential for success in almost any field. The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others. 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. By assisting the development of leadership skills in today’s youth, we improve their ability to face the challenges of tomorrow (Unlock Your Leadership Potential, University of Florida, 2017).
Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy). 4-H participants rate their leadership life skills above average, have a positive view of their leadership ability, and have a positive attitude toward diversity and acceptance of others (Locke, Boyd, Fraze, and Howard, 2007).
- Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders
- Community members engage others to initiate projects
- Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members
- Communities become more prosperous
- Youth and adults put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles
- Youth and adults improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
- Youth and adult participants become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles which increases involvement/action
- Youth and adult participants initiate projects that meet the needs of their community
- Youth are inclusive of all individuals
- Youth and adults will volunteer and participate in community service
- Youth and adults will engage in civic involvement
- Youth and adults will maintain future intentions for civic engagement
- Youth and adults increase knowledge of effective leadership skills
- Youth and adults develop/enhance leadership skills
- Youth and adults are informed of community systems, are better connected to communication networks, are more confident and skills in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global)
- Outcome to be Evaluated
- 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 of Success for Outcome
- Youth plan a community service project in their community
- Youth report they serve as a mentor for a younger participant
- Youth serve as leaders within their club or county programs
- Youth serve in a state or national leadership position
- Method of Evaluation
- 4-H Common Measures Universal Survey
- Program Indicators
- Number of youth who served as group leaders or officers?(PRACTICE)
- Number of youth who received education related to diversity and inclusivity? (KOSA)
- Number of youth who served as direct mentors to one or more younger youth? (SEEC)
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)
Audience: 4-H Teens
Project or Activity: Teen Council and other Teen Programming
Content or Curriculum: Various State Curriculum and State Conferences
Inputs: Agents and Volunteers
Date: State scheduled activities and special events in the county. Teen Council meets monthly on a semester schedule.
Audience: County Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Camps
Content or Curriculum: Various Curriculum
Inputs: Agents and Volunteers
Date: Summer
Audience: School Age Youth
Project or Activity: Teacher educational partnerships
Content or Curriculum: Various Curriculum
Inputs: Agents and Teachers
Date: Fall and Spring
Audience: County Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Community Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Varies based on Club
Inputs: Agents, Staff, Volunteers
Date: monthly
Audience: Greenup County Community Members
Project or Activity: Greenup County Fair
Content or Curriculum: Various based on program area
Inputs: Agents, Staff, Volunteers
Date: August and September
Audience: Greenup County Community Members
Project or Activity: Greenup County Farm to Table Dinner
Content or Curriculum: N/A
Inputs: Agents, Staff, Volunteers
Date: Summer
Audience: Master Clothing Volunteers
Project or Activity: Fall training
Content or Curriculum: classes based on certification needs or requests from members or as determined by the MCV Steering Committee
Inputs: State Coordinator, Agents, Steering Committee, other MCV’s
Date: Yearly in October
Audience: Master Clothing Volunteers
Project or Activity: Area Work Days
Content or Curriculum: MCV’s get together as determined by their Area Contact or other MCV’s to work on service projects
Inputs: FCS & 4-H Agents or other MCV’s
Date: Fall and Spring
Audience: Participants of MCV-Led Programs
Project or Activity: Level-Specific Sewing Classes
Content or Curriculum: MCV’s teach sewing classes in their counties
Inputs: FCS & 4-H Agents or other MCV’s
Date: November, March
Audience: Greenup County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA Officer and Chairman Training / County KEHA Kickoff
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Training Toolkit, KEHA Manual, KEHA Website
Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors
Date: Annually each fall
Audience: Greenup County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA Leader Training and/or Special Interest Workshops
Content or Curriculum: KELD Curriculum, FCS Extension Lesson Resources, FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors
Date: Monthly
Audience: Greenup County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA State Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Officer Training & Educational Chairman Workshops
Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors
Date: Annually each spring
Audience: Greenup County Extension Council and District Board
Project or Activity: meetings and projects
Content or Curriculum: CEC and DB training, proper meeting protocol, county projects, county budget process
Inputs: office agent contact as leader and all agents, CEC and District Board membership
Date: January, April, July, October
Audience: Community Arts affiliated Clubs
Project or Activity: Woodcarvers Club, Photography Club, Crochet & Knitting Club, Friday Friends Club, Pottery Club, Quilt Guild
Content or Curriculum: meetings, workshops, projects, events
Inputs: Community Arts Agent, club leaders, guest teaching artists, community projects
Date: Monthly and/or Biweekly
Audience: Collaborations
Project or Activity: Greenup County Intra Agency Council, Area Education Grants Board, Greenup County Tourism Board. Ashland Alliance
Content or Curriculum: meetings, marketing, cross promotion, tourism, educational grants review, classroom visits
Inputs: partner agency programs, teacher projects, tourism projects, community grants, marketing and leadership
Date: Monthly
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: Community Events
Content or Curriculum: planning meetings, even organizing, volunteer leadership
Inputs: Community Arts Agent, event leaders, sponsors/stakeholders, county and city government
Date: yearly events
Audience: Community/Multi-State
Project or Activity: Tourism efforts
Content or Curriculum: monthly tourism meetings, collaborations, grant funding for community placemaking
Inputs: Community Arts Agent, event leaders, sponsors/stakeholders, county and city government
Date: ongoing
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: Old Fashion Days
Content or Curriculum: planning meetings, even organizing, volunteer leadership
Inputs: Community Arts Agent, event leaders, sponsors/stakeholders, county and city government
Date: yearly events
Author: Anne Stephens
Major Program: Quality Arts Engagement & Experiences
In the early years of the River Days Festival in Portsmouth, Ohio, local band directors had the vision to feature their favorite genre of music, live Big Band Jazz, as part of the community celebration. 35 years later, the Big Band Jazz sounds are still being played and enjoyed in Portsmouth on Labor Day weekend. This historic concert event has evolved from an American Federation of Musicians sponsored event to being fully supported by community sponsors. Thirty years ago, Julian Mohr, foun
Author: Linda Hieneman
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - CED
According to research published in the Journal for Rural Studies, “Rural volunteering is more than simply the delivery of front-line activities and services. Volunteering is a social activity, critical to the societal fabric of rural communities and the wellbeing of residents” (Davies et. al 2021). Over the course of an 8-week program in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, 40 dedicated individuals in Greenup County and Boyd Counties developed a deep understanding of their commu
Author: Lora Pullin
Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
In a heartwarming display of community spirit and cultural appreciation, the Greenup County Extension Homemakers held their county-wide council meeting on Wednesday, March 20th, at the Greenup County Extension Office. The gathering was a mix of planning, celebration, and education, showcasing the organization's commitment to local and global community engagement.Nineteen members attended the council meeting, demonstrating their commitment to community service and development. The Homemakers
Author: Anne Stephens
Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development
Many people find that spending time "crafting" enhances mental wellbeing, creates community connections, and can be a creative outlet for anyone of any age. After multiple inquiries were made about a crafting club, the Greenup County Community Arts Program agreed to create one. The membership chose the name Greenup County Creative Crafters Club. This club began meeting in 2023 on the third Thursday of each month with volunteer leaders and a growing membership. Leadership de
