Extension
It Starts With Us
Community Forums, Built Environments, Great Pumpkin Pursuit
Engaged and Vibrant Communities
Bridge, Mills, Reed
Agritourism Planning
Community Strategic Planning
Community Leadership Development
Leadership
Meade County is a part of the Louisville Metro and Fort Knox area and is recognized as a commuter county with 76% percent of the workforce leaving the county for employment. In addition, 65% of the population falls in the 19-64 age range making it increasingly difficult to engage this population in community activities and discussions. One of the most popular reasons given as to why they do not participate includes not enough time or do not feel they are part of the community.
As a result of the 2019 Kentucky Extension Community Assessment, Meade County respondents indicated needs in five primary areas, one of those being community vitality. Specifically, within that area, priority was given to the following issues: more qualified leaders to prepare the community for the future, more citizens to help solve local issues, and more youth community leadership opportunities. Building the capacity of volunteer leaders is critical to the sustainability of community infrastructures which support long-term commitment to strengthen families and the community. Locally, the need to continue to educate and engage leaders through volunteer development was identified through the Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development councils.
Basic leadership knowledge and 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. Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. 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).
Volunteers are important in building engaged and empowered communities. KEHA - The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association mission is to improve the quality of life for families and communities through education, leadership development and volunteer service. With membership totaling more than 13,000 statewide, KEHA members are engaged leaders and active volunteers.
- Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders
- Community members engage others to initiate projects
- Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members
- Non farming families will become aware of different food and fiber production
- Youth put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles
- You improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
- Youth participants become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles which increases involvement/action
- Youth participants initiate projects that meet the needs of their community
- Youth are inclusive of all individuals
- Youth will volunteer and participate in community service
- Youth will engage in civic involvement
- Youth will maintain future intentions for civic engagement
- Extension Homemakers and others will practice personal leadership skills through leadership roles at varying levels within their organizations.
- Citizens will attend local forums and serve on committees designed to address local issues impacting the community.
- Citizens will become aware of beautification efforts to impact business attraction and retention.
- Area businesses will realize a positive impact from local agritourism events.
- Youth increase knowledge of effective leadership skills
- Youth develop/enhance leadership skills
- Youth 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)
- Extension Homemakers and other organization members will gain organizational knowledge throughout office and chairman training.
- KEHA members will increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership through club lessons and special interest workshops.
Outcome: KEHA members will gain organizational knowledge through annual officer and chairman training.
Indicator: Number of KEHA members who report knowledge gained through county and/or area officer and chairman training.
Method: program evaluation with pre and post assessment questions
Timeline: on-going
Outcome: KEHA members will increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership through club lessons and special interest workshops.
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership knowledge and/or Number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership skills.
Method: end of program evaluations, surveys
Timeline: on-going
Outcome: KEHA leaders will practice personal leadership skills through leadership roles at the club, county, area and/or state level.
Indicator: Number of KEHA members who utilized knowledge gained through officer training to fulfill a KEHA leadership role at the club, county, area and/or state level.
Method: Observation, review of officer directories
Timeline: on-going
Outcome: Community volunteers and leaders will gain leadership knowledge though a series of trainings related to skill development
Indicator: Number of participants who report knowledge gain through workshops
Method: end of program evaluations and surveys
Timeline: ongoing
Long-Term Outcome: Community members engage others to initiate projects
Indicator: Youth plan a community service project in their community
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives
Timeline: September 2023- June 2024
Long-Term Outcome: Local agencies become more involved in Agriculture events
Indicator: Number of agencies sponsoring agricultural activities
Method: Promotions and Evaluations
Timeline: Summer 2023-2024
Intermediate Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes: Community involvement in Agricultural activities increases
Indicator: Attendance records
Method: Promotion and Education
Timeline: Fall 2023-2024
Intermediate Outcome: Youth put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles
Indicator: 4-H Youth serve as leaders within their club, county programs or state/national leadership positions.
Method: Number of 4-H youth serving in leadership roles
Timeline: September 2023 - June 2024
Intermediate Outcome: 4-H Youth participants become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles which increases involvement/action
Indicator: 4-H Youth serve as leaders within their club, county programs or state/national leadership positions.
Method: Number of youth serving in leadership roles
Timeline: September 2023 - June 2024
Initial Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes: Community involvement in Agritourism will increase
Indicator: Attendance at events and activities
Method: Promotion and Education
Timeline: Fall 2023-2024
Initial Outcome: Youth increase knowledge and practice of effective leadership skills
Indicator: Youth serve in leadership (formal & informal) roles in the county program
Method: Number of youth who receive education related to leadership
Timeline: September 2023 - June 2024
Initial Outcome: Youth 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)
Indicator: Youth are inclusive of all individuals
Method: Number of youth who receive education related to inclusion & diversity
Timeline: September 2022 - June 2023
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Great Pumpkin Pursuit
Content Curriculum: developed by local leaders
Inputs: local residents, extension specialist, county tourism, KY Giant Pumpkin Growers Association,
Date: April through September
Audience: Teen Leadership Academy (TLA) Participants (youth, grades 8-12)
Project or Activity: Leadership and Community Awareness
Content Curriculum: Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP), KY 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
Inputs: local residents, extension specialists, TLA 4-H Agents, TLA participants & families
Timeline: Monthly, September 2023 - April 2024
Audience: Junior Teen Leadership Academy (JrTLA) Participants (youth, grades 6-8)
Project or Activity: Leadership and Community Awareness
Content Curriculum: Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP), KY 4-H Core Curriculums including: Leadership, SET, FCS & Natural Resources
Inputs: local residents, extension specialists, JrTLA participants & families
Timeline: Monthly, September 2023 - April 2024
Audience: High School Youth
Project or Activity: Issues Conference
Content or Curriculum: Leadership & Community Needs Identification and Problem Solving
Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council
Date: November 2023
Audience: Middle School Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summit
Content or Curriculum: Leadership
Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council
Date: March 2024
Audience: Teen and Adult Camp Volunteers
Project or Activity: Leadership
Content or Curriculum: Camp Training Materials as provided by State 4-H Office
Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council
Date: Spring 2023
Audience: 8th grade & High School Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: Leadership
Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council
Date: June 2024
Audience: Middle and High School Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Club
Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H curriculum for Leadership programs and projects
Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council
Date: Monthly, September 2023 - May 2024
Audience: 4-H Club Members and Leaders
Project or Activity: 4-H Club Officer or Leadership Team positions
Content or Curriculum: Curriculum: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, Teambuilding with Teens, My Leadership Workbook (Level 1), My Leadership Journal (Level 2), My Leadership Portfolio (Level 3), Leadership Mentor Guide 1: K-5, Leadership Mentor Guide 2: 6-12. 4-H State Leadership Boards, Achievement Program
Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H membership, parents, 4-H Council
Date: September 2023 - June 2024
Audience: Meade 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: September 2022
Audience: Meade 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-July through June
Audience: Meade County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA State Meeting Content or Curriculum:
Officer Training & Educational Chairman Workshops
Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors
Date: spring 2024
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Agriculture Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Field Day Committee developed
Inputs: Field Day Committee, University of Kentucky Specialists, local businesses, and Extension Agents
Author: Andy Mills
Major Program: Agritourism Planning
The problemFor years now people in urban areas have been traveling through the country seeing agriculture throughout farm land and even visiting agritourism farms. In most cases people can see traditional farming just a few miles down the road which may not stimulate agriculture awareness as it’s needed. This ANR agent lobbied 5 years ago to bring a national competition to Meade County where giant fruit and vegetables are weighed for competition. This weigh off of giants now stimulates the
