Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth and Adults Overcome Life Situations by Acquiring Life Skills
Youth Life Skill Development
Pat Hardesty, Kara Back, Kimberly Thomas, Charlsey Garmon
Family and Consumer Science
Hay testing
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Communications
SITUATION:
Researchers from Northwestern and Columbia Universities have found extensive findings "that substantiate significant associations between poverty and children's health, cognitive development, behavior problems, emotional well being and problems with school achievement."
In Taylor County 33.1% of children ages 0-17 are below poverty (Kentucky By the Numbers). It is important for the youth of our communities to develop life skills in order for them to overcome their life situations such as poverty.
Youth and adults need to develop essential life skills to become productive members of the community and effective as adults in society.
The 4-H Youth Development Program helps build the key characteristics of positive youth development, competence, confidence, character, connection and compassion.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES:
Youth will acquire life skills needed to prepare them to address all aspects of their adult lives and to develop into adult roles in society enabling them to be productive members in our community.
INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES:
Youth will implement problem solving and decision making skills in various aspects of their lives. Youth will learn how to effectively interact and cooperate with their peers and adults. Youth will teach other children skills learned.
INITIAL OUTCOMES:
Youth will learn basic public speaking skills to help reduce the fear of speaking in front of a group. Youth will compete in events and will be recognized for their accomplishments. Youth will attend day camps and project meetings and begin to learn new skills. Youth will increase awareness and knowledge of science. Youth and adults will identify and implement sound decision-making in relationships.
Long-Term Outcome: Youth will increase verbal and written communication skills
Indicator: Number of youth participating in communication events
Method: Post survey and score sheets
Timeline: November-July 2023, 2024
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will engage in decision making skills in all aspects of their daily lives
Indicator: Number of youth participating in judging events, day camps, and activities
Method: Pre and post surveys and awards
Timeline: July-June 2023, 2024
Initial Outcome: Increased Awareness of 4-H Program to Youth in Grades 1-3
Indicator: Number of cloverbud participants and number of participants attending 4-H 4 All
Method: Attendance Rosters, Parent and Agent Observations
Timeline: August-May 2023, 2024
Outcome: Youth and adults will gain and utilize new life skills
Indicator: Number of youth who gain and utilize new life skills
Method: Observation, Written Evaluations
Timeline: July-June 2023. 2024
Outcome: Increase Knowledge of Science, Engineering and Technology and number of youth who participate
Indicator: Number of youth who gain and utilize Science, Engineering and Technology skills
Method: Observation, Written Evaluations
Timeline: July-June 2023, 2024
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Demonstrations and Talk Meet
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Speak Up and Would You Like to Do a 4-H Project Demonstration? Project Books
Inputs: Teachers, School Officials, Parents, Community Members
Date: November-July 2023, 2024
Audience: 4-H and FFA youth ages 9-15
Project or Activity: Heifer Chain
Content or Curriculum: KLVCR Program Materials
Inputs: Taylor County Cattlemen, Parents, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Agents
Date: July-June 2023, 2024
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Livestock, Bee Club and Equine Educational Meetings and Activities
Content or Curriculum: KLVCR Materials
Inputs: Certified Volunteer Leaders, Cattlemen, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Parents
Date: July-June 2023, 2024
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Monthly School Club Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various topics from the 7 core curriculumn areas
Inputs: Teachers, School Officials
Date: August-May 2023, 2024
Audience: Youth ages 5-8
Project or Activity: Cloverbud Monthly Meetings and Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: The Ohio State Cloverbud Curriculum
Inputs: Youth Leaders, Parents, Community Members
Date: July-May 2023, 2024
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H After School Programs
Content or Curriculum: Fantastic Food Series, Acres of Adventure, Awesome After School Kits
Inputs: School Officials
Date: September-April 2023, 2024
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Project Workshops
Content or Curriculum: Various Project Books and State Fair Requirements
Inputs: Volunteer Adult and Youth Leaders
Date: May 2023 and throughout the year
Audience: Youth ages 9-14
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: State Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Adult and Teen Leaders, Parents, Community Members
Date: January-July 2023
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Shooting Sports
Content or Curriculum: State Shooting Sports Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Adult and Youth Leaders, Parents
Date: January-October 2023, 2024
Audience: Youth ages 9-15
Project or Activity: Day Camps
Content or Curriculum: Various depending on Day Camp offered using 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: Parents, Teen Volunteers
Date: July, Fall Break and Spring Break 2023, 2024
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Sewing Classes, Fashion Revue and Sewing Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Sewing Curriculum
Inputs: Certified Master Clothing Volunteers, Homemakers, Parents
Date: July and February-May 2023, 2024
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Art Club
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Parents, Teen Volunteers, Teachers
Date: Throughout the Year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Farm Safety/Awareness
Content or Curriculum: Safety Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agents, Leaders, Farm Bureau
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: Taylor County Cattlemen's Association
Project or Activity: Emergency Preparedness
Content or Curriculum: Emergency Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agents, Leaders, Emergency Personnel
Date: Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Camping
2024 was the 2nd highest county camp attendance since 2010 for Taylor County 4-H. 96 Taylor County 4-H members and volunteers had a great four-day camp filled with learning, recreation, friendship, and a whole lot of fun. Over half of our campers were returners to 4-H camp and forty-three of our campers were their first time experiencing 4-H camp. This experience who have not been possible with support from the Taylor County, Kentucky community.In 2023 Taylor County only had one Teen Leader or C
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
During the spring 2024 semester, the local Campbellsville Homeschool Co-op youth received a delicious taste of 4-H. Fourteen youth participated in the 4-H lead class at the Co-op held at the Campbellsville Baptist Church entitled “Snack Attack.” During the seven, one-hour classes, the youth learned a new SNAP-ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipe while learning kitchen and life skills. Some of the recipes the youth prepared in the class included Can Opener Salsa, Supe
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Health
The Strong Girls Club is program created by the Taylor County Intermediate School Guidance Counselor, Christy Parks to help girls that do not have a strong female role model in their life to learn different life skills they may not have because of this. For the 2023-2024 school year, twelve girls in 3rd-6th grades were identified, with 100% of them being from low-income families. Mrs. Parks reached out to me to partner with her in this endeavor and share some of the important life skills l
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Civic Engagement
Taylor County 4-H was well represented at the 2023 Kentucky State Fair through multiple entries and events. Forty 4-H fair entries were entered in Cloverville resulting in six white ribbons, eleven red ribbons, twenty-two blue ribbons, two class champions and one division champion reserved.New this year, we had a team to compete in the 4-H Land Judging Competition. We also had a participant in the Lawn Tractor driving competition, which we had not participated in for the last few years.Our Horti
