Extension
It Starts With Us
Building life skills among all ages
Youth and Families
Allen, Hinton, Tucker
Financial Education - General
Agriculture
Communications & Expressive Arts
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Learning to create and live within a budget, nurture children, create a safe and pleasant home environment, form relationships with others, problem solve, express oneself in a positive manner, and communicate effectively with others are basic to everyday life in our global society. The ever-changing landscape of the family and the consumer highlights the need for a responsive and innovative Extension program while also providing the basic needs that all families have as they navigate life’s many challenges. Financial education, communications programming, expressive arts education, and other life skills development is key.
- Breckinridge County community members were surveyed in 2019 and the results of the Kentucky Extension Community Assessment identified the top three priorities for life skills development among all ages. Results indicated 28% of respondents identified the need for more youth life skills training (e.g. money management, life decision making, etc.), 17% identified the need for better family skills in reducing debt, increasing savings and financial planning, and 16% identified the need for more affordable, quality elder care options. Additionally, Breckinridge County is a rural community with 1,509 farms (91.6% family or individually operated farms) and 37.4% of the population’s primary occupation is farming. As commodity prices continue to decline or remain steady, farmers are faced with the dilemma of continuing to produce crops in times of higher input costs. Landowners and tenants are faced with keeping the natural resources in balance, as well as, remaining profitable. Stress on families and the increase in farmer related suicides is astonishing and local resources need to be identified to increase the overall well-being of the farm family.
- Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. Public speaking is among the greatest fear of individuals; however, communication skills are a necessary life skill to be successful in the workforce and in the home. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. Using age appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communication & Expressive Arts Curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading and personal communication capacities. This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development (Jones, K. R. 2006).
- Research shows a positive association between arts participation and well-being, including a number of desirable academic and social outcomes, such as, school grades, test scores, enrollment in post-secondary education, attainment of a bachelor’s degree, and higher levels of literacy and civic engagement (Child Trends, 2012).
- 4-H programs significantly increase life skills in youth through a variety of activities and delivery modes (e.g. camp, project clubs, independent projects, school programs, etc.). In a study by Olson, Croymans and Ji (2014), 4-Hers reported that participating in one (1) or two (2) educational opportunities influenced the development of critical thinking and decision making skills, and participating in six (6) to eight (8) opportunities significantly increased the program’s influence by adding development of life skills in leadership, planning/organization, wise use of resources, useful/marketable skills and accepting differences
Breckinridge County Extension seeks to meet these needs through working with youth and families in a variety of situations to increase their consumer awareness, financial management, effective communication, and development of life skills.
- Adults and youth will be responsible and contributing individuals and family members.
- Individuals will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.
- Individuals will contribute to a safe, pleasant and productive home and family.
- Individuals will be reporting improved family financial stability and economic well-being leading to an improved quality of life and a stronger family.
- Natural resources remain stable.
- Youth will be agriculturally literate. Youth will be advocates for agriculture and natural resources.
- Youth will utilize the skills gained to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.
- Participants will share the elements of the music, dance, drama and visual arts with their community. Participants will be advocates for the arts.
- Adults and youth will utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations.
- Adults and youth will project a positive image and self-confidence.
- Adults and youth will practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making.
- Youth will adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future.
- Participants will practice resource management behavior(s) resulting in increased savings or investments.
- Landowners and tenants will utilize services, such as, soil testing and pest management.
- Farmers will investigate Kentucky Farm Financial Management Program.
- Participants will apply practical living skills to advance education or employ-ability.
- Farmers and local businesses will increase knowledge on how to recognize when a farmer is in trouble and find them resources to manage finances, and/or emotional issues.
- Youth will explore the role of agriculture in daily life
- Youth will practice life skills in 4-H agricultural and natural resource projects, clubs, and life situations
- Youth present before their family, a group of their peers (such as, at a 4-H club meeting), a school or county qualifying event. Youth demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of groups. Youth use their communication skills to assume a leadership role in 4-H or other organizations. Youth will construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing.
- Youth apply elements of music, dance, drama and visual arts in creating and performing.
- Participants will show increased knowledge and skills related to managing available financial and non-financial resources.
- Participants will simulate life situations to recognize importance of education and employable skills.
- Participants will identify short, medium and long-term personal goals and objectives related to maintaining and improving their financial stability and awareness of severe signs of stress.
- Youth will gain knowledge and develop skills in Agriculture and Natural Resource projects and programs.
- Youth will understand sustainable agricultural systems.
- Youth will gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action.
- Youth will gain knowledge in researching, preparing and presenting a speech or demonstration.
- Youth can identify key elements of music, dance, drama and visual arts.
Initial Outcome: Increased awareness, knowledge and skills relating to Agriculture and Natural Resources, Communications, and Arts
Indicator: Increased attendance and participation in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Communications, and Expressive Arts programming
Method: Curriculum and program evaluation tools including 4-H Common Measures Surveys
Timeline: At time of program implementation
Initial Outcome: Participants will gain an increased awareness and knowledge about family resource management.
Indicator: Increased participation and use of resource management tools
Method: Monthly statistical reports, surveys
Timeline: At time of program implementation
Intermediate Outcome: Positive development of life skills related to Agriculture and Natural Resources, Communications, and Arts
Indicator: Participants demonstrating improved communication skills, utilizing technologies, and setting goals and developing action plans
Method: Follow-up surveys, personal interviews and observations
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals and families will utilize goal setting and budgeting to manage financial resources for future planning and practice responsible financial decision making.
Indicator: Individuals attending financial management programs and work force preparation program.
Method: Follow-up surveys, personal interviews and observations
Timeline: End of program survey and 1-3 month follow-up surveys
Long-term Outcome: Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development. Youth will contribute to a safe, pleasant and productive home and family. Youth become more comfortable sharing their thoughts with others. Youth develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as a result of programming.
Indicator: Participants contributing to their family and community in service and leadership roles, and successfully obtaining and maintaining employment
Method: Follow-up surveys, personal interviews and observations
Timeline: 6 months to 1 year follow-up to program implementation
Long-term Outcome: Individuals and families will demonstrate financial literacy and sound basic financial practices to transition through life.
Indicator: Individual and families will use one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings.
Method: Post program surveys
Timeline: 6 month to 1 year following program participation
Long Term Outcome: Individuals will implement and learn more about the sessions that they attend on farm business management and estate planning.
Indicator: Follow up visits to answer questions on estate planning and Farm Business management.
Method: Access data and statistics
Timeline: 6 months to 1 year following program participation.
Long Term Outcome: Individuals will implement a Disaster Emergency Plan across generations in families. Placement of window clings that will show their 911 addresses.
Indicator: Follow up with EMT and Fire Departments on the efforts of all family members to know and relay their 911 addresses to all homes and farms.
TImeline 6 months to 1 year following program participation
As needed, the Extension Service will provide “Grab-N-Go" kits, virtual programs, and other alternative formats due to Covid-19.
Audience: Youth and Families
Project or Activity: Laugh and Learn program
Content or Curriculum: Laugh and Learn and other early childhood Extension publications
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service staff and facilities, Extension volunteers, community partners,
Early childhood Council grant, school supplies
Date: Fall 2024 and Spring 2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Camp
Content or Curriculum: Annual camp program based on the Kentucky 4-H Camping program and policies
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) staff and facility, public schools, community action, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources, local organizations and business sponsorship
Date: Summer 2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H School Clubs and Afterschool Programs
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum (Project WET, Project WILD, Citizenship - Public Adventures, Civic Engagement - Afterschool Activities for Citizenship, Leadership, Music & Movement and Service, etc.)
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) staff and facility, public schools, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources, local organizations and business leaders
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Choir
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Treble Chorus Club, 4-H Music Project, Performing Arts
Inputs: Extension staff and facility, public schools, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources, local organizations and business leadership
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Art Clubs (Home School Club, Art Project Club, Advanced Art Club)
Content or Curriculum: Portfolio Pathways curriculum and other Kentucky 4-H approved expressive arts curriculum
Inputs: Extension staff and facility, public schools, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources, local organizations and business leadership
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Cloverbud Club and Programs
Content or Curriculum: KET Toolkit, Big Book of Cloverbud Activities, Mindful Me curriculum, and other Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum for Cloverbuds and 4-H Exploration
Inputs: Extension staff and facility, public schools, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Expecting and New Parents
Project or Activity: Community Baby Shower
Content or Curriculum: NEP curriculum , Keys to Great Parenting, Ages and stages
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Community partners and resources
Date: April 2025
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: Club Lessons
Content or Curriculum: Money Power: Wise Decisions About Your Money & Your Life for College Students
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Financial Literacy
Content or Curriculum: It's Your Reality curriculum, Dollars and Sense Curriculum, Small Steps to Health and Wealth
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, public schools, family resource centers, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Project Clubs, School Clubs, and Workshops
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum and record books
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, public schools, family resource centers, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Meetings with the Young Farm Families and Farm Business Analysis
Project or Activity: Meetings to work on farm and labor management
Content or Curriculum: Work with specialists in the area of Farm Business Analysis and Estate Planning
Inputs: Local farm and homeowners, Young Farmer Organizations
Date: 2024-25 program year
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Extension Homemakers
Content or Curriculum: CEC FCS publications, Healthy Holiday meals on a budget,
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community resources
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Migrant Education classes
Content or Curriculum: Farm and Home safety, disaster preparedness,
Inputs: Extension Council and Farm Safety Committee designed window clings for 911 address location of farms and homes in their daily operations.
Author: Rebecca Brown
Major Program: Communications & Expressive Arts
The Breckinridge County 4-H Choruses collaborated with the Louisville Youth Choir, thanks to a generous grant from the Kentucky Rural Urban Exchange. Over 120 youth from Breckinridge County and Louisville participated in this exchange of rural and urban students through two concerts: one held in Louisville at The Temple and the other hosted by Breckinridge County at St. Romuald Church. These concerts were performed for the local community and families. Both venues were filled to capacity, with S
