Extension
It Starts With Us
Leadership, Community, and Economic Development
Leadership, Community, and Economic Development
Kelly Woods, Agriculture Natural Resource Agent, Heather Toombs
Leadership
Communications & Expressive Arts
Master Gardener
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Oldham County has one of the highest income rates in the state but it still lags behind other areas of the United States in household income indicators, unemployment and underemployment, plus revolving debt loads.
Data gathered in the 2019 Oldham County Assessment shows the top three concerns from county residents regarding community vitality are the need for more qualified leaders preparing the county for the future; more citizen involvement in solving local issues, and more effective cooperation between community organizations.
Oldham County population is estimated at over 66,000. Unemployment rose from 4.8% in 2007 to 7.5% in 2010 and then decreased to 3.5% in 2017. The poverty rate went from 6.4% in 2011 to 6.2% in 2016, and the child poverty rate decreased from 8.5% to 6.0% from 2010 to 2016. (UK CEDIK data)
Effective leadership skills for adults and youth are essential for both personal and community success. 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). Furthermore, helping young people develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation (O'Brien & Kohlmeier, 2003). Young leaders also demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improved high school completion rates (Bloomberg, Ganey, Alba, Quintero, & Alcantara, 2003).
Community service projects often involve many resources and different specializations for success. So by nature, these projects require strategic partnerships between community organizations, governments, universities, and private businesses. About 92 percent of volunteer organizations had some form of collaboration with the government, private sector, or other organizations (UN Volunteers).
Time is money. And as people donate their time to volunteer causes, it has a tremendous economic impact. The Volunteer Measurement Project (VMP), conducted by Johns Hopkins University, found that approximately 140 million people in 37 nations engage in volunteer work. That equates to about 20.8 million FTEs. In the U.S., 62.6 million contributed 8 billion hours of work, which equates to $184 billion.
Maintain or increase number of youth/citizens prepared to assume leadership roles both in Extension and in the community. Community members engage others to initiate projects identified as needs in the community. Extension volunteers support county tourist destinations through service work, assisting to increase tourism dollars generated.
Leaders collaborate to work effectively toward common goals. Volunteers take leadership positions to carry out Extension programs and direct clubs. Youth improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs. Extension volunteers earn certification in specific program areas and follow through with service work in the community.
Participants develop effective leadership, business, and other personal skills. Participants develop skills that support community and economic development.
Initial Outcome: Adult/Youth increase their knowledge of effective leadership skills. Residents increase their knowledge of gardening through the Master Gardener certification program.
Indicator: Adult/Youth understand the importance of leadership development within the community. Residents successfully graduate and receive Master Gardener certification.
Method: Number of adults/youth who participated in leadership development programs. Number of residents completing Master Gardener certification
Timeline: July 2024 – June 2025
Intermediate Outcome: Youth develop effective communication skills. Extension Volunteers and Master Gardeners support the community through service work.
Indicator: Youth present a Speech or Demonstration; Volunteer Hours Reporting
Method: Number of youth participating in the Communication Program. Number of volunteers and service hours completed.
Timeline: July 2024-June 2025
Long-term Outcome: Adults/Youth will serve in leadership roles within Extension Programs/Clubs. Extension volunteers provide technical and docent service for county tourist destinations, reducing their operating expenses and helping increase tourism dollars generated.
Indicator: Youth serve as a leader or officer in their club. Master Gardeners perform volunteer hours
Method: 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)
Number of Volunteers who complete and submitted service hours reports.
Timeline: July 2024- June 2025
Activity: Teen Leadership Workshop for Camp
Audience: Teen Leaders and Counselors in Training
Content or Curriculum: Unlock Your Leadership; Camp Handbook
Inputs: 4-H Staff, Teen Leaders
Date: June/July 2025
Activity: Shooting Sports Coaches Certification
Audience: New Shooting Sports Coaches
Content or Curriculum: State 4-H Shooting Sports Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Staff, Coaches, KY 4-H Shooting Sports Committee
Date: Fall 2024 and Spring 2025
Activity: Camp Leader Orientation
Audience: Adult, Teen and CIT Camp Leaders
Content or Curriculum: State 4-H Camp Handbook; Leader in Me
Inputs: 4-H Staff, Campers Leadership, CES Staff, 4-H Council
Date: June/July 2025
Activity: 4-H Club Leader Orientation
Audience: New and Current 4-H Leaders
Content or Curriculum: Club Leader Handbook, 4-H Policies
Inputs: 4-H Staff, 4-H Council, Club Leaders
Date: August/ September 2024
Activity: 4-H Achievement Program
Audience: Current 4-H Members
Content or Curriculum: Achievement Program Guidelines
Inputs: 4-H Staff, 4-H Council, Club Leaders
Date: August/ September 2024
Audience: 4-H age youth
Project or Activity: Speech and Demonstration Program
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Public Speaking Curriculum
Inputs: CES staff, CES volunteers, ribbons, OCPS, 4-H Council
Date: Jan-July 2025
Audience: Oldham County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Leadership Training
Content or Curriculum: KELD Leadership Curriculum, KEHA Leadership resources
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: 2024-2025 Program Year
Audience: Residents
Activity: Gardening Programs, Taught and/or organized by Oldham County Master Gardeners
Content or Curriculum: UK and other Extension training materials and video
Inputs: Master Gardener Volunteers, Local Experts, Agriculture Agent, Horticulture Assistant
Date: 2024 - 2025 Program Year
Audience: Oldham County Residents
Activity: Formation of FCS Council and Leadership training
Content or Curriculum: UK and other Extension training materials
Inputs: CES staff, FCS Agent
Date: 2024-2025 Program Year, multiple sessions
Audience: Residents
Activity: Master Gardener Volunteer Classes
Content or Curriculum: UK and other Extension training materials and video
Inputs: Horticulture Assistant, Agriculture Agent, UK Extension Specialists, Local Experts
Date: 2024-2025 Program Year, multiple session programs
Audience: County Extension Council
Activity: Leadership Development
Content or Curriculum: UK and other Extension training materials
Inputs: Agents, Local Agency Guest Speakers
Date: 2024 - 2025 Program Year, quarterly sessions
Author: Kelly Woods
Major Program: Community Strategic Planning
Describe the Issue or Situation.Oldham County Extension leased two adjacent office buildings in 2018, the new location tripled the amount of space available for Extension programs, and in 2020 Extension purchased the buildings. Over the course of the next two years, Extension programming expanded, and the County Extension Council and District Board determined the need to expand Extension facilities.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).In 2022, the C
Author: Heather Toombs
Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Describe the Issue or Situation.Recently, the Louisville Area Family and Consumer Science Agents transformed the structure of the Homemaker Leader lessons. Previously, FCS agents traveled to seven counties to deliver these lessons, which members then taught to their clubs. However, declining participation prompted a reevaluation of this approach. The result was the creation of a centralized one-day Homemaker leader lesson seminar. This new format featured four engaging lessons and provided lunch
