Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth Development
Leadership Development
G Harper,
Conflict Resolution
Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP)
Community Strategic Planning
4-H Youth Development Programming
Situation: 4-H Youth Development is part of Kentucky
Cooperative Extension. Extension’s mission is to make
a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens
through non-formal education for the entire family.
Extension agents and volunteers take the results of
university research and explain it in such a way that
different age groups can learn and apply the
information to their own lives.
4-H is a youth organization committed to building
outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed
Specific situation/trend description:
Many leadership scholars and youth development professionals agree that leadership development is an
important, but often overlooked facet of youth development and education (MacNeil ,2000). The
development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people and their
communities. Leadership skills, such as goal-setting, problem-solving and sound decision-making, are
not just necessary for leaders-these skills are needed for success in today's world (MacNeil, 2000).
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).
By supporting and engaging young leaders, adults, organizations and communities experience direct
benefits, through stronger connections to other young people in the community (Zeldin, McDaniel,
Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001). They have a greater understanding of the problems facing other youth, and
fresh perspectives for how to address these problems (Des Marais, Yang, & Farzanehkia, 2000; Zeldin,
McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001; McGillicuddy, 1991). Additionally, young people help to re-energize
adults and counteract negative stereotypes of youth when they are successfully engaged in leadership
within their communities (Zeldin, & Camino, 1999; Fiscus, 2003).
Becoming an active part of the community necessitates that youth and adults value the diversity present
and promote inclusivity at all levels of programming and involvement. The demographic makeup of the
US has changed significantly over the last few decades and will continue to change in terms of race,
ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status (SES), special needs and educational attainment.
This changing population and awareness of diversity will continue to change into the future. Three
powerful trends in society have contributed to a focus on diversity, inclusiveness and education about
this topic. These trends are: 1) a competitive, globalized market in which the US conducts business; 2)
substantial changes in the makeup of the US population and, 3) the celebration of individual differences
and a movement away from “fitting in”. Some facts related to this:
? 4 of 5 new jobs are the result of foreign trade.
? The percentage of whites in the population continues to decline. Asians are the fastest growing race
group while Hispanics are the largest. By 2050, approximately 1 in 2 people (50%) will be non-white.
? The majority of new workers are women and people of color.
? Taken as a whole, people with disabilities make up the largest minority group (15%) in the US.
? The fastest growing age group are those 75+ years old.
An Overview of Diversity Awareness (http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/w/3/30/An_Overview_of_Diversity_Awareness.pdf)
4-H Youth Leadership is about:
? Learning about the concept of leadership and your individual role as a leader.
? Using leadership skills to effectively lead small groups and teams toward common goals.
? Work within your community (club/county/state or beyond) to become an engaged
leader who can make a difference.
? Creating a program that encourages, values, promotes and supports diversity and
inclusivity at all levels.
in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to
reach their full potential, working and learning in
partnership with caring adults.
According to 2014 population estimates (census.gov)
there are 233, 463 youth living in households in KY in
the recommended 4-H age range. Also, according to
the Kentucky Department of Education (2014), the
graduation rate for Kentucky students was 88.0 %,
which did not meet the state goal.
Research also shows us developing a strong sense of
personal identity, responsibility, caring, compassion,
and tolerance are essential first steps toward being
engaged at the community level (National 4-H Council,
2014).
Youth will contribute to
self, family, community
and to the institutions of
our society.
? Youth will have reduced
risky behavior now and in
the future.
? 4-H alumni will be
successful in a global
society.
? 4-H youth will successfully
enter the workplace
and/or institution of higher
learning.
Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and
as mentors for younger youth.
? Youth will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism in their
daily life.
? Youth will identify and address critical issues that impact the community
? Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
? Youth will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on
a daily basis.
? Youth will use scientific
decision making
techniques to make
decisions on a daily
basis.
? Youth will express
themselves to others in
group settings and on an
individual bases.
? Youth have a positive
bond with a caring adult
who believe in their
success.
? Youth apply the skills
learned in 4-H in other
activities at home, school
and in the community.
? Youth set and achieve
goals through a 4-H
program.
Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives.
? Youth will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities and other
venues with 4-H and other community organizations.
? Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp or other
project based group of younger 4-H members.
? Youth will indicate increased awareness of diversity issues in their community and personal
lives.
? Youth will engage in community based service projects selected to address identified needs.
-County 4-H Youth Development Professionals
(Agents)
-Research-based curricula in seven Core Curriculum
areas
-Resources from Land-grant Universities
-Appropriate delivery modes for youth
-Financial support (county, state, & national)
State-based 4-H Youth Development Content
Specialists
-Trained Volunteers/Mentors
-Commitment to the positive development of youth
-Continued professional development for agents &
volunteers
Youth will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run
a meeting.
? Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team
player and communicator.
? Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative
leadership characteristics.
? Youth will learn about diversity and will demonstrate inclusivity.
? Youth will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.
? Youth will learn how to set appropriate, attainable goals.
? Youth will listen to people who have different ideas from them.
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? From the Leadership – 4-H Program Evaluation
o Number of youth who indicate “they know how to set and accomplish a goal”.
o Number of youth who indicate they “listen to people who have different ideas than
me”.
o Number of youth who indicate they “can finish a job I have started”.
o Number of youth who indicate they “can take responsibility for my actions”.
o Number of youth provided with diversity focused education.
? Number of 4-H members leading a project group or project club.
? Number of 4-H members serving as direct mentors to younger youth.
-Experiential learning
*Community Clubs
*School Clubs
*Clover Buds
*Teen Programs
*SPIN Clubs
*4-H Camp
*State Teen Council
*Issues Conference
-Non-formal educational
experiences
-Youth/Adult partnerships
-Family engagement
-Formative assessment
-Summative assessment
-Program evaluation
-Needs assessments
-Marketing
-High-Quality Program
delivery
-Social media
-Social networking
-Collaboration with other
youth-serving organizations
-Emphasize strong selfidentity
Cloverbuds (<9)
4-H Youth (9-18)
4-H Volunteers (Adult)
Community Collaborators
Public/Private Education
organizations
Youth-serving
organizations
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Experiential learning
opportunities
• 4-H Teen Conference
• 4-H Issues
Conference
• 4-H Summit
• 4-H Achievement
Program
• State 4-H Teen
Council
• Field days
• 4-H Camp Counselors
• Junior Leaders
• Officer education
• Club involvement &
procedural education
Author: Virginia Harper
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Calloway County 4-H and FFA collaborated on a Tractor Short Course to engage youth in learning about career opportunities and expand their view of their world. The six session short course enabled youth to give back to the community by valuing the past. The youth assisted at the Purchase Area Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Show at the Bill Cherry Expo Center. During the show, youth collected $360 for a neighboring county that experienced a recent tragedy in a school &nb
Author: Virginia Harper
Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
2018 Kentucky 4-H Summit Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth Development Research suggests distinctive characteristics of young adolescents (middle school aged youth) regarding their physical, cognitive, moral, psychological, and social-emotional development, as well as spiritual development (Scales, 2010). Young adolescents (middle school aged youth) warrant educational experiences and schools that are organized to address their physical, intellectual, emotional/psychological, moral/ethical
