Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening leaders to expand community leadership and economic development
Leadership and Community Development
Allen, Bryant, Hinton
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Arts Engagement
Local Food Systems
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within Breckinridge County is critical for the sustainability of the community’s rural, agriculture infrastructure. With limited industry and businesses many youth and adults travel outside the county for jobs and work force training. Through the efforts of the Extension agents, paraprofessionals, and volunteers local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions that will support the strengthening of families and the county.
In addition, 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).
Breckinridge County's health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership that is engaged to solve local problems.
Cattleman's, Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Young Farmers, will provide leadership for Extension Programing.
Extension volunteers, Farm Bureau Leaders, Cattleman's Association and Young Farmer and youth will practice and sharpen personal leadership and communication skills in clubs, schools and community outreach while assessing needs, developing programs and implementing solutions for community problems.
We will nominate local leaders to programs such as the Soybean Associaiton young leaders program as well as KALP, and Farm Bureau LEAD program.
Extension participants will gain an increased awareness and desire to participate in programs to improve their communication, organizational and leadership skills and serve as officers and club/workshop leaders.
Initial Outcome: Participants will gain an increased knowledge base, self-confidence, willingness and desire to serve their community
Indicator: Increased number of volunteers participating and assisting in programs
Method: Monthly statistical reports
Timeline: Program year 2018-2019
Intermediate Outcome: Growth in volunteer led programs and clubs
Indicator: Increased number of volunteers serving on councils and committees
Method: Monthly statistical reports
Timeline: Program year 2018-2019
Long-term Outcome: Extension leadership involved in policy, systems and environment development work.
Indicator: Extension leadership serving with community organizations to strengthen communities.
Method: Monthly statistical
Timeline: Program year 2018-2019
Audience: 6th graders across the county
Project or Activity: Grow It, Wear It and Eat It
Content or Curriculum: Promotion of Agriculture commodities
Inputs: Materials designed by all commodity groups on the importance of them
Date: October 2018
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: County wide event
Content or Curriculum: Beef, Eggs and Ag Issues
Inputs: County and state commodity groups and local leadership from the Extension Council, farm groups (BCCCA and Farm Bureau)
Date: April 2019
Audience: Extension Volunteers and Officers, KEHA, 4-H Council members, CEC members
Project or Activity: Officer training and leader updates
Content or Curriculum: KELD, Step Up to Leadership, Unlock Your Leadership Potential
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: 2018-2019 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2018-2019 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Board
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2018-2019 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H School Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2018-2019 program year
Audience: Young Farmers
Project or Activity: Leadership programs
Content or Curriculum: Prepare nomination forms and application and prepare for interviews.
Inputs: Ag Agent and other organizations
Timeline: 2018-2019
Audience: K-5 grades in the county
Project or Activity: STEM, An Agriculture Adventure
Content or Curriculum: Programs developed by Ag In the Classroom Project.
Inputs: Ag Agent, BC Farm Bureau, Local FFA Chapter
Timeline: Spring-Early Summer
Author: Alexandria Bryant
Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
According to research, middle school is a time where young people find their place in this world, they are exploring where their strengths and interests align (Fagell. P.L., 2019). Therefore, it is imperative to provide positive experiences where young people may explore the world in a safe environment. Due to the decline in enrollment numbers throughout the middle school years in 4-H programming, Kentucky 4-H hosts the Kentucky 4-H Summit Leadership Conference for middle schoolers (grades 6-8)
