Extension
It Starts With Us
Enhancing Leadership, Volunteerism, and Public Policy Awareness
Community Leadership Development
Katherine Jury, Connor Cooper, Katie Jury, Erika Wood, and Curtis Dame
Ag Policy
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
Community Strategic Planning
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
Leadership development, community analysis and a constant need for volunteers continues to be a fundamental issue faced by various agencies and non-profit entities in Hopkins County. According to the Center for Economic Development in Kentucky, in 2010 Hopkins County had 46,718 citizens. Volunteerism is valued at $21.17 per hour in Kentucky according to Independent Sector. With that said, Hopkins County Extension volunteer hours annually account for over $150,000 in donated time. Extension in Hopkins County will continue to provide enhancement opportunities and strive to promote community based programming that encourages leadership candidates and volunteers.
Hopkins County will be equipped with competent, effective leaders.
Community members engage others to initiate projects.
Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members.
Citizens put skills into practice by becoming more engaged in the community, taking on leadership roles. Graduates in formal leadership roles increase their involvement/action. Graduates of Extension community leadership programs initiate civic engagement.
Increase knowledge of effective leadership skills.
Develop/enhance the leadership skills of youth and adults.
Citizens: Informed about community systems, better connected to communication networks, more confident and skilled in identifying and implementing strategies for systemic change.
Initial Outcome: Analyze and deliver training and other resources to
build leadership capacity.
Indicator: Trainings and activity involvement
Method: Surveys and assessments
Timeline: 2019-2020
Intermediate Outcome: Increased participation on community boards, civic groups and organizations.
Indicator: Number of people who reported new leadership opportunities
Method: Surveys and community statistics
Timeline:2019-2020
Long-term Outcome: Leaders initiate projects
Indicator: Numbers of community events and programs increase.
Method: Chamber of Commerce Data and post-assessment surveys.
Timeline: 2019-2020
Audience: New and current leaders; 4-H club members
Project or Activity: Parliamentary procedure training
Content or Curriculum: Robert's Rules of Order
Inputs: Manuals, Research information, meeting space and extension agents
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Volunteer, leader and officer trainings.
Project or Activity: Creating reflective learning in leadership classes
Content or Curriculum: Leadership Skills and modules
Inputs: Research information, Partnerships, Materials and Meeting space
Date:2019-2020
Audience: Hopkins County Extension Council
Project or Activity: Public Policy and Community Partnerships
Content or Curriculum: KELD curriculum and CEDIK Resources
Inputs: Extension Agents, Specialists, and CEC Members
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Leadership Hopkins County Group
Project or Activity: Leadership Hopkins County Program Days, Ag Leadership Day
Content or Curriculum: Extension Agriculture curriculum and Specialist presentations
Inputs: Extension Agents, Producers, Specialists and Volunteers
Date:2017-2020
Author: Katie Mills
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
According to worldarchery.org, there are eight benefits for youth participating in archery. The benefits are exercise, strength, control, coordination, patience, relax, self-confidence, and socialism. These are just some of the reasons Hopkins County 4-H has an archery program. The numbers of interest in the 4-H Shooting Sports archery program have increased more with schools having the NASP program. We have youth that want to continue to challenge themselves, meet new pe
Author: Erika Wood
Major Program: Master Gardener
In September of 2019, a new master gardener class was conducted at the Hopkins County Extension Office. In order to become a certified master gardener volunteer, gardeners must undergo a minimum 12 week training, which consists of 24 hours of core subject courses including: Cooperative Extension/Volunteerism, Botany, Soils, Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Pesticides/Pesticides Safety/Environmental Issues. Optional classes such as Annuals and Perennials, Home Vegetable Gardening, Com
Author: John (Connor) Cooper
Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
In November Hopkins County was able to take two youth delegates in the 4-H Issues Conference. Both youths who attended were new to the conference and had little expectations as to what the conference would look like or what they would gain from it. What they did know is that 4-H issues were geared towards getting them thinking about real-life problems and what role they played in them. As the conference began I saw the youth start to develop a sense of belonging and then even a sense of leadersh
Author: Erika Wood
Major Program: Master Gardener
The Master Gardener program is a volunteer organization dedicated to teaching and training people about horticulture related topics. This program is a part of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and assists county extension agents in providing education and outreach in the community. Master Gardeners are required to undergo training and complete 40 hours of volunteer service in their first year before becoming certified. After the first year, Master Gardeners ar
Author: Katie Mills
Major Program: 4-H Volunteer Programming
The Kentucky Volunteer Forum is a beneficial program for volunteers all over the state of Kentucky with reaching some from other states and occurs bi-annually. The forum is located in Lexington, Kentucky and provides an opportunity for 4-H volunteers to gain knowledge through trainings, have recognition, and motivation to keep moving forward to help them succeed. In 2020, a new record was set with 1138 people in attendance, 112 counties in Kentucky, and 11 states. There was 183
Author: John (Connor) Cooper
Major Program: 4-H Volunteer Programming
2020 Kentucky Volunteer ForumSuccess StoryKen Culp, III, Ph.D.Volunteers play integral roles in 4-H programs, performing a variety of duties, functions, and tasks and possessing varied and rich knowledge, skills, and backgrounds (Radhakrishna & Ewing, 2011). The success of Extension programming is due, in part, to the dedication of a large cadre of volunteers (Smith, Dasher, & Klingborg, 2005). Although highly valued, volunteer involvement does not guarantee achievement of Extension'
