Extension
It Starts With Us
Empowering current and future leaders; positive youth development
Leadership and personal growth development
Rebecca Miller, Stacy White
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Family and Consumer Science
Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky Cooperative
Extension Service. Extension provides opportunities to youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create more positive futures. Leadership opportunities for youth create a setting that reduces the access of youth to risk factors that can negatively impact their success.
Basic leadership knowledge & skills are essential for success in almost any field. The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others. Employers look for leadership skills in the persons they hire. Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in Extension programming is a priority. 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)
The development of life skills (such as leadership) allows youth to cope with their environment by making responsible decisions, having a better understanding of their values, and being better able to communicate and get along with others. (Boyd, Herring & Briers, 1992, Journal of Extension).
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthen families. Within Bell County, there are 110 homemaker members, 15 Master Gardeners, 47 4-H Youth enrolled in Leadership programming, 91 volunteers who serve on Extension Program Councils, share their expertise, and volunteer time with youth and families in their community. Through the efforts of the FCS, 4-H and Agriculture Agents, paraprofessionals, and our volunteers- local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand family and community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions.
Clientele will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth. Adults and youth will contribute to
self, family, community and to the institutions of our society.
Youth and adults will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism in their daily life.
Youth and adults will identify and address critical issues that impact the community.
Youth and adults will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.
Clientele practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach.
Adults and youth will demonstrate improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs.
Adults and 4-H Youth apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems.
Adults and youth increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership, community leadership and the decision-making process.
Clientele will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills (Robert's Rules of Order) that will allow them to run a meeting.
Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
Initial Outcome: Adults and youth increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership, community leadership and the decision-making process.
Indicator: Clientele will illustrate effectively how to conduct a meeting following Robert's Rules of Order.
Method: Observation of club/council/board meetings and review of minutes.
Timeline: Immediately
Intermediate Outcome: Adults and youth will demonstrate improved skills in leadership, communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs.
Indicator: Clientele demonstrate improved skills in leadership, communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs.
Method: Visual observation of meetings, activities
Timeline: 3-12 months
Long-term Outcome: Clientele will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth. Adults and youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society.
Indicator: Clientele will develop their leadership skills and serve their communities through teaching activities or programs, serving on boards and councils, volunteering in their communities and succeeding in education.
Method: Long-term individual surveys, Extension involvement, written or oral evaluation/reports.
Timeline: 2-4 years
Audience: Adults & youth
Project or Activity: Educational Workshops- passing skills on to others
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Agents, volunteers, facilities
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Adults, farmers
Project or Activity: Agriculture Advancement Council
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Facilities, Coal Severance grants, Extension Staff
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Bell County 4-H Council
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD), Extension Staff
Inputs: Extension Staff, Agents, Volunteers, Facilities, donations and grants from Civic Organizations
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Homemakers
Project or Activity: Bell County Extension Homemakers
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications and Extension Staff
Inputs: Agents, volunteers, facilities
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Horse materials, 4-H Curriculum, UK Publications, Equine specialists, UK Extension Specialists
Inputs: Agent, volunteers, facilities, community members, Tractor Supply Company
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Community Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Publications, 4-H Curriculum, UK Publications
Inputs: Agent, volunteers, facilities, community members
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Camp Staff, Volunteers, facility
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H Youth - Middle School
Project or Activity: Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist/Other 4-H Agents
Inputs: Agents, 4-H State Teen Council, UK Specialist, Facility
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Junior Homemaker Club
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Homemakers
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H Youth, Cloverbuds
Project or Activity: Community Helpers Camp
Content or Curriculum: Community Volunteers, Agents, 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Community Volunteers, Emergency Management Equipment
Date: 2019-2020
Author: Brian Good
Major Program: Leadership
Bell County 4-H and Middlesboro Elementary School (MES) recently partnered on a character education program titled, Character Counts. The program covered six weeks and incorporated character pillars such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Due to the pandemic, the lessons were recorded and shown in the classroom for students attending school in-person or uploaded to the student's online curriculum so they could watch virtually. Over 320 youth were r
Author: Brian Good
Major Program: Camping
Bell County 4-Her’s had the opportunity to attend Camp Feltner 4-H camp for the first time in two years. Due to the global pandemic, the Kentucky 4-H camping season was cancelled. A new year brought many changes at 4-H Camp in 2021. All camp sites were limited to 50% capacity, new handwashing stations were installed, social distancing was required along with facemasks. The changes also eliminated many of the well received activities at camp, such as Sally dancing. The changes did, ho
