Extension
It Starts With Us
4-H and Youth Development
Enhancing Youth Development
Tarry, Schalk, Stith, Drake
Communications and Expressive Arts
Camping
21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
Civic Engagement
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 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)
In order to provide the best opportunities for current and future success, youth need to develop personal capacity life and leadership skills. They need to learn to interact with others and to make a difference by becoming engaged members of their communities. In order for youth to be prepared to work in partnership with adults, they need to develop and/or enhance their leadership skills. Youth development education prepares youth to manage time, work as a team, set goals, start conversations, facilitate meetings, and make effective presentations. Promoting youth development is a great way to promote positive life skills learning.
-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 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 gain knowledge and skills in the decision-making process.
-Youth learn skills need to communicate with others.
-Adult mentors will understand elements of positive youth development.
-Youth learn and develop life skills though 4-H. -Youth learn steps in goal setting and developing a plan of action.
Outcome: Youth will demonstrate contributions to community and society
Indicator: Number of individuals in vital roles for their families and communities
Method: observation
Timeline: : July – June
Outcome: Youth will demonstrate learned behaviors
Indicator: Number of youth serving in leadership roles
Method: observation
Timeline: July - June
Outcome: Youth will gain personal development skills
Indicator: Number of youth participating in activities and programs
Method: observation, survey
Timeline: July - June
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H participation in projects, programs, and activities demonstrating their leadership and communication skills such as: 4-H Achievement Program, Scholarship Programs, Judging Contests, Communications, Camps, Shows, Workshops, Contest, 4-H A Capitol Experience, Day Camps, Leadership Programs, Service Learning and Virtual Learning.
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Resources, Volunteers, Community Groups and Organizations
Date: July – June
Audience: 4-H Program Participants, Parents, Volunteers, Certified Volunteers
Project or Activity: Awards and Recognition
Content or Curriculum: Awards, scholarships
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Community Groups, Organizations,
Date: July-June
Audience: 4-H Program Participants, Parents and Volunteers
Project or Activity: Science, Engineering & Technology Training on Global Positioning Systems, Robotics
Content or Curriculum: 4-H and approved EPIN curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Community Groups, Organizations, Youth Service Council
Date: Programs conducted in schools and community as requested
Audience: 4-H Program Participants, Parents and Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Communication Programs and Expressive Arts (4-H Talk Meet Workshop and Contest, 4-H Demonstrations Workshop and Contest, 4-H Horse Public Speaking and Demonstrations, 4-H Country Ham Public Speaking, 4-H Variety Show) Written Communications Contest, Virtual Communications Contest
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communication Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Community Groups, Organizations, Youth Service Council
Date: December- July
Audience: 4-H Program Participants, Parents and Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Public Advocacy and Leadership programs - 4-H Teen Leadership Programs, 4-H A Capitol Experience, Barren County Citizenship Day, 4-H Citizenship Programs, 4-H Service Learning programs; County 4-H Officer Training
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Community Groups, Organizations, Youth Service Council
Date: July-June
Audience: Resource deprived youth
Project or Activity: 4-H and Extension Workshops, Activities and Camps
Content or Curriculum: SNAP, 4-H, Natural Resources, Horticulture, EFNEP
Inputs: Agents, Assistants, Teen 4-H Leaders, Community Partners
Date: July- June
Author: Paula Tarry
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Kids Baking Championship- A Sweet SuccessAs soon as this 4-H Agent saw the promo for the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship- one Barren County 4-H member stood out, Haylin Adams. She was involved in the 4-H Cooking Club and loved to bake. Haylin is a shy, eleven year old who makes beautiful cakes, cookies and is always eager to try something new. She had started her own FaceBook Business of Haylin’s Sweet Spot to make extra money. This Agent passed the information on
Author: Paula Tarry
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Encouragement and Inspiration When this 4-H Youth Development Agent transferred to Barren County, she inherited an energetic group of 4-H Teens, always willing to take on new challenges. They all worked very hard on their 4-H projects, especially one teen who loved to cook and serve at 4-H and community functions. She was shy and often afraid to step out of her comfort zone like at 4-H Communications Night. She was great at conversation but did not like public speaking. The Barre
Author: Paula Tarry
Major Program: Civic Engagement
According to the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, in 2019, 34 million people lived in poverty in America. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, 1 in 6 people (more than 50 million people), including 1 in 4 children (approximately 17 million children) in the United States are experiencing food insecurity in 2021. To help solve this problem, a Senior Barren County 4-H member received one of 106 nation wide $250 grant from the Sodexo for Stop Hunger Program Youth in conjunction with Ba
Author: Paula Tarry
Major Program: Civic Engagement
It is the Thought That CountsCommunity Service Learning is a form of experiential learning in which youth apply the subject matter they are learning along with critical thinking skills to address genuine community needs. When youth are involved in selecting and planning such efforts, and have structured time to reflect, talk, and write about the actual service activity they are performing the youth learn more, they become more confident about what they have learned, they improve in problem-solvi
Author: Paula Tarry
Major Program: Leadership
What Does 4-H Mean to Me?Throughout this 4-H Youth Development Agent’s career, I have ask the question, "What Does 4-H Mean to Me?" to hundreds of 4-H members on applications, interviews, essays or just for conversation. Needless to say, there have been a a wide variety of short, long, detailed and memorable answers. During this past year with all of the difficulties and transitions, we have faced as individuals, families and organization, I thought the answer might be diff
