Strengthening leaders to expand community leadership and economic development Plan of Work

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Breckinridge County CES

Title:
Strengthening leaders to expand community leadership and economic development
MAP:
Community Vitality
Agents Involved:
Allen, Bryant Popham, Crawford, Hinton, Pruneda, Tucker
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Master Gardener
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Leadership
Situation:

Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within Breckinridge County is critical for the sustainability of the community’s rural, agriculture infrastructure, to solve local issues with active citizenship, and to develop a strong, healthy community. The Kentucky Extension Community Assessment surveyed Breckinridge County citizens and 31.5% identified a priority for more qualified leaders to prepare the community for the future, 21% identified a need for more pride in the community and its assets, and 20% identified a need for more citizens helping to solve local issues. 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. 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 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). Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy). Breckinridge County Extension continues to expand and develop a leadership base to serve the community.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Breckinridge County's health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership that is engaged to solve local problems. Extension Council, Extension District Board, Extension Homemakers Council, FCS Council, 4-H Council, Cattleman's, Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Young Farmers, will provide leadership for Extension Programming.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Extension volunteers (e.g. FCS, 4-H, ANR), 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. Support will be provided to local adult and teen Extension volunteers and encourage leaders to serve in roles within and outside of Extension. Support will be provided to the local Fair Board and encourage volunteers to participate in other local leadership organizations, such as, Farm Bureau and the Rotary Club. We will nominate local leaders to programs, such as, the Soybean Association Young Leaders program, as well as, KALP, and Farm Bureau LEAD program. Develop local leadership program for farmers to become familiar with inter-relationship between farm policies and the legislature in Frankfort and Washington D.C.

Initial Outcomes:

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.

Evaluation:

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; 4-H Common Measures; Program Evaluations

Timeline: 2021-2022 program year

 

Intermediate Outcome: Growth in volunteer led programs and clubs 

Indicator: Increased number of volunteers serving on councils and committees 

Method: Monthly statistical reports; 4-H Common Measures; Program Evaluations  

Timeline: 2021-2022 program year

 

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, observations, and testimonials 

Timeline:  2021-2022 program year

Learning Opportunities:

As needed, the Extension Service will provide “Grab-N-Go" kits, virtual programs, and other alternative formats due to Covid-19. 


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference 

Content or Curriculum: Annual Leadership Conference for High School Youth 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) staff and facility, public schools, community action, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources, local organizations and business sponsorship 

Date: Spring 2022


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Summit 

Content or Curriculum: Annual Leadership Conference for Middle School Youth 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) staff and facility, public schools, community action, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources, local organizations and business sponsorship 

Date: Spring 2022


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Cultural Program (e.g. Exchange Program, Cultural Project Club, School Enrichment) 

Content or Curriculum: KY 4-H Approved Curriculum (e.g. Backpack to Adventure curriculum) 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers 

Kentucky CES publications and resources 

Date: 2021-2022 program year 


Audience: 6th grade youth 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: Spring 2022


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 (BCCA and Farm Bureau), Chamber of Commerce and local youth organizations.   

Date: April 2022


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 and KSU publications and resources 

Date: 2021-2022 program year 


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Academy and Advanced 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: 2021-2022 program year 


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Leadership Club 

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: 2021-2022 program year 


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Boards 

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: 2021-2022 program year 


Audience: Youth (4th-5th Grade) 

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: 2021-2022 program year 


Audience: 4-H Project Club Officers 

Project or Activity: 4-H Project 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: 2021-2022 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, and secured donations 

Timeline: 2021-2022 program year 


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 2022 and Summer 2022


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity:  Sustainability through Leadership

Content or Curriculum:  KEHA state manual, Real Colors, KELD, KEHA Academy Resources, KEHA State Plan of Work

Inputs:  Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers

Kentucky CES publications and resources

Date:  2021-22 program year


Audience: Ag Leaders in the county in State and local leadership roles

Project:  Workshop promotion to assist them in approving their leadership schools, and programs to improve local agriculture opportunities in the county.

Content:  Leadership programs offered through Commodity Organizations

Inputs:  KYCORN, KFB, KCA

Date:  2021-22 program year



Success Stories

Breckinridge County Extension Homemakers: Reflect and Recharge

Author: Lynnette Allen

Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

The Covid pandemic has been difficult for many Extension Homemakers across Kentucky.  Many have lost loved ones and have been isolated from family and friends for two years.  Regular club meetings, workshops and events has been cancelled, leaving many members idle and feeling withdrawn from their communities.  In August 2021 a special area event was planned to help build unity and momentum for the Lincoln Trail Extension Homemakers as they kicked-off the 2021-22 program year. &nbs

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