Extension
It Starts With Us
4-H and Youth Development
Enhancing Youth Development
Tarry, Schalk, 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: Camping
All youth should have equitable opportunities to thrive. Youth living in poverty need opportunities to assess their lives, reclaim hope, dignity, and develop a plan to achieve the lives they want for themselves and for their communities. Belonging and participation in 4-H is important for youth in poverty as they experience heightened social exclusion and are more likely to feel devalued or discounted by society (DeJaeghere, 2019). According to the “Helping Youth Thrive Through An Equ
Author: Paula Tarry
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Barren County is ranked #31 according to the Stacker poll in Feeding America with a child food insecurity rate of 23.2% with the number of food insecure children being 2,430. This is a concern of a Barren County 4-H member who received a $500 grant from the Sodexo Foundation for Stop Hunger Program in conjunction with Barren County 4-H to participate in Global Youth Service Day. She chose the BC Reads and Feeds program to help address this issue. This program is designed to
Author: Paula Tarry
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Helping through Community ServiceCommunity service has been an important part of 4-H for many years. Each time that we recite the 4-H Pledge “I pledge my hands to larger service; For my club, my community, my country and my world” we are reminded of the importance of serving others. When youth volunteer, the community gains a generation of young people who care about where they live and are willing to make a commitment to improvement. Service learning is an educational strategy that
