Extension
It Starts With Us
4-H Leadership Development
4-H Youth Development
Elijah Wilson
Leadership
Agriculture
Science, Engineering, and Technology
Economic Development and Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development
In 2013, the Extension Service in partnership with the Burkesville/Cumberland County Industrial Authority, Cumberland County Fiscal Court, City Council of Burkesville, and the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce hosted a series of community forums focused on how to improve the quality of life of local residents. The information collected from the forums plus data from an online questionnaire was used in the development of a community strategic plan that established 5 priorities for sustainable community development. One of the priorities in the plan is focused on promoting and expanding opportunities that foster positive youth development.
In the October of 2020 and February 2021, as part of the Extension plan of work process, members of the Cumberland County 4-H program advisory committee (Cumberland County 4-H Council) revisited the community strategic plan and discussed ways to address ongoing community needs related to youth. The committee recommended that youth leadership development be included as the main component of the plan of work. The 4-H Council also recommended that the 4-H program expand opportunities for Cloverbuds (Youth Ages 5-8).
The development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people and their communities. Scholars and youth development professionals agree that leadership development is an important, but often overlooked facet of youth development and education (MacNeil, 2000). 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 young 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).
4-H is the largest youth development organization in the county and in the country. Leadership education is incorporated into all 4-H programs in Cumberland County. The Cumberland County 4-H program offers programs during the school day, afterschool and during the summer. 4-H members learn about the concept of leadership, their role as a leader, and how to effectively lead small groups and teams toward common goals within their community, county, state and beyond. 4-H members grow to become engaged leaders who can make a difference and they are the ones who will be tasked with solving national problems such as the need for more scientist and engineers, and the global issues of food security and world peace.
Youth will serve as leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
Youth will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism in their daily life.
Youth will identify and address critical issues that impact the community
Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
Youth will choose a career paths in science, engineering or technology subject matter.
Youth will use science, engineering and technology to help solve the global problems such as of food insecurity
Youth will develop and practice effective communications and leadership skills needed to be successful in the workplace and school.
Youth will indicate increased awareness of diversity issues in their community and personal lives.
Youth will demonstrate and share new abilities in science, engineering and technology with others.
Teens will mentor younger 4-H’ers in science, engineering and technology programs.
Youth will raise livestock as of income and food for the family.
Youth will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run meetings
Youth learn new skills in 4-H science, engineering and technology programs.
Youth will be introduced to careers in science, engineering, and technology.
Youth will practice scientific methods learned in 4-H SET programs.
Youth will use and apply the skills gained from 4-H science, engineering and technology.
Youth will increase interest in pursuing a science, engineering and technology related careers.
Youth will be introduced to careers in science, engineering, and technology.
Youth will have greater understanding of how food and fiber is produced.
Initial Outcome: Youth will have greater understanding of how food and fiber is produced
Indicator: # of youth who complete a livestock project, participate in livestock judging contest club or complete a country ham project.
Method: Program Records and ES-237 report
Timeline: Measured on end of program year 4-H evaluation
Initial Outcome: Youth will have increased interest in pursuing a science, engineering and technology related careers
Indicator: # of youth who report increased interest in SET as result of program participation
Method: Post participation questionnaire
Timeline: End of year middle School SET Program ( March of each school year)
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will indicate increased awareness of diversity issues in their community and personal lives..
Indicator: # of youth who report change in level of awareness of diversity issues
Method: Post participation questionnaire
Timeline: June - Measured on end of program year 4-H evaluation
Long Term Outcome: Youth will serve as leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
Indicator: # of 4-H members who serve as an elected leader of a 4-H club
Method:Es-237 Report
Timeline: June - Measured on end of program year 4-H evaluation
Audience: Youth 9-18
Project or Activity: Speech and Demonstration Program
Content or Curriculum: Contest for all youth ages 9 -18
Inputs: In school teachers, retired teachers, chamber of commerce volunteers
Date: Feb: Speech - March :Demonstration, May: Lake Cumberland Showcase, July State Communication Contest
Audience: Youth 9-18
Project or Activity: Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Resource Kit, Unlock Your Leadership Potential, Country Ham Program
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Youth Cost Share Funds, Sheep Barn, New Ham House
Date: January - September
Audience: Youth 9-18
Project or Activity: Horse Club and D5 Horse Show, Camp, and Judging Contest
Content or Curriculum: Horse Resource Kit, Unlock Your Leadership Potential, Country Ham Program
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Youth Cost Share Funds
Date: January - September
Audience: Youth 11-14 (Middle School Aged)
Project or Activity: Monthly School Enrichment Program and 4-H Middle School Leadership Council.
Content or Curriculum: 6th Grade Citizenship, 7th Grade STEM, 8th Grade College and Careers
Inputs: Middle School STEM Teacher, SET grant, UK College of Engineering
Date: September June
Audience: Youth 9-10 ( 4th and 5th Grades )
Project or Activity: Monthly School Enrichment Program, 4-H School Club meetings
Content or Curriculum: 4th Grade Health, 5th Grade Entrepreneurship , 4th and 5th Grade Club Officers, Leadership
Inputs: Middle School STEM Teacher, SET grant, UK College of Engineering
Date: September - June
Audience: Youth 5-8 ( K- 3 Grades )
Project or Activity: Monthly Clover Bud Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Penn State Clover Bud Curriculum
Inputs: Middle School and High School STEM Teacher, SET grant, UK College of Engineering
Date: September - June
Audience: Youth 9 - 18
Project or Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Program and Lake Cumberland Area Shoot Held in Cumberland County
Content or Curriculum: Hunter Ed and Coach Certification Program
Inputs: National Certified Coaches, 4-H Shooting Range at Marrowbone Community Park.
Date: February - September
Audience: Youth 9 - 18
Project or Activity: Lake Cumberland Junior MANRRS
Content or Curriculum: MANRRS Institute
Inputs: CAFE Diversity Office
Date: September - June
Author: Elijah Wilson
Major Program: Agriculture
New Country Ham House
Author: Elijah Wilson
Major Program: Leadership
For many of the young people who live in Cumberland County, 4-H mentors are much more than tutors or project leaders — they are hope, they are comfort, they are family. They are the pathway to a promising future. In the summer of 2021, the Cumberland County 4-H Program and the University of Kentucky were awarded funding to conduct research about the impact of mentorship on 4-H youth. The funding provided $10,000 to help develop a formalized mentorship program based on best practices and es
Author: Elijah Wilson
Major Program: Economic Development
Extension Agents are informed community leaders and can add value to planning efforts on a wide range of diverse topics. The active community involvement of Extension Agents, coupled with ongoing Extension volunteer development and leadership programs, help communities to increase capacity to address challenges and to develop community assets. Extension adds value and helps to maximize the positive impact of public and private available resources. In 2019, as part of an on-going comm
Author: Elijah Wilson
Major Program: Camping
Summer is not summer without 4-H Camp. However, for one 4-H member to attend 4-H Camp in the summer of 2022, the cost is $260 plus transportation. In spring of 2022, the Cumberland County Extension District Board made a commitment to make 4-H Camp affordable for all youth. The Cumberland County Extension District Board voted to provide the maximum allowed contribution towards each 4-H member’s camp fee ($195 per member). The funding decision was made in response to obstacles th
