Extension
It Starts With Us
Encouraging youth to become skillful, productive, contributing members of our community.
Empowering Community Leaders
4-H, ANR
Volunteer Development
Volunteer Development
Communications and Expressive Arts
Family and Consumer Science
Communication Programs are one of the seven core content areas in the Kentucky 4-H Program. Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. Using age appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communications Curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading and personal communication capacities. This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development (Jones, K. R. 2006)
Strong writing, reading and presentation skills present youth with the dexterity of being good communicators as well as allowing them to form receptive relationships with peers and adults. When young people are confident and capable in presenting their thoughts and feelings they are more likely to accept roles of responsibility in their communities and enhance their contribution to society. This development of internal and external assets, as researched by the Search Institutes “The 40 Developmental Assets” helps to develop youth into competent, caring and contributing adults. (Jones, K.R. 2006)
Bullying is an issue of concern for 4-H leaders and community members at listening sessions that can be addressed through 4-H Curriculum. The 4-H Summer Camp experience is one way to give children a means to learn team work, conflict management and other interpersonal skills. Our advisory committees suggest that we work towards providing youth with skills that will allow them to be skillful and productive community members in the future.
Youth gain confidence in setting goals and completion of projects. By providing special interest clubs and special interest activities allow youth to socialize, establish a goal and work to achieve that goal. Club and project work is judged by the Danish system and allows youth to measure the quality of their work and reset their new goals.
Young adults are prepared to enter the workforce with confidence and skills necessary to be a productive member of society. Youth display a new found empathy for those around them. Youth will have developed a better self-esteem and sense of accomplishment through 4-H programs.
Youth will:
-use strong team skills to accomplish tasks
-take responsibility for tasks from beginning to completion.
-learn respect,tolerance,and empathy while working with others.
-demonstrate skills and work habits that lead to success in future schooling and work
-demonstrate positive growth in self-concept through appropriate tasks or projects
-students demonstrate the ability to become self-sufficient individuals.
Number of youth who participate in and
-research, write and present a speech or demonstration as a part of classwork
-become more comfortable with speaking in public
-attend anti bullying classes
-become a member in the area teen council
-become a member in community leadership organizations such as county chamber
-become a member in the 4-H Advisory council
-become a part of step-up to leadership classes
-become a member of extension advisory board
-become a member of teen leadership board
-establish personal goals, identify steps to achieve those goals, achieve their goals
Long-Term Outcome: Students are able to use basic communication for purposes and situations they will encounter throughout their lives.
Indicator: students who report back to Extension or serve as a member on an extension advisory board
Method: Written data, pre & post test, focus groups
Timeline: After Graduation
Intermediate Outcome: Students demonstrate skills and work habits that lead to success in future schooling and work.
Indicator: School Success
Method: 4-H Club and student assessment scores
Timeline: yearly
Initial Outcome: Students will demonstrate the ability to be adaptable and flexible through appropriate tasks or projects.
Indicator: Participation in individual and group projects
Method: Project completion
Timeline: End of project
Audience: 4-H Members (9 -19 years old)
Project or Activity: Club meetings, special interest clubs, 4-H activities
Content or Curriculum: Youth Development, Leadership, Team Building, Communications
Inputs: 4-H Leaders and agent
Date: Monthly club meetings
Audience: 4-H Members (High School)
Project or Activity: Teen Conference, Teen Retreat, Area Teen Council
Content or Curriculum: Basic communication skills, Parliamentary Procedures
Inputs: Older 4-H members, 4-H agents, Leaders
Date: Summer, Spring, Bi-monthly
Audience: 4-H Members (9-19 years old)
Project or Activity: Speech & Demonstration
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum plus supporting materials & score sheets
Inputs: Leaders, Teachers, School Administrator, Parents, and 4-H agent.
Date: February, March & April Annually
MEASURE: Grades given in schools/4-H scores
Audience: 9-14 years old
Project or Activity: 4-H Camping Experience
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Camp Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H agents, ANR, & volunteers
Date: Summer
Audience: 15-19 years old & Adult Volunteers/Parents
Project or Activity: Truth and Consequences
Inputs: 4-H, ANR
Dates: Annually
Audience: 12-14 years old
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Summit
Inputs: 4-H agents, ANR, & volunteers
Dates: Spring
Audience: 14-19 years old
Project or Activity: Teen Retreat
Inputs: 4-H agents, ANR, & volunteers
Dates: Spring and summer
Author: Sharee Schoonover
Major Program: 21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
Livingston County 4-H partnered with Livingston County Family First, Livingston County Middle School, and a 7th-grade host teacher to provide the Dollars and Sense and the Reality Store program. 7th-grade students participated in three days of Dollars and Sense instruction on financial wellness, planning, and management. They were able to play games that taught the importance of budgeting and participated in activities that helped showcase the “real world” cost. At the conclusion of
Author: Sharee Schoonover
Major Program: Leadership
All Around Achievement Livingston County 4-H has eagerly participated in the achievement program. This year, a student wanted to participate, but was unsure of the application process. Working with their mom and another Livingston county staff member, she was able to complete her application & received her bronze award! This program has allowed for this student to go to her first State Teen Conference & inspired her to try out Teen Summit for the first time as well.
Author: Sharee Schoonover
Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development
Livingston County 4-H Partnered with Livingston Family & Consumer Sciences, Cardinal Connection, and the Livingston County family First Council to conduct a one-day program for 9th-grade students entitled, Truth & Consequences: The Choice is YOURS. Several community partners who work in the judicial and health fields volunteered to enact their roles in this simulation, and additional volunteers were used as “parents” to guide the students through the simulation, with some stu
Author: Sharee Schoonover
Major Program: 21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
Livingston County 4-H had the opportunity to act as a chaperone for an additional student at the 2021 Kentucky State Teen Conference held annually in Lexington, Kentucky. During this conference, students are able to live on campus and get a taste of college life. 2021 was a challenging year for programming, as we were able to host programs in a hybrid model. This allowed students to attend the conference but resulted in necessary changes to the structure. Due to a block of time and a need to soc
Author: Sharee Schoonover
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
A shy camper decided to attend 4-H camp for the first time in summer of 2021. She struggled with the small groups she had to interact with and spent a good amount of time homesick. To combat this, CEA 4-H Sharee Rushing, provided this camper with materials to draw—an interest the camper had shared and sat with her while she worked on the project. While not a traditional, “camp activity” this camper excelled at drawing, and was able to find her calm and rejoin her group. While s
