Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Youth Into Productive Citizens
Youth Development
Tony Rose, Nick Roy
Natural Resources
Health
Science, Engineering, and Technology
Communications and Expressive Arts
Today’s youth spend less time outdoors than previous generations (Clemonts, 2004; Karsten, 2005; Carver et al., 2008) and are likely able to identify a Pokémon character more easily than a native plant or animal (Balmford et al., 2002). Kentucky 4-H provides environmental education opportunities by engaging youth in hands-on, interdisciplinary educational experiences that foster an increased understanding and appreciation for natural resources and environmental sciences. Programs and projects are offered in the areas of environmental science, entomology, forestry and wood science, geology, soils, water, wildlife, and shooting sports.
Healthy living is one of three 4-H mission mandates and encompasses physical activity, personal safety, mental health, addiction prevention, and diversity and inclusion. In Kentucky, 37% of youth 10-17 are overweight or obese, and 51% report not exercising regularly. 25% of youth report some form of the emotional or behavioral condition and suicide rates are at a record high (KY suicides per 100,000 people: 15.3, 10th highest in the nation). Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health disease can affect anyone, with 1,160 reported opioid-involved deaths (a rate of 27.9 deaths per 100,000 persons) in Kentucky and Vaping nearly doubled among middle and high school students — with 27% of high school seniors reporting they had tried the product in 2018.
In the United States, there were nearly 8.6 million STEM jobs in 2015, an increase of 10.5% from 2009 while non-STEM occupations grew only 5.2% in that same period. (Fayer, 2017) and STEM occupations are projected to grow by 8.9 percent from 2014 to 2024, compared to 6.4 percent growth for non-STEM occupations (Noonan, 2017). Keeping these opportunities in mind, the Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase STEM literacy among youth in Kentucky to help fill the need for a diverse pool of STEM literate individuals to meet expanding job opportunities.
The development of communication skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member, and a leader. Research also shows a positive association between arts participation and a number of desirable academic and social outcomes, such as school grades, test scores, enrollment in post-secondary education, attainment of a bachelor’s degree, and higher levels of literacy and civic engagement. (Child Trends, 2012) Kentucky 4-H provides communication and expressive arts by engaging youth in hands-on educational experiences that inspire confidence and foster a love for the arts.
The youth will make informed decisions and take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection, and restoration.
Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits.
Increased number of youth at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress.
The youth will innovate in addressing social problems and situations using STEM.
Youth will increase STEM literacy in the general population.
Youth will utilize the skills gained to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.
Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H natural resources and environmental projects and clubs, and life situations.
Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle.
Youth will apply STEM learning skills in contexts outside the 4-H Program.
Youth will demonstrate the use of developed life-skills everyday situations.
The youth will construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body, and closing.
The youth will demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of groups.
Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
Improved awareness of health concerns for youth.
Improved education about diversity and Inclusion.
Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communications and leadership.
The youth will have an improved attitude toward STEM-related subjects.
Youth will gain knowledge in researching, preparing, and presenting a speech or demonstration.
Initial Outcome: Youth complete project work in a specific project area.
Indicator: Number of youth who complete communications, STEM, natural resources, or health project area.
Method: Common Measures Survey
Timeline: July-June
Intermediate Outcome: Youth gain an understanding of STEM, natural resources, communications or health systems and how they work
Indicator: Number of youth who can show increased knowledge in the above areas.
Method: Common Measures Survey
Timeline: July-June
Long-term Outcome: Youth will develop into competent, capable leaders.
Indicator: Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?”
Method: Common Measures Survey
Timeline: July-June
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Dollars and Sense
Content or Curriculum: Dollars and Sense
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, School Officials, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Communications programs
Content or Curriculum: State Communications Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, School Officials, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Reality Store
Content or Curriculum: Reality Store Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, School Officials, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Truth and Consequences Program
Content or Curriculum: State-supported Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, School Officials, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Project or Activity: 4-H After School Programs
Content or Curriculum: State-supported curriculum, 4-H Project materials
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, School Officials, Community Leaders, Youth Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Project or Activity: Clover Buds
Content or Curriculum: State-supported Clover Bud Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Youth Leaders, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Project or Activity: Project Workshops
Content or Curriculum: State-supported curriculum, 4-H Project books
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Youth Leaders, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Project or Activity: Shooting Sports
Content or curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Youth Leaders, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: day resident camp - 4-H Camp curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Youth Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: SET Club
Content or Curriculum: State Approved SET Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Youth Leaders, Community Leaders, School personal
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Author: Michael Rose
Major Program: Camping
4-H's mission is to help young people become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society. The 4-H Camping program gives youth a chance to develop in all three of these areas. The Adair County Cooperative Extension Service provides multiple opportunities for youth throughout the week to develop skills in all three of these areas. Adair County Cooperative Extension Service provided 92 campers, 20 Teen Leaders, and 12 Adult Leaders the opportunity to attend summer camp. &nbs
Author: Michael Rose
Major Program: Agriculture
Adair County Cooperative Extension and Kentucky 4-H have worked to strengthen local food programs and agriculture marketing efforts. Agriculture and food is part of our culture and heritage, including curing meats. Curing hams is a skill that had been practiced by past generations of Kentucky and Adair youth. The 4-H County Ham project provides youth the opportunity to apply scientific principles, exercise leadership and communications skills, and invest in their future.4-H members learn princip
Author: Michael Rose
Major Program: Health
The 2021 Kids Count data ranks Kentucky as 38th nationally in youth health, and 14% of children live in a high-poverty area, which is an adverse community environmental factor that impacts a child's ability to thrive (KYA, 2022). These high-poverty communities often struggle with equitable access to indoor and outdoor spaces. This inequity is heightened in winter due to a reduction of daylight hours and a decrease in outdoor temperatures. This creates a barrier for youth in these communities
Author: Michael Rose
Major Program: Economic Development and Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development
With the changing economic lookout for the future it is more important than ever that youth be better prepared for entering the workforce. A decision that the youth make in their education program will have a major impact and their future earning potential. To increase awareness of financial management issues for youth and the importance of career selection, the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with the Adair County School System, local and state agencies, and local b
