Community Leadership and Economic Development
Developing Leadership
Leann Martin; Rachel Hance; Carrie Derossett
Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General
Community Leadership Development
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Leadership
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthen families. Within Kentucky there are 16, 000 KEHA members, 119 Master Clothing Volunteers, and over 150 Champion Food Volunteers who share their expertise, and volunteer time with youth and families in their community. Through the efforts of the Cooperative Extension agents, paraprofessionals, and volunteers local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand family and community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions.
With the economy on the rise, Logan County unemployment rate has decreased and is stable at 4.7% which is second lowest in our region and below the state average of 6.3%. To continue in the efforts of making Logan County the place to come, it is critical for Logan County to recruit new businesses and market the positive attributes that Logan County has to offer.
To gain in retain, we must first be able to train the workforce we have. 76% of Logan County citizens have a high school diploma yet only 24% have some type of secondary education. If the workforce is properly trained with skills to set themselves and the county apart, Logan County will not have any problems growing. It is important that the citizens of Logan County to work together with the mutual goal of bettering the community, in mind.
Youth need opportunities to develop social skills, civic and leadership skills, create strong connections with caring adults, have access to safe places to interact with their peers, and support services to allow them to become more independent adults (Blank, M.J., 2017).
Youth need the opportunity to exercise or develop creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration skills (21st century skills, 2009).
Youth success is situated around four foundational components: self-regulation, knowledge, and skills, mindsets, and values (Nagakoa, et al., 2015).
4-Hers are four times more likely to give back to their communities (Learner, R.M., & Learner, J.V., 2013).
- Businesses and industries will continue to locate in Logan County and current businesses will expand.
- Businesses will not only invest in their business and property but also in the people they employee and the people they serve.
- Citizens will be engaged in community organizations assisting in the success of that chosen organization, establish a commitment to generosity, help identify and address critical issues in the county, accept and strive in leadership positions in the community, and engage in community service.
- Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders
-Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders
-Community members engage others to initiate projects
-Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members
-Communities become more prosperous
- Logan County will continue to identify the needs of industrial businesses looking to locate to Logan County.
- Citizens will strive to better themselves through training and skill development.
- Businesses will invest in their employees by setting up opportunities for employee training and advancement.
- Improve skills in communication, problem solving, and identification and addressing issues and solutions.
- Citizens will: develop social and communication skills, become leaders in their clubs and organizations, volunteer throughout the community, and will learn to take a more pro-active roles in community.
- Number of people who:
-Practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach
-Improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs
-Youth put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles
-Youth improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
-Youth participants initiate projects that meet the needs of their community
-Youth are inclusive to all individuals
-Youth will volunteer and participate in community service
-Youth will engage in civic involvement
-Youth will maintain future intentions for civic engagement
- Increase knowledge of the need for change
- Skills will be presented and trainings will be held
- Citizens and businesses will be educated about community issues, working in groups and boards, and where to find the help they need.
- Businesses will seek out opportunities for their employees
- Small businesses will invest in themselves and grow in knowledge and skills
- Kentuckians increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership
- KEHA and FCS Advisory Council members increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership
-Youth increase knowledge of effective leadership skills
-Youth develop/enhance leadership skills
-Youth are informed of community systems, are better connected to the communication networks, are more confident and skills in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global)
Initial Outcome: Businesses will seek out opportunities to invest in their employees
Indicator: Increase participation and involvement in community led skills trainings
Method: Attendance records
Timeline: 6 months
Initial Outcome: Kentuckians increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting improved knowledge, opinions, skills, and/or aspirations regarding personal and interpersonal leadership, organizational leadership, community leadership, public policy/governmental process
Method: Survey and question/answer session; observation
Timeline: July 2020-June 2023
Intermediate Outcome: Citizens will develop better social and communication skills
Indicator: Business is ran smoother and more efficiently, happier work place
Method: Surveys to business leaders of those attended, surveys to participants
Timeline: 1 year
Intermediate Outcome: Number of people who practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach
Indicator: Number of individuals who practice personal and interpersonal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach
Method: Observations; Interviews
Timeline: July 2020-June 2023
Long-term Outcome: Citizens with more training and skills will be more engaged in community and community organizations
Indicator: New organizations, new organization leadership
Method: interviews and follow ups,
Timeline: 2-3 years
Long-term Outcome: Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders
Indicator: Number of individuals who use communication, problem solving or group process skills to address organizational issues and need
Method: Observation; Interviews
Timeline: July 2022- June 2023
Outcome to be evaluated: youth become more engaged as a leader in their community (planning a service project, serving as a mentor, increasing participation in local/state/national levels)
Indicator of Success for Outcome:
-Youth plan a community service project in their community
-Youth report they serve as a mentor for a younger participant
-Youth serve as leaders within their club or county programs
-Youth serve in a state or national leadership position
Method: 4-H Common Measures Universal Survey, program indicators
Number of youth who served as group leaders or officers? (PRACTICE)
Number of youth who received education related to diversity and inclusion (KOSA)
Number of youth who served as direct mentors to one or more younger youth? (SEEC)
Number of youth who indicated "yes or usually" to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 "Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself? (SEEC)
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? (SEEC)
Audience: Logan County Small Business Owners
Project or Activity: Reopening/Rebuilding After COVID 19
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: County Extension Agent time, volunteer time, technology, place/location, community organization/Chamber, Small Business Development Center; Resident's participatingDate: Summer/ Fall 2022; Spring/Summer 2023
Audience: Logan County Citizens
Project or Activity: Leadership Logan/Youth Leadership Logan
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: County Extension Agent time, volunteer time, technology, place/location, community organization/Chamber, Transportation
Date: Aug. & Oct. 2020, Aug. & Oct 2021, Fall 2021-Spring 2022, Fall 2022-Spring 2023
Audience: County Extension Council
Project or Activity: County Extension Council Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Extension Manual and Current events/agenda
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) Agents, Volunteers, Kentucky CES publications and materials, technology, Agent and Volunteers' time, Community Leaders
Date: Spring & Fall 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Audience: Logan County Cattlemen's Board
Project or Activity: Monthly Meetings & Youth Steer Show
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Extension Agent Time, Volunteers' Time, Location/Facility, Support Staff's Time, Agriculture Development (CAIP)
Date: 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024Audience: Logan County Steer Committee
Project or Activity: Monthly Meetings & Youth Steer Show
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Extension Agent Time, Volunteers' Time, Location/Facility, Support Staff's Time, Agriculture Development (Youth Incentive Program)
Date: 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024Audience: Logan County Hog Show Committee
Project or Activity: Monthly Meetings & Youth Hog Show
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Extension Agent Time, Volunteers' Time, Location/Facility, Support Staff's Time, Agriculture Development (Youth Incentive Program)
Date: 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024
Audience: Logan County Fair Board
Project or Activity: Monthly Meetings & County Fair
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Extension Agent Time, Volunteers' Time, Location/Facility, Support Staff's Time, Sponsors, Community Groups
Date: 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024
Audience: Logan County Business Women & Young Women
Project or Activity: Women in Business
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: County Extension Agent time, volunteer time, technology, place/location, community organization/Chamber,
Date: Summer 2022; Summer 2023Audience: Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Council
Project or Activity: FCS Council meetings
Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculum, Strategic Plan
Inputs:Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers; Kentucky CES publications and resources; Community partners; County Extension Agent time
Date: Fall 2022 and Spring 2023
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Officer's Training
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Manual; Area Officer's notebook, member yearbook, officer's forms
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers; Kentucky CES publications and resources;Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA); County Extension Agent time
Date: June 2023
Audience: Logan County District Board members
Project or Activity: Logan County District Board meetings
Content or Curriculum: Extension Manual
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers; Kentucky CES publications and resources; Community partners; County Extension Agent time; Volunteer time; Technology; Community organizations; Community leaders
Date: Monthly--July 2021-June 2022; July 2022-June 2023
Audience: Ag Development & Ag Council Board members
Project or Activity: Ag Development & Ag Council Board meetings
Content or Curriculum: Extension Manual; Ag Development guidelines
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, Kentucky CES publications and resources; Community partners; County Extension Agent time; Volunteer time; Technology; Community organizations; Community leaders
Date: Summer 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023,
Audience: 4-H Council
Project or Activity: 4-H Council meetings
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum, Strategic Plan
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers; Kentucky CES publications and resources; Community partners; County Extension Agent time
Date: July 2020-2023
Audience: 4-H Clubs
Project or Activity: 4-H Club meetings
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum, Strategic Plan
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers; Kentucky CES publications and resources; Community partners; County Extension Agent time
Date: July 2020-2023
Author: Leann Martin
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Leadership development and professional improvement opportunities are extremely important to the success of Extension Agents. The KY Association of County Agricultural Agents (KACAA) provides avenues for agents to sharpen their skills and become “Better Together” through teamwork. Agents have not had a great deal of in-person trainings the past two years due to Covid restrictions.The W7 and W8 agriculture and horticulture agents hosted the KACAA annual meeting on June 22-24, 2022 in