Extension
It Starts With Us
Activating Volunteer Leaders through Extension Programs
Developing Leadership Skills for Community and Civic Engagement
Aldenderfer, Fentress, McCandless
Master Gardener
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Master Clothing Volunteer
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky. The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities for youth and adults to help improve leadership abilities and create a positive impact on the future. Volunteers are important in building engaged and empowered communities.
Basic leadership knowledge and skills are essential for success in almost any field. The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others. Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the Cooperative Extension Service is a priority.
Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy). 4-H participants rate their leadership life skills above average, have a positive view of their leadership ability, and have a positive attitude toward diversity and acceptance of others (Locke, Boyd, Fraze, and Howard, 2007).
Demand for home horticulture information continues to increase for Kentucky county Extension offices. The Kentucky Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Program develops trained volunteers to assist county Extension staff in meeting this need for research-based information and public outreach.
The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association mission is to improve the quality of life for families and communities through education, leadership development and volunteer service. With membership totaling more than 13,000 statewide, KEHA members are engaged leaders and active volunteers.
Extension Master Gardeners - The public has a positive perception of EMG volunteers as reliable sources for home horticulture information. EMG Volunteers extend the educational outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service in areas such as community gardens, youth gardening, environmentally sustaining lawn and garden practices, and other topics.
KEHA - KEHA members serve as active Extension and community volunteers engaged in addressing community needs.
Master Clothing Volunteers provide the counties with experienced leaders who can assist in the implementation of sewing-related programs; serve as 4-H sewing club leaders; develop lasting friendships with other Volunteers thereby gaining a support-group that can improve quality of life
Participants of MCV-Led Programs continue to engage in sewing-related activities, sustain or increase the participation in sewing-related activities – sew for pleasure or self-expression; gain skills that can be used to benefit livelihood; save money by mending or altering clothing and by sewing home décor items.
All EMG volunteers maintain consistency in completing hours (a minimum of 15 hr. per year) to maintain certification. Participants (certified EMG volunteers) put into practice the skills learned when completing volunteer hours and working with clientele Participants engage as facilitators and presenters for classes, lectures, or workshops delivered EMG volunteers practice effective skills when interacting with clientele EMG volunteers have positive perceptions of their role as reliable sources for home horticulture information
KEHA - KEHA leaders will practice personal leadership skills through leadership roles at the club, county, area and/or state level.
The number of KEHA volunteer service hours reported annually for KEHA, Extension and Community activities will increase.
Master Clothing Volunteers continue to hone their skills and increase confidence; seek out teaching and leadership opportunities in their communities; generate interest in sewing related activities within their communities
Participants of MCV-Led Programs learn more skills, consider mending clothing in lieu of replacing it, sew their own clothing or craft items; are provided with a creative outlet
Extension Master Gardeners - Participants gain knowledge in many aspects of home horticulture. This is measured through regular quizzes. Participants become more aware of Extension’s role in addressing the needs of local residents Participants master the EMG curriculum by passing (score of 75% or better) comprehensive exam given at the end of the training. Participants become Certified EMG volunteers when they master the curriculum and provide 30 hours in volunteer service to the local Cooperative Extension Office.
KEHA - KEHA members will gain organizational knowledge through annual officer and chairman training.
KEHA members will increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership through club lessons and special interest workshops.
Master Clothing Volunteers are accepted into a group of individuals that share a passion for sewing; through our MCV training, our volunteers learn standard sewing skills and are exposed to advancements in sewing equipment; they may change point-of-view about the way some sewing techniques can be taught or implemented.
Participants of MCV-Led Programs learn basic sewing skills, accept sewing as a valid hobby, become interested in learning more sewing techniques; improve hand/eye coordination
Outcome: EMGs increase knowledge and become experienced leaders
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting improved horticultural knowledge and/or Number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership skills.
Method: Attend Initial 40-hour training at the county level
Timeline: on-going
Outcome: MCV’s increase knowledge and become experienced leaders
Indicator: 1, 2 (from MCV Program Indicators)
Method: Attend Fall training at Jabez; lead Jabez classes & throughout KY
Timeline: on-going
Outcome: Sewing class participants gain skills
Indicator: 6, 7, 8 (from MCV Program Indicators)
Method: Attend MCV-led classes
Timeline: on-going
Outcome: KEHA members will gain organizational knowledge through annual officer and chairman training.
Indicator: Number of KEHA members who report knowledge gained through county and/or area officer and chairman training.
Method: program evaluation with pre and post assessment questions
Timeline: on-going
Outcome: KEHA members will increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership through club lessons and special interest workshops.
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership knowledge and/or Number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership skills.
Method: end of program evaluations, surveys
Timeline: on-going
Outcome: KEHA leaders will practice personal leadership skills through leadership roles at the club, county, area and/or state level.
Indicator: Number of KEHA members who utilized knowledge gained through officer training to fulfill a KEHA leadership role at the club, county, area and/or state level.
Method: Observation, review of officer directories
Timeline: on-going
Audience: Master Clothing Volunteers
Project or Activity: Fall training at Jabez
Content or Curriculum: classes based on certification needs or requests from members or as determined by the MCV Steering Committee
Inputs: State Coordinator, Agents, Steering Committee, other MCV’s
Date: Yearly in October
Audience: Master Clothing Volunteers
Project or Activity: Area Work Days
Content or Curriculum: MCV’s get together as determined by their Area Contact or other MCV’s to work on service projects
Inputs: FCS & 4-H Agents or other MCV’s
Date: on-going
Audience: Participants of MCV-Led Programs
Project or Activity: Level-Specific Sewing Classes
Content or Curriculum: MCV’s teach sewing classes in their counties
Inputs: FCS & 4-H Agents or other MCV’s
Date: on-going
Audience: Hardin County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA Officer and Chairman Training / County KEHA Kickoff
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Training Toolkit, KEHA Manual, KEHA Website
Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors
Date: Annually each fall
Audience: Hardin County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA Leader Training and/or Special Interest Workshops
Content or Curriculum: KELD Curriculum, FCS Extension Lesson Resources, FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors
Date: Monthly
Audience: Hardin County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA State Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Officer Training & Educational Chairman Workshops
Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors
Date: Annually each spring
Audience: Hardin County 4-H Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Volunteer Orientation/Leader Training
Content or Curriculum: Officer Training & Volunteer Orientation Materials
Inputs: 4-H Agents, State Volunteer Program Mgmt. Specialist
Date: Annually each fall
Audience: Hardin County 4-H Volunteers
Project or Activity: Kentucky Volunteer Forum
Content or Curriculum: core content/subject matter workshops
Inputs: Extension Agents, State Specialists
Date: every other February (even years)
Audience: Hardin County EMG Volunteers
Project or Activity: Initial Training
Content or Curriculum: core content/subject matter lessons
Inputs: Extension Agents, State Specialists
Date: Fall of Even Years: 2022, 2024
Author: Dayna Fentress
Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
In August of 2021, the Lincoln Trail Area Extension Homemakers conducted a SWOT analysis at their area meeting. This meeting consisted of county and club officers, chairmen, and members from each of the 8 counties in the Lincoln Trail Area. While many strengths of the Extension Homemakers organization were listed, weaknesses still arose. Lack of technology, fundraising, structure, size, and more were all listed as minor weaknesses. However, a few kept rising to the top – mentioned again an
Author: Douglas Shepherd
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR
Farm-City Day 2022 was the first in a new format. Previously Extension representing the rural segment, and Chamber of Commerce representing the urban segment, hosted the event in alternating years. Chamber's Executive Director didn't see the value in continuing the program and basically backed out of participating. As a result, leadership contacted county government officials as well as the mayors of the incorporated cities and all stated the program was important and v
Author: Amy Aldenderfer
Major Program: Master Gardener
Hardin County has over 42, 000 households with over 110,000 residents. Extension Master Gardeners enable residents to access research-based information as an extension to the county Horticulture Agent. The Extension Master Gardener Program consists of 15 classes of intense training in various areas of interest to horticulture enthusiasts. After the classroom training is complete a minimum of 40 hours of volunteerism is required to be given back to the community through extension
Author: Amy Aldenderfer
Major Program: Master Gardener
In September 2022, the Lincoln Trail Area Master Gardener Association hosted the state-wide Master Gardener Conference. There were over 150 Master Gardeners in attendance for this two-day conference. The theme of “Sustainability is in Our Hands” wove through the topics of the 10 speakers: conifers, organic vegetables, cut flower gardening, invasives of the forest, critters in the garden, succulents, greenhouses, gourds, and insect identification. Tours of three loca
