Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth and Adults Overcome Life Situations by Acquiring Life Skills
Youth Life Skill Development
Pat Hardesty, Kara Back, Kimberly Thomas, FCS
Family and Consumer Science
Volunteer Development
Agriculture
Communications and Expressive Arts
SITUATION:
Researchers from Northwestern and Columbia Universities have found extensive findings "that substantiate significant associations between poverty and children's health, cognitive development, behavior problems, emotional well being and problems with school achievement."
In Taylor County 33.1% of children ages 0-17 are below poverty (Kentucky By the Numbers). It is important for the youth of our communities to develop life skills in order for them to overcome their life situations such as poverty.
Youth and adults need to develop essential life skills to become productive members of the community and effective as adults in society.
The 4-H Youth Development Program helps build the key characteristics of positive youth development, competence, confidence, character, connection and compassion.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES:
Youth will acquire life skills needed to prepare them to address all aspects of their adult lives and to develop into adult roles in society enabling them to be productive members in our community.
INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES:
Youth will implement problem solving and decision making skills in various aspects of their lives. Youth will learn how to effectively interact and cooperate with their peers and adults. Youth will teach other children skills learned.
INITIAL OUTCOMES:
Youth will learn basic public speaking skills to help reduce the fear of speaking in front of a group. Youth will compete in events and will be recognized for their accomplishments. Youth will attend day camps and project meetings and begin to learn new skills. Youth will increase awareness and knowledge of science. Youth and adults will identify and implement sound decision-making in relationships.
Long-Term Outcome: Youth will increase verbal and written communication skills
Indicator: Number of youth participating in communication events
Method: Post survey and score sheets
Timeline: November-July 2022, 2023
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will engage in decision making skills in all aspects of their daily lives
Indicator: Number of youth participating in judging events, day camps, and activities
Method: Pre and post surveys and awards
Timeline: July-June 2022, 2023
Initial Outcome: Increased Awareness of 4-H Program to Youth in Grades 1-3
Indicator: Number of cloverbud participants and number of participants attending 4-H 4 All
Method: Attendance Rosters, Parent and Agent Observations
Timeline: August-May 2022, 2023
Outcome: Youth and adults will gain and utilize new life skills
Indicator: Number of youth who gain and utilize new life skills
Method: Observation, Written Evaluations
Timeline: July-June 2022. 2023
Outcome: Increase Knowledge of Science, Engineering and Technology and number of youth who participate
Indicator: Number of youth who gain and utilize Science, Engineering and Technology skills
Method: Observation, Written Evaluations
Timeline: July-June 2022, 2023
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Demonstrations and Talk Meet
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Speak Up and Would You Like to Do a 4-H Project Demonstration? Project Books
Inputs: Teachers, School Officials, Parents, Community Members
Date: November-July 2022, 2023
Audience: 4-H and FFA youth ages 9-15
Project or Activity: Heifer Chain
Content or Curriculum: KLVCR Program Materials
Inputs: Taylor County Cattlemen, Parents, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Agents
Date: July-June 2022, 2023
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Livestock, Dairy, Goats, Bee Club and Equine Educational Meetings and Activities
Content or Curriculum: KLVCR Materials
Inputs: Certified Volunteer Leaders, Cattlemen, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Parents
Date: July-June 2022, 2023
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Monthly School Club Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various topics from the 7 core curriculumn areas
Inputs: Teachers, School Officials
Date: August-May 2022, 2023
Audience: Youth ages 5-8
Project or Activity: Cloverbud Monthly Meetings and Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: The Ohio State Cloverbud Curriculum
Inputs: Youth Leaders, Parents, Community Members
Date: July-May 2022, 2023
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H After School Programs
Content or Curriculum: Fantastic Food Series, Acres of Adventure, Awesome After School Kits
Inputs: School Officials
Date: September-April 2022, 2023
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Project Workshops
Content or Curriculum: Various Project Books and State Fair Requirements
Inputs: Volunteer Adult and Youth Leaders
Date: May 2022 and throughout the year
Audience: Youth ages 9-14
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: State Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Adult and Teen Leaders, Parents, Community Members
Date: January-July 2022
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Shooting Sports
Content or Curriculum: State Shooting Sports Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Adult and Youth Leaders, Parents
Date: January-October 2022, 2023
Audience: Youth ages 9-15
Project or Activity: Day Camps
Content or Curriculum: Various depending on Day Camp offered using 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: Parents, Teen Volunteers
Date: July, Fall Break and Spring Break 2022, 2023
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Babysitting Clinic
Content or Curriculum: KY 4-H Babysitting Curriculum
Inputs: Teachers, Community Leaders
Date: Fall 2022
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Sewing Classes, Fashion Revue and Sewing Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Sewing Curriculum
Inputs: Certified Master Clothing Volunteers, Homemakers, Parents
Date: July and February-May 2022, 2023
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Art Club
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Parents, Teen Volunteers, Teachers
Date: Throughout the Year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Farm Safety/Awareness
Content or Curriculum: Safety Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agents, Leaders, Farm Bureau
Date: Fall 2022
Audience: Taylor County Cattlemen's Association
Project or Activity: Emergency Preparedness
Content or Curriculum: Emergency Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agents, Leaders, Emergency Personnel
Date: Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Over 130 4-H’ers and their families attended Taylor County 4-H Awards Banquet on Tuesday, November 15 at the Taylor County Extension Office.97 individual 4-H’ers were recognized and over 150 recognition award pins were given out to honor the youth's hard work, learning and dedication to the 4-H Program through contests, clubs, events and activities throughout the previous 4-H year. Honors were giving out to our most active youth with the awards of All Stars and Superstars. These
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Natural Resources
Taylor County youth are “buzzing” with new 4-H club. Beekeeping has sparked an interest with youth and adults alike. Youth are excited and fascinated learning about bees and how they make honey. Through a Kentucky 4-H Foundation Agriculture Mini Grant in 2022, Taylor County 4-H was able to Purchase two beehives to be placed at the Taylor County Extension Office for educational demonstrations with our 4-H’ers and local bee association, the Green River Beekeepers. Wit
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
The Taylor County 4-H Annual Open House, known as “4-H For All” was held on Saturday, September 17th from 11am-2pm at the Taylor County Extension Office. The goal of this event is to showcase all the clubs, events, and activities that Taylor County 4-H has to offer. Attendees were able to learn about 4-H through interactive stations that allowed the youth in attendance to do something hands-on associated with each club or activity.This year we had over twenty volunteers to share thei
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The 2023 Taylor County Fair was held June 5th – 10th at the Taylor County Fairgrounds in Campbellsville Kentucky. The fair provides youth an opportunity to share their interests and passions with the community through the Beef Show, Dairy Show, Horse Shows, and Fair Projects Exhibits.One 4-H Club received a great opportunity this year to learn and grow through the fair. The Taylor County Livestock Club contains a group of passionate youth and their families, excited and willing to share th
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Health
18 youth, ages 9-13 years old attended the Poultry BBQ Day Camp at the Taylor County Extension Office on June 16, 2023, led by University of Kentucky Extension Specialist Dr. Jacquie Jacob. The youth in attendance had a variety of skills levels coming into this Day Camp. During this event youth learn proper food handling, kitchen safety, grilling safety, and cleanup. They learned these skills while leaning how to prepare and cook turkey burgers and chicken thighs on a charcoal grill.100% of the
