Extension
It Starts With Us
Develop Individuals for Volunteer Roles and Leadership Positions
Leadership Development
Samantha Gamblin, Tori Riehemann, Lorilee Kunze, Ruth Chowning, Nathan Rider
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, more Americans are planning a bigger influence on volunteering. The 2018 Volunteering in America report found that 77.34 million adults, or 30.3 percent, gave 6.9 billion hours, worth an estimated $167 billion in economic value. This estimate helps acknowledge the millions of individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a difference. Volunteers demonstrate the amount of support an organization has within a community, provide work for short periods of time, and provide support on a wide range of projects. Bullitt County Extension Service depends upon volunteer leaders to assist in its goal of serving the community.
Volunteers are important in building engaged and empowered communities.
The Extension mission is to improve the quality of life for families and communities through education, leadership development and volunteer service.
Kentucky is rich with artisans in the fields of Visual Art, Sculpting, Basket Weaving, Cultural Dancing, and Quilting. With newer Artisan skills such as Smoking and Curing meat becoming all the rage, the Bullitt County Extension was approached by local artisans to assist and support their efforts to develop their skills and further their income. According to the 2001 CODA survey, there are approximately 7000 artisans in Kentucky. A concern is that even with 7000 artisans in the state, they only average an annual household income of $27,000. From 2004-2009 the state level of Extension identified the need for more support on the local level through agent positions. The Bullitt County Extension identified the need to work with local artisans to assist and support their efforts to develop their skills through meetings, education and marketing to increase their sales.
·Program area councils and CEC members will take an active role in training of new members
·Extension volunteers will take an active role in leadership of their program.
·Extension volunteer organizations will increase membership.
·Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.
·Extension will maintain its programs to serve the needs of the community.
·Acquisition of life skills needed by young people to reach their full potential as individuals and as members of their communities
·KEHA members serve as active Extension and community volunteers engaged in addressing community needs.
·Key Community events intentionally have arts and artisans involved
·Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, or serve as mentors for younger youth.
·Youth will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism in their daily life.
·Youth will identify and address critical issues that impact the community
·Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
·Youth will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace daily.
·Program area council and County Extension Council members will assist in training and recruiting of new members
·Practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach
·Extension Council members become aware of Extension’s mission and come to rely on its resources to meet needs.
·Apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems
·More youth succeed in FFA and 4H competitions
·Youth gain confidence in leadership skills necessary to become competitive in the current job market
·Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (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.
·Key community events include arts and artisans
·Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives.
·Youth will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities and other venues with 4-H, Extension, and other community organizations.
·Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of clubs, day camps, or other groups of younger 4-H members.
·Youth will indicate increased awareness of diversity issues in their community and personal lives.
·Youth will engage in community-based service projects selected to address identified need.
·Individuals are recognized for their commitment to volunteerism
·Individuals seek to become more effective leaders
·Youth serve in volunteer roles creating a sense of belonging
·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.
·Community artisan members have a greater sense of place and organizational structure
·Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator.
·Youth and adults will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting.
·Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
·Youth will learn about diversity and will demonstrate inclusivity.
·Youth will acquire decision-making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.
·Youth will learn how to set appropriate, attainable goals.
·Youth will listen to people who have different ideas from them.
Outcome: Increase CEC involvement and membership
Indicator: Membership numbers increase
Method: Higher attendance
Timeline: July 2023 -July 2024
Outcome: Increase involvement in Homemaker Council & Programming
Indicator: Leadership by membership increase and program involvement increase
Method: Higher attendance, involvement and leadership from council members
Timeline: July 2023-June 2024
Outcome: Increase involvement in Louisville Area Homemakers/ Programming
Indicator: Leadership by membership increase and program involvement increase
Method: Higher attendance, involvement and leadership from council members
Timeline: July 2023-June 2024
Outcome: Increase FCS involvement in FCS Council/ FCS Programming and CEC
Indicator: Membership numbers and program involvement increase
Method: Higher attendance and new members
Timeline: July 2023-June 2024
Outcome: Increase involvement in Ag Council and Ag programming
Indicator: Membership numbers and program involvement increase
Method: Monthly Meetings/ Trainings
Timeline: July 2023 - June 2024
Outcome: Increased involvement in Bullitt County Cattlemen’s Chapter
Indicator: Membership numbers and program involvement increases
Method: Hight attendance, members attending more state programs
Timeline: July 2023 - June 2024
Outcome: Increase Horticulture involvement in Council/ Horticulture Programming and CEC
Indicator: Membership numbers and program involvement increase
Method: Higher attendance, More volunteer lead programming
Timeline: July 2023 -July 2024
Outcome: Increase Master Gardener participation in Horticulture Programming
Indicator: Membership program involvement increase
Method: Higher attendance, More volunteer lead programming
Timeline: July 2023 -July 2024
Outcome: Increase Master Gardener Membership
Indicator: Membership Numbers increase
Method: New enrollment in program
Timeline: July 2023 -July 2024
Outcome: Greater understanding of different personalities, communication styles
Indicator: Increased tolerance, adaptability in clubs or school
Method: Written evaluation
Timeline: Spring 2024
Outcome: 4-H youth serving as leaders in school/other organizations
Indicator: school/community club officers with 4-H background
Method: observation & survey
Timeline: 6-18 months
Outcome: 4-H youth joining/serving as leaders in community organizations
Indicator: Community leaders with 4-H background
Method: observation & survey
Timeline: long-term, on-going
Audience: Bullitt 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 Agent, County officers, Area Officers, State Advisors
Date: August - October 2023, April- June 2024
Audience: Louisville Area and Jefferson 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 Agent, County officers, Area Officers, State Advisors
Date: August - October 2023, April- June 2024
Audience: Bullitt 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, KEHA state curriculum and projects
Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors
Date: Monthly, September 2023 - June 2024
Audience: County Extension Council membership
Project or Activity: Council building and networking program
Content or Curriculum: KELD Community Leadership materials
Inputs: KELD staff, County Manager, County Agents
Date: August, October 2023/ January, April 2024
Audience: Extension Clientele
Project or Activity: Sewing Machine Use Training
Content or Curriculum: basics of using office sewing machines
Inputs: FCS Agent, all agents
Date: September 2023
Audience: Bullitt County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Council
Project or Activity: Marketing and Training of new Volunteers
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent, FCS Council members
Date: July 2023 - June 2024
Audience: Bullitt County Ag Development Council
Project or Activity: Trainings, Ag Development Comprehensive Plan
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Department of Ag and University of Kentucky
Inputs: ANR Agent, Ag Specialist, KDA
Date: July 2023 -June 2024
Audience: Bullitt County Cattlemen’s Association
Project or Activity: BQCA, Farm Management
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Beef Programs
Inputs: ANR Agent, Extension Specialist, KDA
Date: July 2023 -June 2024
Audience: Bullitt County Horticulture Council Volunteers
Project or Activity: Council and Extension Leadership Training
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Department of Ag and University of Kentucky
Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Leadership Materials, Extension Volunteers
Date: July 2023 – June 2024
Audience: Bullitt County Extension Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: Advanced Master Gardener Educational Opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual and Horticulture Supplemental Content
Inputs: Course Materials, Horticulture Agents, Specialists
Date: June 2023 -July 2024
Audience: Bullitt County Community Members
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Training
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual and Horticulture Supplemental Content
Inputs: Course Materials, Horticulture Agents, Specialists
Date: June 2023 -July 2024
Audience: Teen and Adult Camp Volunteers
Project or Activity: Leadership-4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: KY 4-H Camp
Inputs: extension staff and resources, adult volunteers, camp staff
Date: Summer 2023
Audience: Youth – School Clubs
Project or Activity: School and Community Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Leadership Curriculum, Project Area Curriculum
Inputs: Elementary Schools, curriculum, Extension staff, & resources
Date: Fall 2023-Spring 2024
Audience: Youth – Middle
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, volunteers, community agencies
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: Youth – High School
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Leadership Curriculum, KY 4-H Project Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, volunteers, community agencies
Date: Summer 2024
Audience: Youth – 8th-11th grade
Project or Activity: 4-H Issues Conference
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Leadership Curriculum, Issues Conference Action Groups
Inputs: Extension Staff, volunteers, community agencies
Date: Winter 2024
Audience: Youth – Middle/High School
Project or Activity: Teen Council
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, volunteers, community agencies
Date: On-Going
Author: Nathan Rider
Major Program: Trail Design
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in Bullitt County is situated on 19 acres off Highway 44 surrounded by a few farm fields, a small neighborhood and about 4 acres of forest. The property also hosts a few acres of hayfields, a meadow restoration project site, an orchard, several garden plots, and landscaping that was recently renovated to incorporate more native plants. All of that adds up to be a relatively biodiverse ecosystem and habitat that provides many opportunities
Author: Lorilee Kunze
Major Program: Beekeeping
Beekeeping is becoming more popular in Bullitt County. Beginning beekeepers in our area need mentors and support to be successful. The Bullitt County Beekeepers Association leadership is consistently providing opportunities for new beekeepers in our community to become involved and gain experience. They provide monthly beekeeping lessons and hands on demonstrations with seasoned local experts. Individual leaders partner up with new beekeepers to assist and provide support to help the
Author: Samantha Gamblin
Major Program: Leadership
Middle school is a crucial period for youth development, marked by significant physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. Fostering leadership skills in middle school students is essential for preparing them for future challenges and responsibilities. Engaging them through interactive and enjoyable activities not only makes learning fun but also instills vital qualities such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making.At this age, youth encounter numerous physical, cognitive, langua
Author: Samantha Gamblin
Major Program: Leadership
The 100th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference took place at the University of Kentucky from June 11th to 14th, 2024. The conference aimed to achieve several objectives for its participants, including developing leadership and teamwork skills, improving communication abilities, fostering civic engagement, expanding knowledge in 4-H core content areas, and enhancing social skills through networking. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity for youth to become acquainted with the University
Author: Victoria Riehemann
Major Program: Leadership
The 100th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference took place at the University of Kentucky from June 11th to 14th, 2024. The conference aimed to achieve several objectives for its participants, including developing leadership and teamwork skills, improving communication abilities, fostering civic engagement, expanding knowledge in 4-H core content areas, and enhancing social skills through networking. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity for youth to become acquainted with the University
Author: Samantha Gamblin
Major Program: Leadership
Youth need an understanding of diversity, inclusive and multiculturalism in their daily life that they are not experiencing in their predominate rural communities. Percy Jackson said, “our differences are our strengths, not our weaknesses.” During the Youth Educational Series, the youth participants experienced guided activities through the eyes of one of the largest nongovernmental employers in our country, exposing personal cultural filters empowering the youth’s potent
