Extension
It Starts With Us
Community Vitality, Job Infrastructure, and Leadership
Community Vitality, Job Infrastructure, and Leadership
Alexander, Hardy, Heisdorffer, Potts, and Clingenpeel
Communications
Leadership
Master Gardener
Civic Engagement
Building the skills of volunteer leaders within the county is important for the community to address the local challenges faced by everyone. Empowerment is a tool used to encourage growth and change, according to Dr. K. Rickette, University of Kentucky Leadership Development Extension Specialist. By strengthening the capacities of individuals, organizations, and communities, they can act on their shared visions and challenges found in the community.
Through the 2019 Daviess County Extension Assessment, more qualified leaders to prepare the community for the future, more citizens helping to solve local issues, more youth community leadership opportunities, and more qualified employees for existing and new jobs were identified.
By supporting and engaging young leaders, adults, organizations, and communities experience direct benefits through stronger connections to other young people in the community (Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001). They have a greater understanding of the problems facing other youth and fresh perspectives for how to address these problems (Des Marais, Yang, & Farzanehkia, 2000; Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001; McGillicuddy, 1991). Additionally, young people help to re-energize adults and counteract negative stereotypes of youth when they are successfully engaged in leadership within their communities (Zeldin, & Camino, 1999; Fiscus, 2003).
- Generational leadership development
- Build a work-ready workforce
- Work on public issues
Lead a meeting, present an oral presentation, and/or host a demonstration
Demonstrate work readiness (responsible, work well with others, problem solve, time management)
Plan steps to address a community issue
Developing community partnerships for the benefit of the public
Developing a strategic plan
Youth will be involved in civic engagement
Clients will demonstrate leadership to prepare our community in the future to address and solve local issues.
Knowledge and understanding of soft skills and work readiness
Describe 3 characteristics of a good leader
Identify a community issue
Identify personal strengths
Initial Outcome: Youth will have a better understanding of leadership
Indicator: Youth will be able to describe three characteristics of a good leader
Method: Written and verbal evaluations
Timeline: School year
Intermediate Outcome: Continue to develop community partnerships to benefit the public
Indicator: Organize communications and set up activities with partners
Method: Partnership interviews and collaborations, Extension Master Gardeners
Timeline: 2023- 2024
Long-term Outcome: Extension Master Gardeners will identify issues they can address through gardening projects.
Indicator: Extension Master Gardeners continue to develop and implement a strategic plan for the benefit of the community.
Method: Strength assessments, partner interviews, developing and fulfilling the strategic plan.
Timeline: On going 2023 and 2024
Audience: Youth Ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Communications Lessons and Contest
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Speeches Publication, 4-H Demonstrations Publication, 4-H Communications Curriculum: Picking up the Pieces, Putting it Together, and The Perfect Fit
Inputs: 4-H Agents, 4-H Program Assistant, School Teachers
Date: School Year 2023-2024
Audience: High School Teens
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Board, High School Classrooms
Content or Curriculum: College and Career Readiness 4-H Curriculum, 4-H Workforce Preparation Curriculum, UK Meeting and Greeting Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agents, 4-H Program Assistant
Date: School Year 2023-2024
Audience: 4-H Leaders
Project or Activity: Leader Training, Club Officer Training, 4-H Camp Volunteer Training
Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agents, West KY 4-H Faculty
Date: 2023/2024
Audience: Extension Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: Strategic Planning for Community Horticultural Programs Benefiting the Community
Content or Curriculum: Working with Extension Specialist developing a public value statement and strategic plan for Extension Master Gardener Program
Inputs: Extension specialists, Extension Master Gardeners, and Community Partners
Date: Summer 2023 through Spring 2024
Audience: High school Teens
Project or Activity: High School Crop Scouting competition
Content or Curriculum: ANR Extension publications
Inputs: ANR Agent
Date: July 2023
Audience: Extension Master Gardener Class
Project or Activity: Extension Master Gardener Program
Content or Curriculum: Extension Master Gardener Manual and Extension Publications
Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Horticulture Program Assistant, and Specialists
Date: September - December 2023
