Extension
It Starts With Us
Engaging, encouraging, and empowering youth and adult leaders through volunteering and leadership development
Improving the Home and Community
B. Cheirs, A. Morgan, B. Rudy
Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP)
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
Family and Consumer Science
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD): Developing Core Leadership Skills
Fulton County is a rural community and like many rural communities it is highly depended on adult and youth volunteers to serve the community. According to the Corporation for National Community and Service, in 2015 Kentucky ranked 36th in residents who volunteer. The County Extension Council highlighted volunteering, goal planning, and jobs as important issues that Fulton County should implement programs around. If local citizens are engaged, educated, and empowered then the workforce and community are better prepared for local issues and will take ownership in implementing solutions.
Fulton County’s economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership.
Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.
Participants will serve in volunteer roles, creating a sense of belonging and volunteer spirit to Extension and other programs.
Fulton County Citizens will be volunteering on a regular basis to the extent that volunteerism is recognized as a valuable resource in the community.
Fulton County youth and adults will volunteer more hours or will take on additional leadership roles.
Improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group processes in addressing organizational issues and needs.
Gain an appreciation for volunteerism and community service.
Acquire decision making skills, gain confidence, and self-esteem in their own abilities and talents.
Youth and adult volunteers will become more educated in specific subject matter areas to teach, lead, and train others.
4-H Council members will learn their specific roles and responsibilities, learn the skills to lead committees and work together for the improvement and growth of Fulton County.
Volunteers will learn how to recruit new volunteers and develop new programs.
Understand parliamentary procedure and can conduct club meetings properly.
Initial Outcome: Volunteers will increase knowledge of the importance of volunteering
Indicator: Volunteers will attend Extension programming
Method: Sign in sheet
Timeline: Program year Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Volunteer numbers will increase in Fulton Co
Indicator: County programs will increase
Method: County office logs
Timeline: Program Year Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Volunteer lead programs will increase in Fulton Co
Indicator: New programs in the county
Method: Sign in sheets, county logs, increased traffic flow in the office
Timeline: Program Year Ongoing
Audience: 4-H Age
Project or Activity: Leadership projects
Content or Curriculum: Leader In Me, Step Up to Leadership, Unlock Your Leadership Potential
Inputs: Agent, Schools, Business, Community Leaders
Date: Program year Ongoing
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: How to become effective leaders
Content or Curriculum: Parliamentary Procedures, Effective Leadership qualities
Inputs: Business Leaders, 4-H
Date: Program year Ongoing
Audience: Teens and Adults
Project or Activity: Work Ready Soft Skills and Workforce Prep Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability, Career Exploration and Workforce Readiness curricula
Inputs: Workforce Development Board, Extension Staff, County Gov't, Fulton County HS
Date: 2023-2024
Audience: Community Members
Project or Activity: Entrepreneurial Ventures
Content or Curriculum: CED Resources, 4-H Means Business, Fulton County Government Staff
Inputs: Area Business Leaders,
Inputs: Community, Business Leaders
Date: ongoing
Audience: High School
Project or Activity: APES
Content or Curriculum: APES
Inputs: Community and area business
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: High School and Adults
Project or Activity: Job and Career Fair
Content or Curriculum: collaborating with Business to advertise job openings
Inputs: Community and area businesses, schools
Date: Throughout the year
Author: Bernita Cheirs
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,
Author: Bernita Cheirs
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
According to the National Home Education Research Institute, about 3.1 million homeschooled students in grades K-12 in the United States in 2021- 2022. According to the John Hopkins School of Education, 5% of Kentucky’s K-12 students were homeschooled. In Kentucky's far Mississippi River counties, the number of homeschooled students seems to have significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. As this number continues to rise, homeschool families are looking to take advantage of E
Author: Bernita Cheirs
Major Program: Camping
According to the U.S. Census (2022) the median household income in Fulton County is $33,449. The cost for one 4-Her to attend 4-H Summer Camp is $300 plus the cost of transportation. Many families in Fulton County do not have the resources to allow their children to attend 4-H Camp. Even if the cost of 4-H Camp was only $200, many families would find it difficult to come up with the extra money. It isn’t that 4-H Camp is too expensive. It costs less than many other camps, but the resources
