Extension
It Starts With Us
Leadership and Volunteer Development
Community Vitality
Ryan Farley, Adam Probst, FCS Agent, Horticulture Agent
Leadership
Community Leadership Development
Master Clothing Volunteer
Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP)
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthen families. Through the efforts of the extension agents and volunteers, local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions. Woodford County is a community that is maintaining its population with limited amounts of growth. Community volunteers tend to stay involved in the community for long periods of time. Despite this, new volunteers and citizens must be engaged and encouraged to take on leadership roles within their community. An effective Cooperative Extension Service will continue to develop new leadership in order to maintain support and provide input to our programs.
The community will have a diverse mixture of experienced and new volunteer leaders that can effectively determine community needs and assist with the delivery of educational programs to the citizens of Woodford County. Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.
County advisory councils will be composed of individuals representing all areas of the community. Youth will serve as active members of advisory groups. Certified and master volunteers will help deliver educational programs in 4-H animal science, 4-H shooting sports, sewing, horticulture, and cooking.
Advisory councils will meet on a regular basis and provide input regarding educational needs. Youth will gain experience in communication skills, parliamentary procedure and community leadership. Citizens will increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership, citizens will increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership.
Long-Term Outcome: Diverse mix of active community volunteers
Indicator: community organizations, advisory councils
Method: review of attendance, minutes, membership rolls
Timeline: Yearly
Intermediate Outcome: Advisory councils with representation from all areas
Indicator: membership, attendance, rotation of officers
Method: review of council minutes, meeting attendance
Timeline: Yearly
Initial Outcome: Youth and volunteers will gain leadership experience
Indicator: 4-H Club officer involvement, meeting activities
Method: evaluation of club/program experiences
Timeline: Yearly
Audience: Local elected officials
Project or Activity: Legislative Appreciation Dinner
Content or Curriculum: Report to the People
Inputs: Open house, multi-media presentation
Date: Annually
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Monthly Leader Lessons
Content or Curriculum: CES publications
Inputs: Agent's time, Volunteers, Extension Homemakers, Extension Facilities
Date: September-May
Audience: Advisory Council Members
Project or Activity: Council meetings
Content or Curriculum: SEAL materials
Inputs: Agents time, Volunteer Time
Date: Year-round
Audience: High School Seniors
Project or Activity: Woodford Leadership Tomorrow
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Community organizations to host tours
Date: September - May
Audience: High School/Middle School Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Council
Content or Curriculum: Leadership Development/Service Learning
Inputs: Agent time, Volunteer Speakers, Materials, Curriculum
Date: September - May
Audience: Adults and 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Beginning Sewing Classes
Content or Curriculum: UK Beginning Sewing Publications, 4-H Youth Sewing Curriculum
Inputs: Agent Time, Master Clothing Volunteers
Date: Annually
Audience: Adult Volunteers
Project or Activity: Certified 4-H Volunteer programs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science, 4-H Shooting Sports, 4-H Equine, 4-H Sewing
Inputs: Volunteer Leader Workshops
Date: Year-round
Audience: Community Residents
Project or Activity: Leadership Woodford County
Content or Curriculum: KELD, other extension resources
Inputs: Area Agents Time, Specialists, Community and Civic organizations
Date: Every other year
Audience: Homeowners/Landowners
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Training
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Master Gardener Curriculum
Inputs: Agent Time, U.K. Specialists, CES Publications
Date: Every other year
Author: Tyson Gregory
Major Program: Master Gardener
Current research indicates that numerous pollinating insect species are threatened or in decline. The population decline of these insects has a direct impact on numerous fields and from an anthropocentric view the greatest impact will be on our food systems. The USDA states that about one third of global food supplies depend on pollinating insects. Loss of these pollinators will directly impact food stability across the US. From an ecological perspective, the increased decline in insect populati
Author: Ryan Farley
Major Program: Leadership
The objectives of C1-C4 Area 4-H Teen Retreat are to develop leadership and teamwork skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, have fun, make new friends, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills, and develop positive youth-adult partnerships. This overnight educational experience is a culminating event for the C1-C4 Area Teen Council, who worked for several months to plan implement, and evaluate this 2-night, 3-day program for their
Author: Tyson Gregory
Major Program: Master Gardener
The Woodford County Extension Master Gardener program addressed the need for more volunteers and leadership by re-implementing a 14-week training program co-lead by the Woodford County Horticulture Agent, Tyson Gregory, and the Frankling County Horticulture Agent, Adam Leonberger. This program provided interested residents of central Kentucky with a deep dive into core horticultural principles and related scientific disciplines.Eighteen residents successfully completed the program and became Ext
Author: Beau Neal
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR
The public's connection to agriculture is being lost more and more each year. The younger generation isn't as "tied" to the land as they once were, and their knowledge of agriculture and our food/fiber supply will continue to regress if we don't educate them. For this reason, we planned a Farm Day for the Young Leadership group from Woodford County High School. Partnering with teachers at WCHS, we planned a farm day consisting of two educational farm stops in the comm
Author: Ryan Farley
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: Ryan Farley
Major Program: Leadership
Engaging youth within their community is something that many communities know is both an important aspect of developing a vibrant community and a challenge that has to be overcome. According to the U.S. Census data, over 1800 persons between the ages of 15-19 reside in Woodford County. One barrier that faces youth engaging with their community is their limited access to the people and knowledge necessary to make change and impact their county. In response, Woodford County Extension partnered wit
