Extension
It Starts With Us
Empowering Community & Leaders
Community Vitality
Raymer, Shadrick, Green
Leadership
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
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.
The Kentucky Extension Community Assessment surveyed Webster County citizens and 38% identified a priority for more qualified leaders to prepare the community for the future, 32% identified a need for more youth community leadership opportunities and 21% identified a need for more active community volunteers
Through the efforts of the Webster County Extension agents, paraprofessionals, and volunteers local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions.
With limited industry and businesses many youth and adults travel outside the county for jobs and work force training. Through the efforts of the Webster County Extension agents, paraprofessionals, and volunteers, local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions that will support the strengthening of families and the county.
The development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people and their communities. Leadership skills, such as goal-setting, problem-solving and sound decision-making, are not just necessary for leaders-these skills are needed for success in today's world (MacNeil, 2000).
Furthermore, helping people develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation (O'Brien & Kohlmeier, 2003). Young leaders also demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improved high school completion rates (Bloomberg, Ganey, Alba, Quintero, & Alcantara, 2003). Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy).
Our communities health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership.
Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.
Increase in number of KEHA and MCV members in the county.
Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
Youth will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis
Extension Council, Extension District Board, Extension Homemakers Council, FCS Council, 4-H Council, Cattleman's, Farm Bureau and Farmers Market will provide leadership for Extension Programming.
KEHA and FCS Advisory Council members increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership.
Participants increase knowledge and skills in community leadership
Extension volunteers, Farm Bureau Leaders, Cattleman's Association and youth will practice and sharpen personal leadership and communication skills in clubs, schools and community outreach while assessing needs, developing programs and implementing solutions for community problems.
Support will be provided to local adult and teen Extension volunteers and encourage leaders to serve in roles within and outside of Extension.
Support will be provided to the local Blue Ribbon Day and encourage volunteers to participate in other local leadership organizations.
Extension participants will gain an increased awareness and desire to participate in programs to improve their communication, organizational and leadership skills and serve as officers and club/workshop leaders.
Initial Outcome: Participants will gain an increased knowledge base, self-confidence, willingness and desire to serve their community
Indicator: Increased number of volunteers participating and assisting in programs
Method: Monthly statistical reports
Timeline: Program year 2023-2024
Intermediate Outcome: Growth in volunteer led programs and clubs
Indicator: Increased number of volunteers serving on councils and committees
Method: Monthly statistical reports
Long Term Outcome – Community is strengthened through strong local organizational leadership; community problems are solved through engaged local leadership.
Indicator – Increase in the following: •Number of volunteers whose personal and interpersonal leadership knowledge and skills improved •Number of volunteers who practice personal and interpersonal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach •Number of volunteers addressing community problems by assessing needs, developing programs and/or implementing solutions •Number of hours volunteers spent training others on behalf of Extension. •Number of youth reached by volunteer-led Extension programs/activities •Number of adults reached by volunteer-led Extension programs/activities
Method- new members take leadership roles within the organizations, leaders take roles in community groups, increase in number of volunteers, Monthly statistical, observations, and testimonials
Timeline: Annually-ongoing
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: Annual Leadership Conference for High School Youth
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) staff and facility, public schools, community action, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources, local organizations and business sponsorship
Date: Spring 2023
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: Annual Leadership Conference for Middle School Youth
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) staff and facility, public schools, community action, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources, local organizations and business sponsorship
Date: Spring 2023
Audience: Extension Volunteers and Officers, KEHA, 4-H Council members, CEC members
Project or Activity: Officer training and leader updates
Content or Curriculum: KELD, Step Up to Leadership, Unlock Your Leadership Potential
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Club
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Board
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: WCMS 4-H Leadership Club
Project or Activity: 4-H School Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: 4-H Project Club Officers
Project or Activity: 4-H Project Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: Webster County Extension Homemakers (KEHA), MCV
Project or Activity: KEHA leadership training, MCV
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD) Section 1, Master Clothing Volunteer (MCV) orientation
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers, Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: Fall
Audience: Webster Quilt Trail Committee
Project or Activity: Promote tourism, present at local events
Content or Curriculum: KELD, extension publications, quilt brochure
Inputs: Extension agents, Quilt committee, National quilt trail information
Date: All year
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp Counselors
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership
Date: Annually
Author: Natalie Green
Major Program: Family Development General
Prenatal and newborn health is an important subject for Webster County residents. There are many soon to be parents and new parents who seek out resources on topics such as feeding, changing, car seat safety, and overall health of their children. In response to the above issues, Webster County Cooperative Extension, alongside FRYSC and Early Childhood Council, held the World’s Greatest Baby shower. The baby shower was a free educational, informative and interactive program for expecta
