Extension
It Starts With Us
Cultivating community leadership, engagement and pride through educational and experiential learning.
Empowering Community Leadership Engagement and Pride
Tiffany Bolinger, Matt Futrell, Kelly Jackson, Jeremiah Johnson, Mary Anne Garnett, Katie Mills
Family and Consumer Science
Master Gardener
Facilitation Training
Civic Engagement
According to the United States Department of Labor- Bureau of Labor Statistics, the volunteer rates declined by 0.4 percentage point to 24.9 percent for the year ending in September 2015. Approximately 62.6 million people volunteered through or for an organization at least once between September 2014 and September 2015 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Volunteering in the United States, 2015"). There is an increasing need for educated volunteers to assist agents to address local needs. Volunteers provide nonprofit institutions the opportunity to provide additional programs and services. Persons that volunteer need to be educated to be able to accept volunteer and leadership opportunities and understand the importance of volunteering as a contribution to the community. By providing education and resources to those volunteers, the foundation has been laid to empower them as community leaders and ignite success in the programs offered by extension.
* Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and 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 on a daily basis.
* Christian County citizens will be volunteering on a regular basis to the extent that volunteerism is recognized as a valuable resource in the community.
* Extending the outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service by improving knowledge and communication skills of Master Gardeners, Extension Volunteers, 4-H Leaders and Volunteers, Extension Homemakers thus creating a pool of volunteers with the abilities and willingness to apply their many skills in leading and educating the public through community education projects and activities.
* 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 and other community organizations.
* Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp or other project based group 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 needs.
* The Christian County population will volunteer more hours or will take on additional leadership roles.
* Number of hours reported by extension volunteers.
* Youth will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting.
* Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator.
* 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.
* Clientele will become more aware of the needs of their community.
* Clientele will become more educated in specific subject matter areas to teach, lead and train others.
* Number of volunteers participating in Master Gardener classes.
Initial Outcome: Stronger, more cohesive, productive 4-H Council
Indicator: Completed goals, committee work
Method: Workshops, education programs and incentives
Timeline: Program year 2024-2025
Initial Outcome: Extension Boards and Councils will have increased diversity and numbers of members attending.
Indicator: Increased participation and attendance in council and committee meetings, functioning committees, and regular rotation of leadership roles.
Method: post test evaluations of programs
Timeline: at the conclusion of program
Intermediate Outcome: Youth leaders exhibit improved leadership skills.
Indicator: Youth assume leadership roles in clubs, councils and committees, and develop community service projects.
Method: Observation through increases programs and teen involvement
Timeline: Program year 2024-2025
Intermediate Outcome: Increased number of Master Gardener volunteer hours reported by active members.
Indicator: A minimum of 25 Master Gardeners will repay volunteer hours, resulting in 375 volunteer total hours.
Method: Master Gardener volunteer hours recording form.
Timeline: Forms are to be completed quarterly, totals reported by December each year.
Audience: Youth and volunteers
Project or Activity: Empowering youth and adult volunteers to become community leaders
Content or Curriculum: Civic engagement, Citizenship, Service Learning, My Leadership Workbook, Character Counts, Extension council trainings
Inputs: Program administration, Staff & Support Staff Time, Volunteer Support and time, Volunteer & youth development research based information, funding, travel, printed and online resources, communications & networking, commitment to inclusivity, partnerships with community & state organizations, facilities, local, county, district, state, and national network.
Date: Program year 2024-2025
Audience: County & Military Youth
Project or Activity: Jr. Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (Jr. MANRRS)
Content or Curriculum: Civic engagement, Citizenship, Service Learning, My Leadership Workbook, Character Counts, Leaders in Me
Inputs: Extension Agents, community partners, University administration and departments, Colleigiate MANRRS, travel, local, state, and national conferences to include workshop presenters, career/opportunity fair exhibitors and agriculture industry sponsors and partners
Date: Program year 2024-2025
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Kentucky Master Gardener Training
Content or Curriculum: State MG Curriculum
Input: Agents; specialists, volunteers, local gardeners
Date: Fall 2025
Audience: Homemaker Members
Project or Activity: Officer Training; Leader Lessons
Content or Curriculum: Officer Training on Responsibilities/Roles; Monthly lessons, volunteer opportunities
Inputs: agent, facilities, curriculum, extension resources
Date: year round
Author: Mary Anne Garnett
Major Program: Natural Resources
The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This competition provides a goal for youth to work towards thr
Author: Mary Anne Garnett
Major Program: Leadership
On November 8, 16 middle school students from Christian and Trigg counties took part in the 4-H Middle School Retreat, an event designed to enhance leadership skills, encourage community involvement, and emphasize the importance of local service. Through engaging, hands-on activities, these young participants laid a strong foundation for future growth both within 4-H and in their broader community. A key focus of the retreat was a community service project in partnership with Wonderfully Ma
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
Major Program: Agriculture
In the most recent community needs assessment residents of Christian County determined that there was a need for increased agricultural and natural resources literacy. Through educational programs youth of Christian County are able to see various hazards related to agricultural work and learn how to overcome those situations and avoid dangerous situations. Through partnerships with local agencies, you were able to go through various stations related to electricity safety, ATV safety,
