Boone County CES

Title:

4-H Leadership

MAP:

Leadership Education and Volunteer Development

Agents Involved:

Cathy Fellows, Rusty Wolf

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Leadership

Situation:

Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky 4-H.  The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities for youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create a positive impact on their future.  Leadership opportunities for youth create a setting that reduces the access of youth to risk factors that can negatively impact their success. 

Basic leadership knowledge & skills are essential for success in almost any field.  The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others.  Employers look for leadership skills in future employees.   Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the 4-H program is a priority.  By assisting the development of leadership skills in today’s youth, we improve their ability to face the challenges of tomorrow (Unlock Your Leadership Potential, University of Florida, 2017). 

Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy).  4-H participants rate their leadership life skills above average, have a positive view of their leadership ability, and have a positive attitude toward diversity and acceptance of others (Locke, Boyd, Fraze, and Howard, 2007).    

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders 
• Community members engage others to initiate projects 
• Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members 
• Communities become more prosperous 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Youth put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles
• You improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
• Youth participants become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles which increases involvement/action
• Youth participants initiate projects that meet the needs of their community 
• Youth are inclusive of all individuals 
• Youth will volunteer and participate in community service 
• Youth will engage in civic involvement 
• Youth will maintain future intentions for civic engagement 

Initial Outcomes:

• Youth increase knowledge of effective leadership skills
• Youth develop/enhance leadership skills 
• Youth are informed of community systems, are better connected to communication networks, are more confident and skills in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global) 

Evaluation:

• Outcome to be Evaluated
  • Youth become more engaged as a leader in their community (planning a service project, serving as a mentor, increasing participation in local/state/national levels)

• Indicator of Success for Outcome
  • Youth report they serve as a mentor for a younger participant 
  • Youth serve as leaders within their club or county programs
  • Youth serve in a state or national leadership position

• Method of Evaluation
  • Oral or 4-H Common Measures Universal Survey at conclusion of learning activity
  • Program Indicators
• Number of youth who served as group leaders or officers?(PRACTICE)
• Number of youth who received education related to diversity and inclusivity? (KOSA)
• Number of youth who served as direct mentors to one or more younger youth? (SEEC)
• Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
• Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)

Learning Opportunities:

• 4-H Leadership
  • 4-H Teen Club 24-25
  • State and National Programs: 4-H State Teen Council and Leadership Boards, 4-H Leadership Boot Camp, 4-H Teen Conference, 4-H Achievement Program, 4-H Summit, 4-H Camp Counselors, Local Leadership Clubs/Events  
  • 4-H Council Officer Training (Sept. 2024)
  • 4-H Camp AC/JC Training (May 2025)
  • 4-H Livestock Committee Officer Training (Sept. 2024)

Success Stories

Boone County 4-H Teen Club

Author: Rusty Wolf

Major Program: Leadership

The Boone County Extension Affirmative action plan lists increasing teen involvement in 4-H programs as a priority. And our 4-H group enrollment in Boone County shows a sharp decline in high school aged youth being involved in our program vs middle and elementary. In 2022-23 4-H Program year our program saw 1380 8th grade youth and only 404 9-12th grade youth. So, there is a need for more teenage involvement in Boone County. With this decline we are not getting the long-term outcomes in the thri

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Youth learn civic engagement at 2024 4-H Issues Conference

Author: Rusty Wolf

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy). Young voices are the future of this country, and it

Full Story