Extension
It Starts With Us
Leadership Development
4-H
4-H Agent
Leadership
Civic Engagement
Agriculture
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).
- 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
- 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
- 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)
Outcome to be Evaluated: Youth become more engaged as a leader in their community by:
- planning a service project
-serving as mentors
-increasing participation in local, state, and national levels
Indicators:
- Youth plan a community service project in their community
- 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: 4-H Common Measures Survey
Timeline: July 2021 - June 2025
Audience: 4-H Livestock & 4-H Shooting Sports
Project or Activity: Mentorship Programs
Content or Curriculum: Leadership Mentor Guide 1: K-5, Leadership Mentor Guide 2: 6-12
Inputs: 4-H Livestock Certified Leaders, 4-H Shooting Sports Teen and Adult Certified Coaches and Elliott County Extension Agents
Date: July 2021 - June 2025
Audience: High School Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum:
- Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, 4-H State Teen Council and Leadership Boards, 4-H Leadership Boot Camp, 4-H Teen Conference, 4-H Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, 4-H National Congress, 4-H Achievement Program, 4-H National Conference, 4-H Summit, 4-H Camp Counselors, Local Leadership Clubs/Events
Inputs: Elliott County 4-H Council Volunteers and Elliott County Extension Agents
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: 4-H Shooting Sports
Project or Activity: Teens in shooting sports becoming teen coaches, each club member is required to do community service, and they elect officers each year.
Content or Curriculum: Shooting Sports Camp, 4-H Club officer packets, etc.
Inputs: Elliott County Shooting Sports Volunteers and 4-H agent
Date: 2024 - 2025
Audience: 4-H Teen Leadership Academy
Project or Activity: Cattle 101 class led by 2 4-H cattle showmen from the county with lots of experience for new cattle kids (had a heifer there for kids to practice with)
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Inputs: High school aged youth
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: 4-H Livestock Club
Project or Activity: Club meeting going over Sheep and Pigs (senior 4-Hers helped younger 4-Hers learn and led stations and we had a pig and sheep there for kids to practice with)
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Kit
Inputs: Certified volunteers and senior 4-Hers
Date: April 2025
Audience: 4-H Officers (Livestock and Shooting Sports Officers)
Project or Activity: AgTag Promotion in Community
Content or Curriculum: Teen Leadership
Inputs: 4-H and Ag agents, FFA advisor/ag teacher
Date: 2025
