Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Leadership & Volunteer Skills
Leadership & Community Development and Vitality
Corinne Belton, Regina Browning, Candice Hollingsworth, Elizabeth Coots
Leadership
Community Leadership Development
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within Shelby County is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long-term commitment to strengthen families. Within Shelby County there are strong leaders across all program areas who share their expertise and volunteer their time with youth and families in their community. The leaders are engaged, educated and empowered to understand issues and to take ownership for implementing solutions.
Many leadership scholars and youth development professionals agree that leadership development is an important, but often overlooked, facet of youth development and education (Macneil, 2000). The development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of youth in their communities. Leadership skills, such as goal setting, problem solving and sound decision-making are not only necessary for leaders, these skills are needed for success in today's world (Macneil, 2000). "Furthermore, helping young people develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation" (O'Brien & Kohlmeier, 2003). Young leaders demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem and improved high school completion rates.
*Shelby County infrastructure is strengthened through effective local leadership
*Community problems are solved through active, involved adult and youth local leaders
*Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future
*Youth will use leadership and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.
*Clientele share information and/or advocate for agriculture and/or environmental issues to elected officials
*Number of youth and adults who:
-practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach
-improved skills in communication, problem solving, teamwork or group process in addressing organizational issues or needs
-apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems
*Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, daycamp or other project-based group of younger 4-H members.
*Clientele share information and/or advocate for agriculture and/or environmental issues locally
*Increase KOSA in personal leadership
*Increase KOSA in organizational leadership
*Increase KOSA in community leadership
*Youth will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting
*Youth will learn how to set appropriate, attainable goals
*Youth will listen to people with different ideas from their own
*Clientele increase agriculture awareness due to Extension programming
*Clientele trained in agricultural leadership development
Initial Outcome: Increase in KOSA in personal, organizational and community leadership
Indicator: The number of individuals who increased KOSA in personal, organizational and community leadership
Method: Observation and end-of-training evaluation
Timeline: Conclusion of training and meeting throughout the year
Initial Outcome: KOSA gained in agricultural awareness
Indicator: Number of individuals who gained KOSA in agricultural awareness
Method: Surveys, observation, self-reporting
Timeline: Conclusion of events
Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of leadership skills
Indicator: Better communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills
Method: Observation
Timeline: Throughout the year following learning opportunities
Intermediate Outcome: Clientele share information and/or advocate for agriculture and/or environmental issues locally
Indicator: Number of clientele who share information and/or advocate for agriculture and/or environmental issues locally
Method: Surveys, observation, self-reporting
Timeline: Throughout the year
Long-term Outcome: Program participants are contributing within the community to address local needs and youth are successful in the workplace
Indicator: Community problems are solved and youth are gainfully employed
Method: Observation and self-reporting
Timeline: Annually
Long-term Outcome: Clientele share information and/or advocate for agriculture and/or environmental issues to elected officials
Indicator: Increased KOSA among elected officials for agriculture and/or environmental issues
Method: Observation, increased support of ag by elected officials
Timeline: Annually
Audience: Program participants
Project or Activity: Leadership Shelby/Young Leaders
Content or Curriculum: Sponsor Extension leaders to attend program, assist with Ag Day for each program
Inputs: Extension leaders, local farms and agribusinesses
Date: September 2024-June 2025
Audience: Extension Leaders
Project or Activity: Horticulture & Agriculture Advisory Council, committees and projects
Content or Curriculum: Leadership development and Extension materials
Inputs: UK publications and volunteers
Date: Year Round
Audience: Citizens interested in Horticulture activities, Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: Maintaining Tim McClure Botanical Gardens
Content or Curriculum: MG curriculum, Extension publications
Inputs: Master Gardeners, horticulture technician, MG curriculum, Extension publications
Date: Year Round 2025
Audience: Extension and community leaders
Project or Activity: True Colors Personality Assessment Training/Generational Differences
Content or Curriculum: True Colors curriculum
Inputs: True Colors curriculum, agents
Date: As requested
Audience: Extension leaders
Project or Activity: FCS Council
Content or Curriculum: Leadership & Extension Materials
Inputs: UK publications & volunteers
Date: October 2024, March 2025
Audience: Extension leaders
Project or Activity: Homemaker Council
Content or Curriculum: Leadership & Extension Materials, KEHA Resources
Inputs: KEHA and UK publications & volunteers
Date: August 2024, December 2024, March 2025
Audience: Extension leaders
Project or Activity: Sewing Circle
Content or Curriculum: Master Clothing Volunteer resources and publications, sewing resources
Inputs: MCV and UK publications & volunteers
Date: September 2024 - May 2025
Audience: District Board
Project or Activity: District Board
Content or Curriculum: District Board Handbook, KRS statutes
Inputs: handbook, statutes
Date: Monthly
Audience: 4-H Camp Teens/CITs
Project or Activity: Camp Training
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum, Camp Leader's guide
Inputs: Curriculum, Camp information
Date: May/June 2025
Audience: 4-H Camp Adult Volunteers
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum, Camp Leader's guide
Inputs: Curriculum, Camp information
Date: May/June 2025
Audience: 4-H Day Camp Teens
Project or Activity: Day Camp Training
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum, Essential Life Skills
Inputs: Curriculum
Date: March-June/July 2025
Audience: 4-H Horse and Livestock Leaders
Project or Activity: Livestock & Horse Leader Certifications or Re-certifications
Content or Curriculum: Livestock and Horse Leader training
Inputs: training materials, classes, activities, Certification Training
Date: Ongoing recertifications and new leader online certifications
Audience: 4-H Shooting Sports Coaches
Project or Activity: Coaches Certification
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Shooting Sports Training
Inputs: Volunteers, training materials, fees
Date: October 2024, February/March 2025
Audience: 4-H Leaders
Project or Activity: 4-H Council and Volunteer Opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Extension Leadership Materials
Inputs: 4-H and UK curriculum
Date: year round
Audience: 4-H Leaders
Project or Activity: C5 C6 Area Horse Council
Content or Curriculum: Horse Leader Training, Extension Leadership Materials
Inputs: Volunteers, 4-H and UK curriculum
Date: Bi-monthly
Audience: 4-H Teens
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: various workshops and tracks
Inputs: marketing, recruitment
Date: June 2025
Audience: 4-H Teens
Project or Activity: SRTLC
Content or Curriculum: various workshops and leadership curriculum
Inputs: marketing, recruitment
Date: September 2024
Audience: 4-Hers in Middle School
Project or Activity: 4-H Summit
Content or Curriculum: various workshops and tracks
Inputs: marketing, recruitment
Date: March 2025
Audience: 4-H School Clubs
Project or Activity: Officer Elections, Parliamentary Procedure
Content or Curriculum: Club Handbook, Robert's Rule of Order
Inputs: Volunteers,Curriculum
Date: October 2024
Audience: Shelby County Extension Council members
Project or Activity: Leadership and Council Training
Content or Curriculum: KELD curriculum
Inputs: KELD curriculum
Date: quarterly; Jul and Oct 2023,Jan and Apr 2024
Audience: Shelby County Extension Council new members
Project or Activity: New member training
Content or Curriculum: History of Shelby County Extension; Shelby County Data; Kentucky Law regarding extension councils; getting to know you
Inputs: Extension History; College of Ag Info; State Law, Extension Council members
Date: October 2023
Audience: 4-H Teens
Project or Activity: Teen Council
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Staff, Leadership Curriculum, volunteers
Date: Monthly
Audience: 4-H Teens
Project or Activity: C5/C6 Area Teen Council
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Staff, Leadership Curriculum, volunteers
Date: Bi-Monthly
Audience: 4-H Member
Project or Activity: 4-H State Teen Council/ Leadership Boards
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Leadership
Inputs: State 4-H Staff, financial support, transportation
Date: Sept 2024, Feb, Apr, Jun 2025
Learning: Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Good Neighbors Farm Tour
Content or Curriculum: Local Opportunities
Inputs: Local Farmers/Producers
Date: September 17, 2023
Audience: Local producers of horticulture and agricultural products
Project or Activity: Agri-tourism opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Individual consultations
Inputs: Agent, horticulture technician, UK publications
Date: July 2023 - June 2024
Audience: Ag and Hort Leaders
Project or Activity: Hort and Ag Advisory Council and Volunteer Opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Extension Leadership Materials
Inputs: KELD and UK curriculum
Date: year-round
Updated 5/5/2024
