Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening leaders to expand community leadership and economic development
Community Vitality
Allen, Crawford, Hinton, Tucker,
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Master Gardener
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Leadership
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within Breckinridge County is critical for the sustainability of the community’s rural, agriculture infrastructure, to solve local issues with active citizenship, and to develop a strong, healthy community. The Kentucky Extension Community Assessment surveyed Breckinridge County citizens and 31.5% identified a priority for more qualified leaders to prepare the community for the future, 21% identified a need for more pride in the community and its assets, and 20% identified a need for more citizens helping to solve local issues. With limited industry and businesses many youth and adults travel outside the county for jobs and work force training. Through the efforts of the 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 socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy). Breckinridge County Extension continues to expand and develop a leadership base to serve the community.
Breckinridge County's health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership that is engaged to solve local problems. Extension Council, Extension District Board, Extension Homemakers Council, FCS Council, 4-H Council, Cattleman's, Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Young Farmers, will provide leadership for Extension Programming.
Extension volunteers (e.g. FCS, 4-H, ANR), Farm Bureau Leaders, Cattleman's Association and Young Farmer 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 Fair Board and encourage volunteers to participate in other local leadership organizations, such as, Farm Bureau and the Rotary Club. We will nominate local leaders to programs, such as, the Soybean Association Young Leaders program, as well as, KALP, and Farm Bureau LEAD program. Develop local leadership program for farmers to become familiar with inter-relationship between farm policies and the legislature in Frankfort and Washington D.C.
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; 4-H Common Measures; Program Evaluations
Timeline: 2024-2025 program year
Intermediate Outcome: Growth in volunteer led programs and clubs
Indicator: Increased number of volunteers serving on councils and committees
Method: Monthly statistical reports; 4-H Common Measures; Program Evaluations
Timeline: 2024-2025 program year
Long-term Outcome: Extension leadership involved in policy, systems and environment development work.
Indicator: Extension leadership serving with community organizations to strengthen communities.
Method: Monthly statistical, observations, and testimonials
Timeline: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Events
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Leadership Curriculum (4-H Teen Camp Counselor, Conference and Teen Summit)
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: 2024-2025 Program Year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Cultural Program (e.g. Exchange Program, Cultural Project Club, School Enrichment)
Content or Curriculum: KY 4-H Approved Curriculum (e.g. Backpack to Adventure curriculum, Passport Kitchen curriculum)
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: 6th grade youth across the county
Project or Activity: Grow It, Wear It and Eat It
Content or Curriculum: Promotion of Agriculture commodities
Inputs: Materials designed by all commodity groups on the importance of them
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: County wide event
Content or Curriculum: Beef, Eggs and Ag Issues
Inputs: County and state commodity groups and local leadership from the Extension Council, farm groups (BCCA and Farm Bureau), Chamber of Commerce and local youth organizations.
Date: April 2025
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 and KSU publications and resources
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Youth (4th-5th Grade)
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: 2024-2025 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: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Young Farmers
Project or Activity: Leadership programs
Content or Curriculum: Prepare nomination forms and application and prepare for interviews.
Inputs: Ag Agent and other organizations, and secured donations
Timeline: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Annual officer training/kick-off event
Content or Curriculum: KEHA state manual, KELD, KEHA Academy Resources, KEHA State Plan of Work
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Ag Leaders in the county in State and local leadership roles
Project: Workshop promotion to assist them in approving their leadership schools, and programs to improve local agriculture opportunities in the county.
Content: Leadership programs offered through Commodity Organizations
Inputs: KYCORN, KFB, KCA
Date: 2024-25 program year
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Describe the Issue or Situation. Breckinridge County is a vast county in area, occupations and lifestyles. We reach clients in numerous avenues, but improvements can always be made. This became apparent when recruiting individuals for Annie’s Project. The program brought in families that were not on our mailing lists, approximately 25% of the participants had not visited the Extension Service. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Respo
Author: Lynnette Allen
Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
As their membership ages, the Kentucky Extension Homemakers recognize the challenge that is facing their mission of providing education, community service and leadership development. To address this challenge, the Lincoln Trail Area Extension Homemaker Kick-off program is held annually to build excitement and provide resources for the new program year. In planning for the 2024 event, the LTA Homemakers Council applied, and they were awarded a $500 KEHA Development Grant to sponsor the kick-off.
