Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth in Agriculture & Natural Resources 2025
Agriculture
Janet Turley & Julie Brown
Agriculture
Camping
Science, Engineering, and Technology
Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.
- Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
- Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.
- You will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
- Youth will choose a career path in science, engineering or technology subject matter.
- Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the agriculture and natural resources in the home, community and world.
- Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
- Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community that will positively impact natural resources.
- Youth will use problem solving and logical reasoning skills and apply them to environmental issues.
- Youth will demonstrate and share new abilities in agriculture and science, engineering and technology with others.
- Teens will mentor younger 4-H’ers.
- Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
- Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
- Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
- Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.
- Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
- Youth will develop an interest in environmental science and sustainable practices and technologies.
- Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.
- Youth will be introduced to careers in SET and agriculture
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
- Youth will gain and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision- making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.
Outcome: Youth plan and implement an agriculture/natural resource/science, engineering, & technology project
Indicator: Youth complete an agriculture/natural resource/science, engineering, & technology project
Method:
4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
Program Indicators
- Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture/natural resource/science, engineering, & technology programming (PRACTICE)
- Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products (KOSA)
- Number of youth who participated “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)
Audience: 4-H Poultry Project Members
Project or Activity: Poultry Club
Content or Curriculum: Avian Bowl, Poultry Judging, Poultry Exhibition
Inputs: Volunteer time, poultry learning lab, project books, facilities
Date: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Audience: 4-H Horse Project Members
Project or Activity: Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: Horsemanship, Hippology, Judging, Exhibition, Certified Leaders Curriculum, Showmanship, Horse Judging Manual, Award Recognition
Inputs: Agent’s Time, Judging Classes, Judging Cards, Computer Announcer, Written Tests, Ribbons, Staff Assistant’s Time, volunteer time, horse learning lab, project books, facilities
Date: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Audience: 4-H Livestock Project Members
Project or Activity: Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Volunteer Certification, judging, skillathon, exhibition, meats judging
Inputs: Volunteer time, livestock learning lab, project books, facilities, livestock CD, live animals
Date: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Audience: 4-H/FFA Livestock Project Youth
Project or Activity: SOKY Fair Small & Large Animals
Content or Curriculum: Showmanship, market animal classes
Inputs: Coordination for each show, volunteers, registration, data entry, results, facilities
Date: July 2024 – July 2025
Audience: School Aged Youth
Project or Activity: Forestry Field Day
Content or Curriculum: project books, compasses, Biltmore stick
Inputs: Agent’s Time, facilities
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: 4-H Campers
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp/Cloverbud Camp
Content or Curriculum: West KY 4-H Camp Resources
Inputs: Agent’s Time, Staff Assistant’s Time, facilities, volunteer time, copies
Date: July 2025
Audience: Elementary School Children
Project or Activity: Embryology
Content or Curriculum: Project book, Chick development chart
Inputs: Agent’s Time, teacher’s time, incubation supplies, producers
Date: August 2024 – May 2025
Audience: Warren County 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club
Content or Curriculum: Shooting Sports Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer’s time, facilities, 4-H handbook, promotion items, project book
Date: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Audience: 4-H Rabbit Project Members
Project or Activity: Rabbit Club
Content or Curriculum: Rabbit Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Time, Learning Lab, Project books, facilities, live animals
Date: July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025
Audience: 4-H Alpaca Project Members
Project or Activity: Alpaca Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Alpaca Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer time, learning lab, project books, facilities, live animals
Date: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Audience: 4-H Country Ham Project Members
Project or Activity: Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Volunteer Certification, Country Ham Project Book
Inputs: Volunteer time, facilities
Date: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Audience: 4-H Dog Project Members
Project or Activity: Dog Club
Content or Curriculum: Dog Volunteer Certification, skillathon, exhibition
Inputs: Volunteer time, learning lab, project books, facilities, live animals
Date: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Audience: Warren County Youth 9-high school
Project or Activity: YAIP
Inputs: Ag Development YAIP program, volunteer and agent time, Warren County 4-H Council, Educational, Marketing and Mentor Trainings
Date: Dec 2024-October 2025
