Lincoln County CES

County Emphasis:

Equipping community members for leadership

Concentration 1:

Building Leadership Capacity

Concentration 2:

Connected & Resilient Communities

Concentration 3:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 4:

Family and Youth Development

Situation:

Leadership is critical at several levels, from elected officials and internal management structure of organizations to project managers, team leaders, and those who inspire throughout a community. Thriving communities may require many leaders willing to take on leadership roles. And yet, it can be a challenge to identify new leaders or to encourage leaders to step up to the role without first building leadership capacity (CEDIK 2024). Respondents participating in the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment identified the need to build leadership capacity to enhance individual and family development and community and economic development. Kentucky has a statewide need to “prepare community members for formal/informal leadership and/or volunteer roles” and to build “capacity of local nonprofits and community leaders,” according to the survey. UK Extension aims to work on strengthening critical leadership skills and confidence for new and emerging leaders so that the pool of willing and capable leaders can rise to match local needs. Volunteer training can have motivational benefits ranging from inspiring volunteers to get more involved to keeping them in the program (Fox, Hebert, Martin & Bairnsfather, 2009).

 

Youth Focus

 

4-H opportunities profoundly impact individuals and communities in Kentucky by equipping youth with essential skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, fostering personal leadership, and community engagement. Skills like analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, and adaptability are key to future employment (World Economic Forum, 2023). 77% of employers say that there should be less focus on traditional school subjects and more focus on real-world skills (Kauffman Foundation, 2021). In the 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment youth life skill training opportunities (such as leadership and communication skill opportunities), strengthening youth workforce readiness, and strengthening youth-adult or mentorship relationships were top priorities across Kentucky. According to the National 4-H Annual Index Survey (2024), 95% of youth identified their strengths through 4-H, 80% explored career options, and 50% received guidance for college decisions. Additionally, 75% enjoyed helping their community, and 93% felt inspired by 4-H, with 42% being inspired “a lot” to volunteer. These experiences build leadership capacity, promote civic engagement, and create connected, resilient communities by encouraging critical thinking and empathy. Furthermore, 4-H offers life skill training, strengthens youth workforce readiness, fosters mentorship, maximizes youth voice in important issues, and enhances peer-peer relationships.

County Situation:

4-H opportunities profoundly impact individuals and communities in Kentucky by equipping youth with essential skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, fostering personal leadership, and community engagement. Skills like analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, and adaptability are key to future employment (World Economic Forum, 2023). 77% of employers say that there should be less focus on traditional school subjects and more focus on real-world skills (Kauffman Foundation, 2021). In the 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment youth life skill training opportunities (such as leadership and communication skill opportunities), strengthening youth workforce readiness, and strengthening youth-adult or mentorship relationships were top priorities across Kentucky. According to the National 4-H Annual Index Survey (2024), 95% of youth identified their strengths through 4-H, 80% explored career options, and 50% received guidance for college decisions.

Strengthening Adult workforce development including entrepreneurship and business development skills ranked as a very high need in the community and economic development need in the community assessment survey results.  Leadership growth and development are important ways for both adults and youth to increase their essential workforce skills.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adult

1. Improved quality of life for citizens

           2. Increased community pride or investment

Youth

1. Youth will demonstrate the necessary leadership, teamwork, and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace. 
2. Youth participation in community involvement increases.  
3. Youth will serve in leadership roles in their community.  
4. Youth will more effectively communicate, work with others, and contribute to driving change and shaping the future. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adults

1. Participants gain confidence to lead
2. Leaders are inspired to get more involved

 

Youth

1. Youth will practice teamwork, responsibility, communication, conflict resolution techniques, and problem-solving skills.  

2. Youth will plan and implement a service project

Initial Outcomes:

Adult

1. Improved leadership skills
2. Knowledge gained through training programs

Youth

1. Youth will explore their spark in leadership. 
2. Youth identify personal strengths that contribute to leadership skill development (communication, teamwork, civic engagement).  
3. Youth successfully worked in a team environment to accomplish a task.  
4. Youth realize how their actions impact others

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Improved Leadership Skills (initial)

Indicator: 

Number of people reporting improved Leadership Skills (e.g., facilitations, conflict management, communication).

 Youth

Number of youth who reported that they have identified personal strengths in leadership (including teamwork, responsibilities, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, parliamentary procedure).  

Method: Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains) 

Timeline:  Survey will be collected immediately after program participation

Outcome:  Expanded leadership engagement among program participants. (initial)

Indicator:  Number of people assuming new leadership roles (formal or informal) as a result of Extension leadership programs

Method: Post-participation survey (self-reported leadership role adoption); annual follow-up tracking leadership retention

Timeline: Initial survey collected at program completion; follow-up evaluation annually

Outcome:  Giving time to serve in volunteer roles (e.g., KEHA or KALP members, Master programs, etc.). (initial)

Indicator:  Number of people volunteering time to assist Extension or community activities and events (ex: KEHA or KALP members, Master programs, etc.)

Method:  Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains)

Timeline:  Survey will be collected immediately after program participation; also monthly, quarterly, or annual volunteer hour reports

Intermediate Outcome:  Leaders recruit and engage others to participate in projects. (intermediate)

Indicator:  Number of people actively recruiting and engaging others to participate in community projects.

Method:  Post-program survey (self-reported recruitment efforts); tracking participation in community-led projects.

Timeline:  Survey collected immediately after program completion; follow-up conducted at three and six months

Long-term Outcome:  Increased community pride (long-term)

Indicator:  Number of participants reporting a stronger sense of pride, identity, or community investment after engaging in Extension initiatives.

Method:  Photos, documentation, post-program survey; follow up

Timeline:  Survey collected immediately after program completion; follow-up conduced at 3 and 6 months

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Individuals

Project or Activity: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA)

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Leadership Academy, Homemakers Leader Lessons, Publications, Newsletters/News & Notes, Officer/Chairman training materials, KEHA State Meeting, various other resources and materials

Inputs: Programmatic materials, training, mentoring, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profits, etc.

Date: On-going

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Leadership Program

Content or Curriculum: Curriculum such as Leadership Skills you never outgrow is sourced from Shop 4-H and Ricochet: An Extreme 4-H Leadership Adventure is sourced from other Land Grant Systems. All curriculum pieces focus on leadership, communication, and civic engagement.

Inputs: In school clubs for middle and high school, after school clubs for teens, area ten councils, Middle school leadership clubs, and civic engagement opportunities. These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders such as civic groups. 

Date: Summer

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Teen Conference

Content or Curriculum: Curriculum is sourced from Shop 4-H and the Land Grant System, focuses on leadership, communication, and civic engagement.

Inputs: These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders such as civic groups.

Date: Summer

Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Summit

Content or Curriculum: Curriculum is sourced from Shop 4-H and the Land Grant System, focuses on leadership, communication, and civic engagement.

Inputs: These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders such as civic groups.

Date: Spring

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp Counselor Training (Teens)

Content or Curriculum: Content in the Camp Volunteer Training Guide is sourced from the American Camp Association best practices and focuses on developmental needs of campers, safety considerations, operating procedures, age-appropriate behavior management, and camper supervision techniques

Inputs: These trainings are supported by the research base of the American Camp Association with materials provided by the 4-H State Office, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and led by County Extension Staff responsible for 4-H Camp. 

Date: Pre- Summer

Audience:  Adults

Project or Activity: Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD) 

Content or Curriculum: KELD curriculum (e.g., Learning styles, communication essentials, teamwork, dealing with conflict, generational differences, SWOT analysis, etc.), Publications, other materials and expertise

Inputs:  Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, etc

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Adults 

Project or Activity:  Supporting Citizen Engagement

Content or Curriculum:  Creating Welcoming Communities, Becoming an Informed Citizen, Robert’s Rules Refresh, Youth & Adult Listening Sessions, KY Voter Education Resources, Engaging City Councils, Civic Engagement Through Voting, How To: Community Forums

Inputs:  Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, grant funds, local organizations and community partners, etc. 

Date:  Ongoing

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Improved Leadership Skills (initial)

Indicator: 

Number of people reporting improved Leadership Skills (e.g., facilitations, conflict management, communication).

 Youth

Number of youth who reported that they have identified personal strengths in leadership (including teamwork, responsibilities, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, parliamentary procedure).  

Method: Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains) 

Timeline:  Survey will be collected immediately after program participation

Outcome:  Expanded leadership engagement among program participants. (initial)

Indicator:  Number of people assuming new leadership roles (formal or informal) as a result of Extension leadership programs

Method: Post-participation survey (self-reported leadership role adoption); annual follow-up tracking leadership retention

Timeline: Initial survey collected at program completion; follow-up evaluation annually

Outcome:  Giving time to serve in volunteer roles (e.g., KEHA or KALP members, Master programs, etc.). (initial)

Indicator:  Number of people volunteering time to assist Extension or community activities and events (ex: KEHA or KALP members, Master programs, etc.)

Method:  Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains)

Timeline:  Survey will be collected immediately after program participation; also monthly, quarterly, or annual volunteer hour reports

Intermediate Outcome:  Leaders recruit and engage others to participate in projects. (intermediate)

Indicator:  Number of people actively recruiting and engaging others to participate in community projects.

Method:  Post-program survey (self-reported recruitment efforts); tracking participation in community-led projects.

Timeline:  Survey collected immediately after program completion; follow-up conducted at three and six months

Long-term Outcome:  Increased community pride (long-term)

Indicator:  Number of participants reporting a stronger sense of pride, identity, or community investment after engaging in Extension initiatives.

Method:  Photos, documentation, post-program survey; follow up

Timeline:  Survey collected immediately after program completion; follow-up conduced at 3 and 6 months