Author: Elijah Wilson
Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
Early in 1985, minority students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University established the first campus MANRRS organization. Later that same year, the Michigan State group traveled to Penn State to encourage students to organize a similar group. The networking between students at the two universities and others of like mind at other universities has led to the formation of the national society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sc
Author: Samantha Gamblin
Would you want a way to help out other parents facing a short or long NICU stay? We spent 2 weeks in the NICU and know it can be exhausting facing the ups and downs of having a sick baby in the hospital. I wanted a way to give back to the wonderful Louisville Baptist Health NICU who helped save my daughter Parker’s life. They were so caring, loving, and supporting to us while we were there. Our hope is that our care packages have brought a little bit of light to a long, tough journey.First
Author: Eric Comley
The promotion of consistent and diverse opportunities for middle school-age youth provides the necessary foundation for successful management of conflicting and confusing developmental periods. The District Four 4-H Middle School Leadership Academy (MSLA), using Positive Youth Development along with Kentucky 4-H Core Curriculum, implemented participant-evaluated leadership activities over a programming year to enhance social, emotional, and community-based development for middle school participa
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 s
Author: Laken Campbell
Lee County has had many leadership development opportunities for the youth of this county, but one program stands out from the rest. The 4-H Middle School Club was extraordinary. There is a club day at the end of each month and the students pick a club to attend at the beginning of the year. The Middle School Club started out as being more of a crafting club that shouldn’t really have been called a club at all. They didn’t have any officers, or agendas, and they would do some sort of
Author: Dora Centers
Youth becoming strong leaders will offset many negative issues our community faces today. Their innovative ideas and energetic approaches will positively affect the long term economic and civil community growth. Leadership skills and life skills will better prepare the youth for future employability through various lessons applicable to work life situations. It was no surprise that the top priority issue identified in the 2019 Knott Co Community Needs Assessment report in commun
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
Youth are more likely to be productive citizens in their communities by getting involved in activities outside of school. This year our county 4-H teen club went through a rebuilding process and now allows middle and high school youth in Christian County to participate. The club focuses on leadership, team building, career exploration and civic engagement. Teens identified needs in the community and have developed plans to combat those needs. Through a rebranding in our
In the spring of 2020 Kentucky Extension shifted programs online due to COVID-19. While doing so, this created a need to re-envision some areas of 4-H and adapt to our newfound way of life. This pushed us to think outside of the box and reach out to our friends to the south. Partnering with Franklin County, TN 4-H, we created a virtual exchange program where youth from both counties could interact via teleconference. Teen leaders from both counties met virtually and excha
Author: Courtney Brock
Kentucky 4-H's mission is to help young people become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. In order to help meet these objectives in an increasingly global society, Lincoln County 4-H, in partnership with Scott County 4-H, created an international environmental citizenship project to aid members in their practice of leadership skills, responsibility, and problem solving. Youth involved in the program participated in intensive cult
Young people who are involved in extracurricular activities are more likely to become productive members of their community. Over the past year, the 4-H Agent has worked to help foster a productive, independent, and self-governed teen club. The 4-H agent, in cooperation with the Teen Club officer team, planned and implemented various leadership activities as well as opportunities for teens to conduct service-learning projects. The Lincoln County 4-H Teen Club holds monthly meetings and the offic
Author: John (Connor) Cooper
In November Hopkins County had two youth attend the 2019 4-H Issues Conference. At this conference, youth are challenged to open their minds and explore issues that are facing teens in today’s world. While at the conference youth are split into five groups and they create mock presentations based on the problem they are trying to solve. During the presentations, they are trying to convince a mock fiscal court to give them funding and back their idea so they can create a program to focus on
Author: Bernita Cheirs
The Purchase Area Teen Council held the 3rd annual Purchase Area Teen Leadership Round-Up for purchase area youth in grades 6th-12th on February 28. The event was designed by and for youth, with teens planning event details, teaching workshops and funshops, and promoting area and state level teen leadership opportunities. The Round-Up provided a six-hour learning opportunity in leadership. The day included opportunities for small group mentoring, leadership breakouts by age, funshops in a variet
Author: Tyrone Gentry
International Programs Teach Youth the Value of InclusionThe goal of the Kentucky 4-H International Program is to enhance world understanding and global citizenship through high-quality 4-H international cultural immersion, global educational opportunities, and exchange programs. To compete in our changing world, individuals need to change their attitudes toward others and need to collect information about their cultures and values; finally, they need to develop skills to embrace the changes for
Author: Laura Huffman
Kentucky 4-H engages youth through hands-on experiences where they can build leadership competencies starting at an early age. As 4-H members get older and in the senior level and have a desire to develop their leadership skills the Kentucky 4-H Leadership Boot Camp offers a two-day intensive program focused on leadership development. The youth have the opportunity to participate in exercises that will empower them to lead within their community at an advanced level. This year
Author: Amy Branstetter
Summer 4-H camps is a place where children get the experiences they can use for a lifetime. There are the simple challenges of learning how to shoot a bow, going on a hike, conquering a high ropes course, making their bed, clean-up after themselves, or gaining independence. There are much more complex challenges of getting along with a new group of peers, learning how to ask for help from others, or taking manageable amount of risks without a parent following after you. Psychology Today states t
Author: Catherine Weaver
Youth who participate in organizational leadership roles, planning activities, making presentations, and participating in extra-curricular activities show higher levels of self-efficacy, self-advocacy, and self-determination (Edelman et al., 2004; Larson, 2000, Sagawa, 2003). CES, through the 4-H program planned and implemented programming for high school aged youth through their 4-H Teen Council. The Jessamine County 4-H Teen Council holds monthly meetings, where a leadership activi
Author: Brian Good
According to an article published by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice operates 28 correctional centers with nearly 400 occupants. One such center is the Middlesboro Group Home, with youth from all areas of Kentucky. The Middlesboro Group Home typically has between 5-10 youth in their facility at any given time. Charges and violations of each youth varies, but most are behavioral issues, as stated by the alternative school staff Du
Author: Alexandria Brasher
Kentucky 4-H aims to engage youth through hands-on experiences where they can build leadership competencies at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The Kentucky 4-H State Teen Council, Fashion Leadership Board, Performing Arts Troupe, Shooting Sports Teen Ambassador Board, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy, and the Science, Engineering and Technology Leadership Board provide experiences for senior 4-H’ers to build upon their leadership skills in the core area
