Author: Kenneth Jones
Major Program: 21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
During the 2022 Fiscal Year, Project Uplift began gaining momentum after being impacted by the Corona virus. During the height of the pandemic, this project, which is funded by USDA-NIFA, stalled due to declining in-person programming. As of this year, the program has been able to offer youth in both Fayette and Hardin Counties, life skills programing to aid their development. Project Uplift has targeted under-served youth in rural and suburban and urban communities with program
Author: Julia Reid
Eleven students enrolled in the veterinary science class at Madison Central Highs School recently had two visitors from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. As a new 4-H Youth Development Agent, I made contact with the two county high schools' Agriculture Educators and let them know we would be happy to work with them if they had a need. Not long after, one of the educators from Madison Central asked if I would be willing to come deliver a lab experience for her Veterina
Author: Chandra DeRamus
March 2022Over the last year the state of Kentucky has seen some changes in how things are done within communities. For Kentucky State University’s Cooperative Extension program, this process has been challenging and rewarding for the lessons that have been learned throughout the process. Despite the challenges that covid-19 brought about Extension programs went from being just on-line to in person for the first time in months. In order to meet the needs of the community, one f
Author: Diane Kelley
“Recordkeeping is a key component of proper data management. When data are recorded accurately, consistently, and carefully the ability to review analyze, and test the data is greatly enhanced. …captured in a paper notebook, spreadsheets, or electronic data…, there should be a consistent approach…” Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarly Activity 2022.Writing and maintaining a record book is a basic tenet of 4-H programs. 4-H record books
Author: Sharee Schoonover
Livingston County 4-H had the opportunity to act as a chaperone for an additional student at the 2021 Kentucky State Teen Conference held annually in Lexington, Kentucky. During this conference, students are able to live on campus and get a taste of college life. 2021 was a challenging year for programming, as we were able to host programs in a hybrid model. This allowed students to attend the conference but resulted in necessary changes to the structure. Due to a block of time and a need to soc
Author: Heather Coleman
The Floyd County 4-H Program believes that high school serves as a bridge for student transition to adult life. Upon completion of high school, students have formed habits they will carry with them the rest of their lives. One important goal of all high schools is to produce graduates who will be responsible, productive lifelong learners. By striving to instill a positive work ethic in our students, we will help ensure their futures as responsible, productive community members. Kentucky stu
Author: Lena Mallory
The 4-H Thriving Model is the science-grounded in practice that describes the “magic” of 4-H. This model takes the science to explain the growth/thriving process of youth because of their 4-H involvement. Moving from the Developmental Context (4-H Programs) to Youth Thriving (Social, Emotional and Cognitive Learning) to Development Outcomes (Positive Youth Development) to Long-Term Outcomes. The 4-H Thriving Model is best envisioned through w
Author: Misty Wilmoth
The LaRue County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with the LaRue County Youth Service Center to offer the 4-H Reality Store program to all 189 8th graders at LaRue County Middle School. The 4-H Agent went into the classroom to prepare all the students for the event. They researched their chosen career and expected salary. They also drew for the number of children they would have for the activity which assumed they were 25 year olds providing the only income for their hou
Author: Renata Farmer
A recent study by AIPCA revealed that only 13 percent of parents talk to their children about money matters regularly. 3 out of 10 parents never talk about money at all with their children. According to the study, parents are more likely to talk about good manners or about the dangers of drugs and alcohol more than they are about financial literacy. The Knox County 4-H program responded to requests by teachers for financial literacy/work-force prep programs by collaborating with the
Author: Emilee Bryant
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the community saw a lack of financial and "real world education in students across the county. Many of them were not prepared to graduate, live on their own, or search for a career. Powell County 4-H, in partnership with the Powell County School system, was able to host a day of real world education - The Reality Store - at the Powell County Middle School for all 8th grade students. Students were given a monthly income amount based on their cur
Author: Leslea Barnes
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the 3.2 million youth ages 16 to 24 who graduated from high school between January and October 2019, 2.1 million (66.2 percent) were enrolled in college in October. Choosing a college is an exciting but stressful process for many teens. Finding the right fit for college encompasses many factors, including academics, extracurriculars and campus culture, to name a few. This past year, senior 4-H’er Maegan Potter decided that Un
Author: Joe Maynard
Working in partnership with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the 4 H National Mentoring Program supports the initiatives that assist in the development and maturity of community programs providing mentoring services to high-risk populations. The goal is to reduce juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, truancy, and other problems and high-risk behaviors. The program objective is to provide direct one-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, or peer-mentoring services to und
Author: Regina Browning
Today’s youth will eventually enter the workforce and being prepared for that transition is crucial for their success. Employers are looking for quailed applicants, with proper education or training, but also want individuals that have developed soft skill sets. Through all levels of schooling students learn core subjects but they don't necessarily gain the soft skills they need to enter the workforce. This is a common concern for hiring professionals. To prepare our youth
Author: Owen Prim
The 4-H Achievement Program gives youth experience in goal setting, keeping records, planning and organizing, completing tasks and working with others. Points are accumulated through leadership activities, civic engagement, communication/marketing, community action and overall 4-H participation. In the process youth learn important life skills such as written and oral communication skills when filling out forms and applications, building a resume, keeping records and participat
Author: Catherine Weaver
The Jessamine County Fair is a long-standing tradition both for 4-H and the entire county. Over the years, there has been a decline in entries of “Cloverville” projects. These are 4-H Projects, completed by a member, either individually or as part of a project group, and submitted for judging in the county fair. 2019 saw one of our lowest years of entries, with 110 entries being turned in. When the global pandemic hit in 2020, the 4-H program in Jessamine County got
Author: Ari Veach
In November of 2021 Grant County 4-H and Williamstown School Family Resource Center was able to host a day of financial education and literacy. This was a 2 day-program and 3 different programs with youth ranging from Preschool-8th grade. Preschool-2nd Graders were working on understanding earing money through chores and other small jobs by earning beans which in turn they had the opportunity to choose what to "spend" their beans on. Here they were able to see what they earned and what
Author: Amanda Sublett
Day Camps Offer Opportunities for the FutureKids are often bored at the end of the summer and during fall break and parents are looking for educational opportunities to engage them in before returning to school. Over 70 youth participated in one or more of the following five day camps offered in July and October 2021: Fashion Design, DIY Décor, Horticulture, Let’s Talk Pumpkins, and Fall Steam Ahead. All day camps included a healthy snack and lunch and were provid
Author: Anna Meador
While many organizations halted their programs due to COVID-19, Allen County 4-H stayed the course by tailoring their programs throughout the changing tides of the pandemic to ensure our 4-H youth remained actively engaged through a wide variety of project areas. Despite having fewer in-person programs and workshops, Allen County youth proved their determination to persevere as they submitted over 155 entries for the County 4-H Project Showcase, 83 4-H Project submissions which advanced to
