Author: Amanda Sublett
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development (Jones, K. R. 2006)Positive youth development researchers theorize that youth who are confident and who have strong communication skills are more likely to make substa
Author: Mary Lawson
Public speaking is a skill that can benefit someone for a lifetime. It takes dedication and a bit of bravery to master this skill at any age, yet most are hesitant to even attempt to speak on a topic, let alone in front of an audience. In this case, Menifee County youth are taking on the challenge of learning this new skill. The ability to enhance and develop communication skills are of great importance to Menifee County and to Kentucky. Menifee County Central
Author: Lora Stewart
Art is all around us. It can be as grand as a painting in the Lourve or as subtle as a sparkling drop of dew on a blade of grass. Art encompasses so much emotion and feeling, and we look at a piece of art every once in a while and feel that special connection that we haven’t felt with anything else. Gallatin County 4-H offers an art cub for several different groups including the middle school, the upper elementary school, and homeschool children for about 60 children. . A
Author: Julia Wilson
Multiple studies have shown the benefits of 4-H membership. However, it is difficult to get youth involved in a program if they are not interested in the classes being offered. The Hart County 4-H Agent, the 4-H Program Assistant and volunteers have worked tirelessly to provide a variety of educational opportunities for local 4-H youth. Throughout the year the 4-H Agent facilitated a series of classes, inviting youngsters to explore various
Author: Kimberly Thomas
The Taylor County 4-H Annual Open House, known as “4-H For All” was held on Saturday, September 17th from 11am-2pm at the Taylor County Extension Office. The goal of this event is to showcase all the clubs, events, and activities that Taylor County 4-H has to offer. Attendees were able to learn about 4-H through interactive stations that allowed the youth in attendance to do something hands-on associated with each club or activity.This year we had over twenty volunteers to share thei
Author: Charles Comer
Fear of speaking in front of an audience ranks as one of the top things people fear most. But becoming an effective public speaker is the difference between success and failure in life. (Fischlschweiger, S. 2018, Public Speaking: A Vital Skill for All Youth). In Kentucky, providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is important. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individu
Author: Catherine Webster
How we live life is ever changing but learning basic life skills is still as important as ever. Many schools no longer teach basic life skills classes which means basic life skills for positive youth development are not consistently being taught in schools. Hands-on extension programming equip youth with these much necessary life skills! 4-H offers basic learning activities in seven core areas of interest to youth, however it’s the unlimited addition of 4-H activities where members report
Author: Paula Tarry
Thank-you is a word that can have multiple meanings depending on the circumstances. This Agent was chased down in a grocery by a 4-H Alumni's parent to say "I have been meaning to stop by and talk to you! I want to thank-you for encouraging my daughter to stay involved in 4-H. It has made a big difference in her life. Thanks for 4-H she received a promotion at her job and now does some TV and radio interviews. The other day, we saw her on TV and my husband said "Thanks to 4-H
Author: Bridgett Poteet
Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development (Jones, K. R. 2006)This year 181 youth participated in State Communications Day. These youth have gained knowledge in public speaking through county and area grouping contest
Author: Catherine Weaver
Public speaking and communication skills have been proven to be the most needed skills in order for citizens to obtain a job in the workforce. In order to provide this experience for youth at an early age, CES planned and implemented lessons in which over 1423 youth throughout the county were educated on the importance of communicating well, and on how to properly give a speech and demonstration. CES also implemented 4-H Speech and Demonstration contests at all 6 of the county elementary schools
Author: Cathy Toole
Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development (Jones, K. R. 2006)This year 181 youth participated in State Communications Day. These youth have gained knowledge in public speaking through county and area grou
Author: Stacey Potts
Strong writing, reading and presentation skills present youth with the dexterity of being good communicators as well as allowing them to form receptive relationships with peers and adults. When young people are confident and capable in presenting their thoughts and feelings, they are more likely to accept roles of responsibility in their communities and enhance their contribution to society. This development of internal and external assets, as researched by the Search Institutes &ldqu
Author: Paula Jerrell
After a few years without having 4-H School Clubs in the 4th and 5th grades, we now have them going again. Fourth grade clubs started back last year focusing on Communications. This year we have added 5th grade clubs focusing on Communications as it relates to Leadership. The 4th grade will be required to plan, prepare and deliver a speech plus have a variety of lessons on communications. The 5th grade is incorporating civic engagement in their writing classes and having clubs in their soc
Author: Mollie Tichenor
Spencer County Schools and Spencer County 4-H partner together to provide Elementary 4-H School Club Programs for all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. Communication is the key component to this program. At every meeting or enrichment, all students are required to communicate with their classmates by participating in the activity where they say their name and something about them self. Throughout the year, it is the goal of the 4-H Agent to make each student more comfortable with pub
Author: Alissa Ackerman
In today’s society many youth struggle with stress, anxiety and depression due to circumstances at home, social media factors, peer groups and other aspects. Mental health awareness has become more common in recent years than ever before. School leaders, parents and other leaders in in the community are looking for avenues for opportunities and encouragement for our youth. Luckily, the Cooperative Extension Offices across the state of Kentucky offer a variety of 4-H youth programs that fos
Author: Mary McCarty
Public speaking is a skill that is only mastered each time one practices in a public setting. Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills are of great importance to Menifee County and to Kentucky. However, according to the Washington Post a public speaking is one of Americans biggest phobias. These statements are why Menifee County Central Elementary School and Menifee County 4-H have a long history with the 4-H Communicat
Author: Sarah Redmon
4-H Country Ham Day at the Kentucky State FairOn the opening day of the Kentucky State Fair in 2022, 75 counties participated in Ham Day, where over 800 youth participated in giving a 3-5 minute speech on a top designed around country ham. Over 800 hams were judged by the University of Kentucky Meats Lab professor and workers. With the 4-H Country Ham Project youth are given a topic to write a speech and two green hams to cure. From January to August the youth cure, clean, and prepare their hams
Author: Lawrence Caudle
Kentucky State University’s 4-H Youth Development program held the 2023 4-H Ignite Conference on April 21st. The conference drew in 100 middle school youth participants, 40 volunteers, 10 chaperones, and 10 extension staff members. During the conference, the participants got the opportunity to participate in 3 of the 6 available workshops of their choosing. One of the workshops offered was a workshop based on Photography, which was led by a community volunteer. This workshop exposed the wo
