Author: Dawna Peters
Major Program: Agriculture
2023 Chick Incubation was offered to 3rd grade classes and the FMD class at Leslie County High School. FMD stands for Functional Mental Disability classroom. It is important to Leslie County 4-H to keep our FMD youth involved. Leslie County has 4 grade schools and 1 high school which targeted 8 individual classrooms. An estimated 150 youth participated in this project. We visited classrooms each week to provide a new lesson.Chick Incubation is a 21-day process and requires fertilized chick
Author: Candice Hollingsworth
With a decrease in participation of the 4-H Horse Program being seen across the state. The need to provide equine educational opportunities is evident in the attempt to gain participation and manage retention. The C5/C6 Area offered a horse clinic featuring three disciplines that included showmanship, English equitation and ranch horsemanship. 12 4-Hers from various counties registered for the event and brought their horses for a hands-on learning opportunity. They worked closely with a pro
Author: Amanda Sublett
The 4-H Country Ham Project teaches youth about food production and Kentucky’s rich history with country ham. Marion County is home to the Marion County Country Ham Days, so the project has a deeper connection with our kids and community. The certified livestock leader came up with the idea to have a 4-H Country Ham Project Interest meeting to promote the project. The leader invited Dr. Gregg Rentfrow, UK Meats Specialist to give a presentation about what the project was about.
Author: Joe Maynard
Life cycles are a part of the core Science Standard in Kentucky. To help youth better understand life cycles 4-H has stepped in to give students a hands-on experience. First graders from Eden Elementary and Inez Elementary are participating in chick incubation projects. Warfield Elementary will also participate. We have mixed results so far hatching the chicks, but students are having fun and learning a lot along the way. The program has grown to all 3 Elementary sc
Author: Larissa Tucker
The Kentucky 4-H Dairy Cow Camp has been going on for several years. It was first started by volunteers and some dedicated 4-H agents to have intensive training in regards to dairy cattle evaluation. It started as a one day event moved to a two day overnight activity for several years but most recently it has returned to a one day event. This year it was held on election day and there were 145 participants both youth and adults who attended. We were hosted by the Logan Co
Author: Rhonda Jewell
4-H Youth Development gives youth opportunities to explore ideas and interest and gives them the means to develop skills that will benefit them throughout life. The Kentucky 4-H Livestock Program is a prime example. Through participation in livestock activities youth learn about animal husbandry, health, daily care, financial management, marketing, communication skills, decision making, career exploration and much more.Caldwell County has had a thriving livestock program for several years. Much
Author: Rebecca Stahler
The Boyd County 4-H Youth Development Agent and staff have implemented an Extension program for elementary students. The program, called "Chicks in the Classroom", offers interactive experiences by which students can learn about various aspects of agriculture. Interactivity is accomplished through interaction with teachers/educators and other learning materials. The overall programmatic goal is to increase agriculture awareness and enhance education among elementary students. Over the
Author: Paula Tarry
According to the Be the “E” 4-H Entrepreneur Curriculum, “Although certain traits are desirable, there are no specific traits that an entrepreneur must have to be successful. There is one element that is required, that must be in place with no substitute. It is having Passion. It is passion that gets entrepreneurs through difficult times with the necessary drive to find answers to seemingly unanswerable questions.”A Barren County 4-H’er joined the Hoofbeats 4-H Hors
Author: Carrie Derossett
Covid-19 was a huge eye-opener for so many people when it came to the availability of food, especially when quality and safety of the food available was in question. Educating families on the fresh food available to them locally, while encouraging family engagement, has been a driving force in the development of Logan County Extension Services’ Sweet Summer Time at The Farmers’ Market program. It is a community event, held at the Logan County Extension Complex in conjunction wi
Author: Owen Prim
Horses are an important industry and pastime in Campbell County. According to the 2022 Kentucky Equine Survey, there are about 1,600 horses in Campbell County with a yearly income of services of $2,050,000. The 4-H Horse Program has a strong tradition in Campbell County. Members and leaders are active on the county, area and state levels. The Saddle Up 4-H Club members participate in club meetings, fundraisers, 4-H Horse Camp, judging events, UK AG Field Day, State 4-H H
Author: Crystal Smith
Summer Camp began at The Stables at Creekside Glen and local Letcher and Harlan County youth attended. This was a multicounty program with youth aged 12 and under. Teen’s age 13 to 19. There is such an “active” variety on the agenda for the days. Of course, there are camp songs, crafts, singing, playing games, and the best part is being introduced to horses. The kids are being introduced to the world of horse and each child enjoys some up close and personal time with the horses
Author: Kelly Woods
What is more exciting than watching a living breathing chick emerge from an egg you have been caring for? 4-H members learned life skills, explored agricultural practices, discovered the incredible egg, and examined the nutritional value of the egg. 4-H members showed, 91% understood the process of chick incubation and practices, 81% monitored the humidity necessary successful hatching, and 84% learned to candle eggs monitoring their development. The nutritional value of the egg was investi
Author: Wade Raymer
Webster County 4-H Animal Science program provides many benefits to the youth in Webster County. Animal Science projects assist youth in the development of life skills they will use as they become contributing citizens. One young man’s passion for 4H began by showing sheep as a cloverbud. He continued in 4-H for 14 years and learned many valuable skills. 4-H continued to help him build relationships and develop many skills which ultimately led to his success in life. His involvement i
Author: Dora Centers
4-H Chick incubation, embryology and poultry programs have been active in Knott County since 2013. Reaching thousands of youth during that time. One 4-Her started with the program in middle school, now in college, runs his own KY Proud Poultry Farm. Our goal was to provide new resources for classroom volunteers and our participants. Through the Kentucky 4-H Foundation's Ag Mini Grant program, we purchased the OSU Poultry Learning Lab Kit. The kit proved to suppor
Author: Stacey Potts
Horse Clubs are a 4-H staple with multiple objectives. Participants learn about everything horse, including horsemanship. At the same time, they are developing as leaders, practicing self-reliance, and sportsmanship while promoting a greater love of animals and a humane treatment toward them. The Daviess County Young Riders 4-H Horse Club meets monthly throughout the school year. Club meetings always include horse education. Their Certified Volunteer Leader was a fo
With the number of farms and acres of farmland in Campbell County decreasing each year, the general public’s appreciation for and understanding of animal agriculture is decreasing also. This makes the task of educating our youth about animal agriculture and the benefits and life skills that can be gained from 4-H Animal Projects even more important. Livestock Projects are some of the longest-running and easily identifiable aspects of 4-H. These projects range in all size
Author: Paula Jerrell
"Life-skill development through hands-on learning is a cornerstone of 4-H youth programs. 4-H projects embrace youth life-skill development by providing means to encourage young people to become responsible, productive citizens (Ward, 1996). Participation in the 4-H horse project and non-riding competitive horse-related contests are tools for youth to develop life skills such as leadership, sportsmanship, and handling pressure while simultaneously enhancing their horse knowledge. For youth
Author: Misty Wilmoth
When the continuation of the longest running county fair in Kentucky was threatened in 2019, the LaRue County 4-H Council stepped up to continue to offer 4-H and open floral hall exhibits, as well as all the traditional livestock shows. A fair committee was formed and the committee worked to recruit superintendents for each of the livestock shows. The 4-H Council took over the financial aspects of the exhibit and show premiums. Sponsors were also secured to help with the expens
