Author: Brianna Barnes
Major Program: Agriculture
Describe the Issue or Situation.The situation involves youth participants in a county fair, where they have spent the year caring for and training their 4-H animal projects. The county fair is a significant event for these young individuals, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their hard work, skills, and knowledge gained throughout the year. It is a time for them to demonstrate their commitment to animal care, agriculture, and personal growth.At the fair, the youth compete for variou
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
In the most recent community needs assessment residents of Christian County determined that there was a need for increased agricultural and natural resources literacy. Through educational programs youth of Christian County are able to see various hazards related to agricultural work and learn how to overcome those situations and avoid dangerous situations. Through partnerships with local agencies, you were able to go through various stations related to electricity safety, ATV safety,
Author: Nolan Pettit
Every year, one of my biggest events is our McLean County Youth Ag & Safety Day. We bring in all the 4th grade students from each elementary school from across the county to our park. We have several community members who are involved in agriculture to come and speak with the children at each booth. While most of our vendors are directly related to agriculture, we also invite local first responders to speak about the dangers involved with being around farm equipment that might be easily acce
Author: Nicole Rhein
There are approximately 13, 600 head of cattle in Marshall County (USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service.) It is common knowledge that cattle and other large livestock often escape their enclosures but few members of the general population know how to safely interact with these escaped livestock. Many adults and children lack experience with large animals, having never been around livestock. A large number of those who have have experience with livestock, only have experience with large a
Author: Ashley Norton
Every 3 days a child dies in an agriculture-related incident and every day at least 30 children are seriously injured. Hardin County is a very agriculture-based community where children encounter the dangers of agriculture life, and it is vital to educate the youth of the county to safely interact with farming equipment, ATVs, animals and plants. Farm Safety Day is an event that teaches elementary students grades 3-5 in Hardin County the importance of being safe in their community, at home and o
Author: Amanda Sublett
Healthy living is one of three 4-H mission mandates and encompasses: physical activity, personal safety, mental health, addiction prevention, and diversity and inclusion. Every 4th grader in Marion County learned about various aspects of safety at the Progressive Agriculture Farm Safety Day in October of 2024. The program is a partnership between 4-H, the Extension Office and the school Family Resource Centers and reached 284 youth. An additional 40 teen youth participated as group lea
Author: Catherine Weaver
The Jessamine County 4-H and FFA Investment in Youth Livestock Sale began in 2004 and continues to be the highlight for our livestock exhibitors each year. The 2024 Jessamine County 4-H and FFA Investment in Youth Livestock Sale was our 21st sale and a huge success once again. 44 youth offered goats, hogs and country hams - for sale as completion of their 2024 project. Our first year, we had 10 consigners in the sale, so as you can see, we have grown a great deal. This event is strongly communit
Author: Candice Hollingsworth
With just over five percent of the population of Shelby County involved in agricultural production, there is a growing disconnect in the understanding of how food is produced and how it reaches the consumer. To help bridge this gap, Ag & You Day was offered to 5th graders in the Shelby County School system.The Shelby County Extension Office partnered with our local Soil Conservation, Farm Bureau and the Shelby County Public School system to plan and coordinate Ag & You Day to 506 5
Author: Mary McCarty
Menifee County, with its rural charm and population of 6200, might seem like a place where everyone knows where their food comes from. However, the reality is different. In 2011, according to the Ag Daily, 72% of the United States of America's population knew nothing or a little bit about farming and ranching. These statistics underscore the urgent need for Ag education, even in rural counties like ours. The importance of Ag education cannot be overstated, but it is a vital part of our
Author: Anna Meador
Eating local isn’t just a fashionable trend. By eating local farm produce and animal products, consumers may just find a positive correlation for improved health, nutrition, personal finances and even a positive impact in your community by financially supporting local farms. For a second year, Allen County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with local farmers, Extension Volunteers and the 4-H Program to host our Annual Farm to Fork Event. “The Kentucky Proud Fa
Author: Dana Anderson
Youth Investment ProgramsTeaching youth entrepreneurial skills is not taught in the traditional school classroom today. To equip our youth, we offered them the opportunity to sell their 4-H/FFA market livestock and country hams at Mercer County Investment in Youth Sale. The program's objectives are to learn how to engage in a contract and understand their requirements to participate in the sale. An integral part of the program is youth are creating a networking system. The participants are r
Author: Elizabeth Easley
Describe the Issue or Situation According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, most Americans are three generations removed from the farm, and only 2% of the population are involved in farming. In Laurel County, 841 farms are in operation. Youth who raise market animals learn how to raise wholesome and nutritious food as they take on the responsibility of raising an animal that will become part of the food chain. Animal-sourced foods provide high-quality protein and key micronutrients es
Author: Cathy Toole
The Kentucky State Fair is a culminating event of yearly 4-H project work. Project work is defined by including the following: “(a) Planned work in an area of interest to the 4-H member, (b) Guided by a 4-H adult volunteer who is the project leader, (c) Aimed at planned objectives that can be attained and measured, (d) Summarized by some form of record keeping, and (e) A minimum of six hours of project instruction” (National 4-H Council, 2013). In 2024, Kentucky 4-H members exhibited
Author: Emilee Bryant
Teachers at Stanton Elementary identified a need for Agriculture education and programming at the K-5 level, which is currently not offered by the school district. In partnership with teachers, as well as the Partners for Rural Impact grant, 4-H was able to begin an afterschool agriculture club for interested students. The club members meet weekly after-school. Two separate clubs are offered, one for K-2 grade and one for 3-5 grade to differentiate learning content. Club
Author: Wade Raymer
The 4-H Country Ham Project gives youth the opportunity to learn the time honored tradition of curing a country ham. By participating in this value added project, youth also learn the process, history and science of food preservation. They also develop and practice communication skills by writing and presenting a speech at the county level and at the Kentucky State Fair.For eight months, 4-H members throughout the state prepare their hams for the state fair competition. At the fair, hams are jud
Author: Lorin Fawns
In the heart of Lewis County, the annual Youth Agriculture Field Day unfolded, celebrating the vibrant spirit of local youth and honoring the memory of Phillip, a beloved community member who had a deep passion for agriculture. Third graders from all over the county gathered for a day filled with hands-on activities that ignited their curiosity and love for the land.The day began with laughter and excitement as students lined up to milk a cow, their faces lighting up with every squirt of fresh m
Author: Ashley Duvall
The Clinton County 4-H Farm Field Day was more than just an educational outing; it served as a vital platform for sparking interest in agriculture among young students. By engaging with both youth and adult leaders at various educational stations, students gained firsthand knowledge about the intricacies of farm life, from understanding the care of farm animals to learning about the machinery that supports farming operations. The experience offered a unique, interactive approach to agricul
Author: Kellsey Agnew
Campbell County Extension has taken on the task of educating our young people about the value of agriculture through the program “Grow It, Eat It, Wear It.” In a county where many young people may never have the opportunity to step foot on a farm, we must take action to provide our youth with a chance to learn how important our agriculture community is. This year in collaboration with the Alexandria Fair board, the Campbell County Farm Bureau, Campbell County FFA, Campbell Coun
