Success Stories - Kentucky Extension Reporting System

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Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Cooperative Extension Service

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Impacts

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Fiscal Year: 2025

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2025

Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Hitting the Mark: Reviving Livingston County 4-H Archery

Author: Sharee Schoonover

Major Program: Natural Resources

Hitting the Mark: Reviving Livingston County 4-H Archery

The Livingston County 4-H Archery program has made an exciting return, thanks to the dedication of a local teen, Holli Kerr, who served on the 2023-2024 State Shooting Sports Teen Advisory Board. Her passion for archery, combined with her mother’s (Dawn Kerr) commitment to becoming a certified coach, brought the program back to life. Throughout the summer, they held weekly practices every Tuesday, providing consistent opportunities for students to develop their skills.Their hard work paid

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Shooting Sports Fuels 4-H Engagement and Leadership

Author: Kelly Woods

Major Program: Natural Resources

Describe the Issue or Situation.The Oldham County Shooting Sports program experienced a rebuilding year in 2023.  In 2024, after coaches were in place and certified, the program growth continued with 83 members.  The new coaching staff, 4-H Council, and Agent established goals to involve Shooting Sports members in all facets of the program and build upon the leadership opportunities.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).The Program Coordina

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Environmental Camp

Author: Susan Campbell

Major Program: Natural Resources

Environmental Camp has been a growing program in our county for a few years. The program began with one school then grew to two schools now all three elementary schools participate. This fall over 300 youth and 60 volunteers will be involved in enivornmental camp. 4-H Agent and teachers work closely together to align the camp program/classes with their Core Content. The overnight experience provided additional hands on opportunities and leadership skills.Collaboration with Anderson County E

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Mammoth Cave Forestry Field Day

Author: Samantha Gabbard

Major Program: Natural Resources

4-H Forestry Field DayUK Forestry and Natural ResourcesMammoth Cave National Park 4-H youth from nine counties attended the 4-H Forestry Field Day at Mammoth Cave National Park on September 12, 2024. More than 100 youth had the opportunity to learn about Kentucky’s trees and forests as well as some of the skills that real-life foresters utilize everyday while on the job. The youth aged 9 to 13 (Juniors) and 14 to 18 (Seniors) years of age were taught and tested on the basics of tree i

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Bringing Classes to Camp for Outdoor Learning

Author: Shannon Farrell

Major Program: Natural Resources

Bringing Classes to Camp for Outdoor Learning

In the fall of 2024, Harrison County 4-H was able to provide an extended day camp for all 4th and 5th graders in public and private schools at no cost to the schools. Across 4 different days, North Central 4-H Camp welcomed 450 youth and 42 adults for seven hours of camp experience and outdoor learning. Fourth grade classrooms were able to attend the venue’s environmental education program and participated in nature hiking, pond study, poo did it class, camouflage, and backyard games. &nbs

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Youth Emersed in Overnight Nature Experience

Author: Lacey Kessell

Major Program: Natural Resources

Youth Emersed in Overnight Nature Experience

Describe the Issue or Situation.Our youth are spending less time outdoors connecting with their environment.  There is a wide range of reasons for this: increase screen time due technological advances, increase of population sizes in urban areas where their aren't safe green spaces for kids to explore, safety concerns by parents, structured schedules, lack of outdoor education and cultural shifts encouraging academics that don't focus as much on outdoor activities.As a result of the

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Marshall County 4-Her Goals Achieved at 2024 Kentucky 4-H Shoot

Author: Lena Mallory

Major Program: Natural Resources

The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This competition provides a goal for youth to work towards thr

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First Christian Church Preschool

Author: Savannah Gilbert

Major Program: Natural Resources

First Christian Church Preschool

It is essential to provide education about natural resources to the youth. Things like soil, water, forests, and even the air we breathe. These are resources that every person relies on every single day. It is important for children to learn how natural resources are crucial for things like gardening and growing fresh produce, flowers providing food for pollinators, forest health, and more.McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service's Horticulture Assistant visits the First Christian Chur

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Environmental Field Day

Author: Alissa Ackerman

Major Program: Natural Resources

Natural resources play a vital role in everyday life and meeting people’s needs. Clay County has over 300,000 acres of land with approximately 256,000 acres of forest land. Many youth across the county lack knowledge and appreciation of the surrounding environment. In order to increase awareness, the 4-H Youth Development Agent and ANR Agent collaborated and hosted Environmental Field Day at Big Double Creek Park in Redbird.Clay County Cooperative Extension ANR, 4-H, FCS Agents a

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4-H Shooting Sports Hits the Mark

Author: Kindra Jones

Major Program: Natural Resources

4-H Shooting Sports Hits the Mark

The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This competition provides a goal for youth to work towards thr

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Shooting Sports Program Continues to Grow

Author: Alexandria Brasher

Major Program: Natural Resources

The success of many 4-H programs can be attributed to the strong leadership that guides them, and the Henderson County 4-H Shooting Sports program is a prime example. The dedicated leaders of this program have invested hundreds of hours in teaching, planning, and fundraising. Club members practice weekly throughout the year to strengthen their skills, with many competing in regional contests during the spring and summer to prepare for the State 4-H Shooting Sports Contest in September. In 2024,

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State Shoot 2024

Author: Mary Anne Garnett

Major Program: Natural Resources

The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This competition provides a goal for youth to work towards thr

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Todd County 4-H Shooting Sports Program Teaches Firearm Safety, Marksmanship and Responsibility

Author: Lee Ann McCuiston

Major Program: Natural Resources

The 4-H Shooting Sports program, which includes projects in archery, shotgun, muzzle-loading firearms, pistol, rifle, and air firearms is one of the largest and safest 4-H programs. According to Conrad Arnold, program coordinator of National 4-H Shooting Sports, the program was established nearly 40 years ago and now engages 428,000 young people per year (C. Arnold, personal communication, November 26, 2018). When incidents involving firearms make the news, its important to note that those abusi

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Monarch Habitat Restoration: Art with Purpose

Author: Christina A. Martin

Major Program: Natural Resources

Monarch Habitat Restoration: Art with Purpose

As monarch butterflies grow/mature, they feed on milkweed.  Over the past few decades, the milkweed plant has been removed from much of the habitat in our area.  Russell Co. 4-H members worked on a project in September and October to help restore monarch habitat in places where milkweed could grow but not be planted on farmland. Over 200 youth in 4th grade learned about insect anatomy, insect diversity, and incomplete and complete metamorphosis.  During the activity, they wer

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Partners and success

Author: Amy Branstetter

Major Program: Natural Resources

Metcalfe County 4-H Certified Shooting Sports Volunteers, 4-H Agent partnered with the Metcalfe County Schools Community Education and KY Fish and Wildlife to offer a “Firearm Safety and Range” program during two weekends in the spring and fall.   This program offered a hands-on learning experience providing an opportunity to learn hunter safety information and practice skills on the range.   Everyone completing this program would receive their “Kentucky Hunters Safet

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Metcalfe County 4-H Shooting Sports Youth and Volunteers

Author: Amy Branstetter

Major Program: Natural Resources

Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition 2024 The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This

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Kentucky 4-H State Shooting Sports Competition 2024

Author: Erica Spurgeon

Major Program: Natural Resources

Kentucky 4-H State Shooting Sports Competition 2024

Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition 2024 The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This

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2024 Shooting Sports State Competition

Author: Alyssa Cox

Major Program: Natural Resources

The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This competition provides a goal for youth to work towards thr

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Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
S107 Ag. Science Center North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
+1 (859) 257-4302

© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment