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

Nature Club

Author: Eric Comley

Major Program: Natural Resources

Describe the Issue or Situation.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

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Environmental Education Day Camp

Author: Meagan Klee

Major Program: Natural Resources

A child’s behavior can suffer from an absence of the outdoors. This became an increasing issue during the coronavirus pandemic and the months following as quarantining, isolation, and virtual learning led individuals to stay indoors more often. Nature-Deficit Disorder, coined by Richard Louv in 2005, “is a nonmedical condition that attributes behavioral changes in children to less time spent outdoors”. (https://parentology.com/what-is-nature-deficit-disorder/)To provide additio

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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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Butterfly Kits

Author: Eric Collins

Major Program: Natural Resources

Describe the Issue or Situation.To participate in 4-H programming a child must be at least 9 years of age. However, there is a program for younger children called Cloverbuds. Here in Lee County, KY, our 4-H program has been focused on students 9 years of age and older for the last few ears. We would like to extend our reach to children in the Cloverbud age range of 5-9 years of age.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Our first effort was targeted a

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Rockcastle County 4-H and Schools Collaborate to Inspire Young Minds Through Nature

Author: Alyssa Cox

Major Program: Natural Resources

Rockcastle County 4-H, in partnership with Rockcastle County Schools, recently offered a one-of-a-kind educational experience for 5th grade gifted and talented students. The program culminated in an overnight adventure at J.M. Feltner 4-H Camp, where students were immersed in hands-on environmental learning and unforgettable nature-based experiences.Throughout the trip, students explored a variety of engaging science activities, including owl pellet dissection, tree identification, and a pond st

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Mom and Me Flower Class

Author: Katie Hughes

Major Program: Natural Resources

Mom and Me Flower Class

Describe the Issue or Situation.Mom and Me flower class was done close to mother's day. This was to have some fun for mom and kids. This also included some grandmas as well. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Everyone got to create a flower container that contained 3 types of flowers and everyone got hands on with making the container to enjoy at home after class. I provided information on what the flowers were and how to care for them.&n

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Pumpkin Harvesting

Author: Joe Maynard

Major Program: Natural Resources

According to The Columbia Online Dictionary, plants are essential to the balance of nature and in people's lives. Green plants, i.e., those possessing chlorophyll, manufacture their own food and give off oxygen during photosynthesis. Plants are the ultimate source of food and metabolic energy for nearly all animals, which cannot manufacture their own food. Besides foods (e.g., grains, fruits, and vegetables), plant products vital to humans include wood and wood products, fibers, drugs, oils,

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Morgan County Environmental Day Camp-A new tradition

Author: Kimberly Lane

Major Program: Natural Resources

Morgan County Environmental Day Camp-A new tradition

Morgan County 4-H Council has partnered with the Family Resource Center Directors, and four Elementary school staff for the past fourteen years to provide an educational environmental educational program for all 4th and 5th graders in Morgan County. This partnership was developed to provide hands on applicable learning experiences for all 4th graders.   This was done at the same local youth camping facility we had used in the past. The Day Camp is based on environmental science and nat

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Pulaski County School Enrichment Owl Pellets

Author: Abigail Roy

Major Program: Natural Resources

Pulaski County School Enrichment Owl Pellets

As a school enrichment activity, Pulaski County youth in fourth grade learned about food webs, owl digestive systems and their adaptations. This aligns with the standards that fourth grade students learn as a portion of their science classes. A part of this activity included dissecting owl pellets as a way for students to get hands-on learning related to owl diets. Students also used a provided bone chart to learn about different types of bones and to classify the bones found in their pellets.&n

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NRESci Academy

Author: Lisa Jones

Major Program: Natural Resources

 The Kentucky 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy (NRESci) strives to increase environmental literacy among youth in Kentucky. Every five years (since 1999) the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC) conducts a survey to assess Kentuckian’s environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. According to KEEC’s 2020-2025 Environmental Education Master Plan (2020), “… the average Kentuckian is able to answer correctly sligh

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4-H Goes Wild (Environmental Field Day)

Author: Brandon Darst

Major Program: Natural Resources

According to Children’s Health Defense, “Less exposure to nature in youth has paralleled an increase in mental health disorders, persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness and suicidal thoughts.” The article further explained that children are experiencing less production in the classrooms and test scores are declining. In an effort to combat these issues, the CES has brought back 4-H Goes Wild. The CES had routinely hosted the 4-H Goes Wild Environmental Field Day but COV

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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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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