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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Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Leslie County Youth Step Up at 2024 Kentucky 4-H Issues Conference

Author: Dawna Peters

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Leslie County Youth Step Up at 2024 Kentucky 4-H Issues Conference

This year, Leslie County had the pleasure of supporting two incredible youth delegates for the 2024 Kentucky 4-H Issues Conference held November 14–16 at Dale Hollow Lake State Park. Mason Asher and Xavier Morgan, both active members of the Leslie County 4-H Teen Council, proudly represented our county and made the most of every opportunity this leadership experience had to offer.The Issues Conference isn’t your average trip, it’s a hands-on, minds-on event that challenges youn

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Ignite the Spark: A multi-state webinar series identifying strategies for engaging and retaining 4-H Volunteers

Author: Ken Culp

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Ignite the Spark: A multi-state webinar series identifying strategies for engaging and retaining 4-H Volunteers Situation and Priorities: Volunteers are critical to 4-H program delivery; however, volunteer retention remains a persistent challenge within youth development organizations. To address this concern, a coalition of 4-H volunteer specialists from the Southern region designed and delivered a five-part webinar series titled Ignite the Spark. This series provided professional dev

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4-H Civics Club Champions: Hopkins County 5th Graders Explore History and Leadership 2025

Author: Genaea Sarantakos

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Issue or SituationIn Hopkins County, 5th grade students had limited opportunities to engage in hands-on civic education that connected classroom lessons with real-world government and history experiences. While state academic standards required knowledge of government and citizenship, many students lacked immersive opportunities to explore these concepts beyond textbooks. Recognizing this gap, Hopkins County 4-H and Hopkins County city schools identified the need to create a program that would i

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The Role of Impact Evaluation in 4-H Youth Development

Author: Ken Culp

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Impact evaluation is a type of evaluation that assesses the long-term effects of a program, event, or activity on its intended beneficiaries. It aims to determine if the program, event, activity, or intervention caused the observed changes and to what extent. This involves establishing a causal link between the program, event, or activity and the intended outcome, which is often referred to as causal attribution or causal inference. Impact evaluations are crucial for understanding whet

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Pendleton County Youth Fair “Shine Bright” Class: Celebrating Courage, Inclusion, and the Love of Livestock

Author: Lydia Gosney

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Pendleton County Youth Fair “Shine Bright” Class: Celebrating Courage, Inclusion, and the Love of Livestock

Describe the Issue or Situation.Youth with special needs often face limited opportunities to participate in traditional livestock shows due to physical, developmental, or social barriers. In Pendleton County, we believe every young person deserves the chance to experience the joy, pride, and accomplishment that comes from working with animals and being part of the fair community. The Shine Bright Class was created to ensure that all individuals, regardless of ability or experience, have a place

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Pendleton County Youth Fair Livestock Shows and Sale: Building Opportunity Through Agriculture

Author: Lydia Gosney

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Pendleton County Youth Fair Livestock Shows and Sale: Building Opportunity Through Agriculture

Describe the Issue or Situation.In today’s economy, many youth face challenges when it comes to gaining hands-on experience in business, agriculture, and personal development. The Pendleton County Youth Fair Livestock Shows and Sale provides a vital opportunity for local youth to exhibit livestock and engage in the real-world process of marketing their animals. However, not every supporter is able or willing to purchase an animal outright. Recognizing this, the county implemented an &ldquo

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Welcome Home 623d

Author: Toni Humble

Major Program: Civic Engagement

After a  10 month deployment, soldiers from the B Battery 1/623d FA (HIMARS) National Guard Unit from Monticello, Kentucky returned home. Throughout the deployment, Extension provided monthly newsletters with healthy recipes, family activities, financial information, upcoming extension programs, and information provided by the commander. 4-H Ambassadors provided activities for kids at the Family Readiness Group Meetings. Other family issues were addresses as needed. Wayne Co 4-H worked with

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Cultivating the Next Generation of Leaders in Hickman County

Author: Melissa Goodman

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Cultivating the Next Generation of Leaders in Hickman CountyIn a rural community like Hickman County, where workforce development and youth retention are ongoing challenges, local organizations are taking action to ensure future prosperity through leadership cultivation. The Hickman County Extension, in partnership with the Hickman County Chamber of Commerce and Hickman County Schools, has laid the foundation for developing inspired leaders and an empowered future workforce.Now in its fifteenth&

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Community Service Project- Trash Pickup

Author: Crystal Smith

Major Program: Civic Engagement

The Community Service Project took place on June 20, 2025. The goal was to clean up as much as possible in this 10-mile trash cleanup on HWY 23 to US 119 with the Junior Teen, Teen Club, and Cloverbud Members of Letcher County. The youngest member that contributed their time was 7 and the oldest volunteer to contribute their time was 68. This collaboration of youth and volunteers was amazing. 8 youth and 31 volunteers made this community service project happen!The specific areas that need cleani

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Egg My Yard Fundraiser Hatches Big Success for 4-H Teen Council

Author: Heather Hunter

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Egg My Yard Fundraiser Hatches Big Success for 4-H Teen CouncilThe McCracken County 4-H Teen Council recently organized a heartwarming and successful fundraiser, aptly named "Egg My Yard." This initiative not only brought joy to local families during the Easter holiday weekend but also raised over $850 to support the council's upcoming trip to Disney World for Disney's Imagination Campus program.The fundraiser involved 20 orders, which were efficiently managed by two dedicated

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Reality Town

Author: Ashley Duvall

Major Program: Civic Engagement

 Reality Town is an immersive educational experience designed to equip students with the skills necessary to navigate the complex financial landscape of adulthood. This simulation presents students with real-world scenarios, compelling them to make informed choices about essential expenses such as housing, transportation, and healthcare. By engaging in this exercise, students gain valuable insights into budgeting, saving, and managing debt, preparing them for the financial realities of adul

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115 Students Learn Civic Engagement at the 2024 Kentucky 4-H Issues Conference

Author: Anna Meyers

Major Program: Civic Engagement

4-H has an opportunity to develop civic engagement skills in Kentucky youth, and this is reflected in the definition of 4-H: “4-H is a community of young people across Kentucky who are learning communication, civic engagement, and leadership skills,” as defined on the University of Kentucky’s Kentucky 4-H Youth Development website. The need and opportunity for Kentucky 4-H to supplement Civic Engagement skill is evident in a 2022 survey conducted by the Kentucky Student Vo

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4-H Capitol Experience

Author: Aubrey Lawson

Major Program: Civic Engagement

In a 2016 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, one in four youth were unable to name the three branches of government. In addition, in July 2018 the Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 158.141 stated a student must pass a civics test at a rate of 60% or higher, composed of 100 questions to graduate from a public high school with a regular diploma. To address this need, Kentucky 4-H Capitol Experience was established with the objectives of: Developing a positive relationship between

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Laurel County Cultural Arts and Capitol Experience

Author: Elizabeth Easley

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Laurel County Cultural Arts and Capitol Experience

A survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that one in four youth cannot name the three branches of government. Kentucky Revised Statute 158.141 requires high school students to pass a 100-question civics test with a score of 60% or higher to earn a regular diploma. Research from the National Endowment for the Arts shows that cultural arts exposure improves academic performance, fosters creativity, builds critical thinking skills, and promotes civic engagement. A Kentucky Arts Cou

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4-H Paints The Park

Author: Ashley Duvall

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Community Partnership for a Healthier LifestyleThe collaboration between the thirty active members of the 4-H High School Adventure Club members and English 101 student, Aubrie Messer, has exemplified the power of community involvement and service, significantly enhancing the local Mountain View Park in Albany. This partnership of a community service project resulted in the creation of ten interactive physical activities designed for families to enjoy on the park's walkin

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Donation Drive for hurricane victims

Author: Christina Hogue

Major Program: Civic Engagement

After seeing images of the devastation from Hurricane Helene, one 12-year-old Tabletop Farmer 4-H member decided to do his part to help.  Learning about community service from the teen leaders of his club, he asked his parents if they could gather donations and take them to an area of North Carolina where current residents of Monroe County once lived.  The 4-H member took his idea to his club on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.  He announced that he and his family would be collecting d

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Youth learn civic engagement at 2024 4-H Issues Conference

Author: Rusty Wolf

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Youth learn civic engagement at 2024 4-H Issues Conference

Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy). Young voices are the future of this country, and it

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4-H Homeschool Club Community Service Project

Author: Emilee Bryant

Major Program: Civic Engagement

4-H Homeschool Club members identified a need for a group in the community.  Members found that the clients who attend the Foothills Active Day Center (ADC) had minimal visits from other community programs and were in need of items for the upcoming holidays. The Foothills Active Day Center is dedicated to providing valuable resources and personalized care, they support individuals aged 21 and above facing physical or memory challenges. Active Day Services have been serving families for deca

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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