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

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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KENTUCKY: History/Foods

Author: Joyce Doyle

Major Program: Civic Engagement

KENTUCKY: History/Foods

Last summer a homeschool mother came to me and ask if I would offer a homeschool club.  Of course, I said yes, and ask her what lessons  she would like taught.  She said Kentucky History would be a great place to start so I added a  homeschool class for each month of the school year.The first class was talking about the History of Kentucky, identifying the state of Kentucky on an United States Map, a craft of the shape of Kentucky, the symbols of Kentucky and the foods that a

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Smithsonian Stories 4-History: McCracken County Youth Uncovering History Together

Author: Heather Hunter

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Smithsonian Stories 4-History: McCracken County Youth Uncovering History Together

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kentucky's small businesses faced significant challenges. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's Small Business Pulse Survey, 46% of small businesses in Kentucky reported a large negative impact at the beginning of the pandemic, which decreased to 36% by the end of June 2020.To understand the impact on their community, the 4-Hers in McCracken County decided to focus on small businesses for their Smithsonian Stories 4-History project. Over 10 weeks, they engag

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Identifying the long-term benefits of the 2024 Kentucky Volunteer Forum through a follow-up quantitative evaluation

Author: Ken Culp

Major Program: Civic Engagement

As universities tighten their financial belts and make decisions about program value, the need for evaluation data on program impact becomes increasingly more critical (McClure & Fuhrman, 2011). Extension educators can no longer afford to simply assume that their programs worked or that their worth would be self-evident (Rennekamp & Arnold, 2009).  More than 40 years ago, Arnold (1983) admonished Extension professionals that it can no longer be taken for granted that programs a

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2024 Kentucky Volunteer Forum: A Professional Development Opportunity for all Extension Volunteers

Author: Ken Culp

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Volunteers play integral roles in 4-H programs, performing a variety of duties, functions, and tasks and possessing varied and rich knowledge, skills, and backgrounds (Radhakrishna & Ewing, 2011). The success of Extension programming is due, in part, to the dedication of a large cadre of volunteers (Smith, Dasher, & Klingborg, 2005). Although highly valued, volunteer involvement does not guarantee achieving Extension's goals and fulfilling learners' needs (Bolton, 1992). Edu

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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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4-H Trip to Washington, DC: Empowering Youth through Civic Engagement and Travel

Author: Elijah Wilson

Major Program: Civic Engagement

4-H Trip to Washington, DC: Empowering Youth through Civic Engagement and Travel

Rural youth often lack exposure to diverse experiences that broaden their understanding of national history, government, and culture. Limited travel opportunities and lack of familiarity with large urban environments can inhibit personal growth and a sense of connection to the broader world. Many young people in these communities have not traveled beyond their local region, and the prospect of navigating an unfamiliar city like Washington, DC can be both daunting and exhilarating.In response, a

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Kentucky 4-H Early American Heritage Club Travels to Fort Niagara, NY

Author: Adam Barnes

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Kentucky 4-H Early American Heritage Club Travels to Fort Niagara, NY

 Kentucky 4-H Early American Heritage Club Travels to Fort Niagara, NYWhat an amazing experience for our Early American Heritage 4-H Project Club over the July 4th weekend thanks to the partnership and a love of history from ANR Agent Adam Barnes in Livingston County and 4-H Youth Development Agent Leslea Barnes in Crittenden County.  The Early American Heritage Club formed in 2018 from youth that also shared the same love of history whose interest was sparked by attending the 4-H Spri

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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