This is a follow-up to the initial Empowering Local Leaders Success Story from 2017...

As a result of Empowering Local Leaders (ELL) initial success in the ten Mammoth Cave counties, two statewide in-services were conducted in July & August of 2017 that the Simpson County 4-H Youth Development Agent assisted with. These Train the Trainer in-services taught teams of agents how to deliver the ELL program in their counties & districts, and also included a panel discussion with the CAFE Administration, County Judge Executives, and Kentucky Legislators. The agents attending in-turn trained other agents within their district.

Pre and post-tests were given with 374 participants from 35 counties completing a survey. 28% of participants increased their knowledge of the legislative process, 86% felt more prepared to contact an elected official about an issue that concerned them, and 65% are likely to contact an elected official in the next six months. Participants almost doubled their knowledge of the legislative process after ELL. 

Mammoth Cave Agents have a long standing tradition of hosting an annual event for legislators. In August 2017 we hosted a Legislative Picnic at Cason's Cove, an agritourism venue in Warren County. For the first time in 18 years, I chaired the event. I also presented the Empowering Local Leaders program as a workshop at the 2018 Kentucky Volunteer Forum, to the State Extension Council in February, and at a KACO meeting in May.  The opportunity to be a part of the Empowering Local Leaders program certainly allowed me to grow as an Extension professional!