Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate youth, about the impact of agriculture on their lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth. In order to provide agricultural education to youth, Kenton County 4-H partners with the Kenton County Fair, Certified 4-H Livestock Volunteers, local business leaders and past 4-H participants, to educate youth, market meat buyers, and potential buyers about the value of animal agriculture.  Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and contributes the greatest percentage of revenue to Kentucky’s economy.  Agriculture is an important core content area for youth to engage in and experience.

Kenton 4-H members contact local business and community members to attend the youth livestock sale, youth contact potential buyers in person, others via personal letter, and some youth give informational speeches to groups including the Independence Business Association to recruit buyers and explain their market animal projects. The interaction between youth and local business owners allows potential buyers to hear about projects and learn about the care 4-H members have provided to the animals. Business owners also look forward to the presentations and many ask about the youth member they purchased an animal from in the past or if a youth member who has presented in the past is participating – indicating caring, familiarity and interest in the youth member. In addition to educating potential buyers, efforts are made to educate parents, members of the community, business leaders, and local officials about 4-H and the event. Marketing efforts include large banners, flyers, tri-folds distributed by youth, individual letters, and posters displayed at the Independence 4th of July Celebration.

Kentucky agriculture extends beyond the farm.  Given the current population of Kenton County increased interest has developed in locally produced meat products including beef, pork, and lamb. Kenton County 4-H youth have the opportunity to learn about, market their products and participate in growing economic areas.  Educational efforts have included progressive topics during mandatory 4-H livestock hours and educational programs are announced in advance allowing youth/families to attend topics of interest. Notification of programs are sent via mailings, emails, What’s Happening, social media efforts, and newsletters, additional evening sessions are scheduled to inform youth and parents, about projects and about livestock paperwork. 

Since 2008 - 165 different businesses and individuals have been involved in directly purchasing a market animal. 103 businesses and individuals have purchased animals in multiple years since 2008. The importance of these commodities and opportunity to gain knowledge, make them vitally important components of the Kenton 4-H program.  

Long term outcomes are evidenced because youth are engaging in an entrepreneurial enterprise. Youth are advocates for agriculture and have increased their knowledge, level of competence, and skills in Agriculture. Youth are developing valuable life-skills, including communications, record-keeping, and service, as evidenced by required recordbooks about project animals, presentations about project animals, and service efforts on behalf of the livestock program. Safety practices and educational programs are offered during livestock education hours including animal handling. Youth members assisted fair volunteers installing new fencing and posts at the fairgrounds in the fall of 2017 to keep animals and the public safe. Volunteers consistently use safe handling procedures with animals including fencing, structuring weigh in, and weighing animals at the fair using gates and appropriate animal traffic patterns to keep youth and animals safe.

Additional information may be added prior to July 2018 thank you