The U.K., Cooperative Extension Service, Kenton County 4-H livestock volunteers, and the Kenton County Fair Livestock committee plan and execute the youth livestock sale hosted during the Kenton County Fair. The 4-H livestock project involves raising and caring for live animals while learning about animal health, nutrition, breeding, selection and marketing. Animal projects offer opportunities for individuals to gain experience in decision making, record keeping, responsibility, and leadership. Kenton 4-H members have demonstrated knowledge and many are now in professional positions. Local young adults who have participated in the program have been targeted to respond to selected questions for the past four years. Those responding to the brief survey are featured at the annual sale with a small card that is included with the table decorations. Universally, replying to the first survey question, respondents say they learned responsibility and improved their communication skills. 

When asked how the program impacted their life the responses vary but a common theme is making lifelong friends, positive memories, and a respondent from 2017 said, “…even if I didn’t have the best market animal I could have the best attitude and best groomed animal”.  When asked how the program impacted their life in the present, a 2017 respondent replied, “I am now a Doctor of Pharmacy at a local hospital and I can honestly say I would not be where I am today without the 4-H program. The responsibility of taking care of a steer gave me the dedication I needed to study…I am so happy that 4-H helped me be in a profession now that will allow me to ...help the next generation of 4-H’ers”. 

When asked how the past participants would encourage others, a 2017 respondent replied, “Remember it is a learning experience…some failures were some of the best memories”, another 2017 alumni respondent said, “the 4-H program allows kids to meet friends in a healthy safe environment”. 

The comments made by alumni participants mirror the outcomes of the December 2007 Journal of Extension article, “The Motivation for and Developmental Benefits of Youth Participation in County 4-H Fairs: A Pilot Study” by Arnold, Meinhold, Skubinna, and Ashton.  "The county 4-H fair is a way for 4-H youth to showcase their project work and receive recognition for their efforts, but it can also provide important opportunities for positive youth development..Results revealed that "having fun" was the biggest participation motivator. There were few significant differences in motivation for fair participation that were found between youth who participated in the market animal projects and those who did not. Analysis revealed that fair participation contributes to youth development outcomes. 

Additional information may be added by July 2018 Thank you.