4-H Youth Development programs provide leadership opportunities and encourage youth to become involved in their communities. The Kentucky 4-H Achievement program through motivation and positive youth development recognizes 4-H youth who have outstanding accomplishments and have increased their knowledge, leadership skills and abilities. Keeping youth involved in leadership opportunities, being civically active, and achieving life goals is important to ensure that they have the necessary skills to be successful in life.  The Achievement program encourages personal and professional growth and development in a time when youth in our communities struggle to see the importance of being active in extracurricular activities, civic engagement and leadership roles.  In 2021, 1 youth interviewed for the Kentucky 4-H Achievement Gold Award, 3 youth received the Silver award and two youth received the Bronze Award, one youth received the Clover Level 3 award.  

4-H’s long reaching effects as compared to other youth, 4-H’ers are 4 times more likely to give back to their community, and 2 times more civically active.  These youth have continued to advance their leadership development in the 4-H Program by providing leadership to over 75 4-H youth and volunteer leaders to 4-H Teen Leadership Academy, 4-H Foods Club, 4-H Teen Club, OCMS Youth with Disabilities 4-H Club, 4-H Horticulture Club, 4-H Cloverbud Club, 4-H Council, Ohio County Fair and other leadership and volunteer activities in their communities.   Four youth received a 4-H Issues grant and organized a 4-H Youth with Disabilities club at the Middle School.  The Kentucky Achievement Program has helped these youth recognize how they can develop as leaders in 4-H and their community. After submission of the Achievement program application, the teens stated, “They didn’t realize it was so much fun and rewarding to give back to their communities.”