In the 2019 KY Extension Community Assessment Report, the top three issues under community vitality were: more qualified leaders to prepare community for the future, more youth community leadership opportunities, and more citizens helping to solve issues. This impact statement addresses all three of these top priorities by empowering youth and adult volunteers to be engaged in the Warren County community and beyond. 

To extend the reach of extension programming, the Cooperative Extension Service must empower volunteers to take on extension roles such as club leaders, club/program assistants, and council members. To empower volunteers, they must be educated in their role as a volunteer, be educated in project specific topics, and receive recognition for their efforts for succeeding in their extension roles. Additionally, volunteers need to be able to network with other volunteers to share ideas and learn from others.

For the past 22 years, 4-H specialists and agents from across the state have come together to serve on a two-year planning committee to create a state forum that is held every other year that focuses on empowering volunteers. This reporting agent has served on this committee for the past eight years and has primarily served as committee chair for the workshop committee. Since inception, the KVF has gradually increased participation from a few hundred to over 1200 volunteers reaching volunteers from 7 different states and is recognized as one of the premier volunteer conferences in the nation. 

In addition to workshops, networking and recognition, the forum committee added an accreditation program in 2020 for volunteers to increase their education in subject matter areas and to fully develop volunteers in how to work with 4-H members, club/risk management and teaching techniques. A total of 69 volunteers completed accreditation in 2020. And even more will be accredited in 2022. Also added in 2022, an Extension Homemaker track and agriculture leader’s track were added to encompass all Extension programming areas (4-H, Horticulture, Extension Homemakers, and Agriculture Leaders). 

As workshop committee coordinator, this reporting agent worked hard to recruit valuable workshop sessions that were diverse, interesting, and included 20 subject matter options featuring 215 workshops over a 3-day period. Many comments were expressed at how diverse and educational all of the workshops were across the board and that there was something for everyone. Since 2016, workshop numbers have increased 75%.

When evaluating the impact of this state forum to county programming, 46 adult and teen volunteers participated from Warren County. Of these volunteers, 28 volunteers were recognized with state awards for their achievements in county programming work which is one measurement used for success for empowering leaders. Another measurement of success is educating volunteers in their role as a leader, 7 volunteers were recognized for achieving volunteer accreditation in 2020. Additionally, 7 Warren County volunteers taught 9 workshop sessions, and 1 teen exhibited his community service project called "The Valentine Project".  As evidenced in a direct quote from a volunteer leader who has attended the KVF for the past three forums, this volunteer has indicated she increased knowledge in a subject matter and applied that knowledge in her club meetings. Because of that application, her 4-H members have won the KY State Fair Jr. and Sr. Avian Bowl contests, Jr. and Sr. Poultry Judging contests, Jr. and Sr. Chicken/Turkey BBQ contests and several members have competed on the national level. In 2021, four 4-H members won 5^th place team in Avian Bowl and Poultry Judging at the national contest held in Louisville, KY.

Direct quote from Julie Sweets, 4-H Poultry Club Leader and Shooting Sports Coordinator. This leader also received the Conrad Feltner Adult Award at the forum. “The KVF is such a unique experience to gain knowledge from other volunteers, club leaders, and 4-H agents and specialists from around the state.  I have learned how to be a better club leader by learning different techniques and strategies for working with youth.  I have also learned from other club leaders engaging activities to conduct with my club. I thoroughly enjoy meeting with specialists from across the state and learning about programs and competitions that are being offered.  Based on poultry workshops at KVF in the past, I have been excited to offer the youth in Warren County workshop opportunities to prepare for the State Poultry Judging Competition and Turkey/Chicken BBQ Competition.  This also provided me the opportunity to attend the workshops to be better equipped to teach the youth of Warren County.  This year at the KVF I was able to learn about the Pullet Project and plan to provide this opportunity to the youth in Warren County.  The KVF allows leaders to network with different 4-H leaders and volunteers from across the State of Kentucky and gain valuable contacts to use in the future”.