For many of the young people who live in Cumberland County, 4-H mentors are much more than tutors or project leaders — they are hope, they are comfort, they are family. They are the pathway to a promising future. In the summer of 2021, the Cumberland County 4-H Program and the University of Kentucky were awarded funding to conduct research about the impact of mentorship on 4-H youth. The funding provided $10,000 to help develop a formalized mentorship program based on best practices and established standards for high quality programs. Best practices include training for the mentor, volunteer screening, matching based in part on youth and volunteer preferences, oversight of the relationship, and data collection to track the relationship and positive outcomes arising from it. Factors critical to implementing effective mentoring programs include significant contact between mentor and mentee and a relationship in which the mentor is perceived as a friend rather than simply an authority figure. The funding was a result of collaboration between the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and National 4-H Council. The goals of the 4-H National Mentoring Program (NMP) are to increase youth social competency, improve family relationships, and increase academic success.

As to date the Cumberland County 4-H Mentorship has matched 47 youth with adult mentors who have participated in professional development and completed the youth and client protection process. Youth had the opportunity to engage with their mentors each at least an hour week starting in January through June and participated in special 4-H programs that were made possible by the funding. The grant made it possible to eliminate the number one reason why youth do not participate in many 4-H programs, cost. All 4-H programs that offered as part of the mentorship were free. 

One of the mini highlights of the 4-H mentorship program was a special event that took place on Earth Day called 4-H Farm to Fork. Youth and mentors got to visit a local farm to learn about their operation that includes swine, poultry, and fresh produce. After the farm visit, youth returned to the Extension Office where they helped prepare a special meal featuring Kentucky Proud products. Other mentorship program activities included horse and shooting sports clinics, a fishing trip, a tour of the University of Kentucky. Additionally, 21 mentees completed the Country Ham project at the new ham house located at the Extension office. The program is scheduled to renew July 2022 with $10,000 in additional funding.