Diversity begins with exposure leading to understanding and acceptance. The Diversity Inclusive Program Model (Lavergne, 2008) offers a good outline for understanding ways to guide programming in a diverse world. The first concept that this model offers is that of bringing to the table a positive attitude. Positive attitudes give way for positive outcomes which is the ultimate goal of building acceptance and understanding of diversity. Next is previous perceptions and barriers that could be reasons for underrepresented groups which can change with positive attitudes breaking down those pre-existing barriers. The last concept is that awareness leads to bringing solutions to bridging the gap within diversity. In understanding these concepts, a plan can be developed to bridge the gap and become more inclusive in programming. For Owen County, the question is not how diverse our community is, but how can we change the understanding and acceptance of diversity we have? 

For the second year, Owen County middle school and high school youth attended the annual Kentucky Jr. MANRRS Leadership Conference held in Lexington, Kentucky on December 8-9, 2017. This leadership conference welcomes all youth interested in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences careers and developmental opportunities. The mission for the Kentucky Jr. MANRRS State Leadership Institute is to connect youth and their interests to future internships, careers, and educational opportunities. Promotion for this leadership conference began right after the first group attended the previous year in 2016 as the excitement brought back many of the same youth as well as adding in a couple new youth. Spreading the word through positive experience is the best promotion for building awareness and leading to successful community understanding and acceptance of diversity.

This year’s conference was held at the Agricultural Science building on the University of Kentucky’s Campus with many workshops offered to broaden the minds of youth in the fields of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences. This leadership conference is set up to allow the youth involved to choose educational sessions that spark their individual interest. Examples of some of these sessions include veterinary pathology, textile testing laboratory, entomology, meat science laboratory, and more. This year there was an additional session was held with empowering speakers to begin the program which provided inspiring and motivating words from leaders in many different agricultural fields. This opportunity revealed to the youth that diversity is all around and it is time to embrace it, empower themselves, and become leaders.  

Owen County 4-H had seven youth attend the KY Jr. MANRRS in December 2017. All seven youth completed a written evaluation while on the ride back to Owen County. This evaluation asked a few quick questions about their experience and interest in returning again. All seven had shared through this evaluation that they felt this conference made them feel more confident in their interests and abilities. Six out of the seven expressed interest in attending this conference next year. One also had verbally expressed extreme interest in attending the University of Kentucky because of their positive experience at this conference.

Overall the success of this leadership conference is provided through the youth in attendance. The conference offers opportunities for youth to learn and grow, but what they bring back to Owen County is the full understanding of diversity. They show this through continuing to participate in any program and bringing others to see what diversity is through their example. The youth that attended the Kentucky Jr. MANRRS Leadership Conference in December 2017 provide an example to others that diversity is about embracing differences and taking those differences to create something unique. Owen County youth are learning and engaging in this idea and are embracing their differences leading to great opportunities. These positive experiences help build positive attitudes in other aspects which supports the ultimate goal of bridging the gap within diversity in Owen County.