Public speaking, mentoring, leadership, and more are a  few of the life skills 4-Hers learn throughout their 4-H career.  The mission of 4-H is to develop life skills among young people (Cox, 1996). In fact, life skills, the abilities that individuals learn that help them to be successful in living a productive and satisfying life, serve as the foundation for the 4-H program (Boyd, Herring, & Briers, 1992). A number of studies have tried to determine if participation in non-formal educational programs such as 4-H have an impact on youth (Astroth, 1996; Boyd, 1991; Hanna, 1988; Heinsohn & Cantrell, 1986; Ladewig & Thomas, 1987; Sarver, Johnson, & Verma, 2000; Sawer, 1987; Steele & Everson, 1978).

For example, Astroth (1996) found that 4-H effectively develops life skills in 4-H members. His research showed that 4-H Clubs were effective in helping youth develop critical life skills such as decision-making, responsibility, interpersonal skills, a service ethic, and social skills. In addition, 4-H Clubs emphasized developing practical, technical skills. Members often cited the hands-on learning opportunities available through the club experience as vital to their skill development. Isaac, a Henderson County 4-Her, grew up in the Henderson County 4-H and his successes correlate with his 4-H experiences. 

Early on his 4-H career, Isaac participated in school and community clubs taking on officer and leadership roles early on. He then attended 4-H Camp and Summit Conference. As he continued to grow up he transitioned to a leadership role and became a shooting sports coach and served as a teen counselor at both shooting sports camp and 4-H Camp. He also took advantage of state and regional leadership opportunities attending teen conference and southern regional teen leadership conference. Isaac helped grow the local shooting sports program numbers as well as the value of the program as well in terms of community service and fundraising. Isaac then served on the Kentucky 4-H State Teen Council and helped plan Teen Conference and then the following year served on the Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador Board. During his time as an ambassador he helped plan and teach a workshop at Summit and a major workshop at Teen Conference. He also has participated in the county, area, and state mock interview contest. Isaac also participated in the Green River Area Teen Leadership Academy where he kept working on his communication, networking, and career readiness skills. 

Throughout his experiences he built on his skills he was able to apply for his 4-H gold achievement where he filled out his application and applied his record keeping skills he learned in 4-H and interviewed. Because of his life skills he has built through 4-H he was able to achieve his goal and received his gold achievement this past summer at Teen Conference. Isaac also gave the local 4-H Update twice at the Henderson Agriculture Breakfast where he was able to impress the Henderson County Community College president and get to meet one on one with the president to discuss his future goals and plans. Isaac went on and applied and interviews for the HCC FAME Program where only a handful of students are selected each year. Isaac contributes a lot of his successes and his ability to speak publicly to his career in 4-H. Henderson County values the leaders that 4-H helps create and we can’t wait to see where those leadership and life skills takes Isaac.