Homeschooling is growing in popularity with students and families in Kentucky and in Taylor County. According to the 2018 report Homeschooling In Kentucky, from the Office of Education Accountability, 4.5 percent of Taylor County’s youth are in a home school program. This percent exceeds the state percentage of 3.6%, as well as the national percentage of 3.3%. And due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Pandemic, homeschool numbers are continuing to rise. 

Taylor County homeschool students and families are turning to Taylor County 4-H as a homeschool curriculum supplement. Homeschoolers are making up most of the 4-H centered activities taking place at the Extension Office and with some of the special interest 4-H clubs. A group of families came to gather at the beginning September 2021 to create a new club, the Taylor County 4-H Goat Club. Through this club, youth are learning about the care, management and showing of goats. This is many of the parents first interaction with Cooperative Extension, so they are learning about our services as well, many with peaked interest in the homesteading lifestyle. 

Families are benefiting from the comradery of working together through this club. Many are in their first year of goat ownership and leaning on one another to support with their questions and concerns. Youth are engaged with their animals, as well as the community and new friendships from this new club.