The Land Grant Universities have been developing leaders for over 100 years and the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service has been doing the same since 1925. Much like as the University of Kentucky’s slogan, “We Grow Ideas”, in Henry County we grow great leaders. The strength of the extension program in the county lies in the roots or foundation of leadership opportunities found within all three program areas. The seeds are planted within the 4-H program where:

• An officer training was held in November for all newly elected club officers to assist them in proper parliamentary procedures and techniques to help the business portion of the club meetings run smoothly. Officers are currently working in committees on a Leader Recognition Program.
• An adult leader training was held in August to strengthen extension expectations to understand parliamentary procedures, and to allow club leaders to develop monthly plans for the calendar year.
• 225 4^th graders participated in a Youth Ag Day taught by FFA Officers, and 4-H Livestock Club members. Those involved in 4-H are continuing their education after high school.
• The “Jr. Leadership Henry” group made up of Gifted and Talented Students from the Henry County Middle School attended an all-day training on “Developing Your Personal Leadership Style.” In the evaluation 100% agreed that they had learned tools to enhance their leadership skills.
• Of the 30 teens and adults that attended 4-H Camp all of them had prior experience with extension. Many with more than 10 years of camping experience alone. Henry County was recognized in the state for having 161 attend camp this past summer.
• 5 Teens are Certified Shooting Sports Instructors having been 4-H members for 5 or more years and state champions many times. They taught at the State Shooting Sports Camp this April.
• At the Volunteer Leader Forum, Henry County was recognized as having the most Award winners in the state with 5 adults being recognized and 2 teen awards. The county was also recognized for having 21 registered attendees which was in the top ten of the state.
• One young lady received her Gold Achievement Award and also received the coveted Emerald Award.
• At the Henry County Fair past 4-H’ers are in charge of all the animal shows having grown up in 4-H livestock projects.
• 5 recent agriculture college graduates are serving on the Henry County Extension Council and 4 of them were former 4-H’ers. One is the former 4-H State Vice President who credits 4-H in developing leadership skills he did not know he had until put into action as a state officer.

Curtis Coombs, the youngest to serve on the Henry County Extension Council, a graduate of the UK College of Agriculture, and a ten 4-H member stated, “4-H to me is friendship, leadership, and opportunity. Memories that last a lifetime and skills that help make it through a lifetime.”