The U.K., Cooperative Extension Service and Kenton County 4-H certified livestock volunteers plan and execute the educational meetings required for livestock participants in Kenton County.  The Kenton County Extension and 4-H Councils, and 2020-2022 local Expansion and Review committee surveys identified selecting project animals, performing basic animal management skills, and raising and exhibiting animals as important life skills and the 4-H program should continue to provide educational opportunities.  

The U.K. CES 4-H agent (Kelley) cooperated with local volunteers and community members to provide educational programming for youth involved in 4-H livestock projects.  CES provided educational materials, guidelines, speaker contact information, and equipment and together with the volunteers conducted 15 hours of educational opportunities.  Thirteen new educational activities were utilized to convey information and increase youth participation, including a community service activity and potential fair exhibits.   

43 youth participated in programs completing 6 required educational hours and 30 parents/guardians completed adult orientation.  16 different presenters in addition to 7 certified volunteers presented programs and information to youth.  Evaluations were collected after each educational session.  

Youth evaluations consistently reflected their preference for interactive experiences with adult presenters.  Youth evaluations also reflected learning a skill and practicing social skills such as approaching a business owner were strongly preferred.  87% of youth also affirmed in written evaluations that they “got to figure something out for myself at 4-H” directly reflecting common measures evaluations.  79% of youth wrote that “4-H is a place where you have a chance to be a leader” again directly reflecting a positive outcome from the common measures evaluations.