The 99th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 13-16, 2023. The objectives of the Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: to develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, gain club, county and state 4-H program skills, have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills through networking, develop youth-adult partnerships, and become acquainted with the University of Kentucky to aid in college and career readiness of Kentucky 4-Hers. 

The leadership event attracted 544 individuals to the University of Kentucky campus: 428 youth and 116 adults from 81 Kentucky counties. The event was sponsored by the University of Kentucky Martin Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Program, the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Farm Credit Mid-America, the Kentucky Soybean Board Kentucky Farm Bureau, Valvoline, and Tarter. 

During the educational experience, all youth participated in a UK recruitment session with the Office of Enrollment Management. Additionally, they received academic exploration materials from the Martin Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Center for Student Success. This exposure provided youth the opportunity to see what the University of Kentucky has to offer and begin the conversation about their potential to attend the University of Kentucky as a student. Youth were provided with an evaluation following the conference where they were asked about their plans after high school. Of those that responded, 77% showed an interest in attending the University of Kentucky and 25% were interested in learning more about Agriculture. Ninety percent of youth responded positively about the conference this year. Of those that responded, 64% attended as first-year members, 25% as second-year members and 11% had attended the conference for 3+ years. To capture the progressive experience youth were also asked about their previous involvement in 4-H and of those that responded 81% attended 4-H Camp, and 38% attended 4-H Summit. 

4-H partnered with 27 different units and departments across the University for participants to gain six hours of educational content in a subject (major) of their choice. Youth engaged in hands-on lessons inside and outside of classrooms at the University of Kentucky, showing them what student life might be like if they attended UK. The majors focused on: agriculture, health, natural resources, expressive arts, family consumer sciences, science, engineering and technology, and communication. 

In addition, participants engaged in five hours of leadership development and service learning. All youth participated in a mentorship workshop led by a youth-adult facilitation team. 4-H collaborated with over 25 community-serving organizations to engage in three hours of service work. The 428 youth logged 1,284 hours of service. This translates into a cost savings of $9,309 (3 hours x $7.25/hour) for organizations versus using paid employees. These efforts supported local service organizations and empowered 4-Hers to think about their ability to impact change in their community. 

Kentucky 4-H is committed to providing educational experiences for all youth. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation awarded $12,527.20 to 95 Kentucky 4-Hers to attend Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation awarded $20,500 to 4-Hers in post-secondary education scholarships during Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference. 

The 2023 4-H Teen Conference impacted four Laurel County youth. Two previous teen conference attendees attribute their experience at the conference in encouraging them to apply to state-level leadership boards. This year’s conference has inspired teens to think civically. Two attendees selected “Working Together to Plan a Community” as their major. Additionally, all teens completed a two-hour service project during the conference. As a result, attendees were inspired and excited to organize a 4-H county-wide community service project. They have set plans to meet as a subcommittee after the 4-H Teen Leaders meet.

The 4-H Life Skills model highlights how 35 life skills relate to 4-H’s head, heart, hands, and health. The teen conference provided a real-world situation where 4-H youth practiced and honed four life skills. The youth experienced community service by assisting in a group community service project. Self-responsibility was practiced with teens experiencing dorm life and being held accountable for maintaining their schedule. Teen conference gave youth the opportunity to hone their social skills by interacting in small and large groups and occasions to meet with youth from across the state. Hands-on teamwork skills were practiced as teens worked with various groups throughout their majors and minors, worked toward reaching a common goal through a service project, and planned the area night-out activities.