Research conducted by 4-H in the past suggested that youth aren’t getting the leadership opportunities they want and need. In the 2016 4-H National Youth Survey on Leadership, two-thirds of respondents said they don’t have the tangible skills they needed to lead. Half of high school students said they don’t feel prepared to lead in college or a future career. (Sirangelo, March 2018, 4-H Is Growing True Leaders).  Kentucky 4-H addresses this issue and concern through the teen leadership program it offers known as Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference.   The conference held at the University of Kentucky June 13-16, 2023 helps teen delegates ages 14-18

develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas that allows them to have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills through networking, develop youth-adult partnerships.  Plus, it acquaints them 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.

To accomplish these results, 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.