The problem

Retention of 14-18 year old youth

The educational program response

4-H livestock educational programs and contests

The participants/target audience

4-H youth who provide care for animals

Other partners (if applicable)

Kenton County 4-H Livestock Volunteers, Kenton County 4-H Council; Kenton County Fair Board; local veterinarians; local agricultural industry leaders 

Program impact or participant response.

“Young adults who care for an animal may have stronger social relationships and connection to their communities, according to a paper published online in Applied Developmental Science.”

 Kenton County 4-H has retained a high number of 4-H youth aged 14-18 years in the 4-H Livestock Program from 2008-2023.  Data reveals that 68 different youth members participated a minimum of 2 years meeting all County and State 4-H requirements including 6 educational hours, completing a passing 4-H recordbook, and completing valid animal identification processes.  42 youth were retained for the 4 year span of ages 14-18 years.  Additionally, 21 youth participated at our State and/or a national show stock level.   

 “A Tufts University study found that high levels of attachment to an animal in late adolescence and young adulthood were positively associated with feeling connected with other people, having empathy and feeling confident…”, Mueller, Megan K., Applied Developmental Science.  Jan. 2014. 

Further review of Kenton County 4-H livestock data revealed that 31 of same young adult participants volunteered to help specifically with livestock programs after aging out of the 4-H program and 6 have served as 4-H summer residential camp volunteers multiple years.  Volunteering beyond their 4-H age years provides further evidence to substantiate ‘building stronger social relationships and developing connections to their communities’ as stated by Dr. Megan Mueller.