The 99^th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 13-16, 2023. The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: 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. 

All these aspects create a program beloved by several Boyd County 4-H Teen Council Members.  All but one Boyd County 4-H Teen Conference Delegate were returning delegates.  One particular returning Boyd County 4-H Delegate knew her family could not afford the fee for 4-H Teen Conference. This Boyd County Teen Council Member approached the Boyd County 4-H Youth Development Agent early in February to ask if she could make payments since she now could drive and had a part time job she would be making her conference fee payments herself.  The agent agreed and the teen council member made her payments timely and accurately until the $200 was paid in full.

Another returning Boyd County 4-H Delegate returned from 2023 Teen Conference determined to join the State 4-H Teen Council and began the steps to attain a position.