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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success Story4-H Leadership Development



4-H Leadership Development

Author: Elijah Wilson

Planning Unit: Cumberland County CES

Major Program: Leadership

Plan of Work: 4-H Leadership Development

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky 4-H.  The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities for youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create a positive impact on their future.  Leadership opportunities for youth create a setting that reduces the access of youth to risk factors that can negatively impact their success. 

Basic leadership knowledge & skills are essential for success in almost any field.  The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others.  Employers look for leadership skills in future employees.   Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the 4-H program is a priority.  By assisting the development of leadership skills in today’s youth, we improve their ability to face the challenges of tomorrow (Unlock Your Leadership Potential, University of Florida, 2017). 

Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy).  4-H participants rate their leadership life skills above average, have a positive view of their leadership ability, and have a positive attitude toward diversity and acceptance of others (Locke, Boyd, Fraze, and Howard, 2007).    

Cumberland County 4-H members participated in multiple leadership conference. Teen Conference that takes place at the University of Kentucky and 8 local youth participated.  Four youth attended Issues Conference and six youth attend Teen Summit.   






Stories by Elijah Wilson


4-H Summer Camp: Building Lifelong Skills and Connections

4-H Summer Camp: Building Lifelong Skills and Connections

about 6 months ago by Elijah Wilson

In a world where youth increasingly find themselves engaged with electronic devices and isolated fro... Read More


4-H Trip to Washington, DC: Empowering Youth through Civic Engagement and Travel

4-H Trip to Washington, DC: Empowering Youth through Civic Engagement and Travel

about 6 months ago by Elijah Wilson

Rural youth often lack exposure to diverse experiences that broaden their understanding of national ... Read More


Stories by Cumberland County CES


Mentoring the Middle

Mentoring the Middle

about 5 days ago by Deborah Messenger

Leadership skills are needed throughout the lifespan in varied situations and dynamics. Even youth a... Read More


4-H Summer Camp: Building Lifelong Skills and Connections

4-H Summer Camp: Building Lifelong Skills and Connections

about 6 months ago by Elijah Wilson

In a world where youth increasingly find themselves engaged with electronic devices and isolated fro... Read More