The success of the Cooperative Extension Service programming is due, in part, to the dedication of a large cadre of volunteers (Smith, Dasher & Klingborg, 2006).  The 4-H Youth Development Programs especially depend heavily on adult and teen volunteers to play integral roles in 4-H programming by performing a wide variety of duties and functions.  To better prepare these volunteers for their roles, the Kentucky 4-H Volunteer Forum was established.

The Kentucky 4-H Volunteer Forum is Extension's flagship event for adult and teen volunteers in the Commonwealth.  This forum benefits volunteers and Extension professionals as well as the 4-H program at the county, area and state levels.  The 2024 Kentucky 4-H Volunteer Forum was held February 22-24 in Lexington, KY at the Central Bank Convention Center at Rupp Arena.  This was one of the largest forums in the history of the event with over 1200 people registered.  Campbell County had the third largest county delegation with 45 delegates.  This is also a new record for attendance from our county.  Highlights of the event included speakers, tours, displays and workshops about volunteering in today's society and about building leadership skills and information about youth development through 4-H projects and activities.  The Campbell County delegates reported learning new things and gaining new ideas to implement back in their clubs and communities.  Furthermore, five volunteers completed the Kentucky 4-H Master Accreditation Process for 2024.

Volunteer recognition is also an important part of the forum activities.  The Kentucky 4-H Hall of Fame Awards serve as a state wide recognition for volunteers.  Campbell County was proud to have seventeen volunteers recognized with awards at this year's event.  They were  Catherine Deaton, Trey Downs, Abby Myers, Nadia Shurley and Emma Wade with the Kentucky 4-H Ten-year Membership Awards.  Leslie Deaton, Gary Downs, Kelly Downs, Patricia Parker and Jessica Shields were recognized with the Kentucky 4-H Master Accreditation Awards.  Specific award winners were Kelly Downs- Certified Livestock Volunteer Award, Luke Tucker- Camp Volunteer Award, Gene Barbian- Community Service Award, Leslie Deaton- Leadership Development Award, Gary Downs- Conrad Feltner Award, The Alexandria Fairboard- Partners in Progress Award, and Tom Curry- Lifetime Achievement Award.

This agents role included working with these volunteers, recruiting delegates to attend the forum, working with the RC Durr Foundation and the 4-H Council to secure funding for our delegates to attend the forum and securing major sponsorship to support the event. I also wrote and submitted the award nominations for our volunteer's recognition, recruited presenters for workshops and served as a room host for workshops.

The next forum will be held February 26-28, 2026.

.