What do you do in 4-H?  Do the kids do anything?  Is it just cows and cookies?  All questions asked over the years, but a standard form of measuring the Communications, Leadership, and Civic Engagement impact of Kentucky 4-H programming has not been available.  For the 2023-24 program year, Kentucky 4-H has made evaluation tools available with counties able to add their spin as needed.  Marshall County 4-H Youth Development Agent implemented these evaluation tools at the last club meeting for all three County 4-H Club levels – Teen-Middle, Elementary (4^th & 5^th) and Cloverbuds (K-3).

Below is the data collected from the attending 4-H Teen-Middle (21) and Elementary (5) members at the March 2024 meetings.  The following is based on responses to “After participating in 4-H…”

Communications:

1. I expressed my thoughts or opinions – 22 Yes / 4 No
2. I used information to communicate with others. – 23 Yes / 3 No
3. I demonstrated a skill I have learned. – 17 Yes / 7 No

Leadership

1. I served in a leadership role. – 15 Yes / 11 No
2. I worked in a team/group to accomplish a common task or goal. – 22 Yes / 4 No
3. I realized how my actions impact others. – 25 Yes / 1 No

Civic Engagement

1. I identified the needs of others in my community – 23 Yes / 3 No
2. I participated in a service activity (community service, service learning, personal service to others). – 22 Yes / 3 No
3. I recognized leaders in my community or area of interest. – 19 Yes / 7 No

Data was not collected on the above from Marshall County 4-H Cloverbuds due to the complexity of the evaluation tool.  Responses of things liked, learned, and suggestions for future 4-H programming to be shared in upcoming success stories.