The 100th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference took place at the University of Kentucky from June 11th to 14th, 2024. The conference aimed to achieve several objectives for its participants, including developing leadership and teamwork skills, improving communication abilities, fostering civic engagement, expanding knowledge in 4-H core content areas, and enhancing social skills through networking. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity for youth to become acquainted with the University of Kentucky, aiding in their college and career readiness.

The 100th-year Teen Conference celebration garnered significant attention, drawing 588 participants to the University of Kentucky campus. Among them were 472 youth and 116 adults from 82 Kentucky counties. The event received sponsorship from esteemed organizations, including 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, and Field & Main Bank. Additionally, we collaborated with a 4-H Alumni who owns a small business to create impactful marketing materials for the centennial year. As part of our efforts, we secured a former 4-H Alumni as our keynote speaker for the 100th celebration. Furthermore, we worked closely with the Agriculture Communications department to strategically recruit major leaders and participants.

During the educational experience, all youth participated in a UK recruitment session with the Office of Enrollment Management. They also received academic exploration materials from the Martin Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Center for Student Success. This exposure allowed them to learn about the University of Kentucky and consider it as a potential institution for their higher education. In the post-conference evaluation, 77% of respondents expressed interest in attending the University of Kentucky, and 25% were keen on learning more about Agriculture. Overall, 90% of youth responded positively to the overall conference. Among the attendees, 47% were first-year members, 31% were second-year members, and 22% had attended the conference for three or more years. To capture the progressive experience, youth were also asked about their previous involvement in 4-H. Of those who responded, 83% had attended 4-H Camp, and 51% had participated in 4-H Summit.

As part of the conference, 4-H collaborated with 25 different units and departments across the University to offer six hours of educational content in various subjects (majors). Youth engaged in hands-on lessons both inside and outside classrooms, providing them with a glimpse of student life at the University of Kentucky. The majors covered areas such as agriculture, health, natural resources, expressive arts, family consumer sciences, science, engineering, technology, and communication. According to the evaluation, 89% of participants indicated that they learned something new in their chosen major. 62% of participants indicated that the greatest benefit to Teen Conference is learning about the University and understanding the options better.  

In addition to educational content, participants dedicated six hours to leadership development and service learning. They attended a leadership workshop led by a youth-adult facilitation team and collaborated with over 25 community-serving organizations for three hours of service work. The 472 youth collectively logged 1,284 hours of service, resulting in a cost savings of $9,309 (calculated at $7.25 per hour) for organizations compared to using paid employees. These efforts not only supported local service organizations but also empowered 4-Hers to recognize their ability to impact change in their community. By hosting the conference on campus, the University of Kentucky generated $100,950 in revenue for university services, including housing, catering, and food services. Additionally, the CLOVERFEST event contributed over $25,000 to small businesses. The success of this year’s 4-H Teen Conference was a collaborative effort involving university services, small businesses, and the dedicated team behind the event.

Kentucky 4-H is committed to providing educational experiences for all youth. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation awarded $11,620 to 68 Kentucky 4-Hers to attend Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation awarded $20,500 to 4-Hers in post-secondary education scholarships during Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference. 

 McCracken County had one youth participant, who also serves on the SET Leadership Board, attend accompanied by two 4-H Youth Development Agents. The youth gained practical leadership and decision-making experience, enhanced communication skills, and built connections with peers, mentors, and professionals, all while boosting self-confidence through active participation. These experiences will prepare the student for academic, professional, and personal endeavors.