Kentucky 4-H natural resource programs provide young people an opportunity to find their spark through hands-on learning experiences. A variety of projects and activities are offered in the areas of environmental sciences, entomology, forestry, geology, soils, water, wildlife, and shooting sports. Through these programs, young people connect with other youth members and adult leaders who share similar interests and learn invaluable life skills such as wise use of resources, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. For the past few years, Edmonson County youth have participated in a limited amount of natural resources programming.

4-H youth from nine counties attended the 4-H Forestry Field Day at Mammoth Cave National Park on September 12, 2024.  There were 111 youth that had the opportunity to learn about Kentucky’s trees and forests as well as some of the skills that real-life foresters utilize everyday while on the job. The youth aged 9 to 13 (Juniors) and 14 to 18 (Seniors) years of age were taught and tested on the basics of tree identification, tree measurement and the use of a compass and measuring distances by pacing. The instructors for the Forestry Event were foresters from the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, the Kentucky Division of Forestry and naturalists with Mammoth Cave National Park. U.K. Forestry and Natural Resources Extension and Kentucky 4-H hosted the event. The counties that participated were Allen, Barren, Edmonson, Hancock, Hart, Hardin, LaRue, Monroe, Nelson, and Simpson and Warren Counties Cooperative Extension Service hosted the event.

From Edmonson County, there were 9 youth in attendance at the Mammoth Cave Forestry Field Day.  There were 3 senior age and 6 junior age participants.  Our participants enjoyed not only the knowledge gained in tree identification, compass and pacing, and tree measurement but also enjoyed building relationships with not only one another but similar aged youth from other counties in our area, and learning about the valuable resources that our very own "Wonderful of the World" has to offer in their backyard.  All of our youth placed with either a blue or red ribbon and one youth received 3rd place overall in the Junior Division.  We look forward to building this program for our counties youth!