Through the 94^th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference, 4-H’ers from across the Commonwealth developed leadership and teamwork skills, improved communication skills, became involved in civic life, expanded knowledge related to a 4-H core content area: communication/citizenship, health, natural resources, agriculture, expressive arts, family consumer sciences, and science, engineering, and technology. The participants fostered a sense of belonging through networking, engaged in youth-adult partnerships, and became acquainted with the University of Kentucky to aid in college and career readiness. There were 590 senior level 4-H’ers who attended the 2018 leadership conference (Table 1: Grade of 4-H Teen Conference Delegates). For most of the delegation it was their first time attending the conference, and their first time staying overnight in a residence hall at the University of Kentucky. 50% of the delegates had attended 4-H Summit, the Kentucky 4-H middle school leadership development conference. Most of the conference delegates have been members of 4-H for 5-9 years. Delegates represented 95 counties from across the commonwealth (Table 2: Cooperative Extension Districts Represented). The dynamic learning opportunities delegates participated in during the conference were made possible by the event sponsor, Farm Credit Mid-America.

Table 1: Grade of 4-H Teen Conference Delegates 

Table 2: Cooperative Extension Districts Represented

Through 4-H Teen Conference, delegates gained six hours of instruction in a core content area of their choice led by an expert in the field. Over forty departments within the University of Kentucky, agencies in the Lexington-Fayette County area, and local stakeholders conducted the learning experiences for 4-H Teen Conference delegates. 87% of delegates learned something new by participating in the core content area of their choice. As a result of 4-H Teen Conference delegates reported they are interested in learning more about majoring or finding a career in the following areas (in order of interest): science, engineering and technology, health, agriculture, leadership/citizenship, communication, expressive arts, family consumer sciences, and natural resources (Table 3: Core Content Area by Delegate Interest). 71% of the delegates reported they were likely to attend the University of Kentucky as a result of attending 4-H Teen Conference. 

 Table 3: Core Content Area by Delegate Interest

An additional component of 4-H Teen Conference was a leadership development experience supported by Farm Credit Mid-America, where adults and 4-H youth leaders led delegates through a common leadership experience. All delegates experienced the opportunity to network and belong to a group of individuals, explore personal communication styles, and work in a team environment through a community service project. 75% of 4-H Teen Conference delegates reported feeling connected to their leadership group. Forty-two community service projects were completed with the assistance of a grant through the Bluegrass Community Foundation. Over thirty community serving organizations collaborated with Kentucky 4-H to provide the community service experience of the conference. 85% of delegates reported feeling like they had the opportunity to give back through the community service project.

After high school, 91% of the 4-H Teen Conference delegates plan to attend a 4-year college or university. 25% of the delegates reported receiving academic scholarships (full, partial, or armed forces). 45% of the conference delegates graduated high school with honors, 22% graduated Top 10 in their class, and 17.6% graduated valedictorian or salutatorian. 22.6% reported being selected as a Kentucky Governor Scholar. 

4-H’ers expressed their satisfaction with 4-H Teen Conference, “I absolutely love 4-H Teen Conference, it is one of the best conference experiences! I love meeting new people and seeing my old friends again.” 4-H parents expressed their satisfaction with 4-H Teen Conference, “Thank you for the awesome week for my child. She had a great time and is in love with 4-H. It has definitely brought her outside of her box.” Delegates reported the greatest benefits of 4-H Teen Conference are: having fun, developing leadership skills, expanding personal network and making new friends, gaining 4-H program skills, and expanding 4-H knowledge. 

Teen Conference Demographics: