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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryInvesting in our Youth



Investing in our Youth

Author: Dana Anderson

Planning Unit: Mercer County CES

Major Program: Agriculture

Plan of Work: Agriculture & Environment Education for Youth

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Youth Investment Programs

Teaching youth entrepreneurial skills is not taught in the traditional school classroom today. To equip our youth, we offered them the opportunity to sell their 4-H/FFA market livestock and country hams at Mercer County Investment in Youth Sale. The program's objectives are to learn how to engage in a contract and understand their requirements to participate in the sale. An integral part of the program is youth are creating a networking system. The participants are required to learn marketing techniques and identify potential buyers. In addition, participants learned how to network and market themselves by approaching potential buyers and the language they should use when promoting their project. In the long term, we have equipped students with the mindset that they can be successful and more engaged and take ownership of their success. In addition, the program provided a mechanism to promote agriculture and cooperative extension and its programs to individuals outside our traditional extension clientele.

Over the year, youth not only learned the skills with their 4-H projects but also improved their personal communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. The year-long path paid off for the youth. The 2024 program involved nine livestock participants and 39 country ham youth who sold their market animals and country hams for $90,406. 

We incorporated "add-on donations" to the youth without purchasing the project due to holding a live auction. The buyer added the " add-on donations " to the total bid amount on their project; the youth received all the money. Add on option allowing individuals to support youth with a much smaller financial commitment.

 








Stories by Dana Anderson


Middle School Leadership Seminar

Middle School Leadership Seminar

about 12 days ago by Dana Anderson

A middle school leadership seminar was offered to 4-H leadership participants and gifted and talente... Read More


4-H Camp

4-H Camp

about 13 days ago by Dana Anderson

The mission of Kentucky 4-H Camping is to enhance personal growth through intentional life skills de... Read More


Stories by Mercer County CES


Middle School Leadership Seminar

Middle School Leadership Seminar

about 12 days ago by Dana Anderson

A middle school leadership seminar was offered to 4-H leadership participants and gifted and talente... Read More


4-H Camp

4-H Camp

about 13 days ago by Dana Anderson

The mission of Kentucky 4-H Camping is to enhance personal growth through intentional life skills de... Read More


Stories by Agriculture


Ag Academy 4-H Program

Ag Academy 4-H Program

about 2 days ago by Colby Dye

AG Academy Program learns about sheep production with Dr. Ely at the University of Kentucky- College... Read More


Beef Quality Assurance Youth Training: Building the Next Generation of Responsible Producers in Christian County

Beef Quality Assurance Youth Training: Building the Next Generation of Responsible Producers in Christian County

about 2 days ago by Jeremiah Johnson

As consumer expectations for animal care and beef quality continue to rise, the need for well-traine... Read More