The Kentucky State Fair is a culminating event of yearly 4-H project work. Each year, Clay County 4-H members are encouraged to participate in Special Interest Programs, 4-H Art Club, In-School Art Fairs and 4-H Project Showcase to enhance their skills in projects. Project work is defined by including the following: “(a) Planned work in an area of interest to the 4-H member, (b) Guided by a 4-H adult volunteer who is the project leader, (c) Aimed at planned objectives that can be attained and measured, (d) Summarized by some form of record keeping, and (e) A minimum of six hours of project instruction” (National 4-H Council, 2013). In 2024, Kentucky 4-H members exhibited and participated in 6,612 4-H projects and competitions in Cloverville. On the local level, Clay County 4-H, K-12 students, entered 101 items for the 4-H Project Showcase and 32 of projects advanced onto the Kentucky State Fair. Therefore, as youth spend approximately six hours in quality 4-H programs,  Clay 4-H members spent 192 hours enhancing their skills through hands-on project work.

Evaluation Results:

100% reported spending 6 or more hours on 4-H project

90% reported they like being challenged by new 4-H projects

100% reported developing a step-by-step plan to reach 4-H project goals