Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy). Young voices are the future of this country, and it is important that we educate them on how to make change in the community. The KY extension needs assessment has “maximizing youth voice in issues that matter to them” as the 11^th ranked youth development need, with 27000 Kentuckians ranking it 4 out of 5 in a scale of importance.

The 2024 4-H Issues conference has been a longtime tradition in Kentucky 4-H, it is our premier civic engagement trip for KY 4-H. Issues conference historically took place at the 4-H leadership center and the JM Feltner 4-H Camp, this year the planning committee and decided it was time for a new location and we moved it to Dale Hollow State Park and Resort where the young people where able to have a more professional setting for the conference. Issues conference recruit the best leaders from across the state to participate in a 3-day conference where the largest issues in their communities are discussed and are attempted to find solutions. 75 delegates came together and presented various programing ideas to a committee, in a mock presentation, made up of community leaders and would allocate them with grant funding for their various program ideas.

Issues Conference 2024 was a success. Of the 75 delegates 96% of Delegates reported High/Very High in their ability to identify local issues after the conference.  90% of Delegates reported High/Very High in their understanding of the process of addressing local issues. 80% of Delegates reported High/Very High after the Conference in their presentation skills after the conference. 80% of Delegates reported High/Very High in their confidence in their ability to make a difference in my community. For Boone County specifically 2 youth attended the conference, and both came home with a different perspective on their community both young men took forth in the planning of a agriculture literacy day for the urban county we live in. Both were worried about presenting but both left with a positive view on the conference and have requested to return to the conference next year.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

Total in Attendance (All): 115

75 Delegates

40 Adults (including presenters, etc.)

105 White

5 Black/African American

2 American Indian

2 Asian

1 Pacific Islander

1 Hispanic

74 Female

41 Male