In the past, county 4-H teen programs have often struggled with the retention of tenured 4-Hers once reaching middle school due to the overwhelming demand of school, extra-curricular and church activities. Therefore, county 4-H programs often deal with limited teen leaders for 4-H camp, workshops and teen, area and state teen 4-H council representatives. The 4-H Teen Leadership Academy program started in 2008 as a combined effort between five Kentucky counties; Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue and Meade and continued for eleven years.  

Unfortunately, during the 2020 pandemic, all in-person programming came to a halt and this programming group dissolved.  The Meade County 4-H Youth Development Agent for Education did not want the momentum of engaging local teens in programming and volunteer efforts to fade as well.  With Leadership/Citizenship being one of the seven core content areas in Kentucky 4-H and a national mission mandate, the Meade County 4-H Jr. and Teen Leadership Academy (JTLA) was established in 2021 to help strengthen local teen’s leadership skills and encourage their civic involvement as 4-H teen leaders and adult 4-H leaders in the future.  

Throughout the school year, monthly, day long programs are hosted at the Meade County Extension Office and participants are engaged in activities focusing on leadership, citizenship and the other six core content areas in Kentucky 4-H.  

e year, Mercedes Fraser, Agriculture Extension Specialist with the University of Kentucky’s Community and Economic Development Department (CEDIK) facilitated the first meeting to engage youth in discussions about their community, their likes and dislikes, and changes that would be needed for them to return to Meade County as an adult.     

During their time together, the youth took Mrs. Fraser on a walking tour of the downtown Brandenburg area.  Group discussions were held along the way focusing on highlights of the walk and areas or properties that could use some development to increase not only the property value but the community value for its members.  During the second and third meetings, CEDIK materials were used to learn more about improving the Meade County community regarding community arts, land development, and awareness of community needs and assets.  

JTLA delegates hosted an afternoon of BINGO and fellowship at a local elder nursing facility as a holiday season service to those in their community.  Delegates donated game prizes and made holiday cards for the facility residents and staff.  Additional topics covered during the program included communication and public speaking – all 14 delegates prepared and presented a speech or demonstration for the 2024 Meade County 4-H Communication contest, processes for setting SMART goals, steps to positive decision making, personal leadership assessment, teaching others by serving as a station facilitator at the Come 4-H With Me: Family STEAM Night workshop, and engaging in games that taught leadership, expressing feelings and a special presentation on financial education from the financial educator from Abound Credit Union.

This program was a collaborative effort between the Meade County 4-H Youth Development program, the Community and Economic Development Department (CEDIK) at the University of Kentucky, the Abound Credit Union financial education department and the Brandenburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  The 4-H program recruited delegates, the day-long, monthly educational programs to delegates at the Meade County Extension Office.  The UK CEDIK specialist served as a program facilitator and resource for additional lessons, and the Abound Credit Union educator provided the financial education lesson for delegates.  The Brandenburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center hosted the holiday service project for delegates to sponsor an afternoon of BINGO and fellowship for center residents and staff.

Participation in the Meade County 4-H Jr. and Teen Leadership Academy has increased by almost fifty percent since the inaugural year of 2021. Fourteen youth (5 middle school and 9 high school students) are participating in the 2024 – 2025 program; 8 are returning graduates from year’s past and are serving as facilitators and mentors during program meetings.