What makes a great leader? Confidence, connection, commitment, and courage are well known attributes of leadership. The 4-H program does a great job developing these skills in young people by providing progressive experience opportunities for youth between the ages of 9-18 years old. Progressive experiences can lead to a progressive mindset, an essential skill to function in today’s world. This leadership strength helps youth to be confident, resilient, adaptable, optimistic, and great problem-solvers.

The Warren County 4-H Program does an excellent job of providing opportunities for youth to progress. Specifically, Janet Turley, County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, actively manages nine 4-H clubs including six project clubs that provide many levels of progression experiences. These include Alpaca, Dog, Horse, Livestock, Poultry, and Shooting Sports. Progression starts at the club level with monthly club meetings. Beyond the club meeting level, 4-H members show their livestock at county, area, regional, state, and national levels. Club members also participate in advanced educational contests including horse bowl, avian bowl, dog bowl, hippology, horse judging, poultry judging, livestock skillathon, and dog skillathon. They participate in the following camps: poultry judging day camp, horse camp, and dog camp. The shooting sports project group holds weekly discipline practices throughout the summer; members progress to compete in county, state and national shooting sports contests.  

One hundred eighty-one youth were enrolled in the 4-H project clubs listed above. Of those enrolled, nearly half exhibited their animals or shot beyond the county level, and 24% competed in some type of knowledge contest, with four competing at the National 4-H Poultry Contests (1 national champion) and one teen competing at the National 4-H Muzzleloading Contest. 

In the shooting sports program, 14 teens were certified coaches in 17 shooting sports disciplines. These youth were able to assist their coaches, model proper firearm safety, and mentor younger 4-H members. Three of these teens also served on the State 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador Board representing Kentucky 4-H members at state events; one of these teens served as chairman of the board. 

At the 2025 Summit held in March for 6^th-8^th grade students, two shooting sports teen ambassador board members taught workshops on Small Engine Care and Car Maintenance. A Madison County 4-H Agent reported that one of her teens reflected, “the Car Maintenance workshop was one of the best workshops I’ve ever attended. My Dad tried to teach me how to change my oil, but I never got it. After attending this workshop, I feel confident that I can do it”.

Janet Turley, Warren County 4-H Agent, is adamant that progressive experiences not only lead to increased confidence, but it leads to a can-do mindset that anything is achievable. She attributes progressive experiences to empowering her 4-H teens to become leaders in their community by coordinating community service projects and serving as 4-H Club Leaders.