Teen Conference 2025 Success Story

Butler Co. was well represented with 1 retiring State Officer, 1 Fashion Review finalist, 1 State Teen Council member, and 1 SET Leadership Board Chairmen.

The 2025 Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky from June 10th to 

13th, continuing its long-standing tradition of empowering youth through leadership, education, and 

service. This year’s conference welcomed a total of 528 participants, including 365 youth 

delegates, 35 State Teen Council members, 24 State Board members from SET, NRESci, and SSTAB, 80 

4-H Agents, 9 4-H Program Assistants, 7 4-H Interns, and 8 volunteers. The event was designed to 

foster leadership development, enhance communication skills, promote civic engagement, and provide 

exposure to college and career pathways. All youth participated in a recruitment session with the 

UK Office of Enrollment Management and received academic exploration materials from the 

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. As a result, 77% of participants 

expressed interest in attending the University of Kentucky, and 89% reported learning something new 

in their assigned academic major. The conference featured over six hours of hands- on educational 

content delivered in partnership with 25 UK departments, covering topics such as agriculture, 

health, natural resources, expressive arts, family and consumer sciences, science, engineering, 

technology, and communication.

A highlight of the conference was the keynote address delivered by a distinguished Kentucky 4-H 

alum, who shared their personal 4-H journey and how it shaped their professional path. Their story 

of growth, resilience, and achievement served as a powerful reminder of the lifelong impact of 4-H. 

By reflecting on their own experiences—from club meetings and leadership boards to national 

competitions and college decisions—the speaker encouraged delegates to embrace every opportunity 

4-H offers. Their message underscored the importance of staying engaged, taking on new challenges, 

and using the skills gained through 4-H to lead with purpose. The keynote inspired many attendees 

to continue their 4-H careers and explore new avenues for involvement, including leadership boards, 

service roles, and career exploration.

In addition to academic enrichment, youth engaged in six hours of leadership development and 

service learning, including a leadership workshop and three hours of community service with more 

than 28 local organizations. Collectively, the youth contributed 1,347 hours of service, generating 

an estimated $9,766 in value for community partners. Evaluation data revealed that 62% of 

participants identified learning about the University of Kentucky and understanding their options 

as the greatest benefit of the conference. The average participant had attended Teen Conference for 

2 years, with 47% attending for the first time. Many had prior involvement in 4-H, with 83% having 

attended 4-H Camp and 51% participating in 4-H Summit.

The 2025 conference exemplified the 4-H Beyond Ready framework by providing youth with experiences 

that fostered a sense of belonging through meaningful connections with peers and mentors, mastery 

through academic and leadership skill-building, independence through decision-making and 

self-discovery, and generosity through impactful community service. Youth feedback was 

overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing that the experience helped them grow in confidence, 

build lasting friendships, and feel inspired to pursue higher education and leadership roles. The 

conference also had a significant economic impact, generating $100,000 in revenue for university 

services and contributing over

$15,000 to small businesses through the CLOVERFEST event. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation played a 

vital role in supporting access and opportunity, awarding $17,900 in scholarships to 90 youth to 

attend the conference through the 4-H Achievement program. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation and other 

external donors also contributed to $20,500 in post- secondary scholarships during the event. The 

2025 Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference stands as a testament to the power of youth development and the 

enduring impact of 4-H in preparing young people to be beyond ready for their futures.