Kentucky 4-H offers a dynamic, progressive pathway for youth development, beginning with the 4-H Summit for middle schoolers and culminating in Teen Conference for high school youth. These two state level events work in tandem to build leadership, life skills, civic engagement, and college readiness.  Shelby County 4-H recruits and facilitates the opportunity for local youth to participate in these valuable opportunities.  Progressive experiences outside of the county are invaluable as a way to build resilience, confidence and community engagement as outlined in the 4-H Beyond Ready Initiative.

The 2025 4-H Summit welcomed 115 middle school youth, supported by 33 Teen Leaders and 43 adults, creating a vibrant environment for early leadership and social development. Shelby County took 5 middle schoolers and 2 Teen Leaders to the event.

 Key highlights include:

• Social Growth: 57% attended to meet new people; 51% enjoyed time with friends—fostering emotional intelligence and a sense of belonging.
• Hands-On Learning: 61% favored workshops, with 39% finding the Leadership Workshop most educational.
• Civic Engagement: Youth wrote positive notes to assisted living residents, reinforcing community values.
• Skill Development: Workshops ranged from car maintenance to kitchen safety, aligning with the 4-H Beyond Ready Initiative.
• Future Engagement: Participants reported increased interest in further 4-H involvement with most indicating they would be more likely to participate in the 4-H Achievement Program and seek leadership positions

Building on the foundation laid at Summit, the Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference in 2025 brought together 442 youth and 86 adults from 82 counties at the University of Kentucky. Notably, 51% of Teen Conference participants had previously attended 4-H Summit, demonstrating a clear progression in their 4-H journey

Shelby County had 10 delegates, 6 of which had previously attended Summit. This included 2 Achievement Winners, 2 State Teen Council Members and 2 Leadership Board Members. One participated as an Attendant at the State Fashion Revue.

The event focused on:

1. Leadership & Service: Youth completed 1,284 hours of service, saving local organizations over $9,300.
2. Academic Exploration: 89% learned something new in their chosen major; 77% expressed interest in attending the University of Kentucky
3. Civic Engagement: Collaboration with 25+ community organizations and university departments.
4. College & Career Readiness: Exposure to UK’s campus, recruitment sessions, and academic departments.
5. Social Networking: 62% cited learning about the university and options as the greatest benefit.

From the early sparks of interest at 4-H Summit to the refined leadership and academic focus at Teen Conference, Kentucky 4-H provides a structured, supportive, and inspiring journey for youth. Shelby County 4-H continues to recruit and provides opportunities for young people to participate in these events. These experiences not only prepare young people for future educational and career success but also instill a lifelong commitment to community and personal growth.