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 handson

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 postsecondary

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.