The University of Kentucky’s 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Program continues to make a meaningful difference across the Commonwealth by equipping youth and families with essential life skills that promote health, financial responsibility, and personal growth. Through hands-on learning and strong community involvement, the program helps participants build confidence and competence in everyday living.

Program Reach and Community Impact

In the past year, the FCS 4-H program has demonstrated impressive reach and engagement:

• 33,829 youth (ages 5–18) participated in FCS 4-H programming
• 2,205 adult volunteers (ages 19+) supported FCS 4-H efforts
• 12,597 total volunteers contributed to FCS-related initiatives
• 29,564 total hours contributed by volunteers and educators
• 185,978 contacts made with local stakeholders
• 99 hours dedicated to multistate collaborative efforts

These numbers reflect the program’s strong foundation and widespread community support.

Success in Action: Life Skills for a Lifetime

Across Kentucky, youth are learning to cook nutritious meals, manage money wisely, and build strong interpersonal skills. In one standout initiative, participants engaged in hands-on cooking lessons, including grilling on various types of equipment. These experiences not only taught practical skills but also built self-reliance and confidence.

Other projects included youth-led service efforts that addressed local needs such as food insecurity and wellness education. These activities gave participants the opportunity to apply what they learned in meaningful ways, reinforcing the value of responsibility and leadership.

Success story written utilizing information from statewide impact data, Microsoft Copilot utilized in generating report.