Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference

Rachel E. Noble, Ed.D.

June 11-14, 2018

Through the 94th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference, 4-H’ers from across the Commonwealth developed leadership and teamwork skills, improved communication skills, became involved in civic life, expanded knowledge related to a 4-H core content area: communication/citizenship, health, natural resources, agriculture, expressive arts, family consumer sciences, and science, engineering, and technology. The participants fostered a sense of belonging through networking, engaged in youth-adult partnerships, and became acquainted with the University of Kentucky to aid in college and career readiness. There were 590 senior level 4-H’ers who attended the 2018 leadership conference (Table 1: Grade of 4-H Teen Conference Delegates). For most of the delegation it was their first time attending the conference, and their first time staying overnight in a residence hall at the University of Kentucky. 50% of the delegates had attended 4-H Summit, the Kentucky 4-H middle school leadership development conference. Most of the conference delegates have been members of 4-H for 5-9 years. Delegates represented 95 counties from across the commonwealth (Table 2: Cooperative Extension Districts Represented). The dynamic learning opportunities delegates participated in during the conference were made possible by the event sponsor, Farm Credit Mid-America.

8th graders 106 17.9%

9th graders 125 21.2%

10th graders 156 26.4%

11th graders 106 17.9%

12th graders 79 13.3%

Post High School 17 2.8%

Table 1: Grade of 4-H Teen Conference Delegates

1 116 19.7%

2 64 15.9%

3 128 21.7%

4 198 33.6%

5 73 12.4%

6 67 11.4%

7 88 14.9%

Table 2: Cooperative Extension Districts Represented

Through 4-H Teen Conference, delegates gained six hours of instruction in a core content area of their choice led by an expert in the field. Over forty departments within the University of Kentucky, agencies in the Lexington-Fayette County area, and local stakeholders conducted the learning experiences for 4-H Teen Conference delegates. 87% of delegates learned something new by participating in the core content area of their choice. As a result of 4-H Teen Conference delegates reported they are interested in learning more about majoring or finding a career in the following areas (in order of interest): science, engineering and technology, health, agriculture, leadership/citizenship, communication, expressive arts, family consumer sciences, and natural resources (Table 3: Core Content Area by Delegate Interest). 71%

of the delegates reported they were likely to attend the University of Kentucky as a result of attending 4-H Teen Conference.

Table 3: Core Content Area by Delegate Interest

An additional component of 4-H Teen Conference was a leadership development experience supported by Farm Credit Mid-America, where adults and 4-H youth leaders led delegates through a common leadership experience. All delegates experienced the opportunity to network and belong to a group of individuals, explore personal communication styles, and work in a team environment through a community service project. 75% of 4-H Teen Conference delegates reported feeling connected to their leadership group. Forty-two community service projects were completed with the assistance of a grant through the Bluegrass Community Foundation. Over thirty community serving organizations collaborated with Kentucky 4-H to provide the community service experience of the conference. 85% of delegates reported feeling like they had the opportunity to give back through the community service project.

After high school, 91% of the 4-H Teen Conference delegates plan to attend a 4-year college or university. 25% of the delegates reported receiving academic scholarships (full, partial, or armed forces). 45% of the conference delegates graduated high school with honors, 22% graduated Top 10 in their class, and 17.6% graduated valedictorian or salutatorian. 22.6% reported being selected as a Kentucky Governor Scholar.

4-H’ers expressed their satisfaction with 4-H Teen Conference, “I absolutely love 4-H Teen Conference, it is one of the best conference experiences! I love meeting new people and seeing my old friends again.” 4-H parents expressed their satisfaction with 4-H Teen Conference, “Thank you for the awesome week for my child. She had a great time and is in love with 4-H. It has definitely brought her outside of her box.” Delegates reported the greatest benefits of 4-H Teen Conference are: having fun, developing leadership skills, expanding personal network and making new friends, gaining 4-H program skills, and expanding 4-H knowledge.

Teen Conference Demographics:

Total 739

Adult 149

Youth 590

Male 237

Female 502

White 683

Black 30

Hispanic 19

Asian 9

American Indian/Alaskan 5

Other 13

Calloway County Delegation consisted of  2 male teens, 3 females, and one adult leader and an agent.  In the Callway delegation there were two Hispanics, one State Teen Council Member, One Emerald Winner and seven people that gained skills and abilities to come back and serve better in the roles that they play in Calloway County 4-H Program. Since returning to Calloway County delegates have stated,  "I have some friends that will be going with us to Teen Conference next year.".