According to a Chapman University study done in 2017, America’s biggest phobia is “public speaking”.  Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky 4-H.  The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member, and a leader.  If young people can learn to public speak at an early age through 4-H, one can only imagine the leadership potential developed in them. For years Simpson County has taught 4-H members how to organize, write, and deliver a speech or demonstration through their 4-H club, in preparation for County Communication Contests.  In addition, a countywide after school 4-H communications workshop was held this year with 15 participating.  

Ten years ago the Lincoln Elementary Guidance Counselor asked the Simpson County 4-H Agent to conduct a speech class for 4th & 5th grade leadership students, and this program still continues today.  On average 20 students meet with the 4-H agent once a week for 4-6 weeks.  They select a topic, research it, organize their information, write a 3-5 minute speech, then have a school Leadership Talk Meet.  

Four years ago the 4-H Agent started requiring the students to have their speech ready prior to the school's contest and present it to both her and the other leadership students as practice.  The constructive feedback that the fellow students give each other, as well as the suggestions that come from the 4-H Agent for making sure the speech is at least 3 minutes long, has decreased the number of speeches that were under 3 minutes by over 50% in the contest.  It has also improved the quality of the speeches to 80% or higher blue ribbon quality when judged on the Danish system.  

In 2017-2018 fifty-nine youth participated in the County 4-H Talk Meet, Demonstrations, or Mock Interviews, the Lincoln Elementary Leadership/4-H Talk Meet, presented a Country Ham speech at the KY State Fair, or competed in the State 4-H Communications Day.  This is the most communications participants Simpson Co. 4-H has ever had.  Participate feedback includes, "60% improved their public speaking, 32% used their 4-H communication skills to become a leader in 4-H or another organization, 100% of county contest participants planning to participate again next year, and one State 4-H Demonstration Champion!"