Through the 94^th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference, Nelson County 4-H’ers 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 ten senior level Nelson County 4-H’ers who attended the 2018 leadership conference. Two adult chaperones and one intern supported the delegates. For two of the delegates it was their first time attending the conference, and their first time staying overnight in a residence hall at the University of Kentucky. 40% of the Nelson County delegates had attended 4-H Summit, the Kentucky 4-H middle school leadership development conference. All of the Nelson County delegates have been members of 4-H for 5-9 years. The dynamic learning opportunities delegates participated in during the conference were funded in part by the Nelson County 4-H Teen Council and Nelson County 4-H adult council and six delegates received funding through accomplishments in the 4-H Achievement program.

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.  Nelson County delegates learned about health, family consumer science, Science enginerring and technology, citizenship, natural resources and the arts.  One delegate demonstrated the skills she gained thorugh the Perfroming Arts troupe during preformances at the conference.  All participated in a service project in the Fayette County area.  

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 overall 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.

Nelson County delegates indicated that they gained a better understanding of what to expect in college after participating in Teen Conference. One delegate indicated how proud she was to be a part of the Kentucky 4-H Fashion Review planning and implementation. After one of their advisors was unable to coordinate a portion of the vent due to health issues, the teens had to step up and take on much larger leadership roles. She noted that it taught her about how to organize a large program and how to adapt to changes.