The success of the Cooperative Extension Service programming is due, in part, to the dedication of a large cadre of volunteers (Smith, Dasher & Klingborg, 2005). 4-H Youth Development Programs within Extension especially depend heavily on adult and teen volunteers to play integral roles in 4-H programming by performing a wide variety of duties and functions.  

The Kentucky Volunteer Forum is Extension’s flagship event for adult and teen volunteers in the Commonwealth. This forum benefits volunteers, Extension professionals, as well as the 4-H program at the county, district and state levels. Campbell County had 37 delegates attend this biannual state wide event in 2018. The forum offered workshops, seminars, displays and tours all designed to help Kentucky 4-H Volunteers to be better prepared in their roles. The Campbell County volunteers reported learning new things and gaining new ideas to implement back in their clubs and communities. Furthermore, when it came time to elect officers for the 4-H Council, this fall, more volunteers willingly stepped up to fulfill those leadership roles.

Volunteer recognition was included in the forum activities also. The Kentucky 4-H Hall of Fame Awards serve as a state wide recognition for volunteers. Campbell County was proud to have volunteers recognized with eleven awards at the forum. They were: Kathy Lauer-Kentucky Lifetime Achievement Award, Leslie Deaton-Conrad Feltner Adult Leadership Award, Cheryl Myers-Adult Community Service Award, Micah Myers-Teen Community Service Award, Deborah Myers- Conrad Feltner Teen Leadership Award, and Kentucky 4-H 10 Year Member Awards went to Kelly Cropenbaker, Jacob Martin, Deborah Myers, Micah Myers, Kassi Parker & Derek Schadler.

This agent’s role included working with these volunteers on a daily basis, recruiting the delegates to attend the forum, working with the RC Durr Foundation and the 4-H Council to secure funding for our delegates to attend the forum and in securing a $1500 county sponsorship to support the forum. I also wrote and submitted the award nominations for our volunteer’s recognition and presented a team workshop about horse camp.