Kentucky 4-H offers an experiential learning environment where youth can develop problem-solving techniques to address local, community issues. The Kentucky 4-H Issues conference is for high school youth who have a desire to make a difference in their community. 

Since its inception, the conference schedule has changed, but the focus and goals have not. The goals of the KY 4-HIC are for Delegates to:

• Enrich their citizenship/civic engagement roles
• Enhance their leadership skills
• Develop public presentation skills
• Gain an understanding of local issues
• Learn the process of addressing local issues

During the four-day intensive conference, a partnership occurs between the Delegates (youth) and the Facilitators (adult) which leads to a successful learning experience. Delegates were involved in 20 hours of hands-on experiences during the 2018 KY 4-HIC. 

Adair County Cooperative Extension Service had two youth who participated in this year’s Issues Conference.  Both youths who participated have taken what they learned at Issues conference and incorporated it into our Teen Council program.71% say they now have the ability to listen to people who have different ideas than 92% stated that after participating in the Issue Conference, they used skills to learn in other activities at home, school or in their community.