Success StoryEducating and Empowering Animal Science Volunteer Leaders



Educating and Empowering Animal Science Volunteer Leaders

Author: Mary S Averbeck

Planning Unit: Kenton County CES

Major Program: Volunteer Engagement

Plan of Work: 4-H Leadership

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

The goal of Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development is to provide in-depth, accurate educational activities for participants.  4-H livestock, horse and dog project leaders serve as primary educators. While they desire to provide quality experiences for their 4-H members, they may lack the necessary resources to meet this goal. The Kentucky 4-H Livestock, Horse and Dog Volunteer Certification Program is a collaboration of equine and livestock specialists from the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, as well as, specialists and agents from 4-H Youth Development.  Members of the teaching team engage volunteers in a day long educational workshop and certification program.  This agent has been a member of the teaching team since 2005, the only extension employee to have taught in all 27 of the workshops.  The team uses a variety of teaching methods including experiential learning, lecture, demonstration and group discussion. Participants are instructed how to use the curriculum and teaching resource kit covering important topics in beef, dairy, sheep, swine and goats or horse topics.   End of session evaluations indicate that 98% participants gained knowledge and skills useful in their county programs. Follow-up surveys and testimonials indicated that volunteers put into practice what they learned. Participants reported a better understanding of the statewide 4-H program and ability to teach youth about livestock and horse topics using the kit and curriculum.  One participant summed up the experience:  “I found the whole workshop very informative I will take a lot back to my county.”  Another said “I loved learning new material/teaching ideas and networking with other volunteers.” “Loved it! Educational, informative, fun and inspiring” from a third volunteer. All 4-H members in livestock and horse programs complete six hours of education from the Kentucky 4-H Livestock or Horse Curriculum under the guidance of these certified leaders.   So far 1,614 leaders have completed the certification process.   Certified leaders educated the nearly 10,000 youth registered in Kentucky livestock, horse and dog projects in the past year.






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