The U.K., Cooperative Extension Service and Kenton County 4-H certified livestock volunteers plan and execute the educational meetings required for livestock participants in Kenton County.  The Kenton County Extension and 4-H Councils, and 2019 local Expansion and Review committee surveys identified selecting project animals, performing basic animal management skills, and raising and exhibiting animals as important life skills and the 4-H program should continue to provide educational opportunities.  

The U.K. CES 4-H agent (Kelley) cooperated with local volunteers and community members to provide educational programming for youth involved in 4-H livestock projects.  CES provided educational materials, guidelines, speaker contact information, and equipment and together with the volunteers conducted 15 hours of educational opportunities.  Eleven new educational activities were utilized to convey information and increase youth participation, including a community service activity and potential fair exhibits.   

41 youth participated in programs completing 6 required educational hours and 28 parents/guardians completed adult orientation.  Eight different presenters in addition to 7 certified volunteers presented programs and information to youth.  Evaluations were collected after each educational session.  

Youth evaluations consistently reflected their preference for interactive experiences with adult presenters.  Youth evaluations also reflected learning a skill such a how to properly give a shot or approaching a business owner were strongly preferred.  Youth also reflected in written comments that they thought about things differently such as nutritional values of feed and grass, how a judge views animals, and that a Veterinarian has a “serious job”.  An average of 86% of youth participants reflected they changed how they think about some aspect of their livestock project.  100% of participants listed a favorite livestock educational activity he/she participated in during the educational programs.  Submitted 4/10/19 additional information may be updated.