The Ballard County 4-H Program prides itself in a strong Leadership Program with intentional leadership and civic engagement opportunities and study of government.  For more than 20 years, over 400 Ballard County 4-Hers have been learning leadership life skills such as understanding self, communication, listening, managing resources, team building and more.  They have learned about local (county and city) government from touring city halls, the courthouse and fiscal court offices.  They have served as Pages in Frankfort with their Senator or Representative and toured the Capitol, Governor’s Mansion, Kentucky History Center, Vietnam Memorial and more.  Some of those youth have become leaders in Ballard County, serving on the Fair Board, Chamber of Commerce Board and other community capacities.  Many are leaders in their field of study, businesses and careers.

This year we added “History of Ballard County” at the site of Fort Jefferson in Wickliffe presented by ANR Agent, Tom Miller; and a tour of the U.S. Customs Building and Historic Public Library in Cairo, IL, organized by ANR Agent.  This 4-H/ANR partnership gave our 4-Hers a more in depth look at our county and how events here helped shape the overall settlement of Kentucky in its early years.  All of the activities contributed to their advancement in the Kentucky 4-H Achievement Recognition Program.

The youth who participated all reported learning new information that was interesting to them about their county, state and nation.  All reported feeling like they had improved their team building and leadership skills.  This year with a short legislative session, we only took eight to Frankfort and on the local tour.  Next year we will have a larger delegation.  These eight all received an in-depth county and state experience and national information.