Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family.  Kentucky 4-H believes in providing positive youth development experiences that all youth to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.  The Carter County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Education works with other Extension Staff and 4-H Volunteers to provide a variety of activities and events throughout the year so that 4-H members can experience all four positive youth development experiences.  

The following quotes are from the 4-H stories that a few of the Carter County youth wrote for their annual 4-H Journal (Record Book).   These members have participated in various school and project clubs and a variety of other 4-H events like speaking contests, Capitol Experience, camp, and much more.  The quotes are evidence that the four positive youth development experiences are being met.     

•    “I fell that I now have much more confidence in myself.   I also believe that 4-H has taught me how to work well with my peers and fellow club members.”  

•    “I’ve learned how to make friends and how to get over public speaking, but the real challenge is how to learn from your mistakes and how to grow from each one. I’ve learned that each friend has a different story to tell and wisdom to share.   We all have something to share with everyone around us.”  

•    “Although I have been in 4-H for half of a decade, I am still learning new things every year.”  

•    “I’ve learned how to bake.   I’ve also learned teamwork.   4-H can really change lives.”   

•    “This is my first year in 4-H, but it has taught me to overcome some of my fears such as getting up in front of people and speaking in front of a crowd.   It has also taught me that it takes a team working together to achieve what you want.”   

•     “4-H has shaped me into the person I am today.  4-H has always been a place where I can go to improve myself and learn more about who I am as an individual.   I’ve learned to cook, to speak, to fire an arrow, to canoe, and to accept myself because of the experiences and positive people I’ve encountered in the program.  At the age of ten, I entered the amazing world of 4-H.  It’s something I yearn for all the time.  I hope when I’m older, I can contribute back to this amazing program.” 

•    “The things I learned in 4-H effect my daily life.  The communication life skills I have learned have helped me speak appropriately with many types of people.   I know to keep eye contact when speaking, listen, write clearly, and work well in a group.   Planning and organizing was a skill I needed to learn.   I now prioritize.   I believe 4-H has made me become who I am today.”

•    “I have improved in leadership and citizenship skills.”  

•    “4-H has boosted my self-esteem.”  

•    “4-H has taught me so many things in the last 5 years about team work, having confidence in myself that I can accomplish what I set out to do, made me a more rounded person with all the different things there are to participate in, and most importantly has helped me overcome my shyness.  I am grateful for all of the opportunities that 4-H has given me over the last 5 years and I am very excited to see what new experience 4-H will have when I enter high school this fall.”   

•    “The program has given me leadership skills, memories, and opportunities of a lifetime.  It’s about working hard with your animal and doing your best.  I have learned about nature, how to be a good sport, and how to help others.  

•    “I participated in the Community Service Day, which Teen Council led, and that caught my interest because I like doing community service to help others in need.   More people need to join 4-H because it can help prepare you for the future.” 

•    “My life has been richer, fuller, and loads of fun.   The life lessons I’ve learned, the experiences I’ve had, the friends I have made, I feel I will carry with me down through life.”