~~Appalachian Heritage Program 

Appalachia refers to a specific ethnic group, the descendants of early settlers in the mountains and their unique American culture. This culture is both real and functioning being revealed through its traditional arts and crafts, music, traditional foods, its customs, heritage and beliefs.

 Appalachia itself is a mixture of all things Appalachian. The Appalachian culture we witness today is one that has been preserved mostly by families and churches. Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York and all of West Virginia are all parts of Appalachia. These thirteen states comprise a large section of the Eastern half of the US. There are many common characteristics of the people who settled in this area. Like other areas of the world, the people’s beliefs and cultures are greatly influenced by the physical characteristics of their land.

 Being native to Leslie County allows us to be a part of this Appalachian Culture. Leslie, Letcher and Perry County Cooperative Extension Agents collaborate along with staff assistants and volunteers to host our Appalachian Heritage Program.  This annual program provides our Leslie County Youth experiences and skills as an important part of their heritage. Our youth experience playing dulcimers, storytelling, food preservation and lessons on fibers and quilt making. Each 5th grade group returns to their school with their very own quilt designs. Every 5th grader also makes their own corn shuck doll and enjoys playing Appalachian games. 

Leslie County 5th Grade Youth participated in 2017 Appalachian Heritage Program on September 26th, at Leslie County Extension.  Approximately 137 students, 6 teachers, 3 volunteers, 5 Extension staff and 4 Extension agents participated in this 4-H event! 

As a result of taking part in the 2017 4-H Appalachian Heritage Program…

• 94% of participating students learned at least one new thing about Appalachian history or culture 

• 83% stated that they better understood the types of foods Appalachians ate

 • 90% learned to play the Appalachian dulcimer 

• 96% enjoyed learning about Appalachian crafts and games 

• 91%  better appreciate their Appalachian heritage 

Some written comments from the participants included:

 • They had fun listening to the storytelling

 • Learning that corn, beans and squash are called the three sister crops

 • Learned that food preservation was important to the early settlers 

• Learning that you can cure meat with salt and brown sugar! 

• Learning that the dulcimer is the Kentucky State Instrument and fun to learn playing

• Learned that children back then did not have toy stores so they created their own toys from natural  materials

 • Lots of fun creating their own corn shuck dolls! 

Kentucky 4-H believes that all youth should have opportunities for positive youth development in our four guiding concepts: mastery, belonging, independence, and generosity.  This program fosters mastery by increasing Appalachia literacy, belonging by interacting and connecting with volunteers and staff teaching Appalachian heritage skills, independence by practicing new skills and creative thinking, and generosity by sharing newly learned knowledge to benefit others.