The 95th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 10-13, 2019.  The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, gain club, county and state 4-H program skills, have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills through networking, develop youth-adult partnerships, and become acquainted with the University of Kentucky to aid in college and career readiness of Kentucky 4-H’ers.  The annual event attracted 704 individuals to the University of Kentucky; 557 youth and 147 adults from 98 Kentucky counties.  The event was sponsored by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Program, the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, and Farm Credit Mid-America. 

Nine Daviess County teens attended the Conference this year representing 4 different racial and ethnic backgrounds.  Of these Daviess County youth, three are returning for a third year and have expressed the impact this program has made in their life, boosting their self-confidence in sharing their skills and leadership with others.   Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference provides an opportunity for youth to experience life on campus while gaining independence and responsibility away from home.  81% of youth surveyed reported that Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was their first experience staying overnight in a UK dormitory.  In 2019, in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky 4-H Clover Fest was added as the 4-H Teen Conference Opening Event at the Bluegrass Stockyards.  Youth had the chance to explore the Kentucky Proud Program through local food vendors and learn about the University of Kentucky Confucius Institute, tour the Bluegrass Stockyards, engage with On the Move Art Studio in their mission to remove barriers to art education, listen to a live band, and network with fellow Conference delegates.  100% of the businesses partnered with at the Kentucky 4-H Clover Fest were local Kentucky businesses, the event invested over $15,600.00 back into the Central Kentucky community. 

Through choosing a major and minor, 4-H members are able to build relationships with peers and adults from across the Commonwealth in a caring and safe environment. Delegates select a major of their choice that aligns with the Kentucky 4-H Core Content areas and degree programs offered at the University of Kentucky. Delegates have the opportunity to create networks with mentors in their field of interest and connect with like-minded peers. Thirty-three programs and departments across the University of Kentucky and in the local community provided majors for delegates to participate. As a result of 4-H Teen Conference 91% of delegates surveyed reported that they are likely to attend the University of Kentucky. As a result of participating in their major, delegates reported their interest in directing their future studies toward or finding a career in one of the areas they explored at Teen Conference. 

4-H Teen Conference delegates engage in minors that focus on citizenship and leadership, delegates receive five hours of leadership and citizenship development. The delegates are randomly assigned a minor group that is co-led by a State Teen Council Member and Kentucky 4-H Agent. The minor focuses on developing leadership skills and providing the opportunity for youth to participate in a service project in the Central Kentucky area. These minor groups promote diversified thinking and provides a comfortable space for youth and adults alike to stretch their comfort zone in continuing stimulating conversations related to issues in our communities.  The delegates focused on understanding differences and working through those differences and including all people as leaders.  77.77% felt they made a connection with their minor group.  81% believe that developing leadership skills is one of the greatest benefits of 4-H Teen Conference.  In 2019, Kentucky 4-H partnered with 34 community serving agencies to allow 557 youth to log 1,671 hours of service. This translates into a cost savings of $12,114.75 ($7.25/hour) for organizations versus using paid employees. These efforts support local service organizations and empowered the 4-H delegation to think about their ability to impact change in their community. Over 93% of conference delegates felt they were able to give back to their community through the service project.

A renowned part of Teen Conference is the teen recognition opportunities through State Teen Leadership Boards and the Kentucky 4-H Achievement Program.  Two Daviess County youth have represented their interest area on two Teen Leadership Boards in the 2018-2019 program year.  For the 2019-2020 program year, three Daviess County teens have been selected with the honor to represent the state 4-H program by serving on the State Teen Council, Performing Arts Troupe, and as a State Teen Health Ambassador.   Additionally, six of the nine Daviess County youth received recognition and a partial scholarship to attend the Conference for their distinguished accomplishments in the Kentucky 4-H Achievement Program, which awarded over $21,000 to 139 Kentucky 4-Hers completing this honor.

One participant shared in conversation on the drive home that in their first overnight activity with 4-H two years ago, Area Teen Retreat, that they were a different person at the time.  The individual expressed that they were not the most polite teenager and felt that they were headed in a not great direction in life as they were involved in an unhealthy relationship at the time.  The individual stated that over the last two years of 4-H teen leadership programming, including 4-H Teen Conference this year, that they have really turned their life around.  The individual realized the detriment that the relationship had in their life and got away from that.  They also stated that their younger sibling, who was following down a similar path of disrespect for others and self, has also seen this change in the teen and began to make that change in their lives too.  Additionally, the teen shared that without these teen leadership experiences, they would not be as comfortable in large groups at events such as this and it has expanded their comfort zone.