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.

Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference provides a dynamic opportunity for youth to experience life on campus while gaining independence and giving them an opportunity to see themselves outside of their typical environment. 81% of youth surveyed reported that Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was their first experience staying overnight in a UK dormitory and this experience was the first visit to the University of Kentucky for 44% of youth. 100% of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference delegates attended a College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment campus tour and Ag Ambassadors presentation. 

In 2019, the Kentucky 4-H Clover Fest was added as the Opening Event for 4-H Teen Conference. This event was in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and hosted at the Bluegrass Stockyards. Youth had the chance to explore the Kentucky Proud Program through local food vendors. Additionally, delegates had the chance to 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 have a chance to develop a network of peers and adults from across the Commonwealth in a caring and safe environment. Delegates select a major of their choice that align with the Kentucky 4-H core content areas and degree programs offered at the University of Kentucky. Delegates have the opportunity to build 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 majoring 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. 

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 (3 hours * $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. 

Kentucky 4-H partnered with the Kentucky Soybean Board to provide the leadership keynote speaker who focused on authentic leadership and workshop focused on diversity and inclusion. The curriculum for the leadership workshop was a collaboration between Kentucky 4-H and the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences Program at the University of Kentucky. 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. 

Kentucky 4-H is committed to providing educational experiences to all youth. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation through the Kentucky 4-H Achievement Program awarded over $21,000 to 139 Kentucky 4-Hers to attend Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation awarded over $10,000 to fourteen 4-Hers in post-secondary education scholarships during Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference.

The 2019 Teen Conference was a growing and learning experience for Caldwell County.  There were five youth that attended and one agent.  One of the delegates was a State Teen Council member as well as a Gold Achievement recipient. Attendance for Caldwell County was up 80% from 2018 which can be attributed to the growth of the teen program in the county. Teen Conference was exceptional experience for all of the delegates.  This was their first time to travel to a large urban area in Kentucky, much less visit a college campus and experience dorm life.   

Two of the delegates were on the county livestock judging team and chose Agriculture as their major. They were under the instruction of Steve Austin, 4-H Youth Livestock Associate.  One of the teens stated that “Steve judged different than Kevin,” our county livestock leader.  They continued to discuss the difference between the two and how it affected their scores.   This was enlightening experience for the girls because it allowed them to see that not everyone thinks or teaches the same and they need to take in all the knowledge available, but think for themselves. 

When polled, all the delegates stated that they planned to attend Teen Conference next year and one was very interested in attending the University of Kentucky as a result of attending Teen Conference. These teen received more benefits than they realize form attending this leadership conference.  They have been introduced to college living and possible careers,  made friends across the state, participated in a worthwhile service project, and have gained a little more independence.  

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