Leadership is an invaluable skill that many individuals acquire at an early age, and strengthen throughout their lifetime. With the support of local community, 6 Clay County 4-H’ers had the opportunity to attend the 95^th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference at the University of Kentucky. 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. 66% of Clay County 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 66% 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,  Clay County delegates showed interest in attending 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. 100% of Clay County 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. 100% of Clay County delegates felt they made a connection with their minor group, and 100% believe that developing leadership skills is one of the greatest benefits of 4-H Teen Conference.