Volunteers play integral roles in 4-H programs, performing a variety of duties, functions, and tasks and possessing varied and rich knowledge, skills, and backgrounds (Radhakrishna & Ewing, 2011). The success of Extension programming is due, in part, to the dedication of a large cadre of volunteers (Smith, Dasher, & Klingborg, 2005). Although highly valued, volunteer involvement does not guarantee achievement of Extension's goals and fulfillment of learners' needs (Bolton, 1992).

4-H youth development programs within Extension depend heavily on adult volunteers and provide extensive education to volunteer leaders. 4-H traditionally focuses on positive youth development, but adult volunteers are the mainstay of the programs. 

A considerable amount of time and resources, on the part of both volunteer and paid staff in, are dedicated annually to the planning, coordination, and execution of educational volunteer events. These may include workshops, in-services, conferences, or forums that may range in duration from a few hours to several days. 4-H Volunteer Forums are held during the even-numbered years in Kentucky (Culp, 2000).   Eleven Todd County 4-H Adult volunteers and teens attended this year's Kentucky 4-H Volunteer Forum.  

The KVF provided a variety of volunteer recognition opportunities.  Four Todd County volunteers were recognized in the Kentucky 4-H Hall of Fame. 

When asked to identify what attendees had gained from attending the KVF, 21.40% of attendees reported “learning about new programs” 19.74% gathered new information, 17.71% developed new skills, while 17.53% were “motivated or inspired,” and 16.24% benefitted from “networking.”

A total of 350 answers were collected in response to the question “what are your plans for the information, tools, knowledge and skills that you collected at the 2020 KVF?”  Of these, 36.29% indicated that they would teach new information at a 4-H Club meeting, 33.43% planned to share information with other 4-H volunteers, while 26.86% planned to introduce a new project, program, or activity in their club or county.

Conference attendees were asked to respond to six agree-disagree statements, that queried their aspirations following the forum.   (1 = Strongly Agree, 5 = Strongly Disagree).  These included:

I am more likely to continue volunteering - 86.13%

I am more likely to develop or offer a new program, project or activity - 84.17%

I am more likely to increase my level of involvement in my county program - 78.99% 

I am more likely to feel more energized and motivated to volunteer - 89.06% 

I have increased my level of knowledge - 96.43% 

I have developed a new skill - 83.57% 

Using a post-pre-post scale, respondents were asked to rate their level of knowledge prior to and after attending the KVF.  Using a 5 point scale, (1=Excellent, 5=Terrible) respondents assessed their knowledge level as a 2.16 prior to attending KVF 2020, and a 1.56 after attending KVF 2020.