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 study of Ohio 4-H agents revealed that they believed orienting volunteers is important but lack information on whether their training programs or teaching strategies are effective (Deppe & Culp, 2001). Non-systematic training and the lack of volunteer recognition are two problems identified as crucial to the management of Extension volunteers (Navaratnam, 1986). Although the training received by Extension volunteers has been rated as "quality" when compared to other organizations (Braker, Leno, Pratt, & Grobe, 2000), the need to strengthen the design and implementation of 4-H training programs is ongoing. 

Education benefits volunteers, programs, and organizations in many ways. Education increases volunteer satisfaction and leads to stronger organizational commitment (Anderson, 2005; Wilson et al., 2007). Moreover, volunteer education increases program sustainability (Snider, 1985) and is a powerful recruitment and retention tool, as a lack of training is an often cited reason for high turnover rates among recruits (Fahey, Walker, & Lennox, 2003). Volunteer development benefits the organization by inspiring, motivating, and celebrating accomplishments (Wise & Ezell, 2003).

 The purpose of Kentucky Volunteer Forum is to increase the capacity of volunteer and salaried staff to contribute to the achievement of the mission of 4-H Youth Development Education and the Cooperative Extension System as a whole as well as to provide the educational and technical resources that volunteers need in order to deliver the 4-H Youth Development program as well as to meet 4-H members' needs (Culp, 2000).  

Programs and workshops offered at the KVF are continually updated, rules and policies are shared and explained, best practices are taught, and new teaching and learning techniques are introduced. Serving as a committee member, the KVF committee through the KVF seeks to:

• Share cutting-edge information through workshops and educational opportunities.
• Provide networking opportunities for volunteers from different counties and states.
• Introduce new programs, projects, events, activities, and rule or procedure changes.
• Provide opportunities for volunteers to receive Accreditation and Master Volunteer status.
• Provide continuing education opportunities.
• Reenergize and inspire volunteers.
• Recognize those volunteers, businesses, and organizations that have made a significant impact upon the Kentucky 4-H program and the lives of youth in the commonwealth.

Seventy (70) individuals completed requirements for Volunteer Accreditation or Master Volunteer Accreditation.  A total of 74 Volunteer Accreditations were granted, including: Cloverbuds (4), Crafts (3), Electricity (4), Embroidery (9), Fine Arts (4), Foods (10), Forestry (5), Horticulture (9), Leadership (3), Performing Arts (1), Photography (3), Poultry (7), Rabbits (4), Robotics (2), SET (2), and Water (4).  Additionally, 31 Master Volunteer Accreditations were granted, including: FCS (7), Fine Arts (4), Horticulture (5), Leadership (3), Natural Resources (6), Rabbits (4), SET (3).

The KVF provided a variety of volunteer recognition opportunities.  Sixty-five volunteers or groups were recognized in the Kentucky 4-H Hall of Fame, 106 10-year 4-H members were recognized, and nine current and former National 4-H Hall of Fame laureates were acknowledged.

When asked to identify what they 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.”

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% SA or A; mean = 1.65) 

I am more likely to develop or offer a new program, project or activity.    

(84.17% SA or A; mean = 1.73)

I am more likely to increase my level of involvement in my county program.

                                                                                    (78.99% SA or A; mean = 1.77)

I am more likely to feel more energized and motivated to volunteer.

                                                                                    (89.06% SA or A; mean – 1.95)

I have increased my level of knowledge.                   (96.43% SA or A; mean = 1.77)

I have developed a new skill.                                      (83.57% SA or A; mean = 1.75)

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.

Demographically, the “typical” attendee was a 44 year old female.  A former 4-H member, she had volunteered for 11.42 years and attended workshops in a specific track.59.28% of attendees were former 4-H members, averaging 43.77 years, 78.06% of attendees were female.)