The goals of the Kentucky 4-H Issues Conference are for the youth delegates to enrich their citizenship and civic engagement roles, enhance their leadership skills, develop public presentation skills, gain an understanding of local issues, and to learn the process of addressing local issues.

During the four-day intensive conference, a partnership occurs between the Delegates (youth) and the Facilitators (adult) which leads to a successful learning experience. Delegates were involved in 20 hours of hands-on experiences during the 2019 KY 4-HIC.

A total of 105 people attended the 2019 KY 4-HIC. Of those 22 were adults and 83 were youth delegates. 96 were Caucasian, four were African America, one Asian, and two Multi- Racial. There were 76 female attendees and 29 male.

Fayette County had 1 female youth delegate and 1 female agent attend. As a member of the planning committee for KY 4-HIC, I attended as a chaperone as well as a facilitator for the agriculture work group. I spent many hours with youth discussing the importance of agriculture in our communities

Below are the results of the initial evaluation conducted after the conference.

94% Responded: Since 4-HIC, I am able to listen to people who have different ideas than me.

66% Responded: Since 4-HIC, I have used information I learned to make decisions.

87% Responded: Since 4-HIC, I have the confidence to speak in front of groups.

100% Responded: At 4-HIC, I got to know adults who care about me and are interested in my success.

94% Responded: I use skills I learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school or in my community.

94% Responded: Would you recommend KY 4-HIC to Teens in your County/District?

94% of Responses: Said their Expectations of 4-HIC were met

Comments about Skills Learned at Issues Conference:

I learned how to speak directly to an adult with my ideas.

I learned how to answer more unprepared questions from people/judges while speaking publicly, and I have used this skill to better my performance during interviews.

I plan to use these skills to be a better leader and to encourage others to take up leadership roles.

How to plan something within a larger group of people and how to communicate that plan effectively.

I learned the steps needed to solve a problem, and am now able to go about coming up with plans or solving problems differently and more effectively.

I can use this skill to solve problems in my own county programs and make them better.

I feel more confident in my ability to step up and be a leader within a small group. This has allowed me to step up and be a leader in different clubs in my county.