Youth who participate in organizational leadership roles, planning activities, making presentations, and participating in extra-curricular activities show higher levels of self-efficacy, self-advocacy, and self-determination (Edelman et al., 2004; Larson, 2000, Sagawa, 2003). CES, through the 4-H program planned and implemented programming for high school aged youth through their 4-H Teen Council.   The Jessamine County 4-H Teen Council holds monthly meetings, where a leadership activity is completed. The 4-H teen Council saw an increase in participation by 20% in 2019-2020.   Officers are elected for this council, which offers leadership experience for teens. These officers go through a training program to learn how to lead the council and how to work as a team.

The 4-H Teen Council’s members raised the funds by selling candy bars and fortune cookies to adopt two young people from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree project at Christmas time.   Teen Council members also shopped for these young people and helped provide a Christmas they might not otherwise have enjoyed.    The 4-H Teen Council had 3 members participate in District 4 Teen Council, serving in leadership roles on the council, including committee work and community service. Jessamine county youth participated in the 2019 Issues conference, having 2 members return for the Issues 2 session.  This conference helped youth from our county learn valuable tools to affect community change.  February of 2020 saw 12 youth from Jessamine County attend the District 4 Leadership Retreat.   Several youth came back seeking a role in our 4-H program.  The Jessamine County 4-H Program also had one of its members, Hannah Snyder, elected to be the State 4-H Secretary for 2019-20. In her role as state officer, Hannah was able to make 20 county visits and speaking engagements across the commonwealth.  After a personal survey, participants in the Jessamine County Teen Council all reported taking a leadership role in other school organizations after participation in 4-H leadership.  All participants stated they felt better prepared to be a leader in school and the community and they were glad to have an organization that helped them have something to feel a part of. 95% of the participants stated they would pursue education further than high school, with 70% of them saying they would consider the University of Kentucky. 99% of the students said they will definitely continue participation in the 4-H program and 96% of the students said 4-H has given them a place to belong, when many other activities have not.