The Cooperative Extension Service’s mission is to make a difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through research based education.  Extension takes the University to the people in their local communities, addressing issues of importance of all Kentuckians.

4-H is the youth development component of Extension.  It provides non-formal education opportunities.  According to the 2019 estimated censes, Warren County has a population of 132,896.  Of those, 30,453 are youth ages 5-18 which is the primary audience for 4-H.  The Warren County 4-H program provided 6 hours of education to 560 youth.

 Youth can opt into 4-H through a variety of methods.  Each county strives to offer multiple ways to opt in.

Being a member of a 4-H Club is often the most valuable experience.  It offers youth the opportunity to learn leadership skills, practice parliamentary procedure, interact with multiple 4-H leaders who guide and mentor youth.  Members select one or more “projects” – topics of special interest to them.  They get their hands and mind engaged in learning the skills and facts related to the project.  Members develop public speaking skills as they participate in meetings, teach younger members or participate in competition.  Making the community a better place to live through service, citizenship, and acceptance is an important part of 4-H.

The community club typically meet after school or on weekends throughout the year at a public location.  Warren County has 506 youth involved in this way.  Youth tend to be a variety of ages.  Older youth often help younger members learn and understand.

Sometimes youth and volunteers who have an interest or hobby in common rally together to form a SPIN or special interest club.  SPIN club meet six or more times but over only a few months.  A young person may have an interest in a specific project – such as Chick Incubation and American Private Enterprise Program.  Warren County has 153 youth involved in this way.

Kentucky has rich heritage of involving youth in camp.  Kentucky 4-H has four resident camps – North Central at Carlisle, West Kentucky at Dawson Springs, Lake Cumberland at Nancy and Feltner at London.  In 2019, 107 youth from Warren County spent 4 days/3 nights at 4-H Camp.

Local Extension agents may partner with public and private schools to “enrich” the school curriculum.   In 2019-2020, 4-H provided 150 hours of education to 1,023 youth in grades Kindergarten through 8^th grade plus 10^th and 11^th grade students.  Topics include Workforce Preparation, Dollars & Sense, Nutrition Education, and Reality Store.

Warren County has a staff of nine, with 2 being 4-H Youth Development Agents.  The 4-H agent serves as the primary catalyst for the county 4-H program.  Other Extension agents lend expertise in the 4-H program related to Family and Consumer Sciences, Agriculture and natural Resources, and Horticulture.