Success StoryLeadership Development



Leadership Development

Author: Patrick Hardesty

Planning Unit: Taylor County CES

Major Program: Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)

Plan of Work: Empowering Taylor County Community Leaders

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Extension programs that thrive have one-thing in common . . . great leaders!  Extension Council members are trained so they may understand their responsibilities as leaders of an umbrella group guiding Extension programming.  In order to help promote local producers, the Extension Council developed approximately 1000 Taylor County Direct Sales brochures promoting local goods.  To help understand the community, the Extension Council on-the-move has been implemented were each year different businesses and farms are toured.  The past on-the-move visited hemp farm and a winery.


The Taylor County Extension District Board continues to oversee the fiscal management of the Taylor County Extension Service.  The District Board makes sure funds are available for educational programming.   Five and ten year plans have been developed to provide a road map for the Taylor County Extension Service.  The District Board also oversees guidelines and maintenance of our facility.  Last fiscal year, 468 meetings were conducted with approximately 8,778 people in attendance.  The Taylor County Extension Service allows only non-profit educational uses of the facility.


The Taylor County Agriculture Advancement Council meets 11 times a year where they have educational or informational presentations.  The Taylor County Agriculture Advancement Council also selects the Chamber of Commerce Agri-Person of the Year recipient.


A committee of the Taylor County Cattlemen’s Association selects the Taylor County Fair’s Finest Family Farm recipient that is presented on Family Night at the Taylor County Fair.  The Taylor County Cattlemen’s Association also awarded three $750 scholarships to three graduating seniors whose parent or grandparent were a member of the association.


The Taylor County Jr. Cattlemen currently have 16 members.  Of these members, one young lady serves as Vice President of the Kentucky Jr. Cattleman’s Association and a young man serves at the State Reporter.


Many of our leaders have become Extension Ambassadors telling their friends and acquaintances about the services and educational opportunities offered through the Extension Service. 






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