4-H has a rich history of helping youth grow into productive citizens. According to Journal of Extension article #2RIB1, research has shown that participation in 4-H leadership activities has a positive relationship with youth life skills development (Severs & Dormody, 1995), 4-H youth are more likely to be involved in community service than non-4-H youth (Parrish & Igo, 2006), and 4-H youth have higher skill development in working with groups, communication, and decision making than non-4-H youth (Boyd, Herring, & Briers, 1992).  All these skills combine to create better leaders and show that participation in 4-H as a youth can contribute to the success of an individual in adulthood.

Boyd County Adult 4-H Council and 4-H agent recognize the importance of leadership education and provides that opportunity to Boyd County 4-H members through educational programming and volunteer opportunities.

A perfect illustration of positive youth development due to 4-H participation has occurred in Boyd County 4-H.  Boyd County 4-H has led to two generations of strong leaders. 

Fifty years ago, a ten year old girl was in a Boyd County 4-H club lead by her mother. This little girl grew to become a mother and now grandmother of four young ladies.  Ten years ago this now grandmother wanted her granddaughters to experience 4-H; therefore, she volunteered to lead the first Boyd County 4-H Cloverbuds Club.  The club was held at the Boyd County Extension Office once a month for nine consecutive months for three years with support from the Boyd County 4-H agent and council.

The club members learned their pledges, learned to bake biscuits as well as other cooking skills and learned about community service.  Currently, ten years later, two of those Clovebud members are 15 year old twin girls.  Those girls went from Cloverbuds with their grandmother to 4-H school club members to current members of the Boyd County 4-H Teen Council.

Those twin teenagers are the third generation of Boyd County 4-H participants now volunteering and leading the 2017-2018 Boyd County 4-H Cloverbud Club as well as other 4-H programming and community service projects throughout the year.  The teens' now 71 year old grandmother still volunteers for Boyd County 4-H each Spring during Boyd County 4-H Communications Day.

These women have proven the research correct that participation in 4-H leadership activities has a positive relationship with youth life skills development.