4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. To help fulfill our commitment of empowering young people, Cumberland County 4-H and Pulaski County 4-H have partnered with the Office of Diversity within the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment at the University of Kentucky to establish and charter the Lake Cumberland 4-H Jr. MANRRS chapter. The mission of the MANRRS organization is to promote academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. 

Prior to the formation of the new club, Pulaski County and Cumberland County were the only two county 4-H programs in Extension Areas E1 and E2 to have a club which limited program growth. The newly formed club will give youth who reside in counties in E1 and E2 without Jr MANRRS clubs to participate. Additionally, it will allow youth the opportunity to network and establish developmentally appropriate relationships with adults who live outside of their community. 

Due to COVID-19, the program is still in the planning stages and youth members have yet had the opportunity to meet face to face. Four volunteers have been recruited and they have participated in a planning session with 4-H Extension Agents and staff from the Office of Diversity within the College of Agriculture Food Environment via Zoom. As a result of the meeting, a program plan has been developed with full implementation scheduled for fall of 2021 with youth recruitment efforts starting in the Summer of 2021.