Recently, the Hardin County 4-H program was approached by one of the local elementary schools about bringing 4-H back to the school after a brief break due to former 4-H agent retiring, COVID restrictions, etc.  The school sits among one of the most rural areas in the county and the principal recognizes that her students need to have a greater understanding of agriculture and how it relates to their everyday life.  Therefore, the plan was put into place to begin a school enrichment program from March-May 2021 with the 4th and 5th grades and focus on hands-on 4-H agriculture activities such as poultry, beekeeping, equine, wildlife, gardening and dairy.  Projects completed were making homemade butter and making the connection to the importance of dairy farms; chick incubation and how poultry is Kentucky's #1 agriculture commodity; dissection of owl pellets and an awareness of wildlife; determining stride lengths of thoroughbred horses and the connection between the horse racing industry and Kentucky.  The projects were made to make them relatable to the students and the impact agriculture has on our economy, local businesses and industries.  As the program grows and expands, we hope to bring in local agriculturalists in more areas that can do specialized activities.  The program was offered virtually as the school and Extension was still under strict COVID restrictions.  

Beginning in Fall 2021, the plan is to expand this program into offering to each grade in the school totaling a student enrollment of over 415 with monthly 4-H activities in partnership with the school's initiative to become the first AgSTREAM elementary school in the state of Kentucky.  In addition to students, we are also working with the school on providing education and resources to the teachers through professional development opportunities.