4-H Youth Development
4-H Youth Development
4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.
Become a memberWhat is 4-H?
4-H Youth Development is part of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Extension agents and volunteers take the results of university research and explain it in such a way that different age groups can learn and apply the information to their own lives. Kentucky 4-H believes in providing positive youth development experiences that all youth to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.
4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. The four H's represent the idea of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. These are the values members work on through fun and engaging programs.
Head Managing, Thinking
Heart Relating, Caring
Hands Giving, Working
Health Being, Living
How does 4-H benefit youth?
4-H’ers, regardless of their background, socio-economic status, race or gender, benefit from their participation in Kentucky 4-H. Positive youth development studies have affirmed that compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H are:
- Four times more likely to contribute to their communities.
- Two times more likely to be civically active.
- Two times more likely to make healthier lifestyle choices.
- Two times more likely to participate in Science, Engineering and Computer Technology programs during out-of-school time.
- 4-H girls are two times more likely (Grade 10) and nearly three times more likely (Grade 12) to take part in science programs compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities.
4-H Clubs
A descriptive list with contact information of all 4-H Clubs offered in the 2024-2025 4-H programming year.
Go to docAdditional Information
4-H Club Articles
4-H Cooking Club
Did you know that a lot of teens and young adults don’t know how to properly cook for themselves? On December 18, 2024, the Spencer County 4-H cooking club conducted a festive meeting to teach kids how to make drinks in a fun way. As it was also one of the first meets, the members chose who would be their next board leaders. After some deliberation, the roles were set like this: Avery as the president; Gen as the Vice president; Adalynn as the secretary; Ariah as the reporter; and Andrea as the activity leader. After that was done with, the kids got to learn how to go about measuring various ingredients. Of course this was done in a fun way, with the final creations being a sweet batch of “Grinch Punch” and delicious proportions of hot chocolate that the kids got to take home to their families.
This activity was very important to the kids involved. It was important because it taught them how to do simple tasks such as converting gallons into ounces, how to half recipes, and how to correctly measure ingredients. These skills will help them to make food for themselves and others in the future, which is necessary to do things such as running a household. The activity also made them have accuracy, which is essential for any type of cooking or baking. The next time members will get to learn more important abilities will be January 15, 2024.
Written by Ariah Recktenwald
4-H Art Club
It is important for young children to express themselves through creativity and imagination. This is why on December 16, 2024, 11 kids got to make striking cork boards in the 4-H art club. They were first given their own choice of patterned fabrics, which were then attached to a canvas. After the construction, the club members got to have fun adding as much detail and color as they pleased, such as peacock feathers or ribbon. The activity was perfect for all ages, and everyone had lots of fun. The final products were eye-catching and interesting and will make wonderful additions to the rooms of many Spencer County kids.
It is important for kids to do activities such as this to express themselves because it teaches them to cater to their person, instead of making things only for others to enjoy. Creating art like the cork boards helps children learn the things that they like, so that they can do things in the future that make them happy. Helping children in areas like these is what the art club strives to do, and the next chance for members to make an extravagant masterpiece is on January 13, 2024, at the extension office. On that day everyone will have the opportunity to make another lovely art piece that showcases their heart.
Written by Ariah Recktenwald
Vision
University of Kentucky Extension is the trusted, local resource for every Kentuckian.
Mission
University of Kentucky Extension engages with Kentuckians to connect them to resources, research and innovative solutions.
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Ryan J. Linton
Extension Assistant, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Science, 4-H Youth Development
(502) 477-2217 ryan.linton@uky.edu Spencer County Extension Office 100 Oak Tree Way, Taylorsville, Kentucky 40071-0368Mollie A. Tichenor
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
(502) 477-2217 mollie.tichenor@uky.edu Spencer County Extension Office 100 Oak Tree Way, Taylorsville, Kentucky 40071-0368
