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.
What 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.
Additional Information
4-H Newsletters
Franklin County 4-H Clubs
To learn more information about the clubs/projects available in Franklin County view our website or contact our County Extension Agents for 4-H Youth Development; Austin Brewer, abrewer8@uky.edu or MacKenzie Preece, MacKenzie.Preece@uky.edu or call 502-695-9035.
Joining a club/project opens the door to a world of 4-H opportunities!
Club Descriptions
Open to youth ages 9-18 years old. Youth and their dogs will learn obedience, companionship, and responsible dog ownership. All dogs must be current on all vaccinations and have all puppy vaccinations. Click HERE for the 2023/2024 forms. For more info, contact 4-H Agent MacKenzie Preece at mackenzie.preece@uky.edu.
Open to youth 9-18, this club focuses on the various forms of communication. Speeches, demonstrations, and written! Contact Club Leader Denise Boebinger for more information on the club! Email: dboebinger@me.com
This club focuses on all livestock and creating a farm. They have explored chick hatching this spring! Stay tuned for their next project! Contact the Club Leaders Ryan & Haelie Shouse at haelie1988@yahoo.com for more info!
Currently, all spots are filled for beginners and advanced sewing clubs. Please contact the club leader for more information, Debi Newman at lebident@gmail.com
Shooting sports is looking for leaders! Please contact the extension office for more information on becoming a shooting sports leader.
This club will teach youth about beekeeping, bee boxes, pollinator gardens, honey tasting and much more! For more info, contact 4-H Agent MacKenzie Preece at mackenzie.preece@uky.edu.
We have a juniors bee club to learn all about bees and a senior club to start your own hive!
The 4-H Cooking Group is open to youth in 4th to 12th grade. If you want to learn to cook and try new recipes, the Cooking Club is the group for you! The program is designed to teach youth cooking skills such as techniques, utensil use, and basic culinary skills.
Junior club is for ages 9-13. They will learn basic cooking skills and practice simple recipes.
Senior club is for ages 14-18. They will work on their advanced skills, practice more complex recipes and work towards the 4-H culinary challenge. Contact Austin Brewer at abrewer8@uky.edu for more info.
Cloverbuds is open to youth ages 5-8 years old. Cloverbuds explores all areas of 4-H throughout the year. Creating crafts, and doing different educational activities together at the extension office. Contact Austin Brewer at abrewer8@uky.edu for more information.
This club is open to 6th -12th graders. They will be working on building their leadership skills, life skills, and completing community service projects. they will also have opportunities to travel, make new friends, and participate in various 4-H events across the state. For more information, contact MacKenzie at mackenzie.preece@uky.edu
Garden club will be growing and learning about various horticulture programs. they will be growing their own meal, creating a community pollinator garden, and horticulture/ Floral designs. This club will start Spring 2024
4-H Clubs in Partnership with Kentucky State University and Paul Sawyier Public Library
- STEM Club - Extension Office
- STEAM Club - PSPL
- RC Club - Rosenwald Center
- Art Club - Extension Office / Rosenwald Center
Club Calendar
Austin Brewer
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
(502) 695-9035 abrewer8@uky.edu Franklin County Extension Office 101 Lakeview Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-8750Samantha Moore
Extension Assistant, 4-H Youth Development
(502) 695-9035 samantha.moore@uky.edu Franklin County Extension Office 101 Lakeview Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-8750Mackenzie Preece
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
(502) 695-9035 mgjo233@uky.edu Franklin County Extension Office 101 Lakeview Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-8750
