The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development, part of the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is hosting the 2024 Kentucky Volunteer Forum Feb. 22-24.  

Themed “Volunteers Reaching New Horizons: Educating. Inspiring. Serving.,” the conference invites all 4-H and extension volunteers, professionals and community members to Lexington’s Central Bank Convention Center and Hyatt Regency.  

The conference will offer over 200 workshops across 25 content tracks, including professional development sessions, seminars on wheels, matching volunteer forum grant opportunities, networking opportunities, a trade show with 60 vendors and three recognition events. 

The gathering has become one of the largest forums for 4-H and extension volunteers worldwide — attracting participants from all 120 counties in Kentucky and across several states.  

“We are excited to offer this unique opportunity to help educate, inspire and recognize the amazing service work of our Kentucky 4-H and extension volunteers,” said Ken Culp, principal specialist for volunteerism, evaluation and curriculum for 4-H Youth Development. “We’ve found that the quality of the different workshops, informal networking and sharing opportunities are some of the biggest factors in motivating people to attend.”  

4-H volunteers can also complete the necessary accreditation requirements in several areas, including agriculture, camping, clover buds, communications and expressive arts, family and consumer sciences, health and wellbeing, leadership, natural resources and science, engineering and technology. 

Agents can also obtain master volunteer accreditation opportunities in four core workshop areas — Intro to 4-H, 4-H club and risk management involving parents and volunteers, ages and stages of youth development, and teaching methods and learning styles.  

Additionally, 70 award recipients, comprised of volunteers and community partners, will be recognized and inducted at the Hall of Fame banquet ceremony for their contributions to the Kentucky 4-H Program and their impact on youth. One recipient is Kentucky volunteer and native Linda Branstetter, who was recently inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.   

Kentucky 4-H ranks second nationally for those inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Nearly 150 youth who have completed 10 years of 4-H membership will also be recognized.  

Jill Bramble, who became President and CEO at National 4-H Council in August is this year’s keynote speaker.  

Palladium, platinum and gold sponsors are The R.C. Durr Foundation; Department of 4-H Youth Development and Kentucky 4-H Foundation; George A. Duncan, Martin-Gatton CAFE and UK Cooperative Extension. A full list of sponsors can be found here.  

“This year’s theme appropriately acknowledges what 4-H volunteers and extension professionals are doing every day,” Culp said. “They educate, inspire and serve. This event will hopefully help everyone reach new horizons in their communities.”  

For more event information and to register, visit https://4-h.ca.uky.edu/core-program-areas/kentucky-volunteer-forum or contact your local county extension office at https://extension.ca.uky.edu/county. Registration deadline is Friday, Jan. 19.     

###         

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.