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10 Ag Families-Fall BY DIANETURNER Our world is ever changing with advancements in technology and other up-and-coming trends. Thats why its important to make sure our children are involved in programs that cultivate skills and develop feelings of self-worth by efforts of hard work. The 4-H Youth Development Program through the University of Ken- tucky Extension Service has been a part of our community for years and is currently going through a transition period. A few years ago Christian County went from having a single agent with assistants to hiring three full-time agents last year. Many faces have come and gone to the pro- gram but each one has helped it to grow in a different way. Most recently extension agent Mia Farrell moved back to Lexington to work for the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. Farrell in- troduced the MANRRS program Minorities in Agriculture Natural Re- sources and Related Sciences which continues to give new opportunities to youth in our area. Current agents Matt Futrell Kendriana Price and Kaitlyne Davis come from varied backgrounds but bring some amazing talents to the table for the 4-H program in Christian County. Kaitlyne the newest agent to the team comes from the 4-H program in Williamson County Texas. Originally from Kevil Kentucky which is just outside of Paducah Kaitlyne graduated from Murray State University with a masters in animal science. I moved back to Kentucky with my fianc who took a job in Hop- kinsville she said. We were blessed to both find a job here together. Before life as a 4-H agent Matt was a health inspector for the Christian County Health Department. When asked what lead him to become an agent he said I wanted to come back to 4-H. Who wouldnt want to have a career that is this fun Matt earned his masters in soil science from Western Kentucky Uni- versity. Being the only agent from the area Matt said Knowing people in the community really helps when we look for partners for events like Healthy Kids Day. Kendriana started out as an ag-biotechnology major at the University of Kentucky. It just wasnt the right fit so I earned my degree is kinesiology in- stead. While at UK I joined the MANRRS program and that is how I was exposed to extension in Kentucky. Kendriana interned for 4-H for two summers and fell in love. A military kid herself Kendriana began working with 4-H on post at Fort Campbell. I was on base about 90 percent of the time and Im now a county agent for 4-H Youth Development she said. Christian County 4-H has clubs centered on the military the commu- nity and project-based areas. The project clubs focus on cooking horses livestock rabbit and poultry ag and horticulture the Teen Council MAN- RRS sewing shooting sports woodworking and the newest addition a bicycle club. Each club works on mastering a set of skills and learning how to use those skills in daily life. Kendriana is excited to introduce a dance fit club in the spring. She said this Zumba-style club picks at her heartstrings. Kaitlyne said they are always thinking of new clubs based on the in- terests of local students. For homeschooled students PACHEK Penny- royal Area Christian Home Educators has a club that meets on the first Wednesday of each month. When comparing Kentucky 4-H to the Texas equivalent Kaitlyne said Kentucky has moved away from community-based clubs. Most 4-H clubs now meet in a central location like the extension office instead of com- munity centers around the county. In Texas I had 15 clubs with only four being project based she said. Community-based clubs build stronger bonds between the members because they are more likely to see each other on a regular basis. Kaitlyne said she is excited about the new programs she is working on for the schools. One is a cooking and nutrition class for kindergartners and two other classes for students with disabilities. Every day is a new adventure in this position she said. 4-H agents introducing new programs this fall Get involved If you are looking for a way to plug into Christian County 4-H there are several upcoming events and programs to check out. National 4-H week is Oct. 5 through 9. National Kids Science Day falls on Oct. 7. The Jr. MANRRS area meeting will be in Hopkinsville this October at the extension oce. The Issues Conference will be the third weekend in November.The conference is a four-day event where high school sophomores and juniors gather to talk about current issues within their peer environmentsand ways to battle issues like peer pressure. Also in November a group of students will be heading to the North American Livestock Con- vention in Louisville. 4-H members will be entering a oat into the Hopkinsville Christmas Parade in December. If you cannot make it to an after-school club 4-H has classroom programs like STEM that pro- vides curriculum targeting science technology engineering and mathematics. 4-H also sponsors events like the Reality Fair where high school freshman are given the op- portunity to live like an adult for a day. Although adults cannot be 4-H members volunteers are always needed to help with events and club meetings. If you have a special interest in building bird houses cooking or cycling feel free to call Kaitlyne Matt or Kendriana at the Christian County Extension oce at 270-886-6328. The oce is at 2850 Pembroke Road. KendrianaPrice Price earned her bachelors in kinesiology from the University of Kentucky. She interned at Christian County Extension and took a job in Hopkinsville upon graduation. Along with Jr. MANRRS and programs at Fort Campbell Price is looking forward to starting a Zumba-style club. TocontactPriceemailherat klpr225uky.edu KaitlyneDavis Davis earned her masters in animal science from Murrary State University. She is the newest agent coming from the 4-H program inWilliamson CountyTexas. Davis is working on a new cooking and nutrition class for kindergarteners and two other programs for students with disabilities. TocontactDavisemailheratkaitlyne.davisuky.edu MattFutrell Futrell earned his masters in soil science fromWestern Kentucky University. Being the only agent from the area Futrell enjoys planning Healthy Kids Day. TocontactFutrellemailhimatmatthew.futrelluky.edu