Lincoln County Youth in Governance Programs

• As a result of the equal number of youth and adults involved on the Jr. Dairy Committee, the number of "issues and controversies" with the Jr. Dairy show and program have been greatly reduced and seems to be returning to a positive youth development experience. After the 2003 Lincoln County 4-H Fair, the Fair Board was considering eliminating this area altogether due to the number of controversies that were occurring year after year.
• As a result of the involvement of 17 adults and nine youth and adults on the "After the Bell" Steering Committee, a strong after school program for middle school youth was implemented. Lincoln County 4-H Ambassadors worked with youth in afterschool program to plan program improvements and learn citizenship skills.
• Youth led a youth-adult forum to frame the county 4-H Expansion and Review process. 4-H Ambassadors have been active in implementing the outreach plan to broaden the diversity of 4-H membership.
• The Lincoln County Teen Court Steering Committee has met monthly since 2005, chaired by one adult and two youth. 3 youth have served as co-chair and all youth members make key decisions in the direction of the Teen Court program.
• A new Teen Court heard 15 youth offenders cases in 9 sessions. 16 youth and 13 adults serve on the steering committee and have learned valuable skills about working together to accomplish a common goal. Within the community, this steering committee has opened the door to including youth in community action.
• A youth-adult partnership has existed on the Lincoln County 4-H Board of Directors since the 1991-92 4-H year. At the November 2005 Annual meeting, six youth were elected to the board, moving closer to having an equal number of youth and adults. In 2007, a youth was elected to an officer position for the first time.
• The 4-H Leader Board full-day retreat included self-assessment of youth involvement and follow-up training was integrated into meetings including 3 youth and 7 adults.
• Participated in a case study of youth-adult partnership on the 4-H Leader Board which delineated the value youth have brought to the board. The reflection that resulted from the case study spurred youth and volunteers to set goals to increase youth engagement in other committees and groups in the county .
• Lincoln County Impact Report (1 pg, 69.5 kb)

For more information: Lincoln County UW-Extension Youth Development