This year, after a two-year absence, teens from across the Commonwealth gathered in Lexington for State Teen Conference. Here they voted to make the theme for the upcoming year Embrace Kentucky 4-H.

After 18 months of social distancing and masks, you may think the word Embrace is a strange choice. However, while youth have missed the physical embrace of friends and family - 4-Hers have learned to embrace the challenges thrown their way. This year, Kentucky 4-Hers have:

Mastered delivering speeches and demonstrations via video recording and Zoom.

Created a sense of belonging for their peers through virtual and in-person Club meetings.

Generously volunteered to feed their communities and clothe their neighbors.

Developed a sense of independence by learning through mistakes.

When you EMBRACE Kentucky 4-H, youth across the Commonwealth can continue participating in county, district, and state level 4-H programs.

For example, gifts during the 2020 Year End Campaign provided forty high achieving 4-Hers the opportunity to safely gather for the first ever Moving Forward event. The event was a condensed version of the trip these youth earned (but was cancelled) to National 4-H Conference. The day included a lunch comprised of foods from 8 different countries, three community service projects, a Chinese tea ceremony demonstration, an awards banquet, and a personal CliftonStrengths assessment and book.

Donor support in 2020 made this event and numerous other opportunities for youth possible. Wil you embrace Kentucky 4-H this year by making a gift?