November 16, 2023
First Year Reflections
Yesterday marked my one-year anniversary serving as the Kansas 4-H Youth Development Program Leader. I want to thank everyone for their support, honest feedback, patience, and assistance as we move Kansas 4-H Fourward Together.
As I reflect on the last year, I noticed we have had several themes, with one being moving Fourward Together. We have made great strides together this past year with building a good foundation for the youth of Kansas with the 4-H Youth Development Program. The progress that has been made over the last 12 months could not have been made without you! Thank you for your commitment.
Early 2023, I asked the Kansas 4-H State Team to pick out a word that would be our word for the year. The word that we agreed to was Hope. Merriam-Webster defines hope as “to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment,” “to expect with confidence,” and “desire accompanied by expectation of or believe in fulfillment.” As a State 4-H Team, we made it a goal to move Kansas 4-H forward, one baby step at a time. Throughout the last 11 months, we have done just that. While progress has been slow, we are moving forward one step at a time expecting to fulfill the goals set forth.
Additionally, we have seen the emerging vision of President Linton with One K-State, K-State 105, and President Linton’s strategic plan for Kansas State University being the “next-generation land-grant university.” Like I said at the Youth Development Program Focus Team meeting, this is an exciting time. The energy during Annual Conference was rejuvenating. All these things position Extension to shine more than ever before. While this may be scary, it is also very exhilarating.
Let’s keep “making the best better” as we move into 2024 and not lose sight of our vision and purpose.