Leading the way
Published 12:27 pm Thursday, June 28, 2018
Catherine Weaver loves seeing her 4-H students succeed
Summer 2018 | 2 1
DIFFERENCE MAKER
rowing up in Lexington,
Catherine
Weaver was raised
attending 4-H summer
camps and said with her
involvement in the program
through high school she
knew agriculture was the career
path she wanted to take.
Attending the University of
Kentucky, Weaver applied
for a job in Jessamine County
after a position opened up
for a local 4-H agent and has
continued working as the
only agent in the county for
almost 14 years.
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“One of the reasons I love this job is it
allows me to be involved in building confidence
and leadership in young people,”
Weaver said. “I believe 4-H gives youth a
place to belong, and an important adult
in their lives. That may be me, or it may be one of our countless
volunteers who gives time to the program.”
Weaver said through involvement with 4-H, young people
in the community can experience what it feels like to be
built up instead of torn down, a skill she believes is vital to
their future.
“I think 4-H works hard, as do other youth organizations,
to ensure we are producing quality citizens for tomorrow,”
Weaver said. “4-H builds confidence, helps members believe
in themselves, gives them the opportunity to master a skill,
give back to those in need and learn to succeed in a hard
world.”
As the only 4-H agent in Jessamine County, Weaver said it
is hard work sometimes to spread herself out in order
to accomplish all that is required of her. Although she
said all the responsibility falls on her shoulders, with
it she also has complete control over the program and
that can actually work out to be an advantage.
“I have an amazing co-worker, Abby, who works
as a 4-H program assistant,” Weaver said. “She really
allows our program to reach further than if it
was me alone. We also utilize a volunteer base to
help overcome being a single 4-H agent county. We
have worked hard to build a diverse, impactful 4-H
program. I think we are so successful because both
myself and Abby have a passion for this job, for impacting
young people, and for working hard to give
youth experiences that help them succeed. We have
a great attitude and that shows to our members and
the community.”
Weaver said her favorite aspect of being able to
work in the 4-H community is watching how the
program can change children’s lives. From standing
up and giving a speech for the first time,
to staying at a camp for a whole week even
though they are homesick, or seeing a high
school student run for a leadership program,
Weaver said the skills learned in 4-H are
needed now more than ever.
When asked what moments throughout
the years stand out the most, Weaver said
some of the best days are when she sees her
4-H students succeed.
“When I’ve watched some of our youth be
elected to state 4-H office,” Weaver said. “Or
when I’ve spent a week at camp with one of
our former campers who becomes summer
camp staff. When I see the little girl who was
scared to death to give her first speech eventually
stand up and speak in front of nearly
100 people as a high school student, or when
I see our kids win grand champion at the
Kentucky State Fair with their animal projects.
My best days are when 4-H’ers succeed.”
Weaver said she hopes to see the 4-H program
continue to grow in the county and offer
more programs to the youth who wish to
become involved.
“I just look forward to continuing new and
innovative programs that give youth a place
to belong and be successful,” Weaver said.
“To grow more we need more caring volunteers
to step up and start programs. We can
only reach so far as employees, so the need for
good, safe, caring adults is vital. We continue
to add programs as times change. We want
to remain relevant, so as technology increases
we add programming to meet that. We (continue
to) change what we teach based on the
relevance to youth today.”
