Arkansas 4-H Volunteer Conference
November 7-9, 2025
Get ready and mark your calendars for November 7-9, 2025! This conference is designed
specifically for Arkansas 4-H volunteers, with the goal of providing quality resources,
impactful workshops, engaging social programs, hands-on learning, and so much more.
We want volunteers to not only learn new skills and ideas to take back and use with
their own programs, but to network with fellow volunteers and have an amazing time.
Located at the beautiful Vines Center in Ferndale, this conference is the perfect opportunity to relax, learn, and engage. Topics will include best practices, Healthy Living, STEM, Agriculture and Civic Engagement programming, youth safety, research-based modeling, volunteer mental health and so much more. Join us, you won't want to miss it.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION Submit a Workshop Proposal
Keynote Speakers
Ken Culp, III
Dr. Ken Culp, III is Principal Extension Specialist for Volunteerism, Evaluation, and Curriculum Development for Cooperative Extension at the University of Kentucky. He supports 146 4-H Agents who involve 16,418 youth and adult volunteers. A native of Rensselaer, IN, Ken was born and raised on a 2000-acre livestock and grain farm. He received his B.S. and M.S. in Animal Sciences and his Ph.D. in Educational Foundations and Administration, all from Purdue University. Ken has 37 years of experience in volunteer administration, volunteer development and leadership development. He is a consultant, educator and keynote speaker and has presented more than 400 workshops and seminars since 1996 in 43 states, Canada, England, Japan and South Korea and has published 46 articles in six professional journals.
He developed a series of graduate courses in volunteer administration and was the principal investigator in a national, longitudinal study that created the Volunteer Research, Knowledge & Competency Taxonomy. Ken served four years on the Kentucky Commission of Community Volunteerism and Service and four years on the Ohio Governor’s Community Service & Volunteerism Council.
Ken and his wife Nancy have three daughters, a granddaughter and two grandsons. The Culp girls are actively involved in the family farm and also have farms of their own; raising and showing Chiangus, Chianina, Angus, Hereford and Maintainer cattle nationwide.
Lisbeth Bello
Lisbeth Bello is a bilingual education professional and community advocate committed
to expanding opportunities for youth and families across Arkansas. She currently serves
as the TRIO Talent Search Student Development Specialist at the University of Arkansas
at Little Rock, where she supports first-generation and underserved students in achieving
their educational goals. With a background in ESL instruction, student leadership,
and program coordination, Lisbeth has led initiatives ranging from college readiness
workshops to food security programs. Her passion for positive youth development is
rooted in her own lived experience and the mentors who shaped her journey.
Lisbeth holds a Master's in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership. She has been recognized for her leadership and teaching and actively contributes to community efforts as Co-Chair of Communications for Bien Pilas through the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, among other volunteer roles. Whether in the classroom or the community, Lisbeth leads with purpose, creativity, and a belief that every young person deserves a champion.
Workshops
Workshops will be updated here as they are submitted.
Dr. Amanda Terrell, University of Arkansas
Join Dr. Amanda Terrell, Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Arkansas, for an interactive workshop exploring how Positive Youth Development (PYD) principles can be applied to prepare youth for an increasingly complex future. Drawing from cutting-edge research on youth development in changing social and educational landscapes, participants will learn a conceptual framework for supporting youth through four essential components: tangible skillsets, developmental competencies, balanced pathways, and growth-oriented mindsets. The workshop begins with an overview of current youth development trends and challenges, followed by collaborative discussions where participants will apply these concepts to brainstorm innovative 4-H activities and identify resource needs. Whether you work directly with youth or develop programming, you'll leave with practical strategies to help young people thrive in rapidly evolving educational, social, and workplace environments.
JeAlberne Smith, UADA
The Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge is an exciting, fast-paced cooking competition that challenges youth to think on their feet, work as a team, and apply nutrition knowledge and culinary skills to create a delicious dish from a surprise set of ingredients. More than just a cooking contest, the Food Challenge teaches critical life skills like decision-making, communication, budgeting, and healthy meal planning — all while building confidence and creativity in the kitchen. This fun, hands-on workshop is designed especially for volunteers who want to help youth teams succeed. Participants will learn the ins and outs of the Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge, discover tips and tricks for coaching young chefs, and gain practical ideas for guiding teams from practice sessions to competition day. To put these skills into action, volunteers will take part in a mock Food Challenge, experiencing firsthand the teamwork, time management, and creativity that make this event so rewarding for 4-H’ers and mentors alike.
Funshops
Topics will be updated as they are submitted.
Curriculum & Share Fair
Topics will be updated as they are submitted.
Support this conference!
Programs like these cannot happen without the support of amazing donors. Every dollar you donate goes towards programs that not only help volunteers succeed, but benefit and enhance youth safety, positive youth development and positive community enrichment.
