Born in Texas, Paloma Culver was brought to Kentucky as a youth by a military family move. Paloma’s father strongly desired a horse and farm in this new state, and soon therein discovered the local Cooperative Extension Service. However, the family soon discovered that the Cooperative Extension Service provided much for the entire family. Starting her 4-H career in Cloverbuds, Paloma soon began exploring all areas of 4-H when her mother enrolled her in every 4-H opportunity available.
One of the most notable programs that ignited Paloma’s spark for leadership development was the Teen Leadership Academy. The Teen Leadership Academy was a five-county, area initiative that focused on building skills in communication, leadership, and civic engagement. After a dreaded speech requirement was over, Paloma fell in love with leadership and the relationships she built in the academy, and she wanted to do even more. Paloma went on to become the Kentucky 4-H State Treasurer in 2017, where she enhanced her leadership skills further.
Today Paloma is an entrepreneur with her own small business, “Cultivating Culver.” Paloma credits her foundation of leadership skills acquired in Kentucky 4-H with her success. Paloma states, “The icebreakers and officer training gave me the confidence to walk up to someone, shake their hand, and introduce myself. I learned how to network and make connections with others.”
4-H has even led her to give back to her community through a Women’s Small Business Group. “Through 4-H I learned how to facilitate and develop future businesses and local business development from one another, and we learn from one another by doing from others, just like in 4-H. We have learned by doing, supporting, and communicating with one another,” reports Paloma.
Today you can still find Paloma connected to 4-H. She is often found supporting her younger sister who is on the Kentucky 4-H State Leadership Council or at a Kentucky 4-H Foundation function, Paloma is never too far from 4-H.