Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Tyrone Gentry
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Rising Chefs Learn Culinary SkillsCreating a healthy community starts with preparing youth with skills to make positive decisions about their lifestyles. Youth who knows how to interpret a recipe, modify it as necessary, and select healthy ingredients will have a better understanding of how to make wise health choices. Green County 4-H sought out the Super Star Chef program to offer these important skills to our youth. The three-day intensive camp introduces youth to new foods as they pre
Author: Raymond Cox
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Many families in Harlan County were using car seats that were outdated and in very bad condition. Many of the families were low income and could not afford to buy a new car seat. The Harlan County 4-H Agent applied for a grant in 2015 through "Buckle Up For Life" from Toyota and Cincinnatti Children's Hospital for car seats. The grant was awarded in 2015 in the amount of 65 convertible seats and 26 booster seats. The first Grant was such a huge success we applied for a
Author: Molly Jordan
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
In Bracken County, there are very few after school care options for children. According to the US Census Bureau, the average commute for work in Bracken County is 34.1 minutes. Considering that the majority of working parents have schedules that do not revolved around school hours, finding suitable after school care options sometimes aren’t available. I was approached by the 4th Grade teacher at Augusta Independent Schools on doing a school enrichment program. When I told her about so
Author: Lora Stewart
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Every day young people make critical choices that affect their health. What they see and hear in the media can have a profound effect on their decisions, according to Media Smart Youth. The Upper Elementary Librarian asked for a program that would incorporate health and the media. The Media Smart Youth: Eat, Think, and Be Active! is designed to teach children the skills they need to understand and critically evaluate media messages. Every 3rd, 4th,and 5th grader in Gallatin County Uppe
Author: Ola Donahue
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Alternative schools are essentially specialized educational environments that place a great deal of emphasis on small classrooms, high teacher-to-student ratios, individualized instruction, noncompetitive performance assessments, and less structured classrooms (Raywid 1983). The purpose of these schools is to provide academic instruction to students expelled or suspended for disruptive behavior or weapons possession, or who are unable to succeed in the mainstream school environment (Ingersoll an
Author: Mary Jane Little
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
The GEM curriculum (Get Experience in Mindfulness) is national 4-H curriculum that provides tools for educators to enable students with stress and coping mechanisms. Mason County 4-H hosted a 6 week program at St. Patrick's school for 7th and 8th graders. The lessons entail stress recognition and management, anxiety recognition and grounding techniques, how to identify stress triggers, and personality tests to get to know how others may experience stress. Students worked through individual a
Author: Catherine Webster
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Simpson County 4-H brought the State 4-H Blender Bike to Franklin for the second year in a row in the Fall 2019, at the request of the Simpson County School District. The bike was used at the FSMS Youth Health Fair where 250 6th graders experienced the bike and sampled a fruit smoothie they made while pedaling. Over 1000 students & parents attended the school district's Night of Innovation where 300 participants experienced the Blender Bike and sampled salsa they made while p
Author: Alexandria Bryant
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Kentucky’s obesity rate for children ages 10-17 has increased to over 21% and youth need healthy cooking and eating habits now more than ever (Trust for Americas Health, 2011). According to the American Heart Association, teaching youth how to prepare their own food will give them a skill they can use for a lifetime, they will be more likely to eat healthier as adults, and build self-confidence. (Cooking With Your Children; Web MD; May 30, 2008.) In order to address these needs and provide
Author: Shelley Meyer
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Health is one of the “H’s” in 4-H and therefore Pendleton County strives to incorporate physical activity and health wellness as a major 4-H programming effort. Physical fitness combats obesity, offsets sedentary life styles, and improves mental health. Pendleton County 4-H fitness programming has impacted males and females fourth through twelfth grade and includes individuals of all races (white, black, Hispanic, Asian) as well as youth with special needs. &n
Author: Alissa Ackerman
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
According to the Center for Disease Control, hand-washing can prevent the spread of 1 in 5 flu, cold as well as numerous other infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many local communities and schools were concerned for the safety and health of their students and families. A local school requested a hygiene program to provide students with skills needed during this uncertain time. By collaborating with the local hospital, Family Youth Resource Centers and 4-H Teen Club, the 4-H Agent im
Author: Mary S Averbeck
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
This past fall a series of 4-H hands-on cooking classes were held at City Heights, a local public housing community isolated from the city of Covington due to its location high on a hill. Youth made pizza, pancakes, chicken tacos, soup and more as they learned nutrition information about each food. Enthusiasm and interest were high. Youth learned proper measuring methods, knife skills and other practical cooking skills. Youth tried everything they made, even if it was a
Author: Rebecca Stahler
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Throughout its hundred plus years of existence, 4-H Youth Development has a wealth of experience in creating opportunities through which young people can build their capacities. 4-H has engaged children and teenagers in "learning by doing" through fun and hands-on learning environments, such as 4-H School Clubs. Still it remains rooted in certain enduring elements, which have been essential to youth's positive development. Opportunities offered for skill, personal
Author: Alexandria Bryant
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
COVID-19 is a public health crisis for both physical and mental well-being. According to David Weisenhorn, UK Senior Specialist for Parenting and Child Development, “the uncertainty around COVID-19 is even harder for children.” Breckinridge County 4-H aimed to support mental health among youth during this crisis while following CDC and social distancing guidelines. The goal of the 4-H program was to provide hands-on programming for youth, using digital and non-digital opportunities.
Author: Ryan Farley
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
There is a strong need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Woodford County. The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, court cases, and medical/financial consequences of drug abuse continue to negatively impact a large number of families in the community. To continue addressing the variety of substance abuse issues impacting our community, the Woodford County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with Woodford County Schools to
Author: Esther "Susan" Turner
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Healthy living is one of three 4-H mission mandates and encompasses physical activity, personal safety, mental health, addiction prevention, and diversity and inclusion In Kentucky 37% of youth ages 10-17 are overweight or obese, and 51% report not exercising regularly. In an effort to instill the habit of daily movement in children at an early age, the 4-H Youth Development Agent partnered with a local elementary school to offer a series of exercise programs during the school day when the
Author: Esther "Susan" Turner
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
According to the Kentucky Health Facts, one of the critical health challenge facing Monroe County is that our population is obese. Understanding that obesity often begins in childhood, the Monroe County Extension Council identified the need to assist youth in developing healthy habits in nutrition and exercise as a key area of focus for Monroe County 4-H Youth Development. The 4-H Youth Development Agent delivers nutrition programming to over ninety youth ages three to five in the Head Start pro
Author: Louis Milligan
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
The 2nd Grade Team at Rangeland Elementary contacted Me about programming opportunities available through Kentucky State University 4-H Program. A Needs Assessment was sent to teachers to determine the needs of the teachers and students. The assessment determined that teachers wanted robotics, nutrition, and leadership activities. A meeting was held with team and it was determined that due to the demographics of the school and the issues they are having with food security among
Author: Lee Ann McCuiston
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Kids in the Kitchen is a new program provided by the Todd County Extension Office that is teaching kids how to cook healthy snacks and meals in the kitchen as well as bring parents together at the end of each class to taste and learn from their child/children. This proggram also developed their self-confidence and built skills such as reading, math, and following instructions while also teaching about nutrition, hand washing and safety. Todd County Extension's Kids in the Kitchen
Author: Novella Froman
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
4-H Walking Program Helps Teens Deal with Covid-19:“If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health.”-SocratesA healthy workforce was one of the needs identified by the Pike County Extension Council. 4-H Council parents expressed concern over the obesity and health of our 4-H Teen Leadership members. For that reason, in February, we started a 4-H Teen Walking Chal
Author: Kindra Jones
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Summer for Kentucky youth has been slightly different for 2020, as parents have had to find new ways to occupy their children’s time. Covid-19 has shut down many of the summer recreational activities that parents and youth look forward to, like pools and playgrounds. Many people have added a small pool to their back yard, are spending more time on the nearby lakes, or trying to stay cool anyway they can while not being coped up inside. But when families go to community pools or participate
Author: Sarah Redmon
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
1 in 3 youth deal with anxiety and 1 in 5 youth deal with depression. Many factors can contribute to mental health such as bullying, home life, friends. We are very fortunate in Scott County that we have an alternative school for middle and high school students. This school allows youth in Scott County with these disorders to be able to continue their education with smaller classrooms, flexible schedules, and ability to allow outside groups to come in and provide positiv
Author: Sarah Redmon
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Promoting physical activity and healthy eating is a vital component to Scott County Cooperative Extension Office plan of work. While many of our summer programs have been cancelled due to Covid-19, Scott County 4-H Agent and Nutrition Education Program Assistant Senior worked together to ensure those youth that apart of the under served audience are receiving information about physical fitness and healthy eating. Together the Scott County 4-H Agent and the Nutrition Education Program Assistant p
Author: William Adkins
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
In March of 2020 Kentucky declared a state of emergency because of a global pandemic and we were told to shelter at home. Due to this order, traditional Extension programming had to be put on hold, but the need for research-based information was greater than ever. In addition to answering phone calls and communicating through social media, the Laurel County Cooperative Extension offered 10 programs in To-Go Bags. Families were offered a different bag and topic each week.
Author: Joe Maynard
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
According to kentuckyhealthfacts.org Martin County has an obesity rate of 65%. Kentucky as a state is 35%. This is an alarmingly high number. Healthy Living is one of three 4-H mission mandates. Physical activity is a component of this mandate. Providing physical education to Martin County Youth is very important.“Moderate physical activity can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, stress and high blood pressure. Physically active peop
Author: Carrie Derossett
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Success Story 2020Rachel Hance, Carrie Derossett, Leann MartinBackpack ProjectChildren are our future. They, like everyone else, need access to health care, education and nutrition essential for appropriate growth and development. Unfortunately, not all children have these benefits. Many children go to school every day hungry and return home to face the same circumstances.In the United States, nearly 13 million children face hunger every day. According to “Map the
Author: Carrie Derossett
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Rachel Hance, Carrie Derossett, Leann Martin, Paige AlexanderSuccess Story 2020Family Fun at the Farmer’s MarketAccording to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Feeding America, Kentucky and Logan County have a significant number of children and adolescents that fall under the classification of overweight or obese (16.1% overweight and 20.0% obese adolescents and 16% overweight and 15.9% obese children ages 2-5 years). There is also a large percentage of youth that do not e
Author: Christy Eastwood
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Obesity is a concern in communities all across the Commonwealth. According to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation more than 1 in 3 children in Kentucky is overweight or obese. Studies show that overweight kids are likely to become overweight or obese adults. There are a lot of reasons for obesity: bad eating habits, poor nutrition and low or no physical activity. This trifecta puts our community’s children at risk for serious health issues that start when they are y
Author: Rebecca Stahler
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
According to the 2020 Kids Counts data for Kentucky 38% of teens (ages 10-17) are overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese can compromise a child’s overall health and wellbeing even as adults. This percentage has increased since the last report. Therefore, health and nutrition continue to be a focus for the Boyd County 4-H program.Ashland Middle School completed its third consecutive year of health and nutrition 4-H programming in spring 2020. All 239 student
Author: Mary S Averbeck
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
This past fall a series of 4-H hands-on cooking classes were held at City Heights, a local public housing community isolated from the city of Covington due to its location high on a hill. Youth made pizza, pancakes, chicken tacos, soup and more as they learned nutrition information about each food. Enthusiasm and interest were high. Youth learned proper measuring methods, knife skills and other practical cooking skills. Youth tried everything they made, even if it was a
Author: Paula Tarry
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
“The suicide rate of 10-14 year old's is up over 300% since the introduction of the iPhone/Android and the explosion of social media. 50% of high school kids have sent a nude image to a stranger if first asked (SOKC). There is a fight every parent must face to save the future of your children.” This information was provided by Michael Lemon founder of Cyber Safe Teen Nation. .Even with these statistics and an important message to tell, it is difficult to get people to attend meet
Author: Isaac Hilpp
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Situation: The Commonwealth of Kentucky has several strengths in the realm of health and wellness such as a high rate of high school graduation, a low prevalence of excessive drinking, and a low violent crime rate. However, there are many areas of concern for the commonwealth such as a high prevalence of physical inactivity, frequent mental distress, and cancer death rate. These areas of concern can to an extent be contributed to a rise in the rate of obesity from 20% to 36.6% of adult
Author: Anna Meador
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
The Allen County 4-H Program hosted the Veggies, Racecars & Healthy Living – 3, 2, 1 … Let’s Go!!! Class at the Allen County Library on September 24, 2019. Allen County 4-H partnered with the Library Learning Series for a fun-filled afternoon discussing the importance of veggies and healthy lifestyles with nineteen youth ages 4-11 and adult family members. Agent Anna led the young audience through a discussion of
Author: Ola Donahue
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
According to the Wired Family Group. (awiredfamily.org) A recent survey of youth 13-18 yrs old. When asked about the internet and their phones they gave the following response.• The number one app by far for teens is YouTube. • 25% of teens between the ages of 17-18 were sexting. • 21% of teens had been asked to send a naked photo • 22% had received an unrequested nude photo of the sender • 75% of all teens between 13-18 were allowed to take their phones into their
