Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Aubrey Lawson
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Clark County 4-H Agent offered two sessions of a four-day 4-H quilting day camp series this summer to thirteen youth. The development of life skills such as sewing has been shown to increase hand/eye coordination, improve critical thinking skills, develop creative thinkers and serve as an expressive art form (Rohmah et al., Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 2020). By learning to complete sewing projects youth develop confidence and a sense of accomplishment by
Author: Shannon Farrell
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
4-H LifeSmarts is the ultimate consumer challenge for 4-Her’s in 6th-12th grades. Like academic style competition, team members are quizzed in topics of technology, consumer rights, health and safety, environment, and finance. Harrison County’s 4-H Varsity team competed in the 2024 state competition (online contest) in January. As the highest placing varsity team in the state, Harrison County was honored to represent Kentucky at the National LifeSmarts competition held in San Diego,
Author: Lisa Hagman
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
In our increasingly interconnected world, young people must acquire the knowledge and skills to engage effectively. Local economies now rely more than ever on international resources, and those who thrive in this interconnected economy are adaptable individuals who embrace multiculturalism. Passport Kitchen is a program designed to help young people take their first steps in developing these skills. It not only promotes family mealtime but also fosters life readiness skills. For
Author: Deana Reed
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Describe the Issue or Situation: Family Magazine reports that 76% of middle school age youth are babysitting either family members or other’s children. Childcare training provides life skills in parenting. Babysitting is often a youth’s first gainful employment experience.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable): The Meade County Cooperative Extension Service 4-H program offered an 8 hour 4-H Babysitting Basics programs at Stuart
Author: Millie Ledford
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
In the state of KY, only 8.9% of adults consume two or more fruits and three or more vegetables daily. To increase this percentage, the Boyle County Nutrition Education Program Assistant partnered with the Danville Housing Authority to do a seven-week program using the curriculum Healthy Choices for Everybody. During the seven-week series, the NEP assistant went to the housing authority to have participants try new recipes with various vegetables and fruits. She also taught nutrition education l
Author: Millie Ledford
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
In Boyle County, the poverty rate is at 14.8%. This statistic sparked a partnership idea for the Nutrition Education Program Assistant. The Boyle County Nutrition Education Program Assistant partnered with Haven Care, a center for young and expecting mothers. A 7-week program was started using the curriculum Healthy Choices for Everybody. The NEP Assistant focused on lessons regarding food safety and preparing meals on a budget to help participants stretch their food dollars and increase food se
Author: Lucas Powell
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Lexington Traditional Magnet School identified a need for financial literacy education among its student population. After meeting with the youth service coordinator, we decided that the Reality Store Program would be a great fit for their 7th-grade class, with 85 students. Lexington Traditional Magnet School has a highly diverse student population. During the program, students are randomly given a career, the gross salary, and any education requirements for their job. Students are also ran
Author: Kimberly Harriford
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The problem was the lack of knowledge regarding nutrition, hygiene, and basic well-being.The educational program response was educating four different on nutrition, hygiene, and basic well-being.The participants/target audience was youth of various ages.Other partners (if applicable)Program impact or participant response was presentations on nutrition, hygiene, and basic well-being. Lifeskills Inc., Lincoln Way, Active Day, and Medical Center Adult Day Care all located in Bowl
Author: Crystal Smith
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Whitesburg- Letcher County is very rural and in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains many of the youth have no clue how much work it takes to produce food or where food comes from. The partnership with both school systems, Gear-up, promise zone, and the FRYSC at each of the schools Appalachian Heritage Days is being revamped in Letcher County. Wood crafters, coal miners, farmer's, local artist, beekeeping, foresters, quilters, and firefighters. Each youth was able to sample fresh mad
Author: Kennedy Hannah
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
With the growing cost of everyday foods and our relicense on fast food, lunch and leans are unique and effective way to teach nutritional concepts and basic cooking skills in a community setting. Growing intake in fast food can cause digestive issues, calorie intake, and many health risk. These sessions educate us how to cook right, eat healthy, how many ways we can cook a particular thing and not get bored up of eating the same food but cooked in a different way. Once a month homemak
Author: Mary Beth Riley
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
This summer, Kentucky 4-H Poultry Program partnered with 4-H programs from Livingston, Lyon, Crittenden, and Caldwell counties to host a highly successful BBQ Chicken Camp. Aimed at empowering youth with essential cooking skills, the camp attracted 16 young participants who gained hands-on experience in grilling and food safety.According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, developing cooking skills early in life is a strong predictor of better nutrition-relat
Author: Amanda Clark
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Describe the Issue or Situation.Cooking classes for youth have surged in popularity for several reasons including interest in culinary skills, independence, and hands-on experience. Cooking is essential to learn at a young age for nutritional awareness, creativity, problem-solving skills, and career exploration. Junior Chef has been offered at the Fayette County Extension office for six weeks from September 4th to October 9th for youth ages 9-13. This club offered cooking skills, kitchen safety,
