Success Stories By MajorProgram FY2025Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025
4-H Middle School Health with former 4-H member
Author: Diane Kelley
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
The U.K., Cooperative Extension Service and a former Kenton County 4-H member who is a current middle school teacher planned and executed educational programs for middle school health students in Kenton County. The Kenton County Extension Council, the 4-H Council, and the 2023 Expansion and Review committee surveys identified health among youth as an important life skill and the 4-H program should continue to provide educational opportunities. The U.K. CES 4-H agent (Kelley) cooperat
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F.I.E.S.T.A. Back to School Event
Author: Laila El-Amin
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
Describe the Issue or Situation.There are families in Northern Kentucky who need assistance with getting school supplies for their children. On Saturday, August 11, 2024, a back to school event was held by the F.I.E.S.T.A. (Family, Inclusion, Education, Society, Tradition, and Access) organization at the Boone County Enrichment Center. They gave away backpacks and partnered with local organizations to give away school supplies to Northern Kentucky Hispanic families to help children succeed. In a
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Health Rocks
Author: Catherine Webster
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
For many years Extension leaders in Simpson Co. have identified drug education & prevention as a top priority for Extension to address. The Simpson Co. 4-H agent taught Health Rocks to the 6th grade at FSMS for six years. 4-H Health Rocks is a curriculum designed to reduce tobacco, alcohol, and drug use among youth ages 8 to 14. In 2023 the agent and the middle school piloted using three 4-H teens to teach the program. This was a progressive experience and leadership opportunity for the teen
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Progressive Ag Youth Safety Day
Author: Stacey Potts
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
Unintentional injury, while declining, remains the leading cause of death among children ages 19 and under. (Source: Safekids.org) To raise awareness and demonstrate techniques children can use to prevent unintentional injury, the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service applied for and received a grant from the Progressive Agriculture Foundation to host a Progressive Agriculture Youth Safety Day. The grant provided access to training, along with educational and planning ma
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Christian County Leads the Way in Radon Awareness
Author: Kelly Jackson
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
The Christian County Extension Office partnered with the University of Kentucky College of Nursing and the Pennyrile Area Development District to help more people test their homes for radon. So far, 46 residents have utilized the free test kits. This effort shows how local partnerships can tackle big health risks.Radon is a natural gas that can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted—but it’s dangerous. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. The geology of Christi
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Kentucky 4-H Poultry Program BBQ Chicken Camp
Author: Rhonda Jewell
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
Kentucky 4-H Poultry Program BBQ Chicken CampThis summer, Kentucky 4-H Poultry Program partnered with 4-H programs from Caldwell, Crittenden, Livingston and Lyon 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
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4-H Health Science Career Exploration Club
Author: Dora Centers
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
In our rural community employment opportunities tend to be limited but one area our region has a high demand for is the healthcare industry. During the fall of 2024-25 program year the 4-H Health Science Club was established. The fall activity included a day with UK Physical Therapy collaborating with the UK Engineering Department the 4-Her’s created adaptions for toys for children with disabilities. In addition to club meetings and speakers in the field within the
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Fleming County Extension Heart Health Wellness Event
Author: Kaitlyn Fryman
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
Describe the Issue or Situation:Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in Kentucky, with rural communities facing significant challenges related to hypertension, poor dietary habits, and limited access to preventative care. Fleming County Extension recognized the need for increased community education and outreach around heart health, especially during American Heart Month.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable):The Fleming County Family and Co
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Tapping Into Health: How Maple Syrup Education Supports Healthier Food Choices and Agricultural Literacy in Children
Author: Lori Clark
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
Tapping Into Health: How Maple Syrup Education Supports Healthier Food Choices and Agricultural Literacy in ChildrenKentucky consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of childhood obesity and diet-related illness. According to the Kentucky Department for Public Health, approximately 37% of children aged 10–17 are considered overweight or obese. In addition, a 2020 survey by GENYOUth found that only 21% of American teens felt very knowledgeable about where their food comes
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Healthy Food Choices
Author: Christina Hogue
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
One problem facing our youth is obesity. Healthy eating habits are not always followed. To try to encourage healthy choices, Monroe County 4-H has partnered with Tompkinsville Elementary School’s Club (afterschool program). Many aspects of healthy living and healthy choices are covered, but activities relating to making the best food choices are the most popular among the youth. On March 19, 2025, a 4-H Teen ambassador and I visited TES with the activity Healthy Fo
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24-25 Casey Health Ambassador Program
Author: Meagan Klee
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
The Casey County 4-H Program in collaboration with the University of Kentucky Robert Wood Johnson Foundation created a Health Ambassador Program where high school students are trained on specific healthy habits and present to 3rd grade students in the Casey County Public Schools. High school students apply to be a Casey Health Ambassador, go through a selection process, and meet with the 4-H agent to understand the trainings and presentations in which are required for the ambassadors. The ambass
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Addressing Youth Mental Health in Clay County Through 4-H
Author: Alissa Ackerman
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
Mental health challenges among youth are an increasing concern in Kentucky and across the nation. According to the Kentucky Department of Education, 16% of youth struggle with depression and anxiety, and 17% of high school students have reported having thoughts of suicide. Recognizing the urgency of these issues, both the 4-H Council and the County Extension Council identified youth mental health as a critical area of focus.In response, Clay County Extension partnered with Clay County Public Sch
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Superstar Chef Day Camp
Author: Mary Harless
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System's 2023 Community Needs Assessment identified two top priorities for youth in Johnson County: reducing youth obesity through nutrition education and physical activity and increasing access to life skills training. According to Kentucky by the Numbers, more than 1,500 youth in Johnson County receive SNAP assistance. During the 2020–2021 school year, an average of 58.5% of high school graduates were eligible for free or reduced lunch
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Logan County 4-H Be the Best You Camp
Author: Maci Venable
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
Describe the Issue or Situation.Youth ages 8–13 often struggle with overall health, including nutrition, physical activity, and mental well-being. Outside of the school environment, there are limited opportunities for kids to open up about their emotions, try new healthy foods, or engage in physical activities that are fun and social, such as dancing. These gaps in support can hinder their development of lifelong healthy habits.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Par
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Progressive Ag Safety Day 2025
Author: Kindra Jones
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
Teaming together, the Grayson County ANR and 4-H Agent worked with the GC Board of Education, district 4th grade teachers and WRECC to bring Progressive Agriculture Safety Day to the students. Previously, Warren Rural Electric Cooperative already a program in the community that focused on student participation in a Safety Day, but with partnership and support through Progressive Agriculture, the agents and coordinators have been able to enhance the experience. This program is a nationally renown
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Reading and Recipes: Using Cooking to Strengthen Literacy for STEM Readiness
Author: Lori Clark
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
Reading and RecipesUsing Cooking to Strengthen Literacy for STEM Readiness Kenton County 4-H hosted a unique six-week program called “Reading and Recipes,” combining literacy and cooking to prepare 3rd grade students for the more rigorous scientific vocabulary and concepts they’ll encounter in 4th grade. The results were both inspiring and impactful.Many 3rd graders struggle with the academic language used in science, words like observe, temperature, dissolve, and mixture.
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Food for Thought
Author: Katie Mills
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
The Issue:Obesity is a large problem for many children in the United States. Some of the reasons for this is families not having the resources for healthy food options, resources for an appropriate diet, and youth only wanting to eat food that they are familiar with. According to americashealthrankings.org, there is a 33.3% obesity rate for Kentucky’s youth ages 10-17 putting Kentucky in 38th ranking. Through Extension, we want to help promote healthy living and have youth learn to thrive
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Food For Thought
Author: Mary Anne Garnett
Major Program: Health & Wellbeing
he Issue:Obesity is a large problem for many children in the United States. Some of the reasons for this is families not having the resources for healthy food options, resources for an appropriate diet, and youth only wanting to eat food that they are familiar with. According to americashealthrankings.org, there is a 33.3% obesity rate for Kentucky’s youth ages 10-17 putting Kentucky in 38th ranking. Through Extension, we want to help promote healthy living and have youth learn to thr
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