Extension
It Starts With Us
Effective Resource Management
Family and Agricultural Economics
Daniels, Coffey, Dengel, Moses, Robinson
Farm Management
Ag Marketing
Managing in Tough Times
Securing Financial Stability (general)
The Kentucky, as well as the national, economy entered into a period of prolonged recession in December 2007. During the period of economic recession and in the continued slow recovery, Kentucky consistently lagged behind other areas of the United States in household economic indicators, including personal income, population living below the poverty line, and unemployment rates. Many individuals, families, and households were unprepared to manage the rapidly changing economic conditions. Many household financial strategies employed prior to the recession most likely made them more vulnerable during the period of economic crisis.
Whitley County has an unemployment rate of 9.5% according to the Kentucky Data Profiles. In 2014, the median income for families were $22,000 to $38,000 per year according to the US Census Data. Also, 27.3% of families with children are living below the poverty level in Whitley County.
The Census of Agriculture data reports that 157 Farm Operators reported net gains in 2012, but most had net losses. Keeping good records and having good farm, family, and personal management systems in place can increase quality of life. The Whitley County Cooperative Extension will use the Managing in Tough Times Curriculum and MoneyWise publications to help awareness on how to use resources better. Radio Ads and newsletter articles will include information about saving money in both the family and on the farm.
Families and Farmers will use resources more efficiently.
Families and Farmers will save time and money as a result of changed behaviors.
Families, Farmers, and individuals improve their quality of life by changing attitudes.
Families and Farmers adopt recommended practices to help them save time and money relating to household and farm management.
Households and farmers practice techniques to help them improve quality of family life.
Individuals adopt attitudes that foster healthy communication skills among family members.
Families and Farmers identify techniques to improve money management.
Families and Farmers locate spending leaks in their current budget.
Long-Term Outcome:
Indicator: Families and Farmers create better consumer habits and savings
Method: CEDIK Economical Surveys, Pre/Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2018-2020
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Families and Farmers apply education about budgets into daily life.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2017-2018
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Families and Farmers recognize areas to improve savings.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2015-2017
Audience: County Homemakers
Project or Activity: Homemakers leaders present Special Interest lessons to teach skills that help individuals make better use of resources
Content or Curriculum: Lessons such as chair Seating (Cane, Reed); Quilting; Sewing; and Needlework
Inputs: Agents, Leaders
Date: Monthly
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Budgeting programs (Coupoining; Food Spending) to help families on limited incomes and others interested to save money and reduce debt.
Content or Curriculum: UK Programs; NEP Food Spending
Inputs: Agent, UK Specialists
Date: As Requested
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Budgeting Classes
Content or Curriculum: MoneyWi$e
Inputs: Daniels, Coffey, Robinson, Dengel, Moses
Date: May-July
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Grocery Store Tours/Budget
Content or Curriculum: NEP Curriculum, MoneyWi$e
Inputs: NEP Assistant, Daniels
Date: January
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Small Steps to Health and Wealth
Content or Curriculum: Small Steps to Health and Wealth
Inputs: Daniels
Date: Fall
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Holiday Budgeting
Content or Curriculum: Stretching Your Holiday Dollar
Inputs: Daniels
Date: November-December
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: "Managing in Tough Times" Radio Spots and Newspaper Articles
Content or Curriculum: UK Resource Programs; MITT
Inputs: Agents, UK Specialists
Date: Continuous
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project of Activity: Estate Planning Series/Workshop
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Homemaker Lesson, UK Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, UK Specialists
Date: November/February
Audience: Whitley County Residents ages 18-55
Project or Activity: Master Homesteaders
Content or Curriculum: Combination of all programming with emphasis on low inputs and healthy land management
Inputs: All agents, volunteers, UK pubs, and classroom materials
Date: 2018
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Foraging Classes
Content or Curriculum: Learn how to forage for food in the woods to increase food security and resiliency
Inputs: Foraging specialist, Horticulture Agent, and woodland areas
Date: 2016 – 2020
Author: Matti Coffey
Major Program: Securing Financial Stability (general)
Every season of the year is brought about with a significant Holiday. Whether it be the Forth of July, Thanksgiving, or family birthdays, holidays come with a hefty cost sometimes. According to the National Retail Federation, spending for winter holidays could reach $720 billion this year. This is between a 4.3 and 4.8 percent increase from last year. Locally, you wonder how individuals and families make it through the holiday season without getting in so much debt.The Whitley County Family and
Author: Matti Coffey
Major Program: Estate Planning
According to a study by BMO WealthManagement, 52 percent of Americans do not have a will and 40 percent of parents have not had a conversation about estate planning needs with their family. Only 28 percent knew their parent's "legacy wishes." While these statistics are staggering, it makes you self reflect about your own situation. A request was made by a community member to learn more about estate planning and how to prepare better for any situation that could arise.Because of thi
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Youth Forestry and Natural Resource Education
The 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRESci) Academy is a three-year program designed to teach middle-school age youth about their natural environment. In 2011, the Academy began as a pilot 4-H program with 18 scholars from eight eastern counties. As of 2018, the Academy has grown to a statewide 4-H program with 65 scholars and ambassadors from 20 counties.The main objectives of the program are that participants, referred to as scholars and ambassadors, will Have a greater
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Forages
From ID 143, Rotational Grazing, we learn that rotational grazing can help Kentucky farmers increase forage productivity, which can increase yield of animal products per acre and may increase profit margins for forage-based farming systems. At the same time, rotational grazing has the potential to accomplish the following: reduce cost of machinery, fuel, and facilities, reduce supplemental feeding and pasture waste, improve monthly pasture distribution and yield, improve animal waste distributio
