Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening the Community
Community and Economic Development
Bell, Blankenship, Branstetter
Agritourism Planning
Economic Development
Local Food System Development and Mapping
Arts Engagement
Metcalfe County Extension Advisory Council members identified the following needs in our community with regard to community economic development opportunities: there is a lack of art and craft type workshops and opportunities for artists and crafters to make a living practicing their art or craft in Metcalfe County; there is a need for Extension to find ways to support small, low risk, innovative farm business start – up’s in our county.
Producers, crafters and artisans need more opportunity to showcase, exhibit and market their product.
Greater opportunity and community support/facilitation is available for individuals who are self-employed or for those with solid business plans for a business that can address an unmet service or need in the county. More small farm and non-traditional businesses will successfully begin operations in a supportive community environment.
Local community members will apply skills to develop tourism and arts enterprises through support of local residents with the talent and skills to provide these goods and services.
Small, innovative, low risk farm business start-ups will access information that supports their venture.
Community members increase knowledge and skills in the development of tourism, arts and other economic development activities in our community.
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Long Term Success of operation
Method: Personal follow - up
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Metcalfe County Residents
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County Floral Hall Adult and Youth open competitions.
Content/Curriculum: Metcalfe County Fair board and Extension guidelines for floral hall Ag competitions. Rules and class guidelines for the Floral Hall Adult and Youth Open event.
Inputs: Volunteer time, Extension office staff time, Extension FCS Agent time, Extension office space, Metcalfe County Fair board funds
Date: June 2018
Audience: General Population
Propject/Activity: Edmonton, KY BiCentennial Celebration
Content/Curriculum: Community Planning committee guidelines, Chamber of Commerce festival procedures
Inputs: Extension Agent time; extension office staff time; community volunteer time; Extension District Board resources
Date: September 7 - 9, 2018
Audience: General Population
Project or Activity: Metcalfe Proud Festival
Content or Curriculum: Content developed by local committee
Inputs: Agents, Community Members, Volunteers, Producers
Date: June 2018
Audience: General Population
Project or Activity: Seven Springs Sorghum Festival
Content or Curriculum: Content developed by local committee
Inputs: Community Members, Volunteers, Exhibitors
Date: September 2018
Audience: General Population
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County Pumpkin Festival
Content or Curriculum: Content developed by local committee
Inputs :Community Members, Volunteers, Vendors
Date: October 2018
Audience: Exhibitors and General Public
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County Fair
Content or Curriculum: Fair Board/KDA Guidelines
Inputs:Fair Board, Agents, Volunteers, Exhibitors
Date: June 2018
Audience: Fruit and Vegetable Producers, local crafters, youth gardeners,
WIC and SNAP recipients, community member/customers
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County Farmer’s Market
Content or Curriculum: KDA Farmer’s Market Manual and Guidelines, GAP
training, SR & WICFMNP Voucher program training; HBMP training
Inputs: Agents, volunteers
Date: March - October 2017 - 2020
Audience: Metcalfe County Residents interested in sustainable gardening
and community gardening
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County Extension Sustainable Community
Garden Project
Content or Curriculum: SNAP Gardening curriculum; FCS and ANR
Extension Horticulture Publications; USDA materials
Inputs: FCS and ANR Extension Agent time, community member volunteer time, in-kind newspaper PR; Extension
District Board Property for garden space; Metcalfe Co. Extension District
Budget funds for project implementation, Extension farmer’s Market
pavilion storage space for garden tools, SNAP incentive items, SNAP
reimbursement funds, Extension Agent program funds, Extension office
water source and copying.
Date: March – October, Annually
Author: Lynn Blankenship
Major Program: Economic Development
The Metcalfe County Farmer’s Market was started by Lynn Blankenship and Brandon Bell, Metcalfe County Extension Agents for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education and Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) in 2007 at the suggestion of interested community members. Over ten years, we have grown our Farmers Market from a free venue with limited structure, for a few local gardeners to sell some of their extra produce into a thriving, two day per week, April – October Farmers Marke
