Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Life Skills
Growing Self-Sufficient Families
Courtney Jenkins, Cathy Sparks, Lacy May
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Food Preservation
Local Food Systems
4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Magoffin County consistently records one of the state's highest unemployment rates. In February 2016, Magoffin County ranked the highest at 21.6%, an alarming rate considering the second highest county rated 13.7%, evidencing a considerable deficit (www.kylmi.ky.gov).
Many factors have contributed to the county's high unemployment rate in recent years, namely the decline in the coal industry, resulting in an increasing number of the population seeking assistance in becoming more self-sufficient by developing life skills and honing in on home gardening, food preservation, sewing and financial education as a means of reducing costs and providing for their families.
The County Extension Council and local leaders recognized this and identified a need for general life skills education to reduce the economic burdens placed on families in the community during these tough times.
*Adults and families will become more financially stable as a result of Extension programming.
*Adults and youth will become competent in home gardening and food preservation.
*Adults and youth will make positive contributions to the community and share their skills with others to sustain a better quality of life.
*Participants will become more proficient in utilizing the skills learned to become more self-sufficient.
*More individuals will begin growing and preserving their own food.
*Youth and adults will understand the importance of financial management and begin working toward a more financially stable future.
*Individuals will share their knowledge with others.
*Individuals will learn life skills (i.e. home gardening, food preservation, basic sewing, and financial management) through Extension programs.
*Participants will learn the importance of self-sufficiency and financial education.
*Youth will develop a better understanding of finances and budgeting.
Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge of home gardening, food preservation, sewing and financial education.
Indicator: Number of clients attending and being actively engaged in educational sessions.
Method: Observation and informal surveys
Timeline: Upon completion of the educational sessions.
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will begin utilizing the life skills they have learned.
Indicator: Increased communication on the subject in which clients demonstrate an understanding of the subject matter.
Method: Written surveys
Timeline: Upon completion of an educational series.
Long-term Outcome: Individuals reporting greater financial stability.
Indicator: Dollars saved on food-related purchases and other savings as a result of learned skills.
Method: Written surveys
Timeline:6-12 months after completion of educational series
Audience: Adults and Youth
Projector Activity: Gardening Classes
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening & Master Gardener
Inputs: UK CES Agents, CES Publications, Grant Funds
Date: Spring/Summer/Fall
Audience: Adults
Projector Activity: Food Preservation Classes
Content or Curriculum: Food Preservation Publications
Inputs: UK CES Agents, CES Publications, Grant Funds
Date: Summer
Audience: Youth
Projector Activity: Reality Store and Dollars and Sense
Content or Curriculum: "It's Your Reality" & "Dollars and Sense" Curriculums
Inputs: UK CES Agents
Date: Fall/Spring
Audience: Adults and Youth
Projector Activity: Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: CES Country Ham Publications
Inputs: UK CES Agents, UK CES Specialists, CES Publications
Date: January-August
Audience: Adults and Youth
Projector Activity: Beginner's Sewing
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Sewing
Inputs: UK CES Agents, Volunteers, CES Publications
Date: January-March
Author: Lacy May
Major Program: 4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
The results of the Kentucky Extension Community Assessment survey found that residents of Magoffin County are concerned that the youth of their county lack life skills. In particular many youth lack money management, life decision making skills, and general consumer knowledge. In Magoffin County only 10.1% of the population aged 25 and over have a bachelor’s degree while only 69% have earned a high school diploma. The average salary of a woman in Magoffin County is only
Author: Cathy Sparks
Major Program: Food Preparation
The Magoffin County Extension Office was without a Family and Consumer Sciences agent for a little over 3 years, after an agent transferred. Even though local homemakers made every effort to keep the county homemaker’ clubs active and vital, the numbers in each of the clubs dwindled away considerably. The total enrollment in homemakers got down into the 30’s for countywide membership. After the hiring of a new agent, many efforts have been made to increase the membe
