Strengthening the CommunityPlan of Work

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Metcalfe County CES

Title:
Strengthening the Community
MAP:
Community and Economic Development
Agents Involved:
Bell, Blankenship, Branstetter
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Agritourism Planning
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Economic Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Local Food System Development and Mapping
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Arts Engagement
Situation:

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. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

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. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

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. 

Initial Outcomes:

Community members increase knowledge and skills in the development of tourism, arts and other economic development activities in our community.

Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Long Term Success of operation

Method: Personal follow - up

Timeline: Ongoing

Learning Opportunities:


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 2019

Audience: General Population


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 2019


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 2019


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 2019

Audience: Mammoth Cave Area Homemakers 

    Project or Activity:  Amish Heritage Homemaker Leader Training

    Content or Curriculum:  FCS Agent compiled materials

    Inputs: FCS Extension Agent time, staff assistant time, mail out resources

    Date: January 2020 mail - out lesson


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 2019- 2020





Success Stories

Reality Store Impact

Author: Amy Branstetter

Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming

“The 4-H Reality Store is one of the greatest programs in 4-H that I have ever worked in my 4-H career. The impact and skills learned by our youth and adults is appreciation for careers and economic impact based upon an individual decision on his or her career choice.” (Says one of the Metcalfe County 4-H Volunteers)The Metcalfe County Reality Store strive to encourage positive financial management of all 7th and 8th grade youth at Metcalfe County Middle School. This collaborative ef

Full Story

Metcalfe County Farmers Market Early Season opening and safe operations during COVID 19

Author: Lynn Blankenship

Major Program: Local Food Systems

With a Farmers Market season opening of the first Friday in April annually, Metcalfe Co. Farmers Market is among the first of the seasonal Farmers Markets each year, to open in the Mammoth Cave Area.  As this Agent was preparing to offer the SR and WIC FMNP voucher producer training's in Early March, via zoom for the first time ever due to COVID - 19 meeting restrictions, I was looking for guidance on whether markets would even be allowed to operate during the pandemic crisis.  On

Full Story

Using Alternative Methods to Reach Producers During Covid-19

Author: Gary Bell

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

Covid-19 presented many challenges to the KY Cooperative Extension Service and those we serve.  Not being able to conduct in person trainings and hold meetings and events completely changed the way that daily operations were carried out.  The Metcalfe County Extension Service found unique ways of reaching clientele during the global pandemic.  While many scheduled events were cancelled or postponed, essential business was carried out in a timely and effective manner.BQA, CAIP educ

Full Story

Go Garden and Go Bags

Author: Amy Branstetter

Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources

The Covid-19 Pandemic brought challenges, the Metcalfe 4-H Council and Extension Staff wanted a way to continue the high quality educational programs to be able to continue through the world wide pandemic. Child poverty is prevalent in this rural county, with 37% of children considered to be living in poverty according to www.kidscounty.org   Metcalfe County Extension did not want to lose connection with families here so they took this as an opportunity to create a new avenue of p

Full Story
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