Extension
It Starts With Us
Healthy People, Healthy Economy
Health and Wellness
Shad Baker, Nanette Banks, Crystal Smith (Assistants: Lee Adams, Mitch Whitaker)
Trail Design
Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
Local Food System Development and Mapping
Community Strategic Planning
Letcher County has long had an economy based largely on coal mining. As coal's percentage of the energy market has declined through competition from other sources and regulation impacts, the economy of the county has struggled. Diversification is needed, but is often resisted both by industry's concerns that it will drive up labor costs and by locals concerned that it will invite those with an antagonistic view of coal and that it represents a fundamental economic and cultural change. The need for diversification is furthered by the hard reality that coal is a non-renewable resource that is nearly completely played out in the county, after a hundred years of intensive extraction; the county being among the first to have initiated mining.
Letcher County has some of the highest obesity rates in the nation, 38% above the state average. Adults reporting a lack of physical activity represent 36% of the population (24% higher than the rest of the state. According to kentuckyhealthfacts.org, it also suffers from almost double the national average of premature death, higher than the state-average of the following: total mortality, 33% higher reports of less than good health, higher mental health issues, 50% higher diabetes (among the highest in the nation), 20% higher rates of hypertension, 11% higher rates of overall cancer,51% higher rates of heart disease, 31% higher rates of stroke, and 200% higher rates of infectious disease. These are staggering numbers and warrant our full efforts.
Letcher County has not had a significant market for local produce. Though locals have grown gardens and fruits, much of the diet of the typical citizen is processed foods high in fat, cholesterol and caloric count. A Farmers Market was begun in 2013 and has seen significant growth. Further development of the market and continued partnership with local leaders to advance a community kitchen to local utilize surplus production would benefit the economy and dietary needs of the county.
Letcher County is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, hosting some of the highest mountains in the state, large public lands tracts, waterfalls, caves, tremendous panoramic views and expansive forests. These offer the potential for both recreation, tourism development and exercise. Efforts to develop public lands for these uses would provide for diversification of the economy and provide for a more stable and healthy future for the population.
There are several partnering organizations in the county which work towards addressing the challenges and opportunities of the county. Planning efforts to develop our people, our resources, and to collectively craft a unified vision that best plays off of the counties strengths will advance the economy and well-being of our people.
A diversified economy that sustains a healthy community
An improved and diversified local economic base
A Sustainable Farmers Market that meets the needs of the county
A Community Kitchen that utilizes local produce and feeds balanced meals to patrons
Tourism-related projects and businesses are sustainable and have increasing community support
Local Food Access is established
Appropriate match between producers and consumers sustained locally
Increased knowledge and utilization of local health facilities, exercise opportunities such as trails, and of recommended dietary guidelines
Local Food production
Friendly land use and other policies being adopted
Local policy makers encourage tourism and the related business development
Increased access to local foods
Development of trails and other activity-inducing projects
Local land use and other policies supportive of new food initiatives
Increase agent awareness of opportunities and challenges working with health networks
Initial Outcome: Increased consumption and production of local foods
Indicator: FCS & ANR Curriculum
Method: General Survey, Consumer survey
Timeline: May 2019- September 2020
Intermediate Outcome: More physically active population
Indicator: FCS Curriculum
Method: General survey, Consumer Survey
Timeline: July 2019 - June 2020
Long-term Outcome: Farmers supplying market and kitchen
Indicator: FCS Curriculum
Method: General survey
Timeline: July-2019 - June 2020
Audience: Producers, SNAP-ed Clientele, (WIC, Senior Voucher)
Project or Activity: Food Systems Training
Content or Curriculum: SNAP-ed, MarketMaker, Production Workshops,
Inputs: Agents, Community Partners, KY Dept. of Ag, Farmers Market, Specialists
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: General
Project or Activity: Farmer's Market
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Adults & Youth
Project or Activity: Cooking Thru the Calendar
Content or Curriculum: FCS and NEP Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: Walking/hiking events, biking events
Content or Curriculum: FCS and 4 H curriculum
Inputs: Agents & Assistants, volunteers, leaders
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Youth 6th-8th grades
Project or Activity: Water Health Challenge
Content or Curriculum: 4 H curriculum
Inputs: 4 H agent and assistant, club leaders
Date: 2019-2020
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Empowering Community Leaders (general)
Children enter foster care when their family is going through a crisis, and foster care gives the family an opportunity to resolve conflicts. Foster care is a temporary arrangement that gives the youth’s family a chance to learn healthy skills so they can safely return home. There are over 10,000 youth in foster care in Kentucky as of March 2019 according to KVC Kentucky with at least twenty-seven children in foster homes in Letcher County. The Letcher County Family and C
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)
Letcher County is a rural, hilly county with no major interstates. The population of Letcher County declined 10.7 % between 2010 and 2018 with 19.5% of the population being 65 years or older. Adults in Letcher County exceed the state average for lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking, poor nutrition, physically unhealthy days and mentally unhealthy days. (Kentucky Health Facts.org). According to a study by the Harvard Medical School, isolation and loneliness jeopardi
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Securing Financial Stability (general)
Holidays are often an exciting time of the year. However, the holidays can also represent added stress due to holiday spending. Many individuals, families and households neglect budgeting for holiday spending. To assist individuals in understanding and responding to financial stress resulting from holiday expenses, the Quicksand Area Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agents hosted The Quicksand Area Holiday Road Show- Managing Holiday Expenses: How to Reduce Spending to
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Securing Financial Stability (general)
In the event of a natural disaster, many families know to have supplies on hand for shelter-in-place and a safe exit strategy for evacuations. In addition, it may help to prepare financially. Once the emergency passes, having your identification documents, policies, bank account information, and other household records and contacts will assist in the recovery process. Building an emergency savings is also important. According to Federal Emergency Management Agency and Operation HOPE, Inc., studi
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Community Strategic Planning
The challenge of transitioning the economy and resources of Eastern Kentucky to a sustainable and vibrant scene; one that accentuates the abundant natural resources and the creativity and work-ethic of a people rooted in the rugged mountains is worthy of the state's land-grant and outreach arm, the UK Cooperative Extension Service. In partnership with local business, healthcare, education and political leaders, the Letcher County Extension Service has sought to more fully capture the potenti
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Fit Blue/Get Moving KY
According to the Centers for Disease Control, “physical activity such as walking can help improve health even without weight loss. People who are physically active live longer and have a lower risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and some cancers.” Letcher County faces challenges of being overweight (75%), obesity (38%) and lack of physical activity (41%). The Family and Consumer Sciences Agent began a FitBlue weekly walking and seated exercises program.
