Extension
It Starts With Us
Accessing and Utilizing Nutritious Foods
Accessing and Utilizing Nutritious Foods
Laken Campbell (FCS). Ted Johnson (ANR)
Cook Together, Eat Together
Food Preparation and Preservation
Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Kentucky is ranked in the top 10 for diet related, chronic conditions such as; obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. In 2013, Lee County had 2,042 residents who were considered obese, representing one third of the population. According to KentuckyHealthFacts.org, Lee County was at 21% for diabetes in adults for the years of 2016-2018. This is 8% higher than the state average. Approximately, 20% of Kentucky youth from ages 10-17 are obese. This places Kentucky 8th in the nation in the terms of childhood obesity. New research indicates that when kids are involved in prepping and cooking their own meals, they are more likely to choose better foods.
Lower the chronic disease conditions for the county population
Save money by preserving produce from gardens
Save money by preparing foods at homeImplement skills learned from producing and preserving foods
Increase access of fresh foods
Improve physical, social and/or mental health
Develop employment skills
Identify and utilize correct method of food preservation
Identify and purchase healthier foods
Expand gardens to offset family food costExpand knowledge and skills on food production
Use Extension diagnostic services
Be active in gardening
Diversify plant variety
Learn how to increase fruit and vegetable consumption
Learn how to make wise choices in selecting foods
Learn production practices, for fruit and vegetablesMatch plants to appropriate planting location
Increase their knowledge of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and chemical use
Observe horticulture and food preparation demonstrations
Initial Outcome:Learn correct, research-based information.
Indicator:Number of participants reporting change in knowledge.
Method:Evaluations/Surveys
Timeline:2020-2024
Intermediate Outcome:Learn and demonstrate correct, research-based information.
Indicator:Number of participants reporting change in knowledge.
Method:Evaluations/Surveys
Timeline:2020-2024
Long-term Outcome: Practice and teach others correct, research-based information.
Indicator: Number of participants reporting change in knowledge.
Method:Evaluations/Surveys
Timeline:2020-2024
Audience:Homemakers, General Public, Youth
Project or Activity: Cooking classes
Content or Curriculum: “Cook Together, Eat Together”
Inputs: Agents, specialists
Date: 2020-2024
Audience:County clientele/4-H clientele/Homemakers
Project or Activity: Food Preservation workshops/ Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: Food Preservation curriculum/Ham Project curriculum
Inputs: Agents
Date: Summer 2020 (food preservation)
Ham project (Ham project)
Audience: Adults and Youth
Project or Activity: Raised bed garden tour
Content or Curriculum: Construction & design, soils
Inputs: Agents
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: Homemakers, General Public, Youth
Project or Activity: Workshops gardening production
Content or Curriculum: Soils, irrigation, disease management, recommended varieties, extending the seasons for fall and spring, and insect & weed control.
Inputs: Agents
Date: Spring 2021 & Fall 2021
Author: Ted Johnson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Over the past decade, people have taken more interest in preservation of foods and food insecurities. One way that the Lee County extension service has addressed this issue is with the country ham curing project.Over the past two years the Lee County Extension agents have conducted a country ham program for 25 adults and over 250 youth have participated.During the hands-on workshop, they distinguished between different types of salt and used the correct salt for curing, calculated the corr
Author: Ted Johnson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Lee County Kentucky citizens have below average health as compared to the other counties in the state. Lee County is also considered to have a high ranking compared to other counties in the state when it come to food insecurities. They also rank below the states mean on all health statistical categories. We at the Lee County Extension Office have addressed this problem by educating citizens on production and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by the use of raised bed gardening and garden
