Home Environment for Adults (HORT/FCS)Plan of Work

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Boone County CES

Title:
Home Environment for Adults (HORT/FCS)
MAP:
Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness
Agents Involved:
Diane Mason, David Koester
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Family Development General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Situation:

Each decision individuals make has an impact on health and safety in the family, community and environment. Each year, on average, Kentuckians deal with 30-50 days associated with thunderstorms, 12 tornadoes and 3 fatalities related to tornadoes. Preparing for emergency situations can be crucial to survival and safety. Understanding how daily choices can impact our environment is vital to conserving and preserving our natural resources and ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations. In 2008, Kentucky ranked 18th in total energy consumption and 7th in energy consumption per capita. In 2010, the statewide household participation rate for all curbside garbage collection types was 86.6%. In 2010, Kentuckians recycled 35.7% of all municipal solid waste and 29% of common household recyclables. The average Kentuckian used 67 gallons of water per person per day.


Radon, lead, mold and home indoor environmental issues affect Boone County families health and well-being. A clean and safe environment for residents can increase the value of a home, reduce illness and allergies, and provide a better living space for all. 

Recycling waste helps improve the natural environment and saves other resources for future generations. Encouraging the proper methods of recycling, composting, and otherwise reducing the amounts of inputs into a home will help all.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Create safe homes within environments that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of families throughout the life cycle. Home values increase and individual health and well-being measurements improve.

Improve the built and natural environment to increase active and healthy lifestyles.

Reduce the number of individuals suffering the consequences of radon, lead and allergen exposure.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Implement one or more practices that will improve:

Pest management

Going green

Energy conservation

Solid waste management

Water conservation and management

Home safety

Built environment


Assess the cost savings and/or benefits associated with newly adopted practices related to:


Disaster preparedness

Pest management

Going green

Energy conservation

Solid waste management

Water conservation

Home safety

Built environment


Demonstrate skills to improve:


Disaster preparedness

Pest management

Going green

Energy conservation

Solid waste management

Water conservation

Home safety

Built environment


Participate in an activity or event that improves the built or natural environment.

Initial Outcomes:

Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and/or aspirations in understanding of issues related to:


Disaster preparedness

Pest management

Going green

Energy conservation

Solid waste management

Water conservation

Home safety

Built environment


Identify one or more practices that will improve:


Disaster preparedness

Pest management

Going green

Energy conservation

Solid waste management

Water conservation

Home safety

Built environment

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Knowledge and attitude change

Indicator: Increased knowledge and awareness of environmental issues

Method: Post session survey

Timeline: June 2021


Intermediate Outcome: Behavior Change

Indicator: Increased environmentally friendly practices

Method: Mailed or on-line survey

Timeline: 3 to 6 months following program


Long-term Outcome: Decreased solid waste and improved home environments

Indicator: Statistics from area

Method: Monitor area statistics

Timeline: 4 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General public adults

Project or Activity: Home Energy Efficiency

Content or Curriculum: UK handouts

Inputs: guest speaker from Owen Electric Cooperative

Date: October 2021 (one session)






Success Stories

Encouraging Home Vegetable Gardening

Author: David Koester

Major Program: Local Food Systems

For numerous reasons home vegetable gardening has increased dramatically in the last 2 years. (Covid, Feelings of Food Insecurity, Desire for Family Activities at Home)After removing the old plastic from our demonstration high tunnel we decided to use this space for a home demonstration garden. The new garden was intended to mirror what clientele could do at home. Working with FCS Agent Diane Mason a list of vegetables was developed to include in the new garden. Our goal was to show our clientel

Full Story

Are You Weather Ready?

Author: Elizabeth Evans

Major Program: Family Development General

Tornadoes are the most destructive of all atmospheric conditions. Wind speeds within these violently rotating columns of air can reach up to 318 mph. A study published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science noted that there has been an upward trend in tornado frequency among the Southeast, including Kentucky. Unfortunately, the Southeast already the maximum occurrence of casualties as a result from tornadoes. From January 2021 through March 2022 there were 79 tornadoes in the state of Kentu

Full Story
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