Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Human Capital and Opportunity
Income and Workforce Development
FCS, Fine Arts, ANR, 4H
First Impressions
Economic Development
Financial Education - General
Advancing the Creative Economy
In a recent Needs Assessment survey conducted by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Whitley County expressed that our county needed more jobs with good paying wages. Citizens stated that their "Vision for a More Vibrant Community" included a "resource rich community to support jobs, money, public transportation and roads." There are currently 15,949 jobs in Whitley County and the average weekly wage is $717. Between 2012 ands 2016, 4.3% of workers were below the poverty line.
According to University of Kentucky’s CEDIK County profiles for Small Business, Whitley County’s top small business industries are in retail trade and healthcare and social assistance. With providing opportunities that provide local support for entrepreneurship, growing “soft skills” and interviewing strategies, and helping producers become successful, Cooperative Extension can be involved with promoting wide opportunities for local crafters, artisans, producers, and families.
More effective employees and community leaders.
Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families.
Policy changes to support economic development
Diversified economy that sustains healthy community
Practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, etc.
Improve employability through practical living skills and continued education practices.
Community is better informed, and leaders can identify policies that better support local economic development
Local policy makers encourage small business development
Businesses implement strategies identified through planning.
Practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, etc.
Improve employability through practical living skills and continued education practices.
Community is better informed, and leaders can identify policies that better support local economic development
Local policy makers encourage small business development
Businesses implement strategies identified through planning.
Outcome: Improved communication
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported the intent to utilize etiquette practices to improve verbal, written, and electronic communication practices (Communicating Effectively)
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: demonstrate strong verbal and nonverbal communications (Conveying Your Message)
Method: Pre/Post Evaluation
Timeline: After program
Outcome: Improved workplace listening skills
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: how to utilize listening cues (nonverbal, quaisverbal, and verbal) in conversation (Listening and Inquiry)
Method: Pre/Post Evaluation
Timeline: After program
Outcome: Networking Skills
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of confidence in the area: participate in a productive business conversation (Networking for Success)
Method: Pre/Post Evaluation
Timeline: After program
Audience: adults and young adults preparing for the workforce
Project or Activity: 10 Soft Skills for Success
Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability, various publications, KELD
Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: Adults and young adults
Project or Activity: Networking for Success
Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability
Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local
employers and community leaders
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: Adults, young adults, and teensProject or Activity: Money Habitudes Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes
Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources,
Money Habitudes cards
Date: Spring 2023
Audience: AdultsProject or Activity: Estate Planning Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Estate Planning, Social Media posts, program bags
Inputs: FCS Agent, FCS Specialist (family finance and resource management), curriculum publications and resources, and local
partners such as an attorney, CPA and/or financial planner
Date: Winter 2022 and 2023
Audience: AdultsProject or Activity: Financial Education
Content or Curriculum: Real Skills for Everyday Life, MoneyWi$e newsletter and social media, program bags
Inputs: FCS Agent, UK Specialist
Date: January 2022
Audience: Recovery Centers
Project or Activity: Financial Education
Content or Curriculum: Recovering Your Finances
Inputs: Coordination with community stakeholders
Date: Summer 2022
Audience: Farmer's Market vendorsProject or Activity: Homebased Microprocessing
Content or Curriculum: Homebased Microprocessing and renewal courses provided by UK
Inputs: Horticulture and FCS agents. Online videos, UK specialist
Date: Spring 2023
Audience: Commercial Horticulture producers
Project or Activity: regular farm visits
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs
Inputs: specialists and agents.
Date: Ongoing.
Audience: FFA students.
Project or Activity: Forestry and wildlife trainings.
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs and Ky. Fish and Wildlife pubs.
Inputs: ANR, Hort and 4-H.
Date: during school year
Audience: Artists
Project or Activity: Developing online presence
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Highlands, CEDIK, Berea College Partners for Education
Inputs: Fine Arts, FCS, 4-H
Date: Ongoing
Audience: ArtistsProject or Activity: Developing teaching artists
Content or Curriculum: Berea College Partners for Education, Fine arts programs
Inputs: Fine Arts, FCS, 4-H, Volunteers
Date: July
Audience: Whitley County School Teachers
Project or Activity: Professional Development for Art Teachers
Content or Curriculum: Fine Arts Classes
Inputs: Fine Arts
Date: ongoing- summer
Audience: Residents, Artists, Farmers
Project or Activity: Appalachian Market
Content or Curriculum: Event Coordinators
Inputs: Fine Arts
Date: Ongoing- Holiday season
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Enhancing Business and Marketing Skills of Eastern Kentucky Artist
Content or Curriculum: Artisan Education Curriculum, STLW, Kentucky Highlands, CEDIK, Berea College Partners for Education
Inputs: Fine Arts, Local Artist
Date: Winter
Audience: General Public/Artists
Project or Activity: Artist of the Month
Content or Curriculum: Local Artist
Inputs: Community Members, Artists, Fine Arts
Date: Ongoing- monthly starting back fall 2022
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Forests are very important to Kentucky both environmentally and economically. Nearly half of the commonwealth is forested. The economic impact of the forest products industry in Kentucky is nearly 14 billion dollars annually. The Whitley County ANR agent regularly conducts forestry trainings. These trainings span a gambit from elementary school classrooms to professional logger workshops. Often programs are presented at 4H Camp. One particular 4H camper took a
