Extension
It Starts With Us
Safety Education for Home, Food and Agriculture
Community Wellness and Safety
Whitney Carman, Kindra Jones, Natalie Taul
Food Preparation and Preservation
Home-Based Microprocessor Program
Health
Health and wellness is an issue affecting all aspects of the community. Safety in the home, food and rural areas are something that Grayson County residents can always learn, or increase their awareness of. Environmental stewardship is of the utmost importance to farmers in Grayson County. Part of that stewardship is the continuing education and possibilities to extend the life of agriculture and natural resources through safety education and training. Farming is a very dangerous job and if not done with diligence, can be destructive to people, the land, water, and environment. On the other hand, residents need be continually educated on everyday safety around the home and food preparation. Programs such as food preparation, disaster preparedness, health safety, and environmental education, are great tools to use to increase awareness of safety.
Adults will utilize knowledge gained to acknowledge situations where dangers are possible and make best decisions based on that knowledge. Adults and youth will become familiar with in safety around the home and also learn about food safety. Farmers will utilize knowledge from training and be able to use best judgment in hazardous situations or be able to prevent them. Participants of the food preservation program will show an increase in use of locally grown fruits and vegetables through home gardens and farmer's markets.
Youth and adults will be able to use skills learned in water quality and conservation to help keep a safe water supply for humans and animals. Farmers will be able to recognize good agriculture practices in farming, to help increase environmental stewardship. Participants of the food preservation program will successfully implement research based methods and safe food handling and preparation for both high acid and low acid foods.
Farmers will be educated on best practices for chemical use on farms, and water and natural resource education. Homeowners will be educated about the rinse and return program, and water quality education. Farmers will also learn proper application methods for pesticides in order to prevent resistance in weeds and other plants. Youth will be educated about conservation and environmental efforts. Participants of the food preservation program will have an increased knowledge of research based food preservation methods and safe food handling and preparation.
Initial Outcome: Education of steps to ensure safety at home, on farm, and in food handling
Indicator: Increased knowledge of pesticide use, water quality, and food safety. Recognize Integrated Pest Management Practices and identify safe chemical management and storage practices.
Method: participant surveys
Timeline: Pre/Post program surveys
Intermediate Outcome: Improvement of environmental, home, and food safety practices.
Indicator: Utilization of trainings and educational materials learned for safety. Use extension resources in making decision related to pollinators and watersheds. Implement best practices to imporve soil health and improve water quality.
Method: Survey of participants who participated in educational programs
Timeline: 3 month follow up survey, and added programming if needed.
Long-term Outcome: Increased conservation and environmental safety awareness and increased use of locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Indicator: increased best management practices and safety precautions with clients, increased use of home gardens and local farmer's market. Increase awareness of pesticide use (and less use), resulting in less resistance in weed populations.
Method: survey or questionnaire
Timeline: 6 month follow up survey
Audience: Farmers and Homeowners
Project or Activity: Pesticide Application Training
Content or Curriculum: Pesticide Application Training Manual, video and UK publications
Inputs: UK publications, UK videos, Specialists,
Date: Winter 2022, Winter 2023, Winter 2024
Audience: Farming Families
Project or Activity: Farm Stress Literacy
Content or Curriculum: farmer theater, social media videos, surveys, UK publications, Extension Publications
Inputs: UK Publications, UK Specialists, local health facilities, local farmers, Extension Agents
Date: Summer/ Fall 2022 and 2023
Audience: Tobacco Farmers, horticulture growers, farmers’ market vendors, hemp growers
Project or Activity: Tobacco Good Agriculture Practices Training, Horticulture Produce Best Practices training
Content or Curriculum: GAP Training Manual, video and UK publications, KY Department of Ag resources for Hemp Production
Inputs: UK publications, UK videos, Specialists, KDA
Date: Winter 2022- Winter 2023
Audience: Youth and adults, general public
Project or Activity: Farm Fest PR event
Content or Curriculum: Environmental stewardship of Agriculture
Inputs: UK Publications, agents, FSA, NRCS commodity groups, local farmers, schools, community partners
Date: Annually in the fall
Audience: General Public, Farmer’s Market Vendors
Project: Basic and advanced food preservation classes and food preparation classes, home based microprocessor training
Content or Curriculum: UK Food Preservation Curriculum, cook together eat together, faithful families, home based microprocessor training.
Inputs: UK Publications, agents, local city organizations (I.e. Community Meeting Centers), National Center for Food Preservation, So Easy to Preserve materials, FCS Specialists.
Date: Spring/summer 2022-2024
Audience: Facebook and Social Media Users/General Public
Project or Activity: Social media posts and/or virtual programming regarding home, food and farm safety
Content or Curriculum: various research-based resources
Inputs: UK Specialists, paid Extension Staff, social media outlets
Date: 2021-2024
Author: Natalie Taul
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
Many individuals and families have had a renewed interest in food preservation in the past 3 years. Some are turning to the internet for instruction, but much of what is on the internet is misleading or just wrong. Safety when preserving food should be priority and research-based methods should always be used. With this in mind, the Grayson County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, implemented several food preservation workshops in June 2023 A total of 33 participants were re
