Magoffin County CES

Title:

Developing Life Skills

MAP:

Growing Self-Sufficient Families

Agents Involved:

Courtney Jenkins, Cathy Sparks, 4-H Agent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Food Preparation and Preservation

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Communications and Expressive Arts

Situation:

Magoffin County consistently records one of the state's highest unemployment rates. In February 2016, Magoffin County ranked the highest at 21.6%, an alarming rate considering the second highest county rated 13.7%, evidencing a considerable deficit (www.kylmi.ky.gov).

Many factors have contributed to the county's high unemployment rate in recent years, namely the decline in the coal industry, resulting in an increasing number of the population seeking assistance in becoming more self-sufficient by developing life skills and honing in on home gardening, food preservation, sewing and financial education as a means of reducing costs and providing for their families.

The County Extension Council and local leaders recognized this and identified a need for general life skills education to reduce the economic burdens placed on families in the community during these tough times.

Long-Term Outcomes:

*Adults and families will become more financially stable as a result of Extension programming. 

*Adults and youth will become competent in home gardening and food preservation.

*Adults and youth will make positive contributions to the community and share their skills with others to sustain a better quality of life.

Intermediate Outcomes:

*Participants will become more proficient in utilizing the skills learned to become more self-sufficient.

*More individuals will begin growing and preserving their own food.

*Youth and adults will understand the importance of financial management and begin working toward a more financially stable future. 

*Individuals will share their knowledge with others.

Initial Outcomes:

*Individuals will learn life skills (i.e. home gardening, food preservation, basic sewing, and financial management)  through Extension programs.

*Participants will learn the importance of self-sufficiency and financial education.

*Youth will develop a better understanding of finances and budgeting. 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge of home gardening, food preservation, sewing and financial education.

Indicator: Number of clients attending and being actively engaged in educational sessions.

Method: Observation and informal surveys

Timeline: Upon completion of the educational sessions.

 

Intermediate Outcome: Participants will begin utilizing the life skills they have learned.

Indicator: Increased communication on the subject in which clients demonstrate an understanding of the subject matter.

Method: Written surveys

Timeline: Upon completion of an educational series.

 

Long-term Outcome: Individuals reporting greater financial stability.

Indicator: Dollars saved on food-related purchases and other savings as a result of learned skills.

Method: Written surveys

Timeline:6-12 months after completion of educational series

 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults and Youth

Projector Activity: Gardening Classes

Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening & Master Gardener

Inputs: UK CES Agents, CES Publications, Grant Funds

Date: Spring/Summer/Fall

 

Audience: Adults

Projector Activity: Food Preservation Classes

Content or Curriculum: Food Preservation Publications

Inputs: UK CES Agents, CES Publications, Grant Funds

Date: Summer

 

Audience: Youth

Projector Activity: Reality Store and Dollars and Sense 

Content or Curriculum: "It's Your Reality" & "Dollars and Sense" Curriculums

Inputs: UK CES Agents

Date: Fall/Spring

 

Audience: Adults and Youth

Projector Activity: Country Ham Project

Content or Curriculum: CES Country Ham Publications

Inputs: UK CES Agents, UK CES Specialists, CES Publications

Date: January-August

 

Audience: Adults and Youth

Projector Activity: Beginner's Sewing

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Sewing

Inputs: UK CES Agents, Volunteers, CES Publications

Date: January-March

 

Success Stories