Extension
It Starts With Us
Effective Resource Management
Family and Agricultural Economics
Moses (Fine Arts), Burgard (FCS), Jones (4-H), White (ANR), Prewitt (Horticulture)
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Financial Education - General
The Kentucky, as well as the national, economy entered into a period of prolonged recession in December 2007. During the period of economic recession and in the continued slow recovery, Kentucky consistently lagged behind other areas of the United States in household economic indicators, including personal income, population living below the poverty line, and unemployment rates. Many individuals, families, and households were unprepared to manage the rapidly changing economic conditions. Many household financial strategies employed prior to the recession most likely made them more vulnerable during the period of economic crisis.
Whitley County has an unemployment rate of 9.5% according to the Kentucky Data Profiles. In 2014, the median income for families were $22,000 to $38,000 per year according to the US Census Data. Also, 27.3% of families with children are living below the poverty level in Whitley County.
The Census of Agriculture data reports that 157 Farm Operators reported net gains in 2012, but most had net losses. Keeping good records and having good farm, family, and personal management systems in place can increase quality of life. The Whitley County Cooperative Extension will use the Managing in Tough Times Curriculum and MoneyWise publications to help awareness on how to use resources better. Radio Ads and newsletter articles will include information about saving money in both the family and on the farm.
Families and Farmers will use resources more efficiently.
Families and Farmers will save time and money as a result of changed behaviors.
Families, Farmers, and individuals improve their quality of life by changing attitudes.
Families and Farmers adopt recommended practices to help them save time and money relating to household and farm management.
Households and farmers practice techniques to help them improve quality of family life.
Individuals adopt attitudes that foster healthy communication skills among family members.
Families and Farmers identify techniques to improve money management.
Families and Farmers locate spending leaks in their current budget.
Long-Term Outcome:
Indicator: Families and Farmers create better consumer habits and savings
Method: CEDIK Economical Surveys, Pre/Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2018-2020
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Families and Farmers apply education about budgets into daily life.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2017-2018
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Families and Farmers recognize areas to improve savings.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2015-2017
Audience: County Homemakers
Project or Activity: Homemakers leaders present Special Interest lessons to teach skills that help individuals make better use of resources (some online classes and project bags)
Content or Curriculum: Lessons such as chair Seating (Cane, Reed); Quilting; Sewing; and Needlework
Inputs: Agents, Leaders
Date: Monthly
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Budgeting programs (Coupoining; Food Spending) to help families on limited incomes and others interested to save money and reduce debt. (Program bag and online trainings)
Content or Curriculum: UK Programs; NEP Food Spending
Inputs: Agent, UK Specialists
Date: As Requested
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Budgeting Classes (online classes and program bags)
Content or Curriculum: MoneyWi$e
Inputs: FCS, ANR, Moses, 4H
Date: May-July
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Grocery Store Tours/Budget (online classes and program bags)
Content or Curriculum: NEP Curriculum, MoneyWi$e
Inputs: NEP Assistant, FCS
Date: January
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Small Steps to Health and Wealth (program bags)
Content or Curriculum: Small Steps to Health and Wealth
Inputs: Cornelius
Date: Fall
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Holiday Budgeting (online class and program bag)
Content or Curriculum: Stretching Your Holiday Dollar
Inputs: Cornelius
Date: November-December
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: "Managing in Tough Times" Radio Spots and Newspaper Articles
Content or Curriculum: UK Resource Programs; MITT
Inputs: Agents, UK Specialists
Date: Continuous
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project of Activity: Estate Planning Series/Workshop (program bags)
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Homemaker Lesson, UK Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, UK Specialists
Date: November/February
Audience: Whitley County Residents ages 18-55
Project or Activity: Master Homesteaders
Content or Curriculum: Combination of all programming with emphasis on low inputs and healthy land management
Inputs: All agents, volunteers, UK pubs, and classroom materials
Date: 2018
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Foraging Classes
Content or Curriculum: Learn how to forage for food in the woods to increase food security and resiliency
Inputs: Foraging specialist, Horticulture Agent, and woodland areas
Date: 2016 – 2020
Author: Linda Burgard
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
According to the USDA, prices for food-at-home increased 11.3% in 2022 and is expected to increase an additional 8.6% in 2023. Due to these rising food costs, scarcity concerns, along with consumer concerns about food additives, food recalls, and the homesteading movement, there is a need to teach research-based food preservation methods. The Whitley County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences Education conducted six hands on food preservation workshops during the growing
