Improved home interiors, landscapes, and gardening.Plan of Work

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Livingston County CES

Title:
Improved home interiors, landscapes, and gardening.
MAP:
Home Environment and Safety
Agents Involved:
FCS, 4-H, ANR
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Home Energy Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Disaster Preparedness
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Situation:
Weather patterns, economic situations, built and natural environments, and geographic location influence our concerns about issues related to healthy homes and communities. Individuals desire safe homes that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of their families throughout the life cycle. Sustainability and "green living" continue to be lifestyle adaptations that encourage energy conservation, recycling, and support cost effective improvements to our houses, buildings, barns, and farms. Extension has seen increased interest in patrons wanting to know more about energy conservation, budget-friendly home improvements, upcycling, and sustainable environments.
Long-Term Outcomes:
(A) Improve environmental quality in the homes, landscapes, and farms throughout Livingston County
(B) To create safe homes that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of families throughout the life-cycle.
(C) To improve the built and natural environment, which lead to healthy and active lifestyles
Intermediate Outcomes:

Homeowners will implement environmentally conscious decision regarding home energy use and conservation practices. Youth will be aware of energy costs and ways to reduce energy usage within the home. Clients will practice going "green' by using natural homemade cleaning products. Community will see increase in recycling terminals and drop-off points. Families will develop and implement a home disaster preparedness plan. Youth will participate in community clean-up efforts.

Initial Outcomes:
Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and/or aspirations in understanding of issues related to: Disaster preparedness, "Going Green", energy and water conservation, or home safety. Homeowners will adopt landscaping practices that can improve the health and appearance of lawn and gardens while protecting and preserving natural resources. Consumers will understand the impact of recycling and repurposing as it directly effects them financially.
Evaluation:
Long Term Outcome: Create safe homes within environments that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of families
Indicator: Number of program participants that suffer less damage or injury during natural disasters
Method: Surveys, observation, FEMA data
Timeline: throughout year

Intermediate Outcome: Number of program participants who implement one or more practices that will increase home value and/or safety
Method: Survey, post evaluation, energy data
Timeline: 6-12 months following program

Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge of issues relating to sustainability, green initiatives, and better landscaping practices
Timeline: Immediately following program
Audience: Farm Families
Project or Activity: County Agricultural Field Day – Energy Program Topic
Content or Curriculum: UK Speaker, Displays
Date: Summer
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Extension Homemakers

Activity: Household Essential Oils Leader Lesson

Content: UK curriculum/KEHA

Input: FCS

Date: May 2017


Audience: Extension Homemakers & general public

Activity: Disaster Preparedness Workshop

Content: UK curriculum/FEMA

Input: FCS

Date: Spring


Audience: General public

Activity: Pesticide training

Content: UK curriculum and State AG programming

Inputs: ANR agent

Dates: Seasonally


Audience: General public

Activity: Learning to make environmentally safe cleaning products

Content or Curriculum: Green Cleaning

Input: FCS

Date: Spring/Fall


Audience: Homeowners

Activity: Landscape maintenance and gardening

Content or Curriculum: Supplied by agents and specialists

Inputs: ANR, FCS

Date: Spring/Fall


Audience: County Youth

Activity: Environmental Day

Content or Curriculum: Natural Resource

Input: 4-H, Fish & Wildlife, Watershed Watch, Soil Conservation, KY Division of Forestry, Corps of Engineers, Local Volunteers

Date: 2016/2017 program year


Audience: County Youth

Activity: Soil Science: Soil Texture & Profile Demonstration

Inputs: 4-H

Date: Spring


Audience: County Volunteers

Activity: Ohio River Sweep

Inputs: 4-H & volunteers

Date: Summer


Audience: 4-H Youth

Activity: Watershed Watch Sampling

Inputs: 4-H

Date: Summer- four samplings at two locations


Audience: General public

Activity: Lawn Management Series

Content or Curriculum: Various lawn publications/ fertilizer do's and dont's

Input: ANR

Date: Spring



Success Stories

Downsizing & Organizing Your Home

Author: Morgan Rousseau

Major Program: Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)

"DOWNSIZING AND ORGANIZING YOUR HOME" Lesson Impacts Purchase & Pennryile Area HomemakersDownsizing your home and transitioning into a smaller living space has become a recent trend for older adults. As people age, their larger homes require upkeep, continued maintenance, and expensive utility bills. Seniors may also face accessibility and self-care challenges stemming from multi-level living. By downsizing and minimizing, a smaller home can provide significant savings on property

Full Story
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