Effective Resource ManagementPlan of Work

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Whitley County CES

Title:
Effective Resource Management
MAP:
Family and Agricultural Economics
Agents Involved:
Moses (Fine Arts), Burgard (FCS), Jones (4-H), Prewitt (Horticulture)
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Economic Development and Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Financial Education - General
Situation:

Whitley County has an unemployment rate of 4.4% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023. The median income for individuals were $18,444 a year according to the 2020 US Census Data. 27.6% of households are living in poverty in Whitley County.


The 2017 Census of Agriculture data reports that 165 Farm Operators reported net gains and 383 Farm Operators 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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

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.

Intermediate Outcomes:

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.

Initial Outcomes:

Families and Farmers identify techniques to improve money management.

Families and Farmers locate spending leaks in their current budget.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome:

Indicator: Families and Farmers create better consumer habits and savings

Method: CEDIK Economical Surveys, Pre/Post Evaluations

Timeline: 2023


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

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Whitley County Homemakers

Project or Activity: Homemakers leaders present Special Interest lessons to teach skills that help individuals make better use of resources 

Content or Curriculum: Lessons include Holiday Ideas, Estate Planning - Transferring Cherished Possessions, Meal Time Rut and Beginner Sewing

Inputs: Agents, Leaders

Date: Monthly


Audience: Whitley County Residents

Project or Activity: Budgeting programs (Couponing; Food Spending) to help families on limited incomes and others interested to save money and reduce debt.

Content or Curriculum: UK Programs; NEP Food Spending

Inputs: Agent, UK Specialists

Date: Quarterly throughout year


Audience: Whitley County Residents

Project or Activity: Budgeting Classes 

Content or Curriculum: MoneyWi$e

Inputs: FCS, Moses, 4H

Date: May-July


Audience: Middle School Aged Youth

Project or Activity: Budgeting (online curriculum and school fair)

Content or Curriculum: It's Your Reality

Inputs: 4H, Community Partners, FRYSCs

Date: March


Audience: Teens

Project or Activity: Teen Club

Content or Curriculum: Build Your Future

Inputs: 4H

Date: Monthly Club Meetings


Audience: Whitley County Residents

Project or Activity: Holiday Budgeting

Content or Curriculum: Stretching Your Holiday Dollar, Holiday Ideas

Inputs: FCS Agent

Date: November-December


Audience: Whitley County Residents

Project of Activity: Estate Planning Series/Workshop

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Homemaker Lesson, UK Curriculum

Inputs: Agent, UK Specialists

Date: November/February




Success Stories

Whitley Co. Hunter Education

Author: Stacy White

Major Program: Cook Wild Kentucky

All hunters in Kentucky at least 12 years old and born after January 1, 1975 must have a hunter safety certification.  During the covid shutdown the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife hunter education program was completely online.  There were youth in Whitley County that did not have computer access at home to allow them to complete the required training.  Once the program could be taught in person again, the ANR agent conducted two in-person training courses and a range da

Full Story

Creating a Brighter Future Through Practical Life Skills

Author: Lisa Jones

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Whitley County is about to create a community that will come together to fix a big problem in education. They see that young people often don't know important life skills they need to succeed. Whitley County 4-H is taking charge by working with local teachers to plan a Life Smarts Series. These lessons will be created to help middle and high school youth learn practical things to handle life's challenges.This program is going to change how schools teach by bringing in fun lessons. T

Full Story

Preparing for the Future: Transferring Cherished Possessions

Author: Linda Burgard

Major Program: Financial Education - General

Estate planning allows people to control what happens to their possessions after their passing. Without a legally recognized plan in place, the government may dictate how someone’s assets are distributed. While there are numerous informal approaches to estate planning, not all are legally recognized. This may create confusion and spark conflict among families during an already challenging time. To increase consumer knowledge on estate planning and asset distribution, the Whitley Count

Full Story
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