Extension
It Starts With Us
Encourage Vibrant Communities and support Economic Development
Promote Community and Economic Development
Moses (Fine Arts), Burgard (FCS), Jones (4-H), Prewitt (Horticulture)
Business Retention and Expansion
Local Food System Development and Mapping
First Impressions
Advancing the Creative Economy
In the 2019 Whitley County Assessment Report 3.64% of people were purchasing local grown fresh foods and there was a 10% growth of places of purchase. This could call for a lot of economic opportunity for local farms. Building a diverse economy that emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship and small business development. A key contributor of community tourism and development lies within community arts. According to the Kentucky Arts Council, using an EMSI Input-Output model of calculation, the creative sector employs 108,500 total jobs with more than 1.9 billion in earnings in the state of Kentucky. By providing the Extension Community Arts Center, Extension personnel will facilitate economic growth, educational development and personal enrichment in the arts.
-Policy changes to support economic development
-diversified economy that sustainshealthy community
-job creation that doesn't rely on tax incentives
-improved and diversified local economic base
-improved and diversified tax base
-Community is better informed and leaders can identify policies that better support local economic development
-Local policy makers encourage small business development
-Businesses implement strategies identified through planning.
-Increased awareness of the importance of entrepreneurship and small business development
-Agents have better understanding of their local economy
-Businesses can identify new markets
-communities can identify factors to improve their local economic condition.
Initial Outcome: -Increased awareness of the importance of entrepreneurship and small business development; Agents have better understanding of their local economy; Businesses can identify new markets; communities can identify factors to improve their local economic condition.
Indicator: Change in local retail dollars; Grant dollars awarded to community because of Extension involvement; Increased number of referrals to SBDC or KCARD by agents
Method: Primarily state-led evaluation using CEDIK metrics
Timeline: Within the next year
Intermediate Outcome: Community is better informed and leaders can identify policies that better support local economic development; Local policy makers encourage small business development; Businesses implement strategies identified through planning.
Indicator: Plans adopted and implemented
Method: Economic indicator surveys from state organizations
Timeline: 2-3 years
Long-term Outcome: Policy changes to support economic development; diversified economy that sustains healthy community; job creation that doesn't rely on tax incentives; improved and diversified local economic base; improved and diversified tax base
Indicator: New/expanded jobs and new/expanded businesses; People utilize resources to create economic opportunity in Whitley County
Method: Observation of local enterprises
Timeline: 4-6 years
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Enhancing Business and Marketing Skills of Eastern Kentucky Artist
Content or Curriculum: Artisan Education Curriculum, STLW
Inputs: Fine Arts agent, Local Artist
Date: Winter 2024
Audience: High School Youth
Project or Activity: Promise Zone Youth Input Programs
Content or Curriculum: UK and 4-H Curriculum
Input: Agents, UK Specialists
Date: Quarterly - September, November, March
Audience: Preschool-6th Grade, Williamsburg Independent School
Project or Activity: Professional Learning Day
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, KET Arts Toolkits
Input: Agents, Volunteers
Date: Ongoing
Author: Cortney Moses
Major Program: Arts and Community Health
In Williamsburg, where opportunities for physical, mental, and spiritual support can be scarce, a remarkable collaboration between the Extension Community Arts program and local business owner Stephanie provided a lifeline for individuals of all ages and abilities. Stephanie's dream of becoming a certified yoga instructor seemed out of reach due to limited resources and space constraints. Recognizing the community's need for accessible wellness activities, the Extension Community Ar
Author: Cortney Moses
Major Program: Advancing the Creative Economy
Sam’s journey with the Extension Community Arts program has been nothing short of transformative. The enameling classes she attended not only fueled her passion for jewelry making but also played a crucial role in shaping her academic and career trajectory.Sam, with a keen interest in jewelry making, saw the enameling classes as an opportunity to explore a facet of her craft that hadn't been covered in her school curriculum. The classes provided her with a new and creative way to add v
Author: Cortney Moses
Major Program: Advancing the Creative Economy
The Whitley County community had a expanding interest in ceramics, evidenced by the high demand for the wheel-throwing classes offered by the Extension Community Arts Agent. For five years, these 8-week courses provided students with foundational skills in wheel throwing. However, many students faced a significant barrier to furthering their practice: the expensive startup costs associated with purchasing a pottery wheel and studio equipment. This financial obstacle prevented students from conti
