Extension
It Starts With Us
Improving Basic Lifeskills, Well-being, and Quality of Life
Strengthening Community Lifeskills
Connor Cooper, Erika Wood, Amanda Dame, Sydney Perkins, and Jay Stone
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Communications
According to CEDIK statistics, in Hopkins County, 17% live below the poverty line, 28% of adults report only fair or poor overall health, and 39% of the total population is considered obese. Regarding education, only 6% male and 8% female of Hopkins County residents hold a Bachelor's degree or higher, 85% hold a high school diploma or GED, and the average household income falls behind the national average by almost $14,000 annually. As a result of the demographic data, and availability of Extension resources and programming, the County Extension Council and Area Program Councils recommend that children and families in Hopkins County are in need of life-skill education, including the knowledge and skills to lead a healthy lifestyle, communicate effectively, and manage household resources.
A decrease in the number of obese and overweight children, youth, adults and elderly
Improvement in the overall health and wellbeing of residents, which indicate quality of life.
Increase in adults and families living above the poverty line.
Increase in education and workforce placements.
Maintain appropriate calorie balance and activity level during each stage of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding and older age.
Practice healthy lifestyle decision-making that strengthen individuals’ ability to cope with normal life stressors.
Increased practice of skills that increase employability and educational attainment.
Change in knowledge needed to make informed choices regarding healthy lifestyle choices and basic life skills.
Change in opinions and attitudes needed to make informed choices regarding healthy lifestyle choices and basic life skills.
Change in learned skills needed to make informed choices regarding healthy lifestyle choices and basic life skills.
Initial Outcome: Change in knowledge needed to make informed choices regarding healthy lifestyle choices and basic life skills.
Indicator: increased knowledge of healthy choices and life skills
Method: pre-test/post-test, surveys, NEERS data
Initial Outcome: Change in learned skills needed to make informed choices regarding healthy lifestyle choices and basic life skills.
Indicator: increased skills that facilitate healthy choices and life skills
Method: pre-test/post-test, surveys, NEERS data
Intermediate Outcome: Increased practice of skills that increase employability and educational attainment.
Indicator: surveys, use of local resources including employment workshops and programs
Method: pre-test post test data, surveys of use of local resources
Intermediate Outcome: Practice healthy lifestyle decision-making that strengthen individuals’ ability to cope with normal life stressors.
Indicator: surveys, NEERS data, use of local resources, including mental health
Method: pre-test post test data, surveys of use of facilities
Intermediate Outcome: Maintain appropriate calorie balance and activity level during each stage of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding and older age.
Indicator: surveys, use of local recreational facilities
Method: pre-test post test data, surveys of use of facilities
Long-term Outcome: A decrease in the number of obese and overweight children, youth, adults and elderly.
Indicator: CDC and CEDIK data on population weight distribution
Method: data comparison over years
Long-term Outcome: Increase in adults and families living above the poverty line.
Indicator: CEDIK data of household income and poverty statistics
Method: data comparison over years
Long-term Outcome: Increase in education and workforce placements.
Indicator: CEDIK data of employment statistics and educational attainment
Method: data comparison over years
Audience: Producers, Business Owners, and Future Clients
Project or Activity: Budget, Management, Mental Wellbeing and Workforce Preparedness
Content or Curriculum: Moneywise, FarmStart, Consumer In Me, Mini-Society and other content based programming.
Inputs: Extension Agents, Specialists, Community leaders, and Extension publications.
Time Frame: Spring
Audience: Teens and Families
Project or Activity: Suicide Prevention Coalition, Walking Challenge, Cooking Lessons, Gardening and Your Health
Content or Curriculum: UK Healthcare specialists, Cooking 101-401, Learn Grow Eat Go
Inputs: Health Dept., community partners, school system, faith-based communities, UK Specialist
Time Frame: Spring, Summer and Fall
Audience: Youth, Families and Individuals
Project or Activity: 4-H Pinterest Club, Babysitting Program, Softskills Tips and Tricks, Professional Etiquette for Everyone, Mindfulness, Addiction 101
Content or Curriculum: UK publications and Extension information, Communications Curriculum, Mini-Society, Homemaker Lesson, Training for healthcare & social work professionals
Inputs: Extension agent, UK publications and Extension information, community volunteers
Time Frame: All Year
Audience: Hopkins County Homemakers
Project or Activity: Homemaker lessons, local, area, and state-wide KEHA activities
Content or Curriculum: KEHA curriculum, area Homemaker monthly lessons
Inputs: KEHA curriculum, UK specialists and curriculum
Time Frame: All Year
Author: Amanda Dame
Major Program: Family Development General
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) programs are designed to reach audiences across the lifespan. Many individuals in the 20-50 age desire to learn about the topics FCS provides but do not attend traditional programming for a variety of reasons: they are too busy, too embarrassed, too intimidated, etc. To bridge the gap for these individuals, we must pivot and offer re
Author: Amanda Dame
Major Program: Child Development General
Kentucky has reported that only 42% of children attending kindergarten in Hopkins County are prepared and equipped to succeed. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may hinder healthy lifestyle choices related to early childhood development and physical activity. As an innovative strategy to improve early childhood development skills and increase kindergarten readiness with Hopkins County residents, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with Hopkins Coun
Author: Amanda Dame
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
Gatherings focused on learning about cooking, particularly Italian cuisine, hold profound significance beyond simply mastering culinary techniques. These gatherings foster a sense of community and connection, providing a platform for individuals to share cultural traditions and stories through the universal language of food. Exploring Italian cuisine, renowned for its rich history and diverse regional flavors, not only cultivates culinary skills but also deepens appreciation for cultural heritag
Author: John (Connor) Cooper
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
NRESci Success Story Program Year 2024 The Kentucky 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy (NRESci) strives to increase environmental literacy among youth in Kentucky. Every five years (since 1999) the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC) conducts a survey to assess Kentuckian’s environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. According to KEEC’s 2020-2025 Environmental Education Master Plan (2020), “… the average Kentuckian is able to
Author: John (Connor) Cooper
Major Program: Camping
Hopkins County 4-H has always been a successful camping county in Kentucky 4-H. This year was no different. While our numbers were not recorded like they had been in years past, the difference that was made in campers lives were shown. 102 campers along with CIT, teens, and adults had a life-changing experience. Campers learned new skills, how to navigate their week without parents and develop new friendships. CITS learned how to lead and teens and adults taught new skills to campers. Like alway
Author: John (Connor) Cooper
Major Program: Leadership
The 100th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference took place at the University of Kentucky from June 11th to 14th, 2024. The conference aimed to achieve several objectives for its participants, including developing leadership and teamwork skills, improving communication abilities, fostering civic engagement, expanding knowledge in 4-H core content areas, and enhancing social skills through networking. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity for youth to become acquainted with the University
Author: Amanda Dame
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
An interest in cooking and preparing foods at home has become more common over the past few years. With that increased interest, there have been more requests for programs and hands-on educational courses in this area. To address this issue the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent provided different learning opportunities in Hopkins County to help residents craft new skills for preparing food at home. These classes included: Cheese Making, Soups and Sandwiches, Quick Breads, and Food Pre
