Extension
It Starts With Us
Engaged Communities
Community Vitality
Tad Campbell, Abby Gray, Macy Fawns, Trever Cole
Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Leadership
Master Gardener
The community needs assessment from both Mason County and Kentucky as well as the Mason CEC recognized community vitality as a top priority. They have asked for focus or improvement on community pride, leadership, communications and collaboration, community involvement, emergency preparedness, and taking care of the community. Agriculture is a vital industry to the community. Preserving farming in a rural community from traditional to new crop opportunities can increase pride and vitality. The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association mission is to improve the quality of life for families and communities through education, leadership development and volunteer service. Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. The Kentucky Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Program develops trained volunteers to assist county Extension staff in public outreach and provides research-based information.
- Farming continues to provide an economic infrastructure to the local community and businesses.
- KEHA members serve as active Extension and community volunteers engaged in addressing community needs.
- Master Clothing Volunteers provide the county with experienced leaders who can assist in the implementation of sewing-related programs; develop lasting friendships with other Volunteers thereby gaining a support-group that can improve quality of life
- Participants of MCV-Led Programs continue to engage in sewing-related activities, sustain or increase the participation in sewing-related activities – sew for pleasure or self-expression; gain skills that can be used to benefit livelihood; save money by mending or altering clothing
- Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders
- Community members engage others to initiate projects
- Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members
- Communities become more prosperous
- EMG Volunteers extend the educational outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service in areas such as community gardens, youth gardening, environmentally sustaining lawn and garden practices, and other topics
- Youth improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
- Local businesses work with the farming community to strengthen vitality.
- KEHA leaders will practice personal leadership skills through leadership roles at the club, county, area and/or state level. The number of KEHA volunteer service hours reported annually for KEHA, Extension and Community activities will increase.
- Master Clothing Volunteers continue to hone their skills and increase confidence; seek out teaching and leadership opportunities in their communities; generate interest in sewing related activities within their communities
- Participants of MCV-Led Programs learn more skills, consider mending clothing in lieu of replacing it, sew their own clothing or craft items; are provided with a creative outlet
- Youth put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles
- Youth participants become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles which increases involvement/action
- Youth participants initiate projects that meet the needs of their community
- Youth are inclusive of all individuals
- Youth will volunteer and participate in community service
- Youth will engage in civic involvement
- Youth will maintain future intentions for civic engagement
- Participants (certified EMG volunteers) put into practice the skills learned when completing volunteer hours and working with clientele
- Farmers and businesses gain an understanding that working together will enhance community pride.
- KEHA members will gain organizational knowledge through annual officer and chairman training. KEHA members will increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership through club lessons and special interest workshops.
- Master Clothing Volunteers are accepted into a group of individuals that share a passion for sewing; through our MCV training, our volunteers learn standard sewing skills and are exposed to advancements in sewing equipment are exposed to new techniques and standard sewing skills; they may change point-of-view about the way some sewing can be taught or implemented
- Participants of MCV-Led Programs learn basic sewing skills, accept sewing as a valid hobby, become interested in learning more sewing techniques; improve hand/eye coordination
- Youth increase knowledge of effective leadership skills
- Youth develop/enhance leadership skills
- Youth are informed of community systems, are better connected to communication networks, are more confident and skills in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global)
- Participants become Certified EMG volunteers when they master the curriculum and provide 40 hours in volunteer service to the local Cooperative Extension Office
Outcome: MCV’s increase knowledge and become experienced leaders
Indicator(s): 1, 2 (from MCV Program Indicators)
Method: Attend Fall training at Jabez; lead Jabez classes & throughout KY
Timeline: on-going
Outcome: KEHA members will gain organizational knowledge through annual officer and chairman training
Indicator(s): Number of KEHA members who report knowledge gained through county and/or area officer and chairman training.
Method: Program evaluation with pre and post assessment questions
Timeline: on-going
Outcome: KEHA leaders will practice personal leadership skills through leadership roles at the club, county, area and/or state level.
Indicator(s): Number of KEHA members who utilized knowledge gained through officer training to fulfill a KEHA leadership role at the club, county, area and/or state level.
Method: Observation, review of officer directories
Timeline: on-going
Initial Outcome: Youth are informed of community systems, are better connected to communication networks, are more confident and skills in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global)
Indicator(s): Number of youth who have improved their communication skills by completing a speech, demonstration, or other public presentation
Method: Pre & Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2024
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will engage in civic involvement
Indicator(s): Number of youth who indicated they are comfortable working in groups (Common Measures – UN 14)
Method: Pre & Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2024
Long Term Outcome: Youth improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
Indicator(s): Number of youth who can take responsibility for their actions
Method: Pre & Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2024
Initial Outcome: Master Gardeners volunteer after completion of program.
Indicator(s): Number of master gardeners that have completed certification and were active volunteers in the county during the past year
Method: Observation and interviews
Timeline: yearly
Intermediate Outcome: Master Gardeners who put their skills to use based on the needs of the county.
Indicator(s): Number of Master Gardener volunteers who became aware of Extension’s role in addressing the needs of local residents
Method:Observation and interviews
Timeline: yearly
Long-term Outcome: Master Gardeners reach out and make direct contacts
Indicator(s): Number of direct contacts made by Master Gardener volunteers
Method: Observation and surveys
Timeline: all year
Outcome: Stronger leadership for agriculture programming
Indicator(s): Participants begin to serve roles of leadership in community
Method: Personal survey/poll
Timeline: Fall
Audience: Farm Families and Community
Project or Activity: Farm Family Night
Content or Curriculum: Multiple agriculture classes
Inputs: ANR Agent, local farmers, specialists, MCTC
Dates: March
Audience: Master Clothing Volunteers
Project or Activity: Fall training at Jabez
Content or Curriculum: classes based on certification needs or requests from members or as determined by the MCV Steering Committee
Inputs: State Coordinator, FCS Agent, Steering Committee, other MCV’s
Date: October
Audience: Master Clothing Volunteers
Project or Activity: Area Workdays
Content or Curriculum: MCV’s get together as determined by their Area Contact or other MCV’s to work on service projects
Inputs: FCS Agent, other MCV’s
Date: on-going
Audience: Participants of MCV-Led Programs
Project or Activity: Level-Specific Sewing Classes
Content or Curriculum: MCV’s teach sewing classes in their counties
Inputs: FCS Agent, other MCV’s
Date: on-going
Audience: Mason County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA Officer and Chairman Training / County KEHA Kickoff
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Training Toolkit, KEHA Manual, KEHA Website
Inputs: FCS Agent, State Advisors
Date: August 2023
Audience: Mason County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA Special Interest Workshops
Content or Curriculum: KELD Curriculum, FCS Extension Lesson Resources, FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent, State Advisors
Date: Monthly
Audience: Mason County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA State Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Officer Training & Educational Chairman Workshops
Inputs: FCS Agent, State Advisors
Date: April 2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Club Community Service Project
Content or Curriculum: UK research based information
Inputs: 4-H Agent, leaders, parents, community partners
Date: Spring
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Master Gardeners providing outreach in the community to reach more people
Content or Curriculum: UK research based information
Inputs: Horticulture Agent, volunteers
Date: throughout the year
Author: Abbigale Gray
Major Program: Community Engagement
Through a community effort involving many different community partners who are all a part of the Mason County Health Coalition: Healthy Behaviors and Lifestyles, we were able to put together a monthly lunch and learn and getting speakers from all different areas of expertise to come in. The community partners that are involved are the hospital, the health department, the local schools, primary plus, and Angie Combs from the American Cancer Program. So far we had speakers come in and talk about m
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Community Engagement
Candyland, a community program that brought together 30 families, made a profound impact by creating a joyous afternoon filled with laughter, connection, and community spirit. With over 95 attendees, including 26 dedicated volunteers and support from five community partners, the event fostered a sense of togetherness and belonging. Through hands-on activities and the special appearances of Santa and the Grinch, Candyland not only created cherished memories for families but also strengthened the
Author: Abbigale Gray
Major Program: Family Development General
The Candyland program proved to be a resounding success, bringing together 30 families and a total of 195 individuals in a heartwarming display of community and office collaboration. This initiative, marked by its inclusive and festive spirit, not only fostered a sense of togetherness but also showcased the remarkable dedication and efforts of our community members. Through this joint endeavor, we not only created lasting memories but also strengthened the bonds that make our community vibrant a
Author: Trever Cole
Major Program: Community Engagement
As an entire office we worked together to put the Candyland Holiday program on for the second year. we worked together to promote the program inviting community organizations to participate again by setting up craft booths and each program area provided a craft or activity into a to-go bag. This year we increased the number of families served by adding additional spots for each time. This program had the impact of helping families come together for crafts as well as raise awareness of Extension
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Master Gardener
The Master Gardener program in Mason County has expanded to include more members, urging them to take on leadership roles within the community. Over time, Master Gardeners have dedicated countless hours to support a variety of programs. Lately, the program has broadened its scope, with Master Gardeners leading more than over a dozen different programs at locations such as the library, senior center, and Extension Office. Through their involvement, members have evolved and contributed to enhancin
