Extension
It Starts With Us
Encouraging the Adoption of Healthy Lifestyles and Health Maintenance
Health and Wellness
Davidson, Easley, Williams, and Mobley
Substance Use Recovery - FCS
Food Preparation and Preservation
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Active Living and Health Promotions General
The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. The obesity rate in Kentucky increased 90 percent over the last 15 years and thirty percent of individuals in the Commonwealth report no leisure-time physical activity. These individuals are at an increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and built environments that promote physical inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. As a result, Kentuckians, including youth, are dying from heart disease and cancer at higher rates than all Americans and they have a lower life expectancy, 75.5 years, compared to 78 years for Americans. Besides high obesity rates, Kentucky youth are also facing high rates of substance abuse, bullying and safety concerns. Early substance use in childhood/adolescence affects later drug use.
- The prevention and/or reduction of substance use and its related consequences
- Routinely meeting physical activity and dietary recommendations that promote health and wellness
- Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity
- Increased access to healthy food via local farmers market, food retailers and/or home gardens
- Generate positive attitudes toward changing lifestyle choices and dietary decisions to be more healthy
- Reduce stigma on substance abuse from local community members
- Employ healthful cooking methods, feeding practices, and food preservation techniques
- Improve food and nutrition-related skills (i.e. gardening, preparation, and preservation techniques, and safe food handling)
- Increase awareness about lifestyle choices and chronic disease
- Increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction and recovery
Initial Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge of healthy lifestyle choices.
Indicator: Individuals, families and groups will invest time and resources in delivering the programs
Method: survey
Timeline: July - June
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will make healthier food choices and increase the amount of physical activity in their lives.
Indicator: Behavioral changes will lead to improvement in the quality of life.
Method: pre-post test evaluation
Timeline: July-June
Long-term Outcome: Community health and economy is strengthened through efforts of local leadership
Indicator: There will be a measurable decline in obesity, chronic disease and substance use among citizens in Laurel County.
Method: Number of local policy changes as a result of Extension programs
Timeline: July-June
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Healthy Foods, Cooking and Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: Teen Cuisine, Put it Up, Cooking 101
Inputs: 4-H Agents, 4-H assistant, volunteers
Date: Summer, Fall
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H School Programs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum
Inputs: 4-H agents, 4-H assistants, volunteers, local schools
Date: September-May
Audience: General public
Project or Activity: Cook Together, Eat Together
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent, EFNEP, state FCS specialists, Laurel Harvest Project
Date: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring
Audience: SNAP eligible audiences
Project or Activity: EFNEP
Content or Curriculum: NEP curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent, EFNEP, state NEP
Date: ongoing
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Holiday Cooking School
Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agents and Local Organizations
Date: November
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Moneywise
Content or Curriculum: Moneywise Curriculum
Inputs: FCS
Date: Fall
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Food Preservation Programs
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: Summer
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Farmers Feast
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up KY
Inputs: Extension Agents, God's Pantry Food Bank, Farmers Market, Cattlemen's Association, North Laurel and South Laurel FFA
Date: August
Audience: Low-income family
Project or Activity: WIC FMNP
Content or Curriculum: KDA
Inputs: Extension Agents, Farmers Market, Health Department
Date July-Oct.
Audience: Adults
Activity: Walking Wednesdays
Content or curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: Extension Agent and staff
Extension Office
Date: Spring/Summer
Audience: Senior Citizens
Project or Activity: Senior Farmer Market Vouchers
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pubs
Inputs: FCS Agent, Staff
Date: Summer
Audience: Senior Citizens
Project or Activity: Bingocize
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pubs, WKU Bingocize Program
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: ongoing
Audience: Youth, General Public
Project or Activity: Storybook Walk
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pubs
Inputs: FCS Agent, Staff, Community Volunteers
Date: Spring
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Cooking Through the Calendar
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pub
Inputs: FCS Agent, Staff
Date: Monthly
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Laugh & Learn
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pubs, UK Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent, Staff
Date: Monthly
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Clubs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum
Inputs: 4-H agents, 4-H assistants, volunteers
Date: Monthly
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Day camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum - Passport Kitchen
Inputs: 4-H agents, 4-H assistants, volunteers
Date: July - August
