Extension
It Starts With Us
Improved Physical and Mental Health
Nutrition, Food Systems and Mental Well-Being
Bridge, Mills, Reed, King (EFNEP)
Integrated Pest Management
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Substance Use Recovery - FCS
Family and Consumer Science
According to the CHSI (Community Health Status Indicators) report, Meade County has several areas which need improvement in relation to health and wellness. While we our obesity and overweight rates have decreased 4% over the past years to 22% we still have 78% who eat few fruits and vegetables and 28% who do not engage in daily exercise. Our three top fatal incidents include stroke, heart disease and colon cancer. Extension programs can continue to have great impact in these areas. The Family and Consumer Sciences council indicated this is one of the priority issues along with teaching quick nutritious meal plans and demonstrations for working families. In addition the need to address lack of fruit and vegetable consumption can be address through nutrition education programs and partnering with the local Farmers Market.
Staying physically fit is one of the most important things youth can do for their overall health. For youth exercise means playing and being physically active. Youth who are active will have strong muscle and bones and leaner bodies, because physical activity helps control body fat and decreases the risk of developing Type II diabetes.
Healthy living is one of three 4-H mission mandates and encompasses: physical activity, personal safety, mental health, addiction prevention, and diversity and inclusion. In Kentucky 37% of youth 10-17 are overweight or obese, and 51% report not exercising regularly. 25% of youth report some form of emotional or behavioral condition and suicide rates are at record high (KY suicides per 100,000 people: 15.3, 10th highest in nation). Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health disease can affect anyone, with 1,160 reported opioid-involved deaths (a rate of 27.9 deaths per 100,000 persons) in Kentucky and Vaping nearly doubled among middle and high school students — with 27% of high school seniors reporting they had tried the product in 2018.
Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.
A foundation of nutrition knowledge, skills and competencies in topics such as food safety, handling and preparation, cooking methods and techniques, feeding practices, food science, and food systems are essential to changing dietary behaviors. With the increased trend of chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky, individuals, families, and communities need tools and environments that support healthful dietary decisions. CES agents are encouraged to reach diverse audiences to help combat chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky communities.
The recent statewide needs assessment identified substance use prevention and recovery as the most urgent priority for Cooperative Extension. Moreover, substance use was the focal point of the CES Advisory Council Meeting in early 2019. Taken together, youth KIP survey data and data from the CES needs assessment demonstrate the need to address substance use prevention, recovery, stigma, and impact on families and communities.
With the increased trend of chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky, individuals, families, and communities need tools and environments that support healthy and active lifestyle choices. CES agents are encouraged to reach diverse audiences to help combat chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky communities. Focusing on a foundation of overall direct health education to increase health literacy and ability to make healthy lifestyle choices. Including, creating spaces or opportunities for active living and health behaviors.
- Decrease in number of overweight children, youth, adults and elderly.
- County population will increase average consumption of fruits and vegetables by one or more servings per day.
- Citizens improve food management skills and healthy eating habits.
- Increase the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily.
- Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits;
- Increased number of youth at a lower risk for serious disease and illness;
- Increased number of youth at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress
- Reduce the number of youth reporting drug, alcohol, and tobacco use
- Routinely employ healthy dietary practices that promote health and wellness (e.g. consume recommended daily fruits and vegetables and improve food management skills)
- Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity
- The prevention and/or reduction of substance use and its related consequences.
- Changed public perception of substance use via stigma reduction.
- Routinely meeting physical activity and dietary recommendations that promote health and wellness (e.g. 150 minutes a week of moderate activity and consuming recommended daily fruits and vegetables)
- Community environment promotes healthy behaviors where people live, learn, work, and play
- Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity
- Number of program participants who:
- access more local foods,
- plant harvest and preserve produce
- apply improved preparation skills, food management skills, food safety and healthy eating habits.
- Increase the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily.
- Youth will increase adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle
- Youth will improve access and utilization of resources
- Youth will improve perceived stress and their ability to cope
- Youth will contribute to their communities
- Youth will practice refusal skills,
- Youth will intervene to prevent use/abuse
- Generate positive attitudes toward changing dietary decisions to be more healthful.
- Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods
- Decrease intake of solid fats, added sugars, and sodium
- Employ healthful cooking methods, feeding practices, and food preservation techniques
- Increased access to healthy food via local farmers markets, food retailers, and/or home gardens
- Reduced stigma from local community members
- Increased Opioid Stewardship (less rx’ing by doctors, appropriate Rx disposal, drug takebacks, etc.)
- Delayed age of first use among Kentucky youth
- Decrease tobacco/ substance use
- Improve self-efficacy in physical activity, movement, and active routes to destinations
- Citizens growing their own produce will better understand Integrated Pest Management
Citizens who:
- learn to grow, prepare and preserve food.
- increase knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety and resource management.
- Increase the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily.
- Improved awareness of health concerns for youth
- Improved education about SUD and MH disease
- Improved education about diversity and Inclusion
- Reduced stigma of individuals with SUD and MH disease
- Youth will improve their understanding of the consequences of risk behaviors
- Promote optimal physical, social and emotional health habits in youth
- Grow their own produce will learn the importance of reading and following a pesticide label as well as properly using pesticide safety.
- Increase awareness about relationships between food and nutrition practices and chronic disease.
- Improve food and nutrition-related skills (e.g. gardening, preparation and preservation techniques, safe food handling, food resource management)
- Increase confidence in ability to employ healthy eating practices
- Increase motivation to access and prepare healthier foods
- Increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction, and recovery (or related subject matter)
- Increased ability to use destigmatized language
- Improved social skills and/or self-efficacy in KY
- Increase awareness about lifestyle choices and chronic disease (e.g. tobacco use, poor nutrition, & lack of physical activity)
- Increase confidence in ability to employ healthy practices
- Improve food and nutrition-related skills (e.g. preparation techniques, safe food handling)
- Increase motivation to be active
- Increase awareness of accessible safe places for activity
Long-Term Outcome: Decrease in number of overweight children, youth, adults and elderly.
County population will increase average consumption of fruits and vegetables by one or more servings per day. Citizens improve food management skills and healthy eating habits.
Method: Evaluation throughout program participation.
Timeline: Beginning through end of program.
Long Term Outcome: Youth will maintain positive health habits
Indicator: Number of youth who indicated they learned about healthy food choices through 4-H
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives
Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025
Long Term Outcome: Increased number of youth at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress
Indicator: Increased number of youth at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives
Timeline: July 2024- June 2025
Intermediate Outcome: Increase in consumption of locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables
Indicator: Of the total number of families reached with information on accessing healthy foods the number of families reached that gained knowledge about eating more healthy foods.
Method: Featured Program questions
Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025
Intermediate Outcome: Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle
Indicator: Number of youth who indicated they made healthy lifestyle choices as are result of what they learned through 4-H programming? (PRACTICE)
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives
Timeline: July 2024- June 2025
Intermediate Outcome: Improved perceived stress and ability to cope and practice refusal skills
Indicator: Number of youth who indicated they made healthy lifestyle choices as are result of what they learned through 4-H programming. (PRACTICE)
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives
Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will practice healthy eating and food preparation choices
Indicator: The number of youth reporting putting into practice healthy eating and food preparation choices and skills learned as a result of program participation.
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives
Timeline: July 2024 - July 2025
Intermediate Outcome: Youth plan and implement a Family & Consumer Sciences or Health related project
Indicator: Youth complete a FCS or Health project
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives
Timeline: July 2024 - July 2025
Initial Outcome: Participants gain new knowledge or skill by attending program.
Indicator: Number of participants who report new knowledge/skill gained by attending program.
Method: Informal conversation during/after program. Testimonials given by participants. Informal questions asked during program.
Timeline: Throughout the program year, July 22 -June 23
Nutrition knowledge, skills, and competencies
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: use knowledge and skills to improve food-shopping management; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices; choosing smaller portions; increased food preservation knowledge; demonstrated recommended food preservation practices
Method: Self-report surveys; specific curricula or program evaluations
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Preparing and preserving food
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: preparing more home-cooked meals; modifying ingredients and/or preparation techniques to improve nutrition
Method: Self-report survey; specific curricula or program evaluations
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Dietary intake Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: eating 4-6 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily
Method: Self-report surveys about fruit and vegetable intake or other dietary improvements; specific curricula or program evaluations
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Availability and access to healthy food
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: utilizing delivery systems/access points (e.g., farmers’ markets, CSAs, WIC, food pantries) that offer healthy foods; supplementing diets with healthy foods grown or preserved (e.g., community or backyard gardens, fishing, hunting, farmers markets); dollar value of vendor-reported sales or EBT, WIC, or Senior benefits redeemed at farmers’ markets; number of pints of foods preserved through water bath canning, pressure canning, freezing, or drying.
Method: Self-report survey
Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025
Outcome: Increased knowledge of substance use
Indicator: Number of individuals attending programs
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following every addiction 101 training
Outcome: Increased ability to use destigmatized language Indicator: Number of individuals intend to change behavior
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following any program that includes language training
Outcome: Nutrition knowledge and dietary intake
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: eating 4-6 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices; choosing smaller portions
Method: Self-report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Physical Activity knowledge, skills, and competencies
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: knowledge and skills gained about the benefits of physical activity; adoption of physical activity practices; increase in physical activity levels
Method: Self-report survey
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Substance Use Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: gained knowledge of the resources that are available for substance use in the community as a result of Extension programming
Method: Self-report survey
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Chronic Disease Prevention
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: participants who had one or more health indicator (cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose) improved.
Method: Self-report survey
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Availability / Access to healthy lifestyle choices
Indicator: Number of communities, health coalitions, or organizations who reported: implemented policy, system, and/or environmental changes to promote healthy eating and active living
Method: Self-report survey
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Initial Outcome: Improved in awareness of health concerns for youth
Indicator: Number of youth indicating increased awareness of health concerns for themselves and other youth.
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives
Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025
Initial Outcome: Improved education about diversity and Inclusion
Indicator: Number of youth indicating increased knowledge about diversity and inclusion and the aspiration to make personal changes in regards to diversity and inclusion.
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives
Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025
Initial Outcome: Promote optimal physical, social and emotional health habits
Indicator: Number of youth who were educated on health and well-being through 4-H programs. (KOSA)
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives
Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025
Initial Outcome: Youth will practice healthy eating and food preparation choices
Indicator: The number of youth reporting making healthier eating and food preparation choices as a result of program participation.
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives
Timeline: July 2024- June 2025
Initial Outcome: Youth learn and develop life skills though 4-H.
Indicator: Number of youth who report learning and developing life skills through 4-H activities/events/project work.
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives
Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Cooking programs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Foods Projects, Cooking 101-104, Teen Cuisine, Plate It Up!, Food Science: What’s on Your Plate?
Inputs: 4-H Council, 4-H members, community sponsors, extension facilities, extension staff, volunteers
Date: Summer 2024, Spring 2025
Audience: Middle and High School Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Cuisine Club
Content or Curriculum: Cooking 101-104, Teen Cuisine, 4-H Foods Projects, Plate It Up!, Food Science: What’s on Your Plate
Inputs: extension staff, Youth Service Center Coordinator, school personnel, local volunteers
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: Middle School Youth
Project or Activity: Stuart Pepper Middle School Healthy Mind/Healthy Body
Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H curriculum for Health and SNAP-ED materials
Inputs: extension staff, Youth Service Center Coordinator, school personnel, volunteers
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Mental Health Programs
Content or Curriculum: Mindful Me, Centering on me
Inputs: extension staff, volunteers, school personnel
Date: September 2024 – May 2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Addiction Prevention Programs
Content or Curriculum: Health Rocks!
Inputs: extension staff, volunteers, parents, school personnel
Date: September 2024 - May 2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Diversity and Inclusion Programs
Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements, Diversity: The source of our Strength, Be SAFE: Safe, Affirming & Fair Environments
Inputs: extension staff, volunteers, parents, school personnel
Date: September 2024 - May 2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Physical Health Programs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Dancefit, Get Moving Kentucky, Keeping Fit & Healthy, SPARK, Steps to a Healthy Teen, Outdoor Adventures
Inputs: extension staff, volunteers, parents, school personnel
Date: September 2024 - May 2025
Audience: Landowners, farmers, gardeners, agribusiness people
Project: Private Applicators Training for using pesticides properly
Content: Private Applicator’s training materials
Inputs: KDA, UK Specialists, ANR agent
Date: Winter 2021- 2025
Audience: Beginning Gardening
Activity: Garden Presentation/Program
Content: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky pub ID-128
Inputs: University of Kentucky Specialists, ANR agent
Dates: Spring 2021-2025
Audience: General Public
Activity: Home Visits
Content: One on One, individual instruction
Inputs: ANR agent
Date: Summer 2021-2025
Audience: Communities
Project or Activity: Farmers Market Outreach Content or Curriculum: Cooking programs, marketing, increased access (e.g. location, hours, EBT), Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud resources, Farmers Market Toolkit, Super Star Chef
Inputs: Nutrition Education Program (NEP), paid staff, grant funds, facilities, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Date: April – October/Growing seasons
Project or Activity: Policy, Systems, and Environmental Approaches
Content or Curriculum: Faithful Families, Kentucky Farm to School Task Force Resources, Health Coalitions, resources for early care and education settings
Inputs: Volunteers, grant funds, faith-based organizations, community partners, key stakeholders, SNAP-Ed Toolkit
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Audience: Families and Individuals
Project or Activity: Food Preparation for Better Health Content or Curriculum: Cook Together Eat Together, Mastering Food Choices, Dining with Diabetes, Super Star Chef, Champion Food Volunteer, Faithful Families, Body Balance, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud Resources, plans for prenatal- and infant/toddler-specific curriculum, resources for early care and education settings
Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, faith-based organizations, health coalitions
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Project or Activity: Food Preservation Content or Curriculum: Publications, Trainings, Home-Based Micro-Processing Training, Champion Food Volunteers
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, programmatic materials, NEP
Date: ongoing as needed for adults and youth throughout the year.
Audience: Families Impacted by Addiction
Project or Activity: Addiction Training Content or Curriculum: Addiction 101
Inputs: council, champions against drugs coalition, local law enforcement, judicial system
Date: once per quarter or as needed
Audience: Communities
Project or Activity: Policy, Systems, and Environmental Approaches
Content or Curriculum: Health Coalitions, Trail Development, Active Community Toolkit,
Inputs: Volunteers, grant funds, faith-based organizations, community partners, key stakeholders, elected officials, Department of Transportation, Health Coalitions, Employee Health and Wellness, SNAP-Ed Toolkit
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year/Buttermilk Falls Trail Day April 2025
Audience: Families and Individuals
Project or Activity: Chronic Disease Prevention
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Health Bulletins, Cook Together Eat Together, Mastering Food Choices, Dining with Diabetes, Fit Blue, Faithful Families, Body Balance, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud Resources, WIN, Kick Kentucky Cancer, Health Partners, Bingocize, Master Health Volunteer, Keys to Embracing Aging
Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, faith-based organizations, health coalitions, Healthcare Providers, Health Department, Non-profits, Schools, Company Health & Wellness, Homemakers, Community Centers, etc.
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Project or Activity: Physical Activity Content or Curriculum: Publications, Faithful Families, Story Walk, Master Health Volunteer, Shared Space Agreements, Health Coalitions, Be More, Fit Blue, WIN, Health Partners, Bingocize, Keys to Embracing Aging
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, health coalitions, Healthcare Providers, Health Department, Non-profits, Schools, Company Health & Wellness, FBOs, consumers, Community Centers
Date: Periodically each year
Audience: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association/Volunteers
Project or Activity: Health Awareness Month and other related opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Master Health Volunteers, Health Bulletins, Monthly Leader Lessons Inputs: Volunteers, paid staff, community partners
Date: Monthly
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Extension Health and Wellness Ambassador program
Content or Curriculum: Extension Health and Wellness
Date: Throughout the year to train and manage volunteers
Audience: Youth and Adults
Project or Activity: Edible Education: Food Science for Everyday Life
Content: Edible Education
Date: July 2024 - June 2025
Author: Jennifer Bridge
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
The Buttermilk Falls Walking Trail is the most used trail in Meade County. This beautiful trail is surrounded by an abundance of flora and fauna as well as springs and waterways flowing into the nearby Ohio River. Walking and running conditions are ideal and many individuals spend hours on the trail individually or with their family. A local committee, which includes the local FCS agent, oversees the trail and works with the county parks department to maintain and expand
