Taylor County CES

County Emphasis:

Provide Taylor County residents with life skill training opportunities and strengthen workforce readiness.

Concentration 1:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 2:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 3:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Concentration 4:

Health and Wellbeing

Situation:

America’s future hinges on a prepared workforce and engaged communities collaborating to tackle society’s most pressing challenges. As of 2024, there are 2,465,949 job openings in Kentucky and nationwide there are 10 million unfilled jobs. Fasted growing jobs are in the fields of vocational education and higher education teachers, agriculture professionals, and digitally enabled roles: ecommerce specialists, digital transformation specialists, and digital marketing professionals (World Economic Forum, 2023). 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet (Dell Technologies, 2019). 77% of employers say focus less on traditional school subjects, more on real-world skills (Kauffman Foundation, 2021). Skills like analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, adaptability are key (World Economic Forum, 2023). According to the National 4-H Index Study 2024, 80% explored career options, 50% received guidance for college decisions, and 95% reported 4-H helped them identify things they were good at. To ensure a sustainable society, it is crucial that our youth are equipped to fill these positions. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System Community Needs Assessment (2023) has identified key priority issues related to life skill development for young people. These priorities include youth life skill training opportunities, youth workforce readiness, and maximizing youth voice in matters that directly impact them. Empowering our youth to actively participate in addressing societal issues is essential for a thriving future.

County Situation:

Upon review of the Extension Community Needs Assessment the Taylor County Extension Council developed this program. The assessment showed life skills training and workforce reediness is greatly needed in Taylor County. Members of the council value the impact all residents have on Taylor County and have made their success in the workforce and life a high priority. From 2019-2023 the civilian labor force total percent of population age 16+ was 62.1%. Of that percentage 56.1% was female. 19.4% of the population of Taylor County is in poverty (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Taylor County, Kentucky). Drug usage is hindrance to some potential employees. Data from 2022 shows that Taylor County had 19 drug overdoses. 5+ were from fentanyl and 5+ were from methamphetamine (https://kiprc.uky.edu/).  Extension takes pride in helping others help themselves. Buy providing training, education, and leadership opportunities Taylor County Cooperative Extension will help the residents of Taylor County succeed. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Participants will demonstrate necessary leadership, teamwork, and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace. 

Participants will serve in leadership roles in their community.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Participants will practice teamwork, responsibility, communication, conflict resolution techniques, and problem-solving skills.

Participants will choose to take on leadership roles in their community. 

Initial Outcomes:

Participants identify personal strengths that contribute to life and work skill development.

Increased knowledge of career pathways.

Increased knowledge of educational, training, and certification opportunities.

Participants will practice civic engagement, leadership and communication skills.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants gain awareness of agriculture career pathways and skills needed to be successful; participants gain knowledge of financial management skills needed in adulthood to help prepare for independent living.

Indicator: Number of participants who reported learning new skills to prepare or improve themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

Method: Standard Evaluation  

Timeline: Immediately Post Program

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Number of participants who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program / outreach.  

Method: Survey

Timeline: End of program year

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Evaluation will be conducted using the national 4-H Index Study

Method: Survey or interviews

Timeline: 1+ years

Learning Opportunities:

Work & Life Skill Development:

Horticulture

Audience: Age 9 - 18 

Project or Activity: Junior Master Gardeners Program

Content or Curriculum: Junior Master Gardeners' Manual 

Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Master Gardeners, UK Specialists, Community Leaders and Producers 

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: High Schoolers and Chamber Participants

Project or Activity: Ag Leadership Day

Content or Curriculum: Local Producers and hands on activities at farms 

Inputs: Horticulture agent, volunteers, chamber, and local schools

Date: Spring 2026 - 2030

Audience: Residents of Taylor County

Project or Activity: Developing a Horticulture Enterprise 

Content or Curriculum: CCD publications and price reports, ID- 36, 

Inputs: Horticulture agents, specialists, and established producers  

Date: Fall 2025 - 2030

4-H Youth Development

Audience: 4-H age Youth (9-18)

Project or Activity: Communication programs (Public Speaking, Mock Interview, Resume writing) 

Content or Curriculum: Career Development & Exploration Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Assistant, 4-H Specialists, Volunteer Leaders

Date: 2026-2030

Audience: 4-H age Youth (9-18)

Project or Activity: Sewing Projects and other Project Days

Content or Curriculum: Various Curriculum (sewing, woodworking, etc.)

Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Assistant, 4-H Specialists, Volunteer Leaders

Date: 2026-2030

Family & Consumer Sciences

Audience: Homemaker Members, General Public

Project or Activity: Leader Trainings, Workshops, Seminars

Content or Curriculum: Charcuterie Boards; Stress Eating; Ready, Set, Bake; Fermented Foods; Meals While Traveling; Cook Wild 

Inputs: Specialist Support, Extension Homemaker resources, other university extension resources

Date: 2026-2030

Audience: Homeschool Students 

Project or Activity: College Prep Class

Content or Curriculum: The Value of Continued Education, Paying for Continued Education, Selecting a Major and Career for a Sound Financial Future, Tackling Your Laundry: Let's talk safety and tips for success!

Inputs:  Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Local Colleges 

Date: 2026-2030

Audience: Taylor County Families and Individuals, General Public

Project or Activity: Food as Health Class Series 

Content or Curriculum: Food as Health Toolkit

Inputs:  Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Specialist, Volunteers 

Date: 2026-2030

Audience: Families and Individuals, General Public

Project or Activity: Chronic Disease Prevention

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Health Bulletins, Cook Together Eat Together

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, faith-based organizations, health coalitions, healthcare providers, health department, non-profits, schools, company health and wellness, homemakers, community centers, etc. 

Date: 2026-2030

Audience: Facebook and Social Media Users/General Public

Project or Activity: Social media posts and/or virtual programming regarding promotion of healthy lifestyles and communities

Content or Curriculum: various research based resources

Inputs: Agents, UK Specialists, Extension Staff

Date: 2026-2030

Financial Security & Economic Well-Being:

Horticulture

Audience: Housing

Project or Activity: Monthly Horticulture Program

Content or Curriculum: NEP-Publications on growing lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, etc.  

Inputs: Horticulture Agent and Housing Programs Director

Date: Fall 2025 - 2030

Audience: Residents of Taylor County 

Project or Activity: How to create a business plan for your farm

Content or Curriculum: CCD publications

Inputs: Specialists, Horticulture Agent, Established Producers, etc. 

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Youth 9-18

Project or Activity: Horticulture SAE Program / Y.A.I.P.

Content or Curriculum: CCD publications, ID-128, 4-H Plant & Soil Science Project

Inputs: Horticulture Agent, & Master Gardeners

Date: 2025 - 2030

4-H Youth Development

Audience: 4-H age Youth (9-18) in Elementary & Middle School 

Project or Activity: Financial preparedness education- Reality Store and Dollars & Sense

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Financial Management curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Assistant, 4-H Specialists, Family & Consumer Sciences, Volunteer Leaders

Date: 2026

Audience: Middle to High School age youth

Project or Activity: Entrepreneurship opportunities for youth

Content or Curriculum: Career Development & Exploration Curriculum, Financial Management, Entrepreneurship curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Assistant, 4-H Specialists, Volunteer Leaders

Date: 2026

Substance Use Prevention, Recovery, Health, & Wellbeing:

Horticulture

Audience: Participants of the Recovery Garden at The Healing Place

Project or Activity: Spring Garden: planting, care, and harvesting of the garden

Content or Curriculum: NEP - Publications on how to grow various crops

Inputs: EFNEP Assistant, Horticulture Agent, Volunteers

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Participants of the Recovery Garden at The Healing Place

Project or Activity: Summer Garden: planting, care, and harvesting of the garden

Content or Curriculum: NEP - Publications on how to grow various crops

Inputs: EFNEP Assistant, Horticulture Agent, Volunteers

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Participants of the Recovery Garden at The Healing Place

Project or Activity: Fall Garden: planting, care, and harvesting of the garden

Content or Curriculum: NEP - Publications on how to grow various crops

Inputs: EFNEP Assistant, Horticulture Agent, Volunteers

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Participants of the Recovery Garden at The Healing Place

Project or Activity: Starting a Horticulture Enterprise

Content or Curriculum: CCD Publications, ID-36, etc.

Inputs:  Horticulture Agent

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Participants of the Recovery Garden at The Healing Place

Project or Activity: Starting a Lawn Care Business

Content or Curriculum: CCD Publications, ID-36, etc.

Inputs:  Horticulture Agent

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Housing Residents / LCCA Participants

Project or Activity: Starting A Horticulture Enterprise

Content or Curriculum: CCD Publication, ID-36, etc.

Inputs: Horticulture Agent

Date: 2025 - 2030

4-H Youth Development

Audience: 4-H age Youth (9-18)

Project or Activity: Substance Abuse Awareness and Education

Content or Curriculum: Health Rocks! Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Program Assistant

Date: 2026 - 2030

Health and Wellbeing 

4-H Youth Development

Audience: 4-H age Youth (9-18)

Project or Activity: 4-H Residential Summer Camp every summer

Content or Curriculum: physical activity, outdoor education, team-building skills, learning independence 

Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Program Assistant, Volunteer Leaders

Date: 2026 - 2030

Audience: 4-H age Youth (9-18)

Project or Activity: Cooking Clubs (Junior, Intermediate, and Senior)

Content or Curriculum: teaching cooking skills and healthy food preparation; Food Preparation curriculum, Fair Recipes

Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Program Assistant, Volunteer Leaders

Date: 2026 - 2030

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants gain awareness of agriculture career pathways and skills needed to be successful; participants gain knowledge of financial management skills needed in adulthood to help prepare for independent living.

Indicator: Number of participants who reported learning new skills to prepare or improve themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.

Method: Standard Evaluation  

Timeline: Immediately Post Program

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Number of participants who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program / outreach.  

Method: Survey

Timeline: End of program year

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Evaluation will be conducted using the national 4-H Index Study

Method: Survey or interviews

Timeline: 1+ years