Extension
It Starts With Us
Healthy People, Healthy Economy
Health and Wellness
Shad Baker, Nanette Banks, Crystal Smith (Assistants: Michael Mullins, Lee Adams, Mitch Whitaker, etc
Trail Design
Building Healthy Coalitions
Local Food System Development and Mapping
Community Strategic Planning
Letcher County has long had an economy based largely on coal mining. As coal's percentage of the energy market has declined through competition from other sources and regulation impacts, the economy of the county has struggled. Diversification is needed, but is often resisted both by industry's concerns that it will drive up labor costs and by locals concerned that it will invite those with an antagonistic view of coal and that it represents a fundamental economic and cultural change. The need for diversification is furthered by the hard reality that coal is a non-renewable resource that is nearly completely played out in the county, after a hundred years of intensive extraction; the county being among the first to have initiated mining.
Letcher County has some of the highest obesity rates in the nation, 38% above the state average. Adults reporting a lack of physical activity represent 36% of the population (24% higher than the rest of the state. According to kentuckyhealthfacts.org, it also suffers from almost double the national average of premature death, higher than the state-average of the following: total mortality, 33% higher reports of less than good health, higher mental health issues, 50% higher diabetes (among the highest in the nation), 20% higher rates of hypertension, 11% higher rates of overall cancer,51% higher rates of heart disease, 31% higher rates of stroke, and 200% higher rates of infectious disease. These are staggering numbers and warrant our full efforts.
Letcher County has not had a significant market for local produce. Though locals have grown gardens and fruits, much of the diet of the typical citizen is processed foods high in fat, cholesterol and caloric count. A Farmers Market was begun in 2013 and has seen significant growth. Further development of the market and continued partnership with local leaders to advance a community kitchen to local utilize surplus production would benefit the economy and dietary needs of the county.
Letcher County is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, hosting some of the highest mountains in the state, large public lands tracts, waterfalls, caves, tremendous panoramic views and expansive forests. These offer the potential for both recreation, tourism development and exercise. Efforts to develop public lands for these uses would provide for diversification of the economy and provide for a more stable and healthy future for the population.
There are several partnering organizations in the county which work towards addressing the challenges and opportunities of the county. Planning efforts to develop our people, our resources, and to collectively craft a unified vision that best plays off of the counties strengths will advance the economy and well-being of our people.
A diversified economy that sustains a healthy community
An improved and diversified local economic base
A Sustainable Farmers Market that meets the needs of the county
A Community Kitchen that utilizes local produce and feeds balanced meals to patrons
Tourism-related projects and businesses are sustainable and have increasing community support
Local Food Access is established
Appropriate match between producers and consumers sustained locally
Increased knowledge and utilization of local health facilities, exercise opportunities such as trails, and of recommended dietary guidelines
Local Food production
Friendly land use and other policies being adopted
Local policy makers encourage tourism and the related business development
Increased access to local foods
Development of trails and other activity-inducing projects
Local land use and other policies supportive of new food initiatives
Increase agent awareness of opportunities and challenges working with health networks
Initial Outcome: Increased consumption and production of local foods
Indicator:
Method: General Survey, Consumer survey
Timeline: May 2017 - November 2017
Intermediate Outcome: More physically active population
Indicator:
Method: General survey, Consumer Survey
Timeline: July 2017 - June 2020
Long-term Outcome: Farmers supplying market and kitchen
Indicator:
Method: General survey
Timeline: July-2017 - June 2020
Audience: Producers, SNAP-ed Clientele, (WIC, Senior Voucher)
Project or Activity: Food Systems Training
Content or Curriculum: GAP Training, SNAP-ed, MarketMaker, Production Workshops,
Inputs: Agents, Community Partners, KY Dept. of Ag, Farmers Market, Specialists
Date: 2017-2020
Audience: General
Project or Activity: Community Kitchen
Content or Curriculum: Production Workshops, Specialists Support,
Inputs: Agents, Community Partners, KY Dept. of Ag, Farmers Market, Specialists
Date: 2017-2020
Audience: General
Project or Activity: Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Training
Content or Curriculum: KDA approved curriculum
Inputs: KY Dept. of Ag, Farmer's Market, GROW Appalachia, UK Specialists
Date: 2017-2020
Audience: General
Project or Activity: Walk Your Way to Better Health
Content or Curriculum: Get Moving KY
Inputs: Agents & Assistants
Date: 2017-2018
Audience: General
Project or Activity: CDC Fit Trail & Bike/Walk Trail
Content or Curriculum: FCS initiatives Accessing Nutritious Good & Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Inputs: Agents & Assistants
Date: 2017-2018
Audience: General
Project or Activity: Embracing Life As You Age
Content or Curriculum: Embracing Life As You Age curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date:2017-2018
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Embracing Life as We Age (general)
According to the Alzheimer’s Association 5.5 million individuals are living with “Alzheimer’s dementia”, with Alzheimer’s disease being the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. Since 2000, deaths from heart disease have decreased by 14% while deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased by 89%. Dementia is one of the costliest conditions to society with total payments in 2017 for all individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementi
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Securing Financial Stability (general)
Holidays are often an exciting time of the year. However, the holidays can also represent added stress due to holiday spending. Many individuals, families and households neglect budgeting for holiday spending. To assist individuals in understanding and responding to financial stress resulting from holiday expenses, the Letcher County Extension Office hosted Stretching Your Holiday Dollar financial program for the Letcher County Extension Homemakers. Emphasis was placed on under
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)
According to Kentucky Health Facts, 72% of Letcher County residents are overweight with 38% being obese and only 18% consume 5 or more fruits and vegetables per day. Obese individuals are at higher risk for many chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancers. The Letcher County Cooperative Extension Service offered a six week Healthy Cooking School at two local libraries to encourage participants to prepare healthy home cooked meals. There
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Keys to Embracing Aging
The Letcher County Family & Consumer Sciences Agent offered Keys to Embracing Aging, an educational health intervention program aimed at improving overall health by focusing on ways in which individuals and families can be empowered to take control of their own lifestyle decisions and behaviors in terms of health and well-being. To demonstrate behavior change the program included a 30-day follow-up evaluation on each of the twelve topics.Results are as follows: 70% reported that th
