Extension
It Starts With Us
Healthy People, Healthy Economy
Health and Wellness
Shad Baker, Nanette Banks, Crystal Smith (Assistants: Lee Adams, Mitch Whitaker)
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: FCS & ANR Curriculum
Method: General Survey, Consumer survey
Timeline: May 2017 - November 2017
Intermediate Outcome: More physically active population
Indicator: FCS Curriculum
Method: General survey, Consumer Survey
Timeline: July 2017 - June 2020
Long-term Outcome: Farmers supplying market and kitchen
Indicator: FCS Curriculum
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: SNAP-ed, MarketMaker, Production Workshops,
Inputs: Agents, Community Partners, KY Dept. of Ag, Farmers Market, Specialists
Date: 2018-2020
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: 2018-2020
Audience: Adults & YouthGeneral
Project or Activity: Couch Potato Challenge
Content or Curriculum: Couch Potato Challenge Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: 2018-2020
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: 2018-2019
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)
The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life among Kentuckians. Obese individuals are at increased risk for many chronic health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. According to the 2014 CEDIK county profile report, the obesity rate in Letcher County is 38.9%. In addition, 37.2% of individuals in Letcher County report being physically inactive.The Letcher County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences offered a
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
Childhood and adult obesity rates are on the rise in Kentucky. A growing number of families eat “on the run” instead of cooking at home. As a result, many children don’t receive the needed basic cooking skills and do not consume the USDA recommended fruits and vegetables each day. To help aid in the prevention of childhood obesity, improved diets, and to encourage healthy cooking within the youth population, the Letcher County Family and Consumer Sciences agent partnered with t
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Securing Financial Stability (general)
According to 2017 US Census Data – QuickFacts, the median household income in Letcher County is $30,293.00 and 30.8% of the population of Letcher County is living in poverty. Because the holidays are both a joyous and financially stressful time, especially those living at or below the poverty line, it is very important that such audiences have access to educational information to help them financially manage during the holiday season.To assist individuals in understanding and respondi
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Building Healthy Coalitions
It has oft been said that "the wheels of progress move slow", but that is certainly not the case concerning efforts to improve the health of a sedentary Kentucky. In Letcher County, the Extension Service has worked for several years on promoting a more active lifestyle through a partnership grant of the Centers for Disease Control and the University of Kentucky. The county was originally selected because it was one of the most obese in the state. With the grant, the community added fit
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)
A healthy eating pattern promotes health and helps to decrease the risk of chronic diseases. The Letcher County Family & Consumer Sciences Agent taught Mindful Eating as a homemaker lesson to the Quicksand Area homemakers. Homemakers took a pre and post-test with the following results:85% of participants recognize the consequences of mindless eating86% recognize how to solve problems related to mindless eating88% plan to change behaviors related to mindless eating, such as avoid eating
