Community Engagement and Economic DevelopmentPlan of Work

Back to the Program

Harrison County CES

Title:
Community Engagement and Economic Development
MAP:
Community Development
Agents Involved:
Mike Meyer, Benita Peoples, Jessica Barnes, Jessica Sayre
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Business Retention and Expansion
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Building Healthy Coalitions
Situation:

Activities and events are being held in Harrison County, many of them free to the public, to promote the wellbeing of the residents and the community. However, attendance to events is declining.

Long-Term Outcomes:

The community will work together to offer more programs and awareness resulting in an increased overall wellbeing.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Increased communication and interaction with elected officials and underserved populations.

Initial Outcomes:

Create awareness and educate the community on resources available to them.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased attendance at community and extension events

Indicator: New and improved programs offered by extension office, Public Library, Chamber of Commerce

Method: attendance and registration statistics

Timeline: All Year


Intermediate Outcome: Increased Citizen Participation

Indicator: Farmer's Market Participation, New City Park Improvements. Volunteers continue to participate

Method: Sign-in sheets, phone calls, website hits, news articles, and visits to Extension Office. A perceived more positive attitude about community

Timeline: 4 years or longer


Long-term Outcome: Community Improvements made

Indicator: Community beautification, County and City cleanup, business networking, infrastructure improvements, park development, grants received

Method: Observation and personal testing

Timeline: 3-5 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Community

Project or Activity: Continue to develop vision and needs for the future.

Content or Curriculum: Develop vision and needs for next 20 years.

Inputs: Agents, community members, local councils

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Community members

Project or Activity: Media

Content or Curriculum: Radio, Newspaper, Newsletter, Electronic Sign promoting Harrison County activities

Inputs: Agents, paid staff, The Democrat, WCYN radio

Date: July-June


Audience: Public

Project or Activity: Website

Content or Curriculum: Extension to develop and link to other sites related to Harrison County. Update monthly.

Inputs: Extension staff

Date: July-June


Audience: Community members and leaders

Project or Activity: Grant Writing/Resource Acquisition

Content or Curriculum: Guide leaders as they seek dollars for action plans

Inputs: Community leaders

Date: July-June


Audience: Public

Project or Activity: Sponsor Community Blood Drive

Content or Curriculum: Commitment to the Community, work with Central Kentucky Blood Center

Inputs: Central Kentucky Blood Center

Date: 3 to 4 times during the year


Audience: Community members

Project or Activity: Community Health Fairs

Content or Curriculum: Preventative Health

Inputs: Harrison Memorial Hospital, Health providers, volunteers

Date: Jan - April


Audience: 4th and 5th grade students

Project or Activity: Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: Prevention

Inputs: local businesses, emergency services, volunteers

Date: July - October


Audience: Community members

Project or Activity: Community Day (at court house) sponsored by the Harrison County Homemakers and Harrison County Beef Cattle Association.

Content or Curriculum: Create Awareness

Inputs: Harrison County Homemakers and Harrison County Beef Cattle Association

Date: Jan - May


Audience: Public

Project or Activity: 4-H Center Grounds Development

Content or Curriculum: Advise leaders as they seek funding and development.

Inputs: District Board members, Cooperative Extension Council

Date: July - June


Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Council

Content or Curriculum: Step Up to Leadership

Inputs: 4-H UK Specialists, neighboring 4-H agents and programs, Kentucky 4-H

Date: All Year



Success Stories

Empowering Local Leaders

Author: Jessica Barnes

Major Program: Community Leadership Development

Civic engagement helps create and cultivate vibrant communities. Studies have shown social capital is necessary for effective government and economic development. Part of social capital is engaging in the legislative process, serving on local boards/councils, and contributing in topics important to that community.Overall in the US, social capital has been on the decline. Currently, Kentucky ranks 48th in civic health. In response to the need to increase civic engagement, the Harrison County

Full Story

Empowering Local Leaders

Author: Jessica Hopkins

Major Program: Empowering Community Leaders (general)

Civic engagement helps create and cultivate vibrant communities.  Studies have shown social capital is necessary for effective government and economic development.  Part of social capital is engaging in the legislative process, serving on local boards/councils, and contributing in topics important to that community.Overall in the US, social capital has been on the decline.  Currently, Kentucky ranks 48th in civic health.  In response to the need to increas

Full Story

Ag Reality Series Prepares Youth for Farming Enterprise Decisions

Author: Mike Meyer

Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

Volunteer and community leaders in Harrison County have identified career-readiness and life-skills as two primary needs for youth as they prepare for higher education or career decisions upon completion of high school.  Partnering with Pendleton County 4-H, the Ag Reality Series was created to help educate and provide an in-depth decision making activity that helps youth understand the needs and commitment of a career decision with agriculture. Our two 4-H programs work with Harrison and

Full Story

4-H Photography Club Aides Harrison County Humane Society

Author: Mike Meyer

Major Program: Science, Engineering and Technology 4-H Core Curriculum

In November, volunteer leaders from the Humane Society of Harrison County reached out to our Harrison County 4-H Photography Club for assistance.  Each year, the society puts together a calendar of adopted animals throughout the community which acts as a fundraiser to support the shelter's need for pet food and supplies.  The calendar consists of animals currently in need of adopting, as well as month sponsors who had adopted from the shelter.  The 4-H Photography Club members

Full Story
Back to the Program