Extension
It Starts With Us
To add value to the life and well being of citizens through actions that produce tangible benefits.
Improving Community Development
Tiffany Bolinger, Kelly Jackson, Matt Futrell, Kaitlyne Metsker, Jeremiah Johnson, Mary Anne Garnett
Business Retention and Expansion
Local Food System Development and Mapping
Community Strategic Planning
Facilitation Training
Community development is a structured intervention that gives communities greater control over the conditions that affect their lives. This does not solve all the problems faced by a local community, but it does build up confidence to tackle such problems as effectively as any local action can. Community development works at the level of local groups and organizations rather than with individuals or families.
Based on the Christian County 2020 Vision Plan (prepared by the Chamber of Commerce), continuing the work being done to revitalize the downtown area with an emphasis on creating neighborhoods that appeal to residential and business activities is a key goal for our community. Because small businesses with less than 20 employees constitute 92% of all businesses and employ 16% of all employees in Christian County, it is important to provide conditions that help the community survive. Research from the University of Washington shows that the quality of landscaping along approach routes to business districts has been found to positively influence consumer perceptions. Consumers and businesses have been found to favour districts with high tree cover and the increase in retail prices that can be commanded in well landscaped areas can reasonably be assumed to be a positive benefit in attracting businesses to the district.
Other goals of the 2020 Vision Plan are to enhance recreational opportunities that will bear a low user cost to the average citizen and to increase the county population by 5% in 2020. Research from the USDA Recreation, Tourism, and Rural Well-Being publication indicates that recreation opportunities lead to higher population growth. Working with community groups, Cooperative Extension can develop and partner with ongoing recreational opportunities that attract a broad-range of citizens.
* Attract more business to the county
* Increase the county population by 5% by 2020
* Enhance recreational opportunities
* Extend the outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service
* Participants take on formal community leadership roles
* Participants initiate collaborations and coalitions with other leaders
* The active involvement of people in the issues which affect their lives, based on the sharing of power, skills, knowledge and experience.
* Develop reciprocal relationships to identify mutual needs and benefits, set agendas for positive change, implement strategies, and assess results.
* Broader base of trained organizational and community leaders
* Increased efforts to reduce litter issue in Hopkinsville
* Provide low-cost marketing to the Green Industry in Christian County and surrounding areas by means of a Garden EXPO
* Improve the aesthetics of neighbors with community orchards
* Encourage a greater sense of community pride
Initial Outcome: Positive public perception of Christian County and Hopkinsville.
Indicator: Citizens will report increased satisfaction with the aesthetic appeal of Hopkinsville due to landscape projects.
Method: Annual Public Perception Survey (administered by the the Chamber of Commerce)
Timeline: Fall 2020
Initial Outcome: Provide a community forum for landscape-related industry to interact with consumers.
Indicator: Citizens will report a positive experience. Vendors will report increased sales.
Method: Observation, Vendor Surveys, FaceBook polls
Timeline: Spring 2020
Intermediate Outcome: The Beautification Commission will work with the Chamber, Businesses on the Boulevard, and Law Enforcement to develop a stronger litter abatement program.
Indicator: Meetings with Chamber. Development of an action plan.
Method: Observation, Progress Reports
Timeline: Fall 2019-Summer 2020
Audience: Hopkinsville Beautification Commission
Project or Activity: Banners Program; Hanging Baskets
Content or Curriculum: Keep America Beautiful programming materials, America in Bloom program
Inputs: Agents; staff; city government; public works; community leaders; city council; home owners; media; grants;
Date: 2019/20
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Founder's Square Feast
Content or Curriculum: promote local produce/producers; fundraiser for Farmer's Market
Inputs: committee members, volunteers, producer donations
Date: September 2019
Audience: County-based community leadership program participants, Nonprofit organizational members, Other regional and state leadership development programs
Project or Activity: Workshops or collaborations
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists in Community and Economic Development, Extension Program Specialists, Extension specialists in Family and Consumer Sciences, Local civic leaders, Technology
Date: Ongoing
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
Major Program: 4-H Volunteer Programming
In Spring of 2019 we determined there was a need for a volunteer training to better organize and support our clubs in our county. In Fall of 2019 we hosted a Volunteer training with 12 volunteers in attendance. Volunteers were present from multiple counties in District 4. Volunteers received an appreciation gift for attending and dinner. Evaluations of the program stated:-They plan to take the following programs/ideas back to their club and Implement (73%)-In the Future Volunt
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
Major Program: 4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
In a community needs assessment performed in 2019, it was determined that the youth of Christian County are in need of more youth life skills training (money management, life decision making, etc.) and better family skills in reducing debt, increasing savings, and financial planning. For several years the Christian County Extension Service has provided It’s Your Reality, a financial management program, to youth in Christian County. Students assume the role of the sole financial provider of
Author: Matthew Futrell
Major Program: Dairy
A Win for Families and FarmsCovid-19 will be a phrase that is remembered for many years to come. Much like the plagues of past, the Corona Virus has challenged our generation to overcome many new circumstances and develop new ways of surviving and conducting business. As with any plague, it’s not so much about what didn’t happen, but the things that were done to be prosperous in times of hardship. 2020 will prove to be one of those years that shows the strength of t
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
In a short matter of time, 4-H programs as we know came to a halt. Events, clubs, and programs were cancelled in their traditional manner and 4-H Youth Development Agents began planning and preparing ways to still reach youth. With schools being closed and students at home, a strain was placed on parents and caregivers, who might also be working from home, to provide educational and fun activities for youth. As 4-H Youth Development Agents, we are familiar with adapting to any situation and
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
In the spring of 2020 Kentucky Extension shifted programs online due to COVID-19. While doing so, this created a need to re-envision some areas of 4-H and adapt to our newfound way of life. This pushed us to think outside of the box and reach out to our friends to the south. Partnering with Franklin County, TN 4-H, we created a virtual exchange program where youth from both counties could interact via teleconference. Teen leaders from both counties met virtually and excha
