Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening the Community
Community and Economic Development
Bell, Blankenship, Branstetter
Agritourism Planning
Economic Development
Local Food System Development and Mapping
Arts Engagement
Metcalfe County Extension Advisory Council members identified the following needs in our community with regard to community economic development opportunities: there is a lack of art and craft type workshops and opportunities for artists and crafters to make a living practicing their art or craft in Metcalfe County; there is a need for Extension to find ways to support small, low risk, innovative farm business start – up’s in our county.
Producers, crafters and artisans need more opportunity to showcase, exhibit and market their product.
Greater opportunity and community support/facilitation is available for individuals who are self-employed or for those with solid business plans for a business that can address an unmet service or need in the county. More small farm and non-traditional businesses will successfully begin operations in a supportive community environment.
Local community members will apply skills to develop tourism and arts enterprises through support of local residents with the talent and skills to provide these goods and services.
Small, innovative, low risk farm business start-ups will access information that supports their venture.
Community members increase knowledge and skills in the development of tourism, arts and other economic development activities in our community.
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Long Term Success of operation
Method: Personal follow - up
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Metcalfe County Residents
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County Floral Hall Adult and Youth open competitions.
Content/Curriculum: Metcalfe County Fair board and Extension guidelines for floral hall Ag competitions. Rules and class guidelines for the Floral Hall Adult and Youth Open event.
Inputs: Volunteer time, Extension office staff time, Extension FCS Agent time, Extension office space, Metcalfe County Fair board funds
Date: June 2019
Audience: General Population
Audience: General Population
Project or Activity: Seven Springs Sorghum Festival
Content or Curriculum: Content developed by local committee
Inputs: Community Members, Volunteers, Exhibitors
Date: September 2019
Audience: General Population
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County Pumpkin Festival
Content or Curriculum: Content developed by local committee
Inputs :Community Members, Volunteers, Vendors
Date: October 2019
Audience: Exhibitors and General Public
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County Fair
Content or Curriculum: Fair Board/KDA Guidelines
Inputs:Fair Board, Agents, Volunteers, Exhibitors
Date: June 2019
Audience: Mammoth Cave Area Homemakers
Project or Activity: Amish Heritage Homemaker Leader Training
Content or Curriculum: FCS Agent compiled materials
Inputs: FCS Extension Agent time, staff assistant time, mail out resources
Date: January 2020 mail - out lesson
Audience: Fruit and Vegetable Producers, local crafters, youth gardeners,
WIC and SNAP recipients, community member/customers
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County Farmer’s Market
Content or Curriculum: KDA Farmer’s Market Manual and Guidelines, GAP
training, SR & WICFMNP Voucher program training; HBMP training
Inputs: Agents, volunteers
Date: March - October 2019- 2020
Author: Amy Branstetter
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
“The 4-H Reality Store is one of the greatest programs in 4-H that I have ever worked in my 4-H career. The impact and skills learned by our youth and adults is appreciation for careers and economic impact based upon an individual decision on his or her career choice.” (Says one of the Metcalfe County 4-H Volunteers)The Metcalfe County Reality Store strive to encourage positive financial management of all 7th and 8th grade youth at Metcalfe County Middle School. This collaborative ef
Author: Lynn Blankenship
Major Program: Local Food Systems
With a Farmers Market season opening of the first Friday in April annually, Metcalfe Co. Farmers Market is among the first of the seasonal Farmers Markets each year, to open in the Mammoth Cave Area. As this Agent was preparing to offer the SR and WIC FMNP voucher producer training's in Early March, via zoom for the first time ever due to COVID - 19 meeting restrictions, I was looking for guidance on whether markets would even be allowed to operate during the pandemic crisis. On
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Covid-19 presented many challenges to the KY Cooperative Extension Service and those we serve. Not being able to conduct in person trainings and hold meetings and events completely changed the way that daily operations were carried out. The Metcalfe County Extension Service found unique ways of reaching clientele during the global pandemic. While many scheduled events were cancelled or postponed, essential business was carried out in a timely and effective manner.BQA, CAIP educ
Author: Amy Branstetter
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
The Covid-19 Pandemic brought challenges, the Metcalfe 4-H Council and Extension Staff wanted a way to continue the high quality educational programs to be able to continue through the world wide pandemic. Child poverty is prevalent in this rural county, with 37% of children considered to be living in poverty according to www.kidscounty.org Metcalfe County Extension did not want to lose connection with families here so they took this as an opportunity to create a new avenue of p
