Extension
It Starts With Us
Effective Resource Management
Family and Agricultural Economics
Cornelius, ANR, Moses, 4H
Farm Management
Ag Marketing
Money Habitudes
Securing Financial Stability (general)
The Kentucky, as well as the national, economy entered into a period of prolonged recession in December 2007. During the period of economic recession and in the continued slow recovery, Kentucky consistently lagged behind other areas of the United States in household economic indicators, including personal income, population living below the poverty line, and unemployment rates. Many individuals, families, and households were unprepared to manage the rapidly changing economic conditions. Many household financial strategies employed prior to the recession most likely made them more vulnerable during the period of economic crisis.
Whitley County has an unemployment rate of 9.5% according to the Kentucky Data Profiles. In 2014, the median income for families were $22,000 to $38,000 per year according to the US Census Data. Also, 27.3% of families with children are living below the poverty level in Whitley County.
The Census of Agriculture data reports that 157 Farm Operators reported net gains in 2012, but most had net losses. Keeping good records and having good farm, family, and personal management systems in place can increase quality of life. The Whitley County Cooperative Extension will use the Managing in Tough Times Curriculum and MoneyWise publications to help awareness on how to use resources better. Radio Ads and newsletter articles will include information about saving money in both the family and on the farm.
Families and Farmers will use resources more efficiently.
Families and Farmers will save time and money as a result of changed behaviors.
Families, Farmers, and individuals improve their quality of life by changing attitudes.
Families and Farmers adopt recommended practices to help them save time and money relating to household and farm management.
Households and farmers practice techniques to help them improve quality of family life.
Individuals adopt attitudes that foster healthy communication skills among family members.
Families and Farmers identify techniques to improve money management.
Families and Farmers locate spending leaks in their current budget.
Long-Term Outcome:
Indicator: Families and Farmers create better consumer habits and savings
Method: CEDIK Economical Surveys, Pre/Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2018-2020
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Families and Farmers apply education about budgets into daily life.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2017-2018
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Families and Farmers recognize areas to improve savings.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2015-2017
Audience: County Homemakers
Project or Activity: Homemakers leaders present Special Interest lessons to teach skills that help individuals make better use of resources
Content or Curriculum: Lessons such as chair Seating (Cane, Reed); Quilting; Sewing; and Needlework
Inputs: Agents, Leaders
Date: Monthly
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Budgeting programs (Coupoining; Food Spending) to help families on limited incomes and others interested to save money and reduce debt.
Content or Curriculum: UK Programs; NEP Food Spending
Inputs: Agent, UK Specialists
Date: As Requested
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Budgeting Classes
Content or Curriculum: MoneyWi$e
Inputs: FCS, ANR, Moses, 4H
Date: May-July
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Grocery Store Tours/Budget
Content or Curriculum: NEP Curriculum, MoneyWi$e
Inputs: NEP Assistant, FCS
Date: January
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Small Steps to Health and Wealth
Content or Curriculum: Small Steps to Health and Wealth
Inputs: Cornelius
Date: Fall
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Holiday Budgeting
Content or Curriculum: Stretching Your Holiday Dollar
Inputs: Cornelius
Date: November-December
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: "Managing in Tough Times" Radio Spots and Newspaper Articles
Content or Curriculum: UK Resource Programs; MITT
Inputs: Agents, UK Specialists
Date: Continuous
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project of Activity: Estate Planning Series/Workshop
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Homemaker Lesson, UK Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, UK Specialists
Date: November/February
Audience: Whitley County Residents ages 18-55
Project or Activity: Master Homesteaders
Content or Curriculum: Combination of all programming with emphasis on low inputs and healthy land management
Inputs: All agents, volunteers, UK pubs, and classroom materials
Date: 2018
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Foraging Classes
Content or Curriculum: Learn how to forage for food in the woods to increase food security and resiliency
Inputs: Foraging specialist, Horticulture Agent, and woodland areas
Date: 2016 – 2020
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Youth Forestry and Natural Resource Education
In his 1893 essay “The Significance of the Frontier in American History”, historian Frederick Jackson Turner famously wrote: “Stand at Cumberland Gap and watch the procession of civilization, marching single file—the buffalo following the trail to the salt springs, the Indian, the fur-trader and hunter, the cattle-raiser, the pioneer farmer—and the frontier has passed by.” Wildlife, especially furbearers, have played a crucial role in the opening o
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Human interactions with wildlife are increasing across the world as populations grow and available wildlife habitat shrinks or becomes more frequently adjacent to humans. Several species of wildlife are thriving within these new landscapes due to their ability to take advantage of many of the things humans either produce (i.e. agricultural crops) or create (i.e., human dwellings or predator free landscapes). In addition, over the last 50 years a cultural shift has occurred within the urban and r
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Founded in 1925, Henderson Settlement is a Methodist mission in Frakes, KY. The goal of the mission is to offer Christ centered service to the residents of Frakes and surrounding communities in both Kentucky and Tennessee; communities that are economically depressed and afflicted with many of the social maladies common in today's world. Areas of impact include work camp, community outreach, agriculture, and crafts/thrift store. The mission manages approximately 1,600 acres
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Beef
The proper handling of beef cattle requires knowledge of cattle behavior and the presence of adequate handling facilities with sufficient fencing, watering, and feeding facilities to allow you to utilize recommended management procedures. Facilities on farms should be adequate to do the job and as economical as possible. They should last a long time and lead to better care of farms and animals. The Whitley County ANR agent worked with a beef producer to improve the cattle handling faciliti
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Root-knot nematode (RKN) is a soil-dwelling microscopic roundworm. This nematode is parasitic on numerous plants, including vegetables, fruits, field crops, ornamentals, and common weeds. RKN can occur in commercial and homeowner plantings. Frequently, the nematode interacts with other plant pathogens to form a disease complex in which the resulting disease is much more severe than that caused by either component alone. Rootknot nematode is particularly serious when high populations are allowed
