Improving Nutrition and Healthy LifestylesPlan of Work

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Woodford County CES

Title:
Improving Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles
MAP:
Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles
Agents Involved:
Elizabeth Coots, Ryan Farley, Faye Kuosman, Adam Probst
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
Situation:

Local stakeholders have listed healthy lifestyles as an issue facing Woodford County today. It is important to address the issues of overall well-being of individuals and families throughout the county. According to the Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky, approximately 32% of Woodford County adults are classified as obese. In addition, approximately 11% of adults suffer from diabetes. Other lifestyle challenges facing Woodford County include cardiovascular disease, breast and prostate cancer. Within all of these areas of focus, financial stability arises as access to health care is an added area of concern.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Consumption of nutritious foods and healthier cooking practices will be increased. Rates of youth and adult obesity will decrease. Participation in life skills workshops such as cooking and food preservation will increase.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmer's Market and local food purchases will increase, as well as the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Clientele will increase their currrent level of physical activity.

Initial Outcomes:

Clientele will identify the benefits of buying local, seasonal foods and will develop skills for healthier food selection, cooking and preservation. Clientele will also be able to explain why physical activity is important to their daily life.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome: Consumption of nutritious foods and healthier cooking practices will be increased. Rates of youth and adult obesity will decrease. Participation in life skills workshops such as cooking and food preservation will increase.

Indicator: Reduced rates of youth and adult obesity in Woodford County

Method: Data review from Foundation for a Healthy KY, Woodford Co Health Department

Timeline: Annually


Intermediate Outcome: Farmer's Market and local food purchases will increase, as well as the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Clientele will increase their currrent level of physical activity.

Indicator: Sales data from Woodford County Farmer's Market

Method: Collection of data from vendors, market review summary from Market Manager

Timeline: Annually


Initial Outcome: Clientele will identify the benefits of buying local, seasonal foods and will develop skills for healthier food selection, cooking and preservation. Clientele will also be able to explain why physical activity is important to their daily life.

Indicator: Workshop participation and participant feedback

Method: Post workshop interviews with participants, written evaluations

Timeline: Monthly

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Low Income County Residents

Project or Activity: Seed to Supper

Content or Curriculum: Oregon State University Seed to Supper Program

Inputs: Agents/Program Assistant time, Master Gardeners, Volunteers

Date: Spring


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Summertime Fun Cooking Camp

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Cooking Curriculum

Inputs: Agent/Assistant/Intern Time, Extension Facilities

Date: June/July


Audience: School Clubs

Project or Activity: Health Lesson

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Health Curriculum

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant Time, School/Classroom time

Date: February


Audience: Overweight Individuals

Project or Activity: 10-week healthy living/weight-loss class

Content or Curriculum: Weight-the-Reality Series

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant Time, Health Department, Parks and Rec

Date: Spring


Audience: Community Residents

Project or Activity: Canning Workshops

Content or Curriculum: Food Preservation Curriculum

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant/Intern Time, CES Publications, Commercial Kitchen

Date: Summer


Audience: Residents 65+

Project or Activity: Matter of Balance

Content or Curriculum: Matter of Balance Curriculum

Inputs: Agent Time, MOB Curriculum

Date: Fall


Audience: 8th grade students

Project or Activity: Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours

Content or Curriculum: Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours Curriculum

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant Time, Volunteers, Community Sponsors, School Sponsors



Success Stories

Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours

Author: Ryan Farley

Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum

There is a strong need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Woodford County. The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, court cases, and medical/financial consequences of drug abuse continue to negatively impact a large number of families in the community. To continue addressing the variety of substance abuse issues impacting our community, the Woodford County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with Woodford County Schools to

Full Story

Smarter Lunchrooms

Author: M. Elizabeth Coots

Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

Healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for proper growth and development and to prevent various health conditions. Consuming the recommended amount of vegetables each day is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and obesity. This equals 2 to 3 cups of vegetables a day, depending on age and gender. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 6.3% of adults in Kentucky meet the daily vegetable intake recommendations and mo

Full Story

Truth & Consequences: the Choice is Yours

Author: M. Elizabeth Coots

Major Program: Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours

There is a strong need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Woodford County. The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, court cases, and medical/financial consequences of drug abuse continue to negatively impact a large number of families in the community. To continue addressing the variety of substance abuse issues impacting our community, the Woodford County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with Woodford County Schools to

Full Story

Field to Fork: Workshop and Agent Training

Author: M. Elizabeth Coots

Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

Preparing and cooking wild game is an important skill that hunters need to know about, and more than just “how to cook”, but also about food safety. In partnership with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, a two-day workshop was held to educate hunters on laws and regulations, hunting tactics and safety, proper wild game butchering, meat handling safety, freezing, jerky-making, and home-canning. Day one of the workshop involved new hunters learning all about t

Full Story

Family Garden & Cooking Kit Giveaways

Author: M. Elizabeth Coots

Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

The COVID-19 Pandemic demonstrates the fragility of our food system. Although plenty of food is being produced, there is a bottleneck in distribution. As a result, Kentuckians are coming together to not only support local agriculture but also have an increased interest in growing their own food in home or community gardens. As a response to this interest, the Woodford County Horticulture and Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered to distribute Family Garden Kits, Container Garden Kits, and

Full Story
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