Extension
It Starts With Us
Improving Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles
Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles
Elizabeth Coots, Ryan Farley, Faye Kuosman, Adam Probst
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)
Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
