Community Engagement and Economic DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Harrison County CES

Title:
Community Engagement and Economic Development
MAP:
Community Development
Agents Involved:
Mike Meyer, Benita Peoples, Jessica Barnes, Jessica Sayre
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Business Retention and Expansion
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Building Healthy Coalitions
Situation:
Activities and events are being held in Harrison County, many of them free to the public, to promote the wellbeing of the residents and the community. However, attendance to events is declining.
Long-Term Outcomes:
The community will work together to offer more programs and awareness resulting in an increased overall wellbeing.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Increased communication and interaction with elected officials and underserved populations.
Initial Outcomes:
Create awareness and educate the community on resources available to them.
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome: Increased attendance at community and extension events
Indicator: New and improved programs offered by extension office, Public Library, Chamber of Commerce
Method: attendance and registration statistics
Timeline: All Year

Intermediate Outcome: Increased Citizen Participation
Indicator: Farmer's Market Participation, New City Park Improvements. Volunteers continue to participate
Method: Sign-in sheets, phone calls, website hits, news articles, and visits to Extension Office. A perceived more positive attitude about community
Timeline: 4 years or longer

Long-term Outcome: Community Improvements made
Indicator: Community beautification, County and City cleanup, business networking, infrastructure improvements, park development, grants received
Method: Observation and personal testing
Timeline: 3-5 years
Learning Opportunities:
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: Continue to develop vision and needs for the future.
Content or Curriculum: Develop vision and needs for next 20 years.
Inputs: Agents, community members, local councils
Date: Ongoing

Audience: Community members
Project or Activity: Media
Content or Curriculum: Radio, Newspaper, Newsletter, Electronic Sign promoting Harrison County activities
Inputs: Agents, paid staff, The Democrat, WCYN radio
Date: July-June

Audience: Public
Project or Activity: Website
Content or Curriculum: Extension to develop and link to other sites related to Harrison County. Update monthly.
Inputs: Extension staff
Date: July-June

Audience: Community members and leaders
Project or Activity: Grant Writing/Resource Acquisition
Content or Curriculum: Guide leaders as they seek dollars for action plans
Inputs: Community leaders
Date: July-June

Audience: Public
Project or Activity: Sponsor Community Blood Drive
Content or Curriculum: Commitment to the Community, work with Central Kentucky Blood Center
Inputs: Central Kentucky Blood Center
Date: 3 to 4 times during the year

Audience: Community members
Project or Activity: Community Health Fairs
Content or Curriculum: Preventative Health
Inputs: Harrison Memorial Hospital, Health providers, volunteers
Date: Jan - April

Audience: 4th and 5th grade students
Project or Activity: Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: Prevention
Inputs: local businesses, emergency services, volunteers
Date: July - October

Audience: Community members
Project or Activity: Community Day (at court house) sponsored by the Harrison County Homemakers and Harrison County Beef Cattle Association.
Content or Curriculum: Create Awareness
Inputs: Harrison County Homemakers and Harrison County Beef Cattle Association
Date: Jan - May

Audience: Public
Project or Activity: 4-H Center Grounds Development
Content or Curriculum: Advise leaders as they seek funding and development.
Inputs: District Board members, Cooperative Extension Council
Date: July - June

Audience: 4-H members
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Council
Content or Curriculum: Step Up to Leadership
Inputs: 4-H UK Specialists, neighboring 4-H agents and programs, Kentucky 4-H
Date: All Year


Success Stories

Overview of Industrial Hemp

Author: Jessica Barnes

Major Program: Ag Policy

Since 2014 when the Pilot Industrial Hemp Program began there have been several questions come through our office about the use of Industrial Hemp, who can grow it, what does the future look like, can it be profitable, etc. Those questions have seemed to increase over the past year as more individuals in Harrison County have started to grow hemp and more community members have been seeing it in fields which have caused me to have more questions as listed above.  Seeing a need to answer some

Full Story

Master Gardener State Conference

Author: Jessica Wells

Major Program: Master Gardener

Master Gardeners are individuals who have earned and maintained certification through training conducted by Kentucky Extension specialists and agents.  They serve their communities by conducting educational programs for youth and adults and community service projects.  Continuing education and leadership development are important components of the Master Gardener Program to maintain their certification.In 2017, the Horticulture Agents of District Four (Central Kentucky) hosted the Kent

Full Story

4-H Acheivement Program Recognizes First Local Emerald Award Recipient

Author: Mike Meyer

Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

The Kentucky 4-H Achievement Program is designed to encourage youth to become well-rounded in their 4-H, community, and extra-curricular development.  Youth submit their application each year towards a certain level of achievement, in hopes to receive the state-wide honor and recognition.  Harrison County 4-H members have been participating in the Kentucky 4-H Achievement program since it was established, resulting in over 50 youth receiving their bronze, silver, or gold award.  T

Full Story

Master Gardener Program

Author: Jessica Wells

Major Program: Master Gardener

The Master Gardener Program is part of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and is designed to expand horticultural knowledge among the community through the use of trained volunteers.  Master Gardeners are required to complete 40 hours of approved volunteer service related to horticulture within one year after completing the training as well as attend 20 hours of continuing education.  In the fall 2017, the Horticulture Agents of Harrison and Bourbon Counties offered a joint Mas

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Empowering Local Leaders

Author: Jessica Wells

Major Program: Community Engagement

Civic engagement helps create and cultivate vibrant communities.  Studies have shown social capital is necessary for effective government and economic development.  Part of social capital is engaging in the legislative process, serving on local boards/councils, and contributing in topics important to that community.Overall in the US, social capital has been on the decline.  Currently, Kentucky ranks 48th in civic health.  In response to the need to increas

Full Story
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