Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting Sustainable, Healthy Lifestyles and Communities
Sustainable, Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Courtney Jenkins, Cathy Sparks, 4-H Agent
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Building Healthy Coalitions
According to Kentucky Health Facts’ county health profile, 39% of Magoffin County adults are considered having “less than good health,” which is 15% higher than the state’s average. 30% of Magoffin County adults are considered obese, 66%overweight, 41% lack physical activity, and a mere 7% of adults take in there commended amounts of fruits and vegetables. These facts are alarming considering that these factors contribute to chronic health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and strokes. Extension is working with community partners to assess the health status of the county and provide education where needed.
Several Extension Councils have identified educational needs, resources, and partners to aid in addressing these issues. Educating both youth and adults about the importance of physical activity and healthy eating habits, as well as helping residents gain access to nutritious foods is an Extension priority in Magoffin County.
*Decrease the number of obese and overweight youth, adults and seniors.
*Increase daily physical activity and healthy food consumption across generations.
*Increase the percentage of people receiving preventative screenings.
*Increase the number of families growing a garden and preserving their own fresh fruits and vegetables.
*Youth, adults and elderly will exhibit healthier food choices and eating patterns.
*Increased physical activity in individuals and families.
*An increased number of families will begin growing a garden to consume fresh fruits and vegetables with their families.
*More families will begin utilizing the Farmers’ Market.
*An increased number of families and seniors will take advantage of the SNAP and KYProud Plate it Up! recipes to ensure they are offering and consuming nutritious food options.
*Increased access to nutritious foods through continued promotion of the Farmers’ Market as an avenue for supplementing income.
*More families will become aware of the benefits of growing, harvesting, and eating their own fruits and vegetables.
*Youth, adults and seniors will understand the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption.
*Youth and adults will consider physical activity to foster healthier lifestyles.
Long-term Outcome: Increased physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption across all generations.
Indicator: Reduced chronic disease rates in the county.
Method: Review KY County Health Data Profile statistics and KY Department of Health information, as well as assess utilization of WIC vouchers at the Farmers ’Market.
Timeline:2021-2022
Intermediate Outcome: Clients practice making informed choices regarding healthy lifestyles
Indicator: Increased number of residents receiving health screenings and taking preventative care measures.
Method: Evaluations (formal and informal) following programs and events.
Timeline: Ongoing
Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge of healthy lifestyle habits.
Indicator: Number of individuals who gain new knowledge of food preparation, food safety, and nutrition.
Method: Observations and Surveys
Timeline:Ongoing
Audience: Adults and Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Leader Trainings
Content or Curriculum: UK CES Materials
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Youth
Activity: 4-H Health School Enrichment
Content: 4-H Health & Wellness Core Curriculum
Input: UK CES Publications
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Families and Youth
Activity: Second Sunday
Content: Marketing Materials, Health Fact Sheets, and 4-H Health & Wellness Core Curriculum
Inputs: UK CES and UK Healthcare Publications
Date: October
Audience: Farmers’ Market Vendors and Consumers
Activity: Farmers’ Market
Content : SNAP-Ed Materials, GAP Training, Fact Sheets, Plate It Up, etc.
Date: Spring-Fall
Audience: Children, youth, seniors and limited resource audiences
Activity: Food, Nutrition, and Wellness Education
Content: UK CES ANR, FCS and SNAP-Ed resources; 4-H Health & Wellness core curriculum
Input: UK CES ANR, 4-H and FCS Agents, Senior Citizens Center, and Magoffin County Health Department
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Families, Adults, and Children
Activity: Grow Appalachia
Content: UK CES ANR, FCS and SNAP-Ed resources;
Input: UK CES ANR, Berea College Grow Appalachia Staff, UK Specialists, UK Home Gardening Guide, and various UK Publications
Date: January-October
Audience: Families, Adults, and Children
Activity: Food Preservation Workshops
Content: UK CES FCS and SNAP-Ed resources;
Input: UK CES FCS and SNAP Specialists, SNAP-Ed Assistant, ANR/FCS Agent
Date: July & August
Author: Courtney Jenkins
Major Program: Local Food Systems
As consumers continue to become more conscious and interested in where their food comes from, and how it is being processed, there have been increased requests at the Magoffin County Extension Office for resources and programs surrounding growing, preserving, and processing fresh produce and more recently, meats. Particularly, several clients had mentioned that they would like to learn how to make their own summer sausage.After discussing the process of making summer sausage with the Wolfe and B
Author: Cathy Sparks
Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
There were many goals that I set for myself when hired as a new Family and Consumer Sciences agent, three years ago. One of my goals was to establish some new homemakers’ clubs in areas of the county that were under-served. The Covid 19 Pandemic created a challenge in allowing me to achieve that goal. However, I was able to establish one new club in the southern portion of the county, which has never had a club before. Establishing a connection with someone in that
Author: Courtney Jenkins
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Seven years ago, Magoffin County ANR Agent, Courtney Jenkins, began working with a direct-to-consumer farmer with a desire to increase his farm income through commercial fruit and vegetable production.The agent first worked with the farmer through the local Grow Appalachia program, providing technical assistance and resources for him to be successful in his venture, as well as through the efforts of establishing the county’s first-ever farmers’ market. Later, the agent worked with hi
