Extension
It Starts With Us
Disaster Preparedness in Breathitt County
6. Enhance Life Skills and Build Consumer Awareness
Reed Graham, Ryan Spicer, Kayla Watts
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Civic Engagement
Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes
Financial Education - General
As of June, 2020 the COVID-19 virus had profoundly affected the entire state of Kentucky, including rural Breathitt County. Citizens were both physically/mentally and financially strained. Reviewing data from outlets such as Kentucky by the Numbers, one can see that most Breathitt County citizens fall into the "most vulnerable" category as outlined by the CDC. Because of the high aging and unhealthy population, and because of the nature of COVID-19 and nature of other disasters, many Breathitt County citizens were/are not prepared for such events. Promoting basic life skills and positive personal finance skills prepares Kentuckians for any future life/economic shifts associated with disasters.
- Number of people who increased profits, reduced expenses, and/or reduced risk
- Better family money management skills, such as reducing debt, increasing savings, and financial planning.
- Increase of environmental changes implemented within communities
- Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families
- Number of volunteers engaged in community service and disaster preparedness projects on a regular basis
- Number of clients who shared information about agriculture and/or environmental issues with elected officials
- Practice one or more resource management behaviors resulting in increased savings or investments.
- Adopt financial planning strategies for short-, mid-, and long-term goals.
- Number of people - youth and adults - that completed a community-based service project related to community preparedness
- Number of people who increased knowledge of farm health and safety practices
- Increased knowledge and skills related to managing financial resources, including savings, credit, and financial planning.
- Increase financial literacy (knowledge and skills) related to savings and investments.
- Number of people - youth and adults - that indicated they made a lifestyle choice as a result of what they learned through 4-H and other programming
Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills related to farm health and safety practices
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of
understanding in the area: farm safety, equipment demonstrations, disaster preparation
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following educational workshops and agricultural events
Outcome: Increased awareness of sound financial behaviors
Indicator(s): Number of individuals who implemented at least one
strategy to reduce expenses or manage money
Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision
(regarding credit, budgeting, savings, and/or debt)
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following financial education workshops
Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills related to preparing/following disaster plans for community/home environments
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of
understanding in the area: disaster preparedness plans/environmental changes
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following educational workshops
Outcome: Increased awareness of health and civic engagement opportunities related to disaster preparedness
Indicator(s): Number of individuals who increased knowledge of and participated in civic engagement opportunities related to disaster preparedness
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following educational workshops
Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens
Project or Activity: Farm Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: Publications, safety curriculum
Inputs: ANR Agent, Specialists, Community Partners/Councils
Date: Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 of fiscal year
Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens
Project or Activity: Money Habitudes Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes
Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources,
Date: On-Going/Monthly
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Home and Community Environment Disaster Preparedness Series
Content or Curriculum: CDC Materials, Housing and Environment Publications
Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources,
Date: Fall, 2022
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Science/Environmental Workshops
Content or Curriculum: 4-H conservation materials, 4-H health curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, curriculum publications and resources,
Date: On-Going/Monthly
Author: Ryan Spicer
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
Abraham H. Maslow introduced the concept of a hierarchy of needs in 1943. The hierarchy suggests that people are motivated to fulfill their basic physiological and safety & security needs, before proceeding through other rising levels of need. On July 28 and 29, 2022, in Breathitt County Kentucky, several residents suffered physiological losses from a historical flood. Residents waded flood waters and struggled through feet-deep mud to be rescued. Many were left without a home an
Author: Reed Graham
Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness
Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Farm safety is often overlooked even though it is very important. For the first time since 2019, an in-person Farm & Home Safety Field Day was held! The event is hosted by: Breathitt County Extension, Wolfe County Extension, Breathitt County Farm Bureau, and Wolfe County Farm Bureau. This is the third time the event has been multi-county (and the second time in person). This year's event was held in Wolfe County at the
Author: Reed Graham
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
Situation and Target AudienceBreathitt County is located in eastern Kentucky where 28% of the population (13,718 people in 5,506 households) live in poverty (per capita income is $20,654 according to the 2021 US Census estimate). Sixty percent of the 160 farms are family farms. Thirty-six percent of the farms are under 50 acres. Cattle and calves provide the majority of agriculture income. (2017 Census of Agriculture)On July 27th2022, eastern Kentucky was flo
Author: Kayla Watts
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
According to FEMA.gov there have been at least 12 major disasters declared in the state of Kentucky since the beginning of 2020. Often, County Extension Agents are called upon during such disasters and recovery to help with agriculture, food safety, family, and youth needs. Responding to community needs during a disaster takes coordination and partnerships to be effective. It is important for county agents to know and understand their roles/priorities, as well as the role of g
Author: Reed Graham
Major Program: Forages
Producing high quality hay has been at the forethought of many hay and livestock producers in Eastern Kentucky. Over recent years a large percentage of our primary hay ground has been affected and/or damaged by flood waters. Experiencing this has led to specialist, agents, area equipment representatives and producers to join together to establish a program to educate area producers on ways the quality of the hay can be improved through the use of proper techniques and equipment. On June 1,  
