Extension
It Starts With Us
Improving Physical, Health and Mental Well-Being--2020
Health and Wellness
Nanette Banks, Crystal Smith, Shad Baker
Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
Food Preparation and Preservation
Health
Leadership
The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. Obese individuals are at increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. Census figures show that 30.5% of the county’s population is living in poverty and 38% of the total population is obese. Citizens need information to help them live enriched lives through better nutrition and more physical activity, focusing on a foundation of overall direct health education to increase health literacy, improve mental health and ability to make healthy lifestyle choices, including creating spaces or opportunities for active living behaviors and preparing for disasters.
Letcher County families and youth enjoy better health through accessing and eating more nutritious foods, getting enough exercise and having lower doctor bills as a result.
A decrease in the number of obese and overweight youth and adults
Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity, healthy eating daily and improved mental health.
Improve food management skills and healthy eating habits
Improved mental health
Improved preparations for disasters
Practice healthy food choices and strengthen individuals' abilities to build healthy eating plans and patterns.
Practice of physical activity in families and communities and decrease time spent on sedentary behaviors.
Decrease tobacco/substance use.
Strengthen community coalitions or partnerships to address obesity and physical inactivity.
Plant, harvest and preserve produce.
Improved food preparation skills, food management skills, food safety and healthy eating habits.
72-Hour Disaster Kit preparation will be implemented
Increase awareness about nutritious low cost foods for families
Increase knowledge of safety equipment and proper use
Increase awareness of effects of drugs
teach the skills for individuals to properly increase physical fitnessIncrease awareness about disaster kits and emergency supplies
Outcome: Nutrition knowledge and dietary intake
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: eating 4-6 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices; choosing smaller portions.
Method: Self report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Physical activity knowledge, skills, and competencies
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: knowledge and skills gained about the benefits of physical activity; adoption of physical activity practices; increase in physical activity levels.
Method: Self-report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Substance use
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: knowledge and skills of the resources that are available for substance use in the community as a result of Extension programming.
Method: Self-report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Chronic disease prevention
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: participants who had one or more health indicator (cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose) improved.
Method: Self-report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Access to healthy lifestyles
Indicator: Number of communities, health coalitions, or organizations who reported: implemented policy, system, and/or environmental changes to promote healthy eating and active living.
Method: Self-report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Prepared for Disasters
Indicator: Number of families reporting being prepared with 72-Hours of food, water, medicine, etc.
Method: Self-Report Surveys
Timeline: Pre-Post implementing curricula or program
Learning Opportunities
Audience: Adults, Homemakers, youth, community members, seniors
Project or Activity: Addiction 101
Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent and Substance Abuse Specialist
Date: May 2023
Project or Activity: Fit Blue Walking Program, Bingocize
Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent and assistant
Date: Fall 2022
Project or Activity: Super Star Chef
Content or Curriculum: Super Star Chef curriculum
Inputs: FCS and 4H agents and assistants
Date: Summer 2022
Project or Activity: Senior's Nutrition Series
Content or Curriculum: FCS and NEP curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent and assistant, Senior Citizens
Date: Monthly
Project or Activity: Healthy Choices
Content or Curriculum: FCS and NEP curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent and assistant, KRCC Wellness, KRCC Solutions, and East Ky Support Services
Date: Monthly
Project or Activity: LEAP
Content or Curriculum: LEAP curriculum
Inputs: FCS and 4H agents and assistants
Date: Fall 2022
Project or Activity: Cooking Thru the Calendar
Content or Curriculum: 2022 NEP Calendar and FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent and assistant
Date: Monthly
Project or Activity: 4-H Cooking Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H agent and assistant
Date: Monthly
Project or Activity: Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculum and 4H curriculum
Inputs: FCS and 4H agents and assistants
Date: Summer 2022
Project or Activity: Cook Wild Ky
Content or Curriculum: Cook Wild Ky curriculum
Inputs: FCS and ANR agents and assistants
Date: Winter 2022
Project or Activity: Heritage Days
Content or Curriculum: 4H and FCS Curriculums
Inputs: 4H and FCS agents and assistants and staff
Date: Fall 2022 and 2023
Project or Activity: Safety Days
Content or Curriculum: 4H curriculum
Inputs: 4H, ANR, FCS agents, assistants and staff
Date: Fall 2023
Project or Activity: 4H Teen Club
Content or Curriculum: 4H Curriculum
Inputs: 4H agent and assistant
Date: Monthly
Project or Activity: Sewing Classes
Content or Curriculum: FCS and 4H curriculums
Inputs: FCS and 4H agents, MCV, and assistants
Date: Monthly
Project or Activity: Cook Together, Eat Together
Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculums
Inputs: FCS Agent and assistant
Date: Spring 2023
Project or Activity: 4-H Global Food
Content or Curriculum: 4H backpack adventure curriculum
Inputs: 4H agents and assistant
Date: Spring 2023
Project or Activity: Disaster Prep Series
Content or Curriculum: EDEN, FCS & 4-H materials
Inputs: ANR, FCS, & 4-H Agents
Date: Fall/Winter 2022 & 2023
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Super Star Chef
According to recent data from the State of Obesity website, the current obesity rate for youth in Kentucky ages 10-17 is 23.8%, giving Kentucky a ranking of one among the fifty states and D.C. There are many factors that contribute to childhood obesity, including reduced physical activity and accessing or understanding appropriate nutrition choices. Recent research has indicated that teaching cooking skills to children encourages healthier food choices, which can lower obesity rates. In an
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
There are several reasons why people choose to purchase and eat the food they do. Typically, taste, cost, and availability are at the top. But one factor gaining momentum is taking care of the place our food comes from – the Earth and our agricultural practices through sustainable eating. Evidence suggests that shifting food-related behaviors and purchasing patterns over time may protect the Earth and simultaneously result in overall improved human health outcomes. To address this ed
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Holidays are often an exciting time of the year. However, the holidays can come with lots of stress so the Family and Consumer Sciences agents in the Quicksand Area decided to focus on Savvy Online Shopping and What to do With Your Holiday Leftovers. According to https://www.alliantcreditunion.org/ average holiday spending varies significantly based on household income, however, Americans planned to spend an average of $832.84 (2021). Our overall goal has been to help participants ch
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Kentucky ranks in the top five states for obesity with 36% of the population (38% in Letcher County) being obese according to the CDC. The state also ranks in the top seven for physical inactivity with 32% of the population being inactive. Data shows that healthy eating habits and regular physical activity can help achieve and maintain good health and reduce chronic disease throughout life. Coupled with these concerns are an aging population. Letcher County has 20.4% of its population over 65 ye
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Master Clothing Volunteer
Many studies have shown that sewing is not only a productive life skill and hobby, but that it can be a stress reliever and can increase a person’s feeling of self-worth. Currently Quicksand Area has nine Master Clothing Volunteers (MCV) who share their skills with others either in their respective counties or in the Quicksand Area.Each volunteer works closely with their County Extension Office to teach and lead a variety of sewing programs. Quicksand Area Master Clothing Volunteers suppor
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Kentucky ranks in the top five states for obesity with 36% of the population (38% in Letcher County) being obese according to the CDC. The state also ranks in the top seven for physical inactivity with 32% of the population being inactive. Data shows that healthy eating habits and regular physical activity can help achieve and maintain good health and reduce chronic disease throughout life. Along with these concerns are an aging population, with Letcher County having 20.4% of its population over
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
When the historic floods of 2022 hit in July, one of the critical issues that quickly came to light was the mental stress being placed on Kentucky families and farmers. Years of job losses and the related financial stress had taxed most families, leading to health impacts and drug use and abuse. The flood injected fuel to the flame. Unfortunately, few leaders and first responders shad received adequate training on how to help individuals displaying mental health symptoms.Partnering with the Univ
