Harrison County CES

Title:

Community Engagement and Economic Development

MAP:

Community Development

Agents Involved:

Jessica Barnes, Jessica Sayre, Shannon Farrell, Shelley Meyer

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Family and Consumer Science

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, more opportunity is always requested.

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: April

Audience: 4th and 5th grade students

Project or Activity: Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: Prevention

Inputs: local businesses, emergency services, volunteers

Date: Septemeber

Audience: Public

Project or Activity:  Harrison County Beef Day

Content or Curriculum: Create Awareness about the Beef Industry and where food comes from

Inputs: Harrison County Beef Cattle Association, Ag Council, Farm supply stores, local vets, volunteers

Date: 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

Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: Young Entrepreneurs

Content or Curriculum: Build Your Future Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H UK Specialists, Chamber of Commerce, 4-H Volunteers, Field and Main Bank

Date: All Year

Success Stories

Chamber and 4-H partner together for young entrepreneurial success

Author: Shannon Farrell

Major Program: Economic Development and Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development

Cynthiana, KY is a town that has been flourishing in economic development, locally owned businesses, and increased tourism over the past decade. Thus, entrepreneurship is a popular trend in the community. About 6 months following my transfer as 4-H Agent to Harrison County (my hometown), I met with the Chamber Director/Tourism Director and Main Street Coordinator to make introductions, discuss opportunities, and share collaborative ideas. One of the shared thoughts was that of beginning a 4-H En

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FCS Tea Party

Author: Shelley Meyer

Major Program: First Impressions

Community support for local businesses is crucial for commerce success in a small town. Supporting local businesses is a community and economic development strategy that keeps dollars’ spent local and encourages downtown revitalization and growth. This is especially important in small town communities with an up-and-coming downtown area. Family & Consumer Sciences with the Harrison County Cooperative Extension Services has an annual tea party, which has occurred for 2022 and 2023, in a

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Monthly Walking Challenges through Urban Hikes

Author: Shelley Meyer

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

The problem          Downtown Cynthiana, KY is an up-and-coming rural community with flourishing tourism, plentiful growth of locally owned businesses, improving and enhancing facilities, sidewalks, and increasing walkability. An interest survey was administered through the Family & Consumer Sciences newsletter at the start of 2022 to gage the interest of community members for physical activity opportunities. Survey results indicated a strong need for increased exerc

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