Community Enhancement and Positive Employability Plan of Work

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Barren County CES

Title:
Community Enhancement and Positive Employability
MAP:
Community and Economic Development
Agents Involved:
Tarry, Schalk
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
FCS Employment Skills
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Economic Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Community Leadership Development
Situation:

Barren County has a low per capita income. 23% of the Barren County population is in poverty compared to 18% statewide (CEDIK County Profile 2019). The loss of industry jobs, higher ‘breadwinner’ wages, benefit packages, and decreasing farm income - coupled with the instability of new start-up businesses, and higher living costs - all threaten the county’s tax base foundation and overall family economic security. There is a need to assist small businesses, farm families, and community members with training to remain economically viable. Attractions are plenty including, Mammoth Cave and Barren River Lake, and tourism in Barren County has potential for growth. Our clientele feels it is important for Cooperative Extension to address and facilitate community and economic development, especially in the areas of bringing more jobs paying good wages with benefits, increased support for small businesses, and more qualified employees for existing or new jobs. 



Long-Term Outcomes:

Barren County will be a healthy, active, safe, and economically sustainable community built on its natural and human assets. Residents will find employment, consumer, residential and recreational choices that reflect their needs and interest, while visitors will come for the natural resources based amenities and small-town history and culture. Additional long term outcomes include: 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Healthy networks and coalitions are strengthened through training, education, and increased community engagement. Increased knowledge and utilization of local health services by rural residents. Additional intermediate outcomes include:

Initial Outcomes:

An increase in community member and coalition awareness of opportunities and challenges working with new and established health networks in Barren County and beyond. Additional intermediate outcomes include:

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: An increase in community member and coalition awareness of opportunities and challenges working with new and established health networks in Barren County and South Central Kentucky.

Indicator: Community forums, listening sessions, number of new coalition members, and number of new formal collaborations created.

Method: Coalition/Council facilitation, board/council participation, 

Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program

Intermediate Outcome: An Increase in community members' involvement within the health coalition and an increase in new members.

Indicator: Health networks and coalitions are strengthened through training, education, and increased community engagement. Increased knowledge and utilization of local health services by rural residents.

Method: Observation, group discussion, surveys

Timeline: After the implementation of programs and throughout the year


Intermediate Outcome: Barren County working adults will demonstrate increased employability skills including communication, networking, and others. 

Indicator: Employability skills strengthened through training and education; the use of skills leads to employment.

Method: Observation, group discussion, surveys

Timeline: After the implementation of programs and throughout the year


Intermediate Outcome: Increased profits for small businesses, small farmers, and farmers' markets.  

Indicator: Marketing efforts are successful; small businesses report increased sales and profits. 

Method: Business reports, Observation, group discussion, surveys

Timeline:  After the implementation of programs and throughout the year


Long-term Outcome: Barren County will be a healthy, active, safe, and economically sustainable community built on its natural and human assets. 

Indicator: Increased Food, Agriculture, and Agri-tourism based businesses and organizations in the county that provide job opportunities and economic growth for Barren County.

Method: Visual Observation, Chamber of Commerce Reports

Timeline: Ongoing, following related efforts.

Long-term Outcome: Extension Coalitions, Councils and community partners will support community development and enhancement via sustainable programs and efforts.  

Indicator:  FCS Advisory Council/Healthy Barren County Coalition will be actively involved and sustainable.

Method: Observation, group discussions, surveys, Chamber Reports

Timeline: Ongoing, following community development efforts.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General Public, Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Project or Activity: Extension Programming

Content or Curriculum: Opportunities in Agri-tourism & Agri-business

Inputs:  Extension Programming, Publications, CEDIK, KDA, Chamber of Commerce, KY GOAP, County Ag Development Council

Date: Ongoing 


Audience: Barren County Public 

Project or Activity: Community Development Programs

Content or Curriculum: Developing and Executing Community Development Plans

Inputs: CEDIK, Agents, Specialist, Pubs

Date: 1-2 years


Audience: Family and Consumer Advisory Council/Healthy Barren County Coalition

Project or Activity: Facilitation and training

Content or Curriculum: KELD and Systems Policy’s and Environment

Inputs: CEDIK, agents, specialist, UK publications

Date: Ongoing



Success Stories

Extension Takes the Lead in Data Gathering

Author: Christopher Schalk

Major Program: Economic Development and Workforce Preparation - ANR

The problem                Barren County is a leader in KY agriculture.   The rich and diverse history of agriculture production is a cornerstone of our local economy.  A group of community stakeholders have mounted an effort to bring a regional agriculture exposition center to the Cave City area.   Cave City is a logical choice due it location on I-65 and the tourism infrastructure already in place. The educational program respons

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