Carroll County CES

Title:

Community and Economic Development

MAP:

Community, Economic, and Leadership Development

Agents Involved:

Joyce Doyle, Christy Eastwood, and Maggie Turner

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

FCS Employment Skills

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Community Analysis

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Science, Engineering, and Technology

Situation:

The Kentucky Extension Community Assessment Statewide Report 2019 indicates that money management for families and youth and employee “soft/essential skills” training continue to be important issues statewide. Research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center indicates 85% of job success comes from having well developed soft and people skills, and only 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge (hard skills).  Employers are often prepared to teach technical job skills; however, the intangible skills of being a team player, time management, and positive attitude are difficult to teach on-sight but critical to success.

Carroll County residents are so fortunate to have great industries that supply job opportunities.  In order to be hired at these workplaces a person is required to have knowledge in the field of science, technology and engineering.  In order to help people get employable, it is important that we add SET activities to our curriculum. Through the Land Grant University and Extension system, 4-H can expand its impact and extend its reach in science, engineering and technology (4-H SET) by adding SET programs. Youth will learn scientific research techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that positively address science, engineering and technology issues in Kentucky and globally providing opportunities for hands-on scientific learning and discovery in 4-H clubs.

Farmers’ markets can provide excellent opportunities for community and economic development by offering a setting for local producers to sell their goods.  Additionally, they strengthen communities by bringing people together and connecting consumers with those who grow their food.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• More effective employees and community leaders.
• Improved financial capability for Carroll County residents, results in better quality of life and stronger families.
• Greater opportunities for marketing local produce.
• Increasing potential for tourism in Carroll County.
• Carroll County Youth will:
  • Utilize the scientific method to solve problems in their daily life.
  • Choose a career path in science, engineering or technology.
  • Utilize the scientific method on decision making.
  • Increase STEM literacy in the general population.
  • Innovate in addressing social problems and situations using STEM.
  • Increase the number and diversity of individuals pursuing educational opportunities and careers in STEM related fields.
  • Increase the pool of trained STEM educators and employees.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, etc.
• Improve employability through practical living skills and continued education practices.
• Carroll County Youth will:
  • Use and apply the skills gained from 4-H science, engineering and technology.
  • Demonstrate and share new abilities in science, engineering and technology with others.
  • Practice scientific methods learned in 4-H SET programs.
  • Mentor younger 4-Her’s in science engineering and technology programs.
  • Apply STEM learning skills in contexts outside the 4-H Program (e.g., school classes, science fairs, invention contests etc.).
  • Use new methods or improved technology.
  • Demonstrate the use of developed life-skills everyday situations.
  • Express interest and/or demonstrate aspirations toward STEM Careers.
  • Raise questions and identify problem to be addressed using STEM.

Initial Outcomes:

• Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations, to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices.
• Carroll County Youth will:
  • Increase interest and engagement in 4-H science, engineering and technology.
  • Learn new skills in 4-H science, engineering and technology programs.
  • Be introduced to careers in science, engineering and technology.
  • Participate in science, engineering and technology 4-H programs to acquire new skills.
  • Be engaged in STEM related activities.
  • Have an improved attitude toward STEM related subjects.
  • Develop valuable life-skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communications, and leadership.
  • Increase their awareness of opportunities to contribute their STEM skills to society.

Evaluation:

Outcome:

Long-term

Indicator:

Decrease in unemployment rate in Carroll County.  Increase in youth utilizing the scientific methods to solve problems in their daily life.

Method:

County Statistics.  Common Measures Experience Survey.

Timeline:

2022 -2023

Outcome:

Intermediate

Indicator:

Number of individuals who reported the intent to utilize etiquette practices to improve verbal, written, and electronic communication practices (Communicating Effectively). Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: how to utilize listening cues (nonverbal, l and verbal) in conversation (Listening and Inquiry).  Increase in teens mentoring younger youth in SET.

Method:

Pre/Post Evaluation.  Follow-up with teen participants.

Timeline:

2023- 2024

Outcome:

Initial

Indicator:

Increase in program participants.  Increase in youth gaining knowledge in SET and gain more interest in science.

Method:

Attendance Sheets.

Timeline:

School year 2023 - 2024

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:

Working-age adults and young adults preparing for the workforce 

Activity:

10 Soft Skills for Success

Content or Curriculum:

Positive Employability

Inputs:

FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders   Date(s):

Fall 2023

Fall 2024

Audience:

Working-age adults and young adults preparing for the workforce 

Activity:

Conveying Your Message  

Content or Curriculum:

Positive Employability

Inputs:

FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and 

Date(s):

Fall 2023

Fall 2024

Audience:

Working-age adults and young adults preparing for the workforce 

Activity:

Networking for Success 

Content or Curriculum:

Positive Employability

Inputs:

FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders

Date(s):

Fall 2023

Fall 2024

Audience:

Carroll County Youth

Activity:

SET Lessons

Content or Curriculum:

SET, Ozobots, Sphero bots

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Extension Staff, Volunteers, Teens, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Robots, Money, Time

Date(s)

October 2023

November 2023

January 2024

February 2024

Audience:

Carroll County Youth

Activity:

Entrepreneur Club including our Garden Club members

Content or Curriculum:

4-H Means Business

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Volunteers, Curriculum, Money, Time

Date(s):

March thru October 2023

March thru October 2024

Audience:

Residents of Carroll County and surrounding areas

Project or Activity:

Riverview Farmers' Market

Content or Curriculum:

Craft, meat, and produce vendors from Carroll County and nearby counties

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Riverview Farmers' Market, Three Rivers Health Department, Time, Money

Dates:

Spring and summer 2023

Spring and summer 2024

Spring and summer 2025

Audience:

Carroll County Agricultural Producers

Activity:

Collaboration to sell produce from local producers in restaurants at Kentucky State Parks

Content or Curriculum:

Meetings 

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Kentucky State Parks Representatives, Local Producers, Money, Time

Dates:

2023

2024

Audience:

Carroll County Community members and tourists

Activity:

Camp Kysoc Arboretum

Content or Curriculum:

Developing an arboretum at Camp Kysoc to register tree species and for public education

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Friends of Camp Kysoc, Money, Time

Date:

Summer 2024

Success Stories