Extension
It Starts With Us
Improving community wellness through nutrition, physical activity and safety
Health and Wellness
Allen, Hinton, Denny, Tucker
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
Health
A foundation of nutrition knowledge, skills and competencies in topics such as food safety, handling and preparation, cooking methods and techniques, feeding practices, food science, and food systems are essential to changing dietary behaviors. With the increased trend of chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky, individuals, families, and communities need tools and environments that support healthful dietary decisions. CES agents are encouraged to reach diverse audiences to help combat chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky communities. The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. Fourteen (14) percent of Breckinridge County respondents identified fewer chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, as a priority during the Kentucky Extension Community Assessment. Obese individuals are at increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. The obesity rate in Kentucky increased 90 percent over the last 15 years. Thirty-seven percent of Breckinridge County adult and youth citizens are considered obese. Thirty percent of individuals in the Commonwealth report no leisure-time physical activity, as well as, thirty-eight percent locally. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and built environments that promote physical inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. As a result, Kentuckians are dying from heart disease and cancer at higher rates than all Americans and they have a lower life expectancy, 75.5 years, compared to 78 years for Americans. Minorities and individuals residing in Appalachia bear a heavier brunt of the obesity and chronic disease burden. Currently, 3,746 individuals receive SNAP (food stamps) and 2,710 individuals are food insecure in Breckinridge County. Extension programs aims to provide nutrition education to meet the needs of the community.
Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health disease can affect anyone, with 1,160 reported opioid-involved deaths (a rate of 27.9 deaths per 100,000 persons) in Kentucky and Vaping nearly doubled among middle and high school students — with 27% of high school seniors reporting they had tried the product in 2018. In Breckinridge County, the number of overdoses totaled 179 cases. Additionally, stress on families and farm life is at an all-time high, leading to mental health disease. Programs discussing family stress will be a central theme in all meetings. Talking about stress is not a popular topic, therefore a constant simple reminder is needed to help improve mental health. In addition, 25% of youth report some form of emotional or behavioral condition and suicide rates are at record high (KY suicides per 100,000 people: 15.3, 10th highest in nation).
Long term outcomes include reduced fatalities, reduced number of children in foster care, and reduced incarceration. An increased number of youth and adults will maintain positive health habits. An increased number of youth and adults will be at lower risk for serious disease and illness. Youth and adult participants will be at lower risk for physical and emotional distress. Drug, alcohol, and tobacco use will decline.
Participants will practice healthy food choices and strengthen individuals’ ability to build healthy eating plans and patterns. Participants will maintain appropriate calorie balance during each stage of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding and older age. Participation in physical activity will increase among families and communities and decrease time spent on sedentary behaviors. Youth will adopt healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that include making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior and handling stress. Youth will develop coping skills, contribute to their communities, practice refusal skills, and intervene to prevent use/abuse. Farmers will be able to identify areas that need to be improved in relation to mobility issues. Participates will reduce risky behaviors relating to home, auto/ATV and RTV, and farm equipment. Share the Road and Grain Rescue programs will be designed and set up for the public and farmers.
Participants will become more aware, gain knowledge and develop skills to make healthy lifestyle choices relating to nutrition, physical activity, social and emotional health, and personal safety. Participants will be able to identify and express their physical limitations relating to gardening and outdoor activities. Youth will identify healthy lifestyle choices, understand risky behaviors and their consequences, aspire to have higher self-esteem, and identify healthy ways to handle stress. Youth will gain awareness and understanding of health concerns for youth, substance use, mental health, diversity, and inclusion. A reduction in the stigma of individuals with substance use disorders and mental health diseases will be observed.
Initial Outcome: Increased awareness, knowledge and skills relating to healthy lifestyle choices and personal safety. Increased number of youth that report feeling good about themselves and report that they know how to handle stress.
Indicator: Increased attendance and participation in wellness and safety programs.
Method: Curriculum and program evaluation tools
Timeline: At time of program implementation
Intermediate Outcome: Participants making healthier lifestyle choices and personal safety choices.
Indicator: Participants consuming more fruits and vegetables, choosing to be more physical active and implementing safe practices, such as, wearing helmets, seat belts and having a family emergency kit.
Method: Follow-up surveys, personal interviews and observations
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
Initial Outcome: Producers and public will attend trainings.
Indicator: CEU sheets
Method: surveys and exams
Timeline: At the time of the program implementation.
Intermediate Outcome: Participants train employees and family members.
Indicator: surveys
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
Long-term Outcome: A decrease in the number of obese and overweight children, youth, adults and elderly. An improvement in the local environment to promote and support physical activity and healthy eating.
Indicator: Participants consuming more fruits and vegetables, choosing to be more physical active and implementing safe practices, such as, wearing helmets, seat belts and family emergency kit.
Method: Health census reports and personal and health care provider testimonials
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
Long-term Outcome: An increase in awareness along with a decrease in new accidents, as well as, accidents involving vehicles and farm equipment.
Indicator: Farms and hospitals will report a decrease in accidents.
Method: Reports from hospital and local farmers
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
Audience: Preschool and Elementary Students
Project or Activity: LEAP and Laugh and Learn Classroom visits
Content or Curriculum: LEAP, Laugh and Learn
Inputs: Kentucky Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers.
Date: 2023-2024 school year
Audience: Adults and Families
Project or Activity: Workshops series and special interest lessons
Content or Curriculum: Cook Together - Eat Together, Embracing Life as We Age, EFNEP Curricula, KSU Curricula
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Local, state, and federal health agencies
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: Adults who work with Youth
Project or Activity: Youth Strong
Content or Curriculum: Youth Strong Curriculum, metal health curriculum (Bullying, Safe & Caring Schools, etc).
Inputs: Kentucky Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers.
Date: 2023-2024 school year
Audience: Families, Early Head Start, Head Start
Project or Activity: Parent socials and trainings, School Open Houses
Content or Curriculum: Laugh and Learn curriculum, Family Mealtime curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: 4th graders and Leaders
Project or Activity: Farm and Home Safety Program
Content or Curriculum: Programs approved by Progressive Ag Foundation.
Inputs: Fifty Local leaders trained under supervision of Farm Safety Day Coordinator. Virtual Training is being planned for 2021
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: Community and Detention Center Participants
Project or Activity: EFNEP and SNAP Education
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up, KY Proud, Super Star Chef, Healthy Choices for Everybody
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: 2023-2024 program year with special seasonal and holiday focuses
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Health and Nutrition Workshops
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum (Teen Cuisine, SuperStar Chef, etc.)
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: Local Youth (4th-8th grade)
Project or Activity: 4-H Jr. Master Gardener
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum (e.g. Food Preparation and Preservation), Jr. Master Gardener curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, public library, specialists, Master Gardener volunteers, and other volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: Summer 2024
Audience: Local non-English, Amish and Mennonite Communities
Project or Activity: Food preparation, Food storage and proper pesticide care
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up for Latino populations, GAP home sanitation
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) Agents, resources in Spanish, Migrant Education program
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: Local homeowners, garden enthusiasts, Detention Center
Project or Activity: Increase awareness, use, enthusiasm for growing their own garden; Victory Garden
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) Agents, Master Gardeners, KY Proud Promotion and Victory Garden, KSU Area Agent
Date: 2023-24 program year
Audience: Local Fire Department and First Responders
Project or Activity: Grain Tube Rescue and Share the Road program
Content or Curriculum: Program from KDA and first responders
Inputs: Breckinridge County Fire Departments and KDA Farm Safety Team
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: Local Farmers Market and Beekeepers
Project or Activity: GAP and Sampling Certificate for produce and beekeepers
Content or Curriculum: State Programs
Inputs: Breckinridge and Grayson County Ag/Natural Resource Agents
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: Local Farmers in regular crop meetings
Project or Activity: Exercises for daily use in and around tractors and equipment in relation to mobility issues and stress in farming activities.
Content or Curriculum: Program designed by local Physical Therapist, Agribility program resources
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) Agents
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Culinary Program
Content or Curriculum: Super Start Chef, Teen Cuisine, Cupcake Wars, Culinary Challenge
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: Adults and Families
Project: Diabetes Support Group
Content or Curriculum: Dining with Diabetes, Plate It Up, KY Proud!, Embracing Life as We Age
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES), program assistants, specialists and volunteers
Kentucky CES and
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: Adults and Extension Homemakers
Project: Monthly Health and Wellness Lessons
Content or Curriculum: Healthy Eating Around the World, Self Care, Herbs and Spices
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: Fall 22- Spring 23
Audience: Families
Project or Activity: Cook Together Eat Together
Content or Curriculum: Cook Together Eat Together curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES agents, program assistants, and volunteers Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: Winter 2023-24
Audience: 6, 7, 8 Grades
Project or Activity: Personal Hygiene/Eating Healthy for positive self esteem program
Content or Curriculum: It's Cool to Be Clean, My plate
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES agents, program assistants, and volunteers Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: Winter 2023-24
Adults and Families
Project or Activity: Cooking Through the Calendar/Recipe Club
Content or Curriculum: NEP 2023 and 2024 Calendar, Plate it Up, KY Proud, Cook Wild, CES Nutrition Publications
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES agents, program assistants, and volunteers Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: 2023-2024 program year
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H School Clubs and Afterschool Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, specialists and volunteers Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: 2023-2024 school year
Author: Anna Denny
Major Program: Health
The problemHardin Park is right in the heart of Hardinsburg, settled next to the Breckinridge County Fairgrounds. Not many families know about this park, even though it's right in their own backyards. Families with children also express that they would like more opportunities for their children to become physically active outdoors. The Trail Blazers 4-H Club recognized this need, and took action.The educational program responseThe Breckinridge County 4-H Home School Club, renamed by th
Author: Anna Denny
Major Program: Health
Breckinridge County 4-H is on a mission, pedaling the Blender Bike far and wide to teach kids about nutrition and staying active in the most fun way possible!Introducing new fruits and vegetables into a child’s diet can be challenging. It's crucial to ensure that developing minds and bodies receive proper nutrition. Anna Denny, Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development in Breckinridge County, led several lessons at local Breckinridge County schools, as well as an Ag Expo event that ser
Author: Lynnette Allen
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
Food is a significant piece of culture. Many countries around the world offer guidance for foods and lifestyle habits to promote health. While the local or preferred foods may be different, the general food-based dietary guidance and goals to promote health around the globe are quite similar.Thirty-three Extension Homemaker volunteers attended “Healthy Eating Around the Globe" area leader trainings hosted by the Breckinridge County FCS agent in January and February 2024.
Author: Lynnette Allen
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
According to Kentucky County Health Rankings, the Breckinridge County health facts reflect 42% adults are obese, 31% report a lack of physical activity, and in the Kentucky 13.8% adults have diabetes. In a continued effort to increase awareness and improve individual wellness, the Breckinridge County Extension Service Family and Consumer Science program host and facilitate a monthly support group meeting to provide educational learning and support for families living with diabetes. The mont
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problemBreckinridge County has a large population of senior citizens that are under the poverty level. Seniors need an avenue to be able to afford fresh vegetables and fruits. The Senior Farmer Market Nutrition Program is available to eligible seniors in the county. The distribution of the vouchers in the past 6 years has not been consistent and well advertised. The educational program responseThe Breckinridge County Extension Service staff offered to be that consiste
