Wolfe County CES

Title:

Community Advancement

MAP:

Emprowering Communty Leaders

Agents Involved:

Heather Graham, Jessica Morris

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Community Engagement

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Community Analysis

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Building Healthy Coalitions

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General

Situation:

The Kentucky Extension Community Assessment Report for Wolfe County indicates that improvements in jobs, infrastructure, and community vitality are top priorities. Creating a culture of individuals giving back to their community through leadership roles serves a multi-purpose process of personal growth, community engagement, and helps to ensure a new generation of involved citizens. With unemployment rates of 7.7% and escalating poverty concerns (57.6% below poverty level), providing youth and adults these valuable skills and attitudes can break negative generational patterns and prepare them to assume leadership roles both today and tomorrow. Through the efforts of Extension, Wolfe County citizens will be better equipped to understand family and community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

• More qualified leaders to prepare community for future
• Strong and diverse local food systems are integrated into community development efforts
• Enhancement of economic and ecological sustainability for farmers and homeowners within the community
• More effective employees and community leaders

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Use and apply improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs.
• Local food access is established
• Clientele implement sound environmental and economic practices.
• Improve employability through practical living skills and continued education practices

Initial Outcomes:

• Participants will aspire to create change in their community through their actions, attitudes, and leadership.
• Increased awareness and access to local foods among general public
• Clientele are aware of practices to sustain or improve natural resources on their farms and in their homes.
• Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices. 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased aspirations to create community change through actions, attitudes, and leadership

Indicator:  Number of individuals reporting improved knowledge, opinions, skills, and/or aspirations

Method:  Self report survey

Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program

Outcome: Increased awareness and access to local foods among general public

Indicator:  Number of residents reporting an increase in accessing fresh, local foods

Method:  Self report survey

Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program

Outcome: Increased practices to sustain or improve natural resources on farms and in homes

Indicator: Number of those indicating an increased awareness of sustainable agriculture practices

Method:  Self report survey

Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program

Outcome: Improved workforce communication and networking skills

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of confidence in the area: verbal, written, and electronic communication practices; participating in productive business conversation

Method:  Self report survey

Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Community Leaders 

 

Project or Activity: Leadership Development 

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Leadership Development Program 

Inputs: Efforts from agents, Extension Councils 

Date: ONGOING

 

Project or Activity: Emergency Management & Preparedness  

Content or Curriculum: Farm Management Economics and Policy programs, Family Development programs, Financial Education programs, Food Preparation and Preservation programs, Nutrition and Food System programs, Volunteer Development programs, Farm & Home Safety Programs, Civic Engagement programs, and Health Programs 

Inputs: Efforts from Agents, Extension Specialists and publications, community partners

Date: Ongoing 
   

Audience: Community 

 
 Project or Activity: Local Foods and Art 

Content or Curriculum: Marketing programs, Farmers’ Market programs, value added programs, grape/wine production, sheep/goat production, honeybee programs, and community park development 

Inputs: Efforts from Agents, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farmers/Producers, Extension Specialists, publications, and various community agencies 

Date: Farmers’ Market programs – ONGOING, Community Park Development GOING

 
  

Project or Activity: Workforce Readiness 

Content or Curriculum: Resume building, interview skills, Community Closet 

Inputs: Efforts from Agents, Adult Education, Public Library, Catholic Church 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year 

 
  

Project or Activity: Natural Resource Sustainability 

Content or Curriculum: Ag water quality plan, backyard and urban streams, proper use and disposal of pesticide/ herbicide/ fertilizer, putting BMPs into use, woodland management, invasive plant, disease, and insect ID and control 

Inputs: Efforts from Agents, Extension Specialists and publications 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year 

 

Audience: Youth 

  

Project or Activity: Leadership Development 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Teen Leadership Academy, Issues Conference, Teen Conference, 4-H Teen Summit, 4-H Camp 

Inputs: Efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year 

 
  

Project or Activity: Workforce Readiness 

Content or Curriculum: Resume building, interview skills, Community Closet, Speeches and Demonstrations, Agriculture Awareness Series, Reality Store, Dollars and Sense 

Inputs: Efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year 

Reviewed: JLM 05/01/2023

Success Stories