Extension
It Starts With Us
Effective Resource Management
Family and Agricultural Economics
Moses (Fine Arts), Burgard (FCS), Jones (4-H), Prewitt (Horticulture)
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Economic Development and Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development
Financial Education - General
Whitley County has an unemployment rate of 4.4% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023. The median income for individuals were $18,444 a year according to the 2020 US Census Data. 27.6% of households are living in poverty in Whitley County.
The 2017 Census of Agriculture data reports that 165 Farm Operators reported net gains and 383 Farm Operators had net losses. Keeping good records and having good farm, family, and personal management systems in place can increase quality of life. The Whitley County Cooperative Extension will use the Managing in Tough Times Curriculum and MoneyWise publications to help awareness on how to use resources better. Radio Ads and newsletter articles will include information about saving money in both the family and on the farm.
Families and Farmers will use resources more efficiently.
Families and Farmers will save time and money as a result of changed behaviors.
Families, Farmers, and individuals improve their quality of life by changing attitudes.
Families and Farmers adopt recommended practices to help them save time and money relating to household and farm management.
Households and farmers practice techniques to help them improve quality of family life.
Individuals adopt attitudes that foster healthy communication skills among family members.
Families and Farmers identify techniques to improve money management.
Families and Farmers locate spending leaks in their current budget.
Long-Term Outcome:
Indicator: Families and Farmers create better consumer habits and savings
Method: CEDIK Economical Surveys, Pre/Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2023
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Families and Farmers apply education about budgets into daily life.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2017-2018
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Families and Farmers recognize areas to improve savings.
Method: Pre/Post Evaluations
Timeline: 2015-2017
Audience: Whitley County Homemakers
Project or Activity: Homemakers leaders present Special Interest lessons to teach skills that help individuals make better use of resources
Content or Curriculum: Lessons include Holiday Ideas, Estate Planning - Transferring Cherished Possessions, Meal Time Rut and Beginner Sewing
Inputs: Agents, LeadersDate: Monthly
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Budgeting programs (Couponing; Food Spending) to help families on limited incomes and others interested to save money and reduce debt.
Content or Curriculum: UK Programs; NEP Food Spending
Inputs: Agent, UK Specialists
Date: Quarterly throughout year
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Budgeting Classes
Content or Curriculum: MoneyWi$e
Inputs: FCS, Moses, 4H
Date: May-July
Audience: Middle School Aged Youth
Project or Activity: Budgeting (online curriculum and school fair)
Content or Curriculum: It's Your Reality
Inputs: 4H, Community Partners, FRYSCs
Date: March
Audience: Teens
Project or Activity: Teen Club
Content or Curriculum: Build Your Future
Inputs: 4H
Date: Monthly Club Meetings
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Holiday Budgeting
Content or Curriculum: Stretching Your Holiday Dollar, Holiday Ideas
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: November-December
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project of Activity: Estate Planning Series/Workshop
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Homemaker Lesson, UK Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, UK Specialists
Date: November/February
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Cook Wild Kentucky
All hunters in Kentucky at least 12 years old and born after January 1, 1975 must have a hunter safety certification. During the covid shutdown the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife hunter education program was completely online. There were youth in Whitley County that did not have computer access at home to allow them to complete the required training. Once the program could be taught in person again, the ANR agent conducted two in-person training courses and a range da
Author: Lisa Jones
Major Program: Civic Engagement
Whitley County is about to create a community that will come together to fix a big problem in education. They see that young people often don't know important life skills they need to succeed. Whitley County 4-H is taking charge by working with local teachers to plan a Life Smarts Series. These lessons will be created to help middle and high school youth learn practical things to handle life's challenges.This program is going to change how schools teach by bringing in fun lessons. T
Author: Linda Burgard
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Estate planning allows people to control what happens to their possessions after their passing. Without a legally recognized plan in place, the government may dictate how someone’s assets are distributed. While there are numerous informal approaches to estate planning, not all are legally recognized. This may create confusion and spark conflict among families during an already challenging time. To increase consumer knowledge on estate planning and asset distribution, the Whitley Count
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
NRESci Success Story Program Year 2024 The Kentucky 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy (NRESci) strives to increase environmental literacy among youth in Kentucky. Every five years (since 1999) the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC) conducts a survey to assess Kentuckian’s environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. According to KEEC’s 2020-2025 Environmental Education Master Plan (2020), “… the average Kentuckian is able to
Author: Linda Burgard
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
According to the USDA, food-at-home prices have increased by 5 percent in 2023 with prices for cereals and bakery products rising by 8.4 percent. With the average American household spending over $1,000 on groceries monthly, community members are eager to learn how they can save money on food costs.To address this need, the Whitley County Family and Consumer Science Agent offered hands-on bread workshops once or twice a month since March 2023. 360 adult individuals participated in 15
