Extension
It Starts With Us
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Health and Wellness
Elizabeth Maxedon, Bryce Roberts, Mollie Tichenor
Chemical Management
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Building Healthy Coalitions
Health
With continued increasing amounts of obesity, diabetes, farm safety accidents, increased cost of food and lack of physical activity in Spencer County, agents will make residents aware of the ways to recognize the issues. Extension Council helped to develop this plan.
Decrease the number of local farm related accidents. Reduce chronic illness due to poor nutrition and activity. Increase awareness of proper child care practices. Increase the amount of home food preparation.
Adults will increase physical activity, will implement healthy food choices, and learn how to cook nutritious meals. Youth and adults will accomplish safe food practices.
Private pesticide applicators will learn how to properly mix and apply restricted use pesticides. Residents will gain knowledge of proper food safety, nutrition, physical activity, interpreting a food label, and farm safety.
Outcome: Participants will become certified pesticide applicators.
Indicator: Number of certified applicators in Spencer County.
Method: Observation and testing.
Timeline: Three months after program.
Outcome: Youth and adults will practice healthy cooking, food safety, and increased physical activity.
Indicator: Increase positive diet and activity will decrease chronic disease.
Method: Pre and post surveys.
Timeline: Immediate Post Surveys.
Outcome: Youth will develop an understanding of the consequences that go along with their actions.
Indicator: Increase awareness of being self-consciousness of your actions.
Method: Pre and post surveys.
Timeline: September 2023 to May 20234
Audience: Farm Families
Project or Activity: Pesticide applicator training. (BR)
Content or Curriculum: Pesticide applicator materials.
Inputs: Extension Council, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist.
Date: November 2023, February 2024.
Project or Activity: Farmer’s Market (EM, BR, MT)
Content or Curriculum: Farmer’s Market materials, Plate it up materials, Food Sampling, Master Gardner Materials
Inputs: Extension Council, Family Resource Youth Services Center, Multipurpose Community Action, Spencer County School System, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, Spencer Co. Health Department, North Central Health District, Baptist Medical, Spencer County/Taylorsville Government, Local Producers, Farmer’s Market Committee, Master Gardner Volunteer.
Date: July 2023 – June 2024.
Project or Activity: ATV and tractor safety training. (MT)
Content or Curriculum: ATV and tractor safety videos and materials.
Inputs: Extension Council, Family Resource Youth Services Center, Multipurpose Community Action, Spencer County School System, Local Producers, Salt River Antique Tractor Association, Community Volunteers.
Date: August 2023, March 2024 - July 2024.
Project or Activity: Farmer’s Dinner Theatre (EM, BR, MT)
Content or Curriculum: Farmer’s Dinner Theatre Curriculum and Supporting Materials
Inputs: County Extension Council, Local Producers, Louisville Area Cattleman’s, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Spencer County Schools.
Date: January 2024 - February 2024.
Audience: Senior Citizens, Adults, Youth, and Minorities.
Project or Activity: Working with Spencer County residents on nutrition, physical activity, and disaster preparedness. (EM, BR, MT)
Content or Curriculum: 4-H/FCS Curriculum, Lunch and Learn, LEAP, Farm to Table, Bingocize, Laugh and Learn
Inputs: Extension Council, Family Resource Youth Services Center, Multipurpose Community Action, Spencer County Public Library, Spencer County School System, Spencer Co. Health Department, North Central Health District, Baptist Medical, Local Producers, Farmer’s Market Committee.
Date: July 2023 - June 2024.
Project or Activity: Health Fair Readifest, Community Baby Shower. (EM, BR, MT)
Content or Curriculum: Health screenings, educational materials and handouts, nutritional education and handout, physical activity awareness.
Inputs: Extension Council, Family Resource Youth Services Center, Multipurpose Community Action, Spencer County School System, Spencer Co. Health Department, North Central Health District, Baptist Medical, Kentucky Cancer Program, Passport Health, Seven Counties, Spencer County Sherriff’s Office, Taylorsville Police Department, Kentucky State Police, Spencer County EMS, Spencer County/Taylorsville Fire Department, KIPDA.
Date: July 2023 – June 2024.
Project or Activity: Elementary Agriculture Day (EM, BR, MT)
Content or Curriculum: Farm and Home Safety.
Inputs: Extension Council, Family Resource Youth Services Center, Multipurpose Community Action, Spencer County School System, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, Spencer County/Taylorsville Government, Local Producers, Salt River Antique Tractor Association, Spencer County Sherriff’s Office, Taylorsville Police Department, Kentucky State Police, Spencer County EMS, Spencer County/Taylorsville Fire Department, Farmer’s Market Committee.
Date: September 2023 - October 2023.
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: High School Cooking Lab, 4-H Cooking Club, Superstar Chef, Summer Enrichment, Windowsill Gardens, LEAP, Cupcake Wars (EM, BR, MT).
Inputs: Extension Council, Family Resource Youth Services Center, Multipurpose Community Action, Spencer County School System, Local Producers
Date: August 2023 – June 2024.
Author: Elizabeth Maxedon
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
The problemRegular physical activity and good mental health are essential for preventing chronic diseases. These serious public health concerns require effective interventions to encourage positive behavior change. Walking Kentucky is a community campaign designed to increase physical activity and promote health awareness in Kentucky. You don't need any special equipment or location to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Participants are given the tools to lead a more acti
Author: Elizabeth Maxedon
Major Program: Community Engagement
The problemChildren need to learn about agriculture to understand where their food comes from and appreciate the importance of farming in providing sustenance. It also helps them develop a deeper connection to the environment and learn about the challenges and opportunities in the agricultural industry, which is crucial for sustainable food production and environmental stewardship.The educational program responseThe youth of Spencer County not only learned about local agriculture but also safety
Author: Mollie Tichenor
Major Program: Health
The 2023 Healthfair/Readifest was a collaborative program planned by the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service and the Family Resource/Youth Service Center. There were several other groups who helped sponsor the event with monetary and time donations. Churches and other local businesses also donated school supplies. For the past 2 years, the program has been a walk through outdoor event. The goal of this program is to help improve the community’s health for both ad
Author: Elizabeth Maxedon
Major Program: Community Engagement
The problemThis program aims to help improve the community’s health for both adults and youth and to ensure school-age children have needed health checkups and school supplies before the first day of school.The participants/target audienceThroughout the 2-hour event, adults and children visited over 54 booths to get various health checks. They received information on health topics, including healthy eating, cancer prevention, bicycle safety, mental health, health insurance, and physical fi
Author: Bryce Roberts
Major Program: Family Development General
The 2023 Healthfair/Readifest was a collaborative program planned by the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service and the Family Resource/Youth Service Center. There were several other groups who helped sponsor the event with monetary and time donations. Churches and other local businesses also donated school supplies. For the past 2 years, the program has been a walk through outdoor event. T
Author: Elizabeth Maxedon
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
The new year began, and the Louisville Area FCS Agents were looking through the new Food and Nutrition calendars when discussion started about watching cooking shows and being more likely to try a recipe after watching someone prepare it. Also, one of the local news stations WAVE 3 had reached out about a cooking segment; therefore, the program Cooking Through the Calendar was organized!The participants/target audienceThe program consisted of each Louisville Area Extension Agent choosing a month
Author: Elizabeth Maxedon
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Spencer County, being a rural area with limited access to healthcare facilities, can benefit greatly from awareness of available free or low-cost health resources. After participating in a lesson on the Pathways to Wellness program, the Spencer County Family Consumer Sciences Council developed a community resource day to educate the community about how local resources can help improve access to essential healthcare services. The Wellness Day event took place at the Spencer County Extension Offic
Author: Elizabeth Maxedon
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
The problemResearch shows that people who cook meals at home are more likely to eat the recommended fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains in a balanced diet. Building cooking skills and knowledge increases the likelihood of people preparing home-cooked meals. The Oldham and Trimble County Extension Office presented the Savor the Flavor series to community members to encourage more home-prepared meals. The Savor the Flavor program focused on various cooking methods and flavoring techni
