Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Human Capital and Opportunity
Income and Workforce Development
FCS, Community Arts, 4H
First Impressions
Economic Development
Financial Education - General
Advancing the Creative Economy
In a recent Needs Assessment survey conducted by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Whitley County expressed that our county needed more jobs with good paying wages. Citizens stated that their "Vision for a More Vibrant Community" included a "resource rich community to support jobs, money, public transportation and roads." There are currently 15,949 jobs in Whitley County and the average weekly wage is $754 for a two person household. The minimum wage for KY is $7.25 though the living wage is $14.63 for a one person household.
According to University of Kentucky’s CEDIK County profiles for Small Business, Whitley County’s top small business industries are in retail trade and healthcare and social assistance. With providing opportunities that provide local support for entrepreneurship, growing “soft skills” and interviewing strategies, and helping producers become successful, Cooperative Extension can be involved with promoting wide opportunities for local crafters, artisans, producers, and families.
- More effective employees and community leaders.
- Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families.
- Policy changes to support economic development
- Diversified economy that sustains healthy community
- 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.
- Community is better informed, and leaders can identify policies that better support local economic development
- Local policy makers encourage small business development
- Businesses implement strategies identified through planning.
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.
Community is better informed, and leaders can identify policies that better support local economic development
Local policy makers encourage small business development
Businesses implement strategies identified through planning.
Outcome: Improved communication
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported the intent to utilize etiquette practices to improve verbal, written, and electronic communication practices (Communicating Effectively)
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: demonstrate strong verbal and nonverbal communications (Conveying Your Message)
Method: Pre/Post Evaluation
Timeline: After program
Outcome: Improved workplace listening skills
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: how to utilize listening cues (nonverbal, quaisverbal, and verbal) in conversation (Listening and Inquiry)
Method: Pre/Post Evaluation
Timeline: After program
Outcome: Networking Skills
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of confidence in the area: participate in a productive business conversation (Networking for Success)
Method: Pre/Post Evaluation
Timeline: After program
Audience: Adults and young adults
Project or Activity: Networking for Success
Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability
Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: Adults, young adults, and teensProject or Activity: Money Habitudes Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes
Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, Money Habitudes cards
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: AdultsProject or Activity: Estate Planning Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Estate Planning Publications
Inputs: FCS Agent, FCS Specialist (family finance and resource management), curriculum publications and resources, and local partners such as an attorney, CPA and/or financial planner
Date: Winter 2023
Audience: AdultsProject or Activity: Financial Education
Content or Curriculum: Real Skills for Everyday Life, MoneyWi$e newsletter and social media
Inputs: FCS Agent, UK Specialist
Date: September 2023
Audience: Farmer's Market vendorsProject or Activity: Homebased Microprocessing
Content or Curriculum: Homebased Microprocessing and renewal courses provided by UK
Inputs: Horticulture and FCS agents. Online videos, UK specialist
Date: Spring 2023
Audience: Commercial Horticulture producers
Project or Activity: regular farm visits
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs
Inputs: specialists and agents.
Date: Ongoing.
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Enhancing Business and Marketing Skills of Eastern Kentucky Artist
Content or Curriculum: Artisan Education Curriculum, STLW, Kentucky Highlands, CEDIK, Berea College Partners for Education
Inputs: Community Arts Local Artist
Date: Winter 2024
Author: Benjamin Prewitt
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
The Whitley County Cooperative Extension Service noticed a major restriction for a lot of folks in our community was having access and the ability to use equipment and tools as well as the financial capabilities to purchase equipment. To combat this problem in our community we decided in 2023 to begin working towards building a reliable and dependable Shared-Use Equipment Program for Horticulture and Agriculture clientele in our county. Tools such as
