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Family & Consumer Sciences Education; Food Preparation, Preservation & Nutrition
Family & Consumer Sciences Education: Food Preparation, Preservation & Nutrition
Hagler, Klotz
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Financial Education - General
Family Development General
Nutrition and Food Systems General
The Aging Community was one of the issues brought forward by Extension volunteers and survey participants of all ages. According to the latest census information almost 25% of the Nelson County population is 55 or over. In addition, Nelson County residents have expressed a want for programs relating to family mealtime promotion, child care trainings and support for the National Guard and Reserve families we have in the county.
The Kentucky Extension Homemaker Assocation provides Nelson County Homemakers with a sense of belonging and inclusion. The programs provided to the Homemaker Membership include a variety of relatable topics based in research and include nutrition, health and safety topics. Moreover, monthly and special meetings encourage members to be socially connected and volunteer opportunities in schools, extension offices, and community centers drive are intended to drive personal purpose and growth.
Obesity, and lack of exercise all contribute to the poor health of Nelson County residents. Currently, Nelson County residents average 6.5 unhealthy days a month. Currently, 30% get no exercise and 26% are overweight. Over 8,000 residents reported having poor health. The goal of Promoting Positive Lifestyles and Tapping into Local Food Systems is to work with at-risk groups to begin incorporating healthy eating behavior and physical activity into their daily lives/routines, therefore reducing the risk of obesity and susceptibility to the diseases associated. In addition, it is a goal to utilize local food systems to not only provide more fruits and vegetables to citizens of Nelson County, but also to support community producers, stimulating the local food economy.
1.Decrease the number of overweight and obese residents within the community.
2.Increase community knowledge, skill and awareness of physical activity & financial security.
3.Improve overall family and community mental, physical and social/emotional wellness.
4.Increase fruit and vegetable residents consumption within the community.
1. Positive changes in knowledge, attitudes, skill or ability as they relate to obesity, physical activity and healthy eating.
2.Practice of physical activity & use of financial literacy tools and techniques, either personally, or within the family unit.
3.Recognition or behavior change in the realm of mental, emotional or social health & wellness; and/or mental health improvement.
4.Positive personal or family unit decision-making change when considering fruit and vegetable consumption.
1.Awareness of community-wide overweight and obesity, and where to access resources to encourage a healthier community.
2.Knowledge of physical activity & financial literacy opportunities.
3.Awareness of mental, social or emotional health and possible resources to improve each, personally and/or as a family unit.
4.Awareness of access to more fruits and vegetables, knowledge of ways to prepare them
Initial Outcome: Increased awareness of clientele/community members regarding where to find resources for food and nutrition, recovering finances, and increasing overall well-being
Indicator: Quantitative data from social media platforms and/or marketing campaigns for extension. Qualitative data from participants within extension programs indicating knowledge or awareness of extension programs and community resources.
Method: Community forums, in-program discussions, post-program discussions, social media and marketing platform surveys.
Timeline: 1 Year/On-going
Intermediate Outcome: Participants in extension programs or from other community programs indicate knowledge increase or skill attainment in culinary arts, fruit & vegetable access and attainment, and/or financial capabilities.
Indicator: Quantitative data from pre/post surveys from pre-packaged curriculums produced from research-based entities.
Method: Pre/post surveys
Timeline:On-going
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Community-wide decrease the number of overweight and obese residents and an increase community knowledge, skill and awareness of physical activity & financial security.Improve overall family and community mental, physical and social/emotional wellness.
Method: Census data, reports from federal, state and local levels. Qualitative and Quantitative data collected through extension programs.
Timeline: On-going
Audience: Nelson County Homemakers
Project or Activity: Leader Lesson Trainings, Cultural Arts Engagement
Content or Curriculum: Coping with Trauma after a Natural Disaster, Healthy Eating around the World, Herbs and Spices
Inputs: Agents, CES publications and resources, FCS Program Sponsored Curriculum, Homemakers
Date: Late Summer to Early Spring
Audience: Communities
Project or Activity: Farmers Market Outreach
Content or Curriculum: Cooking programs, marketing, increased access (e.g. location, hours, EBT), Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud resources, Farmers Market Toolkit, Super Star Chef, POP Club, Senior Voucher Support
Inputs: Nutrition Education Program (NEP), paid staff, grant funds, facilities, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Date: April – October/Growing seasons
Audience: Families and Individuals
Project or Activity: Food Preparation for Better Health
Content or Curriculum: Cook Together Eat Together, Mastering Food Choices, Dining with Diabetes, Super Star Chef, Champion Food Volunteer, Faithful Families, Body Balance, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud Resources, plans for prenatal- and infant/toddler-specific curriculum, resources for early care and education settings
Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, faith-based organizations, health coalitions
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Project or Activity: Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Trainings, Home-Based Micro-Processing Training, Champion Food Volunteers
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, programmatic materials, NEP
Date: July – September for adults and youth
Project or Activity: Physical, Mental and Socio/Emotional Wellness Promotion
Content or Curriculum: Blue To You, FitBlueKY, LEAP, SNAP/NEP
Inputs: Agents, CES publications and resources, FCS Program Sponsored Curriculum
Health Department, Community Collaboration, Schools
Date: Year-Round
Author: Marsha Hagler
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
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.The Nelson County Cooperative Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences
