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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2023 - Jun 30, 2024


Improving Nutrition and Healthy LifestylesPlan of Work

Woodford County CES

Title:
Improving Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles
MAP:
Health and Wellness
Agents Involved:
Ryan Farley, Beau Neal, Hannah Thornsberry, Tyson Gregory
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Substance Use Recovery - FCS
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Health & Wellbeing
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Family and Consumer Science
Situation:

Local stakeholders have listed healthy lifestyles as an issue facing Woodford County today. It is important to address the issues of overall well-being of individuals and families throughout the county. According to the Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky, approximately 32% of Woodford County adults are classified as obese. In addition, approximately 11% of adults suffer from diabetes. Other lifestyle challenges facing Woodford County include cardiovascular disease, breast and prostate cancer. Within all of these areas of focus, financial stability arises as access to health care is an added area of concern.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Consumption of nutritious foods and healthier cooking practices will be increased. Rates of youth and adult obesity will decrease. Participation in life skills workshops such as cooking and food preservation will increase.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmer's Market and local food purchases will increase, as well as the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Clientele will increase their currrent level of physical activity.

Initial Outcomes:

Clientele will identify the benefits of buying local, seasonal foods and will develop skills for healthier food selection, cooking and preservation. Clientele will also be able to explain why physical activity is important to their daily life.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome: Consumption of nutritious foods and healthier cooking practices will be increased. Rates of youth and adult obesity will decrease. Participation in life skills workshops such as cooking and food preservation will increase.

Indicator: Reduced rates of youth and adult obesity in Woodford County

Method: Data review from Foundation for a Healthy KY, Woodford Co Health Department

Timeline: Annually


Intermediate Outcome: Farmer's Market and local food purchases will increase, as well as the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Clientele will increase their current level of physical activity.

Indicator: Sales data from Woodford County Farmer's Market

Method: Collection of data from vendors, market review summary from Market Manager

Timeline: Annually


Initial Outcome: Clientele will identify the benefits of buying local, seasonal foods and will develop skills for healthier food selection, cooking and preservation. Clientele will also be able to explain why physical activity is important to their daily life.

Indicator: Workshop participation and participant feedback

Method: Post workshop interviews with participants, written evaluations

Timeline: Monthly


Long-term: Participants will improve and maintain mobility and independence. Participants will also be able to use health information for falls reduction, improved nutrition and other health-related behaviors.

Indicator: Program participation and participant feedback.

Method: Pre- and post-program evaluations

Time: Annually

Learning Opportunities:

Project or Activity: Introduction to new foods, play and learning materials

Content or Curriculum: Early Learning Programs

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant Time, UK and other programmatic resources, information from Dr. Courtney Luecking

Date: Fall


Audience: Community Residents

Project or Activity: Canning Workshops

Content or Curriculum: Food Preservation Curriculum

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant/Intern Time, CES Publications, Commercial Kitchen, NCHFP Resources

Date: Summer


Audience: Residents Age 55+

Project or Activity: Bingocize

Content or Curriculum: WKU Bingocize Curriculum

Inputs: Agent Time, Senior Citizens Centers/Libraries

Date: Fall


Audience: Woodford County Residents

Audience: Farmer's Market Promotion events and articles

Content: per agent, UK materials

Inputs: County Office Staff and Agents

Date: spring, summer, fall, annually


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Cooking Club/Culinary Challenge

Content or Curriculum: Cooking curriculum

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant Time, Materials

Date: September - Fall



Success Stories

Bingocize Woodford County Senior Center 6 Month Evaluation

Author: Hannah Thornsberry

Major Program: Aging-General

Bingocize Woodford County Senior Center 6 Month Evaluation

Bingocize® was created by Dr. Jason Crandall, Co-Director/Co-Founder at the WKU Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging. He created the socially engaging group-based game that combines health education and exercise in the format of BINGO. Dr. Crandall and his research team have tested the program and demonstrated that older adults who play two times a week for 10-weeks significantly reduce the fear of falling, increase levels of physical activity, and decrease feelings of social iso

Full Story

Food Preservation Summer 2024

Author: Hannah Thornsberry

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Food Preservation Summer 2024

There are many reasons that people can—to preserve the foods harvested from home gardens or bought at the farmer’s market or store; to save money in the months when crops are not growing; to uphold family traditions; to consume more health-conscious canned foods; or to experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from home food preservation. The Woodford County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences taught six food preservation classes, all using the boiling water ba

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Healthy Eating Around the World

Author: Hannah Thornsberry

Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

Healthy Eating Around the World

Food is a cornerstone of culture, shaping traditions, fostering connections, and promoting health worldwide. Recognizing this, the Fort Harrod Area Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agents organized a multi-county leader lesson titled Healthy Eating Around the World on October 16, 2024, at the Boyle County Extension Office. The program brought together 39 Extension Homemakers and community members for an enriching experience celebrating international cuisines and dietary traditions.Participants

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