Community Forums, Built Environments, Great Pumpkin PursuitPlan of Work

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Meade County CES

Title:
Community Forums, Built Environments, Great Pumpkin Pursuit
MAP:
Engaged and Vibrant Communities
Agents Involved:
Bridge, Mills, Reed
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Agritourism Planning
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Community Strategic Planning
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Community Leadership Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Leadership
Situation:

Meade County is a part of the Louisville Metro and Fort Knox area and is recognized as a commuter county with 76% percent of the workforce leaving the county for employment. In addition, 65% of the population falls in the 19-64 age range making it increasingly difficult to engage this population in community activities and discussions. One of the most popular reasons given as to why they do not participate includes not enough time or do not feel they are part of the community. 


As a result of the 2019 Kentucky Extension Community Assessment, Meade County respondents indicated needs in five primary areas, one of those being community vitality.  Specifically, within that area, priority was given to the following issues:  more qualified leaders to prepare the community for the future, more citizens to help solve local issues, and more youth community leadership opportunities.  Building the capacity of volunteer leaders is critical to the sustainability of community infrastructures which support long-term commitment to strengthen families and the community. Locally, the need to continue to educate and engage leaders through volunteer development was identified through the Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development councils. 


Basic leadership knowledge and skills are essential for success in almost any field.  The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others.  Employers look for leadership skills in future employees.  Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.  Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace.  Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy).  

Volunteers are important in building engaged and empowered communities. KEHA - The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association mission is to improve the quality of life for families and communities through education, leadership development and volunteer service. With membership totaling more than 13,000 statewide, KEHA members are engaged leaders and active volunteers. 

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Outcome: KEHA members will gain organizational knowledge through annual officer and chairman training. 

Indicator: Number of KEHA members who report knowledge gained through county and/or area officer and chairman training. 

Method: program evaluation with pre and post assessment questions 

Timeline: on-going 


Outcome: KEHA members will increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership through club lessons and special interest workshops.

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership knowledge and/or Number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership skills.

 Method: end of program evaluations, surveys 

Timeline: on-going


Outcome: KEHA leaders will practice personal leadership skills through leadership roles at the club, county, area and/or state level. 

Indicator: Number of KEHA members who utilized knowledge gained through officer training to fulfill a KEHA leadership role at the club, county, area and/or state level. 

Method: Observation, review of officer directories 

Timeline: on-going


Outcome:  Community volunteers and leaders will gain leadership knowledge though a series of trainings related to skill development

Indicator:  Number of participants who report knowledge gain through workshops

Method: end of program evaluations and surveys

Timeline:  ongoing


Long-Term Outcome: Community members engage others to initiate projects

Indicator: Youth plan a community service project in their community

Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey, Personal Narratives

Timeline: September 2024 - June 2025


Long-Term Outcome: Local agencies become more involved in Agriculture events

Indicator: Number of agencies sponsoring agricultural activities

Method: Promotions and Evaluations

Timeline: Summer 2023-2024


Intermediate Outcomes:


Intermediate Outcomes: Community involvement in Agricultural activities increases

Indicator: Attendance records

Method: Promotion and Education

Timeline: Fall 2023-2025


Intermediate Outcome: Youth put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles

Indicator: 4-H Youth serve as leaders within their club, county programs or state/national leadership positions.

Method: Number of 4-H youth serving in leadership roles

Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025


Intermediate Outcome: 4-H Youth participants become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles which increases involvement/action

Indicator: 4-H Youth serve as leaders within their club, county programs or state/national leadership positions.

Method: Number of youth serving in leadership roles

Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025


Initial Outcomes:


Initial Outcomes: Community involvement in Agritourism will increase

Indicator: Attendance at events and activities such as County Fair, Ag Field Day, and The Great Pumpkin Pursuit

Method: Promotion and Education

Timeline: Fall 2023-2025


Initial Outcome: Youth increase knowledge and practice of effective leadership skills

Indicator: Youth serve in leadership (formal & informal) roles in the county program

Method: Number of youth who receive education related to leadership

Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025


Initial Outcome: Youth are informed of community systems, are better connected to communication networks, are more confident and skills in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global)

Indicator: Youth are inclusive of all individuals

Method: Number of youth who receive education related to inclusion & diversity

Timeline: July 2024 - June 2025

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Great Pumpkin Pursuit

Content Curriculum: developed by local leaders

Inputs: local residents, extension specialist, county tourism, KY Giant Pumpkin Growers Association

Date: April 23 through September 25


Audience: Teen Leadership Academy (TLA) Participants (youth, grades 9-12)

Project or Activity: Leadership and Community Awareness

Content Curriculum: Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP), KY 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum

Inputs: local residents, extension specialists, TLA 4-H Agents, TLA participants & families

Timeline: September 2024 - April 2025


Audience: Junior Teen Leadership Academy (JrTLA) Participants (youth, grades 5-8)

Project or Activity: Leadership and Community Awareness

Content Curriculum: Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP), KY 4-H Core Curriculums including:  Leadership, SET, FCS & Natural Resources

Inputs: local residents, extension specialists, JrTLA participants & families

Timeline: September 2024 - April 2025


Audience: High School Youth

Project or Activity: Issues Conference

Content or Curriculum: Leadership & Community Needs Identification and Problem Solving

Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council

Date: November 2024


Audience: Middle School Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Summit

Content or Curriculum: Leadership

Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council

Date: March 2025


Audience: Teen and Adult Camp Volunteers

Project or Activity: Leadership

Content or Curriculum: Camp Training Materials as provided by State 4-H Office

Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council

Date: Spring 2025


Audience: 8th grade & High School Youth

Project or Activity: Teen Conference

Content or Curriculum: Leadership

Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council

Date: June 2025


Audience: Middle and High School Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Club

Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H curriculum for Leadership programs and projects

Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council

Date: Monthly, September 2024 - May 2025


Audience:  4-H Club Members and Leaders

Project or Activity:  4-H Club Officer or Leadership Team positions

Content or Curriculum:  Curriculum: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, Teambuilding with Teens, My Leadership Workbook (Level 1), My Leadership Journal (Level 2), My Leadership Portfolio (Level 3), Leadership Mentor Guide 1: K-5, Leadership Mentor Guide 2: 6-12.  4-H State Leadership Boards, Achievement Program 

Inputs:  extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H membership, parents, 4-H Council

Date:  September 2024 - June 2025



Audience: Meade County Extension Homemakers 

Project or Activity: KEHA Officer and Chairman Training / County KEHA Kickoff 

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Training Toolkit, KEHA Manual, KEHA Website 

Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors

 Date: August 2024


 Audience: Meade County Extension Homemakers

 Project or Activity: KEHA Leader Training and/or Special Interest Workshops

 Content or Curriculum: KELD Curriculum, FCS Extension Lesson Resources, FCS Curriculum

 Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors 

Date: Monthly-July through June


Audience: Meade County Extension Homemakers

 Project or Activity: KEHA State Meeting Content or Curriculum:

 Officer Training & Educational Chairman Workshops

 Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors 

Date: Spring 2024


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Agriculture Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Field Day Committee developed

Inputs: Field Day Committee, University of Kentucky Specialists, local businesses, and Extension Agents

Dates: August 2024



Success Stories

Great Pumpkin Pursuit

Author: Andy Mills

Major Program: Agritourism Planning

Describe the Issue or Situation.For years now people in urban areas have been traveling through the country seeing agriculture throughout farm land and even visiting agritourism farms. In most cases people can see traditional farming just a few miles down the road which may not stimulate agriculture awareness as it’s needed. This ANR agent lobbied 9 years ago to bring a national competition to Meade County where giant fruit and vegetables are weighed for competition. This weigh off of gian

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