Letcher County CES

County Emphasis:

Building a Resilient Letcher County

Concentration 1:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 2:

Food Safety, Quality, and Access

Concentration 3:

Sustainability, Natural Resources and Wildlife Management, and Environment

Concentration 4:

Health and Wellbeing

Situation:

A disproportionate number of Kentuckians live in economically distressed communities (39% of Kentuckians, compared to 15% nationally). Further, most Kentucky households are concerned with financially sustaining a quality of life that allows them to survive and thrive in an economically challenged society. From housing to grocery expenses, the cost of living continues to rise, and households are ill-equipped to adjust. It is proven that people who have access to and consume their daily dietary requirements of fresh fruits and vegetables are less likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease and have an increased quality of life. The opportunities and resources available to support the health and well-being of adults and families in Kentucky vary widely. Disparities in health-promoting knowledge, resources, and infrastructure contribute to higher rates of chronic health conditions and lower quality of life.  Prevention, early detection, and care are essential to maintain and/or improve quality of life.  More than ever before, people are feeling the burden of stress on their wellbeing. More than 1 in 5 adults in the United States lives with a mental illness; in Kentucky, 43% of adults report signs or symptoms of anxiety or depression across their lifespan. At the same time, suicide is a leading cause of preventable death in Kentucky for individuals aged 10-34, and those over the age of 59.  Kentuckians are aware of their need for knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to a mental health challenge, whether it be their own or to help someone else, and the ability to advocate for more mental health resources in all areas of the state. Though substance use and substance use disorder have been pressing social problems for decades, the public health burden and consequence associated with substance use has rapidly worsened in recent years. Drug overdoses have surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of accidental death and overdoses have contributed to a reduction in average life expectancy in the United States. Much of the substance use-related morbidity and mortality is a result of a persistent treatment gap.  Many landowners struggle to implement sustainable practices due to economic pressures, lack of access to technology, and workforce. The situation is exacerbated by development and the increasing demand for food, which often leads to the overuse of land and water resources, contributing to soil degradation, deforestation, and water scarcity.   Kentucky is blessed with a rich array of natural resources, including vast forests, abundant waterways, and wildlife.

County Situation:

According to the 2024 Kentucky By the Numbers, Letcher County's population was 20,893 with the median household income of $37,854. In 2023 unemployment in Letcher County was 6.3%.   As many families in Letcher County live within broken homes, youth living in foster care, and 28.7% of Letcher County living at or below the poverty level (35.2% of youth live at or below the poverty level in Letcher County), the need for both youth and families to gain valuable life skills has never been greater.  How we live is ever-changing but learning basic life skills is still as important as ever. Learning to create and live within a budget is basic to everyday life. The reality is that today's youth and adults are busier than ever. These basic life skills are not consistently taught to youth at home or at school.   4-H is able to utilize in-school/after-school clubs and camp settings to engage and educate youth in these areas.  Additionally, the Family and Consumer Sciences program provides parents, guardians, caregivers, and young adults with parenting skills, life skills, financial education, and estate planning. The Agriculture & Natural Resources program provides parents and youth with life skills training in farming-related enterprises and marketing opportunities through Farmers Market programs.  Letcher County has sustained several natural disasters in recent years and is now more vulnerable to future impacts.  Extension will continue to offer disaster preparedness and support as needed.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Clients report improved financial literacy skills

Individuals and families of all incomes levels report that they have access to affordable and nutritious foods

Clients report that their farms are more economically viable.

KY By the Numbers reports that Letcher County's chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease have improved.

Clientele report increased consumption of (locally-grown) fresh fruits and vegetables.

Youth report reduced risk for poor health and obesity.     

Youth decrease poor overall health. 

Clientele adopt new practices that improve economic, social, physical, or environmental situations.

Producers report adopting forest management plants, water quality plans or other best management practices.

Clientele report an increase in wildlife quality or quantity. 

Youth will be ready to contribute to the natural resources community as leaders and innovators.

Clientele meeting guidelines and recommendations for health behaviors that promote wellness and quality of life.

Increased availability and accessibility to community-based health resources.

Reduced rate and burden of non-communicable chronic diseases and injury.

Decreased health disparity prevalence in Kentucky counties.

Clientele reports improved quality of life .

Intermediate Outcomes:

Clientele will report improved sound financial decision making.

Clientele report increased production of Kentucky-grown food and increased market opportunities for those products.

Clientele report improved dietary habits through: consumption of more fruits and vegetables, a variety of proteins and the number of meals prepared at home.

Clientele reports improved food safety practices.  

Clientele report adopting sustainable forestry, water conservation, and soil management practices.   

Youth will practice skills gained from 4-H natural resources projects and clubs.

Clientele report increased health-promoting behaviors that support family, community, health and safety.

Clientele report engaging in timber management practices, non-timber forest products production or implementing practices to improve habitat.

Clientele reports an increase in physical activity. 

Initial Outcomes:

Clientele report budgeting, spending wisely, saving, using credit responsibly, reducing debt, estate planning, fraud reduction, etc.

Clientele report improved financial literacy knowledge.

Clientele report improved skills related to safe food preparation and food preservation.

Clientele report an increase awareness of sustainable forest management practices and economic pressures.

Clientele report understanding the importance of wildlife-related challenges and enhance biodiversity.  

Clientele report the ability to actively manage wildlife-related damage. 

Youth will explore their spark in natural resources.

Clientele report regular physical activity, safe preparation of nutritious foods, moderate or no consumption of alcohol, avoiding, reducing or eliminating tobacco, vaping or elicit drug use, health screenings, sleep, stress management, pest prevention, reduction, management and occupational safety.

Clientele report increased health-promoting behaviors.

Clientele report implementing positive mental health practices and general wellness practices. 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts (initial)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported increased knowledge of family finance and/or resource management concepts.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Intermediate Outcome: Increased sound financial decision making (intermediate)

Indicator: Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision (e.g., regarding credit, budgeting, savings, debt, estate planning, fraud reduction, etc.).

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Outcome: Short term  

Indicator: Number of youth who reported learning  the differences between purchases made for “needs” vs “wants” 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about budgeting. 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about savings.

Method: Standard Evaluation Tool for 4-H Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: Immediate Post Program

Outcome: Intermediate 

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they have identified one or more jobs that might be a good fit for them 

Number of youth who reported that they have practiced budgeting skills.  

Number of youth who reported that they have practiced needs versus wants knowledge when making purchases on a budget. 

Method: Standard Evaluation Tool for 4-H Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: End of program year

Initial Outcome: Improved skills related to safe food preparation and food preservation. (initial and intermediate)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported increasing their knowledge, skills, or intentions regarding the safe storage, handling, preparation and/or preservation of food through Extension programs and resources.  

Number of individuals who reported supplementing their diets with healthy foods that they grew, harvested, or preserved (e.g. community or backyard gardens, fishing, hunting). 

Method: Pre/post participant evaluations from: NEP agent-led curricula, Champion Food Volunteer, Food Preservation;

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration; annual fiscal year (food system impact survey)

Outcome: Short Term  

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they learned the difference between healthy and unhealthy snacks. 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about safe food handling and preparation.  

Number of youth who reported that they learned about kitchen safety.  

Method: MyPlate and Super Star Chef evaluation

Timeline: Immediate Post Program

Outcome: Initial

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported producing or using local maple syrup 

Method: Survey and self-reporting

Timeline: Ongoing

Outcome: Increased awareness of wildlife, forestry, and natural resources issues 

Indicator: Number of participants who reported that they gained knowledge of wildlife, forestry and/or natural resources. 

Method: Survey, Self-Assessment 

Timeline: Ongoing

Outcome: Intermediate

Indicator: Number of people self-reporting knowledge gain on how to properly report a sighting of an invasive insect, arachnid, or mollusk 

Number of people reporting behavioral changes in reporting and in support of invasive species monitoring methods 

Method: In person survey and year later survey 

Timeline: In person surveys at Extension event and digital surveys distributed one year later 

Outcome: Initial

Indicator: Number of certified applicators attending continuing education credit Extension events (both private and commercial) 

Number of people self-reporting knowledge gain on integrated pest management techniques  

Number of people self-reporting behavioral changes regarding risk mitigation strategies for pesticide application 

Method: Surveys at CEU events 

Timeline: In person surveys at Extension event and digital surveys distributed one year later 

Outcome: Medium

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that have applied the skills they learned in natural resources to other areas of their life, including at home, school and other programs.   

Method: Survey 

Timeline: Administered at end of program year/club year 

Outcome: Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors that support family, youth, and community health (e.g., how to prepare nutritious foods, benefits of routine vaccinations/screenings) (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported/demonstrates improved knowledge, skills, opinions, or confidence regarding a health-promoting behavior as a result of a participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Observation by Agent or self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration 

Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family, youth and community health (e.g., physical activity, consuming nutritious foods, routine vaccinations and screenings) (intermediate)

Indicator: Number of physical activity minutes recorded by a participant; Number of participants who reported consuming more nutritious foods and/or beverages; Number of participants who reported a change in a health-promoting behavior as a result of participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time

Outcome: Increased knowledge of resources of grandparents raising grandkids

Indicator: Number of participants who reported increased knowledge of grandparents resources

Method: self reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program administration

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Individuals, Families, Employees

Project or Activity: Development of Financial Literacy Skills

Content or Curriculum: Use Less. Spend Less. Stress Less. curriculum; publications; MONEYWI$E newsletter and podcasts; PROFIT; Recovering Your Finances curriculum; Big Blue Book Club; In the Face of Disaster; Leader Lessons; Money Habitudes; Small Steps to Health and Wellness; etc. 

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, financial entities and organizations, businesses, etc. 

Date: Ongoing

 

Audience: Individuals, Families, Farmers, and Youth

Project or Activity:   Maple Demonstration, Maple Day, KY Maple School, Maple Tour, Maple Cooking Classes

Content or Curriculum: New Hampshire Extension Curriculum and UK 4H Curriculum

Inputs: ANR, FCS, and 4-H Agents and Assistants; community partners

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Reality Store and Dollars and Sense

Content or Curriculum: It’s Your Reality 

Inputs: 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences programs in which youth experience a sense of belonging, and developmental relationships, explore their spark, and actively engage in meaningful opportunities; Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects; Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association; Clothing Volunteers; Four residential camping facilities; Cooperative Extension Educational facilities; Utilization of approved research-based curriculum; Outreach of the Cooperative Extension Land-Grant System; Funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc.; Funding from local, state, and federal sources; Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery; Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs. 

Date: September 1 – August 30 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Major Study of Emphasis; Money Habitudes; Building a Healthy Wealthy Future; Jump$tart: Reality Check; Money Smart; Building Your Financial Future 

Inputs: 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences programs in which youth experience a sense of belonging, and developmental relationships, explore their spark, and actively engage in meaningful opportunities; Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects; Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association; Clothing Volunteers; Four residential camping facilities; Cooperative Extension Educational facilities; Utilization of approved research-based curriculum; Outreach of the Cooperative Extension Land-Grant System; Funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc.; Funding from local, state, and federal sources; Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery; Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs.

Date: September 1 – August 30

Audience: Individuals, Youth & Farmers

Project or Activity: Nutrition Education

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition Education Program, SNAP-Ed toolkit, Publications, Faithful Families, Cook Together Eat Together, Savor the Flavor, Dining with Diabetes, Plate it up! Kentucky Proud, Food as Health Toolkit, Family Mealtime, maternal and child health program materials, www.planeatmove.com, Super Star Chef, Farm to School, Exploring MyPlate

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, faith-based organizations, health coalitions, healthcare Providers and local clinics, health department, non-profits, schools, company health & wellness, 4-H, Homemakers, farmers’ markets, local farmers/growers/producers, commodity groups, community centers, etc. 

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: Individuals & Farmers

Project or Activity: Produce Better Practices Training

Content or Curriculum: PBPT Training materials

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, facilities, health department, State of Kentucky, KDA, non-profits, schools, faith-based organizations, Homemakers, community centers, farmers, farmers’ markets, etc. 

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Nutrition and Food Preparation

Content or Curriculum: International Foods, Passport Kitchen, Global Table

Inputs: 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences programs in which youth experience a sense of belonging, and developmental relationships, explore their spark, and actively engage in meaningful opportunities; Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects; Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association; Four residential camping facilities; Cooperative Extension Educational facilities; Utilization of approved research-based curriculum; Outreach of the Cooperative Extension Land-Grant System; Funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc.; Funding from local, state, and federal sources; Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery; Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs 

Dates: September 1 – August 30 

Audience: Loggers 

Project or Activity: Master Logger Program 

Content or Curriculum: Master Logger Curriculum 

Inputs: Coordination with Kentucky Master Logger Program, Michael Ammerman and Beth Williams 

Dates: Spring 2026

Audience: Landowners 

Project or Activity: Woodland Owners Short Course 

Content or Curriculum: Range of speakers representing different topics and important agencies, webinar and field components 

Inputs: Developed in partnership with Billy Thomas, meeting local community needs and partners. 

Dates: Fall 2025 and Spring 2026

Audience: General public, adult, and youth

Project or Activity: Master Naturalist Program and Junior Master Naturalist Program

Content or Curriculum: Master Naturalist Curriculum, range of speakers representing different topics and important agencies. 

Inputs: Developed in partnership with Ellen Crocker and Laurie Thomas. 

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: Adults 

Project or Activity: IPM and Pesticide Programs 

Content or Curriculum: UK publications and other e ducational materials and program delivery 

Inputs: UK and subject matter Specialists 

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: General public 

Project or Activity: Pest, weed and disease identification 

Content or Curriculum: Clinical diagnoses and trainings  

Inputs: Diagnostic labs and services 

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: 4-H Members 

Project or Activity: 4-H Natural Resources Projects (e.g., insect collections, leaf collections, leaf print collections, wood science projects, rock, mineral, and/or fossil collections)

Content or Curriculum: Entomology, Forestry, Wood Science

Inputs: 4-H programs in natural resources in which youth experience a sense of belonging, developmental relationships, explore their spark, and are actively engaged in opportunities that are meaningful to them; Accredited volunteers in natural resources; Research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system; Funding opportunities from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc.; Funding from local, state, and federal sources, and grants; Engagement of staff, volunteers and youth in delivering the program. 

Dates: 4-H Program Year (September 1 – August 31) 

Audience: Families & Individuals

Project or Activity: Physical Activity

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Faithful Families, Story Walks, Health and wellness Ambassadors, Shared Space Agreements, Health Coalitions, WIN, Health Partners, Bingocize, Walk Your Way, Families on the Move, County Walking Challenges, Mindfulness Trails, Fit Tips, Hiking for Health

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, facilities, health coalitions, healthcare providers, health department, non-profits, schools, company health & wellness, faith-based organizations, Homemakers, community centers, etc. 

Date: Ongoing/seasonal

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Health Rocks

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Health Rocks! Curriculum;

Inputs: 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences programs in which youth experience a sense of belonging, and developmental relationships, explore their spark, and actively engage in meaningful opportunities; Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects; Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association; Four residential camping facilities; Cooperative Extension Educational facilities; Utilization of approved research-based curriculum; Outreach of the Cooperative Extension Land-Grant System; Funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc.; Funding from local, state, and federal sources; Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery; Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs

Date: September 1 – August 30

Audience: Grandparents Raising Grandkids

Project or Activity: PASTA

Content or Curriculum: Parenting A Second Time Around

Inputs: FCS agent, community partners

Date: ongoing

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts (initial)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported increased knowledge of family finance and/or resource management concepts.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Intermediate Outcome: Increased sound financial decision making (intermediate)

Indicator: Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision (e.g., regarding credit, budgeting, savings, debt, estate planning, fraud reduction, etc.).

Method: Self-reported surveys, documentation, or interviews

Timeline: Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Outcome: Short term  

Indicator: Number of youth who reported learning  the differences between purchases made for “needs” vs “wants” 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about budgeting. 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about savings.

Method: Standard Evaluation Tool for 4-H Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: Immediate Post Program

Outcome: Intermediate 

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they have identified one or more jobs that might be a good fit for them 

Number of youth who reported that they have practiced budgeting skills.  

Number of youth who reported that they have practiced needs versus wants knowledge when making purchases on a budget. 

Method: Standard Evaluation Tool for 4-H Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: End of program year

Initial Outcome: Improved skills related to safe food preparation and food preservation. (initial and intermediate)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported increasing their knowledge, skills, or intentions regarding the safe storage, handling, preparation and/or preservation of food through Extension programs and resources.  

Number of individuals who reported supplementing their diets with healthy foods that they grew, harvested, or preserved (e.g. community or backyard gardens, fishing, hunting). 

Method: Pre/post participant evaluations from: NEP agent-led curricula, Champion Food Volunteer, Food Preservation;

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration; annual fiscal year (food system impact survey)

Outcome: Short Term  

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they learned the difference between healthy and unhealthy snacks. 

Number of youth who reported that they learned about safe food handling and preparation.  

Number of youth who reported that they learned about kitchen safety.  

Method: MyPlate and Super Star Chef evaluation

Timeline: Immediate Post Program

Outcome: Initial

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported producing or using local maple syrup 

Method: Survey and self-reporting

Timeline: Ongoing

Outcome: Increased awareness of wildlife, forestry, and natural resources issues 

Indicator: Number of participants who reported that they gained knowledge of wildlife, forestry and/or natural resources. 

Method: Survey, Self-Assessment 

Timeline: Ongoing

Outcome: Intermediate

Indicator: Number of people self-reporting knowledge gain on how to properly report a sighting of an invasive insect, arachnid, or mollusk 

Number of people reporting behavioral changes in reporting and in support of invasive species monitoring methods 

Method: In person survey and year later survey 

Timeline: In person surveys at Extension event and digital surveys distributed one year later 

Outcome: Initial

Indicator: Number of certified applicators attending continuing education credit Extension events (both private and commercial) 

Number of people self-reporting knowledge gain on integrated pest management techniques  

Number of people self-reporting behavioral changes regarding risk mitigation strategies for pesticide application 

Method: Surveys at CEU events 

Timeline: In person surveys at Extension event and digital surveys distributed one year later 

Outcome: Medium

Indicator: Number of youth who reported that have applied the skills they learned in natural resources to other areas of their life, including at home, school and other programs.   

Method: Survey 

Timeline: Administered at end of program year/club year 

Outcome: Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors that support family, youth, and community health (e.g., how to prepare nutritious foods, benefits of routine vaccinations/screenings) (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported/demonstrates improved knowledge, skills, opinions, or confidence regarding a health-promoting behavior as a result of a participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Observation by Agent or self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration 

Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family, youth and community health (e.g., physical activity, consuming nutritious foods, routine vaccinations and screenings) (intermediate)

Indicator: Number of physical activity minutes recorded by a participant; Number of participants who reported consuming more nutritious foods and/or beverages; Number of participants who reported a change in a health-promoting behavior as a result of participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time

Outcome: Increased knowledge of resources of grandparents raising grandkids

Indicator: Number of participants who reported increased knowledge of grandparents resources

Method: self reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program administration