Lawrence County CES

County Emphasis:

Healthy Lifestyles

Concentration 1:

Food Safety, Quality, and Access

Concentration 2:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 3:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Situation:

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. Having the knowledge and skills to prepare or preserve fresh fruits and vegetables presents an additional barrier beyond obtaining fresh food access. With the goal of increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) aims to increase access to fresh food, as well as increase knowledge and awareness of how to select, store, safely prepare, process, and preserve these foods. CES collaborates with statewide agencies including Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Farm Alliance, KY Farm to School Network, and Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife to build systems that increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Kentucky faces significant health challenges, with five of the top ten causes of death being nutrition-related. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System's 2023 Community Needs Assessment identifies critical priorities, including access to affordable nutritious food, reducing youth obesity through improved nutrition and exercise, and enhancing youth wellbeing through effective coping strategies. Kentucky 4-H equips youth with skills in nutrition, culinary arts, financial education, and entrepreneurship. 69% of youth reported that they learned about healthy food choices in 4-H. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment (2024) identified priorities including improved access to mental health resources and reducing youth obesity through nutrition education. The 4-H Program provides evidence-based educational programs focused on positive mental health, self-care, and fostering resilience.

County Situation:

Lawrence County, Kentucky, faces significant economic and health challenges. As of 2022, the county's poverty rate stands at 26.3%, with 33.9% of individuals under 18 living below the poverty line. Among children under 5, the poverty rate is 43.9%. Additionally, 18.0% of the population faces food insecurity, affecting approximately 2,930 individuals, with a food budget shortfall of $1,621,000 annually. These challenges highlight the need for increased access to nutritious food and education on healthy eating practices.

Mental health is also a critical concern in Lawrence County. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service's 2023 Community Needs Assessment identified improved access to mental health and well-being resources as a top priority. This indicates a significant gap in mental health services and underscores the importance of integrating mental health support into community programs.

Advisory councils have played a crucial role in identifying these needs and shaping programs focused on improving food access, nutrition education, and mental health support in Lawrence County. Their input has been key in addressing food insecurity, promoting healthy lifestyles, and fostering community well-being.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Individuals and families of all incomes levels have access to affordable and nutritious foods.

Improved quality of life.

Increased access to mental health care and resources for all.

Intermediate Outcomes:

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

Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family, community, and occupational health and safety.

Increased partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and wellbeing issues within the community.

Initial Outcomes:

Improved skills related to safe food preparation and food preservation.

Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors.

Increased ability to recognize and respond to a mental health concern.

Evaluation:

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

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.  

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: Increase the number of partnerships and/or coalitions involved in promoting awareness of local food systems, health eating, and active living (e.g. Program councils, Health Advisory Boards, etc.). (initial)

Indicator: Number of policy, systems, and/or environmental changes implemented within communities and organizations to promote active living, and healthy eating, including local food production and/or hunting/foraging and consumption (e.g. local food pantry can accept fresh foods or local game; starting/revitalizing a school or community garden; starting a walking club, etc.).

Method: Food Systems Impact Survey, planeatmove.com website data, NEP resources distributed;

Timeline: Annual, fiscal year (Food Systems Impact Survey)

Outcome: Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors (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 partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and well-being issues within the community

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address mental health and well-being in the community.

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing; Each partnership should be reported once per reporting interval

 

Outcome: Increased knowledge of mental health and well-being resources (interpersonal and community-based)

Indicator: Number of participants who intend to adopt strategies to support or promote mental health and well-being in their community

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Nutrition and Food Preparation

Content or Curriculum: Exploring My Plate, Health 4 Better Living Curriculum (middle school), LEAP 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. 

Dates: September 1 – August 30 

Audience: Individuals & Farmers

Project or Activity: Home Based Micro Processing

Content or Curriculum: HBMP 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: Families & Individuals

Project or Activity: Nutrition Education

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition Education Program, SNAP-Ed toolkit, Healthy Choices for Everyone Curriculum (adults),Publications, Faithful Families, Cook Together Eat Together, Savor the Flavor, Dining with Diabetes Curriculum , Plate it up! Kentucky Proud, Cook Wild Ky, Food as Health Toolkit, Recovery Garden Toolkit, Family Mealtime, maternal and child health program materials,

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

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Family & Community Health

Content or Curriculum: Publications, presentations, trainings, demonstrations, Health Bulletins, Pathways to Wellness, resources for early care and education settings, Health Literacy for the Win, Health Family Guides, Healthy Homemakers, Vaccine and on-site clinic opportunities, chronic disease prevention programs and materials, health fairs, hygiene education

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

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Promoting Well-being

Content or Curriculum: MARK (Mind, Art, Recovery, Kentucky), Take a Beat: Healing Hearts and Minds, Handling Farm Stress: A Workshop for New and Beginning Farmers, Mindfulness Trails, Yoga-ta Try This (KEHA lesson), Self-care programming, Mindfulness programming, Recovery Gardens, Mental Health and Wellbeing Series, The Mind-Body Connection

Inputs: Programmatic materials, state specialist support, staff training, facilities, community partners (health coalitions, schools, local non-profits, etc.) UK Healthcare mental health resources, 988 community resources.

Date: Ongoing; 2025-2029

Audience: Families, Individuals, and Youth

Project or Activity: Hiking Club

Content or Curriculum: A unique opportunity to explore nature, improve well being, promote exercise, learn valuable hiking and camping skills through use of publications, presentations, trainings, demonstrations, Health Bulletins, Pathways to Wellness, resources for early care and education settings, Health Family Guides, health fairs, hygiene education

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

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Individuals and Families, Individuals and Families effected by Substance Abuse

Project or Activity: Promoting Substance Use Prevention & Education

Content or Curriculum: Healthy Choices for Everyone, Healthy Choices for Recovery,  MARK (Mind, Art, Recovery, Kentucky), Take a Beat: Healing Hearts and Minds, Handling Farm Stress: A Workshop for New and Beginning Farmers, Mindfulness Trails, Yoga-ta Try This (KEHA lesson), Self-care programming, Mindfulness programming, Recovery Gardens, Mental Health and Wellbeing Series, The Mind-Body Connection

Inputs: Programmatic materials, state specialist support, staff training, facilities, community partners (health coalitions, schools, local non-profits, etc.) UK Healthcare mental health resources, 988 community resources.

Date: Ongoing; 2025-2029

Audience: Non-commercial urban and community gardeners 

Project or Activity: Better Living for Gardeners 

Content or Curriculum: Publications, ID-128 Home vegetable gardening in KY,  Fact Sheets, Workshops, Field Days, County Meetings, Regional Meetings, Field Visits, emails and phone calls 

Inputs: Extension Specialists, Kentucky Horticulture Council, USDA funding, Dept. of Labor funding, county agents, KDA, professional member organizations, community advocacy and faith-based groups, schools 

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: Families & Individuals

Project or Activity: Farmers Market Nutrition Education

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition Education Program, SNAP-Ed toolkit, Healthy Choices for Everyone Curriculum (adults),Publications, Faithful Families, Cook Together Eat Together, Savor the Flavor, Dining with Diabetes Curriculum , Plate it up! Kentucky Proud, Cook Wild Ky, Food as Health Toolkit, Recovery Garden Toolkit, Family Mealtime, maternal and child health program materials,

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

Date: Ongoing

Evaluation:

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

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.  

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: Increase the number of partnerships and/or coalitions involved in promoting awareness of local food systems, health eating, and active living (e.g. Program councils, Health Advisory Boards, etc.). (initial)

Indicator: Number of policy, systems, and/or environmental changes implemented within communities and organizations to promote active living, and healthy eating, including local food production and/or hunting/foraging and consumption (e.g. local food pantry can accept fresh foods or local game; starting/revitalizing a school or community garden; starting a walking club, etc.).

Method: Food Systems Impact Survey, planeatmove.com website data, NEP resources distributed;

Timeline: Annual, fiscal year (Food Systems Impact Survey)

Outcome: Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors (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 partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and well-being issues within the community

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address mental health and well-being in the community.

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing; Each partnership should be reported once per reporting interval

 

Outcome: Increased knowledge of mental health and well-being resources (interpersonal and community-based)

Indicator: Number of participants who intend to adopt strategies to support or promote mental health and well-being in their community

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program