Knox County CES

County Emphasis:

Health & Wellbeing

Concentration 1:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 2:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Concentration 3:

Animal Production and Management

Concentration 4:

Plant Production and Management

Situation:

The health of our community, plants and animals is paramount for our Knox County community.

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. Yet, this burden is often placed on individuals to navigate the healthcare system and traditional public health entities. Additionally, for decades, little attention has been given to the external factors that undoubtedly affect health such as access to care, education, nutritious foods, and safe physical spaces. These same issues and concerns were echoed throughout the 2023 UK Cooperative Extension Community Assessment. Within the top 15 priority issues identified by Kentuckians, “ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious foods” was #4 and “reducing youth obesity through nutrition education and/or exercise” was #8. Guided by the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-being, UK Extension aims to become a critical public health partner for addressing disparities in health-promoting knowledge, resources, and infrastructure through comprehensive health, nutrition, and wellness programming that supports adult physical health and well-being.

Optimizing plant, crop and forage production is paramount as Kentucky producers navigate the challenges of economics, climate variability, and evolving consumer demands. Key challenges and strategies to enhance sustainable practices across various agricultural domains include:  rising input costs (seeds, fertilizers, machinery), crop price fluctuations, knowledge of soil health, and water management to produce high yielding crops for long-term productivity.

Kentucky’s animal production and management strategies encompass sustainable practices, health-focused care, and economic viability across all species thus contributing significantly to the state’s agricultural landscape. Beef cattle play a crucial role in converting Kentucky’s vast 7 million acres of pasture and forage into valuable products. CES focuses on sustainable grazing practices and ensuring optimal use of natural resources like land and water. 

To meet the needs of Kentucky animal producers CES Extension will create or expand its efforts to offer need-based education and producer-focused programming for all species. Current/future activities include introducing programs to address and improve specific management systems and introduce new and emerging techniques, technology, and production systems for increased efficiency and profitability.

Youth Focus

Thriving youth are healthy, productive, and engaged (Arnold, 2024). According to Kentucky Kids Count Database (AECF, 2023) 41% of Kentucky teenagers are obese or overweight. Youth are also experiencing alarming levels of negativity about themselves, their confidence in the future, and their ability to find contentment in life (McKinsey & Company, 2022). 30% of youth are chronically absent (United States Department of Education, 2024). The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment (2024) identified key priorities issues related to health and wellbeing as need for improved access to mental health and wellbeing resources, reducing youth obesity through nutrition education and/or exercise, minimizing bullying and/or school violence. To address these issues, Kentucky 4-H creates opportunities for youth in the five domains of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health and well-being. 4-H projects in animal &  plant production and soil science can also help young people develop life skills, learn responsibility, and gain knowledge about these fields through agriculture & horticulture, plant & animal science, and soil science projects and programs.

County Situation:

The health of our people, plants and animals is paramount for our Knox County community. According to the CDC, nearly 40% of individuals living in Knox County are overweight or obese. 18% of families live in poverty and 1 in 5 children are bullied each year in school. Access to fresh food is needed and the health of the plant/animal is essential. It is the goal of Knox County CES to address these health and well being concerns and meet the needs of the individual, farmer and family as a whole.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved quality of life 

Youth will increase contributions to their communities through applying critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication learning in the 4-H Health and Well-Being Core Content Area.

Intermediate Outcomes:

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

4-H members will practice general wellness habits.

Initial Outcomes:

Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors 

Improved skills related to health-promoting behaviors 

Increased knowledge of positive mental health practices in 4-Hers

Increased knowledge and awareness of healthy habits and practices among 4-Hers. 

Evaluation:

Short-Term Outcome

Outcome: Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors (e.g., identifying healthy foods, how to prepare nutritious foods, benefits of routine vaccinations/screenings, etc) (initial); Youth or adults report an increased knowledge of how to respond to mental health concerns.

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 livestock and plant management knowledge

Indicator: Number of livestock and plant  producers indicating increased understanding of farm management. 

Method: Program evaluation tools / surveys 

Timeline: Ongoing 

Intermediate Outcome:

Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family, community, and occupational health and safety; Increased knowledge of self-care and other coping strategies

Indicator: Number of participants who reported intentions to implement a behavior learned from a health and well-being program;  Number of youth or adults who intend to adopt self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and well-being. 

Method: Post-participation/evaluation results, survey

Timeline: 3-6 months

Outcome: Stakeholders have knowledge and tools needed to better protect crops and livestock from diseases and understand the benefits of adopting best disease management practices. Stakeholders are more aware of UK plant pathology and livestock research

Indicator: 

• Number of stakeholders who reported increased knowledge and use of research-based disease identification and management practices for  livestock/ crops grown in Kentucky and/or share that information with other stakeholders.
• Number of certified applicators earning continuing education credit. 
• Number of participants reporting an increase in knowledge on integrated pest management techniques.  

Method: Surveys, records from consultations,  

Timeline:  3-6 months

Long-term Outcome:

Increased and/or strengthened partnerships to address community health issues;  Reduced incidence of mental health crises and suicide in adults.  Youth will increase contributions to their communities through applying critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication learning in 4-H Health and Well Being.

Indicator:  Number of community partners (community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals) worked with to offer health and well-being programming in the community

Method:  Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing

Outcome: Use of safe/effective pesticide application methods/profitability techniques/recommeded practices

Indicator: 

• Number of certified applicators earning continuing education credit. 
• Number of participants reporting an increase in knowledge on integrated pest management techniques.    
• Number of participants reporting an increase in their use of Extension recommended practices

Method: Surveys / post evaluations / testamonials

Timeline:  6 months +

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Family & Community Health

Content or Curriculum: Publications, presentations, trainings, demonstrations, Health Bulletins,  resources for early care and education settings, Healthy Homemakers, Vaccine and on-site clinic opportunities, chronic disease prevention programs and materials, health fairs, hygiene education, WITS, 

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 & Individuals

Project or Activity: Physical Activity

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Story Walks, Health and wellness Ambassadors, Health Coalitions, Health Partners, Bingocize, 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: Families & Individuals

Project or Activity: Nutrition Education

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition Education Program, SNAP-Ed toolkit, Publications, Faithful Families, Cook Together Eat Together, Savor the Flavor, Plate it up! Kentucky Proud, 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: Communities

Project or Activity: Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) Approaches

Content or Curriculum: Story Walks, resources for early care and education settings, food system work (e.g. farmers’ markets, backpack programs, community gardens), SNAP-Ed toolkit, creating and Maintaining Health Coalitions

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, grant funds, local organizations and community partners, health coalitions, Nutrition Education program, local farms/growers/producers, key stakeholders, elected officials, Department of Transportation, employee health and wellness, schools, etc. 

Date: Ongoing

 

 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Health Rocks

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Health Rocks! Curriculum.  Additional resources include Healthy Bodies: Teaching Kids What They Need to Know  

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, certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects, teen ambassadors, Cooperative Extension Educational facilities, utilization of approved research-based curriculum,  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: Nutrition and Food Preparation, Overall Well-being, Bullying Education

Content or Curriculum: NEP, STC Bullying Program, Mental Health Resources

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 and public school facilities, utilization of approved research-based curriculum, 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: 4-H Agriculture & Plant and Soil Science Programs (Country Ham, Rabbit Club, , 4-H Pollinator Project, Soil Science etc)

Content or Curriculum: National and State-Level Research-Based, Vetted Publications, Curricula, and Educational Resources 

Inputs: 

• 4-H programs in agriculture in which youth experience a sense of belonging, developmental relationships, explore their spark, and are actively engaged in opportunities that are meaningful, Accredited volunteers in agriculture, research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding opportunities from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., and other grants, engagement of volunteers and youth in delivering the programs and leading clubs.?

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

Audience: Livestock stakeholders (producers, lenders, government agencies, etc.) 

Project or Activity: Management / profitability related programming / farm visits / on site trainings

Content or Curriculum: Managing cost of production and risk, long term decision making, production efficiency, etc. 

Inputs: Extension faculty and staff, ANR Agents and industry support 

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Grain Crops Management, including Corn, Soybean, Wheat, Barley, Rye, Canola and others

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Fact Sheets, Workshops, Field Days, County Meetings, Regional Meetings, Field Visits, emails and phone calls

Inputs: UK Specialists, trails, Publications and delivery

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Agricultural producers and the public

Project or Activity: Pest and disease identification

Content or Curriculum: Clinical diagnoses and trainings

Inputs: Diagnostic labs and services

Date:  Ongoing

Audience: Home owners and consumers

Project or Activity: Programming for home gardening and landscape management

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Fact Sheets, Workshops, County Meetings, Regional Meetings, emails and phone calls

Inputs: Extension Specialists, USDA funding, county agents, KDA, Kentucky Extension Master Gardener Progam

Date: Ongoing

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Evaluation:

Short-Term Outcome

Outcome: Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors (e.g., identifying healthy foods, how to prepare nutritious foods, benefits of routine vaccinations/screenings, etc) (initial); Youth or adults report an increased knowledge of how to respond to mental health concerns.

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 livestock and plant management knowledge

Indicator: Number of livestock and plant  producers indicating increased understanding of farm management. 

Method: Program evaluation tools / surveys 

Timeline: Ongoing 

Intermediate Outcome:

Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family, community, and occupational health and safety; Increased knowledge of self-care and other coping strategies

Indicator: Number of participants who reported intentions to implement a behavior learned from a health and well-being program;  Number of youth or adults who intend to adopt self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and well-being. 

Method: Post-participation/evaluation results, survey

Timeline: 3-6 months

Outcome: Stakeholders have knowledge and tools needed to better protect crops and livestock from diseases and understand the benefits of adopting best disease management practices. Stakeholders are more aware of UK plant pathology and livestock research

Indicator: 

• Number of stakeholders who reported increased knowledge and use of research-based disease identification and management practices for  livestock/ crops grown in Kentucky and/or share that information with other stakeholders.
• Number of certified applicators earning continuing education credit. 
• Number of participants reporting an increase in knowledge on integrated pest management techniques.  

Method: Surveys, records from consultations,  

Timeline:  3-6 months

Long-term Outcome:

Increased and/or strengthened partnerships to address community health issues;  Reduced incidence of mental health crises and suicide in adults.  Youth will increase contributions to their communities through applying critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication learning in 4-H Health and Well Being.

Indicator:  Number of community partners (community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals) worked with to offer health and well-being programming in the community

Method:  Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing

Outcome: Use of safe/effective pesticide application methods/profitability techniques/recommeded practices

Indicator: 

• Number of certified applicators earning continuing education credit. 
• Number of participants reporting an increase in knowledge on integrated pest management techniques.    
• Number of participants reporting an increase in their use of Extension recommended practices

Method: Surveys / post evaluations / testamonials

Timeline:  6 months +