Muhlenberg County CES

County Emphasis:

Utilizing Resources for the Family and Farm

Concentration 1:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 2:

Work and Life Skill Development

Situation:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being:

Adult Focus

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. Securing financial stability is vital for the well-being of state constituents. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is committed to improving the financial security and economic well-being of families across the Commonwealth. Related CES programming is designed to help Kentuckians become more economically resilient by promoting financial literacy education, comprehensive family resource management skills, and small business engagement and support.

In a 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, with nearly 28,000 responses from across the state, Building Financial Literacy and/or Resource Management Skills was among the top 10 state-identified priority issues reported by Kentuckians, and Efforts that Support Local & Small businesses was among the top 10 Community & Economic Development needs in the state.

 

Youth Focus

In Kentucky, economic uncertainty due to job market fluctuations and agricultural shifts impacts youth through unstable family environments and limited resources. Hospitality, retail, and tourism generated over $10 billion in 2023, with job growth in culinary arts, tourism, and hobby industries. The unemployment rate increased by 4.7% from July 2023 to July 2024. According to the Kentucky Cooperative Extension System Community Needs Assessment (2023), priorities include building financial literacy and resource management skills, youth life skill training (e.g., leadership and communication), strengthening youth workforce readiness (e.g., entrepreneurship, business development), and engaging diverse and non-traditional youth audiences. America’s future relies on a ready workforce and engaged communities to tackle major challenges. Kentucky 4-H develops youth potential for lifelong success through essential skills in communication, leadership, and civic engagement. 80% of 4-Hers reported that 4-H helped them explore career options and 95% reported 4-H helped them identify things they were good at, and 50% reported 4-H helped them with college decision-making. 4-H programs equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to thrive in their personal lives, family lives, and communities.

 

Work and Life Skill Development:

Adult Focus

Kentucky household income statistics are concerning, with the median household income in Kentucky on a downward trend (i.e., approximately $55,100, which is 74% of the U.S. median income). Most alarming, it is estimated that nearly 62% of Kentucky households do not generate sufficient income to meet living wage standards given the state’s average cost of living. The Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research (2024) projects that, “a key for Kentucky’s future economic growth is to identify and successfully implement programs that increase the employment-population ratio, particularly for working-age adults.” The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is committed to improving the work and life skill development of adults across the Commonwealth by offering programming designed to increase the human capital of constituents. This includes providing education and training on topics such as workforce preparation, job readiness, financial literacy, soft skills, and professionalism, among others.

In a 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, with nearly 28,000 responses from across the state, Building Employee Soft Skills (e.g., communication, productivity, and teamwork skills) and Building Life Skills of Community Members were among the top ten Individual and Family Development Needs reported by Kentuckians.

Youth Focus

America’s future hinges on a prepared workforce and engaged communities collaborating to tackle society’s most pressing challenges. As of 2024, there are 2,465,949 job openings in Kentucky and nationwide there are 10 million unfilled jobs. Fasted growing jobs are in the fields of vocational education and higher education teachers, agriculture professionals, and digitally enabled roles: ecommerce specialists, digital transformation specialists, and digital marketing professionals (World Economic Forum, 2023). 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet (Dell Technologies, 2019). 77% of employers say focus less on traditional school subjects, more on real-world skills (Kauffman Foundation, 2021). Skills like analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, adaptability are key (World Economic Forum, 2023). According to the National 4-H Index Study 2024, 80% explored career options, 50% received guidance for college decisions, and 95% reported 4-H helped them identify things they were good at. To ensure a sustainable society, it is crucial that our youth are equipped to fill these positions. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System Community Needs Assessment (2023) has identified key priority issues related to life skill development for young people. These priorities include youth life skill training opportunities, youth workforce readiness, and maximizing youth voice in matters that directly impact them. Empowering our youth to actively participate in addressing societal issues is essential for a thriving future.

County Situation:

The current economy is affecting families throughout Muhlenberg County.  Commodity prices are low and predicted to remain low. Families and youth are faced with continued challenges planning for their future. The whole family can learn economic sustainability through gardening and home food preservation, budgeting, record keeping, and textile creation.  Basic management practices can be utilized to help improve farm profitability and sustainability for the family.

 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Families will gain confidence in creating sustainable homes for years to come through independent practices including gardening, food preservation, financial literacy, and textile creation. Family farms will increase profitability by practicing management strategies.  As a result, quality of life will increase for the family and farm.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Participants will be able to plant, harvest, and preserve produce.

 

Apply improved food preparation skills, food management skills, food safety and healthy eating habits.   

 

Keep accurate and up-to-date farm and home records. 

 

Practice traditional and non-traditional gardening techniques. 

 

Successfully plan and manage household budgets.

 

Participants will be able to create basic sewing projects for the home. 

 

Initial Outcomes:

Learn ways to attain a household budget successfully.

 

Learn how to use a sewing machine and enhance skills.

 

Learn how to accurately keep home records.

 

Learn the technique to home garden and preserve food.

Become equipped with food management skills.

 

Learn how to make healthy choices for the household.

Evaluation:

Outcome	Adoption of financial literacy practices
Indicator	The number of program participants who practice maintaining shopping/grocery budget.
Method	Data will be collected using a follow-up questionnaire.
Timeline	Questionnaire will be distributed after course completion.

 

Outcome	Participants are able to take learned skills and create products on own at home.
Indicator	Completion of clothing or textile construction project
Method	Project completed with accuracy and precision.
Timeline	Product showcase at the completion of series.

 

Outcome	Adoption of producing and preserving foods for self-sustainability.
Indicator	The number of program participants who raising produce for personal consumption.
Method	Data will be collected using a follow-up questionnaire.
Timeline	Questionnaire will be distributed after course completion.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience	Youth and Adults
Project or Activity	Financial Literacy
Content or Curriculum	Building a Healthy and Wealthy Future Curriculum
Inputs	FCS and 4-H Agents
Date(s)	Fall and Winter

 

Audience	Youth and Adults
Project or Activity	Clothing and Textile Construction
Content or Curriculum	Sewing Expressions, MCV Curriculum, Clothing and Textile Resources
Inputs	FCS and 4-H Agents
Date(s)	Youth- Fall through Spring, Adults- Year-Round

 

Audience	Youth and Adults
Project or Activity	Gardening and Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum	ID 128 Gardening in Kentucky, JR. Master Gardening, NEP Gardening Publications, Food Preservation Curriculum
Inputs	FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, NEP Assistant, 4-H Program Assistant, Master Gardening Volunteer
Date(s)	Year-Round

 

Evaluation:

Outcome	Adoption of financial literacy practices
Indicator	The number of program participants who practice maintaining shopping/grocery budget.
Method	Data will be collected using a follow-up questionnaire.
Timeline	Questionnaire will be distributed after course completion.

 

Outcome	Participants are able to take learned skills and create products on own at home.
Indicator	Completion of clothing or textile construction project
Method	Project completed with accuracy and precision.
Timeline	Product showcase at the completion of series.

 

Outcome	Adoption of producing and preserving foods for self-sustainability.
Indicator	The number of program participants who raising produce for personal consumption.
Method	Data will be collected using a follow-up questionnaire.
Timeline	Questionnaire will be distributed after course completion.