Meade County CES

County Emphasis:

Economic and Financial Well-Being

Concentration 1:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 2:

Animal Production and Management

Concentration 3:

Plant Production and Management

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. 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 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.

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.

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.

County Situation:

According to the most recent University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Needs Assessment, Meade County residents identified the need for financial literacy and resource management as an area of focus for the county.  County Extension Council members also expressed this as necessary with the shifting economy and rising prices.   A large portion of Extension education is related to economic well-being, especially in agriculture.  Farming is a business that directly or indirectly generates over $55 million dollars of products each year.  Extension educational opportunities offered help landowners and product producers understand how to become more financially efficient and help them with their economic well-being. 

Most consumers feel the effects of rising food costs and all consumer goods, especially in housing.  Over the past few years, area industry expansion has driven the need for housing, with new houses and neighborhoods built rapidly. With the median cost of new housing approaching $350,000, finding decent, affordable housing is becoming challenging.  The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,000 per month. With a county poverty rate near 13 percent, financial management, and consumer education are needed more than ever.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Increased financial literacy skills

• Improved financial and economic well-being
• Youth will make sound financial decisions.
• Producers are routinely implementing guidelines and recommendations for efficient and financially sound production demonstrating sustainable behavior change.
• Strengthen local economies through improved farm sustainability and profitability, which are economic multipliers in local communities. Helping farm families successfully transition to subsequent generations. Helping new and beginning farmers enter farming operations. 
• Strengthen local economies through the continuous support of farmer’s markets, community gardens, and community-supported agriculture programs that are well-integrated with urban horticulture initiatives.  

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Increased access to community financial resources
• Implementation of financial literacy and resource management strategies/skills
• Youth will practice habits and skills that contribute toward sound economic and financial well-being.
• Increase or strengthen partnerships or relationships with commodity groups to address sustainable management strategies, health-focused care, and economic viability for all livestock.

Initial Outcomes:

• Improved financial literacy knowledge
• Developed strategies for maintaining a health work-life balance
• Youth will aspire to make SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound) economic and financial well-being decisions.
• Increase knowledge about sustainable and economically viable management practices.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Improved financial and/or resource management skills (e.g., creating a budget, checking credit report, developing an estate plan, etc.) (initial)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported developing skills related to family finance and/or resource management

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration or follow-up ev

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: Long-term

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported a financial gain through using the skills learned in their dairy business. 
• Profit increase (dollars) reported by dairy businesses. 
• Number of participants who reported an improvement in their quality of life because of implementing the dairymanagement skills/practices learned from UK Extension 
• Method: Program evaluation survey or records from post farm visits and individual consultations  

Timeline: End of program year or several years 

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

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Individuals, Families, Employees

Project or Activity: Estate Planning

Content or Curriculum: Estate Planning publication series; Transferring Cherished Possessions curriculum; MONEYWI$E newsletter and podcasts;OneOp; Leader Lessons; farm succession and legacy building programs; etc.

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, farms, community centers, etc.

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Reality Store

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: Agents 

Project or Activity: In-service updates / trainings 

Content or Curriculum: Online series, in-person trainings developed as needed 

Inputs: Coordination by IRM coordinators and Specialists 

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: Beef Cattle Owners, Industry representatives, Agents 

Project or Activity: Master Cattleman 

Content or Curriculum: Master Cattleman curriculum 

Inputs: Coordination with Beef IRM coordinators & specialists 

Dates: TBD

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

Project or Activity: Management / profitability related programming 

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   

Dates: Ongoing

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; OneOp; Big Blue Book Club; In the Face of Disaster; Leader Lessons; Money Habitudes; etc. 

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

Date: Ongoing

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Improved financial and/or resource management skills (e.g., creating a budget, checking credit report, developing an estate plan, etc.) (initial)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported developing skills related to family finance and/or resource management

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration or follow-up ev

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: Long-term

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported a financial gain through using the skills learned in their dairy business. 
• Profit increase (dollars) reported by dairy businesses. 
• Number of participants who reported an improvement in their quality of life because of implementing the dairymanagement skills/practices learned from UK Extension 
• Method: Program evaluation survey or records from post farm visits and individual consultations  

Timeline: End of program year or several years 

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