Harlan County CES

County Emphasis:

Sustainability of Community, Economic and Leadership Development in Harlan County

Concentration 1:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 2:

Building Leadership Capacity

Concentration 3:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 4:

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. 

UK Extension aims to work on strengthening critical leadership skills and confidence for new and emerging leaders so that the pool of willing and capable leaders can rise to match local needs.  In the 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment youth life skill training opportunities (such as leadership and communication skill opportunities), strengthening youth workforce readiness, and strengthening youth-adult or mentorship relationships were top priorities across Kentucky

 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.  Providing education and training on topics such as workforce preparation, job readiness, financial literacy, soft skills, and professionalism, among others.  Skills like analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, adaptability are key (World Economic Forum, 2023). Empowering our youth to actively participate in addressing societal issues is essential for a thriving future.

To meet the needs of producers, agents and specialists will continue to disseminate research-based information, offer workshops, online resources, support local farmer’s and direct markets, community gardens, community supported agriculture, and horticulture initiatives.

Educating youth about plant production and soil science is crucial for the future of agriculture, empowering them to innovate and address current and future agricultural challenges. 4-H projects in plant production and soil science can help young people develop life skills, learn responsibility, and gain knowledge about these fields through horticulture, and plant science.

County Situation:

The Harlan County Cooperative Extension Service, in collaboration with local leaders, has identified a critical need to build and sustain community and leadership development. From 2020 to 2024, Harlan County experienced a 6.6% decline in population, underscoring the urgency of engaging both youth and adults in meaningful civic and economic participation.

With 24.9% of families living below the federal poverty line and 40.5% of residents facing debt in collections, the economic challenges facing Harlan County are significant. These statistics highlight the importance of equipping citizens with the tools and knowledge necessary to improve their financial security and overall well-being.

In response, the Extension Service is prioritizing initiatives that enhance financial literacy and economic resilience, develop leadership capacity among youth and adults, promote essential work and life skills, support plant production and management for sustainable agriculture.

According to the 2023 Statewide Needs Assessment, youth life skills training ranked #4 among the top 15 priority issues for Harlan County. This reinforces the community’s desire to invest in the next generation of leaders and workers.

Through targeted programs and collaborative efforts, the Harlan County Cooperative Extension Service is committed to fostering a more engaged, skilled, and resilient population. These efforts are essential for reversing population decline, reducing poverty, and ensuring a prosperous future for all Harlan Countians.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

1. Improved financial and economic well-being

• Youth will make sound financial decisions. 

Building Leadership Capacity

1. Increased community pride or investment

• Improved quality of life for citizens
• Youth will demonstrate necessary leadership, teamwork, and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace. 

 Work and Life Skill Development

1. Improved quality of workforce
2. Youth will become engaged, healthy, and productive members of their communities.

 Plant Production and Management

• Improved crop sustainability, increased farm profitability and reduced environmental impact using best disease management practices

Intermediate Outcomes:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

1. Increased sound financial decision making

• Youth will practice habits and skills that contribute toward sound economic and financial well-being.

Building Leadership Capacity

• Leaders recruit and engage others to participate in community projects
• Youth will practice teamwork, responsibility, communication, conflict resolution techniques, and problem-solving skills.  

 

Work and Life Skill Development

1. Increased implementation of employability strategies/skills
2. Youth will practice teamwork, responsibility, communication, conflict resolution techniques, and problem-solving skills.

Plant Production and Management

1. Explore the use of emerging production technologies to achieve increased adoption of technologies for such things as monitoring crop productivity, crop quality, soil health and soil moisture levels across Kentucky's agricultural sectors.
2. Youth will practice skills gained from 4-H agricultural projects and clubs.

 

Initial Outcomes:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Strengthening financial literacy and well-being, including but not limited to, budgeting, spending wisely, saving, using credit responsibly, reducing debt, estate planning, fraud reduction, etc.

1. Improved financial literacy knowledge

• Youth will increase knowledge in understanding personal financial management. 

Building Leadership Capacity

1. Improved leadership skills

• Knowledge gained through training programs
• Youth identify personal strengths that contribute to leadership skill development (communication, teamwork, civic engagement).  

 

Work and Life Skill Development

Strengthening work and life skills, including but not limited to, developing workforce development skills, employability and interpersonal skills, and work-life management strategies. 

1. Improved employability and interpersonal skills
2. Increased confidence to implement employability strategies
3. Youth will practice civic engagement, leadership and communication skills.

Plant Production and Management

• Increase adoption of data-driven practices through immediate trainings, workshops, and field visits to educate producers on the latest data-driven agricultural technologies, focusing on efficient resource utilization, pest resistance, and yield improvements.
• Youth will develop a greater awareness and appreciation for the impact of agriculture in their daily life.

Evaluation:

Outcome	Improved production practices
Indicator	Number of consumer participants who reported improving their plant production or management practices.
Method	Program evaluation tool/survey or records from individual consultations.
Timeline	After program participation

 

Outcome	Knowledge gained through completing training programs. (initial)
Indicator	Number of people reporting enhanced knowledge of leadership concepts and practices (e.g. leadership styles, conflict resolution, team dynamics).
Method	Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains)
Timeline	Survey will be collected immediately after program participation

 

Outcome	Short Term
Indicator	Number of youth who reported that they have identified personal strengths in leadership (including teamwork, responsibilities, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, parliamentary procedure).    Number of youth who reported that they are interested in serving as a leader.
Method	Survey
Timeline	After Program/ Activity Completion

 

Outcome	Short-Term
Indicator	Number of youth who reported increased understanding of the impact (or role) of plant production in their daily lives. Number of youth who reported an increased interest in plant production and management.  Number of youth who reported that they understand plant production concepts and ideas.
Method	Survey
Timeline	Administered immediately following program/activity

 

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

Initial Outcome:   Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts ( 

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 confidence to lead 

Indicator: Number of people reporting increased confidence in their leadership abilities.  

Method: Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains); monitoring changes in local and state leadership positions. 

Timeline:  Survey will be collected immediately after program participation or via follow-up evaluation after six months. 

Initial Outcome:  Developed skills related to workforce development 

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported learning new skills to prepare or improved themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach 

Method:  Self-reported surveys 

Timeline:  Post-program 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience	Adult
Project or Activity	Home Gardening and Fruit Production
Content or Curriculum	UK gardening publications, presentations
Inputs	Staff, specialists, leaders
Date(s)	Ongoing

 

 

Audience	Youth
Project or Activity	Harlan County Youth Preparedness Program
Content or Curriculum	Publications, hands-on,
Inputs	Staff, leaders, guest speakers
Date(s)	Ongoing

  

Audience	Adults
Project or Activity	Disaster Preparedness
Content or Curriculum	Publications, programs, social media
Inputs	Staff, leaders, guest speakers
Date(s)	Ongoing

Audience	Adults
Project or Activity	Property Heirship and Will Writing
Content or Curriculum	Publications, programs
Inputs	Staff, guest speakers
Date(s)	Ongoing

Audience	Youth
Project or Activity	4-H Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum	All curriculum pieces focus on leadership, communication, and civic engagement. All Teens must complete local government, state government, News/Media, and Communications day to graduate from the leadership academy.
Inputs	After school clubs for teens and civic engagement opportunities. These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders such as civic groups.
Date(s)	Fall and Spring

 

Audience	Youth
Project or Activity	Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum	Curriculum is sourced from Shop 4-H and the Land Grant System, focuses on leadership, communication, and civic engagement.
Inputs	These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders such as civic groups.
Date(s)	Summer

 

Audience	Youth
Project or Activity	4-H Camp Counselor Training (Teens)
Content or Curriculum	Content in the Camp Volunteer Training Guide is sourced from the American Camp Association best practices and focuses on developmental needs of campers, safety considerations, operating procedures, age-appropriate behavior management, and camper supervision techniques.
Inputs	These trainings are supported by the research base of the American Camp Association with materials provided by the 4-H State Office, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and led by County Extension Staff responsible for 4-H Camp.
Date(s)	Pre-Summer

 

Audience	Youth – 9th Grade
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.   Cooperative Extension Educational facilities.   Utilization of approved research-based curriculum.  Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery.   Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs.
Date(s)	September 1 – August 30

 

Audience	Youth
Project or Activity	Dollars and Sense
Content or Curriculum	It’s Your Reality (Dollars and Sense)
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.   Cooperative Extension Educational facilities.   Utilization of approved research-based curriculum.  Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery.   Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs.
Date(s)	September 1 – August 30

 

Audience	4-Hers, Professional Staff, & Clientele
Project or Activity	4-H Capitol Experience
Content or Curriculum	Curriculum is sourced from Shop 4-H and the Land Grant System, focuses on leadership, communication, civic engagement, and service. In addition to these sources are the vetted sources of 4-H Capitol Experience Handbook and Facilitator Guide, iCivics.org, CommonSense.org, and PBS Learning Media.
Inputs	These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders such as civic groups.
Date(s)	Spring

 

Audience	Youth K4-6th Grade in County
Project or Activity	Windowsill Garden/ Grow your own Tomato
Content or Curriculum	Extension & UK Publications Grow your own Tomato
Inputs	Staff
Date(s)	Spring

 

Audience	Youth
Project or Activity	Harlan County Communications Day Contest
Content or Curriculum	4-H Publications
Inputs	Staff, Teachers, Volunteers
Date(s)	Spring

 

Audience	Youth- Teenagers
Project or Activity	4-H Teen Club
Content or Curriculum	4-H Publications, Curriculums
Inputs	Staff, Volunteers, Guest Speakers
Date(s)	Monthly Meetings September- May

 

Audience	Youth
Project or Activity	4-H Summer Camp
Content or Curriculum	Hands-on, Crafts,  classes
Inputs	Staff, Volunteers, Teens, Camp Staff
Date(s)	Summer

 

Audience	Youth
Project or Activity	4-H Summer Day Camps
Content or Curriculum	4-H Curriculum and activities
Inputs	Staff, Volunteers
Date(s)	Summer

Audience:  Individuals and Families

Project or Activity:  Development of Financial Literacy Skills

Content or Curriculum:  Publications, Moneywi$e newsletter,   PROFIT; Recovering Your Finances Curriculum 

Inputs:  Programmatic Materials, Staff, Community Partners

Date:  Ongoing 

Audience:  Youth

Project or Activity: Development of Financial Literacy Skills

Content or Curriculum:  Building a Healthy, Wealthy Future

Inputs:  Staff, Jr. Homemakers, Schools

Date:  Ongoing 

Audience:  Individuals

Project or Activity:  Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association

Content or Curriculum:  Homemaker Leader Lessons, Publications, Newsletters, Office/Chairman Training Materials, KEHA State Meeting. 

Inputs:  Programmatic Materials, Training, Staff

Date:  Ongoing

Audience:  Individuals

Project or Activity:  Development of Employability Skills

Content or Curriculum:  Profit; Recovering Your Finances Curriculum, Publications, Newsletters

Inputs:  Programmatic Materials, Staff, Community Partners, Mental and Behavioral Health Facilities

Date:  Ongoing 

Evaluation:

Outcome	Improved production practices
Indicator	Number of consumer participants who reported improving their plant production or management practices.
Method	Program evaluation tool/survey or records from individual consultations.
Timeline	After program participation

 

Outcome	Knowledge gained through completing training programs. (initial)
Indicator	Number of people reporting enhanced knowledge of leadership concepts and practices (e.g. leadership styles, conflict resolution, team dynamics).
Method	Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains)
Timeline	Survey will be collected immediately after program participation

 

Outcome	Short Term
Indicator	Number of youth who reported that they have identified personal strengths in leadership (including teamwork, responsibilities, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, parliamentary procedure).    Number of youth who reported that they are interested in serving as a leader.
Method	Survey
Timeline	After Program/ Activity Completion

 

Outcome	Short-Term
Indicator	Number of youth who reported increased understanding of the impact (or role) of plant production in their daily lives. Number of youth who reported an increased interest in plant production and management.  Number of youth who reported that they understand plant production concepts and ideas.
Method	Survey
Timeline	Administered immediately following program/activity

 

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

Initial Outcome:   Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts ( 

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 confidence to lead 

Indicator: Number of people reporting increased confidence in their leadership abilities.  

Method: Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains); monitoring changes in local and state leadership positions. 

Timeline:  Survey will be collected immediately after program participation or via follow-up evaluation after six months. 

Initial Outcome:  Developed skills related to workforce development 

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported learning new skills to prepare or improved themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach 

Method:  Self-reported surveys 

Timeline:  Post-program