Fulton County CES

County Emphasis:

Increasing the financial stability of individuals, families and communities to adopt financial planning and management strategies.

Concentration 1:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 2:

Animal 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 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.

County Situation:

Financially security and well being is becoming more and more of a topic in the U.S. families and agriculture community, but this also includes Fulton County.  As families and agriculture are managing tighter budgets due to increasing costs of living, increased interest rates, and in agriculture - low commodity prices.

 

With over 40 percent of Fulton County population being 45 and older, the need for estate planning is needed.  Agriculture land is one of the key industries and assets of the county the need for continuity of the family farm is vital in these operations, but is most often overlooked. In the past 20 years 17,000 farms have been lost in Kentucky.

 

We decreased financial stability, the increase for obesity and other physical and mental issues increase as well, therefore the need in education in all of these areas is needed.

 

In the last 10 years, the number of natural disasters continue to increase in Kentucky, but also in Fulton County with 6 tornados, record rainfall events causing flooding, snow and ice storms, and the underlaying threat of earthquakes. Any of these events are difficult to manage, but adding the finance portion of the event is difficult for families, farms, and other small businesses.  The need to not only have emergency planning, but after the event plans and resources are needed as well.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adult

    Increased financial literacy skills

    Improved financial security and stability

    Improved financial and economic well-being

 

Develop and implement a comprehensive framework for disaster readiness and climate adaptation that includes advanced forecasting, crop selection, and management practices to prepare for extreme weather events.

 

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

 

Work with farmers and those interested in farming on generational succession in farms to improve sustainability of the farms for generations.

 

Youth

    Youth will have increased economic security.  

    Youth will make sound financial decisions. 

    Youth will have an increased rate of savings. 

 

1. Youth will advocate for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production in their communities.??
2. Youth will be life and work ready, contributing to the agricultural community as consumers, leaders, and innovators.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adult

 

    Increased sound financial decision making

    Implementation of financial literacy and resource management strategies/skills

    Increased savings (e.g., as a result of budgeting, saving, reducing debt, spending wisely, stretching resources)

    Increased access to community financial resources

 

Continue development and dissemination of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices by specialists and agents to educate producers and promote IPM practices and/or organic practices that reduce chemical inputs while maintaining crop health and productivity.

 

Explore the use of emerging production technologies to achieve increased adoption of technologies such as monitoring crop productivity, crop quality, soil health, and soil moisture levels across Kentucky's agricultural sectors.

 

Youth

 

    Youth will practice responsible consumer and financial management decision-making such as budgeting, actions on needs verses wants.   

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

 

Youth actively adopt and apply advanced agricultural practices, demonstrating a growing commitment to the agricultural community.

Initial Outcomes:

Adult   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.       Improved financial literacy knowledge     Improved employability and interpersonal skills     Increased confidence to implement employability strategies     Developed strategies for maintaining a health work-life balance   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.   Initial and continuing education opportunities for certified pesticide applicators   Youth       Youth will increase knowledge in understanding personal financial management.      Youth will aspire to make SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound) economic and financial well-being decisions.   Youth will gain knowledge and develop skills in agriculture.? Youth will develop a greater awareness and appreciation for the impact of agriculture in their daily life.

Evaluation:

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 evaluation

Outcome    Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts (initial)
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

Outcome    Increased confidence to implement family finance and resource management skills (e.g., budgeting, spending wisely, saving, using credit responsibly, reducing debt, estate planning, reducing fraud, etc.) (initial)
Indicator    Number of individuals who reported improved confidence to implement family finance and/or resource management skills.
Method    Self-reported surveys
Timeline    Post-program/curricula survey administration

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    Implementation of financial literacy and resource management strategies/skills (intermediate)
Indicator    Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to better manage their family finances and resources (e.g., considered wants/needs, avoided bank fees, reviewed tax forms, set savings goals, started estate plan, developed budget, increased fraud protection, etc.).
Method    Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to better manage their family finances and resources (e.g., considered wants/needs, avoided bank fees, reviewed tax forms, set savings goals, started estate plan, developed budget, increased fraud protection, etc.).
Timeline    Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Outcome    Increased access to community financial resources through Extension support (intermediate)
Indicator    Number of grants or tangible financial resources accessed by communities, nonprofits, or small businesses as a result of Extension supported initiatives
Method    Tracked through self-reported surveys from community partners, nonprofits and small businesses, documentation from grant reports where Extension provided support
Timeline    Ongoing

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    Development of Financial Literacy Skills
Content or Curriculum    Use Less. Spend Less. Stress Less. curriculum; publications; producer meetings; 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(s)    

Audience    Individuals, Families, Employees
Project or Activity    Development of Family Resource Management Skills
Content or Curriculum    Use Less. Spend Less. Stress Less. curriculum; publications; MONEYWI$E newsletter and podcasts; PROFIT; Recovering Your Finances curriculum; OneOp; Leader Lessons; etc.
Inputs    Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, Court system, community centers, etc.
Date(s)    Ongoing

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(s)    Ongoing

Audience    Audience: Communities

Project or Activity: Local & Small Business Support

Content or Curriculum: Small Business Roadmap, SBDC publications, Growing Our Own, Economic Development Collaborative resources, Economic Subject Matter resources CEDIK Vibrant Economies toolkit, Creative Economy Program, KFMN, Market Ready Producer Training

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

Date: Ongoing
Project or Activity    Local & Small Business Support
Content or Curriculum    Small Business Roadmap, SBDC publications, Growing Our Own, Economic Development Collaborative resources, Economic Subject Matter resources CEDIK Vibrant Economies toolkit, Creative Economy Program, KFMN, Market Ready Producer Training
Inputs    Programmatic materials, paid staff, small businesses, volunteers, community partners, non-project organizations, schools, farms, community centers, etc.
Date(s)    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, 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(s)    September 1 – August 30

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, Agent, and State/Federal Agencies, Other Ag leaders/businesses in the community.
Date(s)    Ongoing

Audience    Adults
Project or Activity    PSEP certification for private applicators and continuing education for commercial applicators
Content or Curriculum    Educational materials and program delivery
Inputs    UK Specialists, Agent, and State/Federal Agencies, Other Ag leaders/businesses in the community.
Date(s)    Ongoing
Audience    Home owners and consumers
Project or Activity    Programming for home gardening and landscape management
Content or Curriculum    Publications, Fact Sheets, Workshops, Field Days, County Meetings, Regional Meetings, Field Visits, emails and phone calls
Inputs    Extension Specialists, USDA funding, county agents, KDA
Date(s)    Ongoing

Audience    Agricultural stakeholders (producers, industry, others)
Project or Activity    Wave Ag Day
Content or Curriculum    UK Specialists, Agent, and State/Federal Agencies, Other Ag leaders/businesses in the community.
Inputs    UK Specialists, Agent, and State/Federal Agencies, Other Ag leaders/businesses in the community.
Date(s)    Annually

Audience    Adults
Project or Activity     4 River Counties Women In Ag
Content or Curriculum    Publications, Fact Sheets, Workshops, UK Specialists, Agent, and State/Federal Agencies, Other Ag leaders/businesses in the community.
Inputs    UK Specialists, Agent, and State/Federal Agencies, Other Ag leaders/businesses in the community.
Date(s)    Annually as needed

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Major Study of Emphasis Money Habitudes Building a Healthy Wealthy Future Money Smart Building Your Financial Future 

Inputs: Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects, Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association 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.  

Date: September 1 – August 30

Evaluation:

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 evaluation

Outcome    Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts (initial)
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

Outcome    Increased confidence to implement family finance and resource management skills (e.g., budgeting, spending wisely, saving, using credit responsibly, reducing debt, estate planning, reducing fraud, etc.) (initial)
Indicator    Number of individuals who reported improved confidence to implement family finance and/or resource management skills.
Method    Self-reported surveys
Timeline    Post-program/curricula survey administration

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    Implementation of financial literacy and resource management strategies/skills (intermediate)
Indicator    Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to better manage their family finances and resources (e.g., considered wants/needs, avoided bank fees, reviewed tax forms, set savings goals, started estate plan, developed budget, increased fraud protection, etc.).
Method    Number of individuals who implemented at least one strategy to better manage their family finances and resources (e.g., considered wants/needs, avoided bank fees, reviewed tax forms, set savings goals, started estate plan, developed budget, increased fraud protection, etc.).
Timeline    Follow-up evaluations to capture action/behavior change over time.

Outcome    Increased access to community financial resources through Extension support (intermediate)
Indicator    Number of grants or tangible financial resources accessed by communities, nonprofits, or small businesses as a result of Extension supported initiatives
Method    Tracked through self-reported surveys from community partners, nonprofits and small businesses, documentation from grant reports where Extension provided support
Timeline    Ongoing

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