Taylor County CES

County Emphasis:

Increasing youth health and wellbeing through nutrition education and/or exercise by ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious food. Also, strengthening market support for locally grown / produced food and agriculture industry.

Concentration 1:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 2:

Food Safety, Quality, and Access

Concentration 3:

Plant Production and Management

Concentration 4:

Connected & Resilient Communities

Situation:

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.

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.

It is proven that people who have access to and consume their daily dietary requirements of fresh fruits and vegetables are less likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease and have an increased quality of life. Having the knowledge and skills to prepare or preserve fresh fruits and vegetables presents an additional barrier beyond obtaining fresh food access.

With the goal of increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) aims to increase access to fresh food, as well as increase knowledge and awareness of how to select, store, safely prepare, process, and preserve these foods. CES prioritizes statewide partnership development that helps us meet our goals and objectives. We collaborate with statewide agencies including Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Farm Alliance, KY Farm to School Network, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife and others to help build statewide systems that increase access and usage of fresh fruits and vegetables. These programs benefit Kentuckians because they support food access policy, systems and environmental changes in communities and across the state. They increase knowledge of how to grow, prepare, and preserve fresh fruits and vegetables.

Youth Focus

Kentucky faces significant health and economic challenges, with five of the top ten causes of death being nutrition-related. According to the Obesity Action Coalition the cost of obesity reached $36.31 billion. The rapidly changing social and economic landscape underscores the need for a healthy, productive, and engaged young people to contribute to a prepared workforce and engaged community to tackle these challenges. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System's 2023 Community Needs Assessment identifies critical priorities, including access to affordable nutritious food, reducing youth obesity through improved nutrition and exercise, and enhancing youth wellbeing through effective coping strategies. Kentucky 4-H plays a crucial role in addressing these needs by equipping young people with essential skills in nutrition, culinary arts, financial education, and entrepreneurship. 69% of youth reported that they learned about healthy food choices in 4-H. 4-H youth report an increase in preparing meals together as a family, increase in meals eaten as a family, and confidence in the kitchen. These programs not only foster healthier, more resilient individuals, but also contribute to the development of engaged citizens prepared to navigate and thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

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.

Producers use data-driven approaches for efficient resource utilization while exploring new crop varieties for pest resistance and yield improvement. As technology advances, producers will need to adopt remote sensing technologies to monitor soil health, moisture, and other parameters to increase efficiency. Implementing conservation practices that protect soil and water resources will ensure the long-term sustainability of Kentucky farmland and improve resilience to climate variability.

Current and continuing practices involve cover crops to reduce erosion resulting in enhanced soil health as well as rotating crops to break pest cycles, improve soil fertility, and reduce disease pressure. Extension programming will encourage diverse crops and horticulture species to reduce risk and explore specialty crops, such as berries, herbs, and ornamental plants. Extension Specialists continue to educate farmers on forage species selection for hay production and livestock nutrition, advise on implementing integrated pest management and organic production practices (to minimize chemical inputs while still effectively managing pests), select climate-adapted crop varieties, and prepare for extreme weather events through adaptation and disaster readiness programs.

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

Youth Focus

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. The National 4-H Council’s 2024 Index Survey revealed that 83% of youth enjoy science, 66% view it as a tool for problem-solving, and 62% are interested in science-related careers. The 2022 U.S. Census of Agriculture highlights trends in Kentucky, such as a decrease in the number of farms, reduced agricultural land, an aging producer population, and larger farm sizes. Key priority issues identified by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System Community Needs Assessment (2023) include youth life skill training opportunities, youth workforce readiness, access to affordable, nutritious food, support for the local agriculture industry, and promoting youth agriculture literacy. 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, plant science, and soil science projects and programs.

County Situation:

Access to locally grown, nutritious food is very important to the Taylor County Extension Council. The council felt it was so important a direct sales brochure was created many years ago to direct customers to local producers. The council feels it is important for the Taylor Cooperative Extension service to serve both customer and producer. Overall food insecurity rate in 2021 was 13.0%. Child food insecurity rate was 14.8% (kybtn.ca.uky.edu). Through support for the local markets and produce auction customers will be able to have access to local food. Assistance programs allow customers to obtain even more nutritious food, such as the KY Double Dollars. Percent of adults ages 18+ that report a BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 is 37.7%. Also, the percent of the population with adequate access to locations for phiysical activity is 67.5% (kybtn.ca.uky.edu). Nutrition classes allow these individuals to learn how to cook healthy recipes for their households. Just by teaching one individual, many may benefit.  

data points and connected to concentrations- focus and where we can make impact

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved quality of life.

Individuals and families of all incomes levels have access to affordable and nutritious foods

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.

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.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Practice general wellness habits.

 Individuals will practice making wise nutrition choices.

 Increased awareness of community resources to support health-promoting behaviors.

Increased number of stakeholders who scout for diseases, monitor disease risk factors, and use research-based information

Initial Outcomes:

Increased knowledge of general wellness practices.

Increased awareness and accessibility of community resources available to access fresh foods.

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.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

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. 

Number of farms or food businesses who retained or expanded market opportunities and/or sales including locally produced foods.

Number of producers who reported increased knowledge of crop and forage production, fertility management, varieties, pest control, and/or sustainable practices.

Method: Observation by Agent or self-reported surveys.

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration. 

Annual: Food System Impact Survey (federal fiscal year); The Food Connection (calendar year); HBMP (annual calendar year)

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported that they have used nutrition as a way to improve their overall health. 

Number of youth who reported that they applied skills and/or knowledge to prepare healthy snacks for self or family.  Number of youth participating in food preparation activities in county and state fair contests.

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey & Self-reported surveys. 

Standard Evaluation Tool for Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: End of Club/Program Year & Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time.

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Long-term evaluation will be conducted using the National 4-H Index Study

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey

Timeline: 1 or more years

Learning Opportunities:

Health & Wellbeing

Audience: Residents of Taylor County (Adults & Youth)

Project or Activity: Produce container garden series

Content or Curriculum: Including but not limited to ID- 36, ID-128, ID-2, & Master Gardener Manual

Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Specialists, Master Gardeners 

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Residents of Taylor County (Adults & Youth)

Project or Activity: Herb container garden series

Content or Curriculum: Including but not limited to ID- 36, ID-128, ID-21, &  HO-74

Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Specialists, Master Gardeners 

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Consumers at the local farmers' market

Project or Activity: Healthy recipe demonstration and samples

Content or Curriculum: Including but not limited to plate it up recipes

Inputs: Horticulture Agent & Master Gardeners 

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Youth county-wide of all ages

Project or Activity: Afterschool Cooking Clubs for junior, intermediate, and senior level 4-Hers. Will be able to adjust age groups to not overload one group with too many members, but usually in junior (age 9-11), intermediate (age 12-14), and senior (age 15-18) groups. Baking Club for youth of all ages. Food, Nutrition, and Healthy Living education in schools during at least one month of programming, including food preparation, nutrition, and healthy living into summer day camp activities.

Content or Curriculum: Including, but not limited to: 4-H Cooking 101, 201, 301, 401; State Fair Food Entries catalog; Steps to a Healthy Teen; Health Rocks

Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Assistant, 4-H Volunteers

Date: 2025-2026

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Family & Community Health Classes & Materials 

Content or Curriculum: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices, Body Balance: Protect Your Body from Pollution with a Healthy Lifestyle and Eating for Health

Inputs: Family and Consumer Science Agent, programmatic materials, newsletters, volunteers, community partners, health coalitions, healthcare providers, health departments, non profits, faith-based organizations, schools, community centers, etc. 

Date: Ongoing 

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Home Food Preservation

Content or Curriculum: Home Food Preservation Curriculum

Inputs: Family and Consumer Science Agent, kitchen, preservation materials/curriculum

Date: Summer 2026

 

Audience: Homemaker Members, General Public

Project or Activity: Leader Trainings, Workshops, Seminars

Content or Curriculum: Charcuterie Boards; Stress Eating; Ready, Set, Bake; Fermented Foods; Meals While Traveling; Cook Wild 

Inputs: Family and Consumer Science Agent, Specialist Support, Extension Homemaker resources, other university extension resources

Date: On-going

 

Audience: Homeschool Youth and their families

Project or Activity: Snack Attack Homeschool Class

Content or Curriculum: Food Label FUNdamentals, Plan Eat Move, My Plate

Inputs: Family and Consumer Science Agent,

Date: Each Fall and Spring  

 

Audience: Taylor County Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Youth Cooking Club

Content or Curriculum: Professor Popcorn, Farm 2 Table, Super Star Chef

Inputs: Agents, 4-H Program Assistant, Program Support Funds, Teachers

Date: Program plan year 2025-2026

Audience: Producers of Taylor County

Project or Activity: When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

Content or Curriculum: Raising Hope Curriculum

Inputs: ANR Agent, Specialists, & Volunteers

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: The Healing Place

Project or Activity: Grilling &/or Nutrition Classes (meat focus)

Content or Curriculum: Plate it up recipes, NEP publications, etc. 

Inputs: ANR Agent, EFNEP Assistant, & Specialists

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Producers of Taylor County

Project or Activity: Ag Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: Including but not limited to Health and Safety pubs within Agr-Ability

Inputs:  All Agents, Specialists, & Volunteers

Date: 2025 - 2030

Food Safety, Quality, & Access

Audience: Producers of Taylor County

Project or Activity: PBPT

Content or Curriculum: PBPT training material

Inputs: Horticulture Agent & Specialists

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Consumers and Producers of Taylor County

Project or Activity: Farmers' Market Kids / Family Activity Days (Festivals, Holidays, etc.)

Content or Curriculum: Including but not limited to ID-128, junior master gardener manual, etc.

Inputs: Horticulture Agent &  Master Gardeners 

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Consumers and Producers of Taylor County

Project or Activity: WIC, SFMNP, KY Double Dollars, & EBT Programs at local farmers' market

Content or Curriculum: Including but not limited to ID- 36, ID-128, ID-21

Inputs: Horticulture Agent and volunteers

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Taylor County Individuals and Families

Project or Activity: Food Preservation

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky CES publications and resources

Inputs: Family and Consumer Science Agent, Public Library, Community Organizations and Farmers Markets

Date: Summer 2026

 

Audience: Seniors

Project or Activity: Food Nutrition Education

Content or Curriculum: USDA, Extension information, CES publications, Plate It Up, Community organizations, local grocery stores, Dining with Diabetes, Weight to Reality series, food prep programs

Inputs: Family and Consumer Science Agent, NEP Assistant, Community organizations, local grocery stores

Date: On-going

Plant Production & Management 

Audience: Producers of Taylor County

Project or Activity: Commercial Site Visits (weekly)

Content or Curriculum: Including but not limited to ID- 36, ID-128, ID-21

Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Specialists

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Residents of Taylor County

Project or Activity: Residential site visits (as requested)

Content or Curriculum: Including but not limited to ID- 36, ID-128, ID-21

Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Specialists

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Consumers and Producers of Taylor and surrounding counties

Project or Activity: Taylor Co. Master Gardener Plant Sale - (another market producers to sell and customers to buy local)

Content or Curriculum: Including but not limited to ID- 36, ID-128 

Inputs: Horticulture Agent & Master Gardeners 

Date: 2025 - 2030

Connected & Resilient Communities

Audience: Consumers and Producers of Taylor County

Project or Activity: Disaster Preparedness

Content or Curriculum: Extension Disaster Preparedness & Recovery

Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Specialists, & Volunteers

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Consumers and Producers of Taylor County

Project or Activity: Promotion of Local Horticulture Businesses:

Direct Sales Brochure & Tour of Local nurseries, produce vendors, etc. 

Content or Curriculum: Including but not limited to ID- 36, ID-128, ID-21

Inputs: Horticulture Agent & Master Gardeners 

Date: 2025 - 2030

Audience: Homestead Families and Individuals 

Project or Activity: Homesteading Series 

Direct Sales Brochure & Tour of Local nurseries, produce vendors, etc. 

Content or Curriculum: Food Preservation, Cheese Basics, ENT-41: Beginning Beekeeping, Center of the Plate

Inputs: All Agents, Master Gardeners, 4-H, Homemakers 

Date: 2025 - 2030

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

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. 

Number of farms or food businesses who retained or expanded market opportunities and/or sales including locally produced foods.

Number of producers who reported increased knowledge of crop and forage production, fertility management, varieties, pest control, and/or sustainable practices.

Method: Observation by Agent or self-reported surveys.

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration. 

Annual: Food System Impact Survey (federal fiscal year); The Food Connection (calendar year); HBMP (annual calendar year)

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported that they have used nutrition as a way to improve their overall health. 

Number of youth who reported that they applied skills and/or knowledge to prepare healthy snacks for self or family.  Number of youth participating in food preparation activities in county and state fair contests.

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey & Self-reported surveys. 

Standard Evaluation Tool for Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: End of Club/Program Year & Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time.

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Long-term evaluation will be conducted using the National 4-H Index Study

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey

Timeline: 1 or more years