Green County CES

County Emphasis:

Improving overall health for Green County residents.

Concentration 1:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 2:

Connected & Resilient Communities

Concentration 3:

Building Leadership Capacity

Concentration 4:

Health and Wellbeing

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.

County Situation:

The County Extension Council discussed the results of the county needs assessment and found that residents in Green County need resources to improve health across the board from physical health to nutrition and food choices, mental health, emotional health, and financial health. According to CEDIK data, 38% of Green County residents are considered obese. This is 2% higher than the state average (2022). 22% of Green County residents are also living in poverty which is higher than the overall state (17%) and country (12%). 

The 2023 Green County Community Needs Assessment listed the following statements as needs/priorities for Green County residents. 

1. Ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious food 
2. Improved access to mental health and wellbeing resources 
3. Strengthening/supporting the local food and agriculture industry
4. Building financial literacy and/or resource management skills

To improve the overall health of Green County residents, Green County Extension Service will provide learning opportunities for both youth and adults ranging from Estate Planning, Reality Store, Nutrition Education programs, Home Gardening Management and so much more. Educational publications will be provided throughout the year to different community organizations and events such as Back to School Bashes, Health Fairs, and more! 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved financial and economic well-being

Youth will make sound financial decisions. 

• Expanded partnerships enhance problem-solving and resource-sharing
• Youth will serve in leadership roles in their community.?
• Improved quality of life for citizens
• Youth participation in community involvement increases. 
• Improved quality of life
• Increased number of 4-Hers who pursue employment in the health and wellbeing field
• 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 savings (e.g., as a result of budgeting, saving, reducing debt, spending wisely, stretching resources)

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

• New partnerships and networks address community challenges
• Youth will practice teamwork, responsibility, communication, conflict resolution techniques, and problem-solving skills.
• Participants gain confidence to lead
• Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family, community, and occupational health and safety
• 4-H members will practice general wellness habits
• Expansion of Extension programming by broadening the scope of extension services to include more comprehensive support for agronomic and horticultural crops and forages suited to Kentucky's changing climate and soil conditions.
• Increased adoption of effective crop protection (i.e. IPM) methods by stakeholders to manage diseases

Initial Outcomes:

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.

Youth will aspire to make SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound) economic and financial well-being decisions. 

• Greater knowledge of community partnerships and collaboration strategies
• Youth successfully worked in a team environment to accomplish a task.
• Participants give their time to serve in volunteer roles
• Youth will explore their spark in leadership. 
• Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors
• Increased knowledge of general wellness practices
• Support for crop trials by initiating pilot projects that support the planting of diverse crops and horticultural species, such as vegetables, small fruit, tree fruit, herbs, and ornamental plants to assess short-term viability and consumer interest.
• Enhanced soil and water management programs by rolling out targeted extension programs that focus on soil health and water management techniques to immediately improve crop yield potentials.

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 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: 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

Outcome: Expanded partnerships enhance problem-solving and resource-sharing

Indicator 1: Number of communities or organizations securing external funding (grants, sponsorships, or resource investments) as a result of Extension support.

Indicator 2: Number of new collaborative networks, partnerships, or cross-sector initiatives developed to address local challenges as a result of Extension-supported programs.

Method: grant tracking, partners surveys, local reports

Timeline: annually

Outcome: Short Term 4-H Camp

Indicator: 

• Number of youth who reported that they take responsibility for their actions.   
• Number of youth who reported 4-H Camp improved their ability to manage their emotions. 

Method: Survey 

Timeline: End of Camp

Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family and community health (e.g., physical activity, consuming nutritious foods, routine vaccinations and screenings) (intermediate)

Indicator: 

Number of physical activity minutes recorded by a participant

Number of participants who reported consuming more nutritious foods and/or beverages

Number of participants who reported a change in a health-promoting behavior as a result of participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time

Outcome: Short Term

Indicator: 

• Number of youth who reported that they have identified an interest in health or wellbeing initiatives in their community. 
• Number of youth who reported that they understand the importance of habits or choices that promote health and wellbeing.  
• Number of youth who reported that they learned ways to be physically active  
• Number of youth who reported that they learned how physical activity contributes to overall health 
• Number of youth who reported that they learned how food impacts their overall health. 
• Number of youth who reported that they have identified at least one job/career in health and wellbeing that fits their interest.  

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

Timeline: Immediately after program/event 

Outcome: Improved production practices

Indicator: 

• Number of commercial participants who reported improving their plant production or management practices.
• 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: Improved production practices and economic return of production inputs

Indicator: Number of participants who report increased economic return from improved production practices recommended in Plant Production and Management-related Extension programs.

Method: Surveys, participant feedback, CES agent feedback

Timeline: Frequently to annual

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: 

1. 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.  
2. Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects. 
3. Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association 
4. Clothing Volunteers 
5. Four residential camping facilities.  
6. Cooperative Extension Educational facilities.  
7. Utilization of approved research-based curriculum. 
8. Outreach of the Cooperative Extension Land-Grant System.  
9. Funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc.  
10. Funding from local, state, and federal sources.  
11. Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery.  
12. Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs. 

Date: September 1 – August 30 

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity: Building Connection in Communities

Content or Curriculum: SPARK! toolkit, Placemaking Toolkit, Community Design publications, Community Arts publications, CLD publications, Building Community Pop-Up Toolkit, Creative Community Projects toolkit, Community Mural toolkit, Story Circles, curriculum, trainings, continuing education, Civic Engagement publications, Coalition and Network building publications

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, etc.

Date: Ongoing

Audience: 4-Hers, Professional Staff, & Clientele

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp

Content or Curriculum: Curriculum is sourced from Shop 4-H, the Land Grant System and American Camp Association.

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.  

Date: 4-H Program Year

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity: Supporting Citizen Engagement

Content or Curriculum: Creating Welcoming Communities, Becoming an Informed Citizen, Robert’s Rules Refresh, Youth & Adult Listening Sessions, KY Voter Education Resources, Engaging City Councils, Civic Engagement Through Voting, How To: Community Forums

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, grant funds, local organizations and community partners, etc. 

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: Families & Individuals

Project or Activity: Nutrition Education

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition Education Program, SNAP-Ed toolkit, Publications, Faithful Families, Cook Together Eat Together, Savor the Flavor, Dining with Diabetes, Plate it up! Kentucky Proud, Cook Wild Ky, Food as Health Toolkit, Recovery Garden Toolkit, Family Mealtime, maternal and child health program materials,

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, faith-based organization, health coalitions, healthcare Providers and local clinics, health department, non-profits, schools, company health and wellness, Homemakers, farmers’ markets, local farms/growers/producers, commodity groups, community centers, etc. 

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Nutrition and Food Preparation

Content or Curriculum: Wellness in Kentucky

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  
• 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: Agricultural producers and the public

Project or Activity: Pest and disease identification

Content or Curriculum: Clinical diagnoses and trainings

Inputs: Diagnostic labs and services

Date: Ongoing

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Audience: Home owners and consumers

Project or Activity: Programming for home gardening and landscape management

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Fact Sheets, Workshops, County Meetings, Regional Meetings, emails and phone calls

Inputs: Extension Specialists, USDA funding, county agents, KDA, Kentucky Extension Master Gardener Progam

Date: Late Winter/Spring

Audience: Grain crop producers

Project or Activity: Grain Crops Management, including Corn, Soybean, Wheat, Barley, Rye, Canola and others

Content or Curriculum: Plant & Soil Science Grain crops specialists and other UK extension specialists with grain crops responsibilities.

Inputs: Plant & Soil Science Grain crops specialists and other UK extension specialists with grain crops responsibilities

Date: Annual, Frequent

udience: Forage and livestock producers

Project or Activity: Grazing Schools, Fencing Schools, Statewide Grazing Conferences, Statewide Hay and Stored Forage Conferences, Regional Forage Tours, Novel Endophyte Workshops

Content or Curriculum: Educational materials including proceedings, manuals, hands-on activities, demonstrations, and on-line materials including webpages, social media, and videos.

Inputs: UK Forage Extension Specialists (2), UK Master Grazer Coordinator (1), UK Master Grazer Interns (2), UK Forage Technicians and Research Associates (4)

Date: Programs are provided one or more times annually at multiple locations throughout Kentucky

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 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: 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

Outcome: Expanded partnerships enhance problem-solving and resource-sharing

Indicator 1: Number of communities or organizations securing external funding (grants, sponsorships, or resource investments) as a result of Extension support.

Indicator 2: Number of new collaborative networks, partnerships, or cross-sector initiatives developed to address local challenges as a result of Extension-supported programs.

Method: grant tracking, partners surveys, local reports

Timeline: annually

Outcome: Short Term 4-H Camp

Indicator: 

• Number of youth who reported that they take responsibility for their actions.   
• Number of youth who reported 4-H Camp improved their ability to manage their emotions. 

Method: Survey 

Timeline: End of Camp

Outcome: Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family and community health (e.g., physical activity, consuming nutritious foods, routine vaccinations and screenings) (intermediate)

Indicator: 

Number of physical activity minutes recorded by a participant

Number of participants who reported consuming more nutritious foods and/or beverages

Number of participants who reported a change in a health-promoting behavior as a result of participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time

Outcome: Short Term

Indicator: 

• Number of youth who reported that they have identified an interest in health or wellbeing initiatives in their community. 
• Number of youth who reported that they understand the importance of habits or choices that promote health and wellbeing.  
• Number of youth who reported that they learned ways to be physically active  
• Number of youth who reported that they learned how physical activity contributes to overall health 
• Number of youth who reported that they learned how food impacts their overall health. 
• Number of youth who reported that they have identified at least one job/career in health and wellbeing that fits their interest.  

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

Timeline: Immediately after program/event 

Outcome: Improved production practices

Indicator: 

• Number of commercial participants who reported improving their plant production or management practices.
• 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: Improved production practices and economic return of production inputs

Indicator: Number of participants who report increased economic return from improved production practices recommended in Plant Production and Management-related Extension programs.

Method: Surveys, participant feedback, CES agent feedback

Timeline: Frequently to annual