Mercer County CES

County Emphasis:

Provide accessible, science-based information on balanced diets, food preparation, and sustainable practices.

Concentration 1:

Food Safety, Quality, and Access

Concentration 2:

Family and Youth Development

Concentration 3:

Plant Production and Management

Situation:

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 grow, 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. 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. 

Family and Youth Development programming is essential for fostering healthy, supportive environments where both children and adults can thrive. By offering structured activities and educational workshops, UK Extension aims to build strong family bonds equipping young people and older adults with critical life skills. Guided by the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-being, our programming also addresses social and emotional needs throughout the lifespan, promoting resilience and positive relationships which are two of the key concerns identified in the top 15 needs of Kentucky’s statewide needs assessment. Investing in such programs can prevent future challenges by supporting early intervention and personal growth. Ultimately, these initiatives contribute to the well-being of individuals and the stability of communities, making them a vital component of social development. 

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, enhancing youth wellbeing through effective coping strategies youth life skill opportunities, youth workforce readiness, support for the local agriculture industry and promoting youth agriculture literacy. 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. 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 accurate, science-based information about nutrition, food preparation, and sustainable practices is critical to the health and long-term well-being of Mercer County residents. As chronic health conditions such as obesity (58%) and diabetes (20%) remain prevalent in the community (Mercer County Community Health Assessment, 2023), there is an urgent need to empower individuals and families with practical knowledge to make healthier food choices. Many residents face barriers to accessing fresh, nutritious food, including limited transportation, rising food costs, and a lack of awareness around healthy cooking methods. Additionally, sustainable practices such as reducing food waste, supporting local food systems, and growing food at home are increasingly important as the community looks to build resilience and self-sufficiency. By providing accessible nutrition education—grounded in scientific research and tailored to local needs—Mercer County can help residents improve their diets, prevent disease, and adopt environmentally responsible food practices. Partnerships among Mercer County Extension Service, schools, healthcare providers, and local organizations will be essential in delivering these resources and creating a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Achieve long-term sustainability and resilience through the widespread adoption of practices that enhance soil productivity, conserve water, and optimize resource use, leading to resilient agricultural systems capable of withstanding economic and environmental fluctuations.

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.

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.

Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.???

Youth will advocate for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production in their communities.??

Youth will be life and work ready, contributing to the agricultural community as consumers, leaders, and innovators.

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

Family farms become economically viable.

Kentucky’s local food and agriculture industry are thriving.

Decrease in the number of Kentuckians with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

More Kentuckians routinely met the guidelines for the consumption of (locally-grown) fresh fruits and vegetables

Youth report reduced risk for poor health, developmental delays, obesity, and malnutrition.    

Youth increase educational outcomes.  

Youth decrease poor overall health. 

Increased meaningful social connections

Increased support network

Increased kindergarten readiness rates in the county and state

Increased caregiver preparation

Improved quality of family life

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will practice skills gained from 4-H agricultural projects and clubs.??

Youth will communicate agricultural ideas and concepts more effectively.??

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

Increase and/or strengthen statewide and regional partnership to address community food system issues.

Increased production of Kentucky-grown food and increased market opportunities for those products.

Increase in the number of farmers’ markets and local food retailers that accept one or more food benefits as payment.

Improved dietary habits through: consumption of more fruits and vegetables, a variety of proteins and the number of meals prepared at home.

Increased number of entrepreneurial food businesses.

Youth will practice making wise nutrition choices.  

Youth will practice food safety.  

Youth will access nutritious foods.  

Youth will prepare nutritious foods.  

Youth will eat a variety of healthy foods daily. 

Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy community, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together.

Enhanced community partnership that equitably support family health (e.g., FRISC, Health Depart., DAIL, AAA,)

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will explore their spark in agriculture.???

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.??

Youth will expand life and work readiness skills in agriculture, gaining awareness of the diverse opportunities within the field of agriculture.

Increased awareness of and use of Food Connection Programs: Value Chain Coordinators, TFC Learning Kitchen, and Cultivate KY resources.

Increased awareness of Extension resources and programs supporting food access.

Improved skills related to safe food preparation and food preservation.

Increased participation in Homebased Microprocessing workshops.

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

Increase the number of partnerships and/or coalitions involved in promoting awareness of local food systems, healthy eating, and active living (e.g. Program councils, Health Advisory Boards, etc.).

Youth will learn how to make wise nutrition choices.  

Youth will learn the importance of food safety.  

Youth learn how to access nutritious foods.  

Youth will learn how to prepare nutritious foods.  

Youth will aspire to eat a variety of healthy foods daily.

Increased knowledge about nurturing parenting and caregiving across the life span.

Increased awareness of community resources to support healthy families.

Increased confidence making decisions related to parenting and caregiving.

Increased confidence and motivation to reduce loneliness and social isolation.

Improved skills related to nurturing parenting and caregiver support

Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., reading to your child, spending time together, self-care, caregiver preparation, active living)

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:

Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:

Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: Farm Fresh to Table at Farmers Market  

Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud, Farmers Market, Veggie Vouchers    

Inputs: Extension Staff, NEP, Mercer Schools, Farmers Market Members, Volunteers, Community Sponsors   

Date(s): July, August, September 

Audience: Growers/Farmers Market Producers  

Project or Activity: Produce Best Practices (PBPT) 

Content or Curriculum: Produce Best Practices Training 

Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Extension Food Safety 

Date(s): Spring

 

Audience:  4-H Youth, Families, Adults, Seniors, Homemakers 

Project or Activity: MyPlate, NEP Recipes, NEP Calendar, 4-H Curriculum 

Content or Curriculum: Food Label Fundamentals 

Inputs: Extension Staff 

Date(s): Spring 

Audience: Adults, Seniors 

Project or Activity: PowerPoint, Publications, Hands-on activities 

Content or Curriculum: Making Friends with Food: The power of Positive Food Talk 

Inputs: Extension Staff 

Date(s): Winter 

Audience: Adults, Families, adults with disabilities 

Project or Activity: Adult/Families Project/Curricula 

Content or Curriculum: Healthy Choices for Everybody 

Inputs: limited resource families, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, CES agents, NEP program assistant, community/organization partners 

Date(s): Ongoing recruitment and implementation 

Audience: Adults 

Project or Activity: Lunch n Learn Series 

Content or Curriculum: NEP Calendar 

Inputs: CES Facilities, FCS Agent, NEP assistant, Senior Citizens Center 

Date(s): ongoing 

Audience: 4-H Youth 

Project or Activity: Beginner Foods Club, Teen Foods Club 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H and Extension Curriculum 

Inputs: Extension Staff, SNAP-Ed Educator, 4-H Volunteers 

Date(s): August-May 

 Audience: Individuals and Families 

Project or Activity: Food Preservation 

Content or Curriculum:Publications, UGA-NCHFP, Trainings, Home-Based Micro-Processing 

Inputs: Extension Staff, Extension Specialist, Publications, programmatic materials, UGA-NCHFP 

Date(s): Spring, Summer 

Audience: Minority Families 

Project or Activity: Community Outreach 

Content or Curriculum: MyPlate 

Inputs: NEP assistant, FRYSC, Public Library 

Date(s): Quarterly 

Audience: Low Income Families 

Project or Activity: Summer Garden Program 

Content or Curriculum: Healthy Choices for Every Body 

Inputs: Schools, NEP assistant, FRYSC 

Date(s): May-August 

Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: After School Clubs 

Content or Curriculum: MyPlate 

Inputs: NEP assistant, FRYSC, Schools 

Date(s): Spring/Summer 

Audience: Head Start, 2nd grade 

Project or Activity: In School Programming 

Content or Curriculum: LEAP 

Inputs: NEP assistant, schools, FRYSC 

Date(s): August 

Audience: Individuals and Families 

Project or Activity: Food Preservation 

Content or Curriculum: Publications, UGA-NCHFP, Trainings, Home-Based Micro-Processing 

Inputs: Staff, programmatic materials, UGA-NCHFP 

Date(s): Spring/Summer 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:

Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:

Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline: