Breathitt County CES

County Emphasis:

Promoting a safe and healthy Breathitt County

Concentration 1:

Food Safety, Quality, and Access

Concentration 2:

Sustainability, Natural Resources and Wildlife Management, and Environment

Concentration 3:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Situation:

Kentucky’s natural resources, including its vast forests and waterways, are essential to the state’s economy, environment, and public health, but face growing threats from climate change, invasive species, and unsustainable land use. Many landowners struggle to implement sustainable practices due to economic barriers and lack of resources. The Cooperative Extension Service addresses these challenges by promoting soil and water conservation, forest management, and adaptive strategies for long-term sustainability. It also plays a crucial role in public health, particularly in combating substance use disorders, which remain a major concern in Kentucky. Extension programs support prevention and recovery by offering holistic services, including mental health, nutrition, and workforce readiness. Additionally, increasing access to fresh, nutritious food and equipping residents with skills to grow, prepare, and preserve it helps reduce chronic disease and improve quality of life. Youth education is a central focus, with 4-H programs fostering environmental literacy, healthy living, and life skills that prepare young Kentuckians for productive, engaged futures.

County Situation:

Promoting a safe and healthy Breathitt County requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes environmental sustainability, public health, and community education. Kentucky’s natural resources—including its extensive woodlands, waterways, and wildlife—are vital to the state’s economic and ecological stability. However, these resources face increasing threats from unsustainable land use, economic constraints, climate change, and invasive species. Ensuring their long-term viability necessitates the implementation of conservation practices and adaptive management strategies. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through its comprehensive programming in environmental education, sustainable agriculture, and forest management. Additionally, public health concerns—particularly the growing burden of substance use disorder—demand community-based, evidence-informed interventions. Extension’s broad network facilitates support for mental health, housing, nutrition, and workforce readiness, all of which are critical to recovery and prevention efforts. Addressing substance use and substance disorder was a major concern among community members during our most recent county needs assessment. Access to nutritious foods and education in food preparation and preservation further contribute to improved health outcomes, particularly in combating chronic disease and obesity. Investing in youth through 4-H programming enhances life skills, fosters environmental stewardship, and prepares the next generation for civic engagement and career readiness. Through these integrated efforts, Breathitt County can cultivate a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable future.

Long-Term Outcomes:

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

Kentucky’s local food and agriculture industry are thriving

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

Economic, social, physical, or environmental situations that will change because individuals or communities have adopted new (or improved existing) actions, practices, and behaviors. 

Reduced adult and youth substance abuse

Intermediate Outcomes:

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

Youth will practice making wise nutrition choices.  

New or improved practices, behaviors, or choices that will occur in participants or communities because of the knowledge or awareness they gained from their contact with Extension (these are behavior change outcomes that are typically measured in follow-up evaluations because they require time to mature.)

Increased availability and accessibility of evidence-based prevention programs.

Initial Outcomes:

Increased awareness of Extension resources and programs supporting food access.

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

Youth will learn how to prepare nutritious foods. 

Increased knowledge about substance use and its effects

Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased awareness and accessibility of Extension resources and programs supporting food access. (initial)

Indicator: 

Number of individuals reporting an increased awareness of how to find and prepare local food including responsible hunting/fishing/foraging. 

Number of policy, systems, and/or environmental changes implemented within communities and organizations to promote active living, and healthy eating, including local food production and/or hunting/foraging and consumption (e.g. local food pantry can accept fresh foods or local game; starting/revitalizing a school or community garden; starting a walking club, etc.). 

Number of individuals who reported increasing their knowledge, skills, or intentions regarding nutrition and accessing healthy foods through Extension programs and resources. 

Number of individuals who were introduced to healthy food access points (e.g. farmers’ markets, CSAs, WIC, food pantries) through Extension programs or resources.  

Method: Pre/post participant evaluations from: NEP agent-led curricula, Food Preservation, Champion Food Volunter Leader Training; the Learning Kitchen Participant follow-up eval. TBD; # of certified Champion Food Volunteers in each county;

 

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration; annual fiscal year (food system impact survey)

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they applied skills and/or knowledge to prepare healthy snacks for self or family.  

Number of youth who reported that they practiced safe food handling and preparation.  

Number of youth who reported that they practiced kitchen safety. 

Number of youth who reported that they have used the skills and/or knowledge gained to complete a Family Consumer Sciences Project. 

Method: Standard Evaluation Tool for Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: End of the program year

Initial Outcome:

 

Outcome: Increased awareness of and use of safe/effective pesticide application methods 

Indicator: 

Number of certified applicators attending continuing education credit Extension events (both private and commercial) 

Number of people self-reporting knowledge gain on integrated pest management techniques  

Number of people self-reporting behavioral changes regarding risk mitigation strategies for pesticide application 

Method: Surveys at CEU events 

 

Outcome: Medium

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that have applied the skills they learned in natural resources to other areas of their life, including at home, school and other programs.  

Number of youth who reported that they have taken steps to conserve natural resources.  

Number of youth who reported that they have used their skills and/or knowledge gained to complete a natural resources project.  

Method: Survey 

Timeline: Administered at end of program year/club year

Outcome: Increased knowledge about substance use and its effects (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction, and/or recovery (or related subject matter)

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Outcome: Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery (initial)

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address substance use/recovery in the community

Method: Program metrics (agents will track and report based on their activities and partnerships related to substance use prevention, addiction, and/or recovery)

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Learning Opportunities:

 

Audience: Individuals, Farmers & Youth

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, Food as Health Toolkit, Family Mealtime, maternal and child health program materials, www.planeatmove.com, Super Star Chef, Farm to School, Hunger in Kentucky

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, faith-based organizations, health coalitions, healthcare Providers and local clinics, health department, non-profits, schools, company health & wellness, 4-H, Homemakers, farmers’ markets, local farmers/growers/producers, commodity groups, community centers, etc. 

Dates: Ongoing

 

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Nutrition and Food Preparation

Content or Curriculum: Exploring My Plate  

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

Dates: September 1 – August 30 

 

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity: Farmers’ Market Toolkit

Content or Curriculum: Farmers’ Market Toolkit

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, facilities, health department, non-profits, schools, faith-based organizations, Homemakers, community centers, farmers, farmers’ markets, etc.

Dates: Ongoing

 

Audience: General public 

Project or Activity: Pest and disease identification 

Content or Curriculum: Clinical diagnoses and trainings  

Inputs: Diagnostic labs and services 

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Substance Use Prevention Programming

Content or Curriculum: Botvin Lifeskills, Strengthening Families, 4-H Health Rocks, Engaging People with Lived Experience (testimonies),

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, health coalitions, schools and school staff

Date: Ongoing

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased awareness and accessibility of Extension resources and programs supporting food access. (initial)

Indicator: 

Number of individuals reporting an increased awareness of how to find and prepare local food including responsible hunting/fishing/foraging. 

Number of policy, systems, and/or environmental changes implemented within communities and organizations to promote active living, and healthy eating, including local food production and/or hunting/foraging and consumption (e.g. local food pantry can accept fresh foods or local game; starting/revitalizing a school or community garden; starting a walking club, etc.). 

Number of individuals who reported increasing their knowledge, skills, or intentions regarding nutrition and accessing healthy foods through Extension programs and resources. 

Number of individuals who were introduced to healthy food access points (e.g. farmers’ markets, CSAs, WIC, food pantries) through Extension programs or resources.  

Method: Pre/post participant evaluations from: NEP agent-led curricula, Food Preservation, Champion Food Volunter Leader Training; the Learning Kitchen Participant follow-up eval. TBD; # of certified Champion Food Volunteers in each county;

 

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration; annual fiscal year (food system impact survey)

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that they applied skills and/or knowledge to prepare healthy snacks for self or family.  

Number of youth who reported that they practiced safe food handling and preparation.  

Number of youth who reported that they practiced kitchen safety. 

Number of youth who reported that they have used the skills and/or knowledge gained to complete a Family Consumer Sciences Project. 

Method: Standard Evaluation Tool for Family Consumer Sciences: Survey

Timeline: End of the program year

Initial Outcome:

 

Outcome: Increased awareness of and use of safe/effective pesticide application methods 

Indicator: 

Number of certified applicators attending continuing education credit Extension events (both private and commercial) 

Number of people self-reporting knowledge gain on integrated pest management techniques  

Number of people self-reporting behavioral changes regarding risk mitigation strategies for pesticide application 

Method: Surveys at CEU events 

 

Outcome: Medium

Indicator: 

Number of youth who reported that have applied the skills they learned in natural resources to other areas of their life, including at home, school and other programs.  

Number of youth who reported that they have taken steps to conserve natural resources.  

Number of youth who reported that they have used their skills and/or knowledge gained to complete a natural resources project.  

Method: Survey 

Timeline: Administered at end of program year/club year

Outcome: Increased knowledge about substance use and its effects (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction, and/or recovery (or related subject matter)

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Outcome: Increased awareness of community resources to support prevention and recovery (initial)

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address substance use/recovery in the community

Method: Program metrics (agents will track and report based on their activities and partnerships related to substance use prevention, addiction, and/or recovery)

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration