Author: Elizabeth Kingsland
Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
The Fayette County Extension Office is located near several larger apartment complexes that house limited resource families and seniors on fixed incomes. This audience is venerable to poor eating habits and lack of food preparation skills that can lead to obesity. To address the needs of people living and working near the Extension office the Family and Consumer Sciences and Nutrition Education Program assistants conduct a once a month class at noon entitled “Cooking the Calendar
Author: Vicki Wynn
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), moderate-intensity level activity for 2.5 hours each week can reduce the risk for obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, depression, colon cancer and premature death. The CDC also considers gardening a moderate-intensity level activity that offers other benefits, as well. In addition to these health benefits, gardens have been scientifically proven to be a stress reliever.Backyard gard
Author: Valerie Holland
West Louisville continues to lose grocery stores classifying it as a “food desert” — an area where there is limited access to healthy and affordable food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that food deserts are not just a problem of convenience but the decreased access contributes to a poor diet and higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases. The Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with a Fres
Author: Caroline Hughes
Robertson County is a low income county of 2191 residents. Approximately 24% live below the poverty level and have trouble accessing nutritious food. Senior citizens make up over 14% of the county's population and many have limited transportation access. The Farmers Market in Mt. Olivet is within walking distance of many residents in town and has become a vital part of their food network.Robertson County Extension Service has become part of this connection. The Family and Consume
Author: Danielle Ford
Each month as I travel into classroom after classroom, and I always come away with learning something new. I bring a new book to read to the preschool, kindergarten and first grade students, teach them some new exercises to get them moving and then we would sample of new food item. I then turn it into a science lesson and have the children make observations about the fruit-its outside appearance, whether it is sweet or not, how big the seed is inside, how it grows, etc. We compare it to other fo
Author: Tamera Magee
The Mason Jar has become a rock star when it comes to food presentation, storage, and decor in showers, weddings, craft projects, etc. In other words, no longer are they used only for food preservation. Partnering with our local library the Franklin County Extension Service taught thirty-nine participants a variety of ways to use Mason Jars for meals. The agent discussed the types and sizes of jars and how to use them for a variety of healthy meals, desserts, and snacks. After sharin
Author: Rita Stewart
Many clients now choose to have their own garden or buy locally grown produce at the local farmers' market in Lincoln County. This Family and Consumer Sciences Agent works very closely with teaching the required certification training for our farmers to participate in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Farmers Market Nutrition Education Program. In doing so, farm families selling at the farmers market may accept the food instruments distributed to qualifying senior citizens and WIC recip
Author: Danielle Barrett
Local Farmers Markets play a key role in the local food system by providing access to fresh and nutritious fruits, vegetables, eggs, and other locally produced goods. The local markets often fill the void in low economic areas, providing these high quality items to all socioeconomic classes.Knox County Extension Office collaborated with the Knox County Farmers’ Market and Knox County Health Department providing promotion and education to seniors on the importance of fruits and vegetables i
Author: M. Elizabeth Coots
Farms are an essential and diverse part of Kentucky’s economy, contributing billions of dollars each year across the State. In Woodford County alone, agriculture and the businesses that support it are responsible for one out of three jobs and $565 million in annual revenue. In an effort to promote agriculture, local farms, and producers in the County, the Woodford County Cooperative Extension Service hosted the first annual Woodford County Farm to Table dinner. The dinner was made po
Author: Mary Hixson
Recipes and menu planning serve as the building blocks for healthy meals and overall diet. Healthy meal patterns that meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are achieved by considering the overall food intake over a period of time and consuming a variety of foods. While individual recipes cannot meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, collectively they can contribute to meeting the recommendations. School food service should include recipes that highlight whole grains; fresh, frozen, canne
Author: Velma Mullins
Our mission is to make a difference in lives of Kentucky families through research based education.Families are learning to make changes that show improvements and new healthy lifestyle behaviors. The Laurel County Extension nutrition education assistants partnered with the First Methodist church to provide nutrition and cooking demonstrations to Laurel County residents to improve their cooking skills and have healthy lifestyles. Twenty one participants attended programs and they learned c
Author: Judith O'Bryan
The Laurel County Farmers Market, the City of London and the Laurel County Extension Office collaborated for the 2nd Annual Farmers Feast. The Farmers Feast program entailed a dinner where all ingredients are locally sourced. Local farmers were highlighted by setting up sample tables and participants were encouraged to meet their local farmers. Agriculture, Horticulture, and Family and Consumer Science Agents worked together to prepare a local dinner that fed 200 participants. The ev
The monthly cooking classes educate consumers on healthy and safe food preparation methods, help participants gain knowledge on different foods and dishes, help stretch food dollars and provide first hand knowledge about recipes provided through the Extension Service. Many of the recipes used also incorporate fruits and vegetables which encourages home use of more fruits and vegetables in the family diet. Cooking Classes have been held for the past 5 years. Surveying participants supported the f
Author: Whitney Paige Alexander
With growing rates of obesity in the state of Kentucky; Logan County has a high percentage over forty percent obesity rate. In today’s society majority of adults complain that they do not have time for physical activity because they are too busy. The University of Kentucky supplied Family Consumer Science agents with a new curriculum “Couch Potato Challenge” to help individuals in the community to become more active by social media. The program focuses on building up to walking
Author: Ruth Chowning
The Bullitt County Extension Service partneredwith the Bullitt County School Board to continue the 21st Century 150,00 Grant for Brooks Elementary School. Four educational classes were offered afterschool to emphasize the need for good nutrition and physical activity. A 10 week program, “Be A Super Healthy Hero”, was implemented focusing on healthy eating and activity behaviors. Of the 25 minority participants, six children reported completing the highest level of physica
Author: Tiffany Bolinger
Having a local Farmers’ Market is an asset for the entire community. Farmers’ Markets not only provide convenient access to fresh local produce, which promotes good nutrition, they also support local farmers and economy.In the spring of 2017 the Founder’s Square Feast committee met together to plan the second annual farm to table event. Community members purchased tickets to a meal which was prepared by a local chef using local produce from Farmers’ Market vendors and ser
The definition of food insecurity is the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. According to Feeding America, Christian County has a food insecurity rate of 18.9% or an estimated 14,020 individuals. Feeding America assists a total of seven pantries, soup kitchens and service organizations in Christian County. The Agent for Family & Consumer Science in Christian County met with the Marketing and Communications Coordinator of Feedin
Author: Nancy Kelley
The District 7 Area Agent for Nutrition Education Programs (NEP) visited 30 DCBS offices in Districts 6 and 7 between July and November 2017. The purpose of the visits was to share information regarding the NEP Healthy Choice program taught by SNAP-Ed and EFNEP program assistants in those counties. Accompanying the Area Agent were the NEP program assistants, and in some cases, the county Family and Consumer Science agent. The visits consisted of an introduction to UK Cooperative Extension, the N
