Author: Julie N. Zimmerman
Major Program: Staff Development
As I often say, numbers alone do not exist in a vacuum. They are part of a much larger landscape of understanding than simply knowing how much of something exists. In addition to training on how to find and use publically available secondary data, I conduct and provide analyses that examine specific issues for specific audiences. This year, for example, I was asked to speak before the Nutrition Education Program advisory group about trends in employment and unemployment, charac
Continuing to upgrade the skills of county agents is important for all Extension program areas. Organized by Kim Ledger and Chuck Stamper, the 4-H Youth Development Institute is geared toward 4-H agents who have established themselves in the county, and who have begun to take a critical look at their 4-H program and ask “why we do what we do.” As a result of participating in the Institute, agents gain a better understanding of Positive Youth Development concepts, how to a
As part of my Extension program Kentucky: By The Numbers, I conduct custom data analyses by request for audiences across the state. In 2017, I conducted an analysis of limited English proficiency in Kentucky for Nancy Calix at Kentucky State University. The data analysis was part of Kentucky State University’s civil rights compliance guidelines and the results were used in a series of trainings on reaching limited English proficient clients. Estimates from the American Co
Author: Sarah Bowker
Local media and social media are important that individuals and families consult when making decisions about their health, finances, and environment. In central Kentucky, Extension continues its presence on national television affiliates (ABC and CBS). 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Family and Consumer Sciences faculty, specialists, and county agents appear multiple times each month. From July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, UK Extension presented 24 segments in Lexingto
Author: Elisabeth Pohl
In 2017 the UK Extension Leadership Program was launched. This program is a collaboration between staff and faculty in the Department of Community & Leadership Development and CEDIK. The intention of this program is to offer leadership development opportunities to extension personnel across Kentucky enabling them to gain skills and knowledge to better serve their communities. Between July 2017 and June 30 2018 this program offered 16 separate workshops facilitated via online webinars and thr
Author: Pamela Sigler
Building Evaluation CapacityCounty Extension agents and program assistants plan, prepare and conduct programing to meet the needs of local residents. They tend to be so absorbed in their teaching that they take their work for granted and fail to collect information to show the outcomes of their labor. “Logic Model” training was available to all agents via webinars in the spring and fall. Participating agents understood how logic models are used to plan and manage programs, evalu
Author: Karli Giles
I completed the Cooperative Extension Mentorship Program this past year with my mentor, Elizabeth Coots. The mentorship experience was very positive. Elizabeth and I had a formal mentorship experience that lasted roughly ten months. In these ten months, we met both in person and had over the phone conversations. We discussed educational programming, how to advise councils, collaboration/teamwork, how to be involved in my community, and leadership roles to potentially pursue. When I accepted this
Author: Jill Harris
If we’re honest with ourselves, one of the biggest obstacles to improving our programs and ourselves is due to our perceived lack of time. We have filled our schedules with so many activities that we are constantly struggling to balance our work, our family, and our selves. To help extension agents for Family and Consumer Sciences learn how to better prioritize what needs to get done so not everything is a “crisis,” Jones Loflin, co-author of the award-winning book, Juggli
Author: Peggy Jones
~~Volunteer Administration Academy Success StoryVolunteers, a program council and a county action plan for FCS are a must in a successful Extension program. Rowan County was lacking these items for the new FCS agent to work with. In order to achieve both of these in the first year of work the agent needed guidance and assistance.The University Of Kentucky Volunteer Administration Academy is a 9 month program in which Extension Agents may enroll for either graduate or in-service credit. &nb
