Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Economic Development
The Simpson County Extension Office moved to its current location in 1986, an old post office building. The Extension building was owned by the County until 2018 when it was deeded to the Simpson County Extension Service. Since 1986 the Extension Office had not been renovated so the District Board voted to renovate the upstairs office space in 2019. However, before renovations began the Extension Office downstairs flooded with 6 inches of water from door to door in February 201
Author: Tracy Cowles
The Community Assessment conducted through Focus Groups identified Community & Economic Development as an important issue for Butler County. The local Extension Agents presented the information to each programs council and to the Butler County Extension Council. The County Extension Council identified rural development clubs as a way the extension service could address community and economic development. The five Rural Development Clubs functioning here are a great example of a program that
Author: Jonathan Barton
Hyden, KY partners developed a successful $60,000 grant application in response to feedback received from the First Impressions, UK design students and and other programming offered as part of the Promise Zone Downtown Revitalization project. The community contributed $16,475 in in-kind as part of this effort to create two public sculptures, a community garden, outdoor classroom and develop a recently purchased downtown building into a culture house featuring local historic memorabilia an
Author: Cecelia Hostilo
The Trigg County FCS agent partnered with the Pennyrile Allied Community Services group and Sanctuary Domestic Violence Shelter to provide classes on the basics of budgeting as a money management skill. There were a total of 21 participants in the classes. As a result of the classes, 100% reported gaining knowledge related to financial management, gaining knowledge that could be used while facing specific economic situations, and making a sound financial decision.The partnership for
Author: Marsha Hagler
The Nelson County 4-H Council has a strong history of supporting the youth development program financially through their fundraising efforts. Through this support they are able to offset cost for volunteers to receive continuing education, for program participants to attend leadership conference and 4-H camp, and to provide scholarship funding for graduating seniors. For the sixth year, Nelson County 4-H Council members with the help of the County Cooperative Extension Agents f
Author: Audrey Myers
In our community of Campbellsville we have a number of very talented artists, makers & musicians. We also want to grow our farmers market to promote local foods and farmers throughout our county and central Kentucky. As a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, one of my tasks is to provide programs that improve community and economic development. The FCS Extension Agent collaborated with the Campbellsville Main Street Association to bring a new market to Campbellsville called
Author: Christopher Cribbs
In order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic, multiple Kentucky small businesses reduced their operations temporarily and others were temporarily closed. Research has shown that most minority small business owners were cash strap due to little to no access to funds before the COVID-19 Pandemic. Much beloved minority-owned businesses will close their doors permanently without financial aid. On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 bi
Author: Thomas Miller
Started in 2017, to replace its predecessor “Ballard County Ag Day”, “WAVE AG Day” has become a very big event in the four River counties of west Kentucky. On the 18 of July, over 300 people gathered at Columbus Belmont Park for the 3rd Annual WAVE ag day, to fellowship, tour the vendor booths and to reveal the 2019 Famer of the Year, Ag business of the Year and several other awards that were presented. WAVE short for West Kentucky Alliance for a Vibrant Econo
Author: Linda McClanahan
In light of COVID-19, Mercer County Cooperative Extension Agents and staff teamed up with Mercer County Fair & Horse Show Board and Mercer County FFA to develop a plan that would allow Mercer County to continue with its long standing, rich tradition of the county fair. Mercer County 4-H and ANR agents worked diligently with Mercer County FFA advisors to develop a set of guidelines which will allow the livestock shows to happen safely for exhibitors and staff alike. Then they work
Author: Ronald Hustedde
The Extension specialist led business planning workshops for high school students and teachers in the coal-dependent counties of Eastern Kentucky to develop entrepreneurial approaches for using abandoned coal mine sites. Student teams from ten high schools developed innovative written business proposals and oral and visual presentations that included market analyses, competitive advantages, financial projections and feasability, management team assets and other aspects.
Author: Esther "Susan" Turner
Animal welfare has been a topic of concern in Monroe County for several years. Without an animal shelter, the county and city were lacking a humane option for citizens to take unwanted animals which led to animals being dumped or simply abandoned when individuals moved. Animals that were found stray and taken in by the county dog warden were euthanized after a five day holding period and with no organized way to find the animal’s owners if it was simply lost, several pets were
Author: Jeremy Williams
In fall of 2010, Harlan County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, along with the Cumberland Tourist Commission, community members, coal mining company officials and coal mining enforcement agency officials met to discuss a training program (Harlan County Safety Days) for coal miners in the region. A need that was identified was to hold a Mine Rescue Training event for coal company mine rescue teams in the immediate area and surrounding states. Per federal law, ea
