Author: Rachel Gillespie
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kentuckians experienced a new medium of staying connected and developed a unique way of interacting with their local Cooperative Extension Offices and Agents. The Family Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension has gradually developed their online presence on social platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, as the importance and connectedness of these technologies evolved as well. However, the unprecedented shift the coronavirus pandemic forced families’ and individ
Author: Alta Hutchison
When the Covid 19 Pandemic hit, face to face contacts with clients had to cease for the Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Assistant. The EFNEP Assistant decided to focus on gardening. Wayne County had one school garden but there were none in the county for public use.Adanta Clinical wanted to work more hands on with their clients on gardening. Monticello Head Start wanted a raised bed where their children could see things growing and actually eat what they
With school being closed due to COVID 19, the Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Assistant wasn’t able to finish her last face-to-face lesson with the 224+ kindergarten students at Walker Early Learning Center and Immanuel Christian Academy. The EFNEP Assistant partnered with school principals, teachers, FCS Agent and Fine Arts Assistant to design and implement a Youtube video to cover the final early elementary lesson on dairy. Assistant read a dairy book and di
When the Covid 19 pandemic led to Healthy at Home and Healthy at Work guidelines the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Assistant was not able to conduct face to face contacts with her families. A large percentage of her caseload work was at a local factory where she conducted lessons during their lunch hour. Most of her families have restricted phone use and only turn their phone on to accept calls at a late hour. They are text only during the day.Since it w
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults eat at least 2 to 3 cups per day of vegetables as part of a healthy eating pattern. Data taken from CDC’s 2018 State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables states, only 6.3% of Kentucky adults meet the daily vegetable intake recommendation. With fruit and vegetable consumption being extremely low, the Wayne County Extension office decided to start a Victory Garden for a local adult daycare that
Author: Nellie Buchanan
Supplying supplemental food to senior citizens on limited incomes is a rewarding task. In collaboration with the KY Dept of Ag CSPF program/God's Pantry Food Bank, Morgan County Extension homemakers volunteer to package 324 food boxes monthly. This effort supplies 600 lbs. of cheese, 300 qts shelf stable fluid milk, 300 packages dry instant milk, 300 half gallons of fruit juice, 900 cans of fruit, 1200 cans each of 2 different vegetables 600 boxes cereal, 600 lbs. pasta, 600 lbs.
Author: Anna Morgan
In an effort to safely engage clientele in an exciting new way, the Fulton County Recipe Club was started. Only 8 percent of Kentucky adults eat enough fruit, and about 6 percent eat enough vegetables, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent report on U.S. fruit and vegetable consumption. Eating enough fruits and vegetables is an important lifestyle factor in the prevention against heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers and obesity. In re
Author: Michele West
Within the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Nutrition Education Program, educational program delivery faced numerous challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. By embracing technology and adapting program materials and delivery methods, opportunities emerged for NEP Extension personnel to thrive. Among the modifications implemented included the expansion of the NEP public-interfacing website with new content and videos; translation of curricula from in-person to a virtual delivery format; and i
Author: Jacqueline Walters
Feeding America projected Kentucky to be among the top ten most food insecure states in 2021, at 15.1%. As in the rest of the United States, food insecurity in Kentucky was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. During the previous year, many Kentucky families who had never experienced food insecurity previously found themselves relying on public assistance and food pantries for sustenance. Unfortunately, recipients of donated food often didn't know how to prepare what they
Author: Benita Wade
The SNAP-Ed assistant in Christian County taught the nutrition and health curriculum ‘Teen Cuisine’, to middle school students at a 3 week summer day camp. Of all subjects covered which included food safety, reading food labels and nutrition, the students were m
Author: Angie York
In the Pennyrile Area of Kentucky, grain milling is a rich part of the agricultural history. In order to help Homemakers in the Pennyrile area better understand how wheat growth, production, and processing fit into the local food system, an area seminar entitled Mills to Meals was offered. The seminar was presented by the Pennyrile Area Homemakers in partnership with Alissa Keller from the Pennyroyal Area Museum in Hopkinsville who talked about the history of grist mills in Christi
Author: Brooke Hogancamp
Although an agricultural region, when it comes to available fresh produce, Carlisle County is lacking. With no notable producers of local fruits or vegetables, there is no farmer's market available in the entire county. Two local supermarkets provide the only available fresh options within over 20 miles. With that in mind, Ag and FCS Extension recognized a need and opportunity to provide the community with education, resources, and a small start up project. Gardening T
Due to the Covid-19 related restrictions, Extension agents had to be creative in designing programs for the spring of 2021. The pandemic has brought many new challenges to families in Fulton County. However, one of the more positive outcomes has been a revival of home gardening and importance of family togetherness. The Fulton County Cooperative Extension Service Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Science, 4-H and Youth Development all partnered together to d
Author: Keenan Bishop
When the pandemic reached the US and we entered lock-down, the Frankfort-Franklin County Emergency Management Center asked for volunteers to donate their time, items or space - for whatever may come. Since the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service (FCCES) was closed to the public and Extension Agents were limited in what they could provide to the public, FCCES agents agreed to offer their time and the building space, if needed.The Frankfort-Franklin County Emergency Management Center off
Author: Caroline Durr
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides benefits to low-income households to supplement their food budgets. As of June 2021, in Jefferson County, 47,638 households consisting of 98,176 individuals were utilizing SNAP benefits (CHFS DCBS, 2021). Many SNAP recipients may not possess a knowledge of how to purchase, prepare and store healthy foods. To bridge this gap, the Kentucky Nutrition Education Programs provides nutrition education with a goal of improving individual&rsqu
Author: Courtney Luecking
The lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life in early childhood can have lasting effects on brain development, learning, social interaction, and overall health. More than one of every six children living in South Central Kentucky do not have access to adequate resources for healthy foods during this critical period of development. Yet, approximately 30% of produced foods end up in a landfill. In response to a grant funding announcement to improve food security of chil
Author: Kati Noble
In March 2020, COVID-19 hit our community shutting down many businesses. The Nutrition Education Program (NEP) addressed the need by media trainings to help NEP assistants reach their clients. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed) Assistant enrolled in these trainings to learn how to use ZOOM virtual classroom to reach clients. Having a resource to provide services to Kentucky River Community Care Solutions, is vital to their recovery process. The Breathitt County SNAP-Ed
Author: Sarah Drysdale
Air Fryers have become the newest kitchen appliance that is a must for those wanting to have their fried foods without all the saturated fats, salts, and cholesterol. To increase consumer awareness of the versatility of an air fryer, the Ballard County FCS agent hosted the All Things Air Fryer program. The program discussed the what an air fryer is, how it works, the health benefits, and all the uses. Along with comparing the appliance to traditional frying methods. FCS agent also gave a demonst
