Author: Luciana Hockersmith
Major Program: Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General
Given the pandemic circumstances that prevented Extension Offices from holding in-person meetings, the Mercer County Interagency Council had been unable to meet for four months since the Mercer County office hosted the regular monthly meeting. In July, the Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences offered to host the meetings via Zoom. The first virtual meeting was held in August with over 25 participants; subsequent monthly meetings have been facilitated by the FCS Agent an
According to 2010 US Census Bureau statistics, the racial makeup of Mercer County is estimated to be 91.9% white, 3.5% black, 2.4% latino, 0.4% asian and 2% or less of american indian or alaskan native , native hawaiian or pacific islander. These numbers indicate that Mercer County, in terms of racial diversity, is recognizably behind the state averages. With limitations on racial diversity, the Mercer County Cooperative Extension Service in collaboration with more than 20 local businesses
Author: Levi Berg
Henry County is a smaller rural county of just over 16,000 residents (2019 census), and the county has grown by 4.6% from 2010 to 2019 (2019 census) due to individuals moving from urban to rural areas. With this growth, residents wanted to feel connected to county events. This is conclusion was gained through the University of Kentucky Community Assessment Survey in 2018, and the number one item which individuals stated was most important was to feel more connected with county and community even
Author: Laura Weddle
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), farmers are at the top of list for having the highest suicide rates of all major industry and occupational groups. The CDC further reports that the suicide rate among farm workers (ages 16-64) has jumped 34% from 12.9 suicides per 100,000 workers in 2000 to 17.3 per 100,000 workers in 2016. Suicides among farmers are 1.5 times higher than the national average and are probably higher because some farm suicides may be masked as far
Author: Raul Villanueva
Supporting an Amish Community in IPM activities in Cerulean, Trigg County Since 2017, I have been collaborating with the Amish community in Trigg County. Every year this community improve their management practices to control the sugarcane aphid, an invasive pest that was causing devastating problems on forage, grain and sweet sorghum across the USA since it first finding in 2013. Stating in 2018 and up to this date, this community was open to suggestions and to my advice to reduce this pes
Author: Melinda McCulley
During FY20-21 Family and Consumer Sciences Extension recognized the need to maintain community engagement of our clientele to ensure that they were informed and active members who were contributing to their own well-being. While the global pandemic brought a series of challenges for typical Extension programming, it also gave us the opportunity to open our “doors” to a broader audience than we had previously reached.Through interactive, online programming efforts we reached ne
Author: Alyssa Cox
In March 2021, many counties in Eastern KY saw historic flooding. Homes destroyed, vehicles damaged, livestock swept away. The agents and staff of the Wolfe County Extension Office wanted to help their neighboring counties by acting as a centralized location to receive donation items for victims of the flood. Over the course of several weeks many items were brought to the Office: cleaning supplies, air mattresses, fans, water hoses, food, clothing, toiletries, etc.
Author: Christy Stearns
One of the most rewarding aspects of working during Covid-19 has been the engagement of youth leaders in FCS Extension and community programs. Through partnership with the 21st Century Community Service Club, an average of 14 high school leaders have participated in the monthly commodities food distribution program since November. Many of these young leaders are virtual and co-op students who voluntarily give of their time because they understand the impact of hunger on our families. Furthermore
Author: Jessica Bessin
Despite global pandemic circumstances, Mercer County Cooperative Extension Agents and staff continued the collaborations with Mercer County Fair & Horse Show Board and Mercer County FFA to develop plans to continue with its long standing, rich tradition of the county fair. Extension Agents worked diligently with the Mercer County Health Department and Mercer County Judge Executive to develop a plan approved to hold Open Class and 4-H Floral Hall events, as well as Livestock Shows. &nbs
Author: Robert Amburgey
The Bath County Extension ag program began work with the Bath County Disaster and Emergency Services coordinator, the east region director and the national weather service office in Jackson Kentucky to develop a series of informational meetings, brochures and alert systems to inform vulnerable populations, such as the Amish community in Bath County of impending weather events. This task force is the first in the nation, that we know of, that is working to develop ways to prevent loss of li
Despite global pandemic circumstances, Mercer County Cooperative Extension Agents and staff continued the collaborations with Mercer County Fair & Horse Show Board and Mercer County FFA to develop plans to continue with its long standing, rich tradition of the county fair. Extension Agents worked diligently with the Mercer County Health Department and Mercer County Judge Executive to develop a plan approved to hold Open Class and 4-H Floral Hall events, as well as Livestock Shows (Beef
