Author: Joann Lianekhammy
Major Program: Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)-1809 grant funds were awarded to the University of Kentucky (UK) Cooperative Extension Service for increasing access to healthier foods and active living resources in Martin County, Kentucky. This year the grant team was able to re-engage a faith-based organization and formed a strong working partnership to start a community garden. The UK CDC-1809 grant team developed and provided a community garden planning guide. The planning guide contained practical informa
Author: Melinda McCulley
During FY22 Family and Consumer Sciences Extension continued to maintain community engagement of our clientele to ensure that they were informed and active members who were contributing to their own well-being. Through interactive, online programming efforts FCS Extension reached nearly 700,000 people this year. Not only were some of these people exposed to extension programming for the first time, but they received relevant, research-based education that was important for their fami
Creating social connections has long been a staple of Family and Consumer Sciences Extension programming. During the global pandemic, maintaining connectedness while adhering to isolation and social distancing protocols, became a challenge necessary to overcome. The Big Blue Book Club was established as an outreach effort to build engagement through learning and relationship building in a safe format. The virtual club includes participants statewide and continues to serve as a
Author: Laura Weddle
Farmers and farmworkers consistently report high levels of stress associated with commodity production and rural living. The culmination of rural living, farm work, and stress is associated with elevated rates of suicide in farming occupations. A mutual partnership was created between the UK Cooperative Extension Service and the UK College of Nursing to develop the BARN Farm Workshop and Dinner Theater on mental wellness and suicide prevention in response to farmer stress and suicide. UK Coopera
Farmers and persons residing in rural areas consistently report elevated levels of stress associated with farming and rural living. The combined effects of farming, rural mental health challenges and their stressors have shown associations with higher rates of suicide in farming occupations and in Kentucky. To address rural mental health challenges, farm stress, and suicide among youth and in rural communities, a mutual partnership was created between the UK Cooperative Extension Service and the
Author: John Fourqurean
Over the past 2 years, we have all learned new ways to connect with people. Even during a global pandemic, businesses found ways to continue to meet the needs of their clientele and families found ways to stay connected without gathering in person. Stepping out of our comfort zones to learn new skills quickly became the new normal. The pandemic is nearly over, but learning and adapting to new ways to connect to our clientele is still a priority. After attending a p
Author: Daniel Allen
According to Stanford’s center of longevity one of the primary reasons that people do not volunteer is that they have not been asked. In this same study it states that a way of retaining volunteers is to make sure that organizations are matching the skills and expertise of their volunteers so they have ownership and pride in their volunteer work. One of the most challenging issues that surrounds the County Extension Council system, within the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, i
Author: Vicki Boggs
Partnerships and Community Care! Family and Consumer Sciences, Leslie County Extension helps families, individuals and community manage challenges and provide community care. Two main concerns for our county are our senior citizen population and the high rate of substance abuse. According to Kentucky by the Numbers 2019 data sheets, almost 18% of our population is 65 or over. Also, according to data from The 2019 Kentucky Extension Community Assessment Statewide Report, high rates of
Author: Edith Lovett
“Habitat for Humanity Building a House”Pulaski County Extension is concerned about the health, mental and physical development of its people in the county. They also care about the housing needs of the community and what they can do to help others have a better lifestyle. Pulaski County’s Habitat for Humanity volunteers builds a house yearly to help a deserving family have a place they can call their home. Workin
