Author: Sally Mineer
Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association Leadership Academy-This academy was held in March 2020 with 25 leaders, 6 committee members and 2 advisors attending. This two-day workshop focused on leadership styles, parliamentary procedure, communication skills, understanding personalities and growth for the organization. I served as an advisor to help lead and carry out this workshop and to facilitate the group over the next two years. These participants had to return back home a
Author: Deborah Shepherd
Strong leadership skills are important for a vital Extension Homemaker program. These learned leadership skills also benefit other community organizations in which members participate. Extension Homemakers reported difficulties in recruiting new officers, maintaining membership interest in club activities and membership recruitment. They had also reported still feeling a lack of connection since covid-19 restrictions and limitations over the past two years. Our Adventur
Author: Kelly May
The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) has been working to improve the quality of life for families locally and globally for more than 90 years through leadership development, volunteer service and education. Cooperative Extension professionals partner with, provide research-based education for and advise KEHA at the local and state level as members develop and implement educational programs and projects. The program of work for KEHA is organized under eight state educational progr
Author: Jennifer Bridge
Covid greatly impacted participation in the Extension Homemaker program in Meade County. Restrictions made it difficult to interact and as a result a loss in membership occurred. To address challenges facing the organization, the Lincoln Trail Area Extension Homemaker Council participated in a day long program aimed at identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as well as ways to market programs, reach out to potential new members as well as engage current members.
Author: Brenda Cockerham
Johnson County Extension Homemakers continue to be the top effort of FCS towards leadership development efforts. This year Homemakers excelled once again on a number of fronts. One was appointed as the state Marketing Chair, three took on the role of renewing the Holiday Happenings event (an event that hosts around 40 vendors, and over 400 attendees); three more have consistently been working toward the development of the PLANET project (an environmental project of which they received a sta
Author: Kristi Shive
Warren County’s main shelter for the homeless population is often stretched beyond capacity. To deal with overcrowding, guests usually are only allowed one extended stay per year. The few spaces for families fill quickly in the winter months and women’s beds are also at a premium. Room in the Inn Bowling Green was established to assist those that cannot stay at the permanent year-round shelter. Room in the Inn contacted Kristi Shive, Warren County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent,
Author: Dylan Gentry
The Adair County Homemakers Association consists of nearly 150 active and diverse members. Following a somewhat return to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic, homemakers were excited to restart activities. Adair County Homemaker pride themselves in being involved in the community. Since January of 2022, the homemakers have played a key role in assisting extension activities. Of particular importance is the following...The Happy Homemaker Club assisted in packaging fruit snack samples for the loca
Being an informed citizen entails being knowledgable about how state government functions, because it effects your every day life. Your local schools systems funding, your road quality, and hot topic issues are all effected by your elected officials in Frankfort. The general assembly being in-session in Frankfurt, not to mention it being a budget year, means that there is an increased amount of conversations happening around the political process. How is a bill passed, who are your
Author: Chelsea Young
The purpose of expanding Owen County Homemakers to include a brand new club, Home & Heart, is to increase our membership, reach a younger audience in addition to our senior members, and encourage efficient and proper food storage, among other healthy home activities. We want to promote that Homemakers has something to offer for all of those wishing to bring heart to their home, no matter their age, occupation, or household management style. This new Homemaker Club intends to explore ma
Author: Andrea Slone
Community leadership is essential to for community sustainability, development, and to help strengthen families. Floyd County Family and Consumer Sciences and Floyd County Extension Homemakers has developed strong leadership through its programming.Floyd County Extension Homemakers currently has a membership of 52 members. There has been a decline in membership due to COVID-19, but leadership has grown significantly within the members. One member started out as a club member back in the 2010s an
Author: Lynnette Allen
The Covid pandemic has been difficult for many Extension Homemakers across Kentucky. Many have lost loved ones and have been isolated from family and friends for two years. Regular club meetings, workshops and events has been cancelled, leaving many members idle and feeling withdrawn from their communities. In August 2021 a special area event was planned to help build unity and momentum for the Lincoln Trail Extension Homemakers as they kicked-off the 2021-22 program year. &nbs
Author: Kenna Knight
Community service projects and educational leadership by Extension Homemaker members have a major impact in Pendleton County. Extension Homemakers learn leadership skills then use those skills volunteering in the community. In the past several years, volunteer service hours were valued now at $29.75 per hour. Pendleton County Extension Homemakers reported over 100,000 hours in Extension service, civic, church, school, and other organizations providing the community over the past two years
Author: Julia Wilson
According to its website, the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) is a volunteer organization that works to improve the quality of life for families and communities through leadership development, volunteer service, and education. County homemaker organizations provide leadership opportunities to its members through filling an office, teaching a lesson, chairing an activity, and being a part of many local associations. Most importantly, it provides companionship and lifelong friends
Author: Cathy Sparks
There were many goals that I set for myself when hired as a new Family and Consumer Sciences agent, three years ago. One of my goals was to establish some new homemakers’ clubs in areas of the county that were under-served. The Covid 19 Pandemic created a challenge in allowing me to achieve that goal. However, I was able to establish one new club in the southern portion of the county, which has never had a club before. Establishing a connection with someone in that
Author: Alivia Faris
“Spilling the Tea” about Diverse CulturesThe Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association prides itself on supporting the exploration and understanding of diverse cultures. Scott County has one of the largest membership of the KEHA organization and strives to support the organization's missions. With this in mind, the Scott County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) prioritized international education and organized an event for not only Scott County homemakers, bu
Adair County recently hired a new Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, Dylan Gentry. Adair County had been without a FCS Agent since before the pandemic, but despite this local homemaker membership numbers stayed consistent. Dylan quickly got to work offering workshops based on feedback he received from stakeholders who contacted him welcoming him to the position. A strong supporter of him while he was becoming orientated to his position was his homemaker council. With
Research suggests that leadership and the way people feel about their communities are related to the overall success of rural communities (Ginsberg, 2011). When we think about how to make our communities a success, we need to direct our focus to the community leaders and how we can help them be successful in their skills and abilities. By reaching those important leaders we can give them the tools they need to return to their communities with motivation and ideas. This scenario led t
Author: Tamera Magee
One and two-person households are the fastest-growing segments of the population. Whether at home or dining out, eating healthy is important. This lesson encouraged participants to create and enjoy great meals at home, as well as how to choose healthy selections when eating out alone or with friends. The FCS agent taught this lesson to 15 club leaders who will share this information with their club members reaching approximately 75 across the area. The lesson promoted following MyPlate reco
