Author: Miranda Rudolph
Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness
Graves County was one of the many communities deeply impacted by the December 10, 2021 Quad State Tornado. Mayfield Grain Company, a large grain elevator in the heart of Mayfield, took a direct hit in this storm and ultimately chose to permanently close their doors at this location. According to the USDA, Graves County is the 8th largest sized county, the 5th largest county in grain production, and 1st in Ag Receipts in Kentucky. At full capacity, Mayfield Grain stored over 6.5 million bushels o
Author: Kayla Lunsford
First Aid and Emergency Preparedness is a topic that many homemakers in the Fort Harrod Area wanted to become more knowledgeable on. In moments of panic, it can be intimidating to spring into action due to fear of causing further harm, bystander effect, or just lack of preparedness. In order to build confidence in the Fort Harrod Homemakers, the FCS Agents wanted to equip the group with knowledge and tools to be able to act quickly and effectively. An area wide p
Author: Melissa Morgan (Newman)
The mission of protecting the entire family, including pets and livestock, has been a driving force behind evolving disaster response strategies over the past decade. This shift prompted a revision of animal emergency management practices, led by a collaborative effort funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Care.The USDA, in a collaborative effort with the University of Kentucky, the National Alliance of State A
With few resources available for testing local disaster response to animal issues, the 2018 launch of LADDER: Local Approach to Discussion-Based Disaster Exercises and Readiness was a significant step. This initiative, funded through the Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grant Program, aimed to enhance local emergency operations plans (EOPs) and bolster communities' ability to handle animal issues during disasters. Now, we seek further support for LADDER: Local Approach to Discussion-Bas
Author: Leah VanMeter
Emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime, with or without warning. In the past few years, Kentucky has had its share of disasters leading to emergencies across the state- from tornado, fires, and floods. These recent natural disasters highlight the importance of preparedness for individuals, families, and communities. Emergencies can also be less widespread and just as severe- localized power outages, deaths in the family, car wrecks, etc. Once again these situations highlight our need to be pre
Author: Shad Baker
Unless you've ever lost a loved one to an unexpected tragedy, you cannot relate to the traumatic impact of a house fire. On top of the extreme personal loss of loved ones comes the added burden from loss of housing, memories, financial resources and family legacies. Each year, Kentucky suffers 8.5 deaths per every 1000 fires. This is 39.3% higher than the national average of 6.1; an appalling number. To address this problem in Letcher County, the Extension Office teamed with the Sandlic
Author: Jeremy Williams
Being prepared for life’s disasters, can help get us thru many storms. Learning to be prepared as a youth impacts you for a lifetime. The Harlan County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent along with Harlan County Emergency Management created the Harlan County Youth Preparedness Program. Three students from Harlan County High School participated in and graduated from the after-school program to learn more about disaster preparedness and how to react during those events. &nbs
Author: Krista Perry
It’s not if it will happen in your community, it’s when will a disaster happen in your community? In Henry County, there have been multiple disaster impacts, some natural and some not. With Henry County housed near two major interstates, disasters related to hauling animals have occurred, raising concern and a need for awareness about disasters involving animals. The Henry County Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Family and Consumer Science
Author: Cameron Sellers
University of Kentucky reported a learning gap in the procedures and communication between agents, stakeholders, and upper leadership. This was identified throughout the two most recent disasters. The first disaster which demonstrated this gap was the 2021 December EF4 Tornado in Western Kentucky. The second disaster which represented this gap was the flash flood in Eastern Kentucky July 2022. University of Kentucky led 6 trainings across the state of Kentucky to fill this gap along with two pre
Author: Teresa Garcia
Although most of the available land in Trigg County is used for agriculture, many people are not aware of the dangers found on farms. The Trigg County Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the Progressive Ag Farm Safety Day, local businesses and volunteers, provided our 4th grade students with an opportunity to learn about farms, equipment, and related safety issues. We are thankful that we have been able to host Farm Safety Day for the past 15 years with the help of all the voluntee
Author: Jessica Morris
Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Where there is a farm, there is always a home nearby. Farm and home safety is often overlooked even though it is a key component to success. Breathitt Co and Wolfe Co ANR and FCS Agents as well as Farm Bureaus collaborated for a joint Safety Program. The Field Day was held at the UK Robinson Center for Appalachian Resources Sustainability in Breathitt County. New this year, participants had the option to select which
Author: Reed Graham
Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Where there is a farm, there is always a home nearby. Farm and home safety is often overlooked even though it is a key component to success. Breathitt Co and Wolfe Co ANR and FCS Agents as well as Farm Bureaus collaborated for a joint Safety Program. The Field Day was held at the UK Robinson Center for Appalachian Resources Sustainability in Breathitt County. New this year, participants had the option to select which track
Author: Benjamin Rudy
Amateur Radio, also known as Ham Radio, is a hobby that is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide from the ages of young children to the elderly and across all cultures. The hobby unfortunately consists of elderly operators, until the recent years of Covid-19 where there has been an explosion of newly licensed operators looking for something to do and communicate with others. The Fulton County Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent held an introductory class in January 2023 to the
Author: Ashley Vice
Kentuckians have experienced firsthand how natural disasters can occur any time and often with little warning. Disasters take many forms, and we can feel their impacts across most areas of family life. Because there is no “one-size-fits-all” disaster model, planning community outreach can be challenging, and Cooperative Extension is often involved in disaster preparation and response at the local level. As a result of local needs, the County Extension Agent for Family and
Author: Robert Amburgey
The problem:Getting timely information to a disconnected population provides a whole new set of challenges. This is especially important when the information may impact the lives of those affected. The drowning of five kids from an Amish family in Bath County, and the recent lightening strike of an Amish farmer, also in Bath County, are prime examples of this fact. The educational program responseIn response to these events, a taskforce was established made up of members from t
