Success Stories - Kentucky Extension Reporting System

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Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Cooperative Extension Service

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Impacts

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Fiscal Year: 2025

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Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Art Project Camp

Author: Mary Harless

Major Program: Communications & Expressive Arts

Youth in our area often lack the skills and resources needed to express themselves in a meaningful and impactful way. We have observed that this challenge coincides with a lack of art programming available to local youth. As a result, we’ve seen a decline in art projects within our county in recent years. To address these issues, I organized a three-day art camp for local youth.The camp was open to ages 9-18 and focused on various techniques across multiple mediums. Each day, participants

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Sewing Project Camp

Author: Mary Harless

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Youth in our area often lack access to traditional skills such as sewing. If they do have access, it is usually limited, and supplies are not readily available. As a result, we have observed a decline in sewing projects in our county in recent years. To address these challenges, I collaborated with our FCS agent and a master clothing volunteer to organize a four-day sewing camp for local youth.The sewing series was open to ages 9-18 and focused on essential skills such as operating sewing machin

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Agriculture Leadership Makes a Difference

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development

Describe the Issue or Situation.The problem: Agriculture, like any industry needs leaders to promote it so that it continues to grow.The educational program response: In 2012,Muhlenberg County corn and soybean farmer Brent Gatton, approached this agent about participating in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment program known as (KALP) Kentucky Ag Leadership Program. His nomination to participate in the two year leadership program was successful.The particip

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Where Does Your Money Go?

Author: Stephanie Hestand

Major Program: Financial Education - General

The Monroe County Middle School Family Resource Coordinator reached out to the Monroe County Family and Consumer Science Agent requesting the agent to visit and do a financial education program for the parents/guardians of middle school students who were needing help with financing tips and budgeting ideas. With this information being shared to the parents/guardians, the Family Resource Coordinator hopes that they will pass the financial education along to their children.Upon visit, the Monroe C

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Holiday Road Show 2024

Author: Lorie Adams

Major Program: Financial Education - General

This year, the Quicksand Area Holiday Road Show brought festive inspiration and practical solutions to 238 participants across eight counties: Wolfe, Perry, Owsley, Letcher, Leslie, Lee, Knott, and Breathitt. Led by the collaborative efforts of the Quicksand Area Extension Agents, this annual event focused on providing cost-effective holiday ideas to reduce financial stress while enhancing seasonal celebrations. Describe the Issue or Situation The holiday season often brings joy but al

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Fire & Electrical Safety for Farmers

Author: Jason Phillips

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - ANR

Farming is one of the most stressful and potentially hazardous occupations in the United States.  There are many inherent physical risks involving potentially hazardous chemicals, navigating rural roadways with large equipment, grain bin hazards, equipment accidents and malfunctions, and the list goes on and on.  Extreme pressure and fluctuating markets can also place excessive amounts of mental pressure and anguish on farmers leading to a reduction in mental health.  Currently, t

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4-H Youth Take Center Stage at the County Fair

Author: Lisa Dodson

Major Program: Communications & Expressive Arts

The McCracken County 4-H youth made an incredible impact during the 2024 4-H division of the county fair, showcasing their talents and dedication across a variety of project areas. From arts, foods, forestry, natural resources, needlework, and sewing the fair celebrated creativity, hard work, and the power of learning through 4-H.Record-Breaking Participation and Recognition This year saw 157 youth participating in the 4-H fair, a testament to the program's growing reach and appeal. Amo

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Newspaper Partnership

Author: Matthew Chadwick

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

Describe the Issue or SituationNon-extension groups and diverse community members in Calloway County often lack awareness of available agricultural programs and resources. Traditional communication methods have not effectively reached certain populations, limiting engagement and participation in programs addressing topics such as sustainable farming and home gardening.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable)To address this issue, I collaborated with The

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Mindful Me

Author: Julia Wilson

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being – 4-H Youth Development

Mental health is a vital part of children’s overall health and well-being; it includes children’s mental, emotional, and behavioral wellness. According to the American Psychological Association, recent studies have shown that children’s mental health has been negatively affected over the past few years from social media and the Covid-19 pandemic.  Learning to be mindful has had a positive effect on children’s mental health. The Hart County 4-H Agent partnered wi

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Newsletter Format Changes

Author: Matthew Chadwick

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

Newsletter Format Changes

Describe the Issue or Situation The traditional ANR newsletter primarily targeted agricultural producers and landowners. While effective for reaching this audience, it limited outreach to underserved groups such as small farmers, homeowners, and gardeners. Additionally, the content and distribution format constrained opportunities for volunteer engagement and the ability to update event information efficiently.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicabl

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Cattlemen's Annual Meeting Educational Program

Author: Matthew Chadwick

Major Program: Beef

Cattlemen's Annual Meeting Educational Program

Issue or SituationDuring previous educational meetings, capacity limitations of the extension meeting space created an uncomfortable environment for participants, with overcrowded seating and poor conditions for effective learning. This restricted interaction and reduced the overall quality of the educational experience, making it difficult for attendees to engage fully with the material.Outreach or Educational Program ResponseTo address the issue of overcrowding and improve the learning environ

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Wits Workout

Author: Teresa Garcia

Major Program: Aging-General

According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, Alzheimer’s disease is a growing public health crisis in Kentucky. The impact of Alzheimer’s is projected to rise, and the most recent data shows the following:81,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in Kentucky.11.2% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.157,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Kentucky.302 million hours of unpaid care provided by Alzheimer&rs

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A New Take on Leader Lessons

Author: Ruth Chowning

Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

In the past, the Louisville Area Extension Homemaker members participated in individual monthly leader lessons presented at each county's Extension office. Each lesson was taught by one Family & Consume Sciences agent who traveled to each of the seven counties in the area. However, these lessons often had low attendance, which led to concerns about the program’s effectiveness and use of resources. The Area Extension Homemaker Council recognized the need for a more efficie

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4-H Horticulture Club

Author: Jessica Hopkins

Major Program: Agriculture

The Harrison County 4-H program is very active and provides opportunities for youth to learn about many different aspects of agriculture and family and consumer sciences.  At the beginning of 2017 there were 184 student enrolled in 4-H and approximately 140 were active in 4-H special interest groups in the county.  Seeing that there were many programs offered but none of them were directed toward horticulture, the Harrison County Horticulture Agent saw a need for a 4-H Horticulture Clu

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Solar Panel Project

Author: Keenan Bishop

Major Program: Economic and Business Development - CED

The Franklin County Extension District Board voted to take advantage of the Solarize Frankfort process and federal government rebates to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery back-up system to supply nearly 100% of the office’s net annual electricity needs. The 45 kilowatt (AC) project will use 164 solar PV panels and four Tesla Powerwall batteries. The 164-panel solar array is expected to supply 98% of the Extension office’s net annual electricity needs, using a net metering

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Lifeskills Inc., Lincoln Way, Active Day, and Medical Center Adult Day.

Author: Kimberly Harriford

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

The problem was the lack of knowledge regarding nutrition, hygiene, and basic well-being.The educational program response was educating four different on nutrition, hygiene, and basic well-being.The participants/target audience was youth of various ages.Other partners (if applicable)Program impact or participant response was presentations on nutrition, hygiene, and basic well-being.     Lifeskills Inc., Lincoln Way, Active Day, and Medical Center Adult Day Care all located in Bowl

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Training New Master Gardener Volunteers

Author: Adam Leonberger

Major Program: Master Gardener

Training New Master Gardener Volunteers

The Kentucky Master Gardener Program is a fourteen-week course on horticulture, aimed at training volunteers to be better gardeners and community leaders. Graduates must complete 40 hours of community service in the first year and 20 hours annually thereafter.  Franklin and Woodford County CES held a class of nineteen students, all passionate about gardening. Many have started or plan to assist with community gardens, using sustainable methods. This year, fourteen students became certi

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4-H Babysitting

Author: Dana Anderson

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Many young teens in Mercer County return home from school to find their younger siblings waiting in an empty house. They take on the role of caretakers until their parents arrive home from work. Additionally, some youths, such as those in the sixth grade, are eager to start their first ventures as babysitters. To prepare for the critical responsibilities of caring for younger children, 10 teens participated in a two-session 4-H Babysitting Workshop.A pretest revealed that none of the participant

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Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
S107 Ag. Science Center North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
+1 (859) 257-4302

© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment