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

Lunch and Learn

Author: Shannon Smith

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Impact Statement: Bracken County “Lunch and Learn” Series Promotes Lifelong Health and WellnessThe Bracken County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, in partnership with the Bracken County Health Department, launched a successful year-long Lunch and Learn series to promote health, safety, and financial wellness among local adults. This free, monthly program featured research-based information and healthy recipes from the University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program.De

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Mind/Body Yoga-based Exercise with Elementary 21st Century Afterschool program

Author: Lynn Blankenship

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

According to the CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Kentucky is ranked in the top seven most physically inactive States in the nation. In the most recent survey of Extension, 15.9% of open – ended question responses indicated “Need for youth development programs including recreation and physical activities, mental health support, prevention of bullying, youth violence and programs targeting youth life skills”.  The Mind/Body Connection yoga-based exercise prog

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Prioritizing Women's Health

Author: Marla Stillwell

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Prioritizing Women's Health

According to the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Community Needs Assessment completed in 2023, LaRue County respondents reported that improving access to mental health and wellbeing resources should be a priority moving forward.  Therefore, the LaRue County FCS program prioritized this finding by introducing a Women's Health Fair for members of the community. Low levels of physical activity, unhealthy nutrition, and poor mental health are all determinants of several

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Walk Your Way Challenge

Author: Macey Stewart

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Johnson County Extension agent for Family and Consumer Sciences offered the Walk Your Way physical activity program, designed for those who have not previously been physically active or who have not been physically active in a long time. There were 11 participants. Post-session results show 100% of participants increased their knowledge and skills needed to be physically active. About 100% reported increased physical activity as a result of this program.  Moving forward,  90% plan to g

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Gardening Safely

Author: Deborah Shepherd

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Gardening as an activity has many potential health benefits, from the physical activity component to exposure of fresh air and sunlight, as well as the satisfaction of growing food and plants.  However, more than 400,00 people visit emergency rooms each year for injuries related to outdoor garden tools, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There are steps a person can take to get the benefits of gardening, while also staying safe.Gardening Safely promoted gardening as a form

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Gardening Safely

Author: Heather Toombs

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Describe the Issue or Situation.Gardening is a popular hobby; while there are many health benefits, there are risks.  More than 400,000 people end up in the emergency room due to garden tool-related injuries according to the Consumer Safety Commission.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable). Oldham County Extension Family Consumer Science Agent partnered with Yew Dell Botanical Gardens to teach their members and community members a Gardening Safel

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Walk Your Way: Inspiring Health Through Movement

Author: Jill Harris

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Walk Your Way: Inspiring Health Through MovementLow physical activity levels, poor nutrition, and mental health challenges are known contributors to chronic diseases—and they continue to be major public health concerns. According to America’s Health Rankings, Kentucky ranks among the least physically active states.In response, Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agents in the Pennyrile Area launched Walk Your Way, an 11-week walking challenge aimed at boosting physical activity and en

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Strong Bones for Life: Prevent Osteoporosis

Author: Nanette Banks

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Describe the Issue or Situation.  Osteoporosis, or low bone mass, affects about 1 in 10 people aged 50 or over in the United States (Healthy People 2030). Weak bones put people at high risk for fractures and serious health problems. It is a “costly and socioeconomic burden in all regions of the world,” according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation. There is no cure for osteoporosis, but early screening, prevention, and some treatments can prevent or reduce fracture rate

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Walk Your Way: Inspiring Health Through Movement

Author: Tiffany Bolinger

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Low physical activity levels, poor nutrition, and mental health challenges are known contributors to chronic diseases—and they continue to be major public health concerns. According to America’s Health Rankings, Kentucky ranks among the least physically active states.In response, Family and Consumer Sciences Agents in the Pennyrile Area launched Walk Your Way, a 12-week walking challenge aimed at boosting physical activity and encouraging healthier lifestyles among local residents.43

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Move Your Way

Author: Ashley Board

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Physical activity plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and greatly supports both physical and mental well-being. In Kentucky, there's an ongoing need to encourage more active lifestyles among families. According to the CDC, 29.7% of Kentucky adults reported no physical activity in the previous month, and only 21.4% of children and teens were active for at least 60 minutes daily during the week prior to the survey.To help address this need, the Caldwell County Family & Consume

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Wits Workout

Author: Kelsee Dewees

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Wits Workout is a peer-reviewed, pilot-tested, brain health resource tool developed to assist leaders who provide programming to older adults in community settings. It was developed by Extension colleagues, Dr. Chelsey Byers and Molly Hofer from the University of Illinois. Wits Workout has two main goals—to provide purposeful opportunities for older adults to engage intellectually, and to increase their socialization through ongoing group participation.The 264-page facilitator’s guid

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Walk Your Way: Inspiring Health Through Movement

Author: Rebecca Woodall

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Low physical activity levels, poor nutrition, and mental health challenges are known contributors to chronic diseases—and they continue to be major public health concerns. According to America’s Health Rankings, Kentucky ranks among the least physically active states.In response, Family and Consumer Sciences Agents in the Pennyrile Area launched Walk Your Way, a 12-week walking challenge aimed at boosting physical activity and encouraging healthier lifestyles among local residents.42

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Longest Day of Play

Author: Whitney Morrow

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

 While it may seem like a simple pastime, unstructured play is crucial for children's development. It’s also the number one way that adults and children find connection. Through play, kids learn social skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. It's also a fantastic way to stay active and healthy. With the rise of technology, children today are spending less time engaged in free play.  In Carter County only 30% reported having adequate access to physical activity.

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Pathways to Wellness

Author: Whitney Morrow

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Health promotion programs have long focused on education about personal health behaviors like tobacco and alcohol use, diet, and physical activity. Health behaviors play an important role in health, but they are not the whole story. The conditions in the environments where people live, work, learn, and play have an even greater influence on the quality and number of years of life. These conditions include social and environmental factors such as housing, access to and quality of health care, edu

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Walk Your Way: Inspiring Health Through Movement

Author: Ashley Board

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Low physical activity levels, poor nutrition, and mental health challenges are known contributors to chronic diseases—and they continue to be major public health concerns. According to America’s Health Rankings, Kentucky ranks among the least physically active states.In response, Family and Consumer Sciences Agents in the Pennyrile Area launched Walk Your Way, a 12-week walking challenge aimed at boosting physical activity and encouraging healthier lifestyles among local residents.Fo

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Fitt Fridays - Energizing Youth Through Community Partnership

Author: Natalie Taul

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Fitt Fridays - Energizing Youth Through Community Partnership

The Fitt Fridays program brought health and wellness education to life for 1,766 elementary students across four schools, thanks to a collaboration between 42 community volunteers, school staff, and local organizations. Held on the last Friday of January, February, and March 2025, this program was coordinated through the Community Health Committee and served as a dynamic example of how community partnerships can support youth development.Each session of Fitt Fridays included nutrition and physic

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Spring into Green 2025

Author: Keller

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

The "Spring into Green: Sustainable Living" seminar held on March 17, 2025, proved to be a resounding success, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability among its participants and inspiring tangible actions towards a greener lifestyle.Participant Engagement and Knowledge Gains:The seminar attracted a diverse audience, with a significant portion (47) being individuals aged 65 and over, demonstrating the program's appeal across generations. Notably, for many attendees (29),

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Alpha-gal Syndrome: Addressing Kentucky’s Growing Health Concern

Author: Heather Norman-Burgdolf

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Relevance:Although still considered "rare" compared to other medical issues in Kentucky, the state has one of the highest rates of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) in the U.S., with some counties reporting the highest cases per capita, according to the CDC. AGS develops in some individuals after being bitten by a lone star tick. There is no known treatment, but symptoms can be managed through lifestyle changes. This includes eliminating exposure to the alpha-gal allergen found in foods (e.g.,

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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