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

Ag Leadership Day

Author: Kara Back-Campbell

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

The Taylor County Chamber of Commerce has a leadership program where local business leaders learn about different enterprises / organizations. Every year the participants participate in Ag Leadership Day. This was the first year the horticulture agent lead the coordination of the event. The participants toured a slaughter house, dairy farm, beef farm, and Taylor County High School’s Agri Science facility. After the program participants filled out an evaluation. A positive respons

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A Public Forum for Program Development

Author: Gretchen Plocek

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

Every year, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service at the county level identifies key program topics that are essential to the education of their residents. In Oldham County, our Plan of Work programs for Agriculture & Natural Resources are commonly identified by volunteers serving on the Extension District Board, County Extension Council, ANR/Horticulture Program Council, and the volunteers of our various clubs. This year, however, as an all reasonable efforts approach to

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Education Facility Expansion

Author: Jason Phillips

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

The Simpson County Extension Service has worked diligently with local elected officials and stakeholders toward a long-term plan for construction of a new educational building.  In 2012 and 2013, the Extension District Board had strongly considered purchasing property on the outskirts of town in order to have room to expand to meet clientele needs.  At this time, the Extension District Board did not own any land or buildings.   To ensure the longevity of the Extension Service in t

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Utilizing Social Media to Expand Reach and Distribution of Educational Material

Author: Joanna Coles

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

Social media represents a massive potential for outreach for the Cooperative Extension Service. Warren County Agriculture focuses on timely agricultural and horticulture educational information, event promotion, agriculture awareness campaigns, and recognition of local farmers.   Since January 2024, Warren County Agriculture’s Facebook page has reached 275369 accounts and engaged 2664 people with 3.4K followers.  Social media blue book values each post on the page at almost

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Advancing and Sustaining Farmer Safety and Health in Kentucky

Author: Cheryl Witt

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

In 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was enacted to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for employees across the United States. However, many small farm operations, such as those common in Kentucky, often fall outside the scope of its enforcement. Despite agriculture ranking as one of the most hazardous occupations in the U.S., farming means the risks—machinery accidents, chemical exposures, falls, hearing loss, skin disease, heat-related illness, and certain can

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2025 Leadership Boyle County: Agriculture Day

Author: Joseph Ray

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

2025 Leadership Boyle County: Agriculture Day

Boyle county is a growing community in terms of population and industries. From 2020 to 2025 Boyle County's population is expected to grow 2.2% according to a recent population projection by Kentucky State Data Center. The Boyle County Chamber of Commerce annual leadership program introduces participants to many different industries in the county through site visits with local professionals. With new professionals moving into the county this program lets participants learn the industrie

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2024 Boyle County Investment in Youth Sale

Author: Joseph Ray

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

2024 Boyle County Investment in Youth Sale

The Boyle County Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Agent established a meaningful partnership with the Boyle County Investment in Youth Sale Board in 2024, focusing on advancing the program’s educational impact and financial sustainability. This collaboration empowered the ANR Agent to address the educational needs of participants while providing strategic guidance to enhance the profitability of fundraising events and the annual sale.The Boyle County Investment in Youth Sale (IYS) p

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Community Partnerships

Author: Chelsey Anderson

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

Community collaborations/partnerships are invaluable in building communities. Community collaboration is the process of individuals, organizations, and groups within a community working together toward shared goals. This involves pooling resources, knowledge, and skills to address common challenges and create positive learning experiences. Often, there is simply the need to organize leaders and groups to combine their efforts to meet the goals. Many times, these same groups are already working o

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Ag Week Giveaway

Author: Emma Lee

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

Many residents of Estill County are unaware of the resources available to them at the Extension Office. On Friday, March 28th, I hosted an Ag Bag Giveaway to promote UK Ag Week to draw in community members to our office. I created bags with SNAP Recipes, seeds from the 4-H Seed Library, information about FCS, calendars, pollinator coloring books, and other promotional items. I advertised the giveaway in the local newspaper, as well as on Facebook with a flyer and a video showing the seeds I grew

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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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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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Madison County Farm, Home and Garden Extension Expo 2024

Author: Brandon Sears

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

Madison County Extension Agents want and need to bring attention and awareness to the local community to keep Extension from being the "Best Kept Secret." Madison County Extension Council decided to host an event that will help bring attention and awareness to the unique resources available through the Madison County Extension Office.The Madison County Extension Farm, Home and Garden Expo utilized various options for outreach for the event including billboards, radio announcements, and

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A Journey of Connection, Discovery, and Renewal Through the Agricultural & Cultural Heritage Tour

Author: Lindie Huffman

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

A Journey of Connection, Discovery, and Renewal Through the Agricultural & Cultural Heritage Tour

For many Pendleton County residents, experiences outside the county lines are rare. A trip to Lexington or popular destinations like the Smokies or the beach is often the extent of travel. The Agricultural and Cultural Heritage Tour through New England changed that, offering 34 travelers a journey of discovery and connection across 12 states—a trip many "thought they would never take".Highlights of the JourneyOver seven days, participants encountered New England’s agricultu

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Butler County Rural Development Organization

Author: Gregory Drake

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

The Butler County Rural Development organization has a rich history of success.  It is part of community culture and continues to be seen as an important driver for community development by extension leaders.  There are currently 5 rural development clubs that operate community centers and hold regular educational programs for their members.   The Rural Development Program in Butler County has beef functioning for 67 consecutive years.   Clubs that have monthly meetings. Aver

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Resurrecting my Ag Advisory Council

Author: Gracey Moffitt

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

Describe the Issue or Situation.When I started my position last fall, I was informed that I would need to host an Ag Advisory Council Meeting. In doing my research of the previous meetings, I found little recorded information from the last 7 years pertaining to minutes and member status. So I learned very quickly that I would need to start from scratch. I picked a date and began getting the word out as soon as possible. I mailed the postcard invitation to everyone on my mailing list, posted it o

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First Fall Fest Draws New Attention to Extension in Graves County

Author: Miranda Rudolph

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

Like many other community organizations, the Graves County Extension Office has been trying to regain interest in volunteerism and participation since the pandemic in 2020. To complicate things even further, our community suffered a devastating tornado in 2021 and we are still feeling the effects of it to this day. Just before the tornado, our office was also moved out of the city center to a new location on the north end of town that is less visible. All of these factors have had a hand in the

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Hart County Farm to Table Dinner

Author: Timothy Estes

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

On June 28, 2024, the entire Hart County Extension team as well as several volunteers participated in the Hart County Cattlemen’s Farm to Table Dinner.  This event is an annual event held just prior to the beginning of the Hart County Fair.  What started as an idea to promote beef and products grown in the county has become an event looked forward to by many, creating eagerness amongst sponsors to be a part of it as well as excitement at ticket sale time.  For the past coupl

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Inaugural Cattleman’s Ball – A Community Partnership with Lasting Impact

Author: Lindie Huffman

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

Inaugural Cattleman’s Ball – A Community Partnership with Lasting Impact

In August 2024, the Pendleton County Beef Cattle Association (PCBCA) teamed up with the Pendleton County Cooperative Extension Service to launch a new community event that would not only showcase local beef but also foster stronger connections and support for the agricultural community. The idea for the inaugural Cattleman’s Ball was sparked by Lindie Huffman, Pendleton County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, but it was through the passion and commitment of PCBCA’s

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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