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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2025

Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Giant Pumpkin Contest and Teal Pumpkin Project Trunk or Treat

Author: Jessica Hopkins

Major Program: Community Engagement

Giant Pumpkin Contest and Teal Pumpkin Project Trunk or Treat

Describe the Issue or SituationCynthiana and Harrison County, Kentucky, are well-known for their fall festivities, earning the title of the #1 Fall Destination in the state. To enhance community engagement during the fall season, the Harrison County Extension Office sought new ways to participate in local traditions. After discussions with the Tourism Director, the idea of hosting a Giant Pumpkin Contest emerged, which evolved in its second year to include a Teal Pumpkin Trunk or Treat event for

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Giant Pumpkin Contest and Teal Pumpkin Project Trunk or Treat

Author: Shelley Meyer

Major Program: Community Engagement

Giant Pumpkin Contest and Teal Pumpkin Project Trunk or Treat

Describe the Issue or SituationCynthiana and Harrison County, Kentucky, are well-known for their fall festivities, earning the title of the #1 Fall Destination in the state. To enhance community engagement during the fall season, the Harrison County Extension Office sought new ways to participate in local traditions. After discussions with the Tourism Director, the idea of hosting a Giant Pumpkin Contest emerged, which evolved in its second year to include a Teal Pumpkin Trunk or Treat event for

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Pendleton Senior Center - Digital Literacy Program

Author: Richard Sellnow

Major Program: Community Engagement

In 2024 CES identified a need for Digital Literacy focused programming in northern Kentucky (C7/C8). This led to the hiring of a Digital Literacy Agent to serve the 8 counties of Northern Kentucky in late September 2024.In October 2024 the Digital Literacy Agent began reaching out to various community partners as well as extension networks to establish awareness of the new initiative across the C7/C8 Area. In one such county, Pendleton, the Digital Literacy Agent was able to build off of the ext

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Home, Farm and Garden Expo

Author: Amanda Sears

Major Program: Community Engagement

“Extension is the best kept secret in the county.” This is a common statement heard after helping clients. The Madison County Extension Council wanted to provide a program that would help the community know more about the programs offered at the Madison County Extension Office.After brainstorming, the Council decided to host a Home, Farm and Garden Expo. The Extension Council and Agents decided to not partner or accept sponsorships from outside groups. They hoped to instead on just E

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2024 Farm City Banquet

Author: Amanda Sears

Major Program: Community Engagement

2024 Farm City Banquet

The face of Kentucky is changing. In the last 20 years the state has lost 17,000 farms and 1.4 million acres of farmland. The population of Madison County, Kentucky in 2022 was 95,187, 14% up from the 83,471 who lived there in 2010. Over time, there is more and more of a disconnect with agriculture. The annual Farm City Banquet held at the Madison County Extension office is a way to unite the increasingly more urban and agricultural communities. The Madison County H

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Webster County Farm City Tour

Author: Vicki Shadrick

Major Program: Community Engagement

Agriculture plays a vital role in the economy of Webster County, Kentucky, contributing significantly to both local employment and economic output in the surrounding area. According to national statistics, Kentucky is one of the top agricultural producers in the U.S., with a strong emphasis on crops like tobacco, soybeans, and corn, along with livestock operations. According to Community and Economic Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK), 77% of land in Webster County is in farms.  Poultry, our nu

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Eclipse Glasses

Author: Katie Hughes

Major Program: Community Engagement

Eclipse Glasses

Describe the Issue or Situation.During the eclipse many of the towns had hosted events for people to watch the eclipse. Afterwards I saw where people could donate their glasses so others in South America could enjoy the upcoming eclipse. So I post out a flyer and ask the other agents in the office to share and promote donating used glasses to the extension office where then we would mail them to Eclipse Glasses USA. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if app

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Addressing Estate Planning and Heir Properties

Author: Jeremy Williams

Major Program: Community Engagement

Harlan County faces a significant issue with heirs property due to inadequate estate planning. This leads to uncertainty, legal complications, and potential economic burdens for heirs.The Harlan County Extension Service, in collaboration with the Harlan County Extension Council and Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), organized a Will Clinic and Heir Property Education Program. This program provided free legal advice and assistance to county residents.Fifteen Harlan County residents a

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Agricultural and Heritage Tour: Exploring New England’s Treasures

Author: Kenna Knight

Major Program: Community Engagement

Agricultural and Heritage Tour: Exploring New England’s Treasures

Our recent 12-state Agricultural and Heritage Tour in New England was a resounding success, bringing together 34 travelers on a memorable journey through diverse landscapes and cultural landmarks. With a focus on hands-on experiences and educational stops, participants had the unique opportunity to dive into the heart of New England’s agricultural practices, local heritage, and breathtaking sights.Highlights of the JourneyFor seven individuals, this tour marked their first adventure and pa

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Summer Extension Open House

Author: Tara Duty

Major Program: Community Engagement

The Mercer County Extension Council hosted a Summer Open House to increase awareness about programs, activities and services available through the Mercer County Extension Office. The event is advertised via social media, signage, flyers and program newsletters published by each agent with the intent to bring more people to the extension office. Although this program has been held for a number of years, each year the committee which plans the open house comes up with new ideas for continued impro

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Campfire Cooking

Author: Eric Comley

Major Program: Community Engagement

Campfire Cooking

In a September 2024 online article by the American Red Cross, 11 survival skills were detailed in an effort to help people become more prepared for a situation that demands basic skills and minimal preparation to stay alive (https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/articles/11-survival-skills-to-know). Articles, like this one, are the result of a movement for people to become more self-reliant and an increase in outdoor recreation participation (https://outdoorindustry.org/press-release/o

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2024 Fall Fest

Author: Levi Berg

Major Program: Community Engagement

Extension is the best kept secret" is a phrase every extension employee has heard at one point in time. Clark County Extension decided to try and spread the news about all of the wonderful services extension offers and hopefully reach new people thru a 2024 Fall Fest event. This event was free and open to everyone of all ages. Many steps were made in advertising this event including articles in the local newspaper, newsletters, local organizations, and shows on local radio. Many activities

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Mercer County Extension Open House

Author: Jessica Bessin

Major Program: Community Engagement

The Mercer County Extension Council hosted a Summer Open House to increase awareness about programs, activities and services available through the Mercer County Extension Office. The event is advertised via social media, signage, flyers and program newsletters published by each agent with the intent to bring more people to the extension office. Although this program has been held for several years, each year the committee which plans the open house comes up with new ideas for continued improveme

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Summer Extension Open House

Author: Linda McClanahan

Major Program: Community Engagement

The Mercer County Extension Council hosted a Summer Open House to increase awareness about programs, activities and services available through the Mercer County Extension Office. The event is advertised via social media, signage, flyers and program newsletters published by each agent with the intent to bring more people to the extension office. Although this program has been held for a number of years, each year the committee which plans the open house comes up with new ideas for continued impro

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Farm to Fork 2024

Author: John Fourqurean

Major Program: Community Engagement

The 2024 McLean County Farm to Fork program was held August 6th, 2024, at the Extension Facility located on the grounds of Myer Creek Park in Calhoun, KY. Farm to Fork programs are used to increase the awareness of the local food movement by partnering with organizations to benefit a charity in our community. This program provides an educational background about local foods and where our food comes from as well as the farmers that grow it. The McLean County Cooperative Extension Service hosted t

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Community beautification project

Author: Paul Andrew Rideout

Major Program: Community Engagement

Henderson County is growing.  New business’ are opening, new restaurants, and new road construction are all contributing to healthy economic growth.  Working closely with the local officials, Extension was called upon to help with beautification of the new I69 interchange.   Beginning in 2022, the city and county started looking at the impact of I69 and how it was going to effect traffic flow into the city.  Hwy 351 / I69 interchange likely will be a new entry poin

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Farm City Field Day DRAFT

Author: Keenan Bishop

Major Program: Community Engagement

Describe the Issue or Situation.The Jone’s family hosted the 2024 Farm City Field Day on their diversified multi generational farm. Vegetable production and Agritourism are their main farm enterprises supported by beef cattle, forages and some row crops. They also have other satellite agricultural enterprises to supplement the three generations that farm today.This year’s Field Day was fairly unique as it focused solely on large scale vegetable production, highlighting the roughly se

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Elliott County Extension Field Day

Author: Allison Keeton

Major Program: Community Engagement

Elliott County Extension has not had a field day in a long time. So, I decided for my intern project to introduce the idea of highlighting all program areas of extension with a field day. To advertise for this event, we put a flyer in the newspaper, called the local radio, posted flyers around town, advertised on Facebook, and handed out flyers at our other extension programs. There were booths set up to showcase some of the things Elliott Extension does and some of the great businesses we

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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