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

4-H Fresh Chefs: Second Year Success

Author: Deana Reed

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

     For the second year, the Meade County 4-H Fresh Chefs Club was a volunteer lead, 4-week, summer program that focused on healthy food preparation, food and kitchen safety, the benefits of shopping at a local farmer’s market, and food preparation on a budget.  Each 3-hour meeting included the following agenda: Introductory Smoothie – a recipe to jump start the learning process and to encourage positive member interactions.Group discussion or demonstration

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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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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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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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Cloverbuds Fun

Author: Bernita Cheirs

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

According to Youth.gov, studies how that afterschool programs can support social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development, reduce risky behaviors, promote physical health, and provide a safe and supportive environment for children and youth. Cloverbud age youth are a vulnerable age group so it was important to offer activities to allow them to explore.For the 2024-2025 4-H program year, eighteen youth are signed up to participate in the Fulton County Cloverbud program. Using the Cloverbud

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4-H Youth Sewing Their Way to Success

Author: Cathy Fellows

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

4-H Youth Sewing Their Way to Success

     Over the past three years, the 4-H sewing program has blossomed from a small local initiative to a thriving community program. Engaging over 60+ male and female youth participants annually.The Boone County 4-H Sew Unique Design Club began June 2021 after Covid, with two adult leaders and less than a dozen youth. Eight of those original youth members are still involved in the program. Initially attracting just a handful of students, the program has expanded through worksh

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Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours

Author: Rebecca Stahler

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

In the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment for Boyd County, the two of the top five needs were: minimizing youth substance abuse and support for substance use addiction prevention/recovery. Boyd County 4-H Adult Council, Boyd County High School, Ashland Independent School and Fairview Independent School partnered to present Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours:Description: Students will role-play scenarios dealing with various substance abuse-relat

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Pins and Needles 4-H Club

Author: Lisa Jones

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Many young people today don’t know how to sew, and surveys from 4-H programs in schools showed that only a small number of students have basic sewing skills. Many didn’t even know how to sew a button. To help fill this gap, the 4-H Sewing Club in Whitley County began teaching sewing skills to youth to help them learn a practical, useful skill.The Busy Bees Homemakers Club teamed up with 4-H sewing volunteers to help teach the youth. These experienced sewers worked together to make se

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4-H Entrepreneur

Author: Alyssa Cox

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

The Rockcastle County 4-H Homeschool Club meets once per month to learn a new type of skill within the seven different program areas that Kentucky 4-H has to offer. In November of 2024, the goal of the 4-H Homeschool Club meeting was to learn about crochet. During this club meeting 4-H Agent, Alyssa Cox, taught participants about the history and uses of crochet while demonstrating how to begin a crochet project. By the end of the club meeting, participants were on their way to completing a croch

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Martin County Middle School It's Your Reality

Author: Joe Maynard

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

According to census.gov only 10% of Martin County citizens have a college degree compared to 37% nationally, 48% live in poverty and only 32% hold jobs. Due to facts like these and others, the 4-H council along with teachers and administrators at Martin County Middle School put a lot of effort into hosting “It’s Your Reality”.  The program is usually for high school sophomores but starting earlier and then revisiting in high school seems to be a better strategy moving forw

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It's Your Reality

Author: Dora Centers

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

In a collaborative effort to address youth financial literacy, Knott County 4-H, Knott Co Board of Education, Beaver, Carr Creek, Cordia, Emmalena, Hindman, and Jones Fork Elementary Family Youth Resource Service Coordinators and Knott Co Gear-Up, provided countywide 8th graders with University of Kentucky’s 4-H “It’s Your Reality” program.   Knowledge gained and applied showed positive results from pre and post evaluations.Percentage of youth who demonstrated a prof

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New Beginner Embroidery Class for Future Youth Instructors

Author: Sherri Farley

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Describe the Issue or Situation.According to Dr. Anne Kirketerp, author of Craft Psychology: How Crafting Promotes Health (2024), there are 12 research-based results that show that crafting has positive health benefits both physically and mentally. These benefits include reducing stress & lower blood pressure, reduce depression & anxiety, strengthen muscular mobility, slow early stages of dementia, and increase well-being, joy of life, & feeling of being useful. The Campbell County E

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Professor Popcorn visits Foster Heights Huskie Hangout

Author: Samantha Gabbard

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Childhood obesity is a widespread issue across the United States today. In effort to combat this challenge, it is important that students understand how the food choices they are making impact their long-term health.Nelson County 4-H partnered with the summer program, Huskie Hangout, at Foster Heights Elementary School to implement the Professor Popcorn curriculum with the 3rd through 5th grade youth that attend the summer program each day. Professor Popcorn begins by introducing the students to

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Holiday Cooking School

Author: Hunter Carroll

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Strong families are those that create a sense of connection, closeness, emotional safety, security, and stability. One way to maintain a strong and healthy family is through traditions. Kentucky has a variety of family traditions and values that are deeply rooted in its strong sense of community ties and support networks.In London, KY, the Wilderness Trail Area organized a Holiday Cooking School. This event focused on family traditions, educating participants about food safety and family traditi

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Sewing Academy

Author: Amanda Clark

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Describe the Issue or Situation.Sewing group leaders were eager to connect with students interested in enhancing their sewing skills. They aim to create hands-on sessions where students can practice basic techniques, such as threading a needle, stitching seams, and using a sewing machine effectively. Beyond these foundational skills, the leaders are guiding students through individual or small group projects, offering personalized instruction to help them create items like tote bags, simple clot

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Hancock County 4-H Sewing Workshop and Three Completed Projects

Author: Lisa Hagman

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Hancock County 4-H Sewing Workshop and Three Completed Projects

Teaching sewing to young people will not only teach them lifelong valuable and practical skills, but it may also open the door to a world of creativity. “Showing your children to sew has many benefits. The activity can spark imagination and creativity, teach patience, build self-confidence, foster communication and direction-following abilities, and enhance fine motor skills.  (www.goldstartool.com)  Hancock County 4-H, Family and Consumer Sciences, a Master Clothing Vo

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Life Skills Day with Morgan Elementary

Author: Rachael Davis

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

While discussing a potential partnership with 4-H, the topic of Life Skills was raised during meetings with the Morgan Elementary Principal, the Resource Center, and the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings. A total of ten Life Skills topics were submitted for teaching 5th graders to help prepare them for middle school. 4-H Agent Rachael Davis compared these Life Skills with the existing 4-H Curriculum.On November 22, 2024, the entire 5th grade from Morgan Elementary visited the McCracken

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Community Christmas 2024

Author: Mary Lawson

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Describe the Issue or Situation:Many families in Menifee County face financial hardships during the holiday season, making it difficult to provide Christmas gifts for their children. The lack of resources and rising costs leave parents feeling overwhelmed, and children often miss out on the joy of receiving gifts during the holidays. This challenge highlighted the need for a community-driven solution to support less fortunate families and foster a sense of holiday cheer.Describe the Outreach or

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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