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

Crochet 101

Author: Deana West

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Success Story: Crochet 101 – Introducing Textile Arts to the CommunityIssue:In recent community conversations and informal needs assessments, it became clear there was interest in creative and heritage-based learning opportunities that support both personal well-being and cultural connection. Many residents, especially in rural and Appalachian regions, expressed a desire for more accessible evening programs that offer hands-on learning, social engagement, and cultural enrichment. Additiona

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Young Scientists and Chefs

Author: Kelly Smith

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Science in the Kitchen is a unique program that allows students to connect their everyday lives to their education experiences.  Our goal is to increase their critical thinking skills while utilizing information to answer scientific questions.  Many students struggle in the areas of science and math.  As a way of alternative learning, Jefferson County 4-H has worked with all 4th and 5th graders at Carter Elementary School, introducing them to kitchen chemistry.As a way to introduc

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4-H Dollars and Sense Program- Teen/adult partnership running booths.

Author: Crystal Smith

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Information from the last Letcher County Community Needs Assessment showed top priority issues for Letcher County were youth needed life skills training such as (money management, life decision making) and family skills in reducing debt, increasing savings, and financial planning.  To help in these areas all but two schools with 3rd and 4th grade youth participated in the Dollars and Sense Program. Letcher County had over 230 youth who participated in the Dollars and Sense Program. &nb

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Minding Their Manners: Etiquette Class Builds Confidence in Youth

Author: Maelyn Dotson

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Many young people today have limited opportunities to learn formal social skills such as proper table manners, respectful conversation, and dining etiquette. This gap can lead to challenges in social settings, especially in professional or formal environments later in life. The need to build confidence and etiquette in youth became a priority identified through conversations with local homeschool families. In response to this need, the Lawrence County 4-H program partnered with the local R.

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Powell County High School Reality Store

Author: Emilee Bryant

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Recognizing the importance of financial literacy, the Powell County High School partnered with Powell County 4-H Youth Development Program to bring the innovative 4-H Reality Store experience to their sophomore students. The 4-H Reality Store is an interactive financial simulation designed to teach young people about budgeting, financial decision-making, and the realities of adult life. In the spring semester March 2025, all 109 sophomore students at Powell County High School participated in the

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Building Confidence and Skills Through 4-H Baking

Author: Lisa Dodson

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Cooking and baking are essential life skills that build confidence, encourage creativity, and promote healthy eating habits. In an effort to equip youth with these skills, the McCracken County 4-H program hosted an eight-session baking class for twelve youth participants, led by a dedicated 4-H volunteer.Throughout the program, youth engaged in hands-on baking experiences, learning key concepts such as kitchen safety, measuring ingredients accurately, proper mixing techniques, and the science be

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Dollars & Sense

Author: Renata Farmer

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Students taught about money and financial matters are more likely to save, more likely to pay off credit card debt and are also likely to think about their purchases. Yet, according to a  survey by the Jump$tart Coalition, one in six students in the United States failed to reach the baseline level of proficiency in financial literacy. The survey also showed that nearly 72 percent of parents showed reluctance in talking with their children about money and that 3 out of 10 parents actually ta

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4-H Youth- Saying CHEESE to Charcuterie

Author: Cathy Fellows

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

4-H Youth- Saying CHEESE to Charcuterie

Thirty enthusiastic young 4-H members, ranging from ages nine to sixteen, were gathered around tables filled with colorful ingredients. Today was not just any 4-H meeting; it was the highly anticipated Valentine's Charcuterie Class, and the energy was infectious.Putting a spin on the more commonly known Valentines Day candy box, the 4-H leader taught the youth about the art and history of Charcuterie. Food presentation, healthy snacking, and a little bit of creativity, all wrapped up in a fe

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Professor Popcorn Makes Healthy Living Fun!

Author: Ashley Hunt

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

According to America's Health Rankings, only 8.9% of Kentucky adults reported consuming two or more fruits and three or more vegetables daily in 2021. Half of all adults living in the US have conditions or chronic diseases related to poor diet and physical inactivity. Additionally, 37.7% of adults in Kentucky are classified as obese. Obesity is associated with an increased rick of developing serious health conditions.To combat this issue, the second grade teachers at the elementary schools i

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Bardstown Middle School Babysitting Program

Author: Samantha Gabbard

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Kentucky 4-H is focused on getting the youth population Beyond Ready. All youth should be beyond ready for work. The skills that all programs focus on are civic engagement, leadership, and communication. In order to be a babysitter, all three of these skills are required to do the job well. The goal for this program was for the participants to have the skills to start their business following the program. This 6-hour course certification is one that they can show parents when they are starting o

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After-School Cooking Clubs

Author: Rebecca Hayes

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Describe the Issue or Situation.The Carter County Community Schools Initiative addressed that there are not enough direct after-school programs at school and there isn’t enough community involvement in the development of the young people at school. Three of the top 15 priority issues highlighted in the Extension Community Assessment are youth life skills training opportunities, strengthening yuth workforce readiness, and strengthening youth-adult or mentorship relationships. Describe

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Reality Store

Author: Trever Cole

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

As middle school 8th grade students progress into a better understanding of society the necessity for learning money management grows alongside it. To help implement this I have worked with teachers at Mason County Middle school to help provide programing to help students learn and prepare for reality store. At the end of the program students participate in reality store visiting booths attended by local businesses and volunteers for the various expenses that may be encountered in life i.e.. hou

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Recipes For Life

Author: Joyce Doyle

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Carroll County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent and the Carroll County 4-H Youth Development Agent collaborated with administrators and teachers with the Carroll County Middle School to offer the Recipes for Life Program to 140 fifth-grade students. Thirteen volunteers worked with students in a hands-on educational setting to teach important life skills. A pre-test/post-test evaluation was conducted to determine learning outcomes. As a result of the program, students gained the follo

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Money Matters for 4-Hers

Author: Regina Browning

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

According to 2024 Experian data, the average American holds a debt balance of $105,056.  Young people will pick up and emulate the relationship with money and spending habits of the adults in their lives. This may set them up for lifelong financial struggles.   A 2017 T. Rowe Price Survey stated that 69% of parents admit they are reluctant about broaching the topic of finances with their children.  To help set kids on the right path, Shelby County 4-H provided

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Dollars and Sense

Author: Victoria Riehemann

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

In 2024, the poverty rate for Bullitt County was 10.6%, and although this poverty rate is lower than the national average for poverty (12.5%), the community wants our youth to be prepared with financial skills to fight poverty. According to the 2023 Community Assessment for Bullitt County, 12.6% of stakeholders wanted to see increases in youth career readiness and in youth life skills training, which included money management and life decision making.Bullitt County 4-H partnered with the Family

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Hook and Cook Partnership

Author: Pamela Holbrook

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Hook and Cook Partnership

In March 2025 the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Nutrition Education Program (NEP) Assistant, Pamela Holbrook, and the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, Keenan Bishop, partnered with the Easton Copley at the Kentucky Division of Fish and Wildlife for a three-day course in fishing and cooking your catch called Hook and Cook. The first class was three hours of attendees learning about fishing regulations in Kentucky, fish identification, proper equipment and choosing b

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4-H Fresh Chefs: Second Year Success

Author: Deana Reed

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

4-H Fresh Chefs: Second Year Success

     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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Cooking With A Purpose

Author: Chanda Hall

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

According to the Greater Louisville Project, the childhood food insecurity rate is much higher than the overall food insecurity rate. Often, individuals must make difficult (and ongoing) trade-off decision between paying for housing or transportation and buying nutritious food.   Feeding America stated, in Kentucky, 710,000 people are facing hunger and of that number 208,330 are children.  Seeing changes in culture, family structure, and food costs, this is leading to changing the way

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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