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

Savor the Flavor Workshop

Author: Jordan Crain

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Research shows that people who prepare and cook meals at home are more likely to eat the recommended fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains needed in a balanced diet. Building cooking skills and knowledge increases the likelihood that people choose to prepare homecooked meals. To encourage more home-prepared meals, the Barren County Extension Office presented the Savor the Flavor series to a group of seventeen individuals. The Savor the Flavor program focused on various cooking methods

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Food Preservation Workshops

Author: Amanda Dame

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

In a small town, fresh produce was plentiful but often wasted. To change that, home cooks and gardeners joined a food preservation workshop. Hosted by the local extension office, the event taught pressure canning and boiling water bath techniques. The goal: empower people to save their harvest and cut food waste.The town’s community center buzzed with eager learners. Some were beginners; others wanted to refine their skills. Experienced instructors started with food safety, stressing prope

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Food Preservation: Water Bath Canning Apple Butter

Author: Caroline McMahan

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

In 2019, health departments reported 215 cases of botulism to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 10% of these cases were due to home canning practices. To promote safe canning practices in Fayette County, the Family and Consumer Science Agent presented a beginner’s canning class. Additionally, the agent planned an Apple Butter class to align with the produce available in season in the county and local apples were used. 14

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FCS Thanksgiving Program @ LCHS

Author: Deana West

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

FCS Thanksgiving Program @ LCHS

In November 2024, FCS Agent, Deana West had the incredible opportunity to work with 20 students from Lawrence County High School’s Culinary Class for a special all-encompassing Thanksgiving program. As the new Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent for Lawrence County, this was one of her first big projects, and she couldn’t have been more excited to teach these teenagers valuable life skills in the kitchen, while also creating lasting memories.The plan was ambitious: in one day

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Healthy Eating Around the World

Author: Jody Paver

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Food is a cornerstone of culture, shaping traditions, fostering connections, and promoting health worldwide. Recognizing this, the Fort Harrod Area Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agents organized a multi-county leader lesson titled Healthy Eating Around the World on October 16, 2024, at the Boyle County Extension Office. The program brought together 39 Extension Homemakers and community members for an enriching experience celebrating international cuisines and dietary traditions.Participants

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Dairy Basics: Making Mozzarella Cheese

Author: Megan Gullett

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Describe the Issue or Situation.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

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Food Preservation Summer 2024

Author: Hannah Thornsberry

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Food Preservation Summer 2024

There are many reasons that people can—to preserve the foods harvested from home gardens or bought at the farmer’s market or store; to save money in the months when crops are not growing; to uphold family traditions; to consume more health-conscious canned foods; or to experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from home food preservation. The Woodford County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences taught six food preservation classes, all using the boiling water ba

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Healthy Eating Around the World

Author: Tara Duty

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Food is a cornerstone of culture, shaping traditions, fostering connections, and promoting health worldwide. Recognizing this, the Fort Harrod Area Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agents organized a multi-county leader lesson titled Healthy Eating Around the World on October 16, 2024, at the Boyle County Extension Office. The program brought together 39 Extension Homemakers and community members for an enriching experience celebrating international cuisines and dietary traditions.Participants

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Juice to Jelly

Author: Angelia Swihart

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Juice to Jelly According to Kentucky County Health Rankings from 2021, 10% of the population of Hancock County is food insecure; meaning that 10% of the people in Hancock County lack adequate access to food. With the recent interest in gardening, homesteading, self-reliance and more people looking to food as health, interest in food preservation and preparation has grown. A series of Food preservation workshops have been offered. Teaching adults to preserve food and prepare food has a

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Date Night Cooking

Author: Kendyl Redding

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

According to the United States Census Bureau there are 4,629 households in Powell County, KY with the average household size being 3.44 people and about 49.7% of these being married couple households (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023). The 2024 County Health Rankings indicate Powell County is faring worse than the average county in Kentucky for Health Factors, and worse than the average county in the nation (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2023). Studies have shown that familie

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Food Preservation Safety

Author: Joan Bowling

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

The Center for Disease Control (CDC), states that many cases of food borne botulism occur as a result of people consuming home-canned, preserved, or fermented foods that were contaminated with toxin. Contamination in occurs when food is not processed correctly. The CDC recommends the best way to prevent food borne botulism is by carefully following instructions for safe home canning as directed by the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning. As interest continues to rise in home gardening so does th

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2024 Summer Baking is FUN

Author: Peggy Jones

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

2024 SummerBaking is FUNOnce school is out for the summer most students like to learn new skills, this past summer nine youth tried out some baking skills.  What a perfect reason to attend Summer Baking FUN at Rowan County City Park with the FCS/4-H   Agent.  On the first day the nine youths divided into small groups and emphasis was on learning basic baking techniques, ingredients, kitchen safety, and creative expression through baking. Youth also learn how to turn on an ove

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Holiday Cooking School

Author: Garrard Coffey

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

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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Grape Jelly and Salsa

Author: Teresa Garcia

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Grape Jelly and SalsaA local group of women from “Genesis Express” recently contacted the Trigg County Extension Office sharing their concern that younger people in the community may not know important skills such as food preservation. They asked if someone from the Extension Office could teach food preservation classes at their newly built community center.The Trigg County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and a Volunteer Homemaker scheduled an introductory meeting with the group.

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Food Preservation at the White Chateau

Author: Katherine Alexander

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Food Preservation at the White Chateau

Home food preservation has become popular again and with so many ways (Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook pages etc.) for people to find recipes and instructions on preserving food, not all are safe. The Daviess County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent needed to provide a food preservation class and targeted beginners. The food preservation class taught and discussed methods of food preservation, using the correct and research-based methods and resources. Researched based methods were discu

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Healthy Vittles

Author: Sarah Congleton

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Healthy Vittles

Healthy Vittles Cooking Series for the Holiday SeasonAt Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Service, we believe that holiday meals should not only bring people together but also nourish both body and soul. Through our Healthy Vittles Cooking Series offered by the Family and Consumer Sciences program, we have empowered individuals and families to celebrate the season with delicious, wholesome dishes that prioritize health, flavor, and community.This year, we focused on creating a series

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Food Preservation Training for FCS professionals

Author: Jessica Hunley

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

University of Kentucky FCS agents around the central Kentucky region seek additional training and resources related to food preservation practices, including dehydration and freeze drying.  UK Food Preservation Specialist Annhall Norris teamed up with Liz Kingsland and Madison FCS Agent, Jessica Hunley, to offer a training centered around current practices for dehydration of fruits and vegetables. This training also introduced new practices behind freeze drying and how the two methods diffe

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"Holly Jolly" Event

Author: Edith Lovett

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Describe the Issue or Situation. Ideas given out to clients using new recipes, sampling recipes and hand made Christmas Decorations to save money.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Positive response to new recipes using local grown products and healthy recipes.Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.250 attended with not particular target audience.Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the

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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