Author: Stephen Lewis
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
2020 has been a challenging year as an emerging virus pandemic has altered the way that society has traditionally functioned. Our social norms have been turned upside down and everyday occurrences that we have taken for granted are being re-evaluated in a new light. Social distancing guidelines have put a strain on how extension agents are able to interact with their clientele, as in-person meetings have been put on hold indefinitely. Therefore, agents must come up with innovative ways to remain
Author: Jessica Marquez
Major Program: Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)
Issues: What is the situation? Who cares and why?The number of Grandparent-headed households (GrandFamilies) is rapidly growing. Low income and minorities are disproportionately represented and lack adequate access to community-based services and programs. Many grandparents are challenged with generational gaps when raising their grandchildren and may lack knowledge on how to address issues that are due to this.Response: What has been done? Summarize your program, project, or response to the iss
Author: Casey Townsend
Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum
A group of 10 youth participated in a hydroponics program at the Brighton Center from the Youth Leadership Development program. They were taught an introduction lesson to hydroponics using the Soilless Systems 4-H Curriculum. The program participants learned about how to germinate a seed hydroponically, the fundamentals of hydroponics, about what a Plant Scientist does and other AgriScience Careers. A digital Qualtrics Survey was administered to the youth with a series of 7 que
Author: Trevor Claiborn
Major Program: Community Leadership Development
I met Mrs. JoJuana Leavell-Greene and her family last fall as she was inquring about ways to use her family properties in Anderson County and Fayette County for an Agricultural operation just as a retirement project. After an initial meeting with her, Mr Edwin Chavous, and myself, I did a few site visit's with her at her Fayette County property prior to the corona virus, as well as a few weekend visits during April and May to show her how to till, set her rows, and spacing for seeding.  
Author: Turquoise Brown
Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
The Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program (KSUCEP) provide low-income families in Kentucky with hands-on nutrition education to combat food insecurity and nutrition-related health challenges. Through the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) grant we serve families in Jefferson, Fayette and Franklin County. EFNEP programing in these counties has shown great strides in helping families to gain knowledge on nutrition topics such as meal planning and food safety te
Fostering healthy eating patterns and developing good cooking practices in school age children can potentially increase their health and well-being resulting in a better quality of life. At a young age, children acquire and practice eating habits taught by their parents, caregivers, and/or peers. With childhood obesity rates across the nation on a rise and the decline in Family and Consumer Science educators in schools, nutrition education programs are vital in filling the learning gap.The Kentu
Author: Richard Bryant
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
The Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program "Farming for Cash" works with several different community-based organizations in order to educate beginning farmers on different production methods, pest management practices, and marketing strategies. This year, Kentucky State University has partnered with five community-based organizations from across the state. One of these organizations, Empucate International, helps train beginning farmers from African countries wh
Author: Lawrence Caudle
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
In March 2020, the United States ended up taking on a new enemy in the form of a virus named COVID-19 or the Coronavirus. COVID-19 has slowed, if not stopped, the United States in almost every aspect from universities refraining from attending classes to businesses either shutting down their operations or limiting the number of employees that can work, plus limiting their hours of operations. The University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension Service has been no exception to the rules. The
Author: Janelle Hager
Major Program: Aquaculture
An aquaponics producer contact me about wilting plants and mold forming on lettuce plants. Approximately 15% of saleable crops were impacted. After an initial conversation and a description of the system, I was able to recommend a change in production practices to improve the situation and lower crop loss. These recommendations include removing solids that have built up in the system, improving aeration to the hydroponic beds, increasing sanitation and cleaning of the equipment between plantings
Author: Robert Durborow
SMALL HOLDING SYSTEMS FOR LIVE SALES OF CATFISHJohn Kelso, Extension & Research Assistant; Ken Semmens, Ph.D., Assistant Professor; Richard Bryant, Extension & Research Associate; Siddhartha Dasgupta, Ph.D.*, Professor; Austin Wright, Small Farms Agent; Robert Durborow, Ph.D., Assistant Research Director, Kentucky State University College of Agriculture, Communities, and the EnvironmentSituation: Small aquaculture farms can benefit by using direct-to-consumer markets to sell their f
Author: Gill Finley
Major Program: Business Retention and Expansion
Frankfort, like most small city and communities who wants to thrive by its treasured culture, builds around its strengths, and expand its resources to keep up with the demands of a growing diverse population. To grow and develop the City of Frankfort, there are unseen hurdles as well as known obstacles to overcome. In 2019, the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce, the Frankfort Mayor’s Office, and the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program (KSUCEP) collaborated with t
Floating In-Pond Raceway Systems in Eastern Kentucky: Extension DemonstrationJohn Kelso, Extension & Research Assistant, Ken Semmens, Ph.D., Professor, and Robert Durborow, Ph.D., Assistant Research Director & Professor, Kentucky State University College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment; School of Aquaculture and Aquatic SciencesSituationJames and Dennis Ulrich of East Burnstadt, KY expressed interest in culturing and selling catfish and rainbow trout in a floating in-pon
2019-20 Success StoryKentucky State University College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment, School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Clinical Fish Health Database (using artificial intelligence), July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020Submitted by Robert Durborow, Ph.D., Assistant Research Director; John Kelso, Extension & Research Assistant; Ashmita Poudel, Extension Associate; Tifani Watson, Graduate Research Assistant; and Tyler McKay, Graduate
Author: Louis "Jenie" Carter
Major Program: National Dining with Diabetes
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, I gained first hand knowledge about being a caregiver. I was thrust into a whole new world, with my 87 year old Mother. My mother had some underlying health conditions: diabetes, COPD and hypertension and became ill and was hospitalized with pancreatitis. She had a 14 day stay in the hospital. It was very hard due to the pandemic I could not visit her while she was there. Along with the other conditions she had tested positive for the Corona
Author: Christopher Cribbs
Major Program: Economic Development
In order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic, multiple Kentucky small businesses reduced their operations temporarily and others were temporarily closed. Research has shown that most minority small business owners were cash strap due to little to no access to funds before the COVID-19 Pandemic. Much beloved minority-owned businesses will close their doors permanently without financial aid. On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 bi
On Friday, July 26, 2019, two Kentucky Land Grant Universities, an 1862 and 1890, teamed up to address existing business retention and expansion issues in the Frankfort Area. Kentucky State University (KSU) Extension Community Resource Development (CRD) team and the University of Kentucky (UK) - Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK) partnered with the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce and the Frankfort City Mayor's Office to provide a community-based program (Bus
Author: Emma Robinson
Volunteers of America Freedom HouseVolunteers of America Mid-States creates positive change in the lives of individuals and communities through a ministry of service. Different communities have different needs. From housing solutions that keep homeless families together to helping displaced veterans get back on their feet, Volunteers of America Mid-States serves more than 21,000 people
Author: Joanne Bankston
Major Program: 4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
Dr. Joanne Bankston, professor and State Extension Specialist at Kentucky State University (KSU) developed and presented four financial education classes remotely to students who are enrolled in the Upward Bound Program. The Upward Bound Program is a federally funded TRIO program that provides support to participants whose goals are to receive a college degree. It is comprised of both a rigorous academic and summer component. Students must be low income and/or first generation.
