Success Stories by Kentukcy State University - 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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Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success Stories by Kentukcy State UniversityKentucky Extension Reporting System

Reimagining Risk Reduction: A Late-Night, Alcohol-Free Concert Featuring American Idol Winner, Recovery Advocate & Champion, Noah Thompson

Author: Carla Jordan

Major Program: Substance Use Recovery - FCS

Reimagining Risk Reduction: A Late-Night, Alcohol-Free Concert Featuring American Idol Winner Noah ThompsonFor decades, prevention efforts like the “Just Say No” campaign dominated the national conversation around substance misuse. While well-intentioned, such campaigns often failed to equip young people with the tools they needed to make healthy choices. The approach was overly simplistic—telling students what not to do, without offering meaningful alternatives for managing st

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From Launch to Impact: Building a Culture of Prevention Across Kentucky Campuses

Author: Carla Jordan

Major Program: Substance Use & Mental Health

From Launch to Impact: Building a Culture of Prevention Across Kentucky CampusesAccording to SAMHSA’s National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS) reported that 28,452 clients were in substance abuse treatment in Kentucky on March 29, 2019. A similar SAMSHA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study from 2016 also reported that reported that 1 in 7 young adults between the ages of 18-24 met criteria for a substance use disorder and needed tr

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Norton Healthcare Cardiology Support Group

Author: Donavan Moore

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

As part of the Connecting Hearts for Support initiative, the Advocates for Healthy Hearts program offers heart disease survivors opportunities to connect through twice-monthly meetings featuring expert guest speakers on heart health–related topics.In this context, I delivered a one-hour interactive presentation to a group of 10 support group members. The session covered a range of practical gardening techniques designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity, i

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West End Women's Collaborative Partnership

Author: Donavan Moore

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The West End Women’s Collaborative (WEWC) unites the community—particularly the Chickasaw neighborhood—through healing art, empowering workshops, and meaningful connections. A central focus of WEWC’s work is honoring and celebrating African American culture, which is integrated into all programming, events, and community initiatives. The organization operates with the belief that collective action can lead to transformative outcomes.In collaboration with WEWC, I have been

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Master Gardner Pruning Feburary 2025

Author: Donavan Moore

Major Program: Master Gardener

Master Gardner Pruning Feburary 2025

Many residents in Louisville express interest in growing fresh apples or peaches, but few fully understand the level of care required for any tree—especially fruiting varieties. Fruit trees demand significant time and commitment before producing a harvest, with full-sized trees often taking up to 10 years to bear fruit. A critical aspect of their care is proper pruning to remove dead or diseased limbs and promote healthy growth. While dwarf trees can often be pruned with simple extendable

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Nutrition Program on Healthy Meal Planning for Seniors Brings Success in Hardin County-Dec. 2024(YEAR 2024)

Author: Chandra DeRamus

Major Program: Family Development General

Nutrition Program on Healthy Meal Planning for Seniors Brings Success in Hardin County-Dec. 2024(YEAR 2024)

Title: Nutrition Program on Healthy Meal Planning for Seniors Brings Success in Hardin CountyPlanning Unit: Hardin County CESMajor Program: General NutritionOver the last several months the price of groceries has increased around the world. In some states such as Kentucky within Hardin County they are seeing a shift in the way that people are dealing with this sudden change. This makes it a lot more challenging for some families in particular seniors to afford groceries because the majority of t

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"Kentucky State University (KSU) Disaster Preparedness Program Impacting Community of Seniors in Hardin County”-April 2025

Author: Chandra DeRamus

Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness

"Kentucky State University (KSU) Disaster Preparedness Program Impacting Community of Seniors in Hardin County”-April 2025

Over the last year (2025) across the state of Kentucky, families have been faced with all kinds of disasters from flooding, tornadoes, and winter snow storms.  In order to meet these ongoing challenges, Kentucky State University’s family and consumer science (FCS) extension agent decided to complete a series of classes on disaster preparedness. So to meet that need to prepare some of the citizens within Hardin County, she facilitated a 5 part series between the months of (Dec. 2024-Ap

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Ohana Day brings families and Community together

Author: Rebecca Woodall

Major Program: Family Development General

Ohana Day brings families and Community together

There is a local park in a disadvantaged neighborhood.   In the summer, a lot of kids hang out there all day with only a few pieces of playground equipment to play on. Most of the activities in town are on the other side of town. I have noticed a lack of organized activity in the area, which leads to the kids finding trouble.   Our FCS program decided to have a Family fun day to encourage bonding and healthy living.  We decided to call the day Ohana Day.   We partnered w

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Master Cattlemen for West Regional Zone 8

Author: Jacob Hall

Major Program: Beef

Kentucky’s cattle industry remains a vital part of the state's agricultural economy. According to the 2023 State Agriculture Overview from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the state is home to over 1.8 million cows and calves. This sector contributed approximately $1.08 billion in agricultural revenue in 2022. With livestock prices on the rise, producers are more motivated than ever to improve efficiency and the overall quality of their herds.Recognizing this need, Agricul

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Hook & Cook

Author: Jacob Hall

Major Program: Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud

Many children and families do not know where their food comes from. Whether this be farm to fork or even wild game that is harvested, a disconnect in our society has occurred. But, by way of extension and alike programming, we can combat this. Kentucky State University, University of Kentucky, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and the local county library (Metcalfe)  brainstormed to put together an unbelievable program. This program started with a vison of not only being able to chec

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Farm Transition Program

Author: Jacob Hall

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

2025 Annual Farm Transition ProgramAs the average age of American farmers continues to rise, concerns about the future of family farms are growing. With more and more farms being lost, the spotlight is now on farm transition—the critical process of passing farms from one generation to the next.Recognizing this urgent need, agriculture extension agents from the University of Kentucky (UK) and Kentucky State University (KSU) in the West 8 (W8) area identified farm transition as a priority is

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NIR for the Barrens

Author: Jacob Hall

Major Program: Forages

NIR Technology Comes to Barren County: A Game Changer for Kentucky Forage TestingFor years, cattle producers have been feeding rations without precise data on the nutritional quality of their hay. Information such as protein levels, fiber content, macronutrients, and micronutrients was often unavailable or delayed, making it difficult to match feed to the specific needs of livestock. That changed in May 2025, when Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) technology became locally available—right h

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Small Scale Poultry Production for Profit Programs Offered

Author: William Crawford

Major Program: Poultry/Small Flocks

Small scale farms and homesteads in Kentucky face challenges of economy to scale when compared to large corporate supported operations. No industry is more evident of this disparity than poultry production. With over 1.8 billion dollars worth of meat and eggs produced in the Commonwealth, they comprise the state's number one agricultural cash crop. Vertically integrated by design, large contract grower farms have every input selected for efficiency and affordability. Recent initiatives for a

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Forage Testing for the State of Kentucky/ KET Appearance

Author: Tyler London

Major Program: Forages

For many years, cattlemen and producers have fed rations without data for their hay being readily available. By data I am meaning proteins, fibers, macronutrients, micronutrients, etc. However, in May of 2025 this all changed when NIR was no longer located in a different state or far off at an extreme cost. NIR came to Barren County. Glasgow to be exact. NIR Near Infrared Spectrometer gives feed value and protein and many other things of a farmers feed and forages. This allows a farmer to match

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Incubation and Embryology Programs Reinforce STEM Initiatives

Author: William Crawford

Major Program: Poultry/Small Flocks

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiative are at the forefront of current educational trends. Incubation studies utilizing candling to non-invasively view developing chicken embryos reinforces these principles. Candling involves the use of a bright light held to the large end of fertile egg, thus illuminating the blood vessels, eye and even the beating heart as early as three days into development. The highlight for many is being allowed to hold baby chicks after being t

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Hardin & LaRue County Community Baby Shower Promoting Healthy Choices for New Moms and Families -(June 2025)

Author: Chandra DeRamus

Major Program: Family Development General

Hardin & LaRue County Community Baby Shower Promoting Healthy Choices for New Moms and Families -(June 2025)

Within Hardin County, a disproportionate number of Kentucky families live in economically distressed communities (39% of Kentucky.) From housing to grocery store expenses, the cost of living continues to rise, and households are ill-equipped to adjust to the rising cost of living. This makes it really challenging for parents to afford an affordable home and raise children without feeling strain in their budget.As a result of the economic strain on families our local community organization, Commu

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Seniors Celebration Program in Hardin County features Health & Nutrition Focus for Community Collaboration (May 2025)

Author: Chandra DeRamus

Major Program: Building Healthy Coalitions

Seniors Celebration Program in Hardin County features Health & Nutrition Focus for Community Collaboration (May 2025)

Within Hardin County, a disproportionate number of Kentucky families live in economically distressed communities (39% of Kentucky.) From housing to grocery store expenses, the cost of living continues to rise, and households are ill-equipped to adjust to the rising cost of living. This makes it really challenging for parents to afford an affordable home and raise children without feeling strain in their budget.The senior population faces a lot more challenges with some of them having chronic hea

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Walk Your Way: Inspiring Health Through Movement

Author: Rebecca Woodall

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Low physical activity levels, poor nutrition, and mental health challenges are known contributors to chronic diseases—and they continue to be major public health concerns. According to America’s Health Rankings, Kentucky ranks among the least physically active states.In response, Family and Consumer Sciences Agents in the Pennyrile Area launched Walk Your Way, a 12-week walking challenge aimed at boosting physical activity and encouraging healthier lifestyles among local residents.42

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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