Harrison County, Kentucky has been without a Family & Consumer Sciences agent for a year and a half. With the vacancy and extended period of nonexistent activities, FCS had become a thought of the past. Therefore, marketing and promotion became a number one priority for transfer agent, Shelley Meyer. Working with the Harrison County Extension Staff and community organizations, Family & Consumer Sciences has resurfaced for extensive community engagement. Becoming visible and building an audience base with program awareness will increase program effectiveness.

In just 2 months, the county went from having zero interaction from FCS to having a monthly radio segment, weekly news articles from the four Extension program areas (one of which is FCS), strong collaboration with Cynthiana Mainstreet Coordinator, and active involvement with the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce. Outreach has occurred with the school system, Wedco Health Department, and Harrison Memorial Hospital. The Family & Consumer Sciences newsletter went from a mailing list of 180 to 300 with an additional 200 count email distribution list. Furthermore, the newsletter is printed and delivered to all 350 Harrison County school teachers and staff. An FCS news blast “for the adults in the family” are printed and distributed to all preschool through fifth graders which goes home with over 1800 families.

Programs are being planned and implemented, Harrison County Homemakers are receiving a support they have gone without for quite some time, and new interests has flourished. One person retired from the homemaker program shared that she was visited by a current homemaker who encouraged her to get back involved. She reported, “There is so much going on in the FCS program now with lots of new and exciting ideas.” Another community person quoted, “everyone is raving about the new FSC agent and program. We are so excited for the new hire and love what she is doing.”