When you think of the county fair, you think of funnel cakes, cotton candy, and lots of unhealthy foods.  The Lincoln County Cooperative Extension Service sought to change the perspective of Fair goers this year as they created an Educational Outreach in the Lincoln County Floral Hall, changing recipes and Agent Program Talks each night.

The Lincoln County Cooperative Extension has had a minor role in the Floral Hall for years however this year with the start of a New FCS Agent, the Lincoln County Fair and Floral Hall became a Major Extension Marketing and Educational Outreach Program.

Volunteer Training

The educational programing began with a focus on the volunteers.  

1. 12 Volunteers met to deep clean the Floral Hall Building in preparation of the upcoming Fair. Before they began FCS Agent Jody Paver taught a lesson on clean v/s sanitary and Green Cleaning . All 12 participants said they learned new tips and strategies and would use their new knowledge in their own homes.

• 18 Volunteers attended a lesson that was adapted from the Nutrition Education Program’s Farmers Market Vendor Lessons on Displaying and promoting your products and Customer Service.  They used their new knowledge to rearrange, decorate, and prepare to display Exhibitor Items.  Compliments were given all week on the thoughtfulness and creativity of the displays.
• 28 people attended the Volunteer Lunch and Learn for Floral Hall Entry Check-in Day 1.  The lesson focused on Mindfulness and Stress Management. Using examples from the entries such as having a hobby or participating in creative arts and gardening are ways to de-stress and focus on self-care.  16 people said the lesson was very timely and much needed with the stress in their personal lives.  6 people asked for an extra handout because they wanted to pass the information along to others.
• 32 people attended the Volunteer Lunch and Learn for Floral Hall Entry Check-in Day 2.  This was a Collaboration with Lincoln County Cattleman Association and Tyler Miller, Ag Agent.  The lesson focused on The Thrill of the Grill from the Super Star Chef Curriculum with additional recipes from the KY Beef Association, Grilling safety, Picnic Food Safety, and distribution of recipes and a meat thermometer to each attendant.  Each participant said they would be more aware of food safety in the kitchen, 6 participants said they would be even more careful when camping with friends and family.

Community Outreach

The Fair was open to the public for 5 nights in July with various activities and entertainment throughout the week.  

Each night the Lincoln County Cooperative Extension Office had a different educational focus in the Floral Hall.  A Live Pinterest Board was created using the displayed entries and adding recipe cards, gardening information, Food Preservation information, youth opportunities, how to take a soil sample, and other Extension Educational Topics mixed in with the entries.

        1,200 people visited the Floral Hall during the 5 days of the interactive event.  Each person received a Lincoln County Cooperative Extension Marketing bag with flyers and handouts explaining Extension, Homemakers, 4-H, Ag programs, and upcoming events.  The Extension Agents rotated their availability for Meet and Greets and Question and Answer Sessions. 

250 People attended the Friday Morning Event held for Seniors and Friends with Disabilities Day. Lincoln County Cooperative Extension was a partner in the opportunities of the day which included:

• 75 people attended the Snack and Learn with handouts and talks with FCS Agent focused on Mindfulness and Stress Management, having a hobby, or participating in creative arts and gardening are ways to de-stress and focus on self-care and the importance of Caregiver Care. 25 people felt the days events and information presented was very helpful to them as caregivers and families.
• Handouts were available with the central registration Table at the Fair included FCS Extension Coloring Books, colored pencils, AARP Caregiver Guides, and 4-H Stickers.
• Floral Hall Handouts included How to Grow a Garden Calendar, Nutrition Education Handouts focused on Gardening, Extension Marketing Packet, 2023 Recipe Calendar.
• Art supplies, Paints, Paint Brushes, and Deco Art supplies were free for participants 
• Plate It Up! KY Proud Recipe Scavenger Hunt was held in the Floral Hall
• A Calming Center with soft rugs and pillows for overstimulated participants was sponsored by 4-H

Results From the Community Outreach efforts

• The FCS Agent answered Food Preservation Questions from 75 individuals while at the Floral Hall, they all received appropriate Food Preservation Handouts.  15 of those individuals attended Food Preservation Training through the FCS Extension Program that was advertised at the Fair.
• The FCS Agent received many community needs assessment and interest surveys and proceeded to plan accordingly for community programs
• Many inquires were made for the FCS, 4-H, and Ag programs.  
• 250 people said they had vegetables that they were not sure how to cook with them and because of the Plate It Up Ky Proud Recipes displayed throughout the Vegetable Entries, they would go home and try them.
• 300 people stated they would use the Cook Wild Kentucky Recipes that their family uses a lot of wild game but need recipes to make it taste better.        
• 275 people appreciated the different gardening information that was offered and was thankful to get firsthand knowledge to help produce more food for their family. 65 people took the 4-H youth gardening handouts and said they would work through the project with their child or grandchild.
• 180 people were excited about the youth healthy foods focus with Wall Cat, coloring books and the challenge for children to eat a colorful plate by trying new fruits and vegetables.

During Clean up and Pick up Days, conversations were held with volunteers and participants for evaluation of the process and the educational outreach components to refine and improve for next year.