Success StoryHenderson County Extension Community Involvement



Henderson County Extension Community Involvement

Author: Paul Andrew Rideout

Planning Unit: Henderson County CES

Major Program: Community Engagement

Plan of Work: Unrelated to a specified County Plan of Work

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

 

Extension and Community Involvment

 

 

Extension is not just agriculture.  With an office in every county, Extension is part of the county framework.  Residents depend on Extension for good information, youth development, and community development.  We are here to make our communities better.  

 

For the past several years, Henderson County has been fortunate to have several projects that will change our footprint.  A new $18mil sports park funded by the City and County is complete.  This project was a direct result of a community visioning process that took place with the help of Extension in 2019. Throughout the process, Extension expertise was called upon to help with community input, project budgeting, best grass selections for the playing surfaces, and long term maintenance plans/budgeting.  The sports fields are expected to bring 20k visitors to Henderson in the first year.

 

Henderson is also home to John James Audubon State Park.  The same visioning process that led to the sports park, also identified the need for an event center capable of hosting 300+ people.  As a member of the Friends of Audubon board, I was tasked with leading the process to get the center funded via state funds, county funds, and city funds.  Over the past two years, we met with local and state legislators, formally and informally, to explain the need resulting in over $5 million in local funds and over $10 million state funds line itemed in the budget.

 

In 2014, a group of local business women collaborated to create the Women’s Honor Court; a small pocket park in downtown Henderson.  The purpose was to honor local leaders and their accomplishments.  Although well designed, a long term maintenance plan was needed.  Henderson County Judge Executive called on Extension to help.  With the help of the Henderson Master Gardener’s, we developed a maintenance plan and in partnership with the County, oversee the park’s upkeep. 

 

The projects are just some examples of how Extension can be involved in their local community with more than just agriculture.  Good relationships with community leaders and the ambition to get involved will help a community grow.  Henderson County Extension has done just that.










Stories by Paul Andrew Rideout


Henderson County Extension Community Involvement

about 4 months ago by Paul Andrew Rideout

Extension and Community InvolvmentExtension is not just agriculture. With an office in every county,... Read More


AB Chandler Garden Project

about 4 months ago by Paul Andrew Rideout

The problemLack of knowledge of where your food comes from.The educational program responseFive part... Read More


Stories by Henderson County CES


4-H Camp

4-H Camp

about 3 months ago by Alexandria Brasher

A 4-day 4-H Camp session offers upwards of 72 hours of direct, uninterrupted contact between youth a... Read More


Bike Safety Day

Bike Safety Day

about 3 months ago by Alexandria Brasher

Henderson County has a lot of accessible sidewalks and bike riding opportunities.. Youth all over He... Read More


Stories by Community Engagement


Where would 4-H be without Voluneers

Where would 4-H be without Voluneers

about 3 months ago by Joyce Doyle

Where would the 4-H program be without volunteers? It would not be as successful. As we look at our ... Read More


Empowering Homemakers: A Success Story in Emergency Health Information Card Training

Empowering Homemakers: A Success Story in Emergency Health Information Card Training

about 3 months ago by Debra Hixon

The problemIn Calloway County, Ky the Calloway County Cooperative Extension Service Family and Consu... Read More