Family and Youth Development programming is essential for fostering healthy, supportive environments where both children and adults can thrive. By offering structured activities and educational workshops, UK Extension aims to build strong family bonds equipping young people and older adults with critical life skills. Guided by the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-being, our programming also addresses social and emotional needs throughout the lifespan, promoting resilience and positive relationships which are two of the key concerns identified in the top 15 needs of Kentucky’s statewide needs assessment. Investing in such programs can prevent future challenges by supporting early intervention and personal growth. Ultimately, these initiatives contribute to the well-being of individuals and the stability of communities, making them a vital component of social development.

Research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center indicates that 85 percent of job success comes from having well-developed soft and people skills, and only 15 percent of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge (hard skills). Employers are often prepared to teach technical job skills; however, the intangible skills of being a team player, time management, and positive attitude are difficult to teach on-site but are critical to success. These skills are often desired by families and youth to help prepare for professional events, workforce, or experiences where manners are important and valuable.

To address this need, the Extension Agents for Family and Consumer Sciences in Woodford (Hannah Thornsberry), Jessamine (Sara Haag) and Fayette (Maranda Brooks), worked collaboratively to deliver a successful two-day healthy-alternative baking and etiquette series held May 9 and 10, 2025. Hannah Thornsberry began the program on the evening of May 9 by teaching attendees how to make a homemade toaster pastry. This recipe was encouraged to be used in place of a favorite high-sugar breakfast item. Attendees enjoyed hands-on learning in Jessamine County’s teaching kitchen. Following pastry preparation, Maranda Brooks delivered table etiquette publication material, an interactive place-setting activity and a dining etiquette dialogue to address commonly asked etiquette questions. The morning of May 10, constituents were encouraged to dress in appropriate tea party attire, using the guidelines given by the etiquette materials. They were given their tart pastries, prepared that morning by the agents, and asked to set their own formal dining place setting. After successfully setting their tableware, attendees were served their pastries and encouraged to use their new knowledge to engage in formal conversation and dining etiquette.

Over the two-day program, the three agents successfully provided healthy-alternative baking and table and dining etiquette for 6 participants. Fifteen percent of attendees were of youth age. Evaluation results indicated that 95% of attendees plan to practice dining etiquette protocols, 95% expressed appreciation for learning how to make an alternate healthier version of a tart pastry and 95% of attendees plan to use dining etiquette to create positive impressions.