Relevance

The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) has been working to improve the quality of life for families locally and globally for more than 93 years. KEHA’s mission and focus is leadership development, volunteer service, and education. Cooperative Extension professionals partner with, provide research-based education for, and advise KEHA at the local and state level as members develop and implement educational programs and projects.

Response

KEHA continues to work closely with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and Family and Consumer Sciences Extension to improve the quality of life for Kentucky families. Programs educate members and the general public on a wide range of topics of importance to individuals and families. The program of work for KEHA is organized under eight state educational program chairs and guided by an active board of directors. Kelly May, Senior Extension Associate, is the current state KEHA Advisor.

Results

KEHA membership has increased over the past five years, reaching 11,353 in 2025. KEHA continues as an active volunteer organization. In 2024, KEHA members reported more than 786,000 volunteer hours with a value of more than $23.1 million to the Commonwealth. 

Program of work reports from 2024 documented specific impacts from members across the state related to each of the eight educational programs of emphasis.

• Through Cultural Arts & Heritage, KEHA clubs and county organizations generated more than $22,700 to support KEHA and community projects through sales of cultural arts and crafts items.
• Through Environment, Housing & Energy, more than 1,800 have taken steps to make their homes safer.
• About 1,300 members and family members participated in community projects as part of the self-care program of work through KEHA Family & Individual Development.
• KEHA clubs and county organizations provided $25,253 in 4-H camp scholarships.
• More than 14,500 children were served by a local “backpack for hunger” program through Food, Nutrition and Health.
• About 1,300 members participated in the “Healthy Eating Around the World” program through International.
• As part of Leadership Development, educational Scholarships valued at $55,748 were awarded to 106 individuals.
• Through Management and Safety, more than 1,600 members increased their understanding of what makes up an estate.

The organization’s 91^st annual State Meeting was a success, taking place May 6-8, 2025, in Lexington. The event reached capacity with more than 500 attendees from across the state, including 106 first-time participants. The three-day meeting celebrated the theme “Discover KEHA – A Hidden Treasure.” During the event, KEHA presented a check for $43,077.40 in continued support for the UK Ovarian Cancer Research and Screening Program. Three fundraising activities conducted as part of the meeting yielded more than $8,000 to support designated projects. At least 10 counties donated about 64 twin-sized bed quilts in a service project benefiting the Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville. The KEHA choir was 35 members strong and performed six songs, including three with special lyrics. The popular Cultural Arts and Heritage contest included 741 entries that meeting attendees could view and appreciate. Attendees enjoyed 30 workshops, 11 craft classes, and training for state officers and educational chairs. The evaluations yielded positive results:

• About 45% of attendees (227 out of 500) completed evaluation forms and rated the conference very highly, indicating a wealth of knowledge taken home to implement locally.
• On average, respondents rated the overall meeting as a 7.7 on a 10-point scale.
• When asked what was the most important thing offered by KEHA in their decision to attend, top responses were: seminars/workshops/training (55%), hands-on craft classes (47%), lessons to bring back to club/county (41%), socializing and fellowship (35%), connecting with other counties (33%), Cultural Arts (30%), and more.
• Many resources will be shared in home counties, particularly information from hands-on crafts (61%), Cultural Arts (48%), volunteering (36%), club information (34%), membership (29%), and other topics such as leadership and specific lesson details.

Public Value Statement

KEHA is an extremely impactful organization statewide with many dedicated members; its symbiotic relationship with Kentucky Cooperative Extension is mutually beneficial for both organizations.