Each year, the Nutrition Education Program (NEP) publishes an annual report to highlight the impact of its work through both the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) across the state. The report showcases the efforts of NEP Assistants and County Extension Agents at the local level, as well as the outcomes of statewide initiatives. Serving as a valuable marketing tool, the report supports engagement at local, state, and federal levels.

In 2024, the NEP Annual Report was reimagined—evolving from a two-page standardized document into a comprehensive 14-page publication. The expanded report offers an in-depth look at the multi-level efforts taking place across the state, including direct and indirect education, as well as policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes. Data from multiple reporting systems were compiled and analyzed to provide a thorough overview of program impacts. The report also features photographs of programming in action and visual documentation of PSE outcomes, helping to illustrate the real-world impact of NEP efforts.

The 2024 NEP Annual Report highlights significant growth in both adult and youth program participation and graduation rates.

For adult programming, there were 280,200 direct contacts, with 4,582 adults completing a series of seven nutrition education lessons—a 20% increase in participation and a 44% increase in graduation rate compared to the previous year. Among those graduates, 98% showed improvement in one or more diet quality indicators, 96% improved in one or more food resource management practices, 89% demonstrated improvement in one or more food safety practices and 82% showed improvement in one or more physical activity behaviors.

Youth programming also saw strong engagement, with 312,058 direct contacts and 16,425 youth completing a series of six nutrition education lessons—representing a 20% increase in participation and an 18% increase in graduation rate from the previous year. Among youth graduates, 91% improved in one or more areas of knowledge or skills related to choosing foods consistent with the Federal Dietary Guidelines, 72% adopted, practiced, or improved food safety-related knowledge or behaviors, and 64% improved knowledge, skills, or behavior related to physical activity.

The report also showcased food systems projects focused on advancing policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes through multisector partnerships. Featured projects include:

• Cook Wild Kentucky, in collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Feeding Kentucky, and Hunters for the Hungry.
• Farmers Market Promotion, in partnership with the Community Farm Alliance and farmers market networks statewide.
• Gardening Projects, conducted in collaboration with the University of Kentucky’s Horticulture Department, substance use recovery centers, local schools, and community agencies across the state.

It is essential to effectively communicate the impact and value of Cooperative Extension programming to stakeholders. The new NEP Annual Report provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the value and impact of Cooperative Extension's nutrition education programming. Designed to be easily understood by stakeholders, the report highlights key outcomes and successes.

The Annual Report is publicly available on the NEP website and can be accessed [here].