Family Lifestyles Television Show

The Extension Agents for Family and Consumer Science Education, in eight counties of the Mammoth Cave Area that can access the Proclaim Broadcasting network, WPBM TV Channel 31 via cable, dish, digital or antenna television have partnered to take over hosting of the 30 minute, weekly Family Lifestyles television show. Fifty five episodes were taped and aired from October 16, 2017 – October 15, 2018.

The eight Mammoth Cave Area Counties that currently have access to this program include Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Metcalfe, Monroe and Simpson. These counties are predominately rural and remain heavily agricultural with a total combined population of 147,422, according to the 2017 population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. According to the Kentucky State Data Center, all eight counties rank at 30 – 35% of the population as obese and reporting no leisure time physical activity. All of the counties fall into the lower than the median levels of state – wide, overall health ranking.

Each pre – taped program, airs four times weekly, with one segment occurring during prime time hours and netting up to 100,000 viewers. Participating MCAFCS Extension Agents tape two segments at a time, in rotating teams of two, with one Agent hosting and the other guesting. Agents present on a broad range of topics using appropriate visual aids - with a strong focus on marketing of the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Service’s nutrition, food preparation/safety, family/home/consumer and wellness topics. Several FCS Agents have hosted outside guests, to provide expertise/insight on a selected topic or to promote local/community projects and activities. The Edmonson County Family and Consumer Science Agent hosted an episode with the Hart County Family and Consumer Science and Allen County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent featuring a Plate it Up! Kentucky Proud Blackberry recipe with information on cultivating and growing blackberries in Kentucky

The main goal of the Family Lifestyles television show is to make publically accessible, research – based information, in a visual/auditory format to strengthen families and provide greater opportunities for personal development, for viewers in the broadcast area. FCS Extension Agents are currently working on further broadening the program audience, by launching internet access to the segments for the 2018/19 program year, through social media pages and groups that currently exist.