23% of Barren County residents are living in poverty compared to 18% statewide. The county seat, Glasgow, a town of about 14,000, has been rated the poorest town in Kentucky for the second year in a row in 2019. Some 29% of Glasgow residents are living below the poverty line. They are struggling with low incomes and ever-increasing bills, utilities, and family responsibilities. 

To provide strategies to Glasgow residents to encourage decreased energy consumption in an effort to save money and lower their household electric bills the County FCS Agent partnered with the local energy provider, Glasgow Electric Plant Board and the Tennessee Valley Authority Corporation to provide a home energy workshop at the Barren County Cooperative Extension Service on August 29th, 2019. 

This workshop was presented by TVA representatives via dinner and discussion format and a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program approved recipe was provided as the meal. The presenter provided strategies, tools, and resources to reduce household energy consumption and costs. Over 30 Glasgow residents left with tips and home energy saving kits including aids such as window seal and nightlights. Workshop participants expressed their appreciation for the program and the meal.

In a follow-up email conversation with the Agent, the presenter writes: “I would like to add that this was likely the most well marketed and executed Home Energy Workshop I have facilitated over the past several years. Everything was spot on and I think it is reflected in the surveys.”