Unhealthy health statistics such as low levels of physical activity, unhealthy nutrition, and poor mental health are all determinants of several chronic diseases. To address this issue the Hart County 4-H Youth Development Agent and Family Consumer Science Agent partnered with the Healthy Hart Coalition to write a grant from the Healthy Communities Grant with the University of Kentucky.  This is an adult/youth partnership grant to provide wellness opportunities in a community.   The committee received a $5000 grant to establish a wellness project in Hart County.   

The committee made up of 4-H youth and adults decided to establish a walking trail to encourage physical activity and wellness in the community.  4-H teen leaders developed and presented a presentation to the Hart County School Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent to see if they were interested in partnering on the project and establishing the walking trail on the property of one of the county schools.  The school administrators suggested establishing a walking trail at Memorial Elementary since there was limited areas to walk in the community.

During the COVID 19 pandemic research indicated that the determinants were at an all-time high and considered major public health concerns that required effective behavior change interventions. With this in mind the Hart County Family and Consumer Sciences and Hart County 4-H Youth Development Agent looked at ways to increase the amount of health education and exercise citizens of Hart County were getting.

During the pandemic the Hart County Extension office introduced the "Healthy with Hart Walking Program". Participates were asked to sign up and register their tracking device using the Challenge Runner App. They were also encouraged to join the private Healthy with Hart Facebook group. Throughout the 4 week challenge participates were given health tips and encouragement using the private Facebook group. 72 adults and youth participated in the program. The group was diverse in age, gender and race and walked 5931 miles.   At the completion of the program, 89% of the participates expressed they were more aware of the benefits of regular physical activity and had been given the knowledge and skills to be physically active. 

A family that participated in the walking program recently stopped by the Hart County Extension Office to say “My family participated in the walking program your office started during the pandemic.  We have continued to walk at least 3 to 4 times a week since we started the program.  We use the walking trail at Memorial Elementary to walk each week.  I have lost weight since starting the program and my husband and I both have had improved health stats at the doctor’s office since we have been walking on a regular basis.  I just wanted your office to know the program has really helped us improve our health."