Empowering Community Leaders

Boyd County Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Council, with Diversity Council, Human Rights Commission, members of Ashland Community Technical College, Ashland School System, the ministerial association and the community, held a forum for city office candidates. A news anchor from TV-station WSAZ directed the panel of candidates, who each spoke for 10 minutes prior to answering questions from the professionals and audience. 95 people participated in the program to gain information about candidates to make more informed voting decisions. As a follow-up the FCS Council, along with Human Rights Commission, have planned a 2012 community relations forum called "Let's Talk" to encourage community dialogue that will feature a member of community relations at the Department of Justice.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Boyd county, please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

In the Recipe for Reading program, presented to 300 4th graders in Bourbon County, students work with volunteers to prepare recipes that are served to their classmates. The life skills introduced in the program are designed to teach students practical applications of school subjects. Students must read the recipe, increase the amounts in the recipe, prepare, clean up, and serve the food, using literacy, science, and math. Twenty-five volunteers presented the program including manners and food safety lessons. Students' survey results showed that 50% had never cooked anything before; 86% tried new foods; 95% liked learning to use the cooking tools. 100% of volunteers, teachers, school administrators, and students are committed to repeating the program.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Bourbon County, please click the link.

Empowering Community Leaders

What do Boone County Extension Homemakers do best? Lead, serve, and share. BCEHA celebrated its 75th anniversary this year, offering leader-led projects, fundraisers, and classes that enabled members to log over 25,000 volunteer hours valued at approximately $534,000. Each year, funds are raised to support projects that include baby blankets for premature infants, cancer-care caps, lap quilts, walker bags, seatbelt pillows, and food/personal products donations. According to the American Cancer Society local chapter, in 2010 there were 1,150 individuals served as a result of efforts by BCEH. The VA Hospital received 1,084 items totaling $3,289 in value. Local food pantries received 365 cereal boxes. Homemaker leaders taught thirty-five classes this year, and four scholarships totaling $3,500 were awarded to students.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Boone county, please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Bell County faces serious health challenges due to lack of physical activity among adults, obesity, and diabetes, according to The Health of Kentucky: A County Assessment. To reduce these factors, Bell County Cooperative Extension Service and Bell County Health Department hosted 2nd Saturday in October at Middlesboro Mall. Eighty participants walked, danced, biked, and jogged, enjoying stations for hula hoops, jump ropes, and parachute games. They received information on physical activity, MyPlate: planning for healthy eating, portion sizes, and lowering cholesterol. 100% stated that, because of the program, they would exercise more than three times a week. 80% increased their knowledge of calorie needs. 100% learned ideas to increase physical activity for the entire family.

To see the enstire Building Strong Families county profile for Bell county, please click the link.

Securing Financial Stability

Construction of the Kentucky Market Pavilion, adjacent to the Bath County Extension Office and overseen by the Bath County Agricultural Foundation, was completed in late 2010. Open in April 2011, this $1 million structure was funded through grants from several entities, including USDA Rural Economic Development and the Appalachian Regional Commission. Bath County Extension staff worked with the Foundation to oversee planning, construction, hiring of a manager, and leasing of the deli/bakery located in the market. To date, over 50 Kentucky vendors have placed products in the market, which provides an outlet for Kentucky-produced, value-added products to supplement farm and family income. The market draws local visitors and daily traffic that pass the site on I-64 and US 60.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Bath county, please click the link.

Accessing Nutritious Foods

This year, Barren County Cooperative Extension staff facilitated a winter market for local producers of meat, eggs, cheese, produce, honey, and handmade products. The 15-vendor market gave consumers the opportunity to purchase local items in the off-season. Vendors and patrons were surveyed at season's end. The surveys indicated that 100% of vendors made money, with total market sales averaging $2,000 each session. Nearly half reported that winter income was on par with weekly summer sales. Surveys showed that 100% of patrons felt the market was a worthy project and would support it in the future. They particularly appreciated Extension's role in providing an outlet when local items aren't easily accessible.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Barren county please click the link.

Embracing Life As We Age

According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, more than one-third of adults ages 65 and older fall each year. Many older adults have a fear of falling, which can limit quality of life and independence. To address this, Ballard County Cooperative Extension conducted "A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls" training. In two eight-week sessions, this program taught 17 participants to set goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce falls, and practice strength and balance exercises. After the program all participants felt more comfortable talking about their fear. A majority intended to make changes to their home environment. All felt more comfortable about increasing activity and planned to continue to exercise.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Ballard county please click the link.

Accessing Nutritious Food

According to U.S. Census data, 12.4% of Anderson County residents are 65 years or older, with many living in poverty, able only to afford rent and medicine. The Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, partnering with the Department of Agriculture, Open Hands Food Pantry, and Senior Center, work to increase participation in the Farmers Market voucher program for local seniors and provide nutrition education. This program distributes seven vouchers per person that can be redeemed for $28 of food at any farmer's market in Kentucky. Anderson County voucher redemption has risen from 18% in 2009 to a redemption rate of 74.6% in 2010. Older adults have increased their ability to afford and access fresh market food as a result of these programs.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Anderson county please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

The lack of infrastructure for physical activity impacts the growing obesity rate in Allen County. To address that, Scottsville and friends of Dumont Hill have been awarded a $60,000 federal grant for a three-mile walking trail built-environment project on Dumont Hill and adjacent YMCA properties. The funding, matched by an additional $20,000 from the Laura Goad Turner Charitable Foundation, brings the budget to $120,000. Initial enhancements will provide dense grade surfacing, culvert and scenic overlook bridges, as well as educational, nature, and historic interpretation. The site hosted the 2010 2nd Sunday, with scavenger hunts, geocaching sites, and living history sites. It encouraged family participation in walking and hiking, with over 150 participants, and 10 partnering community agencies and businesses.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Allen county please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks Kentucky near the bottom nationally for number of people who are physically active. Direct and indirect costs due to high rates of obesity cost the Commonwealth an estimated $1 billion. To promote the importance of an active lifestyle, UK Family and Consumer Sciences Extension implemented 2nd Sunday. Over 135 friends, neighbors, and church groups walked, biked, rode scooters, and pushed strollers on Indian Drive and Athletic Drive at Adair County Elementary School, with 100% finishing. Participants were also taught bicycle safety and the importance of wearing helmets. As a result, a local church formed a walking group of 30 that has logged 6,332 miles collectively within the last year.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Adair county please click the link.