Breathitt County • 2019

Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)

Lunch at the Market

According to the USDA, fruit and vegetable consumption has decreased from 299 pounds per person in 2003 to 272 pounds per person in 2013. Although community members understand the importance of consuming more fruits and vegetables, access can be difficult. The Breathitt County Farmer’s Market is an excellent resource for attaining fresh local produce.

Breathitt County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), in partnership with county Extension Agents and staff, Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability (RCARS) staff, local farmers and the local Farmer’s Market Board, hosted monthly Lunch at the Market events during peak growing seasons. Lunches were prepared using local fruits and vegetables. This effort enabled community members to try new fruits and vegetables and then also allowed them the opportunity to purchase said items from growers at the same time/location.

An average of 275 Breathitt County citizens participated in the Lunch at the Market events. Participants were provided with a lunch prepared with local fruits and vegetables, provided with

For More Information, Please Contact us at:

Breathitt County Extension Office • (606) 666-8812 • https://breathitt.ca.uky.edu

1155 Main Street, P.O. Box 612, Jackson, KY 41339

Breathitt County Extension Office staff.

Plate-It Up recipe cards and nutrition information, and were provided the opportunity to purchase produce from local growers before leaving the event.

The Lunch at the Market events were highly successful. One hundred percent of farmers that participated in the event, indicated an increase of sales each time the program took place. Community members also indicated an increase in knowledge of accessible fruits and vegetables at the local Farmer’s Market. “I didn’t realize I could purchase so many different items at our local Farmer’s Market,” stated a Lunch at the Market participant. Lunch at the Market is an event the community enjoys and expects.

Breathitt County Trail Ride

Breathitt County is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The economy is depressed due to the decline of coal production. However, the forested terrain and waterways can provide an opportunity for tourism.

The Breathitt County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent met with a group of horse enthusiast who wanted to establish a Horseman’s Association for social, educational and economic development activities. The initial interest meeting had over thirty people in attendance.

In 2019, there were 61 members of the

Horseman’s Association. Members included are 60% male, 40% female, and six youth ranging in age (7 to 13). Seventy three percent (73%) are horse owners who keep their animals at their own farm.

Since the initial meeting in 2017, the Horseman’s Association has met monthly at the Breathitt County Extension Office. The ANR agent and program assistant identify topics and speakers for the educational part of their meetings. Riders have gained knowledge in animal health, nutrition and safety.

The organization chose to work on a civic project by organizing a trail ride in the Spring of 2017 with over 170 people participating. The family atmosphere, fellowship, and out-of-town participants resulted in an annual trail ride serving over 1,000 people in the past two years. Travelers spend two nights in the county during the trail ride events. Because of the success of the trail ride and economic benefit to local businesses, the group organized another Trail Ride for the fall.

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS)

Holiday Roadshow: Tips for Low Cost Meals

According to the 2017 US Census Data-QuickFacts, the median household income in Breathitt County is $25,861 and 36.2% of the population of Breathitt County is living in poverty. Because the holidays are both a joyous and financially stressful time for Breathitt County citizens, especially those living at or below the poverty line, it is very important that such audiences have access to educational information to help them financially manage during the holiday season.

To assist individuals in understanding and responding to financial stress resulting from holiday expenses, Breathitt County Agent for FCS, Kayla Watts, in partnership with all Quicksand Area FCS Agents, hosted a Holiday Raodshow: Tips for Low Cost Meals, financial program. Emphasis was placed on understanding ways to cut costs on holiday meals and ways to cut costs on gift giving as a way to reduce spending and financial stress.

Twenty seven consumers participated in the workshop. Participants were surveyed following the class and one hundred percent

Pictured are participants from the Trail

Ride.

indicated they had identified at least one cost-saving strategy for preparing their holiday meal, and twenty seven participants plan to take action steps toward implementing at least one financial strategy presented during this program, thus reducing holiday/financial stress. “This program helped me realize I can make smaller, semi-homemade dishes, as a way to cut costs on my holiday meal,” stated one participant.

Financial Management classes such as, Holiday Roadshow: Tips for Low Cost Meals, are great tools to teach and encourage adults about making cost-saving decisions. Financially stressed citizens, equipped with new knowledge, are then able to make better financial decisions, especially during the holidays, which will in return, lead to a less stressful holiday season.

FitBlue

According to Kentucky County Healthcare Profiles: County Health Indicators from 2017, 15.8% of the adult population of Breathitt County has diabetes and 30.9% of the adult population is obese. Because physical activity is linked to better management of chronic diseases and lowering obesity rates, it is very important that Breathitt County citizens, particularly the mentioned populations, have access and motivation to participate in physical activities.

Breathitt County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, Kayla Watts, in partnership with the Breathitt County Public Library, hosted a four week FitBlue, on-line based team walking program where participants learned the importance of healthy diet and exercise. Too, participants were encouraged to walk during the program time and also given the opportunity to track their weekly steps.

Approximately 97 Breathitt County citizens (25 teams) participated in the four week program where they tracked steps, incorporated more physical activity into daily living and practiced making healthier eating choices. The total steps taken by all those participating citizens was 13,901 miles!

Evaluations, completed by participants, showed 99% of participants had an increase of

knowledge and awareness related to diet and exercise needs based on their gender/activity level/age. Also, 99% of participants indicated that they planned to continue regular physical activities such as walking. One participant stated, “I will continue to exercise. This program was a great motivator! I know that this makes me feel better, and helps my overall heath.”

Physical activity programs such as FitBlue are a great tool to teach and encourage families about making healthy lifestyle choices. Citizens equipped with new knowledge are then able to better manage chronic diseases and weight.

4-H Youth Development

This year the Breathitt County Extension Office welcomed a new 4-H Youth Development Agent, Ryan Spicer. Ryan was born and raised on a small farm in Southern Wolfe County. He attended Alice Lloyd College

Participants at the FitBlue Team Walking

Challenge celebration.

where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, and then Morehead State University where he received his Master’s Degree in Secondary Education.

He brought with him five years of teaching experience, and with this knowledge he has been able to continue 4-H programming, and also been able to implement many new projects into the 4-H program. Such programs includes science themed day camps, after school robotics club, and an after school teen club.

Ryan is looking forward to working with our community and with his continued efforts on various projects throughout the county.

Snap-Ed

Cooking for a Change

According to 2014 Kentucky Healthcare Profiles for Breathitt County, 39.8% of adult population in Breathitt County are obese.

Breathitt County SNAP-Ed Assistant, Kati Noble, taught Breathitt County adults the Healthy Choices curriculum during the program Cooking with Kati. As a part of the class participants learned about healthy food choices, eating better on a budget, and food safety.

Entry and exit forms were used as a method to track participant’s learning and improvements. Behavior change was indicated by comparing each participants entry and exit forms. 100% of participants showed a positive increase in consuming, at a regular rate at least one food group.

Because such a high percentage of Breathitt County adults are obese it is important to offer classes , such as Healthy Choices, so that these adults can make positive change by eating healthier.

“I didn’t realize I could purchase

so many different items at our

local Farmer’s Market,” stated a

Lunch at the Market participant.

350 Number of residents indicating a willingness to support local food markets as a result of awareness raised through Extension programming

32 Number of producers utilizing ration balancing to improve livestock nutrition

50 Number of producers adopting improved hay storage practices

34 Number of volunteers who practice personal and interpersonal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach

15 Number of youth reported being a better leader (due to skills improved through Extension programming)

25 Number of youth who apply the skills learned in 4-H and in other activities at home, school or in the community

308 Number of individuals reporting improved knowledge, opinions, skills, or aspirations regarding the safe storage, handling, and preparation of food

918 Number of those who gained knowledge related to financial management

153 Number of individuals demonstrating nurturing attitudes and behaviors by caring for the health and well-being of individuals throughout the lifespan

655 Number of those who reported knowledge gained about the benefits of spending time in physical activity

Extension At a Glance