Breathitt County's Report to the People

            The Breathitt County C.E.S. staff was recognized in October for being the very first County Extension Office in the Nation to be a Certified StormReady Supporter office.  Certification requirements included receiving training from the National Weather Service and preparing the office by designating storm shelter locations and assembling emergency supplies.  The office is also equipped to receive severe weather warnings from NOAA and has procedures in place for getting employees and clients to safe locations.

First in the Nation!  (From left to right) Liz Deaton, Staff Assistant; Verlene C. Neace, CEA for 4-H/Youth Development; Linda Noble, secretary, Karen Davis, FSNEP; Martha Yount, CEA for FCS; Lowell Hamilton, CEA for Ag & Natural Resources; and Tom Priddy, UK Ag & Natural Resource Specialist

            The Breathitt County Extension District Board members continue to be good stewards of county tax funding.  Chairman Phil Carpenter and members, Jake Smith, Mattie Campbell, Burton Herald Jr., Pat Wireman, Fred Deaton and Lewis Henry Warrix carefully manage funds to see that the Breathitt County Extension Service maintains adequate facilities, supplies, and equipment to provide worthwhile programming to as many Breathitt Countians as possible.  They also continually look toward the future and plan ahead for upcoming needs.  The broader County Extension Council oversees local programming to address current and emerging issues for the benefit of all Breathitt Countians.

Agriculture and the Environment

 Jackie O’Neill and son Peyton enjoy a sunny day on the river as they learn about water quality in Breathitt County.

            Tourism, environmental awareness, and recreation were promoted through canoe trips, sponsored and conducted by the Breathitt County Extension Service.  Two trips were promoted and conducted this past year with over two hundred people attending.  Educational programs were presented on water quality, littering, forestry and forest inventory during the trip.

            Seventy-five people attended a forestry field day where specialists from the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and a certified chainsaw instructor presented information on Logging Road Erosion Control,  How to Sell Your Timber, Managing High Graded Hardwood Stands, How to Improve Wildlife Habitat and Safe Tree Felling.

            Other programs offered were Master Cattlemen, Rinse and Return, Fruit Tree Grafting, Goat Production, Home Gardening, Soil Testing, Disease, Plant, and Insect Identification Recommendation.

            The Family Literacy Program and the Extension Service partnered together for environmental education through a series of Outdoor Education Days.  Family Literacy participants visited nearby locations such as Robinson Forest, Buckhorn State Park, and the Red River Gorge and incorporated literacy activities with educational hikes.  During the program year, 14 outings involved a total of 74 participants.  Developing an appreciation for the environment is an important first step in protecting it.

            The Breathitt County 4-H Volunteers along with 4-H youth have been conducting the 4-H Collect-A-Tab recycling project.  Each 4-H classroom collects pop tabs in 10 gallon size containers.  Community, civic and youth members participate in the collection of pop tabs. 

            This past year 646 pounds of pop tabs were collected, more than any other year.  Proceeds from this recycling project are split 50/50 and donated to the local Shrine Club and the Ronald McDonald House.  Community members have already called the Cooperative Extension Office to report that they are already collecting pop tabs for next years project.            

Economic Development

 One hundred forty loggers braved the rain and mud to watch a demonstration of mechanical timber harvesting equipment.

             The high cost of insurance and labor has cut into the profits of loggers.  This directly affects landowners in how much the loggers can afford to pay them for the timber.  In cooperation with the Kentucky Division of Forestry and wood industry, the Cooperative Extension Service sponsored a regional mechanical harvesting demonstration in Breathitt County.
            Over $320,000 have been received in the county during the last three years from the State Ag Development Board in Phase I tobacco settlement money.  The programs that were approved and the amount received follows:  fencing $52,500, forage improvement $78,750, ag diversification $90,000, hay and feed storage $78,750, no-till seeder, lime spreader, sprayer and other equipment totaling $28,000 heifer development project $12,500 and goat production $10,000. 

Health and Wellness
 

            Breathitt County ranks number 1 – but not in a good way when it comes to health.  Our rates of heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes are among the highest in the nation.  All of these diseases are related to physical activity and diet.  The Extension Office and the Breathitt County Health Department worked together to promote the “Get Moving Kentucky” walking program. During the spring of 2005, 42 people signed up for the 8-week walking program.  A grand total of 2028 miles was walked – or the equivalent of walking from Jackson, Kentucky to Las Vegas, Nevada!

“Get Moving Kentucky” door prize winners Julie Hamlin, Alice Kilburn,
Rose Jones and Terry Jones are shown with Health Educator James Turner.             

            Another joint program of these 2 groups to improve our county’s health was “Weight:  The Reality Series.”  This 11-week program combined nutrition information with healthy eating tips and physical activity to help participants work toward a healthy weight.

            The purpose of the Food Stamp Nutrition Program (FSNEP) is to educate Kentucky families on the importance of healthy nutrition.  The curriculum, which is based on USDA dietary guidelines, is designed to correspond with the (FGP) Food Guide Pyramid Model that represents the six basic food groups.  Currently there are 60 Breathitt County families enrolled in the program.  Once they have completed the lessons, they will be self-sufficient in good nutrition practices, food safety, and food preparation. 

Careers & Lifestyles

            The 4-H Reality Store is held each year for elementary and middle school youth.  Booths are set up with community volunteers.  The 4-H Youth must visit each booth to pay for taxes, utilities, food, housing etc. from an income level that depends upon their grade point average.  Last year approximately 250 youth participated in the Reality Store.  This program enables youth to see a glimpse into the ‘Real World’.

            Ten youth participated in the 4-H Public Speaking program in Breathitt County last year. Through this program, youth realize that public speaking skills enhance their future careers.           

      Leadership and Community

Dedicated volunteers spend hours each year preparing famous 4-H corndogs to raise money for educational programs.

            Members of the Breathitt County 4-H Council and other dedicated volunteers work hard each year at the famous 4-H Corndog Booth.  This once-a-year fundraiser supports activities for all Breathitt county youth.  This year over 40 volunteers prepared 3500 corndogs during the 3-day Honey Festival.

            The Breathitt County Ag Advisory Council, Extension Natural Resources Committee, Ag Development Council, along with the Breathitt County Extension Council, identify and work on issues that have a great impact on the county.  During the past year the leaders of these organizations identified and helped implement programs in forestry, tobacco, environment, leadership development, tourism and economic development.

            Members of the Family & Consumer Science Advisory Council review programming for families and individuals in family life areas such as health and wellness, home environment, resource management and parenting.  They were instrumental in the implementation of several new programs, including an Outdoor Educations program for Family Literacy participants.     

Blood Drive Volunteer Madeline Davidson and 4-H Knitting Instructor Rose Jones enjoy a tasty meal at the Volunteer Recognition Dinner.  4-H members were        gracious servers.