Mason County • 2019

Butterfly Garden at the Maysville-Mason County Recreational Park maintained by

the Mason County Master Gardeners Association

The Buffalo Trace Area Extension Agents partner with the Maysville Community and Technical College for Farm Family Night every year. The event is held in March and includes over 30 educational opportunities for those in attendance. Many have commented on the positives of Farm Family Night from the vendor area, speakers, and educational activities. The event had over 800 in attendance to take part in the offerings in 2019. Educational classes offer a wide array of topics from agriculture, family and consumer sciences, horticulture, and youth sessions as well. All program areas have sessions available and they are well attended.

As a way to help offset some of the costs of secondary education for local members of Mason County, the Mason County Extension Homemakers give out several $500 scholarships. In 2018 alone, they were able to give out 12 scholarships. There are academic requirements that the applicants must meet as well as be the child or grandchild of a Mason County Extension Homemaker. Applicants can be either seniors in high school or in college and can receive a scholarship up to two times.

For More Information, Please Contact us at:

Mason County Extension Office • (606) 564-6808 • https://mason.ca.uky.edu

800 U.S. 68, Maysville, KY 41056-1141

Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)

The Agriculture and Natural Resources program provides educational opportunities to local producers across the county. In addition to educational programming, we offer diagnostic testing, soil analysis, hay testing, plant/insect I.D. plus other services. Over the last year over 300 soil test analyzations were completed plus over 50 diagnostic tests for disease problems and plant/insect I.D.

Mason County ANR partnered with the Mason County Farm Bureau, Fleming Mason RECC, and a local producer to host a Youth Farm Day. The sixth grade students from Mason County Schools, St. Patrick Schools, and Robertson County Schools attended a one day event to learn about livestock production, crop production, horticulture, bees, tractor rollover safety, grain bin safety, and electrical safety. Fleming Mason RECC volunteered to attend the event to teach youth about the importance of electricity and safety precautions when seeing downed lines and storm damage. The local fire department demonstrated the grain bin emergency response equipment to the youth along with KDA attending to discuss safety precautions with potential rollover hazards. Over 300 youth with 15 adult volunteers took part in the event. Each session was tied to possible

careers that can be obtained by individuals with interest in that particular area. Educating youth about agriculture and the grass roots to our food production is vital for sustainability.

Mason County is participating in the Beef Integrated Reproductive Management (IRM) Program sponsored by the University of Kentucky Beef Specialist Team. The program is to work with five local producers to increase management of beef herds from a reproductive initiative. The major focus is to narrow calving windows and group weaned calves to have a more consistent group at sale time. Tools used to help achieve the desired results are estrous synchronization, introduction to artificial insemination, herd health protocols, and weighing calves at time of weaning. Through efforts with the program producers in general have seen tighter calving windows, increased genetic diversity with artificial insemination and utilizing weaning weights as a vital tool for operations.

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS)

Based on statistics gained from Kentucky Health Facts, 36% of adults in Mason County are obese and 75% are overweight. This is well above the state averages of 34% and 68%, respectively. 36% of adults in Mason County (compared to the 32% in Kentucky) report a lack of physical activity. According to the Mayo Clinic, physical activity and a healthy diet has many benefits including reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, preventing or managing health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes, strengthening bones and muscles, and improving one’s mood.

Mason County Extension Homemakers

attending the annual KEHA state meeting

6th graders attending Youth Farm Day

Based on the relationship between levels of obese and overweight individuals and poor health statistics, Mason County Family Consumer Science (FCS) Agent decided to hold Weight the Reality Series. Weight the Reality Series is an 11 week program that includes self-discovery, skill building, and support to help adults learn more about themselves and their body image. The materials used in Weight the Reality Series are evidence based.

At the beginning of the program, there were 16 participants. By the end of the 11 weeks, 9 participants remained. The evaluation results are based upon the 9 participants who completed all 11 weeks of the program. 100% of the participants lost weight during the program. 33% lost 5% or more of their body weight. 33% met the goal that they set for themselves over the program. One participant went from having an unhealthy BMI classifying her as overweight (26.4) to have a healthy BMI (25). A total of 57 pounds were lost by the entire group.

The recipes were a big hit among the group. One participant said she made the vegetable soup for dinner and her husband and son went back for seconds! Another participant stated that she was glad she learned eating habits that she would continue to carry out that didn’t involve counting calories. After the last session, a participant said, “I’ve really enjoyed this program. I ended up losing almost 10 pounds and my clothes are fitting looser now.”

Horticulture

Mason County Horticulture not only provides educational programs, but volunteer opportunities to reach more people as well. Master Gardener volunteers have gone through a training process and have been certified through the University of Kentucky.

The Mason County Master Gardner Association includes 10 active members who meet the second Monday each month and have many great programs that provide countless hours of education to clients. The Association has created and maintained a butterfly garden at the Maysville-Mason County Rec Park, maintains the landscaping at the May’s Lick Flag Pole, and participates in the University of Kentucky’s flower trials where over 20 different flowers are planted and records are kept of their quality. The information is used for research and the flowers are located at the Maysville-Mason County Rec Park. There are several classes and events that the Association is in charge of including the annual seed swap, wreath classes, setting up an educational booth at Lions Club antique show, host a yearly plant class at a senior living center, and numerous other classes that Master Gardeners volunteer at or teach. Master Gardeners also volunteer by planting and maintaining plants for workshops and participating in cucurbit trials through the University of Kentucky that are used for research and volunteers also help in various Extension classes.

Master Gardeners have contributed 775 hours of volunteer service in 2018 and over 7168 hours since 2012, resulting in almost $150,000 in volunteer services.

4-H / Youth Development

Each year Mason County embarks on a 5-day adventure to North Central 4-H Summer Camp. We attend camp with Bracken, Lewis, and Robertson Counties. We have a jam-packed week of fun, making new friends, learning new things, and great food! Youth tried their hand at completing the Aqua Park, along with attending four classes each day. Classes include: archery, fishing, canoeing, swimming, crafts, high and low ropes, foods, and more! Mason County had 54 people commit to 4-H Summer Camp in July. A few

4-H members enjoying camp!

positive outcomes from attending 4-H Summer Camp include: building new relationships, stepping out of comfort zones, and building team/leadership skills through group events, counselor roles, and duties delegated to cabins and teams throughout the week. One camper said, “I tried high ropes this year and at first I was scared, but felt good when I did it! I had so much fun at 4-H camp, I wish we could stay longer.” Another camper commented, “I made new friends from other counties, and we are going to stay in touch throughout the year and come back to camp next year.”

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that adult obesity rates continue to climb: 39.8% of adults were considered obese in 2015–2016. The term “obesity epidemic” has been used to describe the prevalence of obesity and its negative influence on human health. Realizing a lot of people do not have the time to attend “traditional classroom style” classes, the Mason County Nutrition Education Program Assistant began teaching a Facebook Live Healthy Choices for Everybody nutrition class. There were a total of ten participants viewing a total of seven classes using their smart device. Icebreakers, nutrition classes, food demos, and physical activity suggestions made up the class. Participants were given folders with additional information and recipes before the class began and could ask questions or give feedback in real time.

Thirty-three percent (33%) of the participants improved their diet quality and increased knowledge of food safety practices, and fifty (50%) improved in food resource management. One participant stated that she is trying to lose weight and replaced some of her recipes with the class recipes and has lost weight.

“The Extension Office is the best kept secret in Mason County.”

Steve Clary,

President of the Mason County

Livestock Improvement

Association

80 Number of producers who completed tobacco GAP training.

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

337 Number of youth who demonstrate a skill that was learned and/or improved by participating in a 4-H ANR project, program, event, or activity.

68 Number of producers who adopted one or more fertility management recommendations for grain crops.

210 Number of children grades K-2 who could identify fruits and vegetables.

17 Number of youth who that have improved their communication skills.

25 Number of producers adopting practices to improve grazing infrastructures including fences and water.

300 Number of individuals who made lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, managing stressors, etc.) for the purpose of improving their health.

33 Number of youth who have gained an understanding of the ecosystems in nature.

20 Number of producers who implemented a crossbreeding program and utilize Expected Progeny Difference when selecting bulls.

116 Number of hours Master Clothing Volunteers spent training others on behalf of Extension.

Extension At a Glance