under federal law and participate fully in the appropriate U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, in accord with the mission of the University." The extension portion of the Land-Grant Program is called the Cooperative Extension Program (CEP). The name reflects the mission of the program, which is to help resolve agricultural, educational, economic, and social problems of the people of Kentucky, especially those with limited resources living in rural communities.

KSU's Cooperative Extension Program has a joint plan of work with the research program to provide avenue for technology transfer of research findings that are relevant to the communities. Subject areas for extension include traditional agriculture production; natural resources management; aquaculture production and management; agriculture economics and marketing; environmental quality related stewardships; food nutrition and human health; obesity and chronic disease; goat production; small farm programs; rural community development; family well-being that includes financial and family management; and 4-H and youth development programs. Programs and workshops are offered through "The Third Thursday Thing" monthly meetings to engage stakeholders who are interested in the different topics offered every month with an average of about 100 participants monthly.

In addition, outreach to K-12 youth and teachers have been developed through programs and matriculation that has been increased to engage science and other teachers in the field of food, agriculture, and the environment. Partnerships with schools have been established to increase KSU-CAFSSS visibility in the communities through “Adopt-a-School” program. CAFSSS faculty/scientists and/or staff establish relationships with the adopted school to introduce CAFSSS programs that both students and teachers can participate in or become interested in. Schools visits to KSU or CAFSSS visit to the schools for interactive discussions is also a part of this outreach effort.

Measures/Performance Indicators: The success of the Cooperative Extension Program will be determined by the monthly number of participants; the number of participants who implements and adopts new practices identified; the impacts of new implemented programs or activities that leads to behavioral change and income improvement. Programmatic support obtained through local, regional, and national funds will also help determine the necessity or measure of success.

Outreach programs and engagement with schools can be measured by the number of requests from schools to visit KSU; the number of schools participating in CAFSSS outreach programs; and the number of schools requesting CAFSSS to visit their school.