A n important mission of Kentucky State University's Cooperative Extension Program is providing technical assistance to small-scale and limited-resource farmers. The Small Farm Program achieves this through frequent one-on-one farm visits to identify farmer needs and establish possible solutions.

Edwin Chavous, an Extension agent serving central Kentucky, observed that limited-resource farm families often have sub-standard housing. In some cases, their roofs leak, there is no bathroom facility, or they are simply in need of major home repairs. Some need improved heating or cooling and many need ventilation replaced. Many times their potable water supply is a problem because they live where the county's water sources are not available so they rely on cisterns or untested wells as their source of water.

Chavous and the KYSU Cooperative Extension Program work with these families by connecting them to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program. Chavous works closely with these farm families to complete their loan or grant application process, to secure bids from contractors to complete improvements, and to follow up with families to help them maintain their improvements. Chavous also enrolls those families who rely on well water in Kentucky's Extension Well Testing Program, which provides information and testing services throughout the year.

Rural Development program. Chavous works closely with these farm families to complete their loan or grant application process, to secure bids from contractors to complete improvements, and to follow up with families to help them maintain their improvements. Chavous also enrolls those families who rely on well water in Kentucky's Extension Well Testing Program, which provides information and testing services throughout the year.

KYSU Cooperative Extension has helped more than 79 limited-resource families from 12 counties across the state improve their quality of life by helping them secure funding to make home repairs. To get more information about financial services available through the USDA agencies, including the Farm Service Agency, Rural Housing Development, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, contact Edwin Chavous at edwin.chavous@kysu.edu or at (502) 597-5758.

21