The Cooperative Extension System is a nation-wide network established by Congress to extend research-based knowledge and technology from the laboratory to the community. A joint effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Land Grant University system, and the counties in each state, Cooperative Extension is designed to provide grassroots, not-for-credit educational programs in agriculture and natural resources, home economics, community resource development, consumer sciences, and family and youth development.
Kentucky officially joined the partnership in 1916 and today has two Land Grant universities: Kentucky State University and the University of Kentucky. All Land Grant universities serve three primary functions: resident instruction, research, and public service (also referred to as Cooperative Extension).
Since 1972, Kentucky State University’s Cooperative Extension Program has fulfilled the public service role by providing educational and technical assistance to limited-resource families and by meeting the needs of homemakers, farmers, youth, the elderly, and many others. Some Extension programs provide one-on-one opportunities where paraprofessionals work directly with family members. One such program, the Family Development and Management Program, assisted limited-resource families in Kentucky in saving more than $170,000 in household operations in a one-year period. Through another program, the Small and Part-time Farmer Program, farmers increased their income by an average of $10,000 and improved their use of farm inputs. Nearly 500 farm families increased their knowledge of sustainable agriculture. Our Strengthening Kentucky Families (SKY Families) Program provides parenting education classes to persons who have lost custody of their children through the family court system.
Other program initiatives (Family Financial Education, Child and Youth Development, Aquaculture, Goat Studies, and Community Resource Development) help families make better use of community resources to lead healthier, happier lives. To reach effectively its audience of limited-resource Kentucky residents, the Extension Program routinely seeks outside funding to augment its program resources. It has thus far obtained more than $3,000,000 in outside funds to help farmers and families increase the quality of their lives and the efficiency and productivity of their economic enterprises.
Each program is developed to meet a need expressed at the local level and to help Kentuckians deal effectively with the tasks of everyday living. The pay-off is evident in dollars saved, in more satisfying relationships, and in more attractive homes and communities. Students at Kentucky State University can learn more about Cooperative Extension as a career choice through student work assignments, work-study, and other student employment opportunities.
pressed at the local level and to help Kentucky's deal effectively with the tasks of everyday living. The pay-off is evident in dollars saved, in more satisfying relationships, and in more attractive homes and communities. Students at Kentucky State University can learn more about Cooperative Extension as a career choice through student work assignments, work-study, and other student employment opportunities.
The Cooperative Extension Program is housed in a state-of-the-art office/meeting complex that greatly assists staff in carrying out the mission of the Extension System. Through the work opportunities listed above, students are able to receive educational instruction not only in the specific program areas of Extension, but in the broader areas of communications specialties. Incorporated into the Extension facility are the most modern technologies that enable the University to interact with diverse audiences while never leaving campus. Video and audio production and graphic arts technologies offer students the opportunity to receive educational experiences in the most current methods of individual and mass communications.
In addition to the research conducted by Land Grant scientists, a graduate degree program in Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences has been developed to provide students classroom as well as experiential learning in the areas of fish farming (fish nutrition, disease diagnostics, water quality, and environmental management) and pond development and management. Students gain a new appreciation for the potential for economic development of Aquaculture across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Details regarding the minor or Master’s degree in Aquaculture are available in the other sections of this Catalogue.
Service Learning encompasses partnerships between KSU faculty, staff, and students and over 20 community-based organizations, including the following:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass, Frankfort Soup Kitchen (ACCESS), Franklin Co. Red Cross, YMCA, King’s Center, Walter Todd Community Center, Habitat for Humanity, United Way Campaign, KSU After School Tutorial, KSU Summer Enrichment Program, Junior Achievement of the Blue Grass, Elkhorn Elementary, L.I.F.E. House, Humane Society, Downtown Frankfort, Buffalo Trace, Salvation Army and KSU Admissions Office.
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