Practical Emergency Preparedness

What does it really mean to be an advocate in your community? In this episode, Polk County 4-H Agent Jessica Jackson explores how advocacy goes beyond politics and public speaking. From supporting 4-H and agriculture to listening to young people, sharing your story, and learning to disagree respectfully, we discuss how small actions and everyday conversations can create meaningful change. You don't have to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference!

Can health coaching transform how we manage chronic illness? In this episode, we explore what health coaching actually involves, how it works alongside traditional care, and why it’s becoming a powerful tool for people navigating long-term health conditions.Link to Infographic References Amorim, A. B., Pappas, E., Simic, M., Ferreira, M. L., Jennings, M., Tiedemann, A., Carvalho-e-Silva, A. P., Caputo, E., Kongsted, A., & Ferreira, P. H. (2019). Integrating Mobile-Health, health coaching, and physical activity to reduce the burden of chronic low back pain trial (impact): A pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-2454-y CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2025/24_0539.htmAllen, K. (2016). Theory, research, and practical guidelines for Family Life coaching (1st ed.). Springer International Publishing.Chung, E. K., Lai-Yi Wong , E., Hiu-Wah Leung, H., Yeung, D., Yeoh, E.-K., & Yoshua Chen, F. (2024). Lay health coaching intervention for older adults with chronic diseases: Study protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial . Hong Kong: Springer Nature.Dejonghe, L. A., Becker, J., Froboese, I., & Schaller, A. (2017). Long-term effectiveness of health coaching in rehabilitation and prevention: A systematic review. Patient Education and Counseling, 100(9), 1643–1653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2017.04.012 Härter, M., Dwinger, S., Seebauer, L., Simon, D., Herbarth, L., Siegmund-Schultze, E., Temmert, D., Bermejo, I., & Dirmaier, J. (2012). Evaluation of telephone health coaching of German health insurants with chronic conditions. Health Education Journal, 72(5), 622–634. https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896912453990Hill, B., Richardson, B., & Skouteris, H. (2015). Do we know how to design effective health coaching interventions: A systematic review of the state of the literature. American Journal of Health Promotion, 29(5). https://doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.130510-lit-238 Kivelä, K., Elo, S., Kyngäs, H., & Kääriäinen, M. (2014). The effects of health coaching on adult patients with chronic diseases: A systematic review. Patient Education and Counseling, 97(2), 147–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2014.07.026 Linden, A., Butterworth, S. W., & Prochaska, J. O. (2010). Motivational interviewing‐based health coaching as a chronic care intervention. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 16(1), 166–174. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2009.01300.x Long, H., Howells, K., Peters, S., & Blakemore, A. (2019). Does health coaching improve health‐related quality of life and reduce hospital admissions in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? A systematic review and meta‐analysis. British Journal of Health Psychology, 24(3), 515–546. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12366 Pamungkas, R. A., Potempa, K., Chamroonsawasdi, K., Usman, A. M., & Banharak, S. (2026). Self-management-based health coaching for sustainable behavior change in Chronic Disease Care: A concept analysis using Walker and Avant’s framework. Belitung Nursing Journal, 12(4), 451–462. https://doi.org/10.33546/bnj.4575 Pinnock, H. (2003). Cost effectiveness of providing nurse led annual asthma reviews by telephones face to face: a randomized controlled trial in UK primary care. Primary Care Respiratory Journal, 12(2), 62–62. https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2003.22Su, R., Whitmore, C., Alliston, P., Tanzini, E., Kouzoukas, E., Marttila, J., Dragonetti, R., Selby, P., & Sherifali, D. (2024). Demystifying diabetes health coaching: A scoping review unveiling the ‘who’ and ‘where’ of health coaching for adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic Medicine, 41(6). https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.15327  Watson, Kathleen B., et al. "Trends in Multiple Chronic Conditions Among US Adults, By Life Stage, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2013–2023." Preventing Chronic Disease, vol. 22, 17 Apr. 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Web. 16 Sept. 2026. <https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2025/24_0539.htm>.

From Dolly Parton to everyday leaders in our own communities, 4-H, FFA, and other youth leadership programs help young people build skills that last a lifetime. In this episode of the Extension Connection Podcast, we explore how hands-on experiences, teamwork, public speaking, and responsibility help shape confidence and prepare youth for adulthood. Whether a young person grows up to be a celebrity, a farmer, a teacher, or a community leader, the lessons learned through these programs can make a lasting difference.

Are you ready when disaster strikes? In this episode, we break down four practical, high-impact actions you can take today to boost your household’s emergency preparedness. Whether you're building your first kit or updating your family plan, tune in for actionable tips from your local Extension office to help you stay safe, resilient, and ready for anything.Resources: https://morefood.org/be-prepared-make-sure-you-have-an-emergency-supply-of-food-and-water/Building an emergency kit: https://www.ready.gov/kitAmerican Red Cross; https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.html?srsltid=AfmBOorz7_1ZegaiQ3DeGrjN9CAIqeizLBIGfFgatvF1084jwFkbC8pE

What would you do if the unexpected happened? In this episode of the Extension Connection Podcast, we talk about simple ways 4-H members and families can be better prepared from building an emergency Go-Kit and making a family plan to practicing farm and livestock safety. We'll also talk about why being prepared isn't just about emergencies it's about being ready to lead, help others, and handle whatever comes next. As we head into National 4-H Week and celebrate being Beyond Ready, let's get prepared together!

In this episode of our Wear More, Waste Less series, we dive into garment care, stain removal, and easy mending. Learn how to get the maximum lifespan out of your clothes so you can save money and reduce textile waste in landfills.Resources: Apparel Production: https://fcs.mgcafe.uky.edu/publications/clothing-and-textilesBasic Repair: https://4h.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2022/08/Activity-10.pdfDarning: https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1372&context=extension_factStains: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Quick-Stain-Removal-Guide.pdfStains: https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/programs/home-family/clothing-and-textiles/stain-removal/https://www.uaex.uada.edu/media-resources/news/2025/july/07-29-2025-ark-overconsumption.aspxhttps://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/fact-sheets/fast-fashion-and-sustainability/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7616726/https://4h.okstate.edu/site-files/projects/design-and-construction/files/curriculum-and-patterns/textiles/textiles-preserving-vintage-clothing-and-textile-products-part-2.pdf https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_c/C313/index.html

In this episode of The Extension Connection Podcast, Jessica Jackson, Polk County Extension 4-H Agent, explores how students can begin building their future long before they start filling out college applications. We'll talk about preparing for college, scholarships, careers, and the workforce, and how real-life experiences can help students discover their strengths, build confidence, and find their path.We'll also discuss the role of AI in today's student experience, including how young people can use it as a tool while keeping their own voice, creativity, and experiences at the center of their story.Plus, we'll highlight the Helen Clark Blackwell Scholarship, provided by the Polk County 4-H Board, and how our community can help support students as they take their next step.https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/ai-guidance-for-4-h-youth