Kentucky Cooperative Extension programs are teaching people how to raise kids, eat right, spend smart and live well. Those goals also are the focus of a recent national Living Well campaign, promoted by the Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.“The Kentucky Cooperative Extension Serviceoffers so many programs to help people learn to live well,” said Becky Nash, Taylor County Extension agent for family and consumer sciences. “Living Well week may be March 13-18, but we focus on these initiatives year-round.” Extension programs help Kentuckians learn about nutrition and weight management and how to cook for specific conditions such as diabetes. Programs such as Keys to Great Parenting teach parents how to make learning fun for babies and toddlers. The Health Education through Extension Leadership (HEEL) program creates innovative strategies for improving health outcomes and reducing the burden of chronic disease for all Kentuckians.Still other programs such as the Wildcat Way to Wellness provide a personal approach to better mental and physical health, including instruction in cooking, weight management, nutrition, personal appearance and more.The Kentucky Garden Basket Web site provides information about Kentucky’s farmers’ markets as well as healthy fruit and vegetable recipes, food preservation directions and links to local markets.Seniors can find information about Living Well through “Aging Gracefully: Making the Most of your Later Life Adventure,” which features a research-based publication and provides a range of creative teaching tools and resources. The Kentucky High School Financial Planning Program provides teens with a greater understanding of and the ability to manage their personal finances in the areas of goal setting, budgeting, saving, credit and risk management. The program uses unique games, simulations, case studies and interactive exercises to provide hands-on experiences for students to test and apply financial principles and concepts.“These programs are just a sample of what’s going on in Cooperative Extension in Kentucky,” Nash said. “There are so many more we could talk about. Every week, our Extension agents are reaching out to their communities to help them raise children, eat right, spend smart and live well.”For more information about any of the programs listed above, please visit the UK College of Agriculture Web site or contact your county Extension office.