The goal of this project is to give a group of 4-H’ers in Elliott County a better understanding of the types of technology out in the world and how to use it in their everyday life. The group plans to collect GPS points for all of the local schools, gas and oil wells, and local landmarks.  The 4-H group will also learn about using geographic resources to plan out certain projects.  This will include, but is not limited to, buildings, roads, and municipalities.  The participants will also be instructed on how to take points and include them in ArcView to create a visual interpretation of their data.  The 4-H’ers will also learn the benefit of these maps for planning and development.   

This project allows young 4-H’ers to work together to produce a community profile of their home county of Elliot.  Elliot County is located in Eastern Kentucky and is a very rural community.  With the help of their county 4-H leader and some employees at Morehead State University, this project will teach the 4-H’ers how to collect, analyze and visually interpret information about their home county.

This Grant opportunity is funded by ESRI and is administrated by the Elliott County 4-H Agent Beth Logan.  She will have help from three Morehead State Employees on the project.  Eric McCarty, a computer technician and GIS lab manager at Morehead State, will help with instruction and technical assistance.  Kevin Calhoun, who is a GIS technician at MSU, will help in that capacity.  David Campbell, Center for Virtual Appalachia (CVA) Director and web manager for IRAPP at MSU, will assist with technical and web support.   

US Community Atlas Project, ESRI