KalkaskaCounty
KalkaskaCounty Extension
County Gov. Ctr,605 North Birch
Kalkaska, Mi 49646-9436 /

P: 231-258-3320 F: 231-258-4678

/ E-mail:

Web: msue.msu.edu/Kalkaska

September2006

Nutrition program helps families learn to look for the rainbow
With all the fresh produce available locally, consumers can buy and eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. The more color on the plate, the more vitamins and minerals that the foods contain—a healthy approach for the entire family.
This was the message presented during activities offered to Kalkaska County families by the MSU Extension Family Nutrition Program (FNP).
Using color to choose produce is also a great way to teach little ones different colors. Sweet peppers can be green, red, orange, purple or yellow and apples come in different shades and flavors.
During the summer, when fresh produce prices are lower and the quality is higher, it is a great time for children to try something new. Parents were surprised to learn they may need to introduce a new food to their little ones as many as 10 times before their children will decide they like it.
During one of the adult nutrition classes, the use and health benefits of the onion were discussed. Many found the information helpful and now know which variety they should use when cooking.
Enjoying a rainbow of fruits and vegetables was not limited to just purchasing them. FNP-participating families were encouraged to let children help in the preparation of food. / From the littlest ones tearing lettuce and snapping beans, to the adults slicing watermelons, families were encouraged to include all membersin planning and preparing a meal.
Activities were presented as part of a campaign called “Eat Better, Eat Together.” Participating families received place mats to brighten their tables and reinforce the nutrition lessons they learned.
Contact:Sue McCown,
Taking care of business—the 4-H way
One group of Kalkaska County youths have changed the way adults and themselves think about farm fresh produce, and have changed the way many people acquire produce locally.
Earlier this year, Forest Area Schools and MSU Extension received a grant from the C.S. Mott Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and MSU to help local junior high and high school students build their entrepreneurial skills by starting a business.
The members of the Forest Area 4-H Student Entrepreneurial Club got a quick education on all aspects of business management by running a farm market.
Continued
/ Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities. Offices in counties across the state link the research of the land-grant university, MSU, to challenges facingcommunities. Citizens serving on countyExtension councils regularly help select focus areas for programming. MSU Extension is funded jointly by county boards of commissioners,the state through MichiganStateUniversity and federally through the US Department of Agriculture.
4-H entrepreneur club—continued
The project required the students to locate and collaborate with local farmers and wholesale their produce at three farm markets in and near Kalkaska County.
They also had to donate $6,000 worth of fresh produce to needy families within the community. To distribute this food, the youths printed coupons and dispersed them to human service agencies within the county.
The students treated the project like an actual business. They wrote a business plan, hired and paid staff members, dealt with finances, customer relations, pricing, product and promotion.
The students had to track eating habit changes within their own group and record habits of customers who purchased produce or received coupons for free produce.
Contact: Jim Harper,
Initiative aimed at reducing Northern Michigan poverty rates
In 2004 the residents of a five-county area including Kalkaska County embarked on an ambitious endeavor to reduce local poverty by 25 percent by 2010.
Kalkaska County MSU Extension is an active partner with a dynamic group of individuals and organizations who are working to meet this goal and address the issues of poverty.
Members of the Poverty Reduction Initiative (RPI) formedsix issue groups to address the challenges:
  1. Employment andwages
  2. Education and training
  3. Housing
  4. Health care
  5. Social attitudes
  6. Early childhood.
/ The following values guide the work of the Poverty Reduction Initiative:
  • Poverty deprives our region of valuable human resources by creating barriers that prevent individuals from realizing their full potential;
  • Poverty is a significant regional expense;
  • If we understand the issues, local solutions to poverty can be found;
  • Individuals and families can exit poverty with a helping hand;
  • Our five-county region has the resources and the spirit of collaboration to impact issues relating to poverty.
This initiative is not intended to replace the agencies and organizations supporting those in need. Instead, PRI is providing links between existing programs and enabling them to work more collaboratively to identify and implement new strategies.
Kalkaska County MSU Extension has offered a Poverty Simulation workshop and has conducted focus groups and provided training to neighboring counties to conduct focus groups.
MSU Extension educator Ranae McCauley facilitated a workshop to develop a speakers’bureau. The participants were encouraged to take the story of poverty to their respective communities to increase understanding of the cost of poverty and to begin a community dialogue to create change.
More than 600 people attended a presentation by Ruby Payne. Her powerful message helped bring the community together around a common goal. We are looking forward to upcoming partnerships that will strengthen partnership with local businesses, address housing, and exploring national initiatives to better serve everyone.
Contact: Ranae McCauley,
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal opportunity institution, Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Thomas G. Coon, Extension Director, MichiganStateUniversity, E. Lansing, MI48824