Purdue Extension - Howard County Howard County Government Center

120 East Mulberry Street Suite #105

Kokomo, IN 46901-4660

Phone: 765-456-2313 Fax: 765-456-2319

Webpage: www.extension.purdue.edu/howard

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PurdueExtensionHowardCounty/

It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service that all persons have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status,

parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action institution.

Budget

The 2016 amended budget was $ 206,241.26. We have requested a 2017 budget for $ 206,929.00

which the has been approved by the County Council. We want to thank the Howard County Council

and the Howard County Commissioners for their continued support for our office.

Paul Marcellino Extension Educator-ANR/CED

Lindsey Pedigo Extension Educator-HHS

Joshua Winrotte Extension Educator - 4-H

Linda Echelbarger NEP Assistant

Jeannie Vondersaar Secretary

Teresa Keller Secretary

Chase Messersmith NEP Community Wellness Coordinator

Stacy Claxton Program Assistant

Carver Center

4-H Color Run

Agriculture Teachers Roger Berry Northwestern FFA Melissa Grant Western FFA

Howard County Farm Bureau Jerry Hartman President Iris Eller Women’s Leader

Lending Institutions Roger Cline First Bank of Berne Greg Palmer Farm Credit Service Brian Troyer Farm Credit Service Bart Alexander First Farmers Bank & Trust Cary Mawbey First Farmers Bank & Trust Jon R. Stevens PNC Bank Michaela Wiegert USDA Farm Service Agency

Howard County Extension Board Mindy Stokes Terry Miller Dennis Dunten Brad Zeck Eric Foland Chari Deyoe Roger Cline Shirley Nix Patty Ortman Chis Cole Rita Kingseed Kimberly Dunlap Mathias Ingle Gayle McMinn Ikeia Prince Faith Brautigam

PCARET

Becky Swails Scott Deyoe Roger Cline

Howard County Master Gardener Association Sarah Stevens Emily Roark

Elected Officials Robert Brad Bray Howard Co. Commissioner Tyler Moore Howard Co. Commissioner Paul Wyman Howard Co. Commissioner Richard Miller Howard Co. Councilman Dwight Singer Howard Co. Councilman Jeff Stout Howard Co. Councilman Leslie Ellison Howard Co. Councilman John Roberts Howard Co. Councilman James Papacek Howard Co. Councilman Stanley Ortman Howard Co. Councilman Jim Buck Indiana State Senator - 21 James Arnold Indiana State Senator - 7 Mike Karickhoff Indiana State Representative - 30 Heath Van Natter Indiana State Representative - 38 Anthony Cook Indiana State Representative - 32

Howard County Extension Julie Gray District Director Jeanne Houser Extension Homemakers

Community Garden Michelle Simmons Ivy Tech Community College Miriam Thomas Ivy Tech Community College Kelly Karickhoff Ivy Tech Community College John Martino Ivy Tech Community College Tom & Pat Georges Master Gardener Larry Bills Master Gardener Bob Parks Master Gardener Doug Eglen Master Gardener

Agencies Hilda Burns Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc. Lisa Wooten Farm Service Agency Calvin Hartman Howard County Soil & Water Conservation District Renee Weaver Howard County Soil & Water Conservation District Mikki Jeffers Howard County Recycling District Greg Sheline Howard County Plan Commission Greg Lake Howard County Stormwater District Sarah Brichford Howard County Stormwater District

Teresa Waggoner 8 years Mary Quinn 8 Monte Kendall 8 Chrystal Ziliotto 7 Diana Padgett 7 Mathias Ingle 7 Becky Hendershot 7 Susan Hawkins 7 Jonathan Hartman 7 Michael Bragg 7 Alicia Pearson 6 Peggy McMinn 6 Gayle McMinn 6 Jason Maple 6 Angie Gollner 6 Heather Ferren 6 Eric Berg 6 Tim Miller 5 Jennifer Kellum 5 Michael Imbler 5 April Hetzner 5 Jean Heaton 5 Robert Harless 5 Stephanie Eubank 5 Roger Eubank 5 Monica Carter 5 Lindsey Bartrum 5

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Joe Pohlman 53 years Marge Freeman 48 Becky Lewis 47 Stan Rush 44 John Davis 43 Becky Swails 38 Mark Newby 36 Virgil Spencer 31 John Echelbarger 30 Frank Ortman 29 Carolyn Ellis 27 Leanne Donson 27 Keith Waddelow 26 David Spencer 25 Kathy Wiley 24 Kyle Wiley 23 Chuck Shepherd 22 Rita Kingseed 22 Deanna Sheridan 20 Ron Carter 19 Joe Kelly 18 Julie Wiley 17 Kelly Hillman 16 Carol Grinslade 16 Nikki Rentz 16 Todd Echelbarger 14 Dustin Echelbarger 14 Kirk Wiley 14 Wendy Hanson 14 Mary Beth Shepherd 13 Kenny Ortman 13 Dick Keller 13 Hillarie Elkin 12 Emily Dever 12 Andrew Bramel 12 Megan Bramel 12 Lisa Hobbs 11 Scott Gates 11 Andrew Bryant 11 Kevin Moss 10 Carolyn Kuhns 10 Anna Owens 9 Renee McGuire 9 Candace Kirk 9 Heidi Johnson 9 Matt Elkin 9

Amanda Spencer 4 years John Sinnamon 4 Rob Shanks 4 Scott Miller 4 Jenna Maple 4 Dorothy Fincher 4 Stacy Claxton 4 Christine Bagby 4 Shelby Rooze 3 Stewart Matlock 3 Terri Marcellino 3 Rob Hodupp 3 Erica Campbell 3 Gray Bragg 3 Lydia Barnard 3 Richard Aumick 3 Sherry Yazel 2 Lexi Olmstead 2 Jason Montgomery 2 Floyd Krieg 2 Demian Harvey 2 Kimberly Hannah 2 Alesia Freeman 2 Allie Dicken 2 Paula Beeson 2 Ryan Bartrum 2 Richard Bartley 2 John Alexander 2 Bruce Zadra 1 Dennis Younts 1 Heather Ramirez 1 Misti McKee 1 Michelle Byrum 1

DIRECTORS OF THE HOWARD COUNTY 4-H EXHIBIT ASSOCIATION, INC.

John Davis Farm Bureau, Inc. Rep. Open Extension Board Rep. Kevin Moss Greentown Lion Club Rep. Lydia Barnard Extension Homemakers Rob Hodupp 4-H Adult Leader Rep. Chrystal Ziliotto 4-H Adult Leader Rep. Dwight Singer County Council Rep. Open County Commissioner Lane Eubank 4-H Jr. Leader Rep. Ryan Ziliotto 4-H Jr. Leader Rep. Diana Padgett Center Township Chris Bagby Center Township Jonathan Hartman - President Clay Township Kenny Ortman Clay Township Jenny Kellum—Vice President Ervin Township Stewart Matlock Ervin Township

Stephanie Eubank Harrison Township Stacey Claxton Harrison Township Peg McMinn - Treasurer Honey Creek Township Eric Berg Honey Creek Township Shelby Rooze Howard Township Jason Montgomery Howard Township Mathias Ingle Jackson Township Open Jackson Township Monte Kendall Liberty Township Rita Kingseed-secretary Liberty Township Carolyn Kuhns Monroe Township Sherry Yazel Monroe Township Nikki Rentz Taylor Township Dick Keller Taylor Township Keith Waddelow Union Township Virgil Spencer Union Township

Howard County Extension Board

The Howard County Extension Board has been composed of the following ten people this past year.

The Extension Board held meetings in March, May and September 2016. The March meeting was to elect 2016 officers. The May meeting was to set the 2016 budget. The November meeting was the educator appraisal

session. The annual meeting was held in December.

Name Term Expires Term Chari Deyoe 12/2017 1 Roger Cline 12/2017 1 Shirley Nix 12/2017 1 Mindy Stokes 12/2019 2 Patty Ortman 12/2019 1 Chris Cole 12/2019 1 Rita Kingseed 12/2020 1 Kimberly Dunlap 12/2020 1 Mathias Ingle 12/2020 1 Gayle McMinn 12/2020 1 Ikeia Prince 12/2020 1 Faith Brautigam 12/2020 1

Purdue CARET

Purdue Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (P-CARET) is a national grassroots organization created in 1982. P-CARET’s mission is to enhance national support and understanding of the land-grant university system’s food and agricultural research, extension, and teaching programs to achieve a better standard of living for all people. The annual National Leadership Seminar in Washington D.C. brings together Extension Leaders from across the country to learn about the federal legislative process and share needs with legislators. P-CARET is the Purdue University branch of the national CARET organization. The purpose of P-CARET is to provide a means for Indiana citizens to have input into program development, budgetary matters, and legislation. Members offer valuable input on programs and help the university be responsive to public needs. They serve as advisors and advocated for the land-grand systems, and are often asked to “tell the story” as beneficiaries of research-based education. Howard County P-CARET Representatives were Scott Deyoe, Becky Swails, Roger Cline. We want to thank you for your efforts in supporting the Cooperative Extension Service.

2016 Howard County Health & Human Sciences

Programming

By Lindsey Pedigo - HHS Extension Educator What is Health and Human Sciences Extension? Health and Human Sciences (HHS) Extension offers a variety of educational opportunities to Howard County residents and their families. Programs cover topics including health and wellness, foods and nutrition, human development, and family resource management. During the 2015-2016 program year, 76 programs were offered and 2,156 people (adults and children) participated in these programs.

Howard County HHS Programming Highlights Health and Wellness Education Nature of Teaching: Health and Wellness Teacher Workshops

Four workshops were hosted statewide for K-5 teachers, with one held in Howard County. Workshops focused on the health benefits of connecting children with nature and how teachers can implement nature activities in their classrooms.

Impact: Teachers gained knowledge on the connection between nature and health and they demonstrated intentions to implement ideas they learned during the workshops in their classrooms.

Howard County feedback: “I can't wait to present the information I've learned with my colleagues. However, I am more so excited to incorporate what I've learned with my students. In the past I've only taken them outdoors for science lessons but thanks to this PD, I know now how to link other subject areas with the outdoors.”

Diabetes Education:

Presented “Don’t Let Diabetes Jeopardize Your Health” at the Extension Homemaker Kokomo District Spring Meeting to 104 participants.

Completed Dining with Diabetes series in partnership with a local church. In total 14 people came to at least one session.

Impact: Surveys demonstrated improvement in all health-related behaviors including: physical activity, drinking sugary beverages, examining feet, making half of plate veggies, using canola or olive oil, using meal plan, considering portion sizes, avoiding adding salt at table, using nutrition labels, and using non-caloric sweeteners.

Be Heart Smart:

Provided Be Heart Smart series to 5 participants. Impact: All participants indicated that they intended to monitor their controllable risk

factors for heart disease, include DASH recommendations in their diet, practice stress reduction, and increase their physical activity as a result of the program.

Howard County HHS Programming Highlights (continued) Foods and Nutrition Education YMCA Cooking Classes:

Assisted NEP with two family cooking classes at the YMCA. A total of 11 parents and 11 children participated in the two classes.

Taught six week youth cooking class in partnership with 4-H educator. Youth learned about kitchen safety, basic cooking skills and healthy eating.

ServSafe:

Taught one ServSafe course to 17 participants and proctored three exam sessions for a total of 28 participants.

Impact: 22 participants received ServSafe certification. .

Human Development Education Extension Homemaker Leader Lessons:

Fall topics included Stress Management, Spend Smart, Eat Smart, and Creative Alternative Gifting. 25 women participated in these 3 lessons.

Impact (stress management): 100% of those who responded, indicated that they plan to practice ways to reduce their stress.

Spring topics included Without a Will in Indiana, Cancer Prevention and Survivorship, and Smoothies and Shakes. 17 women participated in these 3 lessons.

Impact (cancer prevention): All women reported intentions to improve their eating habits and make a change to improve their health.

Life Skills Lessons at the Domestic Violence Shelter:

Provided 5 lessons to 41 participants. Lesson topics included brain health, physical activity, Vitamin D, parenting, and financial planning.

I Am Moving I Am Learning

Worked with HHS educators from Grant, Cass and Wabash counties to host this program in Howard County. 18 early childcare providers attended.

Impact: Participants gained knowledge in ways to promote physical activity in their classrooms, how to encourage children to be physically active, how to promote good nutrition, how to incorporate outdoor play, etc.

Nature of Teaching Garden Lesson Nature of Teaching Physical Activity Lesson

Howard County HHS Programming Highlights (continued) Family Resource Management Education Captain Cash:

Worked with the 4-H Educator to provide Captain Cash to 6 classrooms (134 students) at Eastern Elementary and Sycamore Elementary.

Impact (Eastern Elementary): In Group 1, there was a 17% increase in those who agreed with the statement “People who learn more usually earn more.” In Group 2, there was a 35% increase in those who agreed with the statement “People who learn more usually earn more.”

Impact (Sycamore Elementary): The number of students who agreed with the statements, “People who learn more usually earn more” and “If I borrow money, the bank expects me to pay back what I owe plus interest” doubled from pre- to post-test.

Smart Choice Health Insurance Program:

Worked with Grant and Cass County HHS educators to provide this program two times to a total of 11 participants.

Impact (Howard County): Saw improvement in all measures of confidence regarding ability to select a health insurance plan, and saw increased intentions to better utilize health insurance plans for care.

Joint ANR, 4-H, HHS Programming Carver Community Center, Kokomomentum, Bridges Outreach and United Way Program

Worked with the 4-H and ANR educators to provide 18 lessons to around 442 youth (ages 7-16 years) at the Carver Community Center.

Lessons focused on healthy living, STEM topics, gardening, and natural resources. We partnered with Carver and Kokomomentum during the school year, and with Carver, United Way and Bridges Outreach during the summer.

Impact: Youth showed improvements in knowledge of the 5 food groups (MyPlate) and their importance to health. After a physical activity lesson, students said - “I learned I can feel my heart [beat] in different places”, “Exercising can make your heart beat faster”, and “Playing gets your heart rate up.”

Garden at Carver Healthy snack at Carver

2016 HOWARD COUNTY 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Joshua Winrotte, Extension Educator

4-H Highlights The 4-H program is open to youth throughout Howard County with those in grades K through 2 enrolling in Mini 4-H & those in grades 3 through 12 in regular 4-H. Members take projects & participate in activities that allow them to explore different subject areas & potential career fields while gaining valuable life skills through hands-on learning.

90% of ten year 4-H members indicated they developed responsibility through their involvement in 4-H Over 40 youth participated in state workshops, conferences and camp in 2016, both as participants and leaders Over 400 youth experienced 4-H through the classroom at Western Intermediate, Lafayette Park Elementary,

Sycamore Elementary, Maple Crest Middle, Eastern Elementary, and Howard Elementary with teachers using 4-H curriculum in aerospace, electric, foods, heath, reading, recycling, and wildlife. These youth did activities from the manuals, then completed record sheets on the respective projects, and in some cases exhibited at the 2016 fair.

Volunteer Development 4-H volunteers range from club leaders, project leaders, Exhibit Association Directors, educational programming leaders & committee members. All play an invaluable role in help to shape the lives of youth in Howard County through the use of 4-H programming. Working to provide this group with the resources they need & assisting them to become stronger volunteers is a key to a successful 4-H Youth Development program. In 2015-2016

0ver 90% of the active volunteers sat down with the educator to discuss meetings, programs, and future plans and goals for clubs and projects.

The number of new volunteers in the Howard County 4H program rose by 12 this past year. All volunteers have completed all required training and are in the process of re-enrolling for the 2016-2017 4H

year. Several new clubs have been commissioned and new volunteers placed in leadership positions. Youth as volunteers—5 Youth were selected to serve as camp counselors. Over 30 youth completed 5 or more

service projects as a part of the Junior Leaders program.

4-H STATISTICS

2014 % Completed 2015 % Completed 2016 % Completed

Club Members 827 90% 774 XX% 635 XX

Junior Leaders 58 90% 52 92% 39 92%

Mini 4-H Members 142 90% 141 XX% 126 XX

Adult Volunteers 102 NA 102 NA 115 100%

School Project 268 96% NA

Junior Leaders This 4-H project is for youth in grades 7-12. It focuses on further enhancing & developing life skills through hands-on leadership & service activities. Members hold meetings, mentor younger 4-H’ers, organize & participate in service-learning events, assist with project check-ins & judging & more.

Junior Leaders volunteered as the main session and group leaders for the mini day camp. Over 20 Junior Leaders participated and helped to enhance the experience for the younger 4-H’ers

Over 90% of the Junior Leaders assisted with project check-in and judging. Many of them also helped with various events including the animal shows, demonstrations, and contests.

At the end of the 4-H year, Junior Leader members reported impact of: 80% or more of members gained Communication/Social Skill Responsibility, & Teamwork skills

through their involvement in Junior Leaders. 90% of the members indicated that Service was the most important trait learned and developed throughout

the year. When asked what they learned from Junior Leaders, members shared:

“I can serve my community and be a leader at the same time. I didn't realize how easy it was to help people around me.”

“I like doing the service projects more than sitting around at a meeting. I love getting to be a part of everything that is going on.”

“Helping out at Mini 4-H Day Camp is so much fun. Getting to lead a group of kids and help lead songs was great. “

Educational Programming Through hands-on lessons related to science, math & social studies, youth are provided the opportunity to “learn by doing.” These lessons are offered to supplement classroom teaching, as well as activities for after-school groups. KokomoMentum is an after school program made possible through a 21st Century grant. Purdue Extension - Howard County is a partner in this grant providing science-based hands-on, in-person lessons. The after school groups are for students in grades 2 through 5 from Bon Air, Boulevard, Elwood Haynes, Lafayette Park, Pettit Park & Sycamore Elementary Schools. During the summer, the Educators partnered with KokomoMentum, Carver Community Center, and Bridges Outreach to provide lessons for youth. The program assistant provided weekly 1 hour lessons on healthy lifestyle choices. The educators went each week for 2 hours to promote healthy eating, movement activities, lessons on metabolism, and garden tutorials.

Photography Spark Club was a venture that started as a state 4H office mandate. Each county was tasked to come up

with a short term, high interest program for you. In February and March, over 20 youth met with several volunteers to

learn camera and lighting skills. They learned about still life, portraiture, framing, flash, and simple editing. Spark Clubs

will continue this fall with Zumba and a Snack, Financial Boot Camp, Safe Sitter, and the return of our Photography Spark

Club.

2016 Agriculture and Natural Resources Paul Marcellino Extension Educator ANR

2016 Program Goals, Inputs, and Impact

Goal 1: Provide financial in family farms 311 participants gained knowledge, awareness, and indicated future changes in financial planning, production, and marketing through the following programs: Land Leasing Programming New presentations were developed that helped farmers with current and specific topics in leasing

arrangements. Farmers gained valuable knowledge about working capital erosion from high rents using long-term

cash rent tool. Farmers gained awareness about communication, legal aspects, and common pitfalls in leasing

arrangements. Landowners and farmers indicated they would communicate more, consider flex leases, and make

adjustments to legal aspects of current leases. Marketing Alternate crops to diversify family farms through Local Foods information and programming. Market vendors gained additional marketing tools through Food Link materials. Improved opportunities in local foods through Garden-2-Consumer programming. Crop production costs, world market demand, and supplies through Purdue Outlook program. Animal Productions Forage improvement, pasture management through rotational grazing. Economic updates on cattle production. Economics in having quality bulls. Calving management for optimum profits. PQA training to enable swine producers to be able to market their hogs. Goal 2: Prepare farm families in succession planning. 117 participants gained knowledge, information, and management change indicators in strategic management through: Succession Planning Programs Empowering Farm Women, and Code Red Communication skills to interact with landowners, family members, and employees. Programming and consultations on risk management and farm business sustainability through managing liabilities and exposure through succession planning, standard operating procedures, financial planning and accounting, farm family communication, shallow and deep risk management options through insurance, government farm programs, marketing, and management teams using outside expertise. Consultations with family farms to help them start succession planning process.

Contingency planning for business operations in situations from principal operators, managers, or stakeholder death or injury.

How healthy relationships and good physical condition does improve the farm operation and its sustainability. Business structures and how they can be used to limit liability, ease transfer of assets, and provide

management opportunities for next generation. Educator is a member of RME grant writing team and team was awarded $33,500 for 2016-2017

programming for farm families.

Goal 3: Boost awareness in best management practices for conservation resources. 805 participants gained information, awareness, and implementation of conservation practices in the following areas: Watershed and clean water programming focused on: Watershed protection and management. Limiting excess nutrients from entering watersheds through cover crops. Using cover crops to reduce erosion and sediment in ditches through cover crops. Best practices in pesticide use through Integrated Pest Management. Land use planning that is compatible and protects the environment. Awareness programs for urban residents on best practices for clean water. Master Gardeners planted native plants as filters for the large rain garden county built in downtown

parking lot that will decrease pollutants and educate many people on the importance of rain gardens. In-Field Advantage provide the following information: Farmers are gaining agronomic information that will help fine tune nitrogen applications. Farmers will be able to minimize excess nitrogen nutrients through knowledge gained in this research. Early indications that nitrogen amounts in Indiana waterways is decreasing; however, scientifically

cannot link to this program but there is a much greater awareness of the need to reduce excess nutrients in drainage water.

More farms are enrolling each year. PARP classes covered the following topics: Limiting excess nutrients and from entering watersheds through cover crops. Using cover crops to reduce erosion and sediment in ditches through cover crops. Best practices in pesticide use through Integrated Pest Management to reduce use. Reduction of off-target injury in spray applications. Additional Programming: Spotlight on Howard County Agriculture Tour: Coordinated and raised $2300 for tour expenses. 46 people attended and gained knowledge about modern commercial agriculture and the diversity

of agriculture operations in Howard County. Those in attendance included state legislators, county council members and county commissioners,

representatives from Indiana University/Kokomo, City of Kokomo, Kokomo Greater Economic Alliance, business leaders, and farmers.

Partnered with Ivy Tech to increase awareness of the cooperative efforts of Extension and Ivy Tech do to provide educational opportunities.

Showcased the transition program of Ivy Tech students to Purdue Agriculture and the many opportunities Purdue School of Agriculture offers.

A lot of networking was accomplished and one restaurant owner made connections to start purchasing vegetables from one of the host farmers.

Carver Outreach Team Programming included the following activities: Howard County educators provided STEM, healthy habits, and food production lessons throughout

the school year in an after school program. An average of 12 at-risk students attended the programming where students had a STEM lesson,

physical activity, and a learned how to make nutritious snacks. Students gained knowledge and understanding in healthy eating and the need for physical activity.

They learned that vegetables and fruit can make delicious and healthy snacks.

Additional Programming:

Horticulture Programming and Master Gardener: 290 educational contacts. Provided Master Gardener Intern Training, Master Gardener Advanced Training Day, Hort Lite,

Lunch & Learn, and Hort at the Connection educational programming. 10 Master Gardener attendees passed class with an increase from pre-test score average of 61%

to a posttest average score of 97%. 100% stated they would change a gardening practice from knowledge gained in this course. Present volunteer hours in 2016 include- Master Gardeners- 811 hours, Community Garden

Volunteers- 1016 hours Attendees gained knowledge in horticulture programming other than Master Gardener in the areas

of tree maintenance, turf management, container and raised bed gardening, perennial flowers, invasive plants, rain gardens, and native plants.

Chicken Embryology: 644 educational contacts all from Title 1 schools Student pre-test scores averaged 60%, posttests scores average 80%. Students gained knowledge in the following areas: Economic importance of Indiana’s poultry industry.

Animal husbandry skills. Embryonic development in chickens and how it relates to human development. Different agriculture products and uses that come from poultry.

Carver/Bridges/United Way- Meet Up-Read Up-Eat Up Summer program: Howard County Educators provided educational and physical activity programming in this summer

program. An average of 50 youth attended each of the 5 sessions. They gained knowledge on how plants develop and grow. They planted a large garden and cared

for it all summer. Fall programming will reap the harvest. Physical activity was included to promote wellness and a Color Run was done. All youth completed

the run. Students learned about healthy eating and exercise to promote wellness.

What is the Nutrition Education Program? The Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program (NEP) is a program for limited-resource audiences operating in partnership with Purdue Extension, Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, The National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Food and Nutrition Services. NEP serves all 92 counties in Indiana.

Mission

We deliver practical, research-based information that transforms lives and livelihoods.

Vision We will be a leader in providing relevant, high-impact educational programs that transform the lives and livelihoods of individuals and communities in Indiana and the world.

Target Audiences SNAP recipients Individuals with limited resources (youth, seniors, singles, homeless, migrants, families, sin-

gle parents) Schools with 50% or more free and reduced lunch Communities with high poverty rates

We help positively change adult behavior and influence youth in five areas: Diet quality Physical activity Food security Food safety Food resource management

2016 Howard County

Nutrition Education Program

Chase Messersmith Community Wellness

Coordinator

Linda Echelbarger Nutrition Education Program

Assistant

Chase Messersmith Community Wellness Coordinator Howard, Tipton and Clinton County

Why Health? Howard County is 57th out of 92 in County Health Rankings What does a Community Wellness Coordinator do?

Help make the healthy choice the easy choice. Collaborate with community partners on broader community change that involves policy,

systems and environmental (PSE) changes. Focus on long term community change and sustainability. Assess community needs in the 5 different community settings through the Centers for

Disease Control Community Health Assessment and Group Evaluation Tool (Community-At-Large, Community Institution/Organization, Health Care, School, and Worksite) and help develop initiatives to meet those needs.

Determine impact and outcome of community outreach What is policy, systems and environment (PSE) change? PSE is a new way of thinking about how to improve health in a community and make healthier choices a real option for people. It’s based on the idea that it’s hard to make healthy choices if healthy options are not available.

Policy: Passing laws, regulations, resolutions or ordinances Ex. Healthy vending machine or healthy concession stand policy Systems: Changes to rules or processes of an organization, institution or system Ex. After-school program snacks support school wellness policy Environment: Changing the physical environment Ex. Incorporating sidewalks, paths, pedestrian-friendly intersections and recreation areas into community design (Complete Streets policy)

2016-2017 Initiatives

School Wellness Committee- Kokomo School Corporation Head Start Wayfinding-Foster Park Stairwell Usage-Family Service Association Healthy Vending Machine Options- Family Service Association Food Pantry- Kokomo Urban Outreach Family In Motion Day

Linda Echelbarger, Nutrition Education Program Assistant

During the 2015 - 2016 year, I taught a total of 332 group lessons. I have taught 3 CATCH lessons. The CATCH is a new program replaces the Professor Popcorn program, it incorporates teaching MyPlate along with doing physical activities. This year, I have worked more than ever before with food pantries. I go to Salvation Army and New Hope Pantries and teach group lessons one day a month. During this time I also pass out recipes and do a food demonstration. This has proved to be very rewarding to me. It has also made me more accessible to the public.

I have taught 235 students of Head Start teaching them what a healthy snack can look like. I continue to be involved with Head Start and Early Head Start boards. I also did a workshop for Head Start conference titled “Healthy Eating on a Budget”. I also taught 72 lessons at Bona Vista Industries. While there I teach a class called “Life skills”. They are the most challenging to teach but, they are also the most rewarding in their excitement about the lessons I teach them. New this year I did lessons at the YMCA as well as working with veterans at Jackson Street Commons as well as teaching lessons at the Civic Towers and Terrace Towers.

I am serving on the New NEP Marketing Board at Purdue. I also taught two “New Employee classes” at Purdue this year for new NEP employees. I am continuing to work with all the agencies in Howard County. This has made for a very busy year. However, I enjoy the work and I am very excited about the upcoming year.

In the future I am planning to add the Rescue Mission to my list of agencies. I will plan on doing 1 or 2 lessons a month

there. Another future plan for this year is to go to SNAP agency to teach once a month.

C - Coordinated A - Approach T - To C - Child H - Health