WSU Extension is the lead institution on a new “Healthy Gardens, Healthy Youth” project funded by a $1 million grant from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. The grant was announced today by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Aimed at reducing childhood obesity and improving nutrition, the pilot project spans four states, will serve an estimated 2,800 students at 70 elementary schools, and will engage low-income students in the physical activity involved in growing food and learning life skills. The Cooperative Extension Services of Iowa State University, Cornell University, and the University of Arkansas are collaborating with WSU Extension on the project.
“School gardens hold great promise for educating our kids about food production and nutrition,” said Vilsack. “Learning where food comes from and what fresh food tastes like, and the pride of growing and serving your own fruits and vegetables, are life-changing experiences. Engaging kids in our efforts to end childhood hunger and curb childhood obesity is critical if we are going to succeed.”
“Across the nation, communities are facing the interrelated problems of obesity and chronic diseases associated with poor nutrition and lack of physical activity, which are often linked to poverty, food insecurity, lack of access to or utilization of open or green spaces, and limited understanding of the role of nutrition and physical activity play in overall health,” said Brad Gaolach, the project’s lead scientist and director of Pierce and King County Extension.
The project will utilize WSU Extension educators’ expertise in 4-H, gardening, and nutrition programs. Additionally, Extension researchers in all four states will assess both the process of implementing gardens in low-income schools and the nutritional outcomes of the project. King County is a nationally recognized nexus of efforts to improve local nutrition and confront health problems through gardening and other outdoor activities.
“We’ve been working in this arena for at least 10 years,” said Gaolach. “To me, the exciting thing is that this grant validates the value of the land-grant university system. We are, I think, the only organization that has programs in gardening, youth development, and nutrition; is capable of disseminating and implementing this project on a national scale; and can also conduct the outcome assessment.”
Rosie Wilcox wins writing contest!
In a perfect world,
We would have no use
For paper or ink,
And stories
would be related
By the voices of those
Who had come far,
But were not yet finished,
Because as long as
They breathe,
Their journey
is not complete.
Perhaps poems
Would be written in sand
To be washed away
By the tides,
Each new stanza
As perfect as the last,
Simply because it is.
Legends would be
Chiseled into stone,
The sweat of labor
And the dust of ages
Standing tribute to
The accomplishments
Of human nature
And the fancies
of the mind.
Children would learn
Their letters by
Fire and tree bark
Beneath the haze
Of a yellow moon.
An equalizer would be
At last found
among the people
Who have looked so long
And found nothing
but war.
And words
would heal wounds
And the quest
for knowledge
Would overcome
the difference
In gender, race and beliefs
Because who in this world
Does not enjoy a poem?
Wouldn't this reprieve
The current dissension
Rising around the world
In which we reside?
Christmas for Children feature film completed!
Hannah Tipton of 4-H Network News just completed her feature film about the Christmas for Children program in Port Hadlock, WA. Hannah is a graduating senior this year and has learned so much about video production, script writing and more over the last few years in 4-H. Hannah has been accepted to the Northwest School of the Arts on Bainbridge Island and received scholarships to attend there, too!
Congratulations, Hannah, and best of luck at college next September - we know you are going to set the media world on fire!
Study Shows 4-H Youth Healthier than Peers
4-H News
Youth development scholar, Dr. Richard Lerner, works with researchers at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University to conduct The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development. The longitudinal study has found that, when compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H are:
4-H Healthy Living programs are conducted by the 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System, and seek to address national issues including nutrition, physical fitness, substance abuse, safety, and social and emotional wellness.
“With nearly 2.7 million youth enrolled in 4-H healthy living programs in 2009, the findings from the Tufts study underline 4-H’s unique ability to make a significant impact on the health and wellness of many of our nation’s future leaders,” said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and CEO of National 4-H Council. “Working in conjunction with the White House Let’s Move! campaign and the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award challenge, 4-H’s extensive healthy living programs equip youth with the knowledge and skills that will prepare them physically, emotionally and socially to meet the challenges of the 21st century."
4-H National Headquarters, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and National 4-H Council have made a significant commitment to participate in the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award challenge, aiming to have 100,000 4-H members complete the challenge by September 2011.
The Presidential Active Lifestyle Award recognizes those who log their recommended physical activity for six consecutive weeks, five days a week (60 minutes for kids, 30 minutes for adults). Visit http://www.
Visit www.letsmove.gov for more information.
For more information on 4-H Healthy Living initiatives, visit www.4-h.org.
About the 4-H Study of Positive Youth DevelopmentThe 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development is a longitudinal study which began in 2002, through the support of National 4-H Council. Youth development scholar, Dr. Richard Lerner, worked with researchers at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University to conduct the study. Youth are measured in “waves” across time which compared those that participate in 4-H to those that do not. The study is currently in wave seven. The 6,400 adolescents surveyed are racially and geographically diverse representing 34 states in the nation. For more information about the study visit www.4-h.org. Click on ‘About 4-H’ and then ‘Research’.
About 4-H4-H is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within USDA. 4-H programs are implemented by the 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-h.org or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H.
4-H’ers less likely to smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs
Chevy Chase, MD (April 11, 2011) – According to recent findings from Tufts University, 4-H youth are engaging in positive healthy living behaviors more often than youth that do not participate in 4-H. According to the study, 4-H’ers, regardless of their background, socio-economic status, race, and gender, thrive through the health/safety education and experiences they receive through 4-H programming.Youth development scholar, Dr. Richard Lerner, works with researchers at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University to conduct The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development. The longitudinal study has found that, when compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H are:
- More likely to spend more time exercising or being physically active;
- Two times less likely to engage in drug use;
- Two times less likely to use cigarettes or drink alcohol.
4-H Healthy Living programs are conducted by the 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System, and seek to address national issues including nutrition, physical fitness, substance abuse, safety, and social and emotional wellness.
“With nearly 2.7 million youth enrolled in 4-H healthy living programs in 2009, the findings from the Tufts study underline 4-H’s unique ability to make a significant impact on the health and wellness of many of our nation’s future leaders,” said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and CEO of National 4-H Council. “Working in conjunction with the White House Let’s Move! campaign and the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award challenge, 4-H’s extensive healthy living programs equip youth with the knowledge and skills that will prepare them physically, emotionally and socially to meet the challenges of the 21st century."
4-H National Headquarters, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and National 4-H Council have made a significant commitment to participate in the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award challenge, aiming to have 100,000 4-H members complete the challenge by September 2011.
The Presidential Active Lifestyle Award recognizes those who log their recommended physical activity for six consecutive weeks, five days a week (60 minutes for kids, 30 minutes for adults). Visit http://www.
Visit www.letsmove.gov for more information.
For more information on 4-H Healthy Living initiatives, visit www.4-h.org.
About the 4-H Study of Positive Youth DevelopmentThe 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development is a longitudinal study which began in 2002, through the support of National 4-H Council. Youth development scholar, Dr. Richard Lerner, worked with researchers at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University to conduct the study. Youth are measured in “waves” across time which compared those that participate in 4-H to those that do not. The study is currently in wave seven. The 6,400 adolescents surveyed are racially and geographically diverse representing 34 states in the nation. For more information about the study visit www.4-h.org. Click on ‘About 4-H’ and then ‘Research’.
About 4-H4-H is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within USDA. 4-H programs are implemented by the 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-h.org or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H.
Click here to visit the National 4-H Council Press Room.
Announcing 4-H Robotics: Engineering for Today and Tomorrow
More about the 4-H Robotics curriculum:
The Robotics curriculum was developed for youth in grades 4-12 and focuses on basic physical science concepts related to robotic systems, the scientific inquiry process, the engineering design process. The curriculum is comprised of three tracks: Virtual Robotics (DVD), Junk Drawer Robotics (Books), and Robotics Platforms (DVD).
Virtual Robotics Track (DVD. Includes a Facilitator Guide)
Youth will have opportunities to build and test virtual robots.
Level 1, Give Robots a Hand
Youth explore and learn about robot arms. Concepts covered include pnuematics, arm designs, and three-dimensional space.
Level 2, Robots on the Move
Youth learn about robots that move with legs, wheels and underwater.
Level 3, Mechatronics
Youth will explore sensors and analog and digital systems. The track introduces simple electronic components; youth will build basic circuits and investigate basic elements of programming and instructions for robotic computer control.
There is one Robotics Notebook for the three levels of the Junk Drawer Robotics curriculum. The notebook encourages youth to think and act like scientists and engineers. Each youth should have his or her own Robotics Notebook.
Youth will use commercial robotics kit to explore the world of robots. The activities developed for this track can be used with a variety of commercial kits, including NXT and Vex.
Support for this curriculum was provided by:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)