2024 Archives - Page 2 of 6 - Land-Grant Impacts

Year

archery instructor shows young girls how to use a crossbow

Pueblo youths and families collaborate with Extension to build youth programs and opportunities

There are more than 30,000 youths and 4,000 volunteers active in the New Mexico State University Extension 4-H clubs. But reports are limited for Pueblo youth programs offered in New Mexico and volunteer participation is often low. Dedication and continuity of leadership is important for youth programs to grow and thrive. In response, NMSU Extension tribal agents conducted meetings with [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 1994, 2024, Extension, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, Western, Youth Development/4-H

peppers being sliced on a cutting board

Supporting families with community nutrition programs

Youths and adults face a variety of health issues, from food insecurity to cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. Cooperative Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) serve low-income residents nationwide and help address these issues by helping participants eat healthy, shop on a budget and stay active. Here are a few examples [...]

Nutrition and Health, Summary 1994, 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Cornell University, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Michigan, Michigan State University, Missouri, New York, North Central, Northeast, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, University of Missouri

a shot of a person from the knees down, wearing jeans and athletic shoes

Fitness programs change lifestyles and health

Physical activity that increases the heart rate helps to decrease health risks and provides additional health benefits such as improved sleep, lower cholesterol and improved mental health. Fitness programs including walking and dancing are accessible to almost anyone, easy to start and can lead to behavior changes and positively impact residents’ health and well-being by decreasing risks for obesity, [...]

Nutrition and Health, Summary 1890, 2024, Arkansas, Child and Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Indiana, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T State University, North Central, Purdue University, Southern, University of Arkansas

two scientists analyze samples in a food lab

Understanding how natural chemicals in food affect health

The foods and drinks we consume contain natural chemicals like vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, toxicants and hormones that can positively or negatively impact human health. Since 1971, a multistate project has brought together researchers at 22 land-grant universities to research the effects of these dietary bioactive chemicals. Studies shed light on mechanisms involved in bioactivity and determined how agricultural practices [...]

Nutrition and Health, Summary 2024, Connecticut, Guam, Hawaiʻi, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State University, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Central, Northeast, Oregon, Oregon State University, Purdue University, Research, Rutgers University, Southern, Tennessee, University of Connecticut, University of Guam, University of Hawaiʻi, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Tennessee, University of Wisconsin, Utah, Utah State University, Western, Wisconsin

closeup photo of hands in a meditative pose

Innovative approaches to mental well-being

The need to care for our mental well-being is more evident than ever, post-pandemic. More than half of Americans report COVID-19 has negatively impacted their mental health. Extension networks across the country are working to tackle this crisis, often employing new and innovative programming. Here are a few examples of that work: In Michigan, the Mental Health First Aid program trains [...]

Nutrition and Health, Summary 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Michigan, Michigan State University, Montana, Montana State University, Nevada, North Central, University of Nevada Reno, Western

volunteers give donated goods to citizens

Extension mobilizes after tornadoes

On January 12, 2023, at least four tornadoes touched down in Spalding County, Georgia, including an EF3 tornado that tore through the center of downtown Griffin. More than 2,200 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed across the county. University of Georgia Spalding County Extension staff established a call center that organized relief efforts, connecting residents with relief organizations, [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Community Development/Engagement, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Extension, Georgia, Southern, The University of Georgia

house for rent sign

Improving housing security through renter education

Challenges with securing and maintaining housing underpin many societal challenges, and a lack of understanding about the issues and what can be done persists. To address this issue, University of Minnesota Extension provided renter education for individuals, community members and community organizations. Generally, community members had a low income, needed to build credit and rental histories, were new to [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Economic Development, Extension, Minnesota, North Central, University of Minnesota

a student facing stress

Virginia webinar series helps participants balance the stresses of life

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck four years ago, Virginia Cooperative Extension launched a series of webinars to address emerging issues facing its constituents — from financial issues to remote work and schooling to stress management. Organizers planned to offer just a few of these sessions in the spring of 2020. But with audience numbers for the webinars reaching as [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Southern, Virginia, Virginia Tech

group of women talking

Extension boosts resilience in rural South Dakota communities

With the advancement of technology and a greater interest toward rural migration, rural communities have more opportunities to attract and capture new talent, entrepreneurs and working populations who can build local economies. For that reason, South Dakota State University Extension responded to the demographic changes happening in the rural Great Plains by creating Marketing Hometown America. This Extension-based program helps [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Economic Development, Extension, North Central, South Dakota, South Dakota State University

a man holding a wood pallet in a workshop

Nebraska eCommunities program boosts rural economies

In rural Nebraska, many communities have experienced population losses leading to a decline in economic activity. Since 2021, an Extension program from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has offered support for business owners in 20 communities in 12 rural counties, helping them set and develop strategies for achieving their goals. The Nebraska Entrepreneurial Communities, or eCommunities, initiative sets up a steering [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Economic Development, Extension, Nebraska, North Central, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

high school students in a computer lab

Illinois program prepares high schoolers for college success

Getting a college degree can significantly boost one’s career and income prospects. But many students who start college drop out and don’t finish — a phenomenon many experts believe stems from barriers to accessing resources that could aid their academic success. Additionally, it’s not uncommon for high schoolers who intend to apply for college to never actually do so, [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Extension, Illinois, North Central, Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math (STEAM), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Workforce Development and Readiness, Youth Development/4-H

4-H fair, agent samples planting for a group of students

4-H buddies help special needs youth experience camp

Camping programs are among the hallmark experiences in 4-H that many young people look forward to every year. But some 4-H participants with special needs, such as disabilities and medical concerns, are unable to participate. In Columbia County, Georgia, a 4-H volunteer approached Extension staff with the idea of hosting an inclusive mini camp. Three two-day programs were held that [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Extension, Georgia, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Southern, The University of Georgia, Youth Development/4-H

a forest dappled in sunlight

Natural resources foster healthy habits and reduce stress

“Forest bathing” is a term for immersing oneself in forests and other natural environments. A research-based framework shows the benefits of forest and natural environment immersion, including increased physical and mental well-being, reduced stress, improved creativity and happiness. This can lead to a happier family, community and work environment. However, participation is limited because of a lack of access [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 2024, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Michigan, Michigan State University, North Central

A hand holds carrots and a beet among a spread of other vegetables.

Getting more local, fresh produce into communities

Although fresh fruits and vegetables are key to health, difficulties abound in obtaining local produce. Land-grant institutions across the country work in a number of ways to promote growing produce as well as marketing and buying it locally. Here are a few examples of that work: In Georgia, the Fresh on DeK Mobile Farmers Market targets communities without access to a [...]

Nutrition and Health, Summary 2024, Community Development/Engagement, Cornell University, Extension, Food Security, Georgia, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Idaho, Kansas, Kansas State University, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Profitability/Competitiveness, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, The University of Georgia, University of Idaho, Urban Agriculture, Western

an adult shows a child how to cut vegetables on a cutting board

Pairing cooking and reading aids in healthy eating, literacy and school readiness for preschoolers

Poor academic skills in the early educational years place children at risk for school failure and dropout, delinquency and running away, as well as unemployment or underemployment in adulthood. School readiness is incredibly important to the elementary years. Yet nationally, teachers report more than one third of kindergartners are not ready for school. Children gain critical school readiness skills by [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 2024, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Nevada, University of Nevada Reno, Western, Youth Development/4-H

researcher displaying a 3D printed product

Making nutritious compounds more readily available to the body

Although bioactive compounds extracted from fruits and vegetables have many health benefits and are common ingredients in nutrition supplements, they are not easily absorbed during digestion and their full nutritive value is mostly wasted. A researcher with the University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station working at the intersection of food engineering and human health is putting together two state-of-the-art technologies [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 2024, Arkansas, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Research, Southern, University of Arkansas

a woman checks her shopping cart at the grocery store

Helping immigrants shop smarter for food

New refugee families arriving in the United States face many challenges, including finding jobs, housing and adapting to their new community. They also need to learn how to navigate the aisles of a grocery store, prepare meals with foods that may be unfamiliar to them and stretch their food budget to feed their family. Making healthy food choices is [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Northeast, University of Vermont, Vermont

wildfire smoke above an Oregon forest

Efforts to effectively monitor air quality increase health awareness in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge

Wildlife smoke has become an issue in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge after two large wildfire events (in 2017 and 2020) led to record-shattering hazardous air quality index levels. In addition, cherry and pear orchard waste historically has been burned in the area, and no regulations exist on wood-burning stoves. Microscopic particles from smoke can penetrate deep into lungs, causing [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 2024, Ecosystem Services, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Oregon, Oregon State University, Western

covid virus

Researchers develop nasal COVID-19 vaccine in mice, hamsters

New variants cause increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. While the updated mRNA vaccines remain effective at preventing severe illness and death, they may not be as effective in reducing infection and transmission over time. To overcome this gap, the U.S. government initiative called Project NextGen seeks to develop an effective and safe nasal vaccine for controlling the spread [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 2024, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Maryland, Northeast, Research, University of Maryland

closeup photo of two people holding hands

Minnesota takes a community approach to opioid epidemic

Drug overdose deaths have increased drastically in Minnesota in the last few years, with greater Minnesota having a larger increase than the metro area for the first time in a decade. The increased use of fentanyl is a contributing factor in this surge. In response, University of Minnesota Extension and partners worked together to create C.O.P.E. (Community-based Opioid Prevention and [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 1994, 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Minnesota, North Central, University of Minnesota

a cup of soy milk and bowl of soybeans

Research shows enriching plant milk with algae fatty acids increases intake of nutrient

Fish oil contains two fatty acids, called Omega-3s, that provide health benefits including reducing the risk of cardiac death and lowering inflammation. However, a large portion of the population is not consuming the recommended amount of fish and its oil due to high cost, dietary restrictions, mercury levels, general dislike and other factors. Algae contains the same fatty acids, [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 2024, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, North Central, Ohio, Research, The Ohio State University

map of gardens with points highlighted with carrot icons. there is also a photograph of a garden.

Edible garden tours encourage new gardeners

Idaho gardeners face unpredictable growing conditions and this can discourage those new to gardening or with limited experience. Gardening offers many benefits, including food security, personal empowerment, economic savings and physical activity. University of Idaho Extension organized a self-guided Edible Garden Tour with 13 experienced home gardeners to encourage and educate new gardeners. Each host garden was unique, from [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Extension, Food Safety, Food Systems, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Idaho, University of Idaho, Urban Agriculture, Western

young boy bites into a piece of watermelon

Grow Getters instills early healthy habits

Good health in the early years leads to physical and cognitive development that enables youths to thrive and become healthy adults. Early care and education providers can teach healthy behaviors to young children if resources are available in a grab-and-go format. South Dakota State University Extension professionals created Grow Getters to provide nutrition and physical activities through garden concepts [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, North Central, South Dakota, South Dakota State University

black and white cow in a field

Research identifies antibiotic resistance markers that make meat and milk safer

The World Health Organization (WHO) named resistance to antimicrobials one of the top 10 global public health threats because it decreases the effectiveness of medicines and makes infections more difficult to treat. The degree of threat this poses to the food supply is still unclear. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University led an international team that found that dairy cows [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 2024, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Food Safety, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, International/Global, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Research, The Pennsylvania State University, Water Resilience/Management

senior citizen does an exercise inside a greenhouse

An innovative program for preventing falls in older adults

Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. Major risk factors for falls are inactivity, muscle weakness and balance issues. A program newly implemented by the North Dakota Extension Service seeks to improve strength, balance, mobility and daily function, reducing participants’ risk of falling, all while feeling more like recreation and less like traditional [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, North Central, North Dakota, North Dakota State University