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Bringing Knowledge to Life! |Partner Report |

Monroe County

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|963 South Raisinville Road |E-mail: msue.monroe@county.msu.edu |

|Monroe, Michigan 48161-9754 |Fax: 734-240-3183 |

|Phone: 734-240-3170 |Web: msue.msu.edu/monroe |

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|December 2009 |

MSU Extension helps preschoolers make healthy eating a SNAP

In late October the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new Food Guide Pyramid for preschoolers. The preschool years are an important time for developing healthy habits for life. Research shows that parents and caregivers want to know more about nutrition for their preschool children. Behavioral milestones, posted on for preschoolers, indicate that as early as three years of age, children make food choices and start to request favorite foods. At four years, children are influenced by television, media and peers.

According to a recent publication of the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, 13 percent of American children 6- to 11-years-old are overweight. Overweight children are at risk for cardiovascular disease, Type II Diabetes and other serious health problems. This study shows that much of the decline in diet quality for children occurs between the ages of three to six years. The study concluded that nutrition promotion activities should focus on this age group to prevent or even reverse the worsening of the diet as children get older.

In the past year, MSU Extension educator Joy Cousino has provided nutrition education for preschoolers through SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education) to Monroe County’s Head Start and Discovery Preschool programs. This included a series of four nutrition lessons for 275 preschoolers in the Head Start and Discovery Preschool programs.

In these lessons, Cousino uses a large, colorful wooden food pyramid with the five major food groups. Food models help show variety and portion sizes. Children learn about how many servings of the foods they need daily as well as what role the foods play in good health. They learn about the importance of breakfast, eating healthy snacks and making good choices when eating away from home.

Newsletters are sent home to the parents that provide information about the nutrition lessons with supplemental materials to use to reinforce the lessons at home. Suggestions are given about including children in food preparation and making them part of planning fun physical activities for the family. Parents are reminded that they are their child’s most important model in making good food choices and having a healthy lifestyle.

Follow-up surveys conducted with teachers and classroom aides at Monroe County Head Start and Discovery Preschool demonstrated children had increased their knowledge of nutrition and were observed as making good food choices.

Seventy two percent of the teachers reported that after the lessons, the majority of their students made good breakfast choices. Sixty one percent also reported that the majority of their students could identify milk and water as good beverage choices. Fifty nine percent of teachers reported an increased intake of fruits and vegetables among their preschool students.

Contact person: Joy Cousino

Soybean research provides valuable data for area growers

In the current difficult economy, saving money is an important consideration for everyone. Monroe County MSU Extension helped soybean growers explore options that could help them avoid making unnecessary fertilizer and seed purchases through six soybean research projects that were conducted this summer.

Five of the studies evaluated how soybean yields were affected by use of foliar (leaf) fertilizer and one looked at how many seeds per acre growers should plant for optimal yield and economic return.

The seeding study was part of a six-location experiment in Michigan. Seeds were planted at three rates: 120,000 seeds per acre, 160,000 seeds per acre and 200,000 seeds per acre. The 200,000 population yielded two bushels per acre more than the 120,000-seed sites. Depending upon the seed cost and market price, the increase in yield may or may not result in a positive net return.

MSU Extension staff collaborated on these studies with the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, who funded the research using Michigan soybean farmer check-off funds.

The foliar fertilization study, part of a 25-site evaluation, examined how two fertilizer products may affect soybean yield. One product was used in three Monroe County locations and another product was tested at two other locations. The data indicated that neither fertilizer helped increase yield and may be an unnecessary expense.

These studies were conducted in response to expressed interest by farmers, who are barraged with information by seed, chemical and fertilizer companies about their products.

To make informed decisions about whether such purchases have the potential to increase economic returns, it’s essential for farmers to have research-based, unbiased information.

Contact person: Ned Birkey

4-H awards program helps young people build important life skills

The Monroe County 4-H youth development program has the largest club network in the state with an extensive awards program supported by a talented group of volunteer leaders. More than 800 4-H members were involved in the 4-H awards program in the past year, which gave them the chance to earn recognition and build important life skills.

Through the awards, young people are recognized for their accomplishments in project areas, community service and leadership.

Two events took place this fall that recognized youth in the county. At Kids Day, about 320 youths younger than age 12 were recognized as “All Stars” in the 4-H program. At Youth Recognition Day, more than 500 youth 12 and over were recognized for their accomplishments and contribution to the 4-H program.

The awards program provides valuable skill building in a variety of areas. Participants learn to organize and compile their experiences and report on their activities. They learn to follow directions and how to set priorities and meet deadlines. They also learn how to communicate with others and improve their oral and written communication skills. They gain self confidence by improving their skills and being recognized for their accomplishments.

4-H members who have participated in the awards program have shared how it has benefitted them. Many point to the experience as being valuable in job seeking when they prepare resumes and plan for interviews.

Members who have gone on to higher education also cite the awards program as being helpful when they prepare college entrance and scholarship applications. The awards and recognition program is a valuable part of the 4-H program in preparing youths for a successful future.

Contact person: Judy See

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