Home Economics & ICAN (Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition)
Our county's Extension home economics program helps strengthen family life. In a rapidly changing world, the challenges facing individuals and families in our county are great. With A problem solving philosophy, we strive to develop programs to deal with complex issues facing local families. We are helping people build leadership and other skills. We teach through group training sessions and local programs and community projects. We are dedicated to solving community needs, concerns and issues.
General Home Economics
The McKinley County Extension Home Economics program is characterized by participation in several major collaborations and partnerships: the founding and maintainance of a Community Pantry; the coordination of a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program; the Food Stamp and Nutrition Education(FSNEP) - funded I CAN program (Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition); and the presentation of adult and youth workshops in arts and crafts at the Gallery 211 (funded by Disabilities Services Incorporated (dsi). We also work with youth in 4-H programs. There are traditional 4-H clubs, and we go into the schools with Special Interest and School Enrichment programs. During the Bi-County Fair in Prewitt, NM on Labor Day weekend, the Home Economist helps coordinate the indoor 4-H exhibits, which include traditional interests such as baking; clothing and textiles; arts and crafts; ceramics; needlework; photography; posters on animal science,family life, and other topics; welding; rocketry; entomology; wood science; impromptu and prepared speech contests; etc. In the schools, the Home Economist presents programs on the dangers of tobacco and alcohol abuse, and the benefits of healthy diet and excercise.
I CAN (Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition)
The Nutrition Educator teaches classes in Food and Nutrition to food stamp recipients in the McKinley County Works Program five weeks out of every eight- week group rotation, for five hours a week (usually on Tuesdays), culminating in a graduation, where students receive a Works diploma, and an I CAN certificate. For the rest of the 30-hour week, the Educator may be doing lesson plans for future workshops, or working at the ISD office with food stamp recipients, by putting up displays, giving out materials, answering food and nutrition questions, putting on individual workshops on various topics, as well as recruiting participants for her workshops. The topics covered in the program may include: The Basics: Food, Equipment and Knowledge Kitchen Safety Food Safety The Food Guide Pyramid, and its food groups Understanding Food Labels Meal Planning Food Budgeting and, depending upon client interest: Breakfast, a Healthy Way to Start the Day Choosing Healthy Snacks Eating Right for Two Feeding Your New Baby (0-4 months) Feeding Infants (4-12 months), and Children Eating Right and Light
The Community Pantry, the McKinley County Foodbank; Jim Harlin, Executive Director; Rev. Tom Crider, Coordinator. There are four main programs: (1.) $15.00 food boxes, worth $30-$45. (2. ) Emergency food boxes (persons needing help bring a voucher from Executive Director of The Community Pantry, Jim Harlin