CHILLICOTHE, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014: Livingston County
Health Center was recently awarded a Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL)
grant through the Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Community
Health and Wellness.
Grant funding will provide $35,989.40 to
implement a Community Container Gardening Project at the North Missouri Center
for Youth and Families, also known as “The Center.”
“We are very excited to work with our
local partners to make this project a success,” said Sherry Weldon, Health
Center Administrator. “Everyone involved
in the planning has talked and dreamed about the concept of a community garden
in Chillicothe for years-this funding makes it a reality for our community.”
“Building community partnerships
throughout the development of NMCYF has been vital and this is a great example
of what can happen because of it,” said Daniel Savage, Executive Director of
NMCYF. “Providing our members access to a hands on learning environment...not
just in gardening, but planning, management, and responsibility is a huge step
towards fostering their development.”
The funding proposal was the brainstorm of
not only the Health Center and NMCYF, but also the University of Missouri
Extension office and local Master Gardener Beth Weidner. The group worked together to create a sustainable
project involving students enrolled in The Center’s Power Up! Afterschool
program. Kids will not only learn about
planting, tending and harvesting their own produce, but also have their own
booth at the Chillicothe Farmer’s Market. This opportunity will not only teach
entrepreneurship, but provide skills in meeting and dealing with the public,
product display and presentation, and proper care of plants and produce.
Jena Eskew, the University of Missouri
Extension’s 4-H LIFE Youth Program Associate, has been working with The Center
for the past year to assist in making families stronger through education and
opportunities and by identifying mentors inside and outside the family
unit. Plans are to form a 4-H club with
the children attending The Center.
“Bringing the 4-H club ‘to’ the children is an excellent opportunity to
get these children involved in an activity that not only teaches them specific
life skills, but also gives them all the benefits of belonging to a successful
organization that instills leadership, citizenship, and generosity as well,”
said Eskew.
An additional physical activity portion of
the grant involves providing a positive environment in which physical activity
and skill development are an integral part of the afterschool routine. Providing a large range of physical
activities for children increases their skill development. Playground stencils designed to enhance
movement and gross motor development will be purchased for use at The Center as
well as other locations in the community.
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