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Thanks to a group of local volunteers and an elaborate walk-through exhibit, on Friday Dickson first through fifth graders learned about the relationship between agriculture, nutrition, hygiene, physical activity and good health.
The heart of the presentation was “Farm to You,” an interactive 40-foot by 40-foot partially enclosed exhibit that gives elementary school children an opportunity to follow food from the farm, to the market and through the body.
Small groups of students spent about six minutes at each of the nine individual stations learning about the importance of making healthy choices and being physically active.
Each of the stations was staffed by Carter County home and community education volunteers who used written lesson plans to teach the students.
“I’m a home economics teacher by trade, so this is right up my alley,” volunteer Marilyn Neubauer said.
The exhibit is a collaborative effort of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, 4-H, family and consumer sciences and agricultural education programs, Oklahoma State University department of nutritional sciences, Oklahoma State Department of Health WIC services and Southwest Dairy Farmers. “Farm to You” is provided to schools at no cost.
Diana Romano, the state coordinator for the “Farm to You,” said the purpose of the exhibit is to educate children about the importance of healthy eating and being physically active.
“Being a dietician, I enjoy seeing the students learning something new that helps them become healthier,” she said.
Poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles among Oklahoma’s youth contribute to high childhood obesity rates which increase the risk of health problems later in life.
“Children in kindergarten through 6th grade don’t normally consume enough fruits and vegetables. They often have excessive calorie consumption and low physical activity levels which contribute to being overweight,” Deana Hildebrand, Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist, said. “Eating habits and lifestyle practices develop early in life, so it’s important to promote a healthy lifestyle at an early age.”
Neubauer was the project chair, and “Food to You” was sponsored by Oklahoma Cooperative Extension.
“I have to give a big ‘thank you’ to Dickson Schools for allowing us to come,” Carter County Extension Educator Sandy Lackey said.
Those with questions or who would like to discuss bringing “Farm to You” to their school may contact Romano at (405)713-1125, ext. 2122, or by e-mail at diana.romano@okstate.edu.
Thanks to a group of local volunteers and an elaborate walk-through exhibit, on Friday Dickson first through fifth graders learned about the relationship between agriculture, nutrition, hygiene, physical activity and good health.
The heart of the presentation was “Farm to You,” an interactive 40-foot by 40-foot partially enclosed exhibit that gives elementary school children an opportunity to follow food from the farm, to the market and through the body.
Small groups of students spent about six minutes at each of the nine individual stations learning about the importance of making healthy choices and being physically active.
Each of the stations was staffed by Carter County home and community education volunteers who used written lesson plans to teach the students.
“I’m a home economics teacher by trade, so this is right up my alley,” volunteer Marilyn Neubauer said.
The exhibit is a collaborative effort of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, 4-H, family and consumer sciences and agricultural education programs, Oklahoma State University department of nutritional sciences, Oklahoma State Department of Health WIC services and Southwest Dairy Farmers. “Farm to You” is provided to schools at no cost.
Diana Romano, the state coordinator for the “Farm to You,” said the purpose of the exhibit is to educate children about the importance of healthy eating and being physically active.
“Being a dietician, I enjoy seeing the students learning something new that helps them become healthier,” she said.
Poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles among Oklahoma’s youth contribute to high childhood obesity rates which increase the risk of health problems later in life.
“Children in kindergarten through 6th grade don’t normally consume enough fruits and vegetables. They often have excessive calorie consumption and low physical activity levels which contribute to being overweight,” Deana Hildebrand, Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist, said. “Eating habits and lifestyle practices develop early in life, so it’s important to promote a healthy lifestyle at an early age.”
Neubauer was the project chair, and “Food to You” was sponsored by Oklahoma Cooperative Extension.
“I have to give a big ‘thank you’ to Dickson Schools for allowing us to come,” Carter County Extension Educator Sandy Lackey said.
Those with questions or who would like to discuss bringing “Farm to You” to their school may contact Romano at (405)713-1125, ext. 2122, or by e-mail at diana.romano@okstate.edu.
