Success Stories!!!! - Kosciusko County
Dining with Diabetes
Since the incidence of diabetes has increased over 61% during the last decade, Dining with Diabetes was offered six times in Kosciusko County between 2005 and 2008. People with diabetes, their caregivers or those wishing to learn more about the disease were the participants. The purpose of the program is to help people learn how to better control diabetes to ward off the consequences of the disease. Because of this program, participants have increased their activity level, increased fruits and vegetables and read food labels more effectively.
Fats of Life
Fats of Life is a program for general consumers to help learn how to choose healthier fats in their diet. Individuals who can choose the right fat reduce their risk of heart disease and related illnesses. Fats of Life was presented four times in two counties. The majority of participants now: a) modify recipes to reduce fat (+100), b) understand fat information on food labels (+95), and c) understand appropriate cholesterol readings (+65).
Windowsill Gardening
In Indiana, 3rd grade curriculum is required to include lessons about science, focusing on simple investigation and record keeping as well as understanding survival needs of organisms. Windowsill Gardening contributes to these requirements by offering students the hands on experience of growing their own plants, recording observations on this growth, and conducting other basic investigations related to plant biology. In Kosciusko County, 516 students from 20 third grade classrooms participated in the program, with a reported 9% increase in knowledge on taught subjects.
Unraveling the Mystery of Commodity Marketing for Farm Women
Unraveling the Mystery of Commodity Marketing for Farm Women was designed to provide Indiana farm women with the knowledge and confidence to participate in and make successful marketing decisions for their farm operations. A five week statewide educational series on commodity marketing was developed under the direction of the Purdue Women in Agriculture Team. Seventy-three individuals participated in the IP video series and 16 participated in an on-line self paced website study course. As a result of the program participants increased their knowledge of commodity marketing terms, can now calculate breakeven prices for their grain enterprises, and felt more comfortable using the marketing tools discussed in the program.
Kosciusko County Master Gardener Program The Purdue Master Gardener Program is designed to provide educational opportunities in a wide variety of horticulture topics to local citizens interested in volunteering and horticulture. Trained volunteers help others grow in the community by sharing their knowledge, service, and leadership in educational gardening activities within their communities. In 2007 thirteen participants completed the initial Master Gardener training in Kosciusko County. Participants said they had already or intended to change gardening practices in the next season and the course helped to make them better environmental stewards in regards to gardening. In turn these participants contributed 760 volunteer hours at a value of $13,680 to Kosciusko County.
