Ashland & Bayfield Counties Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program
May 26, 2015
Ashland & Bayfield Counties
Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program
HistoryWNEP has been serving the families in Ashland
and Bayfield Counties since 1996.
Ann teaches basic cooking skills to children at the Boys and Girls Club
EducationWe provide cooking, preservation, and
nutrition education classes in multiple settings
Fun Family Cooking is always a big hit with kids and parents
SettingsIn our counties, most of our time is spent
providing nutrition education in the qualifying schools. We also work with Head Start, WIC, Senior Centers, Tribal agencies, and Human
Services among others
A healthy snack encourages kids to try new foods
DiscoveryWe promote lifelong learning, unbiased
transformational education and excellence through our scholarly work
School children learn to love vegetables!
StrengthsWe integrate University research with
community-based knowledge to explore new solutions and their practical applications
Bad River elders share their skills at a WNEP food preservation class
StrengthsOur four part-time Nutrition Educators are all trained teachers and have extensive training
through university and optional personal development in nutrition education
Ann demonstrates what whole grains are to an elementary student
AudiencesWe partner with agencies that work with
families where at least 50% of their consumers are eligible for FoodShare. For schools they need to have 50% qualify for free/reduced
lunches
A father and son make juice together at a Head Start Fun Family Cooking Class
AudiencesWe are intentionally inclusive in our efforts to
ensure equity, justice and fairness
WNEP adds nutrition education to Bad River’s Take a Hike Club
Limitations of WNEP
• We are limited in time. The need is great and our work is limited in schools. Each classroom receives between 4 and 6 nutrition education lessons per year
• We may provide nutrition education around a garden, but may not participate actively in gardening with students
Limitations lead us to
COLLABORATION
CollaborationWe support Farm to School locally by providing
introductions to school and community members, helping new workers navigate the relationships
The Birch Hill Community House director helps teach kids about good nutrition
CollaborationWe meet regularly with Farm to School workers,
so they can connect with one another and learn what nutrition education is currently
being done at schools
Farm to School provides new tastes for kids with their “Beetza” tasting
CollaborationWe provide Farm-to-School with resources
so they have current, research-based materials for their nutrition education
We share multiple curricula that are grounded in research and culturally relevant
CollaborationWe share knowledge of our local cultures, so that Farm to School can meaningfully
connect with their students
Bad River’s Take a Hike Club
CollaborationWe share our educational outcome goals so that
Farm to School and WNEP are working together, not duplicating efforts but extending learning for
students and their families.
Danielle teaches that popcorn can be a healthy whole grain choice for children
CollaborationWe maintain files of the work done by prior Farm to
School workers to provide continuity for schools.
Middle school students read food labels to identify sources of sugar
CollaborationWe support Farm to School by participating in
their 1st Annual collaborative effort
Families have fun while learning at the 1st Annual Farm to School Winter Carnival
How to Build Collaboration with WNEP
• Meet with your local UW-Extension Family Living Agent and/or WNEP Coordinator
• Find out what schools they serve• Ask how they have collaborated in the
past and if there are opportunities moving forward
• Ask for insights about community needs and possible supports for your program
• Build on existing nutrition education efforts and themes
WNEP Ashland/Bayfield Counties
is:Kathy Beeksma, WNEP CoordinatorAnn Christensen, WNEP Educator
Dan Corning, WNEP EducatorDonna Ganson, WNEP Educator
Danielle Vanderscheuren, WNEP Educator
Support Staff: Amy Tromberg and Becky Yoshikane