Growing Health: A Cross Extension Team Collaborative Program
Extension Education
Briana Naumuk
Area Horticulture Agent
Clemson University
Walhalla
Abstract
South Carolina has high rates of obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and chronic disease, with 6 in 10 adults having at least one chronic disease (DHEC 2021). These conditions can be combated through healthy lifestyle change, including a healthy diet, of which vegetables are an essential part, physical activity, and stress management. However, 20.7 percent of adults in SC eat less than 1 serving of vegetables per day with a median of only 1.6 vegetables consumed per day and 25 percent of adults in SC engage in no physical activity in their free time (DHEC 2021, USDA 2021). “Growing Health” is a cross-extension team Health and Horticulture program aimed at increasing the number of SC residents who garden for physical activity, grow their own vegetables, and follow a healthy diet. Participants engage in 1-hour, hands-on, in-person classes that combine gardening and cooking to learn how they can benefit all aspects of their health. The program uses these learning objectives to achieve this: understand how to grow their own vegetables, no matter where they live, and increase confidence in growing vegetables at home, understand how to cook the vegetables they grow in a healthy, tasty way, identify the health benefits the vegetables they grow can provide, increase confidence in using vegetables grown in their diet, increase motivation to engage in healthy behaviors, and understand the proper care of the plant. Program success and impact are measured using a variety of metrics, including changes in participants' knowledge and confidence from pre- to post-program, pre- and post-survey data collected during sessions, and a post-program follow-up survey. The second pilot of the program demonstrated improved knowledge and confidence in both nutrition and gardening-related activities. Their knowledge of gardening principles and nutritional guidelines increased from 40% to 60% of respondents answering correctly. Their confidence in growing their own vegetables in containers from 6.32 to 8.17 and their confidence in creating healthy, tasty recipes with food grown in their gardens from 7.33 to 8.63 (on a scale of 1-10, where 1=not confident at all and 10=totally confident).
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Briana Naumuk, Melissa Bales, Weatherly Thomas
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Naumuk, B. Area Horticulture Agent, Clemson Extension, South Carolina, 29691
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Bales, M. Rural Health Extension Associate, Clemson Extension, South Carolina, 29670
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Thomas, W. Rural Health Extension Associate, Clemson Extension, South Carolina, 29229