Delivering hands-on education and inspiration for healthy living
Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program at Banyan Community Center in Minneapolis provides hands-on education for healthy living, primarily targeting Latina moms. The six-week course includes nutrition education, cooking demonstrations, exercise routines and shared meals. Participants report significant improvements in their eating habits, with 92% increasing their fruit and vegetable intake.
Roberto, a senior health and wellness coordinator with Extension, highlights the importance of community partnerships. “Banyan is an excellent partner for Extension because we both bring families together.”
Participants like Rosa, who enrolled after being diagnosed with prediabetes, and Judith, who was interested in vegetarian cooking, reported positive experiences and newfound knowledge about nutrition. Judith said she’s excited to share what she has learned with people in her life, especially her daughter: “We set an example for our families and friends by telling them to try to eat more vegetables and stay healthier and avoid illnesses.”
The program fosters a safe and supportive environment, encouraging families to make healthier choices together.
Highlights
- The Urban Agriculture Initiative turns vacant lots into bright futures. The UAI was co-created by community partners, health and nutrition educators, Master Gardener volunteers, agriculture educators and 4-H.
- Master Gardeners in Hennepin County partnered with the Al-Maa’uun community center in north Minneapolis, developing underused areas into spaces for healing while gardening.
- A workshop in Dayton for new farmers covered variety selection, weeding tools, pest and disease problems, postharvest handling and food safety, season-extending techniques and more.
- Xiomi H. is a 4-H State Ambassador and focuses on youth leadership and performing arts.
- Alexandra Ostlund, a business development director for Ag Utilization & Research Institute, is in Class 13 of the Minnesota Agricultural and Rural Leadership (MARL) program.
- U of M Farm Family of the Year: The Sudanese Farming Group grows food on a small plot in New Hope, and is known for being community-oriented, running youth-led farmers market stands, solar ovens and electric carts.
- Minnesota Master Naturalist training: Big Rivers, Big Woods biome (Excelsior)
- SuperShelf locations: Community Emergency Service Food Shelf, Friendship Community Services, ICA Food Shelf, Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners, North Hennepin Community College Food Cupboard, Shiloh Cares Food Shelf, Waite House Food Shelf, Westonka Food Shelf
- The Climate Adaptation Partnership is developing new resources on future groundwater and soil moisture conditions for Hennepin County based on long-term precipitation changes. A cohort of Hennepin County employees participated in the Community Climate Leaders program from the Climate Adaptation Partnership.
Hennepin County office
Extension has 14 regional offices supporting all 87 counties in Minnesota.
Hennepin County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work and in your community. More about Extension in our county.
About the Minnesota 87 project
Spend time in any Minnesota county, and you will almost certainly encounter University of Minnesota Extension. Our faculty and staff, volunteers, participants, alumni and partners are woven into the fabric of rural, urban and suburban Minnesota life. This project showcases Extension in action through photos, stories and a sampling of the many ways Extension has touched the lives of people in every county.