The McLean County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent had the opportunity to collaborate with the Partnership for Healthy McLean County Healthy Lifestyles sub-committee and the local school system to promote the improvement of overall health and wellness to schools, and families in McLean County. The McLean County FCS Extension Agent provided various educational classes and programs in collaboration with listed organizations. 

The FCS agent provide two hands-on cooking programs for school aged kids. Two different 3-day hands-on cooking series for children was provided during the summer and after school at the McLean County Middle School.  Students who attended the 3-part series cooking class have reported cooking for themselves at home and assisting their families in the kitchen at home. The FCS Agent hosted classes six different times focusing on basic cooking skills, food safety, and how science fits into cooking. Classes were conducted after school in the FCS Classroom with the assistance of the 8th grade science teacher. After both hands-on cooking classes, 80% of students reported learning the importance of knife safety, properly measuring when cooking, food safety, and the importance of including My Plate into their meals. With the addition of after school cooking classes and the partnership between the McLean County Middle School and the Extension Office, the McLean County middle school was able to use the results and partnership to help them become recognized as one of “America Healthiest Schools”.

The FCS Agent hosted monthly nutrition classes at the Extension Office and two other off site locations within the county. The monthly class has drawn new clients into the Extension office for the nutrition/cooking class. After one year of meeting once monthly 85% of participates, are incorporating more fruits and vegetables when cooking at home. Additionally, participants have reported cooking the healthy recipes at home for their families. One participant is quoted saying, “I never really liked sweet potatoes by themselves but after trying a few recipes with sweet potatoes in them I like eating them. I am now cooking more with them at home.” 

The combination of all programs and efforts to make McLean County youth and community healthier has made a significant impact. The efforts towards improving the health and wellness at the local schools has sparked an increase in physical activity inside and outside the schools. The McLean County School wellness committee began hosting after school fun runs at the local park. The fun runs gathered students from all over the county and their families at the local park to challenge families to become more active.

It is clear that efforts towards creating a healthier community and schools have increased awareness, collaboration within the community, as well as the implementation of eating healthier and becoming more physically activity in McLean County. However, the work and collaboration has also created new community partners, leadership, and marketing for the FCS Extension Program in McLean County.