Community, Home and Family Connections

Published: 2019
By Janell Barber

Connections with the constituents of Chouteau County were made through a variety of engagements which covered topics including basic computer skills, food safety, making pie crusts, freezer meals for pressure cooking, sewing, textile upcycling, strength training and recycling collection and awareness. Generational connections, improved health, wellness and safety, cost savings and personal development were some of the many benefits observed in participants of these educational outreach offerings. The excitement of pressure cooking rose to a new level – with freezer meals prepped in advance to be cooked in the pressure cooker. Chouteau County MSU Extension hosted and assisted with several well-attended classes in and outside of Chouteau County. The communities of Big Sandy, Fort Benton, Havre, Shelby and Utica were host to lots of learning, sharing, fun and scrumptious food prepared by the participants. More than 60 participants learned how to use a pressure cooker safely, reported positive behavior trends toward eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking less sugary drinks, eating more whole grains, eating healthier proteins and cooking/preparing more meals at home. 97% of the participants reported learning a new technique or tool and feeling confident in their skills in using the new technique or tool. As one of six Montana counties participating, Chouteau County MSU Extension recruited 26 individuals to participate in the Strong People Strength Training Program: A Community-based Randomized Trial research study. This is the first community-based, randomized trial study completed under the Strong People Training Program. Strong People Strength Training is a research study developed and funded by Cornell University. Cornell has partnered with Montana State University Extension Educators to deliver the program at no cost to the community. Chouteau County is helping lead the way in what could prove to be a very exciting breakthrough in disease prevention in rural areas throughout the country.