Health Programs in Custer County

Published: 2019
By Tara Andrews

As the incidence of obesity and obesity related diseases continues to increase it is important for us to get nutrition information to our clients. Unfortunately, people will hardly ever sign up for a “nutrition class”. The new craze for electric pressure cookers has allowed us to teach good nutrition and food safety principles under the guise of an Instant Pot Pressure Cooking Class. Studies show that families eat more healthy food when they eat at home, and the electric pressure cooker allows them to cook a home-cooked meal quickly. We take up to 25 individuals in our classes and we fill every class we offer. Within our ranching communities there is a high rate of ortho-arthritis. Custer County Extension is working with Dr. Erik Adams on a study on the effects of calving on arthritis symptoms in ranchers. Valley and Custer counties are the counties involved in the study over the next 5 months. A mobile lab will come to the county prior to and a few weeks into the calving season to take blood samples from cooperating ranchers.