StrongPeople class brings strong impact

Published: 2022
By Lisa Terry

This year saw the addition of a new staff member at the Glacier County MSU Extension office. Lisa Terry, Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agent, began work during the county fair week. On her choice of starting dates, Terry stated, “People said I was crazy to start fair week, but I wanted to jump right in with both feet!” And jump right in, she did. That week she logged more than 85 hours working in the Marias Fair food booth serving customers from four counties. In addition to overseeing the quad-county fair food booth each summer, Terry’s mission is to bring research-based FCS programming to Glacier County. A priority identified by the newly-established FCS Advisory committee is the need for health-related programs for senior citizens. Glacier County's population is roughly one-third senior citizens, and that age range continues to need health-related services provided through MSU Extension. The StrongPeople strength training program in Cut Bank doubled in participants during the second week, prompting the need for an additional class. One class member shared, “I had been seeing my doctor for pain in my neck and the inability to sleep. Since starting StrongPeople, I am no longer in pain and can sleep like a baby!” Additional FCS programs are currently in the planning stages. They will consist of diabetes education, in which Terry is a certified instructor and trainer, ServSafe food safety program, 4-H workshops, and Youth Aware of Mental health, to name a few. The public is encouraged to contact the Glacier County MSU Extension office for more information on FCS-related classes or content.