Ashland & Bayfield Counties

Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program

HistoryWNEP has been serving the families in Ashland

and Bayfield Counties since 1996.

Ann teaches basic cooking skills to children at the Boys and Girls Club

EducationWe provide cooking, preservation, and

nutrition education classes in multiple settings

Fun Family Cooking is always a big hit with kids and parents

SettingsIn our counties, most of our time is spent

providing nutrition education in the qualifying schools. We also work with Head Start, WIC, Senior Centers, Tribal agencies, and Human

Services among others

A healthy snack encourages kids to try new foods

DiscoveryWe promote lifelong learning, unbiased

transformational education and excellence through our scholarly work

School children learn to love vegetables!

StrengthsWe integrate University research with

community-based knowledge to explore new solutions and their practical applications

Bad River elders share their skills at a WNEP food preservation class

StrengthsOur four part-time Nutrition Educators are all trained teachers and have extensive training

through university and optional personal development in nutrition education

Ann demonstrates what whole grains are to an elementary student

AudiencesWe partner with agencies that work with

families where at least 50% of their consumers are eligible for FoodShare. For schools they need to have 50% qualify for free/reduced

lunches

A father and son make juice together at a Head Start Fun Family Cooking Class

AudiencesWe are intentionally inclusive in our efforts to

ensure equity, justice and fairness

WNEP adds nutrition education to Bad River’s Take a Hike Club

Limitations of WNEP

• We are limited in time. The need is great and our work is limited in schools. Each classroom receives between 4 and 6 nutrition education lessons per year

• We may provide nutrition education around a garden, but may not participate actively in gardening with students

Limitations lead us to

COLLABORATION

CollaborationWe support Farm to School locally by providing

introductions to school and community members, helping new workers navigate the relationships

The Birch Hill Community House director helps teach kids about good nutrition

CollaborationWe meet regularly with Farm to School workers,

so they can connect with one another and learn what nutrition education is currently

being done at schools

Farm to School provides new tastes for kids with their “Beetza” tasting

CollaborationWe provide Farm-to-School with resources

so they have current, research-based materials for their nutrition education

We share multiple curricula that are grounded in research and culturally relevant

CollaborationWe share knowledge of our local cultures, so that Farm to School can meaningfully

connect with their students

Bad River’s Take a Hike Club

CollaborationWe share our educational outcome goals so that

Farm to School and WNEP are working together, not duplicating efforts but extending learning for

students and their families.

Danielle teaches that popcorn can be a healthy whole grain choice for children

CollaborationWe maintain files of the work done by prior Farm to

School workers to provide continuity for schools.

Middle school students read food labels to identify sources of sugar

CollaborationWe support Farm to School by participating in

their 1st Annual collaborative effort

Families have fun while learning at the 1st Annual Farm to School Winter Carnival

How to Build Collaboration with WNEP

• Meet with your local UW-Extension Family Living Agent and/or WNEP Coordinator

• Find out what schools they serve• Ask how they have collaborated in the

past and if there are opportunities moving forward

• Ask for insights about community needs and possible supports for your program

• Build on existing nutrition education efforts and themes

WNEP Ashland/Bayfield Counties

is:Kathy Beeksma, WNEP CoordinatorAnn Christensen, WNEP Educator

Dan Corning, WNEP EducatorDonna Ganson, WNEP Educator

Danielle Vanderscheuren, WNEP Educator

Support Staff: Amy Tromberg and Becky Yoshikane