Document Actions
Community Development through OSU Extension, Butler County
Ohio State University Extension Community Development helps individuals and communities enhance their well being. In order to achieve this goal, Community Development emphases six educational areas:
- Community Based Planning
- Community Leadership
- Public Issues Education
- Economic Development
- Sustainable Communities
- Community Wellness and Environment
In Butler County, Community Development has focused on leadership development, diversity awareness, community health, asset development, and community planning. An example of some of our local programming efforts include:
DIVERSITY AWARENESS
Programs that help adults and youth understand their own culture, and that of others have been offered to community groups in Butler County and throughout the state.
In November 2005, the second annual Tri-State Diversity Conference took place in Cincinnait. The theme of the conference was "Experiencing the Diversity of Food: Production Through Consumption." This two day event was open to the public but was specifically marketed to Extension staff, food service workers, dietitians, health educators, agriculture industry professionals, educators. community organizations, university employees, and others. The tools and resources presented during the conference helped education professionals reach out in some new wyas to diverse audiences and helped agricultural businesses understand the cultural differences and needs of clientele they wish to reach. Next year's conference will focus on Diversity and Youth.
HEALTHY LIVING COALITION
Using the "vision to action" community development model, the Community Development Educator, with the assistance of a planning committee, facilitated four deliberative discussion on how to respond to obesity. Representatives from public health, education, government, and business attended these meetings.
As a result of these initial meetings, the coalition had agreed on a vision for Butler County and the purpose statement for the coalition. Local issues and assets related to healthy eating and physical activity were then identified. Finally, the coalition identified initiatives that needed to be takent o address the issues. Subcommittees were formed to work on the identified initiatives.
The three initiatives are:
- Walkable Communities Initiative (Walk to School Day)
- Healthy Option in Schools
- Early Childhood/Sending Consistent Health Messages
CHOICE FOOD PANTRY DEVELOPMENT
As a member of the Feed, Educate, Empower, Deliver (FEED) Alliance of Butler County, Extension played a key role in the development of Choice Food Pantries. A choice food pantry is set up very much liek a grocery store. Clients have the opportunity to choose food commodities based on their preferences and needs. Choice pantries use a system that allows clients to choose based on nutrition and budgeting principals.
For example, clients may only be allowed a limited number of choices per food group every month or may be allowed a monthly food "budget." Often, family size dictates how many choices are allowed. Nutrition and money management education can be integrated within the choice system. The goals of choice food pantries are to alleviate food insecurity, promote health, and promote self-reliance.
Planning is an important aspect of choice pantyr development. Extension Community Development facilitates planning meetings of stakeholders. Many issues and questions need to be addressed before a traditional pantry can become a choice pantry:
- Is there enough space?
- Is the volunteer base adequate and capable?
- Which choice system should be used?
- What are the mission, vision, goals and objectives?
Community development can also provide public issues education. Community Development Educators can educate traditional pantries about he opportunities and challenges involved with converting to choice.
LAND-USE WORKSHOPS
These workshops are designed to educate individuals in Butler County about land-use issues and gather public opinions related to land-use. Results are used to develop a state level report for policy development.
OUR STAFF
 | |
Dan Remley, PhD. |
