The banner is made up of four images: Image one is a group of children shaping and rolling meatballs, Image two is a collection of colorful vegetables, image three is a woman cooking a stirfry, and image four is a garden of crops.

Collaborating to create health and nutrition solutions

MSU Extension Family and Consumer Science faculty and staff approach issues in healthy lifestyles, food and nutrition, and financial planning with multiple impacts for individuals and families of all kinds. To address complex community concerns, we work together in partnership with communities to combine expertise and resources to deliver impactful local solutions.

STRENGTH TRAINING IMPROVES HEALTH FOR OLDER ADULTS

The Strong People Strength Training Program offers Montanans (ages 55+) a free or low-cost physical activity program in a structured, supportive environment, with 329 participants in 10 counties from 2022-2024.

The MSU Extension statewide needs assessment revealed that fewer than a quarter of adults in Montana meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, with significant health risks tied to this lack of activity, including diabetes, hypertension, and mobility issues, especially in older adults.

Program participants improve health benefits; 26 percent report meeting activity guidelines after completing classes and 100 percent express intent to continue physical activity and maintain friendships made through the program.

A bar chart made up of 5 bars. 100% felt stronger, 97% improved balance, 95% strengthened social ties, 95% increased stamina, and 90% reported a decrease in chronic pain. There is a purple sick figure lifting weights on the edge of the chart.

NUTRITION PROGRAMS IMPROVE DIETARY PRACTICES

Adult obesity has been rising, with families facing barriers to nutrition education and access to healthy food. As part of the Nutrition Education Program, MSU Extension offers courses for adults with limited resources on nutrition, physical activity, food safety, budgeting, and provides coupons for access to fresh produce. As a result, 98 percent of participants improved diet quality, with one participant noting how learning to meal plan and make healthy snacks for her daughter helped her make healthier choices and save money.

The top half of the figure reads: "Nutrition Education programs provided 1,715 nutrition and physical activity classes, reaching 3,966 Montanans". The bottom half of the figure is comprised of three graphics: the left has a graphic of a plate and utensils with the fact "90% of adult participants improved food management practices", the middle is a graphic of a red apple with the fact "89% of youth participants made healthier food choices", and the right graphic is a stick figure riding a bike with the fact "60% increased or improved physical activity".

BOLSTERING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE AND RESPONSE SKILLS

Mental illness and substance use disorders are prevalent among Montanans, with rates higher than the national average. Early intervention is critical, but barriers such as stigma, limited awareness of resources, and cultural emphasis on self-reliance often prevent a person from seeking help.

Since 2017, MSU Extension has offered Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Youth MHFA training to reduce stigma and equip adults and youth with skills to support those experiencing mental health challenges. MSU Extension has trained 791 adults and 235 youth in MHFA, with training efforts reaching school nurses, national park staff, and early childhood services staff, thereby enhancing community-wide mental health literacy and support.

The left reads: "MSU Extension has trained 791 adults and 235 youth in Mental Health First Aid" and the right has a pie chart, 791 adults trained and 235 youth trained.

ADDRESSING NEEDS OF AGING MONTANANS

More than 21,000 people live with Alzheimer’s disease in Montana. In response to family caregivers and in partnership with AARP-Montana and agencies on aging, MSU Extension produced two magazines on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The publications aim to reduce the stigmas attached to Alzheimer’s and offer information for agricultural producers facing early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

MSU Extension coordinates a Respite Retreat program and a Caregiver Respite Food Box program for caregivers, who often provide unpaid family care for the elderly. This year, the Food Box program has benefited 30 counties, providing an estimated 3,600 hours of caregiver respite. The program served 1,350 adults and 680 children, with more than 40 percent of families served being American Indian.

More than 100 programs and webinars in 2023-2024 provided estate and legacy planning tools for 7,500 participants

SAFE FOOD PRESERVATION OUTREACH REDUCES HEALTH RISKS

A collection of clear jars filled with the same red substance and topped with a silver lid.

A 2024 survey of 302 Montanans revealed that while 98.7 percent engage in home food preservation, many use unsafe or untested methods, posing risks of foodborne illness. Respondents preserve food to save money and reduce waste, with many relying on MSU Extension for trusted guidance.

In response, MSU Extension offers social media, webinars, community events, and hands-on classes to teach safe food preservation practices. Through these, Extension reaches thousands of individuals, including 200+ adults and youth in hands-on classes, to build confidence in preserving food safely. This work reduces the risk of foodborne illness and increases access to nutritious, often locally-grown foods, benefiting both consumers and producers.

SEED LIBRARIES BENEFIT GARDENERS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Public libraries in Billings and Conrad are offering seeds in addition to books. MSU Extension partnered with these libraries to help coordinate seed donations and volunteer hours to establish seed libraries that bring gardening education programs and improve food security and community engagement. The seed libraries promote affordable home gardening and community collaboration by distributing donated and shared seeds.

Five seed piles are displayed. Tomato seed is round and light green, pepper seed is yellow and round, cabbage seed is green and red and shaped like a ball, carrot seed is light green and long, and beet seed is brown and crumpled.