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Improving Wellbeing in Bedford County

ID

VCE-1177-11NP

Authors as Published

A boy cooking at a stove.
An enthusiastic Suppers Made Simple participant learns how to make healthy and cost-conscious meals at home.

Sharing Knowledge

Suppers Made Simple is a unique virtual nutrition program delivered in partnership with Bedford County Public Schools. Its mission is to provide support and resources to limited-resource preschool families through a four-week cooking series that incorporates parenting information, nutrition education, and nutritious recipes. Conducting this program virtually has been a successful way to reach young families because the sessions take place in the comfort of the participants’ own homes during mealtimes. In the past year, 28 families have completed this program. The following quote from a participant documents the positive impact of this programming effort: “My family had never tried ground turkey before, but after trying it in the Easy Lasagna recipe, we’ve discovered we like it!”

Community Voices

Betheny Kaplonski.

“I love being involved in 4-H! The Young Entrepreneurs program has taught me the basics of small businesses. I love being able to connect with our community and have made great relationships with other small business owners through this program. Going to 4-H Summer Camp has let me learn and explore new activities with my friends. This year I’ll go as a counselor-in-training, and I’m really excited for my future there.”

Betheny Kaplonski
4-H Member


2,061
Participants in local programming


Partners for Solutions

Scott Baker.

“I facilitated a long- range planning process for the Bedford Urban Garden, a nonprofit community garden in the town of Bedford. This resulted in a three-year strategic plan that will position this vital community asset for sustainability and growth.”

Scott Baker
Agent

Bedford County - Funding by Source: 42% State, 18% Local, 15% Federal, 11% Grants, 13% Other. Total Funding: $491,464.
$4.55 return on investment for every dollar invested by the county in Bedford County.
$299,530 value of extension volunteer hours in Bedford County.

To find out how you can support your local Extension office,
visit www.cals.vt.edu/make-a-gift.

1257 County Farm Road
Suite B
Bedford, VA 24523

bedford.ext.vt.edu

540-586-7675


Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law

Publication Date

June 24, 2024