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"Farm to You" exhibit teaches childrenOklahoma When it comes to nutrition, Oklahoma's children may not be making the grade. Increasing rates of overweight and obese children, a high prevalence of dental decay, limited physical activity and a low consumption of fruits and vegetables are just some of the major health concerns related to children across the state. And that's where the "Farm to You" experience comes in. The "Farm to You" is an interactive adventure designed to help students from first to sixth grade learn how food is taken from the farm and used by their bodies for good health. "It's important that children learn where their food actually comes from," stressed Diana Romano, the state coordinator for the Farm to You exhibit. "This is the first step in their finding out how to use these foods for their own good health." The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, 4-H and Oklahoma State University have collaborated with other groups, including Oklahoma State Department of Health WIC Service and Southwest Dairy Farmers, to bring the "Farm to You" adventure to Oklahoma. Farm to You measures 40 feet by 40 feet and allows children to walk through the adventure from one station to another. Altogether, nine stations make up the exhibit, including Cheeseburger Farm, To the Market, Healthy Cool Café, Mouth, Stomach, Small Intestine, Muscle, Bone and Skin. "Students get to take part in the adventure as they visit the stations," Romano said. "They actually get to follow food from the farm as it is taken to market, brought home and then consumed. They even follow it through the body." Even though youth will only spend an hour in the exhibit, the hands-on activities help them remember what they learn. "Our objectives are pretty clear," said Dr. Deana Hildebrand, an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Nutritional Sciences Department at Oklahoma State University. "We hope children will come to understand the link between farms and the foods they provide and our own good health. The Farm to You exhibit should also help youth understand that what they eat actually fuels their bodies and contributes to their health. "Basically, this exhibit will help educate children so they will have the information they need to make healthier choices when it comes to nutrition, physical activity and even personal hygiene," Dr. Hildebrand said. The Farm to You Exhibit is being offered to schools at no cost, though volunteers will be needed to help set up and take down the exhibit and to work at the different stations. "So far children have been excited about the exhibit," Romano pointed out. "We're eager to get it out so that people will start talking about it. Our goal is to help educate every child in Oklahoma." For more information about the "Farm to You Exhibit, contact the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension office at 405-713-1125 or Diana Romano at diana.romano@okstate.edu. 8/25/08 Date: 8/19/08
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