In 2017, 57 project teams were able to roll out a healthy-community project thanks to Try This.

BARBOUR COUNTY​

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Eagles SOAR (Surmounting Obstacles through Agriculture & Recreation):

This team will greatly expand healthy activities at Kasson Elementary Middle School. After a new greenhouse is built, students will plant at least seven unusual vegetables and the team will organize quarterly healthy food tasting events for students PK-8, parents, and community members. They will also host monthly one-hour physical or wellness activities for students, parents, and community members. And they will work with the school administration and PE staff to establish and promote physical activity throughout each school day, in addition to PE and recess. Partners include: KEMS, Kasson PTO, Belington Clinic & Wellness Center, Barbour County Extension Office, Barbour County Master Gardeners, Sickler Farm, Broadus Hospital, Custodian at KEMS, Teacher at KEMS, Community Member / Retiree.

Project Lead: Crystal Gray, cdgray@k12.wv.us

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BERKELEY COUNTY

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BC2 = Berkeley County Bike Club:

This team will engage at-risk students, in rotating groups of 10, in 25 weekly bicycle group sessions during the 2017-2018 school year. They will have monthly nutrition lessons to promote long-term healthy-decision making. This team will engage the community in a bike drive to obtain at least five mountain bikes. Students will build two miles of bike trails and maintain four miles of exisiting bike trails during the 2017-2018 school year. Partners include: EPBC, Kilmer’s Farm & Orchard, T.H.U.M.B. Bicycling Club, WVU Medicine / Healthy Berkeley, Berkeley County Schools Wellness Committee, Berkeley County Child Nutrition & Wellness, RESA 8.

Project Lead: Britt Sterman, bsherman@k12.wv.us

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Growing WV’s Running Programs in Middle Schools and Beyond:

This team aims to spread cross-country middle-school cross-country running statewide. They will attend the state PE teachers’ conference to convince middle-school PE teachers to start programs. They will mentor at least six interested schools / counties and train at least five coaches, who will launch youth cross-country programs by July 2018. They will send coaching materials to every county PE program with an offer to come do a workshop. All programs will have a pre and post test, to measure improvement. They will create an online “how-to” guide of information on WV cross-country running. Partners include: St. Joseph School, WVU Medicine, Freedom’s Run.

Project Lead: Ryan McCartney, ryanmccarthymd@yahoo.com

 

Healthy Living 365:

This team will create a model program for ways a church wellness team can involve children. They will garden weekly with at least 55 children weekly in Sunday School classes in a garden created by Boy Scouts and church volunteers. The children will jump rope, hula hoop and exercise during Sunday School class. The church will host a regional healthy-community gathering, to encourage churches from Jefferson and Berkeley counties to create wellness teams. They will also put together a ‘how-to’ guide to creation of a church wellness team. Partners include: 365 Church, Good Samaritan Free Clinic, Healthy Berkeley, Main Street Martinsburg, Destiny Church, Boy Scout Troop 16.

Project Lead: Cosby Potter-Davis, cosby.davis@comcast.net

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BOONE COUNTY​

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Coal Ridge Trail:

Ten students will volunteer 100 hours to help construct a 5K trail behind Scott High School. They will host a community 5K race with at least 50 participants, and increase physical activity within the community through usage of the trail by tracking 30 community members via Facebook check-ins. They will meet with interested local people, including the schools, to explore the possibility of starting a teen cross-country running group. They will schedule two other races on the trail for 2018-2019. Partners include: Scott High School, WV Community Development Hub, HSTA, Camp Creek Construction, Boone County Commission, Boone County Community & Economic Development Corporation, Boone County Schools, Boy Scouts of America, Madison Community Development Hub Tourism Team, Turtle Creek Development, Cook & Cook.

Project Lead: Heather Graffius, hgraffius88@yahoo.com

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BROOKE COUNTY

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Brooke County School Gardens:

This team will create two raised beds for Colliers Primary, four raised beds for Franklin Primary, and two raised beds for the Pre-K Program at Brooke High School. Third and Fourth grade students will participate in classroom lessons once a week for seven weeks and do taste tests of garden produce. More than 100 Children will participate in demonstrations by master gardeners, field trips to farmers markets, and 5th grade students will participate in the county agricultural day. Twenty percent of students will spread their learning activities by developing a garden in their home or neighborhood. They will join Grow Ohio Valley to ask the County School Board to commit to a long-term plan to spread gardening programs across all schools. Partners include: Brooke County Schools, Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network, WVU Extension – Brooke County Office, Tri-State Master Gardener, Brooke County Health Department, Brooke High School, Franklin Primary School, Colliers Primary School, WVU Extension Brooke & Hancock Nutritionist.

Project Lead: Nancy Karavolos, nkaravol@k12.wv.us

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CABELL COUNTY​

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The 21st Century Gardening Project:

This team will ensure 40 gifted elementary students grades 1-5 learn how technology can be applied to gardening in creative ways. Students will use drone technology to design a flying prototype that delivers “Fresh, Food, Fast!” Students will use 3-D printing to build a futuristic device that delivers fresh, healthy foods and present their creation at the WV Makes Innovation Festival. Drones, smart devices, technology, and social media will all play roles in strengthening communal connections, web engagement, knowledge, and marketing strategies. The students will do two community service projects involving food grown in their garden. The team will share 20% of the produce each week with Gro Huntington and create a “How-to guide.” Partners include: Cabell County Schools, Barboursville Wellness Council, Facing Hunger Food Bank, Gro Huntington, Huntington’s Kitchen.

Project Lead: Meghan Salter, msalter@k12.wv.us

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Grab n’ Gro Meditation Gardens:

This team will build 5 vertical gardens at partner businesses and distribute 450 pounds of food to community members by next summer. They will engage fifty clients and volunteers (10 per garden) in the design and building of the gardens. The team will develop best practices and a “how-to” video guide for organizations and individuals who would like to duplicate the program. This team will also reach 3,000 community members through the meditation space and Grab n’ Gro food distribution measured by guest book sign-ins. Partners include: So Social LLC, Marshal University Sustainability Department, Recovery Point, Her Place, The Wild Ramp, American Meadows Seed Co, Aaron’s Business Solutions, Barboursville Community Wellness Council.

Project Lead: Jeannie Harrison, jeanniesoffice@gmail.com

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Kid Power Initiative:

Fighting World Malnutrition with Physical Activity. This team will engage 25-30 students 5th graders in physical activities, on a daily basis. Each student will be provided an activity tracker band to graph and track progress and goals. Students will be given a pre and post test of healthy eating and physical activity habits and basic knowledge of what is required to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Students will partner with the “Make a Wheelie” back-to-school campaign, to increase physical activity outside of the school day. Students will devise a “Walk / Run” campaign for the school and community and organize at least one event in collaboration with the Barboursville Community Wellness Council. They will document their project in a creative way that lets the students tell what they are learning, then create a how-to guide on creating a trackable classroom physical activity program. Partners include: Cabell County School, Barboursville Community Wellness Council, Cabell Huntington Hospital.

Project Lead: Alicia Haugen, ahaugen@k12.wv.us

 

Make a Wheelie (CABELL & WAYNE COUNTIES):

The Barboursville Community Wellness Council (BCWC) will offer a program for youth on building and repairing bicycles. They will recruit adult volunteer mentors / trainers to teach these skills and will produce a “how-to” guide to ways to start and manage this program. The BCWC will partner with local schools to help create opportunities through two “Bike to School” campaigns. This team will also help organize five annual bicycle events. At least 10 youth from the bicycle team will design and build four bicycles that have a blender or another “out of the box” STEM component to use with the Wheelie Good Food Cart at the school and community events. Partners include: Barboursville Community Wellness Council, Barboursville Parks and Recreation, Positive Spin Organization, Cabell County Schools, Center for Supported Employment, Cabell Huntington Hospital.

Project Lead: Jenny Anderson, betterbvillecouncil@gmail.com

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Mini Mountain Stage:

This team will build a 12 ‘x 20’ transportable stage, which will be stationed at the SoSocial Child Care Center but can also be broken down and transported throughout the Huntington area. The team will host 32 outdoor events on the stage with 24 focusing on physical activity while all events will promote ongoing physical activity that people can join, in addition to the events. Partners include: So Social LLC, Marshall University Sustainability Department, Gro Huntington, Marshall Family Practice, Community Contract.

Project Lead: Tia Rumbaugh, sosocialbaby@gmail.com

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Sprout School Youth Garden Boot Camp:

This team will give offer a weekend intensive gardening workshop to teachers from 10 Cabell County schools in the Barboursville community growing space. The team will administer pre and post tests to show at least a 30% increase in knowledge with school garden management based on the ten subject areas. This team will also ensure at least four schools outside of Barboursville will begin school gardens or other school nutrition projects, as a result of the Bootcamp. Partners include: Project Healthy Kids, Inc., Keys 4 Healthy Kids, Village of Barboursville Elementary, Barboursville Community Wellness Council, Start a Garden, WVHub: McDowell County.

Project Lead: Mandy Curry, mandy@projecthealthykids.org

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Try This Huntington:

This team will host a variety of activities at Marcum Terrace low-cost housing complex in Huntington: Kids Fest, a Super Saturday and six Summers on the Terrace events that provide a healthy family meal, educational programming, resource connections, and active games. They will organize weekly gardening and cooking classes, update exercise equipment, provide sports and recreational equipment (balls, goals, mesh jerseys, Ridaroos, hula hoops, scooters, etc.) for youth to use at the FRC gym. Two staff will be trained in yoga and/or Tai Chi instruction to engage youth and seniors on a weekly basis. They will engage 100 children in Healthy Holiday events during school breaks. A “How-to” guide on yoga and tai-chi creation / implementation of their program will be created. Partners include: Huntington WV Housing Authority, Marcum Terrace Family Resource Center (FRC), Housing Development Corporation, United Way Education Matters, Success by Six, Aetna Better Health of WV, Facing Hunger Food Bank, Team for WV Children / Mountain State Healthy Families, United Way of the River Cities, Cabell Huntington Hospital, Cabell County Library (Gallaher Branch), Cabell County Family Resource Network, Cabell County Schools, Unicare Health Plan of West Virginia.

Project Lead: Shane Randolph, srandolph@hwvha.org

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Viking Garden & Walking Trail:

Students in grades 3-5 will use math and science to plant individual square-foot gardens in 10 raised bed gardens, with the help of at least 15 volunteers. Each class will also produce their class design and plant a garden of their choice (i.e., herb, pizza toppings, or produce). The school Wellness Council Student Ambassadors and teachers will walk one lap on the walking trail each day during outside playtime, encouraging others to join in. Fifth grade students will compile a “how-to start a garden and walking program” Powerpoint to share, and the team will provide a workshop for the teachers and parents on square foot gardening and will offer an open-house how-to session in the spring for parents and teachers from other Cabell County Schools on ways to create and sustain a similar project. Partners include: Cabell County Schools, Barboursville Wellness Council, Huntington’s Kitchen, Nichols PTO, WVU Extension Agency, West Virginia University, Kinder Family.

Project Lead: Angie Kinder, akinder@k12.wv.us

 

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CALHOUN, CLAY, GILMER, ROANE, WEBSTER, & WIRT COUNTIES

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Grow Appalachia:

At least 90 residents of at least five central West Virginia counties will learn how to garden through the Grow Appalachia model. They will be mentored by veterans of Grow Appalachia sites in Lincoln, Logan, Mingo and Pocohontas Counties. A minimum of 15 central West Virginia families will receive tools, seeds, plants and classes in starting/expanding gardens during the 2017 growing season. The advisory team will secure a VISTA worker who will help carry out the program and develop at least two grant proposals to further fund these activities. Partners include: Step by Step Inc., Gilmer County FRN, Grow Appalachia Big Ugly Community Center, Grow Appalachia Logan County, Linwood Daycare, Roane County FRN, WV Center for Civic Life, WVU Extension, Roane County FRN, and Williamson Health and Wellness Center.

Project Lead: Michael Tierney, mtierney@stepbystepwv.org

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FAYETTE COUNTY​

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Healthy Food Prescriptions Project:

This project team aims to pair diabetes education with increased consumption of healthy food. They will hold a Chronic Disease Self-Management training in the fall and a Healthy Eating and Cooking program in the spring. They will provide seven CSA boxes for up to 25 participants for 14 weeks (1 CSA box every two weeks). The team will provide 25 seven preparatory cooking classes that use WVU Extension Recipes and SNAP Education Recipes. They will evaluate and track 25 participants on a bi-monthly schedule to quantify food consumption and food preparation satisfaction. They will track the 25 CSA participants to see who wants to remain with the CSA and/or continue to use fresh produce from the farmer’s market. Partners include: WV Food and Farm Coalition, New River Health Associates, Fayette County Resource Coordinators Office.

Project Lead: Tammy Stein, tdstein25901@gmail.com

 

Workplace Wellness Physical Activity Project (FAYETTE, RALEIGH, NICHOLAS, & SUMMERS COUNTIES):

This team will provide digital physical activity signage to 10 Beckley city departments. They will do the same at three new worksites in Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, or Summers County. They will develop a “how-to” infographic and deliver an informational session by June 2018 and will also offer Workplace Wellness workshops / meetings for at least five city government teams, schools, and/or employers. They will work with each to institute at least one other wellness action, beyond the signs. Partners include: Active Southern West Virginia, West Virginia Physical Activity Plan Business and Industry Sector Team, WVU Extension, Department of Education, WV Physical Activity Network, Bureau for Public Health – Division of Health Promotion & Chronic Disease.

Project Lead: Melanie Seiler Hames, melanie@activeswv.com

 

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GREENBRIER COUNTY​

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Quinwood Health Coalition:

The Quinwood Health Coalition will partner with the Quinwood Concerned Citizens to promote healthy activities and support collaboration efforts. This team will organize, schedule, and purchase supplies to offer weekly yoga and/or zumba classes at Crichton Elementary School for community families. They will partner with the Greenbrier County WVU Extension office to organize cooking classes that will be offered to community residents and include 6 “Supper in a Sack” sessions and Dining with Diabetes. Partners include: Quinwood Town Hall, Quinwood Concerned Citizens, Greenbrier Co Health Alliance, Rainelle Agricultural Learning Center.

Project Lead: Cassandra Childers, tquinwood@gmail.com

 

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HARRISON COUNTY​

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Harrison County R&R (Relaxation & Resources):

This team aims to spread yoga in the Clarksburg area. At Nutter Fort Intermediate School, 170 4th grade students will participate in the 9-week Kidding Around Yoga (KAY) class. At least two teachers will be trained to teach after the class is over, and the KAY curriculum will be donated to the school. The team will also engage 50 youth and 50 adults in a 6 week indoors class of Kidding and a 6 week outdoors class. They will organize a KAY training program to qualify more residents to teach this program. Ten high school students will be trained to help teach. The team will also offer physical activity programs at the Harrison County FRN and Margaret McCoy Community Garden (6 weeks indoor and 6 weeks outdoor) for 12 weeks in the next year. Partners include: Harrison County Family Resource Network, Community Volunteers, City of Clarksburg, Clarksburg – Harrison Public Library, Harrison County Schools (Nutter Fort Intermediate), Mother of Addicts, United Summit Center – Region 4 Tomorrow, Margret McCoy Community Garden, RESA 7 – Regional Wellness Coordinator.

Project Lead: Jo Anne Mcnemar, hcpreventioncoalition@gmail.com

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Healthy Nutter Fort:

This team aims to spread gardening in Nutter Fort. They will construct 12 (4’x8′) raised garden beds and 2 handicapped-accessible elevated garden beds. The Nutter Fort Beautification Commission will oversee promotion and signing. The team will supply fresh fruits and vegetables to local food banks and, with the Women’s Club of Nutter Fort, will provide pamphlets to the grade school and elementary students to encourage participation. This team will hold canning classes in the Fire Department. They will teach at least eight children from Mother Goose Land Kindergarten how to plant and cultivate fresh fruit and vegetables during weekly garden sessions during the growing season. Partners include: Nutter Fort Lions Club, Town of Nutter Fort, Nutter Fort Beautification Member, Nutter Fort Treasurer, Mother Goose Land Day Care Center, Marsh Lumber, Clarksburg Park Board, Sandy’s Hardware, James & Law Company.

Project Lead: Julie Foley, jfoley@townofnutterfort.com

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Southern Harrison Do-Gooders-Community Garden:

This project team aims to create a community wellness program in their rural area. They will construct 20 raised garden beds, giving 20 familes and / or organizations a place to raise year-round gardens. One third of the harvest will go to the Lost Creek soup kitchen. They will hold six or more gardening classes, some one time and others lasting a whole year. Classes will include: Dining with Diabetes, Dining with Diabetes Lunch & Learn, Food Preservation, Rethink Your Drink, Fix It Fast, Fix It Healthy. In spring 2018, this team will use their town’s restored train depot as the pop-up location for a farmer’s market. They will install a vending machine with healthy snacks and water on the porch of the community building. Partners include: Southern Area Library, Lost Creek Do-Gooders, Harrison Rail Trail, Town of Lost Creek, Harrison County Commission, Sei Bella Gift Shop, Maxwell Farms, Women’s Club, Lost Creek Community Festival Committee.

Project Lead: Misty Corley, DBKsNurse@aol.com

 

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JACKSON COUNTY

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Resources 4 Relays:

This team will encourage running in Jackson County by buying racing timing equipment that can by shared with community organizations at no charge.. They will develop a procedure for tracking the equipment. The timer will be used in at least 10 events during the next year. The team will organize one relay event at both Ripley and Ravenswood high school and create a Running Group with at least 5 members and a Walking Group with at least five members. This team will also build capacity for the local charity challenge event by recruiting 20 additional participants / organizations. Partners include: Jackson County Board of Education, City of Ripley, Jackson County Community Foundation, City of Ravenswood, Ohio River Festival.

Project Lead: Jimmy Groves, groves78@aol.com

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JEFFERSON COUNTY

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Garden Circles:

This project team will install raised circular beds to encourage low-income and elderly residents to garden in Ranson. Three gardens will be installed at Charles Towers Senior apartments, two at Jefferson County Community Ministries and will 15 more on Ranson Old Town Community Gardens Association property, for use by local individuals, families, or organizations. They will engage 10-15 individuals, families, or organizations, and at least 30 gardeners will be trained in raised-bed gardening techniques, familiarized with the Association’s gardening operations. The team will offer free Thursday evening classes at the greenhouse. They will also create a “how-to” report, with pictures. Partners include: Ranson Old Town Community Gardens Association (ROTCG), MindCross Training, Engineers Without Borders, Literacy Volunteers of the Eastern Panhandle, Jefferson County Community Ministries, Charles Towers Senior Apartments, Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority.

Project Lead: William P. Gregg, bill@ransonwvcommunitygardens.org

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KANAWHA COUNTY​

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The Café Appalachia Garden-to-Fork Project:

This project will create a supply of fresh food for the Cafe Appalachia, to open in South Charleston in spring 2018, which will serve people based on ability to pay, the first of its kind in West Virginia. The team will recruit at least 6 volunteers to help with planting, tending, and harvesting plants. The hydroponics greenhouse will hold 4500 leafy greens and herb plants. The team’s second greenhouse will hold 2000 root plants and 35 high towers will hold another 1540 plants. The team plans to grow the indoor greenhouses to full capacity by spring, then plant the outside, raised beds. They will plant a small orchard to help supply the café. Partners include: Pollen8, Inc, KISRA, City of South Charleston, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Start-A-Garden, Warriors to Agriculture.

Project Lead: Cheryl Laws, cheryl.laws@pollen8solutions.com

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EEFRC Goes Full STREAM Ahead:

At both afterschool site, the Charleston Resource Center will provide an afterschool model of free community arts and STREAM activities to more than 100 at-risk children, with a special Family Fun night once a month at both locations. The Family Fun nights will include a free healthy family dinner, physical fitness activities, STREAM activities, and parent education. The organic community gardening program will be expanded to the West Side site, where it will be cared for by the kids. The students will create a community mural featuring people involved in physical activity, gardening, and/or other healthy-food activities. They will create a video of the way the garden, mural, and family nights were completed. Partners include: East End Family Resource Center, Resurrection Church, WVSU Extension.

Project Lead: Michael Farmer, afterschool@eefrc.org

 

Healthy Chefs, Healthy Minds:

More than 100 at-risk children will enjoy healthy cooking classes at the Charleston Resource Center on the West Side and at least one mindfulness class with Dr. Hani Chaabo. The team will host fruit and vegetable tastings for up to 10 participants. The team will provide up to 100 participants with subscriptions to Seed-to-table meal planning technology from HealthyKids Inc. at the end of each session. They will develop a simple pre-and post test that all participants will complete to help evaluate the impact of the program. Partners include: HealthyKids, CAMC, HealthyKidsInc., My Health, WVU Extension, EEFRC.

Project Lead: Michael Farmer, afterschool@eefrc.org

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Healthy High School Makeover - Part Two:

This George Washington High School project team will grow vegetables in their Healthy Living Club (HLC) Garden and the school’s hydroponics lab and will help the kitchen staff provide fresh produce and herbs on a weekly basis for the salad bar and 50 to-go salads from the club’s garden and hydroponic lab. They will donate a greens slicer to the cafeteria, aiming to increase the number of lunches sold to the GWHS students and faculty by 3%  (33 lunches per day), by the end of the school year. They aim to increase the school’s Smarter Lunch Room Score by 20%. Partners include: GWHS Healthy Living Club, Keys 4 Healthy Kids, Office of Childhood Nutrition, Healthy Kids Inc., Head Cook GWHS, School Administration, School Nurse GWHS, Health Educator GWHS.

Project Lead: Louie Cassis, scassis@mail.kana.k12.wv.us

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Healthy + Hydrated = Hopeful:

Through this model science project, involving a variety of water activities, Alban Elementary students will learn to understand and use the water cycle for health. They will install three filtered water bottle stations at Alban Elementary and count the frequency with which students use them. Through pre- and post-tests, they aim to find that 95% of Alban Elementary students include water as a daily choice for hydration by the end of the school year and that students and staff will increase water consumption by 50%. All students will observe and use clean reclaimed water, develop an understanding of the role clean water plays on Earth, and participate in “Rethink Your Drink” activities. Partners include: Trout Unlimited, Community, WVU FNP, WVU Extension, Alban Elementary.

Project Lead: Deanna Racer, deanna-dracer@mail.kana.k12.wv.us

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Making Bicycling Safer for Children (multi-county):

This team aims to spread bicycle safety to five communities statewide. They will give bicycle helmets to 600 children while teaching them and their parents the importance of bicycling with a helmet and the skills and bicycle law necessary to safely ride their bicycles. The success of these events will be measured by pre- and post-tests. In exchange for participation in the bike rodeo, five organizations or communities will commit to continuing their bicycle programs beyond one year. Partners include: WVCC, East End Family Resource Center, Marmet Bucket Brigade, Point Pleasant Bike Trail Project Committee, Harrison County Rail Trails, Inc., Charleston Police Bicycle Patrol, Morgantown Bike Board.

Project Lead: Dennis Strawn, dennis.a.strawn@gmail.com

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Nrg ("N-ergy") Nutrition Resources and Goodies:

In this workplace wellness project, KISRA employees will improve their collective CDC Scorecard score by three points. Employees will be offered healthy eating guidance. Only healthy food and beverage options will be provided during staff meetings, workshops, or classes, and 75% of KISRA employees will be required to assess their chronic disease risk at a health fair. Employees will create prevention and wellness goals, and 50% of staff will participate in one-month walk campaigns. “Take the stairs” posters will be hung at each work site and at least five staff members will sign up with Million Mile Month. They will create a How-to Guide, distributed to all employees. KISRA will host a workshop for other nonprofits about ways to implement workplace wellness in their organizations and create a “how-to” to share with other organizations. Partners include: American Heart Association – AHA, Bureau of Public Health / Division of Health Promotion Public Disease Well @ Work Healthy Workplace Initiative (HWI), Kanawha Coalition for Community Health Improvement (KCCHI), Thomas Health, Thomas Care Clinic / Saint Frances First, Kanawha Health Department, WVUExtension Service KISRA Wellness Committee Volunteer Staff, Chi Lin Martial Arts Association, Dance Fitness with S and B, The Shape Shop – formerly Weight Watchers, Cross Fit Never Give Up.

Project Lead: LaTausha Taylor, ltaylor@kisra.org

 

Staff Engagement Training for the Natural Learning Environment (SET for NEL):

This team will expand Zion Child Development Center’s Preschool Natural Learning Environment and help 3 – 5 other childcare centers do the same. They will create a “how to train staff to use a natural learning environment” presentation, and the Zion staff will increase their score on the outdoor Environmental Measurement Scale Staff Engagement Section score by 20%. They will host three trainings for Early Care and Educational Community so Zion staff and other area staff, can better use their NLE spaces to increase physical activity, staff engagement, and gardening skills. They will also host at least one family playday per quarter to introduce the NLE to the community and offer space every weekend for self-guided family fun activities and involvement, using the NLE. Partners include: Keys 4 HealthyKids, WVU Extension, Webb Plumbing, Project Launch, Strengthening Families.

Project Lead: Micha Webb, michawebb@frontier.com

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Tai Chi Catalyst 4 Change:

This team will create a model afterschool tai chi program for at-risk youth at Mary C. Snow Elementary. They will provide weekly afterschool beginner Tai Chi classes, workshops, and field trips for 15 youth, grades 3-6 who have experienced severe trauma. Goals: Class participants will be involved in 67% fewer hostile interactions with peers and 75% fewer disciplinary actions during the 9 months of the classe, and 12 students will show a 50% increase in balance, agility, strength, flexibiltiy, stamina, muscle tone, and coordination, as measured by pre and post observation off performance. This team will create a plan for making Tai Chi an ongoing part of the school PE program. Partners include: Unitarian Universalist Congregation (UUC), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), KISRA.

Project Lead: Ron Wilkerson, ronquietstorm@hotmail.com

 

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LEWIS COUNTY

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Community Health Project:

This team aims to create a community calendar of weekly physical activity in Weston. They will start “Walking Group Wednesday,” a free community walking group of at least 15 people who work up to 60-minute walks. They will conduct a springtime “Go to Hollywood” challenge, using Pedometers and tracking progress on a large map, and will host “Free Yoga Friday,” a 45-minute beginner class each Friday at the Lewis County FRN. The FRN will provide childcare / play group for children of community members attending Free Yoga Friday. They will also create a 2018-2019 weekly plan, committing to keep the activity going. Partners include: Hospital Wellness Council, VISTA volunteer, Lewis County Schools Wellness Council, Yoga Matters Studio, Yoga Instructors, Family Resource Network – Lewis County.

Project Lead: Deanna Palmer, hello@lewiscountyfrn.org

 

Elevated Gardens at The Arbors:

The team will build eight elevated gardens to supply 1500 pounds of produce to low-income residents at The Arbors low-income housing and Weston food pantries. The gardens will be maintained by high-rise residents. The local hospital (Stonewall Jackson) and the Arbor’s management will be responsible for the upkeep. This team will also teach five Weston Arbor residents how to garden and cook through at least four workshops. A cardiac rehab nurse will provide at least three sessions for Arbor residents, focusing on physical activity and diet as a way of lowering risk of chronic disease. Partners include: 4H, WVU Extension, City of Weston, Stonewall Jackson Hospital, High Rise.

Project Lead: Julia Spelsberg, jspelsberg@stonewallhospital.net

 

 

LINCOLN COUNTY​

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West Hamlin UMC & Go Getters 4H Club Multipurpose Park:

The West Hamlin team received a second minigrant to help them build am indoor-outdoor community recreation center, sometimes called “The Field of Dreams.” In the first grant period, they cleared and leveled an overgrown field that used to be a ball field. Now they will construct a graveled walking trail around the  field and build raised garden beds around the trail, with drainage. They will install fruit trees, berry and grape vines, and other types of healthy foods around the track. They will host three Healthy Living Workshops like “Healthy Outdoor Grilling” for the community. They will produce a report that follows their progress. Partners include: West Hamlin United Methodist Church, Lincoln County Go-Getters 4-H Club, Town of West Hamlin, Lincoln County Family Resource Network, Lincoln Co. WVU extension agent for 4-H, Federal Small Business Administration, Lincoln County Primary Care Center, Bridgeport Equipment, Orders Construction Company, WV Dept. of Highways, Lincoln County Commission, Branchland Lumber, Armstrong Telephone Company, Southern WV Hub, Donahue Construction, Lincoln Co. Farmers Cooperation & Market.

Project Lead: Clayton Alford, cbalford72@gmail.com

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McDOWELL COUNTY

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Building Community Wellness in Welch through Youth Leadership:

A youth-based leadership council with at least 12 youth at Mountview High School will identify healthy low-cost solutions to community problems within their area of McDowell County (Welch, Gary, Northfork, Kimball, Keystone). They will construct 10 raised beds at Mountview High School in the existing high tunnel. This project team will work with adult leaders to create one community 5K fun run during the fun, with the possibility of another fun run in the spring and will work with the youth on an ongoing basis. Partners include: The WV Hub, WV Wesleyan, Keys 4 HealthyKids, McDowell County Board of Education, Mountview High School, WVU Research Corporation -FNP, WVU Extension: McDowell County, Williamson Health and Wellness Center, Youth Leadership Club.

Project Lead: Jenny Totten, j.totten@wvhub.org

 

Sandy River Middle School Greenhouse Expansion Project:

This team will involve 180 middle school youth in production farming inside of an existing greenhouse at Sandy River Middle School. They will grow at least 1,000 pounds of fresh produce to be sold in the McDowell County food market, either through a local farmer’s market or a community-supported agriculture project. Through pre- and post-tests, at least 75% of the youth involved will report a knowledge gain in agricultural skills of 20 percent on a scale of (1-5). At least two students will be part of the project leadership team. Partners include: WVU Extension Service, WV HUB, Sandy River Middle School, McDowell County Board of Education, Keys 4 HealthyKids.

Project Lead: Dana Lester, dana.lester@mail.wvu.edu

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MINERAL COUNTY​

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Mineral County Healthy Lifestyles Coalition:

This team will engage 30 youth, ages 8-13, in “Kids on the Move” 3X a week for one hour of physical activity, with priority to trauma-affected and at-risk children. They will also engage 20 families in “Family on the Move” in activities such as dancing, running, swimming, hiking, and walking. They will develop a Social Activity Club for adults aged 25 and older that meets at least once a month for kayaking, 5ks, hiking and other activities. They will create a Historical Walking Tour with 18 signs detailing Civil War Events. They will emphasize the importance of physical activity and healthy eating as tools in drug prevention and recovery in at least two Town Hall Meetings and four Narcon Administration Trainings. Partners include: Mineral County FRN, Mineral County CASA, Potomac Valley Hospital, WVU Potomac Valley Hospital, Mineral County Health Department, Life Styles Fitness Center, Delegate Howell, Mineral County Genealogical Society, Mineral County Chamber of Commerce, WVU Extension Services, Western Maryland Health Systems, Unicare, The Health Plan, Regional Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, Regional Tobacco Prevention Coordinator, AHEC, YMCA.

Project Lead: Gerri Mason, mineralfamilyresourcenetwork@gmail.com

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MONONGALIA COUNTY​

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West Virginia Catalyst Program:

This team of WVU medical students are creating a model project whereby medical students visit the public schools to educate students about their bodies and the importance of physical activity and healthy eating. They will recruit at least 40 pre-med and medical students, committed to learning the protocol and teaching it to K-12 children. Fifth- grade teachers from three schools will provide a full day or two half-days for the program. The team will provide three training sessions for participating WVU students to learn the protocols and practice the lessons. They implement the program with pre and post tests of knowledge and attitude toward healthy habits. They will create a “how-to guide” and meet with University officials to promote continuation of the project. Partners include: WVU School of Medicine Catalyst Program, WVU School of Medicine, WVU Department of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, WVU.

Project Lead: Kathryn Baker, kbaker17@mix.wvu.edu

 

White Water Reclamation Task Force (MONONGALIA & PRESTON COUNTIES):

This team will promote paddling in the Morgantown area. They will recruit 40 Monongahela River and Deckers Creek stakeholders for a visioning exercise re. non-motorized water recreation and will establish a monthly Whitewater Reclamation Task Force meeting. They will install an earthen kayak launch, signage, and a bike rack for a Lower Deckers Creek kayak run, with a bike shuttle access. They will also build a low-cost kayak launch ramp with environmentally-friendly materials at Marilla Park and  install a bike rack and signage at the Walnut Street kayak launch and the kayak route end-point so boaters can shuttle back and forth via bike. They will create a how-to document, including a “how-to” for the kayak launch ramp. Partners include: Friends of Deckers Creek, Northern Brownfields Assistance Center, City of Morgantown, Positive Spin, Monongy Rapid Action Team.

Project Lead: Holly Purpura, holly@deckerscreek.org

 

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NICHOLAS COUNTY​

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Let’s Get Moving More, Richwood!:

This project team will plan, build, survey, and design a nine-hole Disc Golf course in Richwood City Park. They will conduct two training demonstrations for 20 faculty members at Richwood Middle School and Richwood High School, and at least three demonstrations to at least 20 middle school students and 20 high school students. They will also conduct one meet-and-greet Community Outreach Day for Richwood citizens to actively learn the sport of Disc Golf and promote the use of the course. For 20 weeks, they will host a weekly Disc Golf demo for the community. Partners include: The Richwood Area Chamber of Commerce, Blueprint Team, Nature Based Place, Richwood Park Board, Richwood Family Center and Pantry, High Rocks and Steele Studio, Disc Golf Enthusiast, Innovas Ambassador, City of Richwood, Richwood Chamber of Commerce Secretary, Richwood High School.

Project Lead: MaryJane Williams, maryjanewilliams53@outlook.com

 

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OHIO COUNTY​

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Bike Wheeling:

Bike Wheeling started during a Try This Regional Gathering brainstorm in spring 2017. This year, the team will host monthly bike rides with at least 12 riders. They will create a Bike Wheeling Facebook page, and advertise through 2 bike shops, and website. They will host 3-4 events with guest speakers in the winter months on WV cycling laws, healthy eating habits, and basic bike repair. They will partner with Grow Ohio Valley and WVU Extension to provide local healthy snacks at all events. They will buy a bike repair stand and repair tools to train volunteers and install two bike racks and one repair station in Wheeling. Partners include: Ohio Valley Children’s Museum & Ohio Valley Trail Partners, House of Hagar, Grow Ohio Valley, City of Wheeling: Parks and Planning, House of the Carpenter, The Unity Center, Positive Spin, WVU Extension Ohio County.

Project Lead: Jim Adams, bikewheelingwv@gmail.com

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Encouraging Fruit Consumption & Providing Healthier Options at our Concession Stand:

This team aims to help Wheeling’s Bridge Street Middle School cafeteria increase its Smarter Lunchroom Scorecard results by 20%. They aim to increase the students’ fruit consumption by 20% by supplying a fruit and vegetable slicer and student volunteers to distribute fruit. They aim to increase water sales by 50% at afterschool concession stands through a Rethink Your Drink campaign and a Healthy Kids Club. They will campaign to remove soda from the school vending machines, and will help other afterschool concession stands across the state through a how-to report. Partners include: Bridge Street Middle School, WVU Extension, KEYS 4 Healthy Kids, Healthy Kids Inc, Barboursville Community Wellness Council.

Project Lead: Rick Thomas, rcthomas@k12.wv.us

 

The Fun-Raiser:

“The Fun-Raiser,” a mobile urban activity van, will be out in the community every weekend between March and October to East Wheeling youth. The van will be equipped with enough sports equipment for 50 children to be activity engaged. “The Fun-Raiser” will participate in at least 25 other community events. At least 40 volunteer community educators, university student athletes and mentors, and parents and community leaders will staff the van. The team will sponsor a yearly Fun-Raiser-Voice-Raiser event where kids can dream up other ideas to make their community healthier and city officials, planners, and community listeners hear their ideas, and the team can raise funds to keep the project going. They will create a Fun-Raiser Facebook page and a “how-to” manual. Partners include: House of Hagar, HoH Share Inc, WJU, Youth Services System, YWCA, Grow Ohio Valley

Project Lead: Kate Marshall, houseofhagercatholicworker@gmail.com

 

Middle School Gardening Project:

This team of students, parents, and community members will start build the school gardening program with ten new 8’ x 4’ raised garden beds. They will implement garden-based learning during periods 9 & 10 of the school day with at least 100 students. When take-home food packages are sent home with students, fresh food will be placed in each package for a minimum of 10 families. They aim for 10% more students to choose the salad bar by the end of the year, as measured by pre and post counts. And 20% of the students will gain knowledge about food origination and will make healthier food choices, as demonstrated by a pre and post survey. Partners include: Ohio County Schools, Bridge Street Middle School, AmeriCorps, Grow Ohio Valley, WVU Extension Office, Wheeling Hospital – Pediatrics, Wheeling Jesuit.

Project Lead: Jessica Broski-birch, jbroski@k12.wv.us

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Sprout Ohio Valley:

This team will bring the Grow Ohio Valley mobile market and Sprout Station to five schools with a free / reduced lunch eligibility of over 50%. They will provide 1,000 children with a positive farmer’s market experience. At least 50% of program participants will have their first farmer’s market experience and at least a minimum of 30% of farm stand Sprout participants will attend more than one week. The team will provide 15 different education / nutritional / physical activities for market attendees over the 15 week course of the program. They will also create a “how-to” guide for sharing. Partners include: Grow Ohio Valley, WVU Extension Service, HoH Share, Bridge Street Middle School, Bridgeport Farmers Market, Wheeling Hospital, Happy Goat Yoga, Ohio County Schools.

Project Lead: Hannah Hedrick, education@growov.org

 

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POCAHONTAS COUNTY​

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Pocahontas Paddlers:

A new afterschool paddling club, the Pocahontas Paddlers, will teach at least 15 teens how to paddle safely on the river. They will organize at least one paddling event, bi-weekly, as weather permits, with healthy snacks provided, for at least 15 teens. This team will buy 6 kayaks, 6 paddles, and 6 life vests and arrange storage for boats and equipment at the Marlington Middle School garage. They will host a large paddling event that will attract at least 50 people of all ages, with a healthy cookout at the end of the day. The paddling program joins multiple other afterschool activities. Partners include: AmeriCorps, Marlington Middle School, Pocahontas FRN, Appalachian Sport.

Project Lead: Jean Srodes, jsrodes@gmail.com

 

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PUTNAM COUNTY​

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Nature’s Imagination Station:

This preschool team will implement a NAAPSAC policy change at Top Tots Enrichment Center, increasing the amount of physical activity for 65 students in the enrichment center. They will negotiate and sign a shared use policy with the local community and church body, allowing more than 500 children using the natural learning environment. The team will build four raised garden beds in the Enrichment Center’s natural learning environment and teach 75 children where their food comes from by involving them in planting and tending four raised garden beds in NLE. Partners include: Keys 4 HealthyKids, WVU Extension, Child Health Education, One Life Church, Cut-Rite Lumber & Logging, JR Farm Equipment.

Project Lead: Jan Steward, toptots@live.com

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Putnam Trails & Tails:

This team will build two enclosed exercise areas (24′ x 32′) at the dog shelter where at least 50 participants / volunteers will walk, train, and exercise dogs. They will recruit 50 adolescent and at-risk students for at least 1 hour of exercise each week (200+ hours total) at the shelter. The team will also teach young volunteers how to make healthy drinks through the “Rethink your Drink” program. They will also create a sustainability plan to show how students can stay involved – or others recruited – after the initial program. Partners include: Putnam County Schools, DHHR – Youth Services – Putnam County, WVU Extension Putnam and Mason Counties, Putnam County Animal Shelter, Boy Scouts of America – Troop 17, The Humane Society of WV, Poca Middle School’s Animal Rescue Club.

Project Lead: Abby Broome, reader273@aol.com

 

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RALEIGH COUNTY

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Bike Beckley!:

This project team will continue to promoting bicycling in the Beckley area. They will install one bike rack at a health-promoting business or in a location that does not favor any particular business, to encourage trail use and increase patronage at local businesses. They will paint two hopscotch stencil designs and two compass stencil designs on McManus trail with at least 1 local volunteer group. They will also install 3 trail pole banners to promote McManus Trail and encourage cycling and running. Partners include: WV State University, New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, Downtown Beckley Business Association, City of Beckley – Beckley Events, Active Southern WV, City of Beckley – Parks and Recreation Department.

Project Lead: Christine Kinder, christine.kinder@wvstateu.edu

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RANDOLPH COUNTY​

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Healthy Randolph - Community Health & Recreation Map & Mobile App:

This team will involve youth in developing the infrastructure for a mobile app that will house our interactive community health and recreation map. They will finalize and implement the graphics and design elements of the website and mobile app by March 2018. At least 25 high school students will write descriptions of and photograph at least 25 health and recreational resources in the community. At least 400 citizens will participate in at least one health related activity, using the app, during the months of June, July, and August. Partners include: Generation Randolph, Elkins High School, City of Elkins, Elkins Main Street, Randolph County 4H, Elkins-Randolph County YMCA, Truly Adamant, Beartown Design Studio, Davis & Elkins College.

Project Lead: Andrew Carroll / andrew.carroll@k12.wv.us

 

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TAYLOR COUNTY​

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Anna Jarvis Learning Trail-Learning from Nature!:

Volunteers will prepare grounds, install equipment, and groundcover in the learning trail area. They will work with a graphic designer on marketing and signage for the trail. This team will prepare the coordinates for trail work by having engineers measure to determine how a trail can be built for ADA compliance. They will obtain and install pea gravel, 3 benches and two trashcans for the learning area and trailhead. This project team will organize, promote, and conduct at least three PTO / community events, or activities on the trail. Partners include: Taylor County Schools, Anna Jarvis PTO, Anna Jarvis Parent and PATCH Coalition, Taylor County Collaborative FRN, Taylor County Starting Points FRC, Taylor County Project HOP2E, Mountain Statesman, AmeriCorps / Vista, BB&T Bank, Leer Mine Complex, All Aboard Grafton.

Project Lead: Cathy Coontz-Griffith, tccfrn1@gmail.com

 

Stand Up Taylor Co and Float to Better Health:

This team will promote paddling on the Tygart River. They will buy six standup paddleboards, 25 river tubes, 25 adult and 25 youth life vests. They will build the Adventure Club by holding the first annual Tygart Lake Paddle Fest and Fishing Tournament with kayak races for youth and adults, a triatholon of kayaking, biking and swimming, a fishing tournament, and paddle tours of Tygart Lake.. Partnering with All Aboard Grafton, the team will recruit at least 10 volunteers to man the access point(s) during hours of operation, working both entry points, and maintaining the kayaks. They will produce a picture-history of the project. Partners include: Project HOP2E, Taylor County Health Department, Taylor County Representatives to the WV House of Delegates, Taylor County Collaborative Family Resource Network, Tygart Valley Chamber of Commerce, Taylor County Starting Points Family Resource Center, All Aboard Grafton, WV Community Development Hub Vista and Vista for All Aboard Grafton, US Army Corps of Engineers Tygart Lake, Tygart Lake State Park Foundation, City of Grafton, WVU Extension Taylor County, PATCH Planned Approach to Community Health.

Project Lead: Bryan Smith, projecthop2e@gmail.com

 

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TUCKERY COUNTY​

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Davis Riverfront Park Natural Playground:

This team is contracting with a natural playground designer to construct a natural playground at the Davis riverfront park and conduct two educational seminars for the community on design and use of the playground, which will be easily accessible to all preschools and schools. A coalition of city officials, Chamber of Commerce, and the CVB will join with local citizens to promote the playground. Partners include: Farmer and Artisan Regional Market (FARM), Mountain Laurel Learning Cooperative, Tucker Community Foundation, White Grass Touring Center, Town of Davis, and the Tucker County CVB and Chamber of Commerce.

Project Lead: Cory Chase, cory.lyle.chase@gmail.com

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UPSHUR COUNTY​

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Buckhannon Dog Park:

This project team will create activities around the dog park that cause owners and pets to exercise together. They will increase the usage of the Buckhannon River Walk by dog owners by 25%. They will complete the building of a one-acre dog park and host 3 events at the dog park that promote physical activity, including a 5K9 race and dog walking group. They will also create a “how-to” guide for opening a community dog park to increase physical activity of dogs and humans. Partners include: City of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan College, WeLead Animal Welfare Team, Buckhannon Dog Park Committee, High Point Construction, Parks and Recreation Committee.

Project Lead: Maria Bray, mariabray@hotmail.com

 

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WEBSTER COUNTY​

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Webster County Journey to Wellness — Are we there yet?:

This team will survey 125 people who currently walk on a regular basis, asking them to name their favorite trails. They will survey10 trails, then narrow to the top five that are the most workable. They will produce 15 signs (3 per trail) detailing trail name, distance, and difficulty. The team will host a kickoff event in the spring to unveil the signs and create community awareness and create an organized walking program using these trails, with at least six organized walks and at least 30 people participating. Partners include: Webster County FRN, Webster County Memorial Hospital, Webster County Health Department, Community Champion, Casey’s Hardware, Connecting Communities

Project Lead: Todd Farlow, coordinator@wcfrn.com

 

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WYOMING COUNTY​

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Mullens Middle School Healthy Kid’s Club:

This project team, which includes students, will install filtered water bottle stations on all three floors of the school. They aim for at least 50 students in Mullens Middle School to increase water consumption to 8 oz servings a day and for at least 50 students to be walking 10,000 steps a day, as measured by pedometers, by the end of the grant period. WVU Extension or Wyoming County Schools will provide monthly nutrition education to all students, to train them on long-term health benefits of a nutritionally sound diet and giving classes in preparing healthy recipes. During PE class, guest presenters, peers, and teachers will expose all students to a variety of fitness experiences, including Line Dancing, Yoga, Aerobics, and Volleyball. Partners include: Wyoming County Schools, Mullens Middle School, Wyoming Co. SADD, WVDE – OCN, WVU Extension, WVDE, Action for Healthy Kids,

Project Lead: Virginia Ann Calhoun-Lusk, vlust@k12.wv.us