ALTOONA, IA (January 31, 2023) – Rebecca Crawford has been hired as the second youth nutrition associate educator for Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach in Polk County. Crawford joins the Polk County team with previous ISU Extension and Outreach experience through her role as a Rising Star intern last summer. Crawford will join Julie Carstens in primarily implementing the Kids in the Kitchen program, a hands-on youth nutrition program based on the MyPlate guidelines and serves children who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program.
“Nutrition education is a passion of mine. This position will give me the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion with a young and impressionable age group,” said Crawford. “This role will also allow me the opportunity to better understand socio economic systems within Polk County, how people are impacted, and potentially how my work can better support families and individuals in our community.”
The youth nutrition educator will implement the Kids in the Kitchen program over the course of seven weeks. Youth are engaged in physical activities and learn how to prepare recipes while learning about nutrition, kitchen safety, and active living. Youth will have the opportunity to make healthy snacks and learn how to clean and cut produce and use various cooking utensils safely.
About Crawford
Prior to joining ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County, Crawford participated in the 2022 Rising Star Intern program in North Central Iowa. As an intern, Crawford worked with Extension staff to learn more about what local communities needed and developed resources to support those communities. Additionally, Crawford has previous experience in community development and project implementation through her work at MICA, Mid-Iowa Community Action, in Grinnell. She is a recent Iowa State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in global resource systems and secondary degree in nutritional science. Crawford resides in Crawford currently resides in Ames and enjoys cooking and working towards her Goodreads goal of 40 books in 2023.
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About Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Polk County
For over 100 years, ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County has served its residents by connecting them to research and resources developed by Iowa State University. Knowledge and programs offered through the ISU Extension Polk County office have been specifically tailored to represent, enhance, and meet the needs of Polk County residents and community. For 2023 ISU Extension in Polk County will focus on local issues including: K-12 youth outreach; family and food; and agriculture and the environment. ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County is a part of a 99-county campus backed by research to serve all Iowans to create a strong Iowa.