Home Economics & ICAN (Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition)

Our county's Extension home economics program helps strengthen family life. In a rapidly changing world, the challenges facing individuals and families in our county are great. With a problem solving philosophy, we strive to develop programs to deal with complex issues facing local families. We are helping people build leadership and other skills. We teach through group training sessions and local programs and community projects. We are dedicated to solving community needs, concerns and issues.

Diabetes Education Class

Extension Food & Nutrition Education Program

The New Mexico poverty rate is mirrored in Roosevelt County. The residents of this county recognize that the low income populations face numerous problems associated with inadequate nutrition. They share the state concerns that these individuals often make poor food choices, which can lead to chronic disease problems such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. There is a need to educate low income families and individuals to maximize their resources to improve their nutritional status. The youth of Roosevelt County also fall into the above category. Roosevelt County residents share the concern that these youth should learn healthy eating and food management practices early in life for optimal health and disease prevention.

• Additional Home Ec Resources

Food and Nutrition

Roosevelt County residents recognize that five of the 10 leading causes of death are associated with diet: coronary heart disease, several types of cancer, stroke, diabetes, and high blood pressure. They also share the national concern as outlined in the State Situation about nutrition, diet and human health. Obesity, a risk factor in all leading causes of death, affects 30% of women, 15% of men, and 25 % of adolescents, with the highest rates observed among low-income and minority groups. There is a need to provide education to show an interrelationship between nutrition and health.

Consumer Education

As in the past, education is the key to the dilemma of making the family's income stretch to meet needs. Extension educational programs, which address budgeting, financial management, saving, investment and preparation for retirement can help families gain skill in managing their resources to better meet their current needs. And, programs which help them achieve success now will stand them in good stead for the future.