The following are projects which have been funded by the Southeast Minnesota Statewide Health Improvement Program (SE MN SHIP) in Goodhue County (more to come):

Communities

City of Kenyon – Promoting an active community
The City of Kenyon wants its residents to walk, bike, and play more. SHIP is funding several projects to help promote Kenyon’s recreational facilities and create a more walk-able and bike-able community.

• Planning, design, and development of a historical walking tour
• Bike racks for Depot Park, municipal pool and downtown
• Sponsor a disc golf clinic at Kenyon’s Riverside Park Disc Golf Course
• Coordinate community stakeholders to plan / develop a walking path linking the Trondheim neighborhood with downtown Kenyon.
• Promotional materials / sponsorship for Rose Fest 5K run
• Metal directional signage for existing public facilities and local recreational amenities.

City of Red Wing – Complete Streets Policy Initiative, Bike Route Demonstration
The City of Red Wing would like to pass a Complete Streets Policy so that Red Wing’s streets accommodate all modes of transportation including walking and biking. In order to demonstrate what a “complete street” is they would like to create a bike route demonstration between Levee Park in downtown Red Wing and the Bench Street end of the Cannon Valley Trail. Three groups are contributing to this project: SHIP, Live Healthy Red Wing, and the City of Red Wing. SHIP funds will pay for the following:

• Signs and poles
• Paint and supplies for bike emblems and arrows and crosswalks

City of Cannon Falls – Trailhead Project
For over a year the Cannon Valley Trailhead Improvement Project has been in the works in Cannon Falls. A lot of work has gone into planning and acquiring funds for the project. SHIP has been working with the city to develop other projects and decided to help fund this one since it will be a great improvement to help get more users to the trail. Groups that have contributed to the project include: SHIP, City of Cannon Falls Park Board, Cannon Valley Trail Board, Cannon Falls Rotary Club, Invenergy Cannon Falls LLC, and the Cannon Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. SHIP funds will pay for the following:

• Bike racks
• Public signage
• Part of the Kiosk

Schools

Cannon Falls School District – Farm-to-School Program
Farm-to-School tries to increase access of fresh, local foods to students as well as teach them where their food comes from by working with local farms to get their foods and education about farming into the schools. Cannon Falls will be using SHIP funds to help promote good nutrition and their new Farm-to-School program.

• Display cases and other materials for promoting Farm-to-School and good nutrition
• Nutritious food artwork for cafeteria
• Table storage unit for kitchen and carts for transporting food

Kenyon/Wanamingo Elementary School – Healthy Snack Program
Kenyon/Wanamingo Elementary School wants to make sure that healthy snacks are available for its students every day of the week because they understand that students who eat well learn well. A new program will be offered where students can select from nine different healthy snack options for as little as 23 cents per day. The school will not make a profit from the program; the cost covers the product. SHIP funds will be used to help start the program and promote good nutrition.

• Snack carts for storage and dispensing of snacks
• Promotional materials
• Nutritional Artwork for Cafeteria
• Extra time for program planning

Zumbrota/Mazeppa School District – Healthy Snack Program
Zumbrota/Mazeppa Schools want to make sure that healthy snacks are available for their K-6 students every day of the week because they understand that students who eat well learn well. A new program will be offered where students can select from nine different healthy snack options for as little as 23 cents per day. The school will not make a profit from the program; the cost covers the product. . SHIP funds will be used to help start the program and promote good nutrition.

• Snack carts for storage and dispensing of snacks
• Promotional materials
• Nutritional Artwork for Cafeteria
• Extra time for program planning

Red Wing School District – Whole Grain Baking Training
Red Wing School District’s bakery will be changing the way they bake their products starting in the 2010-2011 school year. Instead of using white flour they will be using whole grain flour. Training is needed so they can make this change across the school district since whole grain flour is not easily substituted for white flour. SHIP is helping by providing funding so this training can take place.

Worksites
Kenyon/Wanamingo Schools – Developing Employee Wellness Initiatives
Kenyon/Wanamingo Schools recently formed an Employee Wellness Committee. They completed an assessment of their worksite and employees’ interests and are working on a plan to create a healthier workplace. They also developed a name and logo for their wellness committee as well as a mission statement. SHIP is helping them develop their worksite wellness initiatives and will be funding a walking path project.

• Time to develop and plan a permanent walking path
• Signage and maps for the walking path
• Incentives for staff participation in walking competitions using the new walking path

Red Wing Schools – Employee Wellness Initiatives
Red Wing School District has been doing employee wellness programs for a while. SHIP is helping them re-think wellness and develop new policies or environmental changes to promote it. They completed an assessment of their worksite and an employee interest survey and developed a plan to create a more sustainable employee wellness program that includes a policy for employee wellness which they hope to make part of the school’s wellness policy. They also developed a name and logo for their wellness committee as well as a mission statement. SHIP is funding the following to help them with their efforts:

• Time for planning
• A healthy food taste-testing for staff
• Incentives for participation in a Health Risk Assessment
• Promotional materials

Health Care Agencies
Information coming soon . . .

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For more information about Goodhue County SHIP, please contact Susan Brace-Adkins at 651-385-6112.