The Sherman County Senior Center in Moro plays a key role in supporting older adults in north-central Oregon. As a congregate meal site, it receives grant funding from the Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO), which encourages grantees to provide educational programming. Due to limited staffing and COVID-19 restrictions, however, the center had offered few such opportunities in recent years.
Prior to fall 2022, Oregon State University Extension Service’s Supplemental Nutrition Education Program (SNAP-Ed) in Sherman County focused primarily on youths at Sherman County School. Recognizing the need to serve older adults, SNAP-Ed educator Cindy Brown approached Senior Center manager Kari Silcox about offering nutrition and wellness programs. Silcox welcomed the idea, which allowed the center to fulfill its CAPECO grant requirement while expanding services for local residents.
Over a two-month period, Brown taught a nine-part Seniors Eating Well series at the Senior Center in Moro. Thirteen participants attended, with 83 total class visits. Encouraged by community feedback, Extension staff expanded older adult programs to satellite sites across the county to reduce travel barriers, especially for residents in Rufus who voiced concerns about winter driving conditions.
In January and February 2023, Brown taught Eat Smart, Live Strong and OSU’s Food Hero Older Adult curriculum at Rufus City Hall. At the request of participants, she also offered a Seed to Supper gardening series in spring 2023, giving adults an opportunity to learn skills for growing their own food.
Evaluation results showed meaningful impact. Of 10 respondents in the Moro nutrition series, all reported at least one improvement in nutrition knowledge or practice, and several noted increased fruit and vegetable intake. Participants in Rufus said the classes helped them pay more attention to food choices and daily activity, and seven respondents all reported making positive changes in healthy living.
One participant — a member of the Rufus City Council — praised the programs for providing not only valuable curriculum, but also fellowship, “something to do,” and a way to build local community.
The Seed to Supper series in Rufus drew 19 participants with a total attendance of 77. All agreed the class gave them new gardening knowledge they could put to use immediately. Participants cited multiple benefits, including improving family nutrition, reducing food costs, and connecting with neighbors. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with comments highlighting new skills in composting, watering and fertilizer use, as well as appreciation for hands-on resources like seeds, gardening supplies and the course book.
The success of these programs shows the value of making education accessible in small, rural communities. By offering nutrition and gardening classes in multiple locations, Extension staff are broadening their reach, strengthening wellness and helping residents of Sherman County — from Moro to Rufus — thrive.
