Interning, healthy living and homesteading  – Valencia County News-Bulletin

First person 

Hi! I’m Katelyn Peach and I am the 2024 Valencia County  Cooperative Extension Service intern.  

I am currently studying business agriculture and economics with a double major in extension education and community development at New Mexico State University.  

I have participated in New Mexico 4-H in Bernalillo County since I was 9 years old. I’ve held several officer positions and volunteer roles over my years in 4-H, and want to give back to the program because of the impact it has had on me. I used to be the kid who couldn’t even introduce herself at meetings because I was so shy, but because of my mom and this program, I have grown to not be afraid of things like presenting at competitions, running for a state officer position or talking in front of hundreds of people. Some of my favorite things to do in 4-H are the indoor exhibits, working with my dog and horse, traveling, competing and making a lot of friends along the way.   

Through 4-H, I was able to find my passion for accessible healthy living through the Healthy Living Ambassadors Program. I was selected to join this team in 2020 and 2022. We attended a conference in Washington, D.C., and that was the first national conference I had ever attended. I really enjoyed all of the workshops provided along with the opportunity to network and meet people.  

I learned healthy living has many aspects to it; being healthy is not just what you eat. It includes mental health, exercise health, dietary health and several others to make up overall wellbeing. All of these are interrelated and play a huge role in a person’s behaviors, actions and thoughts. One is not more important than the other because they are all connected and essential to a person’s overall positive wellbeing.   

Everyone could stand to benefit from some healthier habits, whether mental or physical and the beauty of it is that each person’s needs are different so there is a lot of flexibility when trying to make your life a little healthier. I like to look at this topic specifically with the agricultural and rural communities in mind. I feel passionate about these specific groups because they are some of the most hardworking and genuine people I know but they also have a very limited access to resources due to what is available nearby or the affordability of different kinds of care.  

I think a huge misconception in our society is that healthy living is expensive and takes too much time. The reality is that it’s just not true for everyone because healthier living doesn’t have to be a fancy diet or an expensive gym and workout program. Sometimes, it’s simply making it a goal to drink 32 ounces of water that day or taking your dog for a walk four times a week. Healthy living is something that can meet you where you are at and grow with you.  

Homesteading can be a great way to incorporate some healthier habits into your lifestyle. Activities such as gardening your own vegetables and fruits for your family to eat offers several beneficial aspects to our lives. You can cook with your home-grown veggies and fruits right from the garden and you can grow what you want making it more fun to get more nutrients in your diet.  

Going outside while gardening can help increase mental health through vitamin D exposure and breathing in the fresh air. Gardening also requires some physical activity, making it a great hobby to incorporate into a healthier lifestyle. It ultimately incorporates the three main aspects of health.   

Physical wellness is important to your overall health depending on the amount of physical work involved in your job or daily activities. Stretching is one of the easiest ways to incorporate more body movement because while it doesn’t prevent injuries, it does relieve stress and increase circulation according to an article released by SOCHi. 

There are a variety of stretches that are most beneficial based on your occupation but the pamphlet from Nebraska Extension outlines some of the easier and more beneficial ones for farmers. The stretches listed by CSU are also a helpful resource in finding stretches that may work well for you. Improving physical health should be a goal in our lives along with taking time to take care of ourselves and families.  

This can be difficult with our busy lives and may even require some discipline and habit changes, but there are a lot of resources out there to find the thing that works best for you.  

Program announcements 

To register for an upcoming program, call the Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service at 505-565-3002. For more information, visit valenciaextension.nmsu.edu.  

• Ready, Set, GROW! Free gardening classes are being offered virtually. Registration required; please visit the link for upcoming classes and more information at desertblooms.nmsu.edu/grow.html 
• Summer youth food box distribution is from 9 a.m. until they run out, Friday, June 14, at the Valencia County CES Office,  404 Courthouse Road,  Los Lunas. Call Crystal Anaya at 505-565-3002 for more information.  
• Extension Homesteading and You series, Homemade With Love: From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, July 18,  at the Valencia County CES Office to make and take home some vanilla, herb infused oil, whipped honey and herb infused salts. Call the Valencia County CES Office to get registered at 505-565-3002 for a morning full of fun and delightful homemade items you can keep for yourself or share with ones you love. The lab fee is $10 to participate, to be paid in advance by July 12, limited space is available for this lab. 
• Valencia County 4-H Dessert and Basket Auction, save the date, Thursday, July 25. The dessert viewing and raffle starts at 5:30 p.m., and the live auction begins at 6:30 p.m. Come out and support the 4-H program to attend leadership retreats, scholarships for county and state events, and much more! 4-H youth and clubs put together baskets and bake delicious homemade treats! For more information, please call Sierra Cain at 505-565-3002. 
• Extension Homesteading and You series: Salsa Garden Preservation from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Valencia County CES Office.  Participants will learn about preserving a salsa garden and participate in a hands-on lab. Call Valencia County CES Office to get registered at 505-565-3002. The lab fee is $10 to participate and must be paid in advance by Aug. 15, limited space is available for this lab. 

(If you are an individual with a disability who requires auxiliary aid or service to participate in a program, please contact the Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service Office at 505-565-3002 two weeks in advance of the event.) 

Source: news-bulletin.com