Scotland County Health Department / Home Health Agency

05/18/2026

05/14/2026

05/14/2026

Weekly Word, Gardening/Planting crops by the Moon, no not in your P.J.s
Moon or lunar planting, has been practiced for hundreds of years all across the world. Pliny the Elder, a Roman historian, wrote about it in the first century, 23 AD. Chinese, Babylonians, Native Americans and even Benjamin Franklin (who was the father of the modern almanac), followed it and Benjamin even published the lunar calendar to help Colonial farmers.

What is it? A tested method of planting garden/crops according to the moon phases and the effects of them to get a bigger, healthier yield. The moon goes through four primary phases: New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter. Each phase has unique characteristics that influence plant growth through its gravitational pull, light cycles and phases. These affect water, energy availability, sap flow, root development, germination and plant vitality differently.
The New Moon is ideal for planting seeds whose fruit grow above ground. The moon's gravitational pull is believed to be stronger, drawing water up in the soil encouraging seed germination and promoting healthy growth. Leafy annuals like lettuce, cabbage, broccoli etc do well when planted during the New Moon phase.
The First Quarter (also known as the Waxing Moon) begins 7 days after the New Moon when the right half of the moon is illuminated. It is the best time to sow seeds that require strong growth above ground like leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs. It is also an optimal time to fertilize as the sap flows upward from roots to leaves and stems, also benefiting foliage and stem growth.
Full Moon is known for peak energy and light levels. It is a good time to plant fruiting crops, same as the First Quarter. It is also a good time to harvest plants as they are thought to be the most potent, having all their sap/nutrients in the fruit.
Last Quarter (also known as the Waning Moon) when the left half of the moon is illuminated creating a "C." It is the best phase to plant root crops like carrots and potatoes as growth underground is strong. It is also a time to w**d and prune plants allowing them to conserve energy before the cycle starts over!
Transplanting Plants is best done during the last quarter (now) or Waning Moon as roots establish more quickly and therefore stabilizes the seedlings. Full Moon is also favorable for transplanting as sap flow is high.
So where are we in Northern, Missouri today? As of May 14th, we are in the Last Quarter/Waning Crescent as well as tomorrow. Saturday the 16th is the New Moon and the 17th starts the Waxing Crescent. Follow up for more information on the Farmers Almanac online!

Michelle Chrisman,
Health Educator

05/06/2026

Knowing when and how to wean your baby can be confusing. Let WIC help guide you. Contact your WIC local agency for more information. https://mohealth.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d8d6ec13febb4a45919a66aab55a6b90

05/06/2026

Lori Moots-Clair;​Holt, Nancy​
Weekly Word, Kids and summer break.

Kids do well with some structure and routine. Keeping a simple routine, at least, will help kids in transitioning from school to home. If you plan to have structure for your child, be prepared and don't wait, start it on day one of break. It is always easier to go from structure to structure without a break in between.
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While summer is for fun, many people do their work in the mornings and play in the afternoons. Kids might read, write a few sentences to keep their skills sharp and prevent the boredoms! It is also a good time to teach children a new chore/life skill and lighten your load. Long-term studies from Harvard found children who regularly do chores have higher self esteem and are happier and more successful in adulthood. Sounds like a win/win!
Scheduling playdates or group activities also eases the transition for kids. Maybe start summer traditions- park picnics, Friday smores, family water fight night... whatever says "fun" to your family. Family fun helps keep hearts happy. If you have a calendar marked with playdates and activities, kids enjoy following or looking ahead in anticipation.
Summer is the perfect time for simple breakfasts, lunches and dinners- more time equals more fun! Use community resources for free or low cost entertainment. Check out local libraries, parks, pools and lakes! Some lakes have designated bike paths to ride on. Electronics can be used as an end of the day reward for getting everything done. It takes some time to plan but what gets planned gets done. Summer and kids- it's all about making memories- enjoy the adventure!
Health Educator, Michelle Chrisman

Summer Activity Ideas:
Go on a hike
Backyard obstacle course
Play in the sprinkler
Slip and slide
Water balloons
Make a fort
Catch bugs
Grow flowers
Lemonade stand
Creek stomping
Make homemade popsicles

04/30/2026

Weekly Word, Relationship Builders

Our relationships are everything, we can always make little improvements.

DO tell your people you appreciate them, who doesn't like to be complimented and feel appreciated.
NOTICE things they do and tell them about it. Caught being cool!
DO nice unexpected things to keep life happy. Steal them for a coffee and conversation or bring a treat or craft to do together. Things you don't normally do.
DEDICATE time for nothing but conversation- grow by talking and listening well.
EXCUSE yourself if things get tense. Just a minute or change of scenery can make a difference.
DITCH DISTRACTIONS, screens, computers or maybe other people.
IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS, ask questions, learn what you can about the conversation.
ACTIVELY LISTEN, concentrate on them and their speech.
FAMILY, Have time to talk about feelings, it's especially good for children. It gives opportunities to work through and learn through life.
INTERACTION TIME: with each family member, make them special!
SCHEDULE FUN with food, BBQ's, dice games, outdoor games, crafts, walks etc. Take care of your people, they are your most valuable assets.

Michelle Chrisman,
Health Educator

04/23/2026

At six months old, your baby may begin to:
• Put things in her mouth to explore them.
• Reach to grab a toy that she wants.
• Close lips to show she doesn't want more food.

To learn more about your baby's development, visit https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/6-months.html.

04/15/2026

Fresh herbs are now WIC-approved to purchase with your monthly cash value benefits (CVB)!

Some of the approved fresh herbs include basil, bay leaves, chives, lemongrass, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme.

Not approved: Dried herbs, spices, pastes, seeds and plants.

https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/approved-food-list.php

Comment or DM if you have any questions.

04/15/2026

It is common for moms to think they suddenly aren't producing enough milk for their baby, when really it's just a growth spurt! Your baby will experience phases when they're hungrier than usual and may cluster feed to fill up. Cluster feeding can mean breastfeeding as often as every 30 minutes. Don't worry, it doesn't last long and your body will make all the milk your baby needs! Find out more about cluster feeding at https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/cluster-feeding-and-growth-spurts?fbclid=IwAR0.

04/10/2026

Weekly Word, Shedding Winter Blues

One of the best ways to beat the blues is to get outside and take in sunshine! It helps regulate our internal clock and boost hormones that make us feel happy. Go for a walk and kill two birds with one stone as you get sun and exercise.
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Get moving, physical activity is a powerful tool to put us in a better mood. Exercise releases endorphins which reduce stress and anxiety and improves overall mood.
Spring clean your surroundings. People who feel their homes are messy tend to have more of the stress hormone, cortisol. Clutter also contributes to emotional fatigue and cleaning can act as a mental and physical reset. Maybe put out brightly colored spring decor as a mood lifter.
While you're cleaning, clean up your diet. Spring brings an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables whose nutrients can reduce depression. Gardening has its own health benefits but if you don't garden, check out farmers markets to take advantage of local produce. Scotland County is getting a new Farmers Market up and running. If you have interest in selling produce or getting more information, look at, "2026 Scotland County Farmers Market MO" on Facebook.
Don't discount the importance of social interaction. It is easy to isolate during the cold winter months but warm days should encourage us to get together with others. It is essential for emotional well-being so get out and connect.
Spring symbolizes growth and new life, making it an ideal time to commit to new self care, hobbies or goals. Write down targets and celebrate progress along the way. Look for ways to be happy and festive, hello spring!

Health Educator, Michelle Chrisman

04/02/2026

Do you like the WICShopper app? Do you have ideas on how the app can improve your WIC shopping experience? Let WICShopper know! Select the “Rate or give feedback” icon on your app. The team at JPMA, Inc. (the creators!) strives to provide participants with the tools they need to thrive in the WIC program.

Not using the app yet? Download it today on Google Play or the App Store. Just look for the pink and blue icon!