RAYMOND, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service has hired two new community wellness planners.

Trudy Glusenkamp and Christyna Mangum joined the Extension Office of Nutrition Education Nov. 15. They will work with Extension’s regional registered dietitians to help improve nutrition and health in limited-resource communities.

Glusenkamp and Mangum will deliver Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education, or SNAP-Ed, evidence-based courses that teach children and adults about fun food facts, living a physically active lifestyle, and how to prepare quick and easy meals on a budget safely.

Current SNAP-Ed programs include Cooking Matters, a hands-on cooking course; Smarter Lunchrooms, a program designed to encourage children to make healthier choices in the lunchroom; HappyHealthy, a social marketing campaign to teach people how to choose and prepare foods in a healthier way and be physically active; and implementation of school and community gardens.

Glusenkamp is based in the Extension office in Lowndes County. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition from MSU. Glusenkamp is a registered dietitian with more than 30 years of experience. She is a certified diabetes educator and holds a certificate of training in adult weight management from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Mangum is located in the Extension office in Scott County. She earned a bachelor’s degree in food science, nutrition and health promotion from MSU. Mangum is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve and an active community volunteer.

Extension works with the Mississippi Department of Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to deliver the SNAP-Ed program in Mississippi.