About the Coalition
In 2017, Martin Wellness Coalition formed as part of the SDSU Extension “Healthy Food, Families & Communities” project which engages several South Dakota communities in work to improve health and wellness. Anita Hicks was selected as Martin’s Community Champion and has been an invaluable part of the team.
Our vision is that Martin is a community that values:
• A safe environment
• Multiple places and opportunities for physical activity
• Healthy eating
• Being supportive of healthy lifestyles for all ages
In 2019, Martin was one of five communities honored with the Healthy Hometown Community Award of $5,000.
In 2020, the group decided to join South Dakota Healthy Hometown℠ Powered by Wellmark and welcomed Angie Brown to the team.
In 2022, Martin was presented with the 2022 Healthy Hometown℠ Powered by Wellmark Community Award during the Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion Annual Partners Meeting held virtually on Wednesday, Oct. 12. The award recognizes Martin for its accomplishments in health improvement initiatives within the community.
Join the Coalition
We are always looking for new members and new ideas! Email Prairey or Anita and they will add you to the email list, where you will receive invitations to meetings. We are currently meeting via Zoom due to the pandemic. Our coalition typically meets the second Wednesday of the month at 1:00 pm. Guests are welcome to sit in and listen, and there are no membership commitments.
Email us at Prairey.Walkling@sdstate.edu or alhicks_57@yahoo.com for more information
We Want Your Ideas!
Have an idea for improving wellness in the Martin community? We’d love to hear it! Click the button below to email us your ideas.
Wellness Initiatives
Community Meals
Martin Wellness Coalition with fiscal sponsor Badlands RC&D (Resource Conservation and Development) received a $10,000 grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation to provide monthly community meals hosted by a variety of community organizations. These meals are intended to reduce food insecurity and to bring the community together. During the pandemic, we adjusted to serving meals curbside. Thank you to all of these local organizations for hosting, preparing and serving meals!
Kids in the Kitchen (Bennett County 4-H)
Martin Volunteer Fire Department
Martin Chamber of Commerce
St. Katharine’s Episcopal Church
Bennett County High School Student Council
American Legion Auxiliary
Oglala Lakota College: Lacreek College Center
Martin Community Health Center & Martin Dental Clinic
Bennett County Rural Health Clinic, Hospital, and Nursing Home
Revitalizing Martin’s Basketball Court
Martin Wellness Coalition partnered with the City of Martin to submit for a $25,000 Wellmark grant to assist in costs related to resurfacing the basketball court in Brooks Memorial Park. Martin Wellness Coalition helped provide the match and helped prepare the application. This funding was received! The court will be surfaced and in spring 2021 and half court pickleball lines will be added. Pickleball is considered one of the fastest growing sports in the world, due to the fact that it’s fun, a great workout, affordable, and easy to learn. Pickleball materials will be available for checkout from the City office. Stay tuned to learn more about a Pickleball Try-It Day!
Community Garden
Sunrise Community Garden was started in 2017 and is located in the heart of Sunrise Housing next to the playground. In summer 2020, the garden was coordinated by Tauna Ireland, Summer Program Leader for SDSU Extension. Nearly 450 lbs of healthy food was grown and distributed to community members. A $2000 grant was received from Farm Credit Services of America to add a chain link fence, a picnic table, and fruit trees in spring 2021.
2021 Youth Garden Grant Winner
Sunrise Community Garden in Martin was selected as one of the top 5 winners in a national youth garden grant.
The Grant Award Package includes:
Wildflower Seed Package from American Meadows
Two Mushroom Growing Kits from Back to the Roots
Information on how to access you $1000 Customizable Tool Package from Corona
Revolver Spray Nozzle from Dramm Corporation
Twin Shut-off Valve from Dramm Corporation
Tubtrug from Gardener’s Supply Company
Paper Pot Press from Gardener’s Supply Company
Five pairs of Thea Webbed Gardening Gloves from GardenFreak
Seed Package from High Mowing Organic Seeds
Organic Fertilizer from JavaCycle
Big Bag Bed from SmartPot
Countertop Garden System from Watex
KidsGardening Curriculum Package
$250 check from KidsGardening
Thank you to the partners that make this project possible: Sunrise Housing/Oglala Sioux Tribe, Bennett County 4-H, Kids in the Kitchen, Martin Wellness Coalition, SDSU Extension, and Sinte Gleska University Community Greenhouse.
Above: Photos from Sunrise Community Garden
Resources
Walkability Report
In summer of 2020, ten community members participated in a Walk Audit in Martin, led by Ethan Standard of Healthy HometownSM Powered by Wellmark. Check out the report to learn about recommendations to increase walkability and bikeability in Martin.
Impact Infographic
Click the image below to learn more.
Connect with Us
Check out our Facebook Page to learn more about our organization
and how you can integrate healthy living into our community.