2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research project is to evaluate the nutritional health in the Lower Mississippi Delta, to identify nutritionally responsive problems, and to design and evaluate interventions that may be sustained at the community level and implemented on a larger scale in similar areas of the United States. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Developing capacity as necessary, the Lower Mississippi Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative (Delta NIRI) Consortium will identify environmental and community characteristics related to nutritional status; measure dietary intake; assess nutritional risk factors; design, conduct, and evaluate interventions in the Lower Mississippi Delta. Alcorn State University (ASU) specifically will support community-based participatory research activities in Hollendale, MS, and other sites as mutually agreed upon. In addition, ASU will maintain a Center for Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Intervention to develop and support programs for training/follow-up on Delta NIRI subjects; conduct and implement education, research and service programs that improve the nutrition, health, and quality of life in targeted communities; develop, conduct, and enhance nutrition and health intervention programs; and develop and disseminate information to targeted audiences/clients to promote optimal nutrition, diet, and health. 3.Progress Report Monitoring of cooperator’s performance and adherence to conditions of the agreement was by: a strategic planning session; two site visits (one for data collection and one for technical assistance); quarterly reports consisting of budgetary material, progress towards goals and objectives, and review of publications and manuscripts in progress; community visits to determine progress at research sites and numerous conference calls and emails. 4.Accomplishments Rural Community Recruitment: Research in rural communities requires considerable interaction between academic institutions and the community before participants can be recruited for intervention research. Since Alcorn State University was some distance from the community of Hollandale, it became necessary to provide one part-time Community Liaison and one full-time Community Outreach Assistant, both of whom spent considerable time in the community. They were able to recruit participants for the community walking interventions and for focus groups involved in food choice research. The impact of this is that a Historically Black College/University has determined to conduct community-based research and therfore has invested in community people, outside of campus, and university representatives that can act as their agents in the research field. (National Program 107 – Human Nutrition Action Plan 2004-2008: Component 7. Health Promoting Intervention Strategies for Targeted Populations. Accomplishments under this project contribute to the achievement of ARS Strategic Plan, Goal 4, Objective 1, Performance Measure 1, in that project accomplishments contribute substantially to attainment of the Agency FY 2007 target of executing and reporting nutrition interventions)