North Dakotans Hard Working

                Many North Dakotas have more than one job. North Dakota tied with Wyoming for the highest multiple job holding rates in the nation in 2005.

    In 2005, North Dakota tied with Wyoming for the highest multiple job holding rates in the nation, with 9.9 percent of employed residents in each of these states working more than one job.

    This month’s “Economic Brief,” a monthly publication from the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, focuses on individual state multiple job holding rates as released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

    The reasons for holding multiple jobs are varied and include part-time work, low wages, limited benefits, underemployment and seasonal work, such as agricultural employment.

    “The issue of multiple job holding is more than an economic concern,” says Richard Rathge, State Data Center director. “When folks have to work several jobs, it reduces the amount of time they can spend with family, their ability to volunteer and their opportunity to relax and enjoy life.”

    In 2005, states in the upper Great Plains (North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Montana and Utah), along with Alaska and Vermont, all had multiple job holding rates of more than 8 percent. Nationally, 5.3 percent of employees held multiple jobs.

    While the highest multiple job holding rates continue to be found in the upper Great Plains, many states along the nation’s southern border reported some of the lowest rates. In 2005, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama and Florida had multiple job holding rates of less than 4.5 percent. However, the lowest rates in 2005 were recorded in Nevada and West Virginia (3.8 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively).

    Think about these figures when you look around at your neighborhood and community. Young families with children have a lot on their plates so to speak. Many are juggling several schedules. Even if they have family members in the near vicinity elderly may be lonely or would benefit form your assistance. Reach out and share your time with someone you know. It might be to care for young children for an afternoon or evening so busy parents have time to catch up on details or to have time as a couple. It might be to call a neighbor the next time you head to the store to see if you could pick up items for them.

     We live in a great place and we have the ability to make our region the best place in the world to live. Being a caring community member is beneficial to others as well as yourself.

 Dining With Diabetes

    Area agencies including the North Dakota State University Rolette County Extension Service are working together to offer Dining with Diabetes. Dining with Diabetes is an educational program and research project beginning Wednesday, March 7 from 3 to 5:30 pm at the Anishinabe Learning, Cultural and Wellness Center. Dining with Diabetes is a once a week class that runs for four weeks with a one month and three month follow-up class.  This lesson series is open to those with diabetes, their family members and caretakers.  The classes are free, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Participants must attend all class sessions.

    You will learn how to prepare meals that are healthy, easy to prepare and taste good.  Recipes will be demonstrated and participants will have the opportunity to taste each one. Participants will also learn up-to-date information on nutrition, meal planning, exercise and how to understand common diabetes-related medical tests. Recipe booklets and handouts will be given to each participant.

     Diabetes is a very serious and costly disease, but research has shown that those who learn to manage their blood glucose (sugar) levels by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can lower their risks of complications and lead a healthier and more productive life. 

    The Dining with Diabetes educational program is being offered as a pilot research project by North Dakota State University Extension Service in collaboration with the Anishinabe Learning, Cultural and Wellness Center, programs of the Quentin Burdick Medical Facility, Tribal Health and the Tribal Diabetes Program.

     Registration for this program can be made by calling the NDSU Rolette County Extension Office at 477-5671 by February 28th.