Since its establishment in 2007, Carver County Public Health’s Office of Aging has been dedicated to assessing community needs and assets, providing essential resources and technical assistance, and advocating for healthy aging across the county. Over the past two decades, its work has focused on key issues affecting older residents, including housing, transportation, social isolation, aging in place, physical activity, and emergency preparedness.

The 2024 Community Health Assessment conducted by Carver County Public Health revealed that the fastest-growing age groups in our area are residents aged 65 and older, particularly those 85+. In response, communities across county are working to enhance services, to create more opportunities for social and physical engagement, and to increase access to affordable transportation options for older adults—many of whom face barriers to mobility and connection.

Several cities—Chanhassen, Norwood Young America, Victoria, Waconia, and Watertown—have taken proactive steps by establishing a Commission on Aging or Senior Advisory Committee. These groups convene monthly to address concerns impacting older residents, organize community events, and provide guidance to local leaders, including mayors and city councils.

Here are some examples of their impactful work.

The summer season has begun, and so have the summer food programming opportunities in Carver County. Did you know June-August is the hungriest time of year for families? With school out of session, kids don’t have access to free school meals. In addition to this, food insecurity is rising across Minnesota, partly because of increased food costs. The food programs available within Carver County play a key role in improving food access, promoting healthier eating, and building community connections.

The Free Produce Markets are taking place at three locations this year and are designed to support families and individuals by providing access to fresh, nutritious food. The markets are open to all, with no registration or personal information required. Each week, you can choose from a variety of food options, including fresh produce, dairy products, dry goods, and more. The selection varies week to week, but there are always great items to choose from.

Date and times for the 2025 Free Produce Markets

• Chanhassen: Bluff Creek Elementary
       Address: 2300 Coulter Boulevard, Chanhassen, MN 55317
       Mondays, June 9 - August 18, 4:00-5:30 pm
• Norwood Young America: Central High School
       Address: 531 Morse Street, Norwood Young America, MN 55368
       Wednesdays, May 28 - August 20, 3:30-5:00 pm
• Watertown: City Hall
       Address: 309 Lewis Avenue SW, Watertown, MN 55388
       Tuesdays, June 24 - August 12, 3:30-5:00 pm

Get all the Summer Food Programming details. 

The number of measles cases has continued to slow nationally, and no new measles cases have been reported in Minnesota since early June (as of June 25, 2025). However, because measles is a highly contagious disease, we wanted to share a few important reminders: 

• Measles can be dangerous, especially for infants and young children. 
• The MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine is the best protection against measles. Make sure you and your children are up-to-date on your MMR vaccine.
• Stay home if you are sick. If you think you have measles or have been exposed, call your healthcare provider - do not visit. Going into a clinic or hospital with measles could get many other people sick. 
• There is no treatment for measles. People with measles need bed rest, fluids, and to control their fever. They may need treatment for things like diarrhea, ear infections, or pneumonia. 

If you would like to learn more about measles, please visit the Minnesota Department of Health's Measles (Rubeola) web page. 

Creating a supportive environment for transgender and nonbinary youth is essential to ensure they thrive. One way to do this is by respecting and honoring everyone’s pronouns. The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey of LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that transgender and nonbinary youth who reported having pronouns respected by the people they lived with attempted suicide at almost half the rate of those who did not.

Using a person’s correct pronouns saves lives

The Minnesota Suicide Prevention Taskforce developed Using a Person's Correct Pronouns Saves Lives (PDF), which summarizes the critical importance of using correct pronouns for transgender and nonbinary individuals.

Foster affirming spaces

While the statistic above is about respecting pronouns in the home, we can all take action by respecting pronouns in all settings. Ensure your spaces are affirming for transgender and nonbinary people by:

• Using your mistakes as learning opportunities. If you misgender someone, simply apologize, thank them for correcting you, and use the opportunity to educate others who may not be informed.
• Set an inclusive tone in meetings by including pronouns in introductions.
• Ask about pronouns rather than assuming you know someone’s pronouns based on their physical appearance.
• Review your organization’s documents and materials to ensure gender inclusive language and provide options for preferred name and pronouns.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Newsletter, June 2005

It's mosquito and tick season here in Minnesota. While about a dozen tick species share our home state, three—blacklegged ticks (deer ticks), American dog ticks (wood ticks), and lone star ticks—are most commonly encountered by residents. Among these, the blacklegged tick is the main vector for tickborne diseases, including Lyme disease.

Mosquitos—Minnesota's unofficial state bird—are active and biting both day and night throughout the summer months. It's impossible to tell which mosquitoes carry germs, so it's important to protect yourself at all times. Check out these prevention tips to reduce your risk of tick and mosquito bites this summer.

Prevention Tips

Use Repellents: Apply EPA-registered repellents containing DEET (up to 30%) on skin and permethrin on clothing.

Wear Protective Clothing: Opt for light-colored clothing to easily spot ticks; tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants.

Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Grounds: Remove standing water from containers like buckets, birdbaths, and plant saucers. 

Landscaping: Keep lawns mowed, remove leaf litter, and create barriers between wooded areas and play zones.

Perform Tick Checks: After outdoor activities, shower and conduct thorough tick checks, especially in hard-to-see areas.

Pets: Check your pets daily for ticks. Talk to your veterinarian about tick control products. 

For a quick reference card about why tick safety is important, check out Public Health's Get Ticks Off! rack card. Contact us to request copies.

Visit the Minnesota Department of Health's Vectorborne Diseases web page for more information about prevention and the diseases spread by ticks and mosquitos. 

The Minnesota Public Health Corps began in late 2022. It was a national initiative meant to address critical capacity issues identified during the COVID-19 pandemic response and build a pipeline of future public health leaders.

Carver County Public Health has been fortunate to host three Minnesota Public Health Corps members in recent years. Public Health Corps members have worked on a variety of projects, including food access and rescue, communications, and health equity.

Unfortunately, the Minnesota Public Health Corps will end operations in August 2025 due to changes in funding and federal priorities. We are extremely grateful for the exceptional work of our Public Health Corps members.