I have had the privilege of working for two Extension programs in two different states: Ohio and Georgia. One of the things that I am all too aware of is that many people have no idea that there is a local Extension office near them and that they have lots of resources for you, your family, and your kitchen. Today, Jamie tells us about their services and how you can benefit from getting to know your local Extension office better. If you’re like me, the thought of participating in OAMC to save money for your family is very appealing. So appealing in fact, you’re willing to deal with sore feet, a countertop full of coupons, a kitchen full of messy dishes, food splatters, and possibly putting your significant other through torture (a.k.a. watching the kids all day long) for one whole day! But hey, it’s worth it to save a buck in this economy, right? If you’re looking for a few more ways to help yourself in your Once a Month Cooking venture – look no further than your local Extension office. Okay…I can picture the inquisitive look on your face right now as you are reading this…”What is Extension?”- you say? Extension offices exist all over the country and are a part of the nationwide Land Grant University system. Each state has a land grant university (which in my case is The Ohio State University) and in turn, many counties in the state house their own Extension office. The primary role of the Extension education system is to “spread” much of the research from the university all over the state. This results in the development of programs that bring this research to local communities across the state. 4-H programs, dietary recommendations, parenting classes, agricultural training, food safety, budgeting courses, and much more stem from Extension! Now that you’ve been given a drive-by description of Extension, here’s how it can help with OAMC:
- Go to http://extension.org – or – Google “ [enter your own state here] Extension office” and find your local Extension office’s website.
- Browse their website for information on food safety (how to cook food in large quantities, etc), budgeting, saving for large purchases, growing your own garden, etc.
- Call up your local office for specific information – an Extension Educator can give you personal, reliable advice right over the phone!
- Many Extension offices offer programs such “New Start for Financial Success” (Ohio) that teach budgeting skills. Great for getting your finances in order before purchasing your OAMC food items for your big cooking day! Find out if your local Extension office offers classes such as New Start and enroll.
- Take a Master Gardener course or become one yourself! Many Extension offices offer a Master Gardener program. Classes taught by Master Gardeners touch on topics such as growing your own vegetables and fruits in home gardens, canning, planning flower gardens, pruning, etc. You will save yourself even more money by learning how to grow your own ingredients to use in OAMC!
Now pat yourself on the back for learning something new today! Jamie is a wife to Alan, mom to preschooler Marissa & 19 “monther” Jacob, and works full-time (well, maybe a little more than full-time) as a Family & Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development Program Assistant for The Ohio State University Extension in Miami County, Ohio. She dishes out information focusing on family finances, parenting, nutrition, healthy living, etc on her working blogs which are tied to the Ohio State University, www.parentsinaction.wordpress.com. She also blogs about trying to keep up with work, kids, home, and family life in general at her family blog: www.segermoments.blogspot.com.