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Family Consumer Sciences

Jean F. Austin
Extension Educator, FCS
Contact Jean Clock

FOOD SAFETY AND HOME FOOD PRESERVATION

Participants in Colchester Farms CSA received literature and the opportunity to attend a Food Preservation class on proper techniques for Home Food Preservation. The FCS educator also made 20 minute demonstration video that was aired in July and August on the Queen Anne's county public service TV station. Consumer interest remains high in Home Food Preservation in Kent County and proper technique is very important to prevent food borne illness.

FAMILY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Money Management, Saving & Borrowing, Retirement Planning

Programming in 2007 emphasized basic budgeting, general financial literacy, insurance decisions and money management for Hispanic families. The personal income rate for Kent County is 23 out of the 24 jurisdictions in the state. Consumer debt, negative savings rates, and inadequate retirement planning are issues for most families. 367 participants were involved in 19 classes, including 65 unemployed individuals. 70% of participaints in genral financial literacy classes felt more knowledgeable about ways to evluate their perfonal financial situation.
Money Management for Hispanic Families: The Latino population in Kent increased from 2.5% - 3.3% from 200 to 2005. Partnering with Kent County Public Schools Adult Education programs and the Kent Family Center the Family and Consumer Science Educator provides basic money management education. In 2007, 40 families obtained grocery store affinity cards and 3 families established savings accounts at local banks.

HEALTHY HOMES

This is a new program area for Maryland Cooperative Extension that emphasizes safety and environmental health concerns. Train the trainer sessions were conducted with Kent Family Center staff on safety topics and household pest management. Family center staff reached 185 Kent County families using the materials and training provided by MCE. A new child care proved curriculum has been developed, A Safe and Helathy Indoor Child Care Environment. This program teaches the importance of cleaning on a regular schedule to reduce asthma and allergery triggers. In addition child care providers learn the importance of maintenance and testing to protect against radon and carbon monoxide exposures. This program brings CME expertise to the current questions on being green in product and lifetstyle choices. A second curriculum, Hazardous Household Products, was updated in 2007 and used to train 33 advance master Gardners in the Baywise program.


 
It is the policy of the University of Maryland, Agricultural Experiment Station and Maryland Cooperative Extension, that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or disability. If you need special assistance to participate, please contact Kent County Extension Office at 410-778-1661.

For more information, contact TJ Brown

Last updated: 05/22/2008