Presley Reid, Loco, Oklahoma was selected to receive the Jefferson County’s E.C. Joachim Scholarship award.  This scholarship is made available by the family of E.C. Joachim a true Extension supporter in Love, Jefferson and Cotton Counties.  The family chose to continue his love and support for 4-H particularly in these counties where he served in Extension for many years, by providing scholarships to graduating Seniors who have been active in their county 4-H.  Tara Brown, Jefferson County OSU Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development presents Presley with the award.

Presley stated “My whole life has been spent farming and ranching with family and friends. I love to play sports.  I have always been active in softball, basketball and rodeo. As I have grown into my high school years, my teammates and I have been very successful on the field and the court.  We own horses that we use on the farm, ranch and rodeo…. I have to give credit to our 4H program for all this success.  Whether I really knew it or not, 4H has always been a huge part of my life and has made a big impact on me…. 4H has helped me gain knowledge and leadership skills that I will need in the future… I personally believe every kid needs to be involved in 4H, not just the show kids.”

Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted.  Dr. Lynn Null, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development, CED Comanche County presented “10 Minutes to the Table” to OHCE members at the Jefferson County OSU Fairgrounds; she prepared a delicious dish of Chicken Enchiladas Verde.  Membership to OHCE is open to any individual. Call 580-228-2332 for additional information. 

Upcoming lessons:  Tuesday, June 19: “Home Invasion/Self Defense” 

Upcoming events:    July 8-10: 83rd Annual OHCE meeting

Co-Parenting for Resilience:  Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home.  A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home is available monthly. Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.  This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.

Information is available on our website oces.okstate.edu/Jefferson and on our Facebook pages JeffersonCounty Fourh and JeffersonCounty Osu Extension.

Centenarians encouraged to participate in special registry project

The Oklahoma Centenarian and Family Life Registry offers an important opportunity to honor the lives and legacies of Oklahoma’s centenarians and translate their experiences into better health and longevity for the state. 

“Centenarians have amassed a lifetime of personal adversities, transitions, and triumphs,” associate professor Dr. Alex Bishop said. “Despite their societal contributions and the overall benefit to community public health initiatives that collecting information about their life experiences offers, these individuals are rarely recognized.” 

The Oklahoma Centenarian and Family Registry hopes to change that. A collaboration of the Oklahoma State University’s Gerontology Project, Centenarians of Oklahoma and the OSU Center for Family Resilience, the Oklahoma Centenarian and Family Life Registry project was developed both to honor centenarians, to preserve their family memories and individual legacies and to understand their continued survival. 

Any centenarian living in Oklahoma is eligible and encouraged to participate in an online survey accessible at https://okla.st/centenarian.

Questions can be directed to Dr. Alex Bishop by email alex.bishop@okstate.edu, or phone (405) 744-3898. 

Online 4-H Enrollment 2018-2019 began September 1, 2018.  If you know of a student age 8 and in the 3rd grade or older who is interested in joining 4-H, contact our office for instructions how to enroll online.  All students who are planning to show livestock in the Spring Livestock show must be actively enrolled in 4-H or FFA a minimum of 90 days prior to the Spring Jr. County Livestock Show (By the way, a member may enroll in 4-H and also be a FFA member).

Co-Parenting for Resilience:  Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home.  A class is available for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home.  My next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 9, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.  This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.

Jefferson County OHCE met Tuesday, September 18 at the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center.  Those present reviewed the recent County Fair and Quilt Turning and discussed how we could change to make our event even more exciting and inviting.  OHCE is open to any person interested in learning a variety of educational lessons as well as a good opportunity to get out of the home for a short period of time.  Upcoming events will include a Holiday Tea on December 18.  Programs for next year are in the works – if you are interested in joining us, Deborah Farrar is our Treasurer.

Cozy up to cold weather by preparing your home for fall and winter

It should not be too long until Oklahomans feel that distinct crispness in the air, which points to the arrival of college football season, otherwise known as fall. As conscientious consumers, homeowners can help ensure their homes are snug and warm this winter.

In Oklahoma, consumers spend about half of their energy dollars on heating and cooling. Concentrating efforts on increasing efficiency will go a long way toward saving big energy dollars.

A drafty home wastes energy, said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension housing and consumer specialist.

“Things to consider include controlling the thermostat, sealing air leaks, having adequate insulation, having the HVAC system serviced and making certain that ductwork is not leaking,” Peek said.

The easiest thing to do is control the temperature with the thermostat. Set it up a little higher in the morning while you are getting ready for work or school, then have it automatically reset to a cooler temperature while everyone is gone for the day. Consumers can switch it manually, or you can consider getting a programmable thermostat, which is a tool homeowners can use to regulate energy use in their homes.

“A programmable thermostat can be a little bit of an investment initially but can save you money each year on your heating and cooling bills,” she said. “Whether you control the temperature manually or with a programmable unit, set the thermostat at a comfortable temperature when you’re awake at home, then set it to turn back 10 to 15 degrees when you go to work or to bed.”

Next, seal the air leaks in your home. Making sure there are not any air leaks in the home is so important for energy savings.

“Use caulk and foaming insulation to seal cracks and openings in your home. Weather stripping can be used around windows and doors,” Peek said. “While drafty windows and doors often come to mind, did you know you can lose valuable energy via cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys and recessed lighting, as well as unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets? Expansion foam can be used in holes where pipes go through walls to cut down on lost air.”

One potential air leak area is the fireplace. Many people enjoy curling up to a blazing fire in the fireplace, but homeowners may be losing energy. Keep the fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning to avoid warm air escaping up the chimney. Also, using tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room can help cut energy costs.

Make certain your home has adequate insulation. Start in the attic. If you can see the rafters, you need to add more insulation. Insulation can shift and settle over time, so it is important to make certain you have enough.

Consider having your HVAC system serviced before it turns cold. It will help maintain the system’s efficiency and help prolong the lifespan.

Once your heating system has been checked out, it will be time to get your ducts in a row.

“Most people probably don’t think twice about the ductwork to their heating and cooling systems. It’s tucked away in the attic or under the floor, forgotten,” Peek said. “Homeowners don’t realize they can easily lose the conditioned air that moves through the duct system. Make sure the ducts are properly sealed and insulated to help conserve energy.”

Homeowners and renters can enjoy another energy saving tip: open the curtains on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. Be sure to close the curtains at night.

 Finally, even though it is still a bit early to talk about Christmas lights – for some people anyway – use LED holiday light strings because they are more energy efficient.  “Many people will appreciate being able to save a little money on the utility bill during the holidays,” Peek said. “Just look for manufacturers and brands of ENERGY STAR-certified light strings.”

Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted.  The next meeting will be April 17 at 12 noon at Waurika Sr. Citizens’ Center.  Tara Brown will present our program “Slow Cooker Meals”.  Contact Tara Brown for additional information. 

Friday, April 6, members of Jefferson County OHCE attended the SW District OHCE meeting held in Pauls Valley.  Carolyn Arnold, Secretary; Kimberly Morris, member; Melicia McFadden, President and Tara Brown, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development and Advisor started the day early to be at the meeting place in Pauls Valley by 8:30 a.m. Each of us attended three different sessions which included “Oklahoma Wheat Commission”; “Shabby Chic Flower Pot painting”; How to write reports; there was also a session for Presidents; and others. The large group of attendees said “Farewell and Good wishes upon retirement” to Gloria King, formerly SW District FCS Program Specialist.  It was a good informative day.

Co-Parenting for Resilience:  Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home.  A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home, is available monthly or as scheduled.  Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.  This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.

 Jefferson County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services staff is ready and willing to assist you with your Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H –related questions.  Call 580-228-2332.  Information is also available on our website oces.okstate.edu/Jefferson.  Our Facebook pages are JeffersonCounty Fourh  and JeffersonCounty Osu Extension.

 Making room for this season’s garden harvest

Now that the spring season is underway, many gardeners are looking forward to getting their fruits and vegetables in the ground and hoping for a productive growing season.

For those who had a bountiful harvest last season and canned or froze their crops, it is time to clear off the shelves and clean out the freezer and get ready to preserve this year’s harvest, said Barbara Brown, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension food specialist.

“There’s nothing better than opening a jar of green beans or pulling a bag of okra from the freezer in the middle of winter and being able to taste that summer freshness,” Brown said. “If you had a particularly big garden, it’s likely you’ve still got a few jars of goodness on your shelves or in your freezer. Because the quality of home-preserved foods doesn’t last forever, it’s a good idea to clear out those canned foods in the pantry or those foods in the freezer to make space for what you’re planning to grow this season.”

Although freezing will not improve the flavor or texture of any food, it can preserve most of the quality of a fresh product as long as it is frozen properly and stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Most fruits and vegetables will last in the freezer eight to 12 months. Certainly, these foods should be safe to eat after a year, but the eating quality and nutrition may be lower. Putting dates on all your frozen foods can help make sure you use them while they are at their best. 

Some gardeners prefer to can some of their fruits and vegetables. Properly canned food stored in a cool, dry place will retain optimum eating quality for at least a year. 

“Most of us don’t have a root cellar like our ancestors did, so proper storage is a must,” Brown said. “Canned food stored in a warm place near hot pipes, a range, a furnace or indirect sunlight will have a much shorter shelf life. Also, canned items stored in a damp area can cause lids to corrode and may result in leakage, so the food will spoil. Before you get started canning this year’s harvest, go through any remaining foods from last year and check for signs of spoilage.”

Check over your home canned foods for signs of spoilage. Check the seals, make sure flats are not swollen and there is no sign of gas bubbles, mold or other unwanted growth inside the jars. Do not taste food from a jar with an unsealed lid or food that shows signs of spoilage. 

You can more easily detect some types of spoilage in jars stored without screw bands. Growth of spoilage bacteria and yeast produces gas which pressurizes the food, swells lids and breaks jar seals. As each stored jar is selected for use, examine its lid for tightness and vacuum. Lids with concave centers have good seals. 

Next, while holding the jar upright at eye level, rotate the jar and examine its outside surface for streaks of dried food originating at the top of the jar. Look at the contents for rising air bubbles and unnatural color. 

While opening the jar, smell for unnatural odors and look for spurting liquid and cotton-like mold growth (white, blue, black or green) on the top food surface and underside of lid.

“No matter which method of preservation you prefer, make sure to use proper preservation and storage methods,” Brown said. “This will help ensure you have garden-ripe fruits and vegetables all year long.” 

For information on proper canning and freezing of garden produce, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation at http://nchfp.uga.edu/index.html 

Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted.  The next meeting will be April 17 at 12 noon at Waurika Sr. Citizens’ Center.  Tara Brown will present our program “Slow Cooker Meals”.  Contact Tara Brown for additional information. 

Co-Parenting for Resilience:  Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home.  A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home, is available monthly or as scheduled.  Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.  This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.

Jefferson County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services staff are ready and willing to assist you with your Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H –related questions.  Call 580-228-2332.  Information is also available on our website oces.okstate.edu/Jefferson.  Our Facebook pages are JeffersonCounty Fourh  and JeffersonCounty Osu Extension.

Food Shopping Starts at Home

Managing food dollars wisely involves planning before and during your grocery shopping.  Some knowledge of nutrition, plus careful meal planning, skillful shopping, proper food storage, handling, and preparation will help you to serve satisfying meals while remaining within your food budget.

Check newspaper ads for special sales; Clip coupons if the item is one you would normally buy and if the item is less expensive than similar brands; take advantage of seasonal specials; Think appetite appeal since people eat all their senses, plan meals using foods of contrasting colors, textures, flavors, sizes, shapes and temperatures; Plan the use of leftovers; Make a shopping list.  

Tara Brown, Extension Educator for Jefferson County OSU Extension office has more information and programs.