June 2021
Let the Adventure Begin with ExploreAg
Calling all freshmen through juniors for an adventure! ExploreAg will be offering three weekend camps at three locations around the state. Students will be introduced to the various careers in science, engineering and technology in agricultural industries. Agricultural and food scientists employment is projected to grow 6% from 2019 - 2029 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is faster than the average for all occupations. Don't take our word on the fun. Here's what Charley P. said, "I liked getting to see every aspect of some ag careers. From hands-on lab to testing to hearing perspective to getting to see equipment. Every part was interesting and gave me a taste of ag careers." Click here to view the flyer.
Coffee with the Master Gardeners
Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteers invite you to start your weekend off with coffee and gardening education. These monthly sessions are $15 each and most will feature hands-on activities or sessions in the garden. May's session will focus on growing herbs. You may view the event flier here.
Project Green Teacher is Coming Back
We are pleased to be able to host another session of Project Green Teacher. The series will be held virtually June 7 - 11, 2021. If you're not familiar, 4-H Project Green Teacher is a school garden educational program for afterschool personnel, educators and others who are engaged in, or would like to learn more about gardening as a context for learning. You may view the complete series brochure here. Ready to register then click here.
Transforming Trash Cans to Works of Art
Franklin County 4-H clubs are working on turning ordinary trash barrels into works of art at the request of the fairgrounds. The 4-H program has added some more fun to this great community service project by making it a contest. Clubs will have the opportunity to win Most Creative, Best
4-H Spirit, Most Community-Minded, and People's Choice. The winners will be announced at the 2021 Franklin County Fair.
Reaching the Latino Community Across Ohio
Nora Hesse, EFNEP Program Assistant
During 2020, the opportunities to carry on with my long-time collaborators and to establish new partnerships took an unexpected and well-received turn. In the framework of Virtual Classes and meetings, physical distances disappeared, and collaborations began to occur beyond the boundaries of Franklin County throughout the state of Ohio and within OSU Extension. The diligent work of different members of the Extension community made it possible to offer the EFNEP programing to Latinos in counties, that before COVID-19, were not available in Spanish. Marion County OSU Extension educator, Whitney Gherman, helped me to offer the first series of EFNEP virtual classes to the Latino community in Marion OH.
Driven by a passion for motivating change in her community, Mahoning County Program Assistant, Robin Adam, opened new possibilities for collaboration with the Youngstown School District in Mahoning County and offer the EFNEP nutrition program in Spanish to Latino parents in Youngstown.
This wave of collaborations throughout the State of Ohio highlighted the need to coordinate efforts among EFNEP Program Assistants who serve the Latino community in other counties. The Program Specialist, Bobbilyn Kasson (Franklin Co), coordinated this initiative and summoned the team consisting of Lucy Acevedo (Hamilton Co), Iraida Salas (Montgomery Co), Viviana Visalden (Lorain Co) and myself, Nora Hesse (Franklin Co), to offer the EFNEP programs in other counties in Ohio.
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EFNEP Spanish Program Assistants Top: Iraida Salas & Nora Hesse Bottom: Lucy Acevedo & Viviana Visalden
By adapting to a new way of communicating due to the circumstances of COVID-19, it has allowed us to open new avenues of collaboration internally and with other (outside) agencies to serve and support a vulnerable and underserved population of new immigrants seeking a healthy life for their families.
The organizations and support groups in the Latino community in Columbus (which I have belonged and have been a member for several years) had to close and suspend all in-person activities. This led us to adapt quickly and to create the group “Crisis Covid-19-Latina Task Force”. The members of this group represent different organizations that provide service and
 support to Latino families in Central Ohio such as OhioHealth, Columbus Public Health, The James, OSU Extension-EFNEP, and OCECD, as well as others not listed here. This virtual connection has allowed me to promote and secure new groups for the EFNEP nutrition workshops and to reach families being impacted by the pandemic.
In retrospect, there is no doubt we have been through an interesting and challenging year; however, working together with my EFNEP-Extension co-workers, I have gained a sense of both individual and group success at contributing to promoting and achieving a healthier Ohio. 
Taste of the Season
Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Tim McDermott, and Jenny Lobb, Family Consumer Sciences Educator have been busy in the garden and in kitchen. The duo harvested radishes from one of the Franklin County Extension gardens and prepared Spicy Pickled Radishes. You may watch the video here. Coming soon are the strawberry spinach salad video from last month and this month's radish video in Spanish!
Upcoming Events
June 1: CARTEENS Class
June 1: Food Preservation Basics Webinar Series (Pressure Canning)
June 5: Coffee with the Master Gardeners Workshop
June 5: Money Management Virtual Workshop
June 5: Home Buyer Education Virtual Workshop
June 7 - 11: Virtual 4-H Project Green Teacher Series
June 8: Taking Control of Student Loan Debt Virtual Workshop
June 9: Wellness Wednesdays Webinar Series Nature and Nutrition
June 12: Money Management Virtual Workshop
June 14: Start Here: Investing 101 Virtual Workshop
June 15: Food Preservation Basics Webinar Series (Freezing)
June 13 - 18: ExploreAg Weeklong Camp
June 20 - 25: ExploreAg Weeklong Camp
June 23: Wellness Wednesday Series: The Benefits of Silence
June 29: Food Preservation Basics Webinar Series (Drying)


Be sure to check out franklin.osu.edu/events for the most up-to-date list of event.