Carroll County Extension Agent and Master Gardener, Michelle Lewis, delivers nutritional news directly to God’s young farmers each week at God’s Farm in Temple, GA.

The Extension Office has three divisions that offer instruction and information to county citizens: Agriculture and Natural Resources (soil and water sampling; pesticides and hazardous waste handling/disposal; fruits, vegetables, home gardening; poultry; pond management; weather and more) Family & Consumer Sciences (food preparation and preservation; healthy eating; parenting skills; financial planning) and 4-H. In addition to animal husbandry and farming skills, the 4-H program focuses on leadership, citizenship, public speaking, and practical life skills.

God’s young farmers are specifically taking part in the food challenge program funded in part by Tanner Health System. It includes food prep, cooking skills, how to read food labels, and how to grocery shop on a food budget. Ms. Lewis finds that people are sometimes scared to try new foods because unfamiliar things are frightening.

“It’s so important to me when I really feel like the work is making a difference,” she says. “I often think we will enjoy the rewards of our labor in the end.”

The grocery shopping experience was insightful as to what food matters to each palette. What would you buy on a $7.00 grocery budget? I would buy a watermelon. Finn Caiden bought a box of spaghetti pasta, a jar of tomato sauce, and a jar of parmesan cheese, which feeds a family of four for $5.34. A single dish of spaghetti pomodoro at Osteria in Atlanta is $8. The cost comparison of unprepared, store bought food to a chef flavored plate is significant. But homemade pomodora tastes really good! Adding a couple teaspoons of red wine vinegar to a simmering pan of pomodoro sauce is often the missed ingredient.

~ §tacy §weeney