El Paso County Extension Family and Consumer Image

Family and Consumer Sciences

Program Areas

Nutrition

A variety of nutrition classes are available including:

Healthy Eating with MyPyramid
Nutrition for the Older Adult
Nutrition and Healthy Activities for Children

Wellness

The Strong Women/Strong Bones™ from Tufts University is a strength training class that also offers nutritional information based on research from Tufts University and Dr. Miriam Nelson.

Lunch & Learn

Food Preparation

High altitude guidelines and recipe modifications are available via telephone or email. A presentation on High Altitude Food Preparation may be scheduled for groups.

Food Safety

The following classes may be scheduled for groups or individuals:

The 4 Steps to Fight Bac®
Cooking for Groups: A Volunteer's Guide to Food Safety
ServSafe®

The next ServSafe® class will be held on April 12th. Call the Extension Office for more information.

In addition, elementary schools and preschools may call to schedule classroom visits for Project Handwashing. Proper handwashing can reduce illness by up to 50%, reducing illness-related absences! Call or email to schedule a presentation.

Food Preservation

Call, e-mail or attend one of the many classes to learn the latest procedures for preserving the garden's bounty. Food Preservation Classes are offered seasonally on Waterbath Canning, Pressure Canning, Jams and Jellies, Pie Fillings, Pickling, Dehydrating, Freezing and Using Herbs.

Preserve with a Preserver classes are held once a month in the Extension Office on the following dates from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

This is your opportunity to preserve food items using the latest recommendations for safety and quality. Simply register and then bring your ingredients to the class. One of the trained advisors will preserve with you, answering questions and ensuring success. Cost is $8.00

Pressure canner dial gauge testing is free of charge by appointment.

Master Food Preserver/Food Safety Advisor Program with Certification is offered each spring and provides participants with over 30 hours of training in food safety and food preservation. Call for more information and an application. Participants who complete the program volunteer for the Extension Office during the year by answering consumer phone calls, providing assistance at Farmer's Markets, teaching classes, and writing newsletter articles.

Healthy Homes

Radon: Is it in your home? The Colorado State University Extension Office in El Paso County recommends that every home in El Paso County be tested for radon. Each year in the U.S. radon causes 21,000 deaths due to lung cancer. This number can be reduced with testing and mitigation. Testing is a simple procedure. Short term test kits are available for $5.00 in the Extension Office.

Parenting/Human Development

A variety of workshops to encourage parents through positive parenting techniques including Partners in Parenting and RETHINK. Growing Up Great newsletters area a great resource brought to you by the Child Care Health and Safety Advisory Committee.