“There aren’t many things in modern life that are passed down through generations that remain both beautiful and useful.” -Ronni Lundy, an Appalachian Food Historian.

Extension's mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. 

Through the Cooking with Cast Iron Series, UK Extension Employees conducted 20 hours of research, shared 16 hours of educational materials, and reached 56 families through 64 participants over four separate classes presented to adults, youth and families, and Nutrition Education Program Professionals. 

The original program intent was to:

1. Nutritious Meals- meal planning for families to better utilize their food dollars.
2. Not all cast iron is the same.  Learn about the various sizes and pieces that are available to cook with. 
3. Gain confidence in using and maintaining cast iron to make the most of this kitchen workhorse.
4. Educate participants how to prepare low-cost, family friendly meals using cast iron cookware.
5. Restore rusty cast iron cookware by learning how to re-season your pieces. 
6. Impact 50 families through this three-day program.  
7. Each participant that completes the four-hour program will go home with a 12” skillet, oven mitt, scrubber, and cookbook. 

In addition to our original goals of the program, participants gained confidence in measuring basics as they were taught how to measure using both dry and liquid measuring tools.  Participants were taught how to follow a recipe by reading it carefully, planning each step, and gathering the ingredients and utensils needed. Nutrition basics and food safety were included in the day’s instruction. Family-friendly recipes were selected to encourage meal planning, making healthy choices, and eating better on a budget. Kids who eat with their families three or more times per week are less likely to be overweight, and more likely to eat healthier foods, and have better eating patterns.  

Through grant funding made possible by the Felix E. Martin Jr. Foundation, we were able to thoughtfully select and purchase cast iron pieces to demonstration the family-friendly recipes, show the versatility of cast iron cookware, and help participants overcome any fears associated with utilizing cast iron in everyday cooking.  As an incentive to attend the four-hour class, participants received a 12” skillet, oven mitt, scrubber, and cookbook to encourage families to adopt healthy lifestyle changes by adding a simple tool in the kitchen.  

Interest in this class was fueled by the nice incentive, 12” skillet, funded by the Martin Foundation.  Through the original Facebook post marketing the Cooking with Cast Iron Program, 3,314 people were reached.  

At the conclusion of the Cooking with Cast Iron Program, participants have shared their personal at-home successes.  Susan, from the adult class said, “I used my skillet tonight to prepare dinner in and I love it! Thank you for offering this class”. 

A youth participant’s mother shared the success of her son, he created a grocery list of items he needed to prepare supper for his family using his new cast iron skillet. 

A young mother was empowered to bring some pieces she had back to life using the restoration method she learned at the class.   

Your financial support allowed us to impact families in our community through the four-hours classes.  Your funding of the heirloom quality skillet will allow this program to impact families for generations. Thank you!

“Ladies, thank you for an educational, fun and tasty day.  Thank you for sharing your research and demonstrating the use and care of cast iron.   The recipes we made were easy and good.   And the biscuits – my first time ever making them- and you could actually eat them!  I never expected to bring home such a niece pieces of cast iron and other items! Thank you doesn’t begin to cover how much I enjoyed it!”  

                                                         Thank you, Carolyn Robards