Early this year a diverse council of community members came together to look at local data to determine what Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Programs should be offered in Adair County. After studying the data, they decided that Plate it Up! Kentucky Proud classes should be a programmatic priority. With this decision in mind, throughout the month of October and November three such classes were offered free to the community.

         A class on Stir-fry, chicken and dumplings, and baked fish were each advertised and conducted by the FCS Agent. Each class was on hands-on with participants performing critical parts of the recipe, such as dicing vegetables or using a meat thermometer to test for doneness. Supplies were provided by the extension office. After participants made the recipe, they sampled the recipe. 

The classes averaged twelve in attendance and many of the participants reported going home to make the recipe themselves following the class. Five participants reported going home and making the recipe. Nearly half, 45%, reported they never before made the recipe that we were making that day. Staggeringly, 100% said they would eat the dish again after sampling it.

         The baked fish recipe specifically was facilitated with a unique audience. We partnered with the middle school and the Twenty-First Century Grant Program to provide 100% of the supplies and to teach the recipe with low-income parents of middle school students. I facilitated the cooking and hands on portion with the parents while middle school staff provided a childcare program so that the parents did not have to worry about supervision. The program was a success and a favorite among frequent clientele.