The McLean County Family and Consumer Science/4-H Agent created a Cooking with the Calendar program open to everyone in the county. Our local Homeschool Cooperative reached out and asked if they could bring their students in to learn basic kitchen skills.  A new relationship was born! 12 students ranging from the ages of 6 - 15 joined the FCS/4-H Agent, and 5 McLean County Homemakers, for our monthly cooking class.  Safety knives were handed out and a lesson on knife safety was taught before the start of class.  We began with the September 2023 SNAP recipe of One Pan Shrimp and Veggies. 

Students, with the help of Homemakers, were divided into cooking stations and began chopping and slicing the vegetables for the recipe.  The eye-opening part of the entire day was one student in particular.  This student was born with no arms.  When other students went to wash their hands, she washed her feet, placed the safety knife between her toes, and began to learn knife-cutting skills.  "This is so much fun," she said, "My mom doesn't let me use a knife at home." The adaptability and safety of using safety knives gave this student a sense of pride and independence that she normally doesn't experience.  

Since this initial class, Cooking with the Calendar has been offered monthly, with the McLean County Homeschool Cooperative and Homemaker volunteers.  The partnership has been very eye-opening. "I think I have learned more from the students working with them!" said one Homemaker. 

The program is set to continue through May.