Extension Agents (FCS and 4H) worked together with the Gifted and Talent program for the Tri-County area (Carlisle, Fulton, and Hickman Counties) to host Cookie School, a program focusing on team building, baking chemistry, recipe development, kitchen and general food safety, business development, and public speaking skills.  30 fourth grade students researched recipes for ideas, developed their own cookie recipe as a group, developed a marketing campaign, and developed important kitchen and food safety skills throughout the process such as hand washing, raw food product usage, and best practices to reduce food contamination.

Post program review found and increased understanding of kitchen safety (76.7%), food safety (80.0%), designing a recipe (90.0%), reading a recipe (80.0%), washing hands (80.0%), starting a business (86.7%), and selling a product (80.0%).  Behavior change evaluation questions found a increase of 83.3% in youths' intention to practice food and kitchen safety and a 100% willingness to try new foods and recipes.  86.7% of youth participants said they learned something new and 100% expressed an interest in attending future programs with Extension