Many families in Russell County express interest in healthy outdoor cooking but lack knowledge about safe food handling, balanced meal preparation, and outdoor cooking techniques. With rising interest in self-sufficiency and outdoor recreation, there is a need for hands-on education combining nutrition and agriculture/horticulture knowledge.

To address this need, the Russell County Extension Office hosted an Outdoor Cooking Class through a collaboration between the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Agent and the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agent. The class focused on safe outdoor cooking practices, using locally sourced foods, fire safety, proper food handling, and nutritious meal planning. Participants had hands-on opportunities to cook with Dutch ovens and grills while learning about food safety and flavor enhancement using fresh herbs. The class also promoted the use of locally grown produce and encouraged backyard gardening.

Twelve adult participants attended the workshop. The group included local residents with varying experience levels in outdoor cooking—ranging from beginners to experienced grillers—and included both male and female participants, aged 30 to 65. Many attendees were community members interested in healthy cooking, outdoor living, and self-reliance.

Post-event evaluations indicated that 100% of participants increased their knowledge of outdoor cooking safety and techniques, and 92% reported gaining confidence in using fresh, local ingredients for outdoor meal preparation. Additionally, 83% of participants stated they plan to implement at least one new cooking technique or safety practice at home. One participant shared that they felt empowered to teach their children safe cooking methods during family camping trips. Follow-up surveys conducted one month later showed that 75% of participants had already prepared an outdoor meal using skills learned during the class, reflecting strong application of knowledge and positive behavioral change.