6/7- Farmer's Market

This morning I visited the Farmer's Market with a friend. I couldn't believe how many more stands there are now, compared to the Saturday in may when we collected donations for the Hope Garden. There were so many people out supporting the local farmers and businesses, including several of my professors and the associate dean of one of the colleges on campus. My friend and I purchased bread, a loaf each, from the Crumbs bakery stand- she got cinnamon and I got birdseed bread (phenomenal). We also sample several different breads from the Avalanche stand, and tried PawPaw jelly. She also bought aged cheddar from a local cheese maker (although the name escapes me). I am actually thinking of making a weekly trip to the Farmer's Market this summer to buy some of my produce- especially as more comes in as the season allows. I've always supported the local farmers in Chautauqua, New York, where I've worked the past 4 summers and visited every weekend since I was 8. Now I will have an opportunity to do the same in Athens while I conduct my research this summer.
I was also really disappointed to find the brunch was cancelled... I had been planning my dish since Wednesday and was looking forward to it. Maybe some other time.

6/5 Class

Today was the final day of class; we handed in our take-home exams and discussed the brunch on Saturday, as well as the presentations for Tuesday. Dr. Holben also made available sample needs assessments form years past, for the class to reference, as well as some information from local areas and organizations.
I still can't believe I finished the Thrifty Meal Plan...

6/3 Class

Today we met with Dr. Holben to discuss our needs assessment to date. Our handouts are simply gorgeous (in so many words). We also met to finish up the needs assessment itself, and to discuss our powerpoint presentation. We're so close to being done we can almost taste it- and it tastes like baby greens lol.
Anyways, thats about all we accomplished yesterday, although that little bit speaks volumes.

5/29 Class

Today we finished up our Spanish lessons. Kinda glad, not gonna lie. Our group met afterwards to discuss the progress we've made thus far, and plan out another meeting. Its coming up so quickly; I can;t believe spring quarter is nearly over already. Our handouts are 100% finished, and our needs assessment is 75% finished. We will get that completed Tuesday, then have a week to work out our powerpoint and possibly an activity for our final presentation. Maybe a snack containing local produce with Vitamin C and Iron? Always a possibility.
Thats about it.

5/27 Class

Exciting weekend; I got engaged and stuff :) Today we visited the OSU extension office and talked with Joyce Brown. The details follow...

Name: Joyce Brown
Agency: The Ohio STate University Extension Office- Athens Branch
Funding Source/ Program Type: The Ohio State University Agriculture Program and the USDA
Purpose/Mission: To gove and continue research to those who probably won't go to a university; into the entirety of the country. Saying: "You have problems? We have answers." There are four separate nutrition-related programs which are a part of the OSU Extension: Expanded Food and Nutrition Program- 185% of poverty level; Family Nutrition Program; Masters Food Preservers; Occasional Quantity Cooks. In addition, they oversee 4H
Program Plans, Monitoring, and Evaluation: Evaluation forms for each program and branch are conducted yearly, aimed at those teaching, materials, and low-literacy audiences. Also: Yearly Unified Recording System is submitted every January, which tracks economics, changes, outreach, and presentations. Also recorded: success stories from farmers etc. Planning is done at OSU and the state level. Promote through fliers, radio, TV, letters-to-the-editor, etc.
Role of the Nutrition Professional: Not much for a nutrition/ dietetics student; a Master's degree is required with some background in FCS. Community outreach educators can be employed with no college degree (HS diploma/ GED accepted).

5/22 Class

Today we learned how to speak the basics of Español. I do believe its a good idea to have a language requirement for those going into the profession is certain areas where English is not the primary language spoken, although i was kind of bored during the lecture portion of the presentation. I enjoyed the pronunciation though. I've always been able to "roll" my "r's," which some people find funny because I'm tongue-tied (thats why i never have good, quick responses). Haha.I guess thats about it for today... Have a great Memorial weekend!

5/20 Class

So I submitted my thesis proposal this morning. Crazy. Defending Tuesday, June 3. Class was cancelled today due to our speaker's illness. Our second exam was posted on Blackboard. Our group met last to to work on the needs assessment. I met with Kids on Campus last Friday to discuss with them our project; they said the absolute best thing we could do would be to put lots of pictures, colors, and big fonts on our handouts, in addition to as little writing as possible.
Thats about all I've got to write about today.