OSU Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences will offer FREE, online parent education classes in the Winter and Spring 2026.
Blast Off! is a 4-session series of free-to-attend online parent education, which uses Active Parenting curricula--videos and discussions--to introduce information that may help participants to improve their parenting. Each series is about parenting a different age group of children, i.e., birth to five, five to twelve, or teenagers. FCS Educator Joseph Maiorano will lead your journey toward improved and less stressful parenting.
Pre-Registration is required. There is no cost to register or attend. Active Parenting books will be distributed to participants who have attended at least three of the four sessions.
For more information on dates and times, click HERE!
Register at: https://go.osu.edu/blastoffparenting
Considering a Homemade Gift This Year?
Thinking about giving a homemade gift this year? Our friends in the North Central Food Safety Extension Network put together some helpful information to remember this gift giving season:
While they may look like easy gifts to give, you don't want to give the gift of foodborne illness! Bread or cakes baked in canning jars, then applying the lid, can create a low-oxygen environment. This, combined with baked goods high in moisture and low in acid, can support the growth of botulism. Canning jars are not designed to be used in the oven per manufacturer recommendations. Dry heat puts stress on the jars and can cause them to break. The best options? Use oven-safe baking pans for baked goods. Freeze baked goods for later use. Learn more at https://extension.psu.edu/food-preservation-setting-the-record-straight-on-canning-breads-and-cakes and https://www.clemson.edu/extension/food/canning/canning-tips/36cakes-breads.html
Schools are back in session, and kids are heading to the cafeteria with full minds and hungry bellies. Check out Ten Tips for Packing Waste-Free Lunches from the OSU Extension Sustainability Team .
Click here for Ten Tips for Packing Waste-Free Lunches.
Click here for tip sheets, videos, and other resources.
Tips for Teens
As we prepare for yet another bout of winter weather coming our way, this Tips for Teens video will ensure that you are prepared for traveling in winter conditions and have your vehicle stocked and ready for whatever you may encounter. This Tips for Teens video on Winter Travel Tips features Huron County 4-H Educator, Haley Evans. When traveling in the winter, even if it is not far away, it is good to ensure that you and your vehicle have what it takes to endure whatever conditions mother nature throws at us. This video will take you through some essential items that can be placed in your vehicle to help you in times of need along with how to read and check your tire pressure.
In addition, all videos can be found on the Ohio 4-H website here: https://ohio4h.org/families/just-teens/tips-teens
Food Waste and Your Fridge
The January sustainability video is “Food Waste and Your Fridge” and is brought to you by Ohio State University Extension’s SAVE Team (Sustainable Action Through Video Engagement.) This month’s video includes tips on using your fridge to preserve your food for as long as possible to avoid food waste.
Video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZawpC2e38o
Do you have questions about thawing, cooking your turkey and need recipes for leftovers, too? Checkout the following free resources from the Partnership for Food Safety Education:
- Classic Roast Turkey recipe includes food safety instructions, turkey weights, and cook times!
- Holiday Meal Flyer to decode turkey thawing and cooking times — you'll need a food thermometer!
- Spanish language resources, including videos, printable flyers, recipes, and social media graphics!
- The Story of Your Dinner downloadable resources, recipes, videos, and more!
#StoryofYourDinner
Now scheduling free virtual Mindful Wellness classes for adults. Select one or a series of 3 to 5 for your group. Contact Pat at holmes.86@osu.edu or call 937-637-6537.
Classes include Introduction to Mindfulness, Mindful Foundations, Mindful Breathing, Mindful Eating, Mindful Living.
For more information, click here!
Dial-type canner gauges can be tested at our office by advancec appointment only. Contact Pat at holmes.86@osu.edu or call 937-637-6537.
Due to COVID-19 you must wear a mask. Dial-type gauges should be tested yearly!
Food Preservation / Fact Sheets
- Ohioline https://ohioline/osu/edu/topic/food Clickto sort (alphabetizes the fact sheets) Be sure to look under "c" for canning "f" for food preservation "f" freezing
- National Center for home Food Preservation https://nchfp.uga.edu/
- USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning https://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/publications_usda.html
Food Preservation Office Hours / video recordings - Ohio State University Extension All recordings posted: https://go.osu.edu/foodpreservationofficehoursrecordings
We are not holding in-person classes due to COVID-19; however, these FREE recordings of virtual trainins are available for you to view at your convenience:
Preparing for Canning
Jams and Jellies
Canning and Freezing Cegeta bles
Canning and Freezing Fruit
Pickles
Salsa
This week's Teen Tip Video
This week’s Teen Tip video was created by Family and Consumer Sciences Educator Whitney Gherman. It is called “How to Use Mindfulness to Settle your Body (and Feel Good!)” and is available at https://youtu.be/jiRBGEAefSo. Mindfulness is not about fixing life's problems -- it’s about noticing what is. "Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: On purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” Please share this video via social media platforms, with community partners, and any other youth serving organizations. A complete listing of the Tips for Teens video series is at fcs.osu.edu/news/tips-teens
Better Lives, Stronger Communities
OSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) gives people the knowledge, skills and tools needed to make healthy, informed choices. We teach and promote safe food practices, better nutrition, better finances and better relationships – helping people acquire the knowledge and skills to make smart decisions in these areas.
Our family and consumer sciences professionals turn evidence-based, impartial, current research into useful information that can improve the quality of people’s lives. We work to make information accessible to all Ohioans.
You can count on FCS to provide reliable, evidence-based information to encourage – and empower – people to adopt practices and behaviors to improve their finances, build more positive relationships with friends and family, and embrace healthier, nutritious lifestyles.
Montgomery County consumers that have questions, or seek additional information may contact:
Pat Holmes, FCS Extension Educator, at the OSU Extension Montgomery County office via phone 937-637-6537 or email holmes.86@osu.edu.
You can also learn more about all OSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences programs at http://fcs.osu.edu.
Extension has been helping all Ohioans build better lives, better businesses and better communities since 1914.