Savannah Valley District

Homemaker’s Column: Slow Cooker Food Safety

Christine J. Patrick, County Extension Agent – EFNEP A hot savory meal is good at the end of a workday. It is an excellent time to use your slow cooker for a quick meal after work. There are countless recipes for perfect slow-cooked meals, but safety should be the top priority. So, before you get […]

Homemaker’s Column: Food Safety During A Power Outage

Christine J. Patrick, County Extension Agent – EFNEP Storms and heavy winds can arise and create perfect conditions for power outages. Losing power is a hassle, and one of the things we need to consider immediately is the safety of stored food.  One of the fundamentals of food safety is temperature. For many perishable foods, […]

Homemaker’s Column: Have A Heart Healthy Month

Christine J. Patrick, County Extension Agent – EFNEP During February, we observe American Heart Month. Do your heart a favor by exercising regularly and eating healthful foods, including plenty of deep red and bright pink fruits and vegetables every day. The “red” color group of fruits and vegetables is rich in many health-promoting and disease-fighting […]

Homemaker’s Column: Healthful Snacks for Everyday and Super Bowl Sunday

Christine Patrick, County Extension Agent – EFNEP Are you one of the millions of Americans who made a New Year’s resolution to adopt a healthier lifestyle and lose weight? Then you must develop a game plan for snacking on Super Bowl Sunday. This event, which takes place on February 13, is one of the worst […]

Center Pivot Irrigation System Efficiency

Center Pivot Irrigation System

Rebecca H. Davis, Area Water Resources Agent Center Pivot irrigation systems are the most used irrigation systems for row crop growers in South Carolina. Frank Zybach invented the center pivot in 1948 in Colorado. His design was to replace the use of labor-intensive irrigation pipes with a self-propelled system that rotates around a central tower […]

Getting Teenagers to Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

"Teen Cuisine"

Christine Patrick, Senior Agent – EFNEP Teenagers often have an adverse reaction to being asked to eat fruits and vegetables. Studies have shown that giving children choices can increase their fruit and veggie intake by 15.6%! You can provide options by letting children prepare their fruits and vegetables. To keep meals and snacks interesting for […]

Homemaker’s Column: Are You A Breakfast Skipper?

Christine Patrick, County Extension Agent- EFNEP Although breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it is often missed. Skipping breakfast causes irritability, sluggishness, slow thinking, and inefficiency by mid-morning. For quick energy, you may crave snacks like candy or a cookie. Usually, the nutrients missed by skipping breakfast aren’t “made up” at other […]

Babysitter Basics taught at 4-H Super Sitters

Lexie Barnwell and Reace Hutto

Shannon B. Herndon, 4-H County Extension Agent Every other year Bamberg and Barnwell County 4-H offers a 4-H Super Sitter Babysitter Workshop for youth ages 12-15 over winter break. Participants learn the qualities a responsible babysitter possesses, caring for babies and toddlers, handling emergencies, and preparing for parent surprises. During the workshop, youth learn to […]

Soil Sampling: When, How, and Why

Rob Last Area Horticulture Agent.  When? Whether you are a homeowner or commercial farmer, winter is a great time to take soil samples. When the lab reports the results, winter allows applications such as lime to adjust soil pH in plenty of time for the spring growing season. How? Step one: Decide on the number […]

Gluten Labeling

Christine Patrick, County Extension Agent Gluten has taken a big fall in the food and nutrient world in recent years. Some of the reasons for gluten aversion include celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and weight control. If you avoid gluten, the following labeling guidelines will help you make science-based choices when choosing gluten-free foods. What is […]