LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service’s Grow Your Own Groceries Series will continue this summer with three free online sessions focused on growing and preparing healthy, nutritious foods.
Each hour-long presentation begins at noon and is offered free of charge.
Upcoming sessions include:
- June 16 — Sweet corn
- July 16 — Brussels sprouts
- Aug. 4 — Peaches, plums and nectarines
Registration is available online at:
https://uaex.uada.edu/grow-groceries
During each session, experts with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture will discuss variety selection, growing methods, soil health and ways to address common pests and gardening challenges. Extension family and consumer sciences agents will also provide information on storing and preparing homegrown produce and demonstrate healthy recipes.
The presentations are scheduled to coincide with the growing seasons of the featured fruits and vegetables. Earlier programs this year focused on onions, green beans, edamame and strawberries.
“Attendance was good for the spring programs,” said Faulkner County Extension Horticulture Agent Krista Quinn, who hosts the series. “We tend to have 400-500 people register, and a little over 100 attend the live programs. A lot of people watch the recorded programs.”
The June 16 session will feature Johnson County Extension Agent Jesse Taylor discussing sweet corn production, while Faulkner County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Mary Beth Groce will demonstrate recipes using the summer crop.
The July presentation will feature Hempstead County Extension Agents Kim Rowe and Terrie James, who will teach participants about growing and preparing Brussels sprouts.
During the Aug. 4 session, White County Extension Agent Sherri Sanders will discuss growing peaches, plums and nectarines. Pulaski County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Alicia Boatwright will share recipes featuring stone fruits.
The Grow Your Own Groceries series is one of several programs through which the Division of Agriculture works to improve the health of Arkansans through food, nutrition and health research, education and outreach.
To learn about future presentations, visit the Grow Your Own Groceries webpage at:
https://uaex.uada.edu/grow-groceries
For information about extension programs in Bradley County, contact the Bradley County Cooperative Extension Service office or visit uaex.uada.edu. The organization can also be followed on Facebook and Instagram.
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture offers all Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
