News

Welcome to Russell County Extension

The Piece Makers Quilt Guild met at the Russell County Extension Office at 4:00 PM on May 14^th for the regular monthly meeting.  The meeting was called to order by Debbie Rasmussen.

There were six members present.

The equipment grant for which they applied was discussed. The results should be known by the end of May.  How to  recruit new members was also discussed.  A plan to survey those who have expressed interest in the guild in the past will be done to determine what would encourage them to join.  The Guild is hoping to get ideas on how to develop more interest in quilting and sewing in our community and how they can best serve those who are interested in learning or advancing their current sewing and quilting skills.

10 quilts have been made to be donated to ARC and Lake Cumberland Children's Advocacy in June. The new goal is to have 10 more to donate by Christmas.

"Work Days" will now be called "Sit and Sew" days and the members can come to the Extension office to work on guild projects or personal ones.The next Sit and Sew will be on May 31st from 1:00-5:00 PM at the Extension Office.  Debbie Rasmussen is having labels made to be applied to the quilts.

Discussion topics to think about for the next meeting on June 11th are:  1) what one-day projects the members would like to do either at a monthly meeting or at a Sit and Sew day. 2) what special speakers the members would like to invite to speak and demonstrate different methods such as paper piecing, applique, art quilting, etc.

Show and Tell segment will be added to the monthly meeting so members can show what they have completed or show something they think would interest the members.  This month, Debra Flanagan brought in a quilted carrier for all her quilting supplies. Open it can hang on over-the-door hooks, and folded in half it has a carrying handle.  Inside are various custom-made pockets for her various supplies. Everyone thought it was ingenious and so practical.  Carol Brumlow showed a quilt her great-grandmother made over 80 years ago. She called the pattern "Grandma Lozier's Flower Garden" because she has not been able to find the non-traditional arrangement her great-grandmother used in any quilt book she has researched.

Two quilts were bound and a third quilt was prepared for binding during the work segment of the meeting.

Debra Flanagan brought 2 delicious pasta salads for refreshments.

The meeting was adjourned.

     If you would be interested in joining the Guild, call the Russell County Extension Office for more information on the meeting dates and planned activities.  No prior quilting experience is necessary.

Coupon Exchange Club Organized

          The Coupon Exchange Club is up and running.  The Club is meeting will be April 24th at the Russell Co. Extension Office at about 6:00 PM (immediately after the Homemaker Lesson Leader Training). For more information about the meeting, call the Extension Office at (270) 866-4477 and ask for Pam York or Sherri Coffey. 

Interested in becoming a bee keeper?  Already a bee keeper and would like to revive the Russell County Bee Keepers Group?  Then contact the Russell County Cooperative Extension Service at (270) 866-4477 and let us know.  Talk to E. Raymond Thompson (ANR Agent) or Wanda Miick (Small Farm Asst.) about what information you would like to receive or what topics you would like to be discussed at a Bee Keepers meeting.

Plate It Up, Kentucky Proud

               Pam York, FCS Agent for Russell County, and Kelli Bonifer, FCS Agent for Adair County, and Margie Hernandez, SnapEd Assistant for Russell County, will be demonstrating various food preparations which will be aired on Duo County cable channel 2 every Sunday at 7:00 p.m.  For more information click here and scroll down to Plate It Up, Kentucky Proud.

    Contact Information         

Office Location:  2688 South Highway 127, Russell Springs, KY.  directly across the street from the Mighty Dollar store.

Phone: (270) 866-4477;   Fax: (270) 866-8645.

           We are here to serve you whether you are a farmer, gardener, homemaker, 4-H'er, or in need of nutrition information. 

Agriculture and Natural Resources

          Our ANR agent, E. Raymond Thompson, and his Small Farm Assistant, Wanda Miick, can get your garden, yard, or field soil samples tested, identify plant diseases, weeds, insects and snakes just to name a few of the agricultural and horticultural services provided.

          They also conduct training on pesticides (safe handling, storing, usage, etc.), Master Cattleman, Advanced Master Cattleman and Master Grazer training programs.

          They oversee and train the participants in the Russell County Community Garden and work with the Russell County Farmer's Market.  They also work with the Cattleman's Association and the C.A.I.P. Council which helps the local farmers with various farm improvement programs.

           Raymond has a weekly article in both the Times Journal and the Russell Register with up-to-date information on pertinent issues.  To check out the Ag programs, click on the Ag and Natural Resources tab in the black ribbon at the top of this page.

 4-H Youth Development

           Our 4-H Youth Development Agent, Christy Martin, will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our 4-H programs in and out of the schools.  There are clubs in each elementary school for the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades.  We have specialty clubs including a Teen Club, Horse Club, Beef Club, Shooting Sports, and Fishing Club and the various annual competitions such as Poster, Poetry, Speech, Demonstrations, and Variety Show. Of course, 4-H Camp is a fun and learning time in the summer.  Check out Christy's page by clicking on the 4-H Youth Development tab in the black ribbon at the top of this page.

Family and Consumer Sciences

          Our FCS agent, Pam York, can answer your questions about preserving different foods by various methods such as canning, freezing,and drying.  She has information on various household problems/issues too, such as how to remove problem stains, questions on nutrition and exercise, budgeting and many more topics pertaining to the family and consumer sciences. 

       Pam also has a weekly newspaper article in Times discussing many varied topics of interest. You may hear timely hints and tips and learn about upcoming programs on WHVE radio on Tuesday mornings at 7:45 a.m.

      Pam serves as the advisor for Russell County Extension Homemakers with seven standard Homemaker clubs and four specialty clubs. Monthly educational lessons are offered on an array of topics. A representative from each standard club attends the lesson leader training and takes the information back to all club members.

      A variety of educational workshops and special interest classes are offered throughout the year.  Food preservation workshops are offered to the public to teach them how to properly preserve food by canning, freezing, and/or drying. A free service to the public is testing dial gauge pressure canner lids for accuracy.  Free packets of food preservation information are also available for free.

     An on-going fairly new program was implemented in Russell County nearly 3 years ago, the BackPack Program. The BackPack Program is voluntary and is offered at no cost to participants. Children taking part in the program receive a variety of food items in their backpacks at the end of the week. One hundred and seventy-five Russell County students are currently enrolled in the program. The program is supported by local businesses, churches, individulals, civic groups and non-profit agencies in Russell County.    The Russell County Extension Service partners with Feeding America, Russell County Schools, God's Food Pantry and Lake Cumberland Community Services Organization (Head Start) to provide children with a variety of nutritious, easy-to-prepare, non-perishable food items.

     To check out Pam's programs, click on the Family and Consumer Sciences tab in the black ribbon at the top of this page.

SNAP-Ed

          Our SNAP-Ed Program Assistant, Margie Hernandez, helps train young adults through senior citizens on proper nutrition and how to budget their finances.  

           These are just a few of our services here at the Russell Co. Cooperative Extension Service.  We have publications on hundreds of various topics from the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University.  If you have a question, call.  We may just have the information you need or may be able to refer you to the right person or agency.