Pontotoc County Family & Consumer Sciences

10/19/2026

🎃 From Jack-o'-lantern to Snack-o'-lantern! 🎃
Don't let those pumpkin seeds go to waste. A quick soak, rinse, and roast can turn pumpkin leftovers into a delicious seasonal snack.


Source: Mary Hightower, "What to do with pumpkin innards when making a jack-o'-lantern," University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, October 15, 2026

Carving this weekend? Here’s an easy way to rescue those seeds! 🎃 🌱

Drop the seeds and pulp in a bowl of water and work it gently with your hands. The seeds float and the pulp sinks. Strain, rinse, dry, and you’ve got a snack!

Quadarius Whitson, our extension instructor for culinary nutrition, says pumpkin seeds go way beyond roasting. Try them in salads, oatmeal, granola, muffins, or even pesto 😋

🔗 Find more recipes here: bit.ly/De-seeding-pumpkins

Arkansas Extension Family & Consumer Sciences At Home with UAEX

10/09/2026

As Oklahomans move into the fall, respiratory virus season will soon be in full swing. Although most viral infections don’t have a specific treatment, there are reliable ways to stay healthy. Read more at https://bit.ly/4jdQnNs

10/01/2026

🚨 What's really in your food? 🚨

If the ingredient list looks more like a science experiment than a recipe, it may be an ultra-processed food. Learning to read labels can help you make informed choices for yourself and your family. 🛒🍎

Healthy habits don't have to be complicated. Start with one simple swap, like choosing water instead of soda or fruit instead of candy.

Small steps. Big impact. 💙

Check out the following handout created by one of our state specialist for more information!

09/21/2026

Do you ever get into your car to take a vacation and drive aimlessly down the highway? Does a football team enter a game without a plan to win? The need for planning is obvious. Setting goals can provide the direction to help dreams come true.
Read more at: https://bit.ly/4AmSnce

09/21/2026

You may have already seen this on the Pontotoc County OSU Extension page, but I'd like to personally introduce myself. My name is Sadee Crowder, and I am excited to serve as the new Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H Educator for Pontotoc County. I am grateful for this opportunity to give back to the community that means so much to me, and I look forward to connecting with and serving the people of Pontotoc County.

07/16/2026

Family meals are about more than food - they're one of the simplest, most powerful ways to strengthen families & communities. Eat together this week!

I recently had the opportunity to share with the Sunrise Rotary Club about the research behind family meals and why they matter.

Decades of research show that something as simple as sharing a meal together is linked to stronger relationships, better communication, improved mental health, healthier eating habits, and greater community connection.

At OSU Extension, we teach nutrition, food safety, and cooking—but at the heart of our work is helping people build stronger relationships and healthier communities.

Thank you, Ada Sunrise Rotary for the opportunity to be with you!

06/22/2026

Stay tuned for a new article this week!

This article is the first in a summer series focused on helping local families find practical ways to balance work and home life during this busy season.

06/22/2026

Fantastic showing from community volunteers to make this a success! Huge shoutout to Amy Lannom Kaiser and First United Bank for partnering with us!

Nearly 70 Upward Bound students gained hands-on experience managing real-life finances during the Reality Money Check.

06/16/2026

🌱📚Unearth a Story: The Sweet Potato Journey🍠

Last week at the Ada Public Library's Summer Reading Program, Unearth a Story, young learners became both explorers and chefs as they uncovered the story of the sweet potato from soil to supper.

Participants learned how sweet potatoes grow underground, where they come from, and how they make their way to our plates. Then the fun really began! Students "cooked" their own sweet potato by scooping, mashing, and customizing it with seasonings of their choice.

But the learning didn't stop there. After creating their own sweet potato recipe, students became storytellers by writing and illustrating the story of their sweet potato's journey.

Through hands-on cooking, literacy, and agriculture education, students discovered that every food has a story v ting to be unearthed.

A big thank you to the Ada Public Library for inviting us to be part of another wonderful summer of learning!

05/15/2026

FCS Friday: Asking for help

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we're spotlighting one of the most powerful coping skills out there: asking for help.

At some point, every single one of us will need to ask for help and get support. The real skill is noticing when — whether that's feeling constantly down, pulling away from people you love, or carrying something that feels too heavy to hold alone.

Reaching out isn't a weakness. It's one of the bravest things you can do, and it's a sign that you believe you deserve better- because you do.

Talk to a parent, coach, teacher, or another adult you trust. And know that 988 (call or text) is always there as a tool for crisis or support.