UW Extension Offers Annual Food, Fun, 4-H Program for Youth and Families

Now in its third year, University of Wyoming Extension's Food, Fun, 4-H program encourages youth and families to spend time together in the kitchen and at the dinner table.

Organized by UW Extension educators Kellie Chichester, of Niobrara County; Joddee Jacobsen, of Natrona County; Mary Louise Wood, of Park County; and Erin Persche, of Weston County, the program provides participants with monthly recipes and educational materials.

"Food, Fun, 4-H is a fun educational program that brings the whole family to the dinner table," says Katie Easton, whose two children participate in Weston County 4-H. "It built confidence in our children to explore cooking, baking and, ultimately, provide a healthy meal for the family. This program helped us to be more intentional about meals, slowing down and having a great conversation with our kids over dinner."

While Food, Fun, 4-H is geared toward 4-H members, it is free and open to any interested families in Wyoming and beyond. In 2023-24, more than 100 households participated.

The 2024-25 program begins Tuesday, Oct. 1, and runs through April. Online registration can be completed at https://wyoextension.org/westoncounty/wyoming-food-fun-4-h/, and new participants are welcome to join at any time.

Each month, the Food, Fun, 4-H organizers record a Zoom presentation introducing the theme and recipes for that month.

"It's virtual, so this is our connection to the participants … They can put a face to our names and build familiarity," Chichester says.

Recipe packets are provided via email, and participants are asked to prepare at least two of the dishes and then submit a short post-lesson report with photos each month.

This year, the organizers chose to focus on "family favorites." Monthly themes range from comfort foods and "festive favorites" to "gifts from the garden," slow cooker meals, sheet pan dinners and more. Each set of recipes includes both beginner and advanced options for the same dishes, a new twist developed in response to participant feedback.

The Wyoming Food, Fun, 4-H program was inspired by an initiative developed by Oklahoma State University Extension, but the UW Extension team has made it its own, choosing Wyoming-friendly recipes with room for adaptation.

Ultimately, the goal is to bring families together and help young people learn life skills.

"If we can get them excited about learning to cook and having those family dinners, we are hopefully impacting them in a positive way for the rest of their lives," Persche says.

For questions, call Chichester at (307) 334-3534 or email [email protected].

About University of Wyoming Extension

UW Extension serves Wyoming communities by helping residents apply university research and resources to practical problems. Since 1914, UW Extension has provided educational programs and tools to the state's 23 counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation. From 4-H programming and pesticide safety education to food preservation and nutrition courses, UW Extension upholds the university's land-grant mission by offering learning opportunities for people of all ages. UW Extension staff members help Wyoming residents boost agricultural production; care for lawns and gardens; cultivate future leaders; support individual and community well-being; and develop thriving businesses.

To learn more, visit www.uwyo.edu/uwe or call (307) 766-5124.