New Faces!

July 27, 2018

News from the Currituck County Center

From the Director

So much is evolving, growing, and improving with your Currituck Extension Office.

Staff have been working closely with clients, advisors, and community leaders to determine what educational programming is needed and how best to package and deliver those programs. Existing efforts have been modified and improved and many new initiatives have been implemented.

We have also added some new perspectives and talents to our staff in the form of new hires. These folks have hit the ground running and quickly proven themselves as very valuable and valued members of our team. There is a fresh and fun buzz around the office as we work diligently to meet the needs of our community and find fulfillment in our careers.

4-H Programs-Empowering Young People to Lead for a Lifetime

4-H programs are grounded in the belief that kids learn best by doing. Through hands-on learning, youth build not only confidence, creativity and curiosity, but also life skills such as leadership and resiliency that will help them thrive today and tomorrow.

4-H programming consists of hands-on projects and education in three core areas: Healthy Living, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and Citizenship. These programs and activities are conducted in a positive environment, under the guidance of adult mentors, and promote and encourage participating youth to take on proactive leadership roles.

Decoding the Mystery that is Nutritional Food Labeling

When it comes to food labeling we can be quickly overwhelmed by the information provided to us. Snappy wording on the front of packages like “good source and low in…” can have you guessing about what is really going on with your food. In this two-part series, we will dive into how to interpret these claims and actually read nutrition labels on packaged products.

My first suggestion is to get familiar with the Nutrition Facts Panel. This panel offers information about the nutrients in the product and how these nutrients compare to the total amount you should have each day, often based on a 2,000 calorie diet. It is usually found on the back or the side of the food package. Reviewing and understanding this information is critical to making healthy food choices.