At an interactive workshop called “Mystery Dinner: The Uninvited Guest,” hosted with the Northern Kentucky Independent District and Three Rivers District Health Departments, participants had to solve a fictional foodborne illness outbreak. To help them find the culprit, Brown-Price and other program hosts went from table to table wearing germ hats. Brown-Price’s hat represented salmonella.

“I discussed what would happen if you ate something with salmonella, while wearing a hat that depicted the germ,” Brown-Price said. Attendees later reported that they changed their habits and practices because of what they learned at the workshop.

Attendees later reported that they changed their habits and practices because of what they learned at the workshop.

“Many now date food prior to storing, use a food thermometer to check to ensure food is properly cooked, store foods properly in their refrigerators, and adequately wash their hands,” Brown-Price said.

In September 2020, the team that conducted the workshop—FCS agents in northern Kentucky, including Brown-Price and Extension agents from the University of Kentucky—were recognized at the annual conference of the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences. “Mystery Dinner: The Uninvited

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FCS Extension provides educational programming to Kentuckians, from youth to seniors, in an effort to improve their lives.

The FCS agents conduct programming that includes Parenting Education, Nutrition, and Family Financial Management.

FCS agents are located in Kenton, Hardin and Jefferson Counties.

During COVID-19, FCS agents have conducted virtual programming with kits distributed through various community partners, including food pantries and public libraries.

Guest" won first place in Innovation in Programming and second place in Food Safety.

Guest” won first place in Innovation in Programming and second place in Food Safety.

At the virtual conference, which was attended by more than 900 Extension professionals, the team also presented how they hosted the event so agents across the country can offer something similar to their communities.

The team also received second place in Extension Housing Outreach for another workshop, titled “Healthy Horticulture for Everybody.” For that event, the FCS agents partnered with Area Extension horticulture agents to provide information on gardening, growing herbs, indoor plants, planting in adaptive containers, and pollinators.

“This workshop led individuals to improve their home environments, increase their involvement in gardening, and look to gardening to reduce stress,” Brown-Price said.

For both events, Brown-Price was on the planning team, organizing speakers and increasing publicity, and helped conduct the events.

To find your local Extension agent, visit http://bit.ly/KYSUCounty.

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