Eddy County Extension Office Is A Valuable Local Resource

By Misty Cryer

When seeking information about topics beneficial to homes or families, the Eddy County Extension Office is a good place to start. From publications written by subject experts to classes and presentations coordinated to help with community interests, the staff is well-versed in local resources and often partners with other organizations and agencies to meet the needs and interests expressed.

The Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for Eddy County is Vonda Frost. Frost has served the community as an extension agent for about a year and a half. She said her education is in ag economics, business, and marketing. “I have a master’s degree,” she said.

“We have state-wide programming, but we also have county programming,” Frost said.

The program Frost works with was, at one time, home economics. She said, “It has broadened its scope to more than just in-home type things.”

She explained that community outreach for the program includes different projects that can be anywhere from food preservation to mental health. Financial planning and financial management were also mentioned. “We did a diabetes management class last year—a cooking class—and we also coordinated a suicide prevention training,” said Frost.

“We have several publications,” she added, specifying that New Mexico State University does the publications for the extension programs.

She said the publications cover a wide variety of topics, providing examples like clothing, family development, food and nutrition, family resource management, health, economics, budgeting, sewing, healthy eating, nutrition facts, and tips for feeding your children.

In regard to classes and presentations, “It is based on community needs. The Christian Women’s group called last year wanting information on the Mediterranean diet, so I went and did a presentation for them on the Mediterranean diet. We also partner with the New Mexico Department of Health for a class called Kitchen Creations, which is a cooking class for those with diabetes,” said Frost.

“Part of what we like to do is partner with the community,” she said, adding, “Most of what I do, the classes are free.” Sometimes, there is a cost for projects the extension office is involved in, she explained, using the example of a class by an organization that charges for licensing.

For classes, supplies and materials are sometimes provided; with others, it may just be a presentation or demonstration. For example, Frost said, the diabetes class is a four-part class, and attendees receive educational materials and a couple of different cookbooks.

She said classes are held at the extension office in the kitchen or the educational center at 1304 W. Stevens St. Generally, the classes are advertised through local papers, radio ads, and the hospital, doctor’s offices, and the health office. The program also has a Facebook page.

When asked about plans this year, Frost said, “We will do the Kitchen Creations class again in May. I will put on some canning classes—we may stick to water bathing this year; it is basic, kind of a beginner’s class. It is less intimidating than pressure canning. I have a couple of instructors that are going to do a sourdough class, which I’m excited about. I will be doing some cake decorating classes, too.”

Frost said she enjoys the topics her program covers. “I do personally can myself, and my mother did as well, so I have canned for probably 15 years,” she said, adding, “I’m not saying I’m an expert.”

Eddy County extension programs receive federal, county, and state legislative funding, she said, adding they often partner with the New Mexico Department of Health and industry organizations. “4-H is another one of our programs,” she said.

The Eddy County Extension Office can be reached by phone at 575-887-6595.

Resources provided by Frost that locals may find helpful include:

NMSU’s Cooperative Extension Service How-To Publications: https://pubs.nmsu.edu/howto/index.html

Facebook page for Eddy County Extension’s Home Economic Program: https://www.facebook.com/eddycountyextension

Eddy County Extension Office website:

https://eddyextension.nmsu.edu/

Registration page for the next Kitchen Creations class: https://ezregister.com/events/40995/