G.C. Welcomes Extension Agent
Thursday, March 22, 2018
by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
“They call us a secret,” joked Jennifer Banks, the new Family Consumer Science (FCS) agent at the Grundy County UT Extension Office, pointing out that many people are unaware of the services the extension office offers. “Our role is to take science, break it down into practical applications, and give people real life solutions.”
As the FCS agent, Banks has plans for classes in four areas: food, nutrition, family and finance. A registered dietician, Banks stresses a key aspect of nutrition is “helping people become better self managers by understanding the role nutrition plays in their health.”
Recent health rankings from the state point to a need for increased knowledge about diabetes in particular, Banks said. She anticipates offering a class called Fun with Diabetes, a three-part series addressing cooking styles, eating habits and healthy choices.
Researching Grundy County preliminary to accepting the position, Banks was impressed with the strong Health Council and the emphasis on helping people make healthy choices. Another health related initiative on Banks’ list is the Walk Across Grundy County challenge through March 31. Five member teams will log the miles they walk and vie for prizes in the categories most miles walked and most creative team name.
In the area of family services, Banks’ calendar will include co-parenting classes designed to help divorced parents work together to navigate the difficult challenges of childrearing. She also hopes to host a “Canning College” instructing participants on home preservation of jams, jellies and pickles.
“During my first six months here, I want to do a needs assessment to help me decide what classes to offer,” Banks said. Her long range goals include developing a class to advise home buyers. She’s considering a program offered before which helps SNAP recipients with budgeting and basic food planning—“how to look in your pantry and decide what to buy.”
Banks joins agriculture agent Keith Kimbrough who also serves as the extension office director. The agricultural arm of the extension office focuses on “horticulture and farming in general, addressing production questions,” Banks said. Workshops on how to grow fruits and vegetables were offered during the month of March. The last seminar is on “Soil Fertility in the Garden,” Tuesday, March 27, at noon. Call the office at (931) 592-3971 for more information.
The Grundy UT Extension Office also offers 4-H Clubs in all the county schools, a program designed to foster leadership in area youth.
Banks came to Grundy County from the Sullivan County Extension Office where she held the same position. “It’s nice to have family close,” said Banks who was raised in Rutherford County. Her husband, raised in Coffee County, also has family nearby.
Since her undergraduate days at Middle Tennessee State University, Banks set her sights on a career with UT. Prior to graduation she worked for the Rutherford County UT Extension Office assisting with their SNAP recipient budgeting classes. To qualify for the exam licensing her as a registered dietician Banks served an internship with National Health Care.