Want to know what is going on with the Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) program over the next month? For more information or to be on our email list about upcoming programs, send me your email or mailing address at jennifer.brown@ncsu.edu

• Not a gardener? No worries! Microgreens are a great small-scale, low commitment step to getting started growing regardless of the season or weather since they can be grown indoors and they take up very little space! What are Microgreens? They are flavorful, nutrition-dense, young seedlings of vegetables or herbs that you can typically harvest within only 1-3 weeks of sowing the seeds! They make great additions to salads, sandwiches, and elevate any dish when used as a garnish. Join us on Tuesday, June 17 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) to learn how to start your own microgreen trays by reusing materials that you likely already have around the house. Register now at go.ncsu.edu/microgreen
• We still have spots in our Diabetes Prevention Program, scheduled to start this summer. On Wednesday, June 18 at 10:00 a.m., we will be hosting more Information Sessions to help provide more information on this program and to see if you qualify. You just need to attend one of the sessions and you will learn about what is involved with the next Diabetes Prevention Program that starts in July. If you want to learn more, register for one of our Information Sessions at go.ncsu.edu/diabetesinfo or call (336) 597-2204 x2277.
• For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join us for this virtual workshop on Thursday, June 19 at 12:00 p.m. (EST) to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. Register online at go.ncsu.edu/fcsregistration
• Let’s face it, most of us have at least one space (or several) that we’d like to have more organized. In fact, a recent survey about clutter found that 84 percent of Americans are concerned their home isn’t organized or clean enough. And more than half of them reported that it causes them stress. Tackling clutter can seem overwhelming and sometimes getting started is the hardest part. Join Jennifer Brown from the N.C. Cooperative Extension on Wednesday, June 25 at 10:45 a.m. at the Person County Senior Center to learn some simple steps you can take to begin to tackle areas of clutter that may be bothering you. No guilt, just ideas!
• Join the Extension Office on Thursday, June 26 at 3:00 p.m. at the Person County Public Library in Roxboro for our workshop on the “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s”. Participants will learn about:
  » The difference between normal aging and Alzheimer’s.
  » Common warning signs.
  » The importance of early detection and benefits of diagnosis.
  » Next steps and expectations for the diagnostic process.
  » Alzheimer’s Association resources
• Out of the Office on Monday, July 7 – Friday, July 11 for Vacation
• Feel like you are just way too busy to cook? Learn batch-cooking freezer meal tips and hacks. Join us on Tuesday, July 15 at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on a Virtual Zoom workshop, part of our monthly Extension at Home Series. This workshop is free to attend and even if you cannot attend Live, register and we will email you the recorded webinar and handouts from the workshop presenter. Register now at go.ncsu.edu/freezer
• Interested in learning the basics about food preservation and want to know how you can get started? We will have a “Canning Basics” workshop on food preservation techniques such as canning, freezing, dehydrating and the food safety that goes along with it. Join us on Tuesday, July 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mountain Creek Community Building at 1717 Mountain Creek Rd. in Oxford for this free workshop.
• It is important to plan for weather-related emergencies before they happen to help your family cope during and after the disaster. This free Disaster Preparedness workshop on Friday, July 18 at 10:45 a.m., at the Granville County Senior Center at 107 Lanier Street, will cover easy free or low-cost ways to prepare for this and other weather-related emergencies and help you get started on your disaster checklist today.
• Out of the Office on Monday, July 28 – Friday, August 1 for the NC Extension Association of Family Consumer Sciences (NCEAFCS) conference