Agriculture

The holidays are here! It is a time that most of us think of family, friends, meals together, evenings of hot chocolate and cookies and brightly lit trees with gifts wrapped with big bows. It is also a time that many try to do too much and end up stressed and exhausted.   Children are home from school, family gatherings and a long list of shopping can seem to be more work than enjoyment. Here are some ways to relieve stress during the holiday season.

The 2013 Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference and Trade Show will have something of interest for all fruit and vegetable producers. This year’s event convenes at 8 a.m. on Jan. 7 at Lexington’s Embassy Suites Hotel and concludes around 5 p.m. on Jan. 8.

Preconference activities on Jan. 6 include a Winemaking Techniques Workshop from 1- 5:30 p.m. in Seay Auditorium on the University of Kentucky campus; a reception and the Kentucky Farmers’ Market Association annual meeting; and a fruit round table discussion from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the hotel.

When it is too cold to play outside, it is time to get creative inside. A great way to engage children is to help them cook something warm and cozy in the kitchen. Cooking is especially enjoyable for children because it requires using all five senses. They see the foods and prepare them with their own hands. They can hear foods popping or sizzling in the pan and smell the aromas. Finally, the best part is they get to taste their finished product.

One of the fastest growing 4-H projects, the country ham project, will be accepting new members through Dec. 3.  Participants learn the history behind curing hams, the process of curing and actually cure two hams for their project. A contract must be signed by both the parent and 4-H member agreeing to follow the project guidelines, which include giving a speech at the Kentucky State Fair.  Contracts and the $55 fee are due to the Washington County Extension Office by Dec. 3.