Wyoming
Wyoming’s Food, Fun, 4-H Program encourages families to cook together – High Plains Journal
By Brooke Ortel
University of Wyoming Extension
In kitchens across the state, Wyoming’s Fun, Food, 4-H program is inspiring culinary adventures and family meals.
Organized by the University of Wyoming Extension, the program provides families with monthly recipes, educational materials and cooking utensils free of charge.
While Food, Fun, 4-H was designed with 4-H members in mind, the program is open to any families interested in spending time together in the kitchen. The 2023-2024 program runs through May 2024 and new participants are welcome to join at any time. Currently, more than 100 families are enrolled.
The program, which launched in 2022 with funding from the John P. Ellbogen Foundation, is coordinated by UW Extension educators Kellie Chichester of Niobrara County, Joddee Jacobsen of Natrona County, Mary Louise Wood of Park County and Erin Persche of Weston County.
“Cooking is a life skill,” says Jacobsen. “From the get-go, it’s about kids learning to cook. The recipes they like, they can start collecting and when they are on their own, they will have a tried-and-true collection.”
It’s also about making time to cook and eat together. “It encourages people to sit down and enjoy a meal as a family,” Persche explains. “I think we’re making a difference that way as well.”
While the program was modeled on an initiative developed by Oklahoma State University Extension, this year’s recipes were compiled and tested by UW Extension educators.
“All of December are my family’s personal favorite recipes we make during the holidays,” says Persche. “We talk about creating a family heritage cookbook that captures recipes that are your family’s favorites and writing down the memories that go with them. We’re trying to get them thinking about more than just, we’re making cookies.”
While Food, Fun, 4-H encourages budding chefs to try new dishes, the educators do their best to choose Wyoming-friendly recipes with room for adaptation based on dietary needs.
“We try to use locally accessible ingredients and keep cost in mind,” says Chichester. “We talk about food intolerances and modifications and note them so that we can share back with the rest of the group what worked well, what didn’t and what to watch for.”
In order to receive their next set of monthly utensils, participants are required to prepare at least two of the dishes in the recipe packet, then submit a short post-lesson report with photos.
To learn more about Food, Fun, 4-H or register for next month, visit https://bit.ly/food-fun-4-h. Contact Chichester at [email protected] or 307-334-3534 with questions.
Wyoming
March 31 Deadline For Wyoming’s ‘Becoming An Outdoor Woman’ Workshops
Gaining the knowledge to become an outdoorsy type of person isn’t easy. It takes time, dedication, and the desire to sometimes get out of your comfort zone. Sure, if you grew up in the outdoors, but it’s been a while since you’ve actually been out hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping, you may be a little rusty, but you have a leg up on those who haven’t.
If you’re in Wyoming, there’s a good chance that taking advantage of the incredible outdoor activities we have available has crossed your mind, but where to start is the big question. Asking others for help is one way, but there’s sometimes an element of intimidation or embarrassment involved.
If you’re a woman looking for that help and want to avoid the intimidation, you should really check out the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) workshops this summer. It’s held at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp near Dubois, and everything you need to learn about the outdoors is provided, including food and lodging.
The registration deadline is March 31, meaning you have just a couple of weeks to apply for one or all of the offered workshops.
There are multiple options available depending on your level of outdoor knowledge.
Basic BOW Workshop: Introductory level camp teaching outdoor survival, basic fly fishing, backpacking, how to shoot, outdoor photography, and more. There will be two of these workshops, June 5-7 and August 7-9. $150
Fly Fishing Beyond BOW Workshop: The focus here is on fly fishing. Learn the basics and then put them to use. This workshop runs July 30 – Aug 2. $150
Backpacking Beyond BOW: This workshop is all about backpacking, hiking, cooking on the trail, adjusting to the trail, and preparing for the trip. You’ll learn how to properly pack your bag, set up camp, and then head out on an overnight trip. July 30 – Aug 2. $150
Become a BOW Instructor: Here’s where you put your years of experience to work by sharing your skills and knowledge with others, helping them learn the tricks and tips of the outdoors.
Not only will these workshops help get you started on a life in the outdoors, but you’re likely going to gain some street cred with your family when you can teach them the skills they’ll need to get out and celebrate a Wyoming lifestyle.
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Wyoming
Snowpack In The South Laramie Range At Just Three Percent Of Normal Levels
The snowpack in the South Laramie Range in southeast Wyoming as of Monday was at three percent of normal, according to the Cheyenne Office of the National Weather Service.
And while other mountain ranges in southeast Wyoming were not nearly that low in snowpack, they were still well below normal at last report.
The agency posted the following on its website:
February was yet another warm and dry month, continuing the pattern that has dominated our area since last fall. Mountain snowpack remains well below average in southeast Wyoming, especially in the Laramie Range where snowpack is at an all time record low. For the plains, some light snow fell last month, but it was not enough to keep from increasing seasonal snowfall deficits. Cheyenne is off to its 4th least snowy start to the season since records began in the 1880s, and Scottsbluff has received the 2nd least snow since record began in the 1890s. We are now approximately two-thirds of the way through the snow accumulation season, with a little more than one-third to go in March, April, and into early May.
But the good news is that after a wet 24 hours on Monday night/Tuesday, more snow may be headed our way on Friday.
Cheyenne, Laramie Forecasts
Cheyenne Forecast
Tonight
A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 24. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 55. West wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday
A slight chance of rain showers after 11am, mixing with snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night
Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday
Snow showers. High near 32. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night
A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Breezy.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Breezy.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Breezy.
Monday Night
A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Tuesday
A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.
Laramie Forecast
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 20. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 27. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
A slight chance of rain and snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night
Snow showers. Low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday
Snow showers. High near 31. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night
A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 39.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 25.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 48. Breezy.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.
Monday Night
A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Tuesday
A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy.
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