UGA Extension Sumter County Family and Consumer Sciences

Calvary Episcopal Church has volunteered to open its doors as a warming station for this upcoming severe winter weather. Calvary Episcopal is located at 408 South Lee St. They will open their doors on Friday, December 23rd at 6PM and remain open until 12 noon the following day.

It's going to be COLD over the holidays!
If you plan to travel, be prepared for potential bad weather. Pack an emergency supply kit in your car!

Don't forget to bring your pets inside!

Here are a few great safety tips to remember while we enjoy our time with family and friends.
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2021/11/22/leftovers-lets-keep-best-part-thanksgiving-safe

Sumter County Extension supports Bike to Work week!

We had a great time this morning with Sumter Cycling at Kids Bike Fest! Special thanks to 4-Hers Julia Floyd and Chantrell Hall for volunteering and making “bike-powered” healthy smoothies.

Calling all Kids!
Join us for Kids Bike Fest this Saturday from 10am - 1 pm at GSW

Here is what you need to know about the recall of Vidalia onions potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes:

Know the recall details: Vidalia onions available on June 22 – 24, 2022 at Publix stores in Georgia's Barrow, Clarke, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Oconee and Walton counties.

Remove potential risks: Check the lot number located on the sticker to see if your onions are part of the recall. In Georgia, the onions linked to this recall can be identified on the sticker by the code PLU 4159 and Little Bear brand. No other onions are included in this recall notice. If your product has a lot number within this range, dispose of it immediately.

Watch for symptoms: Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

To date, no illnesses or adverse events have been reported.

View the recall: https://bit.ly/3yFfxNn
UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences

Tax planning is for everyone. Your tax withholding status affects what you owe the or the refund you can expect next year. The Tax Withholding Estimator can help you review and adjust your current tax withholding. Check the Tax Withholding Estimator today:
https://go.usa.gov/xu2Qd

Boil Water Advisory

If possible, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
Household dishwashers generally are safe to use for sanitizing if: the water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit, or the dishwasher has a sanitizing cycle.
If your dishwasher doesn’t have a sanitize cycle, use the highest heat setting to wash and dry dishes.

Our farmers provide for all of us, and we need to provide for them. Join us as we further our efforts to combat farm stress within our rural communities during the

on May 19 in Tifton, Georgia. Learn more about the event and register online: https://t.uga.edu/80t

Welcome to Spring in Georgia!
Our area may experience severe weather including thunderstorms, strong winds, and tornadoes this weekend. Be prepared and stay alert. Create an Emergency Disaster Kit--include water, food, blankets, flashlights and a portable cell phone charger.
Make a plan with your family and don’t forget about your pets. with these
resources: https://t.uga.edu/7Jr

UGA Extension offers a program called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). The program is designed to provide free tax preparation assistance to individuals and families with low to moderate income, those with disabilities, and the elderly. UGA has participated in the VITA program for 15 years in partnership with Georgia United Credit Union. Virtual VITA allows taxpayers to work with their local UGA Extension agent to facilitate remote tax preparation services with students based in Athens. The program now operates in 16 additional Georgia counties representing all areas of the state.

For more information, visit: https://www.fcs.uga.edu/fhce/vita-free-tax-services

Don't forget to order Vidalia Onions!

It's Tax Time! Let UGA VITA file your taxes for FREE!

It's Tax Time!

It's tax time!

Winter weather may be coming to South Georgia!
NOW is the time to prepare!
Make a plan with your family and don’t forget about your pets. with these resources: https://t.uga.edu/7Jr

Winter weather is coming to Georgia. Start your emergency kit with water, food, blankets, flashlights and a portable cell phone charger.
Make a plan with your family and don’t forget about your pets. with these resources: https://t.uga.edu/7J

Winter weather is coming to Georgia. Start your emergency kit with water, food, blankets, flashlights and a portable cell phone charger.
Make a plan with your family and don’t forget about your pets. with these resources: https://t.uga.edu/7J

Winter weather is coming to Georgia. Be prepared and
with these resources:
Winter Weather Preparedness from GEMA: https://bit.ly/3qBfGNX
Home Emergency Preparedness Publication: https://t.uga.edu/7Jr
Extension Weather Emergencies Page: https://t.uga.edu/6dV
FACS Extension Emergency Page: https://t.uga.edu/7Js

Thinking of baking some cookies for the holidays? Check out these recipes.

Sugar and Spice, Chocolate Chip, Carrot, and 3 ingredient cookies (whip them up in a flash) + a secret cookie. https://bit.ly/3p8bG3R

Over the next few days, stay tuned with some helpful tips to make your Thanksgiving a healthy holiday!

Here's your first tip: Wash your hands, but not the turkey!

Want to know why? Check out the article here: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/11/21/wash-or-not-wash-your-turkey

As the weather cools, it's time to store your tillers, lawnmowers and w**d eaters equipment.

Horticulturist Bob Westerfield shares more on how to properly winterize motorized lawn equipment: https://t.uga.edu/7By

Sumter County 4-H is currently taking orders for our annual poinsettia fundraiser. The price for these beautiful plants are $20 each, and you have a choice of a variety of colors (red, white, pink, or marbled). All proceeds benefit the Sumter County 4-H Club. The deadline to order is Friday, November 19, 2021. Stop by our office to purchase ASAP! Orders will be ready to pick up on December 2, 2021

Come join the mayor, as well as the mayoral candidates, for a short police-escorted bicycle ride this Friday at noon. The ride will start and end at Rylander Park. Then enjoy a free pizza lunch & hear thoughts from mayoral candidates on cycling in Americus.

To prevent COVID-19 and other diseases, it’s important to both
inside AND outside your home! This , remember to wash your
hands regularly to protect yourself and those around you.

COVID-19 reminded us of the importance of hand hygiene. As we move beyond the
pandemic, don’t forget that washing your hands also protects against the flu, diarrheal
diseases, and even antimicrobial resistance. Wash your hands to protect yourself &
your loved ones!

Clean hands keep families healthy! Help your kids learn the right way to wash their
hands with soap & water.

Suds = safety! Handwashing is an important part of preventing before preparing food. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.