2025 National EFNEP Coordinators' Conference

The integration of gardening and food preservation education into the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) provides a comprehensive strategy to enhance food security, food safety, and food resource management. Continued support in these areas promotes sustainable lifestyle changes among families, leading to improved health outcomes.

Ongoing education in gardening and food preservation equips families with skills to cultivate and preserve their own food, fostering resilience against economic challenges and supply chain disruptions. Access to homegrown and preserved foods can significantly improve a family's nutrition, reduce food expenses, and promote a more sustainable lifestyle. By learning to grow their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, families can ensure a fresh, chemical-free food supply. Additionally, skills in food preservation—like canning, fermenting, and dehydrating—allow them to extend the shelf life of their harvests, minimizing waste and providing food security throughout the year.

These practices also encourage community engagement, as families can share knowledge, seeds, and even excess produce with neighbors. In times of economic uncertainty or disruptions in the food supply chain, these skills not only bolster individual resilience but also strengthen community ties and local food systems, creating a more self-sufficient and environmentally conscious society.

Utilizing cross program collaboration to create a forward-thinking and visionary approach for further engagement between Master Gardener, Master Food Preservers, and EFNEP. Strategies include joint workshops or a series and events. Organized workshops and events that integrate gardening, food preservation, and nutrition education by pooling resources like community gardens, kitchens for preservation, and educational materials.