Overview
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS, though traditionally called Home Economics) is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and management of the home and community. Our FCS programs feature: food safety (ServSafe), nutrition, wellness, Cottage Foods Act, food preservation and many other topics.
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Contact Us
Ann Duncan, Family & Consumer Science Agent
Email: ann.duncan@colostate.edu
Phone: 970-249-3935
To join our Family and Consumer Science mailing list, please email Ann.Duncan@colostate.edu and include your name, email address, and mailing address.
Hot Topics
Drinking Water Testing
Are you a homeowner whose main source of drinking water is a private well or spring? Is your well or spring located in the county of Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray or San Miguel? If yes to both questions, apply today for the FREE well or spring water test. Visit https://www.wcphp.org/well-water-testing/ to download an application.
Thanksgiving Resources
Colorado Blueprint of Food and Agriculture
The CO Blueprint of Food and Agriculture is an initiative to find opportunities to strengthen key food and agricultural sectors and identify strategic opportunities within those areas. Many organizations help spearhead this program including Colorado State University (comprising of Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station), the Governor’s Food Systems Advisory Council, the CO Food Policy Network, and the CO Department of Agriculture.
The Blueprint team has provided a list of 19 ‘Topics of Interest’. Our goal is to narrow these topics down to 4 or 5 key components that community members feel are of interest and hold significance to our area. This list is provided below in the link and can be distributed to anyone who is interested in providing recommendations. It is our hope that through identifying these key topic areas in advance, the focused meeting can then be used to find levers of action, investment, programing, etc. With the discussion in mind, the Blueprint team and community will then be able to determine what are some plausible next steps we can take on the Western Slope to further food and agriculture prospects.
We would be grateful to hear your opinions on what you feel are the most pressing issues/opportunities in our community. To be a part of this growing conversation, we ask that you would please review the link below and send Ann Duncan back an email with your top 4-5 discussion questions. Naturally, you may find more than 5 topics that you consider important, but for project scope sake, we ask that you please narrow it down to your top 4-5 picks. Additionally, please share this information with colleagues and anyone you feel would like to participate. They can e-mail Ann Duncan with their responses as well. If email is not convenient for you, you can reach us at 970-249-3935.
2016 Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label
Click here to find out about the FDAs changes to the nutrition facts label, released May 20, 2016
Food Safety
FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety
Avoiding Infection from raw milk and staying healthy this canning season!
Preservation
- We Can Test Your Dial Gauge Lids! Just bring in your dial gauge pressure canner lids to one of our Tri River Area county offices. Cost is $10 per lid. Gauge accuracy will be tested and recommendations made regarding proper canning times and procedures. Research based information will also be available.
- Botulism; Botulism is a rare but serious disease that is associated with canned products. Find out more here.
- Canning using electric cookers, click here.
The Cottage Foods Act Legislation (click on the programs tab to see upcoming trainings and for more information click on resources)
- The Cottage Foods Act Updated May 2016- SB 16-058- MOST RECENT
- Cottage Foods Act Tier 1
- Cottage Foods Act Tier 2
- Colorado Cottage Foods Fact Sheet, click here (4.4.13)
- Colorado Cottage Food Producer Checklist, click here (5.22.12)
- Simple Facts: Colorado Cottage Foods Act: Click here for English/click here for Spanish
To join our Family and Consumer Science mailing list, please email Ann.Duncan@colostate.edu and include your name, email address, and mailing address.
