UW Extension Offers Annual Food, Fun, 4-H Program for Youth and Families

Now in its third year, the University of Wyoming Extension’s Food, Fun, 4-H program encourages youth and families to spend time together in the kitchen and at the dinner table.

Organized 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, the program provides participants with monthly recipes and educational materials.

young girl with blond hair and bangs wearing pink sweatshirt holds paper recipe in one hand and spoon in the other while standing in front of a countertop with a metal bowl of strawberries, glass measuring cup, lemon Jello packet, and Cool Whip container — Allie Easton of Weston County consults her recipe for the Easy Strawberry Lemonade Freezer Pie. Photo courtesy of the Easton Family.

“Food, Fun, 4-H is a fun educational program that brings the whole family to the dinner table,” says Katie Easton, whose two children participate in Weston County 4-H. “It built confidence in our children to explore cooking, baking, and ultimately provide a healthy meal for the family. This program helped us to be more intentional about meals, slowing down and having a great conversation with our kids over dinner.”

While Food, Fun, 4-H is geared toward 4-H members, it is free and open to any interested families in Wyoming and beyond. In 2023–2024, more than 100 households participated.

The 2024–2025 program begins Tuesday, Oct. 1, and runs through April. Online registration can be completed at https://bit.ly/food-fun-4-h and new participants are welcome to join at any time.

Each month, the Food, Fun, 4-H organizers record a Zoom presentation introducing the theme and recipes for that month. “It’s virtual, so this is our connection to the participants…They can put a face to our names and build familiarity,” explains Chichester.

Recipe packets are provided via email and participants are asked to prepare at least two of the dishes, then submit a short post-lesson report with photos each month.

This year, the Food, Fun, 4-H organizers chose to focus on “family favorites.” Monthly themes range from comfort foods and “festive favorites” to “gifts from the garden,” crock pot meals, sheet pan dinners, and more. Each set of recipes includes both beginner and advanced options for the same dishes, a new twist developed in response to participant feedback.

The Wyoming Food, Fun, 4-H program was inspired by an initiative developed by Oklahoma State University Extension, but the UW Extension team has made it their own, choosing Wyoming-friendly recipes with room for adaptation.

Ultimately, the goal is to bring families together and help young people learn life skills. “If we can get them excited about learning to cook and having those family dinners, we are hopefully impacting them in a positive way for the rest of their lives,” Persche comments.

To join the Food, Fun, 4-H program, visit https://bit.ly/food-fun-4-h. Contact Chichester at kelliec@uwyo.edu or (307) 334-3534 with questions.