Clark County Family and Consumer Sciences

08/26/2026

08/24/2026

Welcoming a new baby is one of life's biggest milestones, and one of life’s biggest financial transitions. ❤🍼
Extension personal finance expert Dr. Laura Hendrix shares ways families can prepare for the costs and responsibilities that come with a growing household.

08/20/2026

🌶️ Canning Homemade Salsa? Don't Alter the Recipe!
Late summer peppers and tomatoes make fresh homemade salsa a pantry favorite! But when it comes to canning salsa safely, science must come first.

Why Salsa is Tricky: Salsa combines high-acid tomatoes with low-acid ingredients like peppers, onions, and garlic.

The Golden Rule: You must follow a tested UADA/USDA recipe for exact proportions of acid (bottled lemon juice or vinegar) to ensure harmful bacteria cannot grow.

Pro Tip: Never increase the amount of peppers, onions, or garlic in a recipe, even by a little! If you want a milder or hotter salsa, swap hot peppers for sweet peppers (or vice versa) in equal measure, but keep total quantities exact.

08/18/2026

A new baby brings new joys and new financial responsibilities.
❤👶
Dr. Laura Hendrix, extension professor of personal finance and consumer economics for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, encourages parents-to-be to prepare now for the expenses and life changes that come with a growing family.

🍼Live within your income
🍼Prioritize healthcare coverage
🍼Build an emergency fund
🍼Save and invest for the future

From diapers and childcare to long-term goals like education and estate planning, taking steps today can help build financial security for your family's future.

08/14/2026

Effective this evening, County Judge Troy Tucker has declared a burn ban for Clark County until further notice.

08/13/2026

📏 Mind the Gap! Why Headspace Matters in Your Jars
When a UADA canning recipe says "leave 1/2 inch of headspace," it isn't a suggestion, it's a critical safety metric!

Too much space? The air might not completely exhaust during processing, preventing a strong vacuum seal.

Too little space? Food can bubble up, spill over the rim, and leave deposits on the sealing ring, causing the jar to unseal later.

Standard Headspaces:
Jams/Jellies: 1/4 inch
Fruits/Tomatoes: 1/2 inch
Low-acid veggies/meats: 1 to 1-1/4 inches

⛰️ Bonus Tip: Most of Clark County sits below 1,000 feet, but if you are canning up in the hills or higher elevations over 1,000 feet, remember to adjust your processing time or pressure according to UADA guides!

👇 What are you putting up in jars this week? Let me know below!

08/11/2026

🤖 The Easiest Way to Build Wealth? Make it Automatic!
Starting a brand-new money management habit is tough because it requires constant willpower. The secret to sticking with it over the long haul is removing the opportunity to second-guess yourself!

Dr. Laura Hendrix from uaexMoney recommends automating your good habits so they happen entirely in the background:

🏦 Direct Deposit: Have a flat amount (even just $10 or $20) from your paycheck routed directly into a separate savings account before it ever hits your checking.

🗓️ Automatic Bill Pay: Schedule fixed costs (like insurance or utilities) to auto-pay right after payday to eliminate late fees and stress.

When your savings happen automatically, you adapt to living on the remainder without even feeling the pinch.

👇 Are you team "Automatic Transfer" or do you prefer to move money manually? Tell me why in the comments!

08/07/2026

***UPDATE - The August date has filled! Please call us to be placed on the waiting list at 870-246-2281***

The Clark County Extension Office invites adults of all skill levels to join our Just Sew Festive sewing series! 🧵
Whether you're brand new to sewing or looking to sharpen your skills, you'll enjoy an evening of creativity while watching the Badgers' away football games.

📅 August 28 📅 September 25 📅 October 9

💲 $5 per session 📍 Arkadelphia High School 🕔 5:00 p.m. ✨ Beginner Friendly 👥 Adults Only

Register now for the August session: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/NS3424GXh4 🔗
📞 For questions, contact us at 870-246-2281.

Space is limited, so don't wait to reserve your spot! 🪡🏈

08/06/2026

🥫 The #1 Mistake People Make When Canning Tomatoes

Summer tomato season is in full swing here in Arkansas! But did you know that modern tomato varieties are often much less acidic than the ones your grandmother grew? Because their pH hovers right on the edge of safety, you must explicitly add acid to them whether you are water-bathing OR pressure canning.

UADA Standard for every pint jar of tomatoes:
🍋 1 tablespoon of bottled lemon juice OR
🧪 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid

Note: Always use bottled juice, not fresh lemons, because bottled has a standardized pH level!

Get your copy of the UADA "Canning Tomatoes and Tomato Products" guide before you start your next batch.

👇 Have a question about a specific tomato recipe? Drop it in the comments below and let's chat!

08/04/2026

📊 Budget vs. Spending Plan: What's the difference?
A budget can feel like a restriction, but a UADA Spending Plan is pure power! It gives you total control over matching your hard-earned income with your actual personal priorities.

When you sit down to plan your month, sort your tracked expenses into two clear categories:

Immediate Needs: Essential shelter, groceries, utilities, and mandatory transportation.

Flexible Wants: Subscriptions, dining out, and impulse shopping.

If inflation has things feeling tight, looking closely at your "flexible wants" lets you see exactly where you can safely pivot without disrupting your household stability. Planning ahead ensures you never end up with "more month than money" at the end of the line!

👇 What is one creative way your family saves on monthly flexible expenses? Let's share ideas in the comments!