Ohio State - Lawrence County Extension

09/01/2026

The Columbus Zoo is Coming to the Library!

Just a reminder—you won’t want to miss the Columbus Zoo at the Ironton Library on Saturday, September 5!

Zoo educators will be bringing some of their amazing animal ambassadors for an up-close learning experience! Come meet some special animal guests and learn more about the incredible creatures they care for.

And there’s more! One lucky family will win a 4-pack of Columbus Zoo tickets PLUS a parking pass!

Bring the whole family and get ready for a wild day at the library!

You might even leave with a zoo adventure of your own!

09/01/2026

Our FCS Educator is trained in Matter of Balance - an evidence-based fall prevention program designed to help older adults reduce the fear of falling and increase their activity levels through practical exercises and stretches! Interested in bringing Matter of Balance to your organization? Reach out to our office at 740-533-4322 to schedule!

September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month.

To help reduce the chance of falls, older Ohioans should talk with their doctor about their personal risk factors — and join the statewide 10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls campaign by adding daily movement to their routine.

Learn more about falls prevention on our website:
https://aging.ohio.gov/fallsprevention

09/01/2026

🍉Sweet, juicy, and Ohio grown! 🍉

September is the perfect time to grab a watermelon from your local roadside stand. Every purchase supports Ohio farmers and brings fresh, delicious flavor straight from the field to your table. Stop by a local stand, meet a grower, and savor the taste of summer! 🍉

08/31/2026

Interested in attending this years Farm Science Review, September 22-24.

Tickets are available for pre-sale at our office - $10/ticket.

Home | Farm Science Review

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

Temperatures are heating up again across Ohio.

Be sure to stay hydrated, wear protective clothing if you are outdoors, and try to spend time in a place that has air conditioning, such as a library, senior center, or a friend's home, if your home does not have AC.

And be sure to check on your older adult family, friends, and neighbors.

Learn more: aging.ohio.gov/springsummersafety

08/26/2026

Ohio State University Extension Family and Consumer Sciences offer a variety of housing education programs. From first-time renters to experienced homebuyers we assist Ohioans throughout the housing process. Option 1: HUD-Approved Online Group Homebuyer Education Workshops Monthly homebuyer educatio...

08/26/2026

We have been receiving calls and emails regarding cottage food, so here is some quick information!

▫️ Cottage Food Operations are EXEMPT from licensing and inspection for producing cottage foods in Ohio.

▫️ Cottage Foods are specific types of items that are not potentially hazardous, made in your home, and follow the proper labelling requirements.

▫️ Cottage food products can be sold to consumers from the home where they were produced, grocery stores, registered farm markets, farmers markets, restaurants, and at some fairs and festivals.

🍪 Some common examples of cottage foods include: breads, cookies, cake, candy, jams / jellies, fruit butters, and kettle corn. A full list of foods allowed through the Cottage Food Exemption can be found below or at https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/food-safety/resources/cottage-food

⚠️ Avoid foods like cream cheese frosting, candy covered fresh fruit, cheesecakes, salsa, and other foods that require refrigeration to keep from spoiling – these are not classified as cottage foods.

For more information about Cottage Food Operations and the regulation around them can be found on the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s website here: https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/food-safety/resources/cottage-food. You can also reach out to our Environmental team at 740-532-3962 or [email protected].

08/25/2026

🥬🫙 Did You Know? Sauerkraut Is More Than Just Cabbage!
Making homemade sauerkraut is simple, but there's a little science behind that delicious tangy flavor. Sauerkraut is made by mixing shredded cabbage with salt and allowing it to ferment naturally for 3 to 6 weeks. The amount of salt is critical for both food safety and successful fermentation, so it should never be adjusted.
✅ Just cabbage + salt + time
✅ Fermentation can take several weeks
✅ The correct salt-to-cabbage ratio is essential
✅ Once fermented, sauerkraut should be canned or frozen for long-term storage

Want to learn more about making safe, delicious sauerkraut at home? Check out these great resources:
🔗 go.osu.edu/hgy5364
🎥 go.osu.edu/sauerkrautwebinar
🥬 Have you ever made your own sauerkraut? Tell us your favorite way to enjoy it in the comments, and share this post with a fellow fermentation fan!
🥬🫙