COVID-19 certainly turned our world upside down. CommonGround Nebraska volunteers love to meet you in person and visit with you about how food is grown and raised. But during this time of uncertainty, we have needed to adapt and find new ways to connect with you! The volunteers have been busy lately with virtual presentations. Video conferencing software has allowed us to enter family and consumer science classrooms across the state and visit with a variety of students. We are also providing virtual presentations for various conferences. We want you to know that we love to talk about food! If you are looking for programming for a classroom, a church group, a garden club, a chamber meeting or any other group we would love to provide you with presentations about food and farming.  We are able to provide volunteers who have expertise in many areas.

Examples of presentations we can provide: Myths vs. Facts – How your Food is Grown; Food Safety Do’s and Don’ts; Meet Meat – Before the Counter; Raising Beef – Animal Care; and What is Organic?

We are also beginning to provide virtual cooking demonstrations. In September, CommonGround volunteer Joan Ruskamp from Dodge, Nebraska, participated in a national cooking demo with the Cooks of Crocus Hill in Minneapolis. Plans are underway for hosting a virtual progressive Thanksgiving dinner this fall. Stay tuned for details about this fun event, which will include recipes and interactions with farmers and ranchers.

Until we can safely meet again in person, we are happy to provide you with interactive virtual presentations. Please feel free to reach out to us with your requests. Call or email: Karen Brokaw,  CommonGround Nebraska event coordinator, at 402-432-2299, or [email protected].