I'll admit that I really didn't have a full picture of what the NC Cooperative Extension Service in Jackson County, NC did or how they affected the citizens. I sort of got the idea that they would test soils for gardens and help people figure out how to get rid of certain pests. The local radio station WRGC broadcasts mini shows from our County Extension Agents very regularly and the Sylva Herald New features regular guest columnists in their own article in the newspaper in addition to weekly posted events sponsored by the Extension Service office.
We're trying desperately to have some control over the quality of foods we eat here at home and part of our plan is to grown and preserve our own foods. This past Tuesday I managed to get away from the office and attend the Cooperative Extension Service workshop called "Tomato Jam".
Truly, I had no idea what tomato jam was but whatever it was the class would be making this jam with the hot water bath method.
The first thing I learned was the purpose and goals of the Jackson County NC Cooperative Service here in Sylva, NC:
- To provide informal educational opportunities to empower families, individuals and communities to solve problems.
- To transmit science based information.
- To improve the quality of citizen's lives through their knowledge gained or services provided.
What's in this to not be excited about?
Back to the Tomato Jam. For one thing, I learned that Shelton Farms, local growers in Whittier, NC will sell a 25 pound box of culled tomatoes for $8.00. Can you even imagine what you can do with 25 pounds
of tomatoes? These were beautifully ripe with a few cosmetic flaws and questionable spots. About 10 women attended the class...the men missed out I guess...and in a matter of minutes the tomatoes were washed, quartered and bad spots removed. One lady there took the bad spots home for her chickens so there was no waste.
Within two hours we all learned how to follow that recipe, how to work very well together and put up easily 20 pints of the Tomato Jam. One of the side products when we were draining the tomatoes was the very best tomato juice I've ever tasted!
Since it was a county building though...no vodka ;-)
When we were finished canning, we all had a chance to sample the Tomato Jam on biscuits. Apparently, Sherrie Peeler (the Extension agent) is reknowned for her biscuits but in this case she 
baked frozen biscuits. The taste was exquisite. Not only was this excellent on the biscuits but I could definitely see using Tomato Jam drizzled over cream cheese on a savory cracker.
On Monday, the MoonDancer Realty team is going to take a break from real estate long enough to attend another Jackson County NC Cooperative Extension Service Workshop on Organic Bug Control for our garden. We want to avoid pesticides at all cost but if we don't control the pest somehow, there won't be anything left over to use the new canning skills on!
On August 16, there will be a celebration of the Extension Service's 100th birthday in Bridge Park in Sylva...that's going to be not only fun but definite blog fodder and photo op!
Because, after all...now I can! :-)
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