Family & Consumer Sciences

The Family and Consumer Sciences Program offers the families of Bedford County information and educational programs about food and nutrition, health, family finances and human development.

Seasonal Eating
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The Seasonal Eating Program encourages residents to eat what is growing here and now. Check out this page for Seasonal Eating recipes, information, videos and more.
Tennessee Nutrition & Consumer Education
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The goal of TNCEP is to teach families how to choose and prepare nutritionally adequate diets and help them feel empowered to move toward self-sufficiency.
Food Preservation
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Canning, freezing and drying helps you make the most of your harvest of fruits, vegetables and meats. Check out this page for proper methods and safety tested recipes.
Family & Community Education
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Family & Community Education clubs promote a better way of life for all through fellowship, continuing education and service to the community.
Extension Explores: Food Preservation
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Extension Explores: Food Preservation is an on-line resource of monthly zoom lessons, publications and videos about preserving seasonal produce.
Skill Up Tennessee
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The Skill Up TN program helps qualifying residents to reach their employment potential and become self-sufficient.

Contact Information

Whitney Danhof
Family and Consumer Sciences
2105 Midland Road
Shelbyville, TN 37160
wdanhof1@utk.edu
931-684-5971

Yesenia Lira Garcia
Program Assistant, Tennessee Nutrition and ConsumerEducation Program
2105 Midland Road
Shelbyville, TN 37160
yliragar@utk.edu
931-684-5971

2025 Programs

Mediterranean Eating Pattern – Wednesdays, January 15 – February 5 at the Bedford County Extension Office at 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. See the flyer for more information. Call the office at 931-684-5971 (after January 1) to sign up or for questions. Drop off or mail registration fee to office at 2105 Midland Road, Shelbyville, TN 37160.

Tai Chi for Arthritis – Mondays and Fridays, February 10 – March 31 (except Feb. 28) at the Bedford County Senior Citizens Center at 9:30 a.m. Call the Extension Office at to sign up. Free of charge.

Take Charge of Your Diabetes – Wednesdays, March 5 – April 9 at the Shelbyville/Bedford County Senior Citizens Center at 9:00 a.m. See the flyer for more information. Call the office at 931-684-5971 to sign up. Free of charge.

May Marathon Month – Walk a half marathon (13 miles) or a full marathon (26 miles) over the entire month of May, a little at a time, and receive a medal at the end of the month for completing the challenge. You’ll register and then receive a tracking sheet, weekly e-mailed newsletters and a report form at the end. See the flyer for more information. Call the office at 931-684-5971 for questions. Click here to register.

Canning College – Friday, June 13 OR Saturday, June 14 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at First Methodist Church, Shelbyville. See the flyer for more information. Cost is $15. Call the office at 931-684-5971 to sign up or for questions.

Matter of Balance – Mondays and Fridays, September 5 – 29 at the Shelbyville/Bedford County Senior Citizens Center at 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. See the flyer for more information. Call the office at 931-684-5971 for questions or to sign up. Free of charge.

Chair Yoga – Wednesdays, September 24 – October 29 at the Bedford County Extension Office at 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. See the flyer for more information. Call the office at 931-684-5971 to sign up. Free of charge.