November 3, 2021 Issue, Page 3 of 8

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Agriculture November 3, 2021 Food safety: the dirty truth about shopping carts bulging or dented, or packages upper portion of the shopping Observe the cleanliness of which are torn or damaged. cart where a child may typi- the deli counter. Fresh meat, fish, poultry cally sit to prevent drips and Avoid delis that use the and hot deli items should be leaks that contaminate food same equipment to process picked up last, just before stored below. and slice meats and cheeses checking out. Eggs and Dairy Products without cleaning between Avoid ready-to-eat foods uses. such as cooked shrimp or deli If foods are markedas keep meats that are displayed di- refrigerated, they need to be Don't forget to wash your rectly next to raw meats. refrigerated in the store and hands prior to sampling new Fish, Meat and Poultry cold when purchasing. foods. Using the store’s hand Always keep fresh meat Avoid cracked, dirty or un- sanitizer or bringing your own and poultry separate from graded eggs. sanitizer, could prevent expo- other items in the grocery cart Produce and Bakery sure to harmful bacteria. to avoid cross-contamination. Only purchase pre-cut pro- FAPC, a part of OSU's Divi- Packages which are loosely duce if stored on ice or refrig- sion of Agricultural Sciences wrapped or dripping with juic- erated. and Natural Resources, helps es should not be purchased. Bakery items containing to discover, develop and de- Fresh poultry and meat icing made of cream cheese or liver technical and business Food safety begins at the grocery store and it’s important to keep foods separated in need to be in separate plastic whipped cream should be re- the grocery cart to prevent cross-contamination. bags at check out. frigerated. information that will stimu- Don't let children handle Pre-cooked Foods late and support the growth of packages of raw meat or poul- Only buy ready-to-eat re- value-added food and agricul- By Kirsten Hollansworth By following these guidelines by consumers.” frigerated foods if they are tural products and processing recommended by the Robert ‘The first point of contact Avoid putting foods in the cold to the touch. in Oklahoma. STILLWATER - Walking M. Kerr Food and Agricultural for most food is the shopping into a grocery store, most Products Center, consumers cart and it’s important to wipe shoppers are focused on their can have a safe and enjoyable down the handle of the shop- shopping lists to avoid for- experience while shopping. ping cart to remove germs. getting essential household “Cross-contamination due Shopping List items. When selecting a shop- to improper storage and han- Plan your list so that non- ping cart, most people cen- dling of foods in shopping perishable items, such as pre- ter their attention on avoid- carts could result in foodborne packaged foods and paper ing that undesirable squeaky illness,” said Ravi Jadeja, food products go into the cart first. wheel. safety specialist at FAPC. “Low By only purchasing items But a positive shopping levels of pathogens could grow that are fully intact and in experience can easily go bad to a dangerous level if refrig- good condition, shoppers can if shoppers put food safety on erated food products are tem- prevent spills and cross-con- the back burner. Food safety perature abused during shop- tamination in the shopping begins at the grocery store. ping and transporting home cart. Never buy cans that are Tips homeowners can Farming and ranching can be a stressful occupation. OSU Extension is partnering on a new Heal the Harvester program to support rural residents experiencing mental health crises. (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services) use to prep landscapes Extension partners to for winter Heal the Harvester By Gail Ellis the most resilient people, but issues contributes to our mis- natural disasters, disease, re- sion of providing practical, STILLWATER. ~ In a pro- tailer demands, market uncer- research-informed knowledge fession that involves back- tainties and misconceptions, for communities,” Doye said breaking labor, life-altering and a seemingly growing list “We've assisted in this edu- financial decisions and the of other issues, wear on every- cational area throughout my favor of Mother Nature, farm- one.” career, dating back to chal- ers and ranchers are especially While OSU's Project ECHO lenges experienced during the vulnerable to mental health provides the management and financial crisis. The pandemic issues. information technology in- has added to everyone's stress, The number of Okla- frastructure of Heal the Har- and we want to assist.” homans who struggle with vester, OSU's Jason Beaman Beaman has also conduct- a mental health condition facilitates video sessions on ed research that shows the such as anxiety or depression mental health education and opioid epidemic, often a factor jumped 25% during the pan- consultation for Extension in mental health struggles, has demic. Other research also educators. Beaman is chair published by the Oklahoma- of psychiatry and behavioral affected more residents and sciences at OSU's Center for spread faster in rural counties based, nonpartisan Healthy Minds Policy Initiative re- tor of training and education than any other demographic. Health Sciences and the direc- One last lawn mowing gives the landscape a tidy look for the winter. (Photo by Todd ported the state's rural sui- for OSU's Center for Wellness “Farmers and ranchers Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services) cide rate has increased 27% and Recovery. have a strong work ethic that since 2017, compared with a “Extension educators in- sometimes works against By Trisha Gedon healthy stand of turf. Gardeners should harvest 3% rise in urban areas. That's teracting with farmers and them,” Beaman said. “When Young tree trunks with the last of their winter veg- why the Oklahoma Depart- ranchers on the ground is they are injured and are in- STILLWATER. - As the immature bark should be ment of Agriculture, Food and paramount,” he said. “When structed to take it easy, they etables such as sweet potatoes, Forestry requested help from someone comes into a county weather cools down, home- wrapped to prevent southwest take medication to work green tomatoes and winter the Oklahoma State Universi- Extension office with schizo- owners are likely giving their injury. phrenia, or a rancher is going through the pain. Opioids lawnmowers a bit of a reprieve squash before the first heavy ty Center for Health Sciences If establishing a new tree, to lose his ranch because of block the pain the body uses frost. and OSU Extension to develop alcohol disease, educators can from summer activity, but visit the local nursery to see to signal a need for rest.” don’t put that machine away what is available now. This Clear out the remnants of Heal the Harvester, a Project offer information and sup- As the Heal the Harvester ECHO line of assistance for port. We want to equip educa- for the season quite yet. will show what colors the tree the vegetable garden and plant rural Oklahomans. Hundreds tors with the skills to do their program progresses, Beaman Casey Hentges, host of will be in the fall. Planting acover crop, which is beneficial of Project ECHO programs daily jobs even better.” plans to identify three coun- Oklahoma State University new trees now also gives them worldwide connect commu- ‘The education segment of ty Extension offices that can Agriculture's award-winning time to establish a strong root to the soil. Choose crimson clo- nity providers with support each biweekly video session offer telemedicine services. television show Oklahoma system before a hard winter ver, Austrian peas, tillage rad- specialists through virtual involves a 15- to-20-minute Gardening, offers some helpful freeze. ishes or even winter wheat. sessions on learning and men- lecture followedby designated Heal the Harvester training is time for Extension educators funded through support from tips for homeowners for pre- ‘Add a splash of color to Put leaves and other garden torship. OSU's Project ECHO to discuss real cases of farmers ODAFF and the U.S. Depart- paring their lawns for winter. the landscape with fall flowers debris that do not have disease offers several training courses or ranchers in need of mental on topics, such as addiction ment of Agriculture. In addi- “There are a few things that such as asters, mums, pansies, into a compost bin. Compost is health assistance. Beaman an- medicine and pediatric psy- tion to the program, Arthur people should be doing with ornamental kale or snapdrag- great for enriching the soil in swers questions and directs said there are other resources their lawns and landscapes ons. chiatry. educators to therapists, physi- now to keep them healthy, so Prepare for spring color flowerbeds next spring. Heal the Harvester cians and other mental health available that also address the “We're in the slower-paced launched in October to help professionals. unique challenges of produc- they'll look great next spring,” by planting spring bulbs now, increase awareness of needs Damona Doye, associate tion agriculture. Hentges said. such as hyacinths, tulips and season of gardening, but these and resources to support rural vice president of OSU Exten- sion, said helping health care “Reach out, check in, light- Lower the lawnmower deck daffodils. tips will help ensure you're off residents experiencing mental to about 2.5 inches for that fi- Keep an eye out for dis- to a great start next spring,” health crises. providers reach people in rural ena load, have a conversation nal mowing of warm-season counted perennials at the local “Life in agriculture is some- areas where access is limited with a friend,” Arthur said grasses. This gives the lawn a garden center. Now is a good Hentges said. is a blessing to many families. OSU Extension offers addi- times tough and isolating,” Educators naturally connect “We are all in this together.” tidy look over the winter. time to get those planted in said Blayne Arthur, Oklahoma with farmers and ranchers, More information about Rake leaves off cool-season the garden so they'll look their tional gardening and landscape Secretary of Agriculture. “Pro- families and youth. Heal the Harvester is available lawns to maintain a strong, best next spring. information online. ducers are certainly some of “Addressing mental health online.