Overton County’s new Family Consumer Science Agent plans to promote health and self-improvement countywide.
Agent Olivia Deason said she will offer nutrition, home safety, financial literacy and human development classes. Deason said she hopes to make a positive impact on county health. Deason said she appreciates the themes and topics of her field, Family Consumer Sciences, hoping to connect others with learning new skills.
“So I enjoy cooking, and kind of the financial literacy aspect of it of budgeting and money management,” Deason said. “And also our education classes where there [was] physical pace, so physical education, physical activity classes.”
Deason said the field presents a way to learn skills with other people and improve one’s self. Deason said she is grateful for the position, happy to return to the county. Deason said she worked for Putnam County Extension as a 10-Step Program Assistant for three years before moving back to her home turf.
Deason said she aims to offer more local classes, hoping to add a financial literacy class for children and other physical wellness courses.
“It starts so young to be able to be able to teach them how to save and to give and to spend money in a proper and balanced way,” Deason said.
Deason said her plans center around research based curriculum and meeting locals where they are, traveling into the community to promote classes at various community centers.
Deason said she aims to build a curriculum that serves the community. Deason said there can be positive outcomes through learning skills and fostering group dynamics.
“I want the community to know that I’m here to serve them,” Deason said. “and I want them to know that they are welcome to stop by anytime, and I would be happy to help them, and to know that I’m here to help them with new skills and resources.”
Deason hopes to inform the public of how to properly inform the public of how to store their food safely, help them save money and have safe homes.