First, I have a professional interest in culinary nutrition, implementing recommendations from Dietary Guidelines for Americans by teaching families how to choose and prepare healthy foods. I also have an interest in safe food handling for consumers. One of the most effective ways to teach home food safety is through culinary nutrition programs. Through this, consumers learn to prepare food safely to prevent food borne illness. Second, I have a professional interest in teaching consumers safe home food preservation (i.e., canning, freezing and drying) to maximize their food resources, preserve quality, and prevent growth of pathogens such as Clostridium botulinum. Third, I believe food security is important for all citizens in Tennessee. I work to help families make smart decisions about ways they spend their food dollars, to help families use helpful shopping strategies, and to help them access federal and other food resources to stretch their food dollars.