Focus on Fiber

Every January at the start of the new year, many people make some kind of new year’s resolution centered around being healthier. I challenge you this year to not focus on losing weight but rather focus on fiber.

Eating a diet rich in fiber is important to living a healthy lifestyle and has many health benefits. Learn more

Ice melts help, but can be harmful.

Ice melts or de-icers can be very effective if used correctly. If they are overused or misapplied, they can damage the concrete and nearby lawns and shrubs.

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Growing Herbs Indoors

Picture a windowsill full of your favorite herbs.... Before you start an indoor herb garden, consider light, temperature, humidity, and some other factors.

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2024 topics just announced!

K-State Research and Extension horticulture staff from across the state of Kansas host this monthly webinar series on a variety of topics. Join in the first Wednesday of each month at noon via Zoom.

Browse upcoming episodes

Strengthening communities: Grant writing workshop planned

Individuals and community groups can learn more about writing successful grant proposals at Grant Writing 101 on Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm at 11811 South Sunset Drive in Olathe.

Cost is $60. Presented by: Nancy Daniels, Community Vitality Specialist at K-State Research and Extension

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Happy New Year!

January is a time of reflection; a time to revel in our past successes and make plans for the future. 

2023 was a stellar year! 

Highlights from 2023:

• 17 grants were awarded ($21,250) to EMFV, EMG, EMN, 4-H, VITA, and Office operations 
• EMG’s were the first county to host the International Master Gardener Conference. 1,128 attendees from 42 states and three countries enjoyed great programing all the while bringing notoriety not only to Johnson County but to our wonderful city! KC's not all cowboys and yellow brick roads! 

Our Extension provides an incredibly valuable service to our community.

That being said, this month we are in the midst of our membership drive for the JCEEF and hope you will consider joining. 

Why, you might ask? 

Our mission is to “create awareness and provide financial support for all of the Extension programs”. As a 501(c)(3) non- profit foundation, your membership dues go directly to fulfilling our mission. The funds stay in Johnson County and will be used to provide financial support for Johnson County, K-State Research and Extension programs therefore, improving the lives of Johnson County residents.

In 2024, our goal is to grow our program, to grow awareness of the great work that is done at our extension and to continue to enrich our community.

Please consider joining us in membership. Your membership is an investment in a program we all believe in.

Here’s to a great 2024!

Cheryl Hunt

JCEEF Board President

PS: Need something to do on these cold winter days? Visit the Extension Foundation section of our website. View the Infographic to learn about past grants, learn about the Signature Event, the grant process and check out the JCEEF newsletters.  

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Now in Johnson County!

4-H Alumna Dolly Parton turns age 78 on January 19. To celebrate, Johnson County 4-H is spotlighting the Imagination Library Program, Dolly's program that provides free books to children from birth to age five, regardless of income.

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January is Kansas Radon Action Month

The second leading cause of lung cancer might be lurking in your home. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas from the soil and become a health hazard when concentrated inside a home. More than one in four homes across Kansas has high radon. 

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Numbers for Better Health and Wealth

Your doctor must know certain numbers about you to assess your physical health, such as your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. To monitor your financial health, you also need to know certain numbers.

Get a financial health checkup by evaluating a few key indicators.

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Carpet Beetles

Though small in size, carpet beetles can cause significant damage to our homes and belongings. These tiny intruders are known for their penchant for consuming natural fibers, such as carpets, clothing, and upholstery.

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Individual Appreciation Award

This year we honor two recipients, Extension Master Food Volunteers Sherry Carter and Jean Porter. The pair developed Four-Course Living, a class that teaches adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities how to plan and prepare nutritious meals--a fundamental component of independent living.

The pair have helped train their peer EMFVs to work with this special population. In October, they traveled with Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health Agent Chelsea Reinberg to Wichita to speak on the program's behalf at the InterHab conference.

Business Appreciation Award

We extend a huge thanks to Family Tree Nursery, winner of our Business Appreciation Award for 2023. They truly went above and beyond in their support of the International Master Gardener Conference: growing and donating potted zinnias for table centerpieces and loaning dozens of beautiful plants to decorate the convention center.

Pictured here are Extension Master Gardeners Wendy Clay and Debbi Adams with Jonah Nelson from Family Tree Nursery.

Dennis Patton wins Outstanding Local Extension Professional Award

Finally, we want to again recognize Horticulture Agent Dennis Patton, winner of the Outstanding Local Extension Professional award for all of K-State Research and Extension for 2023. The award honors Dennis' facilitation of the International Master Gardener Conference, along with 40 years of service as an agent.  

Congratulations, Dennis, on the much-deserved award.

WITS Workout: Out with the Old

Monday, January 15, 2024

3 to 5 pm

Online via Zoom

You are never too young or old to start training your brain. As part of this course, participants will engage in 'pen and paper' activities designed to maintain and enhance cognitive function and memory. The activity themes of this session are old and new, and the training component addresses short-term memory.

Register Here