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November 2026
Your Land Grant University's Local Outreach
Research-based Information You Can Trust
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How Local Volunteers Make a Difference
November is the great time to honor those who dedicate their time and energy to serving others. Hear how three local Extension volunteers turn their interests and passions into action, where both givers and receivers thrive. Read More
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Volunteer Spotlight: Susie Mize Receives AARP Kansas' Highest Volunteer Honor
For 10 tax seasons, Susie Mize has helped lead Johnson County K-State Extension's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, expanding volunteer support and helping residents access free, accurate tax preparation. Her dedication earned her the 2026 AARP Kansas Andrus Award for Community Service, the organization's highest state-level volunteer honor, recognizing individuals whose service strengthens communities, improves lives and inspires others. Last year alone, VITA volunteers prepared 1,900 tax returns, helping taxpayers secure more than $2 million in refunds. Discover more about Susie's remarkable impact in this video featuring Susie and AARP Kansas' story.
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Self-Care for Caregivers
Caring for others can be rewarding, but it can also leave little time to care for yourself. As fall brings shorter days, changing routines, and the added demands of the approaching holiday season, caregivers may find themselves feeling physically tired, emotionally drained, or overwhelmed. Taking time to support your own well-being isn't selfish; it's an important part of being able to care for others. These five seasonal self-care strategies can help caregivers manage stress, maintain their health, and find moments of balance throughout the colder months. Learn More
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Keep Learning. Keep Growing. Keep Thriving.
Silver Clovers offers opportunities to explore the many dimensions of healthy, confident aging. This month’s classes cover everything from memory and mood to nutrition, financial security and estate planning—providing practical information and strategies you can put to work in everyday life. Learn more and register
| Nutrition, Food Safety and Health |
Nutrition and Mealtimes: Supporting a Person Living with Dementia
Eating well is important at every stage of life. For a person living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, getting enough food and fluids can become more challenging as the disease progresses. Learn how to better support mealtime when caring for an individual with dementia. Learn More
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Virtual Pie Baking 101
Learn the time-honored skills of pie baking & show them off at the holidays this year! We'll cover the basics of making, rolling, & handling pie dough in this hands-on workshop. Students will get to follow along and prepare the pie in the comfort of their own kitchen virtually! A list of needed supplies and ingredients will be provided in advance. Register
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Dig Your Dinner: Brussels Sprouts
Join Anthony Reardon, Horticulture – Small Farms agent, and Chelsea King, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health agent, as they explore growing Brussels sprouts at home, tips for preparing them in the kitchen, and their nutritional benefits. This is a virtual presentation. Register
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It Takes a Village to Raise a Child
A village is more than a group of people; it is a network of trusted relationships that offers encouragement, shares responsibilities, and helps families navigate both the joys and challenges of raising children with strong life skills. The 4-H Youth Development Program is built on the belief that young people thrive when they have opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with caring adults to impact their community. Want to know how 4-H can be a village for your family? Learn More
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4-H: A Network of Families That Grows Great Kids
The new 4-H year began October 1, making fall a great time for families to explore the opportunities available through 4-H! Enrollment is open year-round, so youth can join at any time. However, those who wish to participate in the Johnson County Fair must enroll by May 1.
4-H clubs bring together youth of different ages and interests to learn, grow and have fun. Most clubs meet once a month, giving members opportunities to make group decisions about community service, hear presentations from guest speakers and fellow members, and develop valuable skills in leadership, citizenship and public speaking. These experiences take place in a supportive environment built on youth-adult partnerships, and parents are encouraged to attend meetings and support their children's activities.
Youth who turn 7 before January 1 of the current 4-H year are eligible to enroll in the regular 4-H program. Younger children ages 5 and 6 can get an introduction to 4-H through Cloverbuds, a program designed especially for them.
Whether your child is ready to explore new interests, develop leadership skills or connect with other families in the community, 4-H offers opportunities to learn by doing.
Ready to learn more? Explore 4-H enrollment information and discover how your family can get involved. For information about the Cloverbuds program, click HERE For information on how to find a 4-H club, or program details, visit:
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Have 4-H Questions?
Contact us for answers. Call 913-715-7000
or email joco4-h@jocogov.org
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Wild Parents: Three Very Different Ways to Raise a Family
When we think about parenting, we probably picture humans doing everything from feeding babies to reading them a book. But humans aren't the only animals that invest time and energy into raising their young. In the animal world, parenting can look very different depending on the species. Learn More
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Leaves, Not Litter!
Are fallen leaves a fall cleanup chore or a valuable resource for your yard? In this episode of Planting the Plains, Johnson County K-State Extension Horticulture and Small Farms Agent Anthony Reardon shares how to rethink fallen leaves and put nature’s free resources to work in your landscape. Listen to the Podcast
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Your Garden Is Winding Down. Now Is the Time to Plan for Spring!
As the gardening season comes to a close, take time to find out what your soil needs before spring planting begins. A limited number of Johnson County households can receive a free enhanced Gardener’s Package as part of their annual soil test through a new pilot program. In addition to standard soil nutrient testing, this expanded analysis measures organic matter and nitrogen, providing valuable insight to help you plan soil improvements, make informed fertilizer decisions, and prepare for a healthier, more productive garden next season.
The pilot is funded through a grant from the Johnson County Government Wastewater Contain the Rain program. Availability is limited, and results can take 4–6 weeks, so don't wait until spring to get started! Visit our soil testing webpage for sampling instructions and information on submitting your soil sample.
Learn more
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Register
K-State Garden Hour Webinar: Houseplant Propagation and Care
Prepare your houseplants for the colder months ahead! Join Megin Jacques, Marshall County Extension Agent, to learn practical plant propagation techniques, including taking cuttings and dividing plants, along with tips for keeping your indoor plants healthy throughout the winter. Register
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Holiday Greens Arrangement Making Workshops
Class Description Update: The youth workshop description has been updated to reflect the correct activity: Creating a Holiday Tree Arrangement rather than a wreath. It was erroneously published last month as a wreath workshop.
Create something beautiful this holiday season! Join Kansas State University Floral Design Extension Specialist Irina Sheshukova on Saturday, December 5, for hands-on holiday floral design workshops.
Whether you're looking for a creative outing or a fun holiday activity for a young maker, these workshops offer an opportunity to learn professional floral design techniques, explore your creativity and create a festive holiday tree arrangement to take home.
Irina will guide participants step-by-step, sharing industry tips and techniques along the way. All supplies are included in registration.fee, so you can focus on creating, learning and enjoying the holiday spirit.
Register for the Youth (8-18) Class: Holiday Tree Arrangement Workshop for Youth
Register for the Adult (18+) Class: Holiday Wreath Workshop for Adults
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Office closures November 2026
Please note we will be closed on November 11th in observance of Veterans Day.
We will be closed on November 17th for professional development.
We are closed November 26 and November 27 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
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Did you know you can book an Extension speaker for your next meeting or community event?
Johnson County K-State Extension offers knowledgeable speakers through our Extension Master Gardener, Extension Master Naturalist, and Extension Master Food Volunteer programs as well as Extension Agents in all of our Program areas. Whether your group is interested in gardening, local food, wildlife and natural resources, family, finances, health, or nutrition and food safety, our volunteers and agents can share research-based information tailored to your audience. Bring the expertise of Extension to your next club meeting, civic group, or community gathering! Contact the office at 913-715-7000 or visit our website.
www.johnson.k-state.edu
| | Did you know we have archived videos from our Dig Your Dinner series on our YouTube channel? Catch up on the sessions you may have missed! | | | | | Did you know we also have program-specific e-newsletters you can sign up for? Click the button to learn more. | | |
Local Mission
K-State Extension, Johnson County is an organization of dedicated, passionate, hardworking individuals who collaborate and connect people through university-supported education, resources, and services, alongside volunteers, community, and partner organizations.
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K-State Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. Program information may be available in languages other than English. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, including alternative means for communication (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, and American Sign Language), may be requested by contacting the event contact, our main office, or the event's program leader four weeks prior to the start of the event at 913-715-7000. Please see the full Johnson County staff list for detailed contact information. Requests received after the program's deadline dates will be honored when it is feasible to do so. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to limited English proficient individuals upon request.
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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