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March 2026
Your Land Grant University's Local Outreach
Research-based Information You Can Trust
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JoCo Unite in Action: Expanding Awareness, Strengthening Impact
For more than 100 years, Johnson County K-State Extension has worked alongside residents to strengthen families, businesses, and communities. Yet even with a long history dating back to 1917, many neighbors may not realize the full range of resources available to them. With our new pilot strategic plan, JoCo Unite, we are focusing on increasing awareness, deepening connections, and ensuring Extension is easy to find, easy to access, and ready to serve. Learn More
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Nature's "Spring Cleaners"
Imagine walking through a forest on a spring day. You probably will notice the new buds on the trees and sounds of birds singing around you. What you might not notice is a transformation that occurs continuously throughout the year but ramps up in early spring. Below the soil and among last year’s fallen leaves, an invisible workforce is hard at work. These are the decomposers and detritivores that break down dead plants and animals, recycling their nutrients back into the soil. Without them, our forests would drown in their own debris, and new life would struggle to grow. It’s time to explore nature’s “spring cleaners." Learn More
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Join us for these Natural Resources Classes
- Managing Land for Wildlife with KDWP | March 10, 6:00 PM In-person
Get practical tips for creating and improving habitat on your property whether you have a backyard or acreage. Register now! Sign up here
- Backyard Forest Management with the Kansas Forest Service | March 24, 6:00 PM | Virtual
Does your yard back up to woods? Do you live in an HOA that has wooded areas? Let's explore how to make your wooded property healthier.
Join EJ Jamison, Kansas Forest Service District Forester for Northeast Kansas, as she discusses invasive species management and proper woodland management practices for Johnson County. Sign up here
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Watch the video of the Backyard Prairie: Winter Session
Missed the Winter Session? You can still catch up. If you’d like a refresher on site preparation, design considerations, and foundational prairie principles, the recording is available below:
🎥 https://youtu.be/zNhLNM9mkck?si=Kdq6AuDIjs-2XvZr
Join us this spring as we grow stronger landscapes, support pollinators, and build more resilient backyards — one prairie at a time.
Backyard Prairie – Spring Session Registration Now Open.
Virtual program | FREE | April 7 | 6 PM- 7 PM
Spring is the perfect time to bring your prairie plans to life.
Registration is now open for the Backyard Prairie Spring Session.
Whether you're just getting started or continuing your prairie journey, this session will provide practical guidance to help your habitat thrive. Register
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Mark Your Calendars for June 18th!
Step into a Summer of Wonder at Wonders of Discovery!
Experience the prairie at its peak bloom during Wonders of Discovery, Johnson County’s National Pollinator Week celebration. Hosted by the Johnson County Extension Master Naturalists, this free, family-friendly event takes place at the Pollinator Prairie (320 S. Blake Street, Olathe).
Stroll through vibrant native gardens buzzing with bees, butterflies, and a variety of birds, flowers and pollinators, while exploring hands-on exhibits about Kansas native plants, pollinators, and gardening for wildlife. With interactive games and activities for kids, there’s something to spark curiosity in every age.
Did you know pollinators are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we eat? These tiny but mighty creatures need healthy habitats — and we can help.
Bring your family, invite a friend, and come discover the beauty, science, and community connection waiting on the prairie.
The Pollinator Prairie is open daily from sunrise to sunset and features an accessible trail winding through four native plant gardens — but there’s nothing quite like seeing it alive during peak bloom! Learn More
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Spring Clean Your Kitchen: Refresh Your Space, Protect Your Health
Spring cleaning is a great time to declutter your home and create a healthier environment. Your kitchen is a great first place to start! In 2024, the average person spent 1.24 hours—or 74.4 minutes—per day eating and drinking, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics American Time Use Survey. Creating an organized and clean kitchen helps support healthier eating habits, reduce food waste, increase motivation to prepare meals, and reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Read more
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Walk Kansas 2026 is here with exciting updates!
Walk Kansas is back for 2026!
Start gathering your team — coworkers, friends, family — or participate on your own. A little friendly competition makes healthy habits more fun!
Registration in Johnson County opened February 25 and will go through March 31.
Program runs March 22 – May 16
Start planning your path today — who’s on your team? Learn More
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Discover the secrets to growing asparagus at home with Anthony Reardon, Horticulture – Small Farms agent, and Chelsea King, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health agent. They’ll cover planting, care, and harvest tips, plus the nutritional benefits of this springtime favorite. Register
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Veggies Made Interesting Class
We all know vegetables are healthy. That’s not the problem. The problem is staring at a pile of zucchini and thinking… now what?
Maybe you grew them yourself after taking our Fruits & Veggies classes. Or maybe you were irresistibly drawn in by a gorgeous farmers market display. All those vibrant peppers, leafy greens, and perfectly stacked tomatoes were calling your name. (We’ve all been there.)
Whether they came from your backyard or a market tote bag, the real question is: what are you going to do with them?
Veggies Made Interesting is your creative rescue plan. In this hands-on class, we’ll explore simple techniques and delicious recipes that transform everyday vegetables into crave-worthy sauces and dips, quick breads (yes, zucchini counts), easy side dishes, and snackable favorites the whole family will actually reach for.
Because vegetables shouldn’t feel like a chore — and they definitely shouldn’t go to waste in the back of the fridge. Enroll today and turn that beautiful produce into meals you’ll be excited to make again.
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Earth-Friendly Ideas for Lawns, Gardens, and Communities-Healthy Yards Expo Returns April 11th!
Looking for practical, earth-friendly ways to improve your lawn or garden this season? Join us for the Healthy Yards Expo, a free community event featuring expert advice, hands-on learning, and family-friendly activities. First 150 visitors receive a free native tree! Johnson County residents, remember to bring your soil sample for free testing! Learn More
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K-State Garden Hour is offered on the first Wednesday of every month
Learn how Kansans perceive and implement a naturalistic landscape design style. Join Dr. Cheryl Boyer, Horticulture Extension Specialist, as she highlights flexible approaches to blending native and modern plants and applies landscape design principles that work for any size garden. Gain inspiration and actionable ideas for overcoming the common challenges of creating resilient, beautiful, naturalistic landscapes. Register
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Spring must be close, our Garden Hotline returns to regular hours
Our Master Gardeners are returning to regular daily hours on the gardening hotline starting March 2! The Johnson County K‑State Research & Extension Gardening Hotline is staffed by trained Master Gardeners and horticulture staff ready to help with all your lawn and garden questions. From soil and seeding to trees and pests. Bring in soil samples, ask about planting and care, or get help diagnosing problems. You can call, email, or stop by in person for research-based advice that helps your garden thrive. Learn More
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Growing Growers
If you are interested in taking your growing operation to the next level, K-State offers the Growing Growers program for aspiring specialty crop growers, with applications due on March 12th. Two tracks are offered in this program: the ‘Explore Farming’ track, which allows access to all course materials, workshops, and farm tours, and the ‘Farm Apprenticeship’ track, which allows the same in addition to being paired with a host farm for hands-on experience for a year. More information on Growing Growers can be found in the graphic above or in this link.
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Fruits and Veggies Gardening Class Series
With warmer days and spring sunshine finally on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to start dreaming about fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and homegrown flavor straight from your backyard. Whether you’re planting your very first garden or looking to sharpen your skills, join Anthony Reardon, Johnson County Horticulture Small Farms Extension Agent, for practical, hands-on classes designed to set you up for success. The Basics of Vegetable Gardening will walk you through essential plant care. From watering and fertilization to pruning and pest management, so you can keep your garden thriving all season long. Then, discover how to grow more while spending less in Veggie Gardening on a Budget, where you’ll learn cost-effective strategies for starting seeds, building healthy soil, reusing materials, and making the most of your space. This spring, plant with confidence and grow smarter from the start. These are in-person classes with plenty of time for Q&A. Only $3.00! March 24th and April 6th. Register
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Healthy Plants Begin Below the Surface
Before you plant a single seed, remember that every successful garden starts from the ground up. Healthy, productive vegetables depend on healthy soil. Understanding what’s happening beneath the surface is the true foundation of success. A simple soil test takes the guesswork out of gardening by revealing exactly what your soil needs (and what it doesn’t), helping you grow stronger plants, reduce waste, and avoid unnecessary inputs. As you plan your spring garden, take a few minutes to dig a little deeper. Your harvest will thank you. Learn more
| | | | Are you counting down the days? The Johnson County Extension Master Gardener Public Garden Tour returns in a few short months! Ticket sales begin on March 15th! Mark your calendars and watch our website for updates! 2026 dates are June 12th & 13th. This exclusive, every-other-year event always sells out. While tickets don’t officially open until March 15, you can start the excitement now. Watch our sneak peek video for a taste of what’s to come. Just enough to tease the beauty, creativity, and inspiration found along the tour. We can’t show you everything (that’s part of the magic), and honestly… we wish there was smell-o-vision because these gardens are even better in person! Learn More | | |
Finding Your Own Pot of Gold: A Practical Guide to Financial Checkups
With St. Patrick’s Day reminding us of rainbows, shamrocks, and the legendary pot of gold, it’s tempting to hope that luck alone might brighten our financial future. But real‑world financial security depends far more on habits, planning, and awareness than on chance. Think of a financial checkup as your own treasure map—one that doesn’t rely on leprechauns or luck, but on clear goals, good decisions, and steady progress. Read More
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WITS Workout: Women in Herstory celebrates remarkable women throughout history while exploring the power of long-term memory. Through engaging activities and practical strategies, participants learn how the brain stores information and how to better retain the people, events, and lessons that shape our world.
March 9 | 12:30-1:45 PM
Register
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New Class! Gnome Mug Rug
What is a mug rug? It is usually defined as being bigger that a coaster but smaller than a placemat. This provides room for a mug plus a cookie or two.
March 24 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Register
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FREE Tax Filing Assistance
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) offers FREE, IRS-certified tax preparation for individuals and families who qualify. Trained volunteers help ensure your return is filed accurately and you receive all eligible credits, at no cost.
When: Wednesdays & Thursdays & Saturdays starting Feb. 4.
For more specifics, click on the box above, scan the code, or visit: Tax Preparation
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Spring into Action: Grow Your Skills While Giving Back
Spring growth isn’t just for the garden. Spring reminds us that we also have a chance for personal growth and development through volunteering. Read More
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Helping Youth Grow Through Financial Literacy
Financial literacy is a powerful tool that helps families build confidence and make informed money decisions. By learning essential skills like budgeting, saving, and smart spending, youth can develop habits that support lifelong financial success. Everyday moments and resources like CLOVER by National 4-H can help prepare families for a successful financial future. Read more here
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Helping Youth Declutter Stress This Spring
Spring brings a season of renewal with longer days, warmer weather, and the tradition of cleaning out clutter. While we often focus on organizing our homes, mental clutter deserves just as much attention, especially for kids and teens. Through positive youth development programs like 4-H, we know that when young people feel supported, connected, and equipped with life skills, they are better able to manage stress and thrive.
Youth today face increasing academic, social, and emotional pressures. Some are navigating trauma, family changes, instability, or simply the everyday challenges of growing up. By helping youth understand stress, recognize its signs, and develop healthy coping tools, we are building skills that serve them for a lifetime. Read More
| | | | | There’s always something happening with Extension! Our website features an ever-changing lineup of classes and events designed to help you learn, grow, and connect with your community. Take a look and see what interests you! | | | 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. | | Did you like what you read? Is there something we missed? Are there topics you would like to learn more about? Do you have any suggestions on how to make our monthly communication with our readers more impactful? Please let us know your thoughts and suggestions by filling out the short survey below. | | |
We are dedicated to a safe, sustainable, competitive food and fiber system and to strong healthy communities, families, and youth through integrated research, analysis, and education.
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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