We are Extension - Douglas County, KS Podcast

K-State Research and Extension Douglas County

"We Are Extension" is a podcast hosted by K-State Research and Extension, Douglas County, KS. It showcases all aspects of Extension, including various segments hosted by our office's staff! Every week will highlight a different program area that will bring you unique segments filled with seasonal research-based information for practical use and so much more! Look forward to learning something new as we all work towards making Douglas County, KS, a better place to live for all!

  1. 2025 Highlights and 2026 Aspirations

    11/24/2025

    2025 Highlights and 2026 Aspirations

    Welcome to the final episode for Season 1 of our "We are Extension" podcast! Sit back, relax, or do chores while listening to us in the background for this special year-end episode!  In this episode, Elesha, Communications Coordinator, speaks with some of the Douglas County, KS Extension staff and volunteers as they reflect on their highlights of the year and what they are looking forward to for 2026! Resources 4-H and Youth Development Agriculture Community Development  Community Health and Wellness Cooking Classes Extension Master Food Volunteers LiveWell of Douglas County Natural Resources Lawn and Garden Extension Master Gardeners Our Website Our Facebook  Our Instagram

    47 min
  2. Buying Food on a Budget - Thriving Together

    11/17/2025

    Buying Food on a Budget - Thriving Together

    It's rare to hear someone say, "Wow, that was cheap!" after going grocery shopping lately, us included! Everyone has different responsibilities and capacities when it comes to this shopping, meal planning, and more! This Thriving Together episode hopes to help you, no matter where you are in your food-prep / grocery-budget journey! Join in on the conversation as your hosts Kaitlyn Peine, Community Health and Wellness Extension Agent, and Ginny Barnard, LiveWell of Douglas County Executive Director, speak on timely and useful tips for "Buying Food on a Budget". They provide tips and tricks for meal planning, cooking once and eating multiple times, and smart store and kitchen practices! K- State Extension Resources The Well-Stocked Kitchen: Refrigerated and Frozen Foods - K-State Extension PDF The Well-Stocked Kitchen: Pantry and Nonrefrigerated Foods - K-State Extension PDF Cooking Basics: Make a Meal from What's on Hand - K-State Extension PDF Healthy Connections: Family Meals in a Snap - K-State Extension PDF Other Resources 5-Day Meal Planning Worksheet Mastering Mealtime: How Meal Planning Can Save Time and Money Eating Healthy on a Budget: The Ultimate Guide to Frugal Meal Planning Spend Smart. Eat Smart.

    23 min
  3. Building Capacity Through Partnership

    11/10/2025

    Building Capacity Through Partnership

    Enjoy another look behind the scenes of Extension! Our Director, Marlin Bates, is joined by Johnson County Extension Director, Tara Markley as they tackle the topic of partnership! "We can't do our jobs in isolation, especially when we want to achieve systemic and community-wide change. What does that successful partnership look like?"  Learn how both directors take on the responsibilities of building partnerships to positively impact their communities. In this episode, they discuss their past experience as co-facilitators who led discussions with their peers on this topic. They'll discuss: partnership strengths partnership roadblocks tips for building impactful relationships This episode is sure to benefit anyone whose work can benefit from establishing strong and lasting partnerships. Whether you are confident in forming a meaningful partnership or unsure, there is something to take away from today's podcast!  Resources Partnership Playbook: Initiating a Partnership - Michigan State University Extension Partnership Playbook: Strategies for Effective Collaboration - Michigan State University Extension PDF The Collaboration Continuum - Tamarack Institute Graph

    17 min
  4. Feed the Soil and the Soil will Feed You - Rooted in Ag

    11/03/2025

    Feed the Soil and the Soil will Feed You - Rooted in Ag

    We welcome back Margit K., our Agriculture Agent,  for another episode of Rooted in Ag! She is joined by her guest, Green Cover's Keith B., and they talk regenerative agriculture. More specifically, the cover crops side of regenerative agriculture and how they can build resilience, biologically, agronomically, and economically.  Learn how to be a "student of the soil" as these two experts talk about the benefits and a little about how to navigate the risks of transitioning over to regenerative agriculture. Our non-farmer listeners can enjoy a brief lesson on the soil and a little bit about all the hard work it does in the "farm to table" process!  Resources About Cover Crops Web Page Green Cover Free Educational Resources Soil Tests at Douglas County Extension Douglas County Conservation District Cost Share Programs Haney Test Interpretation Guide (PDF) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON OUR AGRICULTURE NEWS AND EVENTS PAGE

    27 min
  5. Framework to Build Leadership in Youth - Beyond Ready

    10/27/2025

    Framework to Build Leadership in Youth - Beyond Ready

    We all know the saying that every building needs a solid foundation to stand strong. However, it is seldom noted that the framework is also crucial in supporting the interconnected parts that carry the building's load. The same can be said for the youth in our community. Having a good foundation is just the start. Listen in as Nancy, our 4-H Youth Development Program Assistant, shares her experience with her co-host, 4-H alum, and daughter, Claire. Learn from the perspectives of both the parent and the child on how being raised in 4-H helped build a solid framework of skills that are being used well into adulthood. Resources 4-H Team Judging - Winning at Life Skills Kansas 4-H Photography Judging Contest Horse Judging - Kansas 4-H   Interested in joining 4-H, or simply learning more about it?  4-H of Douglas County Program Area Web Page

    16 min
  6. Collecting, Cleaning, and Sowing Seeds

    10/20/2025

    Collecting, Cleaning, and Sowing Seeds

    We hope you have "grown" fond of our weekly podcasts. If not, perhaps this wonderful new episode can help you change your mind! Our Horticulture and Natural Resources Agent, Sharon, and our Agriculture and Horticulture Program Assistant, Niki, host another episode of Beyond the Bloom. This time they are sharing information about a potential new fun hobby for some and interesting facts/tips for others! Listen in to learn more about the value and charm of collecting, cleaning, and sowing seeds! Resources Rutgers Cooperative Extension - Native Plant Seed Propagation Vinland Valley Nursery Demonstration Video Collecting and Sewing Seeds for Beginners - Article by Sharon Ashworth Prairie Moon Nursery stratification methods Learn More About Your Local Extension Unit Lawn and Garden Program Area Web Page Natural Resources Program Area Web Page Horticulture and Natural Resources News and Event Web Page   Follow Us on Social Media! Youtube Faebook Instagram

    16 min
  7. Safe Plates, Happy Gatherings!

    10/13/2025

    Safe Plates, Happy Gatherings!

    Your favorite Health and Wellness friends are back. Listen in as Kaitlyn and Ginny discuss simple yet important ways to safely prepare food for large gatherings. What should be left out at room temperature? How long should I let this thaw? Should my out-of-state relatives bring food? What are the "must-have" tools for food prep? They have the answers, resources, and more on this week's Thriving Together! Hosts Kaitlyn Peine, Community Health and Wellness Extension Agent Ginny Barnard, LiveWell of Douglas County Executive Director Douglas County Community Health and Wellness Web Page and Resources LiveWell of Douglas County Official Website Resources Leftovers and Food Safety Rapid Response Center Thawing and Preparing Turkey Safely - Rapid Response Center Web Page At-Home Safe Food Handling: It's in Your Hands - PDF Food Safety Outdoors – Barbecue and Grilling Web Page FoodSafety.gov Website K-State Extension Food Safety U.S. Food & Drug Administration: Food Safety for Consumers Upcoming local Extension Food-Based programming: October 27 - Comfort Food Cooking Class Information and Registration October 29 - Cooking for 1 and 2! Tips, Tricks, and Tasty Recipes

    24 min
  8. We Show our Real Colors at Extension!

    10/06/2025

    We Show our Real Colors at Extension!

    Green. Blue. Yellow. Orange. Which color are you? Join Marlin and his co-host, Elesha, as they discuss a Community Development resource available to organizations within our community upon request, "Real Colors." Real Colors is a personality type test workshop experience that not only facilitates introspection but also aids participants in how they view and communicate with others. Fun, engaging, effective, and available for you in Douglas County, Kansas!  Hosts Marlin Bates, Community Development Agent and Douglas County Extension Director Elesha Hazel, Communications Coordinator Resources About Real Colors  Email Marlin for more information or to request him to facilitate this training for your organization. batesm@ksu.edu  Community Development Program Area

    21 min
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About

"We Are Extension" is a podcast hosted by K-State Research and Extension, Douglas County, KS. It showcases all aspects of Extension, including various segments hosted by our office's staff! Every week will highlight a different program area that will bring you unique segments filled with seasonal research-based information for practical use and so much more! Look forward to learning something new as we all work towards making Douglas County, KS, a better place to live for all!

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