eptember has been a great month to showcase the diversity of programs that we can offer with extension. Earlier this month, I was able to travel to Winfield to assist fellow agriculture agent, Elizabeth Espino, with a workshop designed to teach the basics about composting. This was a great program that was put on in conjunction with a local bluegrass festival going on in the area. It brought a diverse crowd spanning from several states. Elizabeth did a great job organizing this meeting, and as her mentor agent, I was glad to be a part of it and experience the wonderful work she is doing in Cowley County.
Also, this month I have helped with a couple different youth field days hosted by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Conservation Districts. In Montgomery County, I prepared a program on Kansas grains and provided the lesson to over 400 students. I also asked our new crop production agent, James Coover, to assist. This was a good way for him to get his feet wet and get to know the counties in the Wildcat District much better. He did a great job talking about the various uses of Kansas crops. I also helped provide a soil layers lesson to students at the Winfield Lake NRCS Field Day. Elizabeth Espino and I discussed the layers of soil and allowed the students to make edible soil.
Another program that I had worked on this month was a short two-day trapping school hosted in Caney. Rolling Prairie District agent, Jenny McDaniel, and I collaborated to bring Charlie Lee, Kansas State Wildlife Damage Control Specialist, to our area to provide the training. Charlie was able to set traps on property owned by Jenny’s family and this was used for an excellent demonstration. The first day of the school provided background information and techniques, and the second day involved heading out early and checking the traps set the day before. The meeting participants left with lots of valuable and useful knowledge and trapping techniques.
Extension is very unique in its ability to reach a broad audience because of the diversity of programs that we, as agents, can provide. I enjoyed the various programs of which I was able to be a part. From compost to kids to coyotes, there is never a dull day in extension.
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Crows
Trapping School
Harvest Compaction
Fall Soil Testing