Knowledge for Life


May 2024

Research-based information you can trust

Lawn and Garden

See you at the Public Garden Tour!


Tour six of the most beautiful private gardens in Johnson County on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18. Early Bird Pricing at just $25 per ticket is good through the end of today!


Purchase tickets here


Bonus stops this year:

  • The Garden Gallery Demonstration Garden showcases plants and design ideas you can use at home.
  • Shop the Garden Thyme Marketplace with hand-made garden products including mosaic birdhouses and mushrooms, concrete stepping stones, beaded plant stakes, art poles, flower pots, and more.
  • Check out the Extension Expo featuring booths with free resources on a variety of topics, from gardening to nature, cooking to health.


Learn more about the Public Garden Tour.

Timely Topics:

We are hiring a Horticulture Extension Agent to lead educational programming related to commercial landscapes, home lawn care, and ornamentals here in Johnson County. This agent will also manage the Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners, a thriving program of 492 volunteers who maintain nine community demonstration gardens. Applications are due May 14. Learn more

Become an Extension Master Gardener


Are you passionate about gardening, learning, and giving back to your community? Consider becoming a Johnson County Extension Master Gardener.


We are hosting an informational session about the program on May 1 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM at the Extension Office (Sunset Drive Office Building, 11811 S. Sunset Drive in Olathe). Learn more

Volunteer in the Sunset Community Garden on Tuesday mornings



The Sunset Community Garden educates and grows food for the community. We are looking for garden volunteers to help out Tuesday mornings. No garden experience is required (though closed-toed shoes are!). Learn more


Sunset will host three pop-up markets this summer! These events are open to the public offering pay-as-you-can produce grown right on site. Mark your calendars for Tuesdays at lunchtime: June 11, July 9, and August 13.

Spots still available for kids' Gardening Workshop in June

Saturday, June 8

10 AM to Noon

The Extension Master Gardeners will host a gardening workshop for 4th- and 5th-grade students, as well as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts working on their Gardening Merit Badges.

Learn gardening basics, visit a demonstration garden, design a butterfly garden, and more. Class fee is $8. Learn more

You have questions. The Gardening Hotline has answers.


Our Extension Master Gardeners staff the Gardening Hotline, ready to take your questions. Contact us for answers about your yard, garden, trees, shrubs, pests, and lots of other topics. Call (913) 715-7050 (9 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday) or email your questions to: garden.help@jocogov.org.

Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health

eggs image

Debunking Three Common Myths About Eggs


It was believed for a long time that we should limit egg consumption due to their cholesterol content. It was thought that eating too many eggs would lead to cardiovascular disease. The latest research debunks that myth.


Learn more about eggs, a great source of protein and nutrients.

Try a cooking class!


If you're in a food rut or looking to try something new, our Cooking Classes are fun and span a variety of cooking topics and styles.


We've got an Air Fryer Gadget class, Picnic/Camping, and Summer Frozen Treats. (Samples and recipes are included.)

Have nutrition, food safety, or health questions?

 

Contact us for answers. Call (913) 715-7000 or email

foodhelp@jocogov.org

4-H Youth Development

Partnerships with local educators lead to success


In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we are highlighting some of the wonderful partnerships that Johnson County 4-H and Johnson County Extension have had the privilege of building with local educators.


We appreciate all the opportunities that local educators allow to bring 4-H and Extension resources into the classroom! Learn more

We are hiring a 4-H Event and Communications Coordinator!


This part-time position works with the Johnson County 4-H team and will coordinate events and communications throughout the year. Applications are due May 9. Learn more

Family and Community Wellness

Plan, Prepare, and Protect Your Pet Before, During, and After an Emergency


When it comes to planning for emergencies, pet owners should consider their pets, too. By making simple preparations now, you can ensure your pet's safety, health, and protection during any emergency. Learn more

Natural Resources

Making the Most of What's Available


In Urban and Suburban environments, wildlife habitat can sometimes be sparse and isolated.


A 2022 study by Megan Garfinkel identified utility pole corridors as potential solutions to expand available wildlife habitat -- but only if these sites are managed correctly. Learn more

poles image

April showers = a rescheduled pond class in May!


Wildlife Management Aquatic Specialist Joe Gerken returns in a few weeks for an in-person workshop on how to manage a pond for fishing. Hour-long presentation will be followed by a hands-on look at multiple fishing ponds. Learn more

Wild Kids! Summer Camps for 2024


Our local Junior Extension Master Naturalist program provides youth ages 7-14 opportunities to learn more about natural resources.


This summer we are hosting Saturday field trips at locations across the county to learn about specific topics like Reading Nature, Wildlife & Habitats, Rocks & Fossils, and more. Class fee is just $5 -- fun guaranteed.

Learn more

Party on the Prairie -- Save the Date!


Wonders of Discovery

Friday, June 21, 9 AM to 2 PM

Pollinator Prairie in Olathe


Join the Extension Master Naturalists and learn about the wonders of pollination at this family-friendly event in conjunction with National Pollinator Week. Learn more

Silver Clovers (ages 50+)

WITS Workout: Songbirds


Monday, May 6, 2024

Two identical afternoon sessions, online via Zoom


WITS Workout is an online, small group "workout," -- an opportunity to let your brain try new things. This month's activities relate to either songs and birds in theme, and we will focus on staying connected to others as a contributing factor in brain health.

More upcoming events for Silver Clovers:


We have classes on a variety of topics, including Understanding Social Security, Getting Better Sleep, and Medicare: An In-Depth Look.

Silver Clovers from Johnson County Extension offers special opportunities for adults ages 50 and older.

Johnson County Extension Education Foundation

Save the date for the JCEEF Signature Event!


Saturday, August 24, 2024


Please join us for this annual fundraiser, which includes live music, a live and silent auction, dinner, desserts, drinks, and fun! All proceeds fund grant projects that extend Extension work into the community. Learn more

Volunteer with Extension

Are you looking for a way to give back to your community, while having some fun and learning new skills? Explore our many Extension volunteer opportunities, including three K-State Master Programs. We would love to have you!

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Upcoming Events | view complete list here

Lawn & Garden Events

May 1: Information Session: Becoming an Extension Master Gardener


May 7, 14, 21, and 28: Sunset Community Garden Tuesday morning volunteer workdays


May 1: K-State Garden Hour Webinar Series: Understanding Water Sources for Your Garden (virtual)


May 15: Dig Your Dinner: All About Onions (virtual)


May 17 and 18: Public Garden Tour


June 8: Kids' Gardening Workshop

Family and Community Wellness Events

May 13: Understanding Social Security


May 21: Sleep: Want It, Need It, Get It


May 23: Medicare: An In-Depth Look


June 3: Your Valuable Records


June 6: Understanding Social Security

Agriculture / Natural Resources Events

May 4: Flint Knapping 101 (FULL)


May 14: Managing a Fishing Pond (rescheduled from April's rain-out)


June 8: Wild Kids! Summer Program: How to Read Nature


June 21: Wonders of Discovery

Nutrition, Health, and Food Events

May 4: Kitchen Restore Drive


May 15: Dig Your Dinner: All About Onions (virtual)


May 17: Kitchen Restore Drive


May 21: Air Fryer Gadget Class


May 23: Four-Course Living


June 10-13: Food, Fitness, Fun Camp (ages 7-12)


June 25-27: Kids in the Kitchen: Cooking Up Something: Session 1 (ages 7-10)


July 9-11: Kids in the Kitchen: Cooking Up Something: Session 2 (ages 11-15)

Community Vitality

May 1: First Friday e-Call: Two Ways to Scale Up Small businesses and how SBA can help (virtual)


Silver Clovers (Ages 50+)

May 6: WITS Workout: Songbird (virtual)


May 13: Understanding Social Security


May 21: Sleep: Want It, Need It, Get It


May 23: Medicare: An In-Depth Look


June 3: Your Valuable Records


View all Events
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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 staff who collaborate and connect people with university supported education, resources, and services – through volunteers, community, and partner organizations.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. ​

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.​

www.johnson.k-state.edu