Cherokee County K-State Extension

Cherokee County K-State Extension Our office is located at 124 W. Country Rd in Columbus KS. Office hours are M-F, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If you have questions, please contact [email protected].

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06/01/2026

Our phones are now working.

06/01/2026

Our phone system is currently down. We will let you know when we are back up and running.

LAST CHANCE!!🍓 Don’t miss your chance to preserve the season!Our research-based Canning Workshop is almost full. Learn t...
06/01/2026

LAST CHANCE!!
🍓 Don’t miss your chance to preserve the season!
Our research-based Canning Workshop is almost full. Learn the safe, tested way to can with confidence!
📅 June 6 | ⏰ Deadline June 1 (that's today!)
📞 620-429-3849

🚜🌞 Farm Safety Starts at Home This Summer! 🌾👨‍👩‍👧‍👦As school lets out, kids will be spending more time around farms, and...
05/31/2026

🚜🌞 Farm Safety Starts at Home This Summer! 🌾👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
As school lets out, kids will be spending more time around farms, and that means safety needs to be top of mind for all ages.
✅ Create safe play areas away from equipment and active work zones
✅ Protect young ears from loud machinery noise
✅ Remember: grain bins and grain carts are never play areas
✅ Ensure youth get proper training before operating equipment or ATVs
✅ Model safe behavior, kids are always watching!
✅ Have a clear emergency plan and talk through it regularly
Farm life teaches responsibility and strong work ethic, but it also comes with unique risks. Taking a few extra steps now can help keep your family safe all summer long.

🌿 Leaves of Three? Let It Be! 🌿Poison ivy is more common than you might think. It’s found in every county in Kansas! Kno...
05/30/2026

🌿 Leaves of Three? Let It Be! 🌿
Poison ivy is more common than you might think. It’s found in every county in Kansas! Knowing how to identify it is key to avoiding an uncomfortable rash.
👀 What to look for:
• Clusters of three leaflets
• The center leaflet has a small stem, while the two side leaves attach directly
• Can grow in different ways…as a ground cover, climbing vine, or shrub
🌳 Stay aware outdoors:
When exploring parks, trails, or wooded areas, take a moment to check your surroundings, especially near trees and brushy areas. A quick look can help you avoid unwanted contact.
✅ Simple rule to remember: “Leaves of three, let it be!”
To learn more: https://extension.k-state.edu/news-and-publications/news/stories/2025/05/horticulture-poison-ivy.html

🌱🍓 Plant to Plate Camp – Register Now! 🍓🌱Calling all young gardeners and future chefs! 👩‍🌾👨‍🍳Plant to Plate is a fun, ha...
05/29/2026

🌱🍓 Plant to Plate Camp – Register Now! 🍓🌱
Calling all young gardeners and future chefs! 👩‍🌾👨‍🍳
Plant to Plate is a fun, hands-on gardening & cooking camp for kids ages 9–12. Participants will dig in the dirt, harvest fresh ingredients, and turn them into tasty recipes!
📅 July 28–30
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
💲 $15 per child
Spots are limited, so don’t miss this opportunity for kids to learn where food comes from (and have fun doing it)! Must be able to attend all three days. Skills taught daily build on each other.
👉 Register by calling the office: 620.429.3849

Thinking About Home Canning? Make Sure You’re Doing It Safely!
It’s time to sign up for our hands-on canning workshop, designed for anyone 13 years and older who wants to learn proper, research-based home canning methods.
Why does this matter?
Not all canning methods are created equal. Using outdated or untested techniques can put your food and your health at risk. In this class, you’ll learn science-backed canning practices that ensure your food is safe, shelf-stable, and high quality. No guesswork. No myths. Just trusted information you can rely on.
Learn why specific steps and processing times matter
Gain confidence using research-tested recipes and methods
Preserve your food safely while protecting your family
Registration Deadline: June 1, 2026
Call to Register: 620-429-3849
Spaces are limited, so don’t wait! Join us and learn how to can with confidence, because safe food starts with research-based information.

🌳🍎 🍑🌿It can be tempting to let your fruit trees produce as much as possible, but when it comes to young trees, less is a...
05/28/2026

🌳🍎 🍑🌿
It can be tempting to let your fruit trees produce as much as possible, but when it comes to young trees, less is actually more!
K-State horticulture expert Matt McKernan recommends thinning fruit now to help trees stay strong and produce larger, sweeter fruit in the future.
👉 Why thin fruit?
✅ Prevents branches from breaking under heavy weight
✅ Helps fruit grow larger and better quality
✅ Supports stronger, healthier trees for years to come
🍏 Quick Thinning Tips:
• Apples & pears: Keep fruit 6–8 inches apart (leave ONE per cluster!)
• Peaches: Space about 6–8 inches apart
• Plums/prunes: 4–5 inches apart
• Apricots: 2–4 inches apart
🚫 Cherries don’t need thinning; just regular pruning!
✂️ When & how:
• Start when the fruit is about the size of a nickel
• Gently remove extras by hand or with clippers
🍇 Don’t forget berries!
Blackberries and raspberries benefit from tipping (removing the top 1–2 inches when canes reach 2–3 feet tall). This simple step can lead to 3–5 times more fruit next year!
💡 Research-based tip: Taking time to thin and manage your plants now helps improve fruit size, sweetness, and long-term production.
🌱 Have questions about your garden? Reach out to your local K-State Extension office. We’re here to help!
To read the full article, check it out here: https://extension.k-state.edu/news-and-publications/news/stories/2026/05/horticulture-fruit-trees.html

05/27/2026

🌱 Gardeners: It’s Go Time for Onions & Tomatoes! 🍅
If you’ve got onions and tomatoes in the ground, now is the time to help them thrive! A recent K-State Extension update shares a few key tips to finish the season strong:
🧅 Onions
• Growing rapidly right now, keep soil evenly moist
• Apply light fertilizer if needed (but stop once bulbs begin forming)
• Don’t worry if bulbs rise above the soil, that’s completely normal!
🍅 Tomatoes
• Add mulch once soils are warm to help retain moisture
• Mulch helps reduce w**ds, prevent disease, and regulate soil temp
• Use straw, hay, or grass clippings (just be cautious of w**d seeds or herbicide residue)
✅ Consistent care now can make a big difference in your harvest!
Learn more about tomatoes here:https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/tomatoes_MF312.pdf

Kindness is more than just being nice… it’s GOOD for your health!Did you know acts of kindness don’t just help others, t...
05/26/2026

Kindness is more than just being nice… it’s GOOD for your health!
Did you know acts of kindness don’t just help others, they benefit you, too?
🧠 Research shows that intentional kindness can:
✨ Reduce stress and tension
❤️ Improve heart health
😊 Boost mood and emotional well-being
🤝 Strengthen relationships and connections
When we’re in kind, supportive environments, our bodies actually relax and release oxytocin, the “feel good” hormone that supports overall health.
🌱 Small acts = BIG impact
✔️ Check in with a friend or coworker
✔️ Hold the door or offer a smile
✔️ Grab someone a coffee
✔️ Take a moment to really listen
Kindness doesn’t have to be random; you can even plan it! Adding small acts of kindness to your day can create a ripple effect in your home, workplace, and community. 💡
Let’s build healthier, happier communities, one kind act at a time!
Check out our Kindness Matters fact sheet here: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/kindness-matters-fact-sheet_MF3697

Address

124 W Country Road
Columbus, KS
66725

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+16204293849

Website

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