K-State Extension - Cherokee County

K-State Extension - Cherokee County 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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🌱🍴 Plant to Plate – Day 2 Spotlight! 🍴🌱What will campers learn on Day 2? 👇On Day 2 of Plant to Plate, youth will roll up...
06/13/2026

🌱🍴 Plant to Plate – Day 2 Spotlight! 🍴🌱
What will campers learn on Day 2? 👇
On Day 2 of Plant to Plate, youth will roll up their sleeves and dive deeper into hands-on gardening AND cooking skills!
✨ Participants will:
🌿 Learn how to care for growing plants and understand what helps them thrive
🥕 Harvest fresh ingredients (when available!) and see the garden-to-table connection
🔪 Practice basic kitchen skills like measuring, chopping, and following a recipe
🍽️ Create a simple, delicious dish using fresh, healthy ingredients
💡 Discover how food fuels their bodies with research-based nutrition lessons from K-State Extension
It’s all about building confidence in the kitchen AND the garden while having fun! Research shows that youth who are involved in gardening and cooking are more likely to try new foods, develop healthy habits, and feel confident preparing meals.

👉 Want your child to be part of this experience?
Spots are limited and campers must attend all 3 days!
📅 July 28–30
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
💲 $15 per child
👉 Register by calling the office: 620.429.3849

🌾 Join Us for a Pasture Walk with Cherokee County NRCS! 🐄Interested in improving your pasture health and livestock nutri...
06/13/2026

🌾 Join Us for a Pasture Walk with Cherokee County NRCS! 🐄
Interested in improving your pasture health and livestock nutrition? Come spend the morning with us learning in the field!
✅ Learn to identify grasses and weeds in your pasture
✅ Understand the role of legumes and forbs in forage quality
✅ Discover the benefits of prescribed burning, including:
• Better pasture management
• Controlling unwanted species
• Encouraging healthy forage growth

📅 June 29th | 10:00 AM
📍 Columbus Research Farm Fields
2382 NW 20th, Columbus, KS
👉 RSVP by June 26th!
Contact Clayton Lester
📞 620-429-3849
📧 [email protected]
Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn practical tips you can apply right away! 🌱

Yesterday’s summer school visit in Galena focused on building early financial literacy skills, an essential part of yout...
06/12/2026

Yesterday’s summer school visit in Galena focused on building early financial literacy skills, an essential part of youth development.

Students listened to Milton the Money Savvy Pup, a story that introduces concepts like earning, saving, and making thoughtful spending decisions. We reinforced these ideas through coin identification, a money song the students sang to me, and a cut‑and‑paste activity designed to strengthen recognition and decision‑making.

Research shows that early exposure to financial concepts helps children develop stronger problem‑solving and real‑world readiness. We’re proud to support these students with engaging, age‑appropriate learning experiences.

🐰 Rabbits in the Garden? Here’s What You Can Do! 🌱Spring gardens can attract some unwanted visitors, especially hungry r...
06/11/2026

🐰 Rabbits in the Garden? Here’s What You Can Do! 🌱
Spring gardens can attract some unwanted visitors, especially hungry rabbits! 🐇 While they love tender plants, there are a few simple, research-based ways to protect your garden:
✅ Fencing – Use a fine mesh (1” or smaller) and at least 2 feet tall
✅ Floating Row Covers – Protect plants while still letting in sunlight and water
✅ Repellents – May help, but need frequent reapplication
✅ Live Trapping – Works best when relocated several miles away
✅ Motion Sprinklers – Surprise visitors with a quick burst of water 💦
Good news! Rabbits tend to avoid crops like tomatoes, potatoes, corn, squash, cucumbers, and some peppers!
📩 Have questions about garden pests? Reach out to your local Extension office, we’re here to help with research-based solutions!

🍽️ Stretch Your Grocery Budget! Start with Your Pantry! 💰Looking to save money and reduce food waste? Start by “shopping...
06/10/2026

🍽️ Stretch Your Grocery Budget! Start with Your Pantry! 💰
Looking to save money and reduce food waste? Start by “shopping” your own kitchen first! 🥫🍝🥕
Research-based guidance from K-State Extension shows that meals don’t have to follow a strict recipe, think of recipes as a roadmap, not a rulebook.
✅ Check what you already have on hand
✅ Mix and match ingredients by category (protein, veggies, starch)
✅ Create easy meals like stir-fries, soups, casseroles, or skillet meals
With just a few basics, you can turn what’s in your pantry or freezer into a complete, nutritious meal saving both time and money! 💡
✨ Tip: Don’t have the exact ingredient? No problem, substitute with what you have and get creative!
📌 Want simple, flexible meal ideas your family will love? This resource shows how to build meals using what’s already in your kitchen.
For the full guide on how to cook from your pantry look here:
https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/making-a-meal-from-whats-on-hand-cooking-basics_MF3534

Join Us for a Pasture Walk with Cherokee County NRCS! 🐄Interested in improving your pasture health and livestock nutriti...
06/10/2026

Join Us for a Pasture Walk with Cherokee County NRCS! 🐄
Interested in improving your pasture health and livestock nutrition? Come spend the morning with us learning in the field!
✅ Learn to identify grasses and weeds in your pasture
✅ Understand the role of legumes and forbs in forage quality
✅ Discover the benefits of prescribed burning, including:
• Better pasture management
• Controlling unwanted species
• Encouraging healthy forage growth
📅 June 29th | 10:00 AM
📍 Columbus Research Farm Fields
2382 NW 20th, Columbus, KS
👉 RSVP by June 26th!
Contact Clayton Lester
📞 620-429-3849
📧 [email protected]
Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn practical tips you can apply right away! 🌱

🌪️ 🌧️🌱 Flooded Garden? Here’s What You Need to Know! 🌱🌧️Recent heavy rains across Kansas may have left some home gardens...
06/09/2026

🌪️ 🌧️🌱 Flooded Garden? Here’s What You Need to Know! 🌱🌧️
Recent heavy rains across Kansas may have left some home gardens underwater and that can cause more than just soggy soil.
💡 Why it matters:
Flooding can damage soil structure, reduce oxygen for plant roots, and even introduce contaminants that may affect food safety.
✅ What to do after flooding:
• If water drained within 24 hours, plants may be okay
• Avoid working the soil while it’s still wet to prevent compaction
• Consider raised beds or improving drainage for future planting
• Replant young crops if you notice stress (yellowing, stunted growth)
• Dispose of leafy greens or produce exposed to floodwaters for safety
🌿 For gardens that were heavily impacted, planting a cover crop can help restore soil health over time.
⚠️ Food Safety Reminder:
If floodwater reached your edible plants, it’s best to play it safe, contamination is possible. Always follow FDA guidelines when deciding what’s safe to eat.
📍 Need help or have questions about your garden? Contact your local Extension office, we’re here to help!

🥫 Our weekend canning workshop was a huge success!Our participants left feeling confident, capable, and ready to go home...
06/08/2026

🥫 Our weekend canning workshop was a huge success!
Our participants left feeling confident, capable, and ready to go home and safely preserve food for their families and friends. That confidence is exactly why we teach safe home canning. When you understand the science behind the process, you can preserve your hard‑earned garden harvest with peace of mind.

Having this skill means you can enjoy the fruits (and veggies!) of your labor all year long. It’s a practical, empowering way to reduce waste, stretch your food budget, and make the most of what you grow.

🍅 From understanding why acidity matters to practicing proper techniques, our group did an amazing job. We’re proud of the learning, the questions, and the excitement everyone brought to the table.

🍁 And good news…we’re not done yet!
Be on the lookout this fall for another hands‑on workshop featuring both water‑bath canning and pressure canning. Whether you’re brand‑new or ready to level up, we’ll have something for everyone.

🛒 Are You Reading Your Food Labels? 👀Knowing what’s in your food can help you make safer and healthier choices for your ...
06/08/2026

🛒 Are You Reading Your Food Labels? 👀
Knowing what’s in your food can help you make safer and healthier choices for your family!
A K-State food scientist reminds us to look beyond the front of the package and check the full label for important details like:
✅ Ingredient lists (listed from highest to lowest amount)
✅ Allergen warnings (milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish & sesame)
✅ Nutrition Facts (calories, sodium, added sugars & more)
⚠️ Even foods you buy regularly can change ingredients, so it’s important to check labels every time you shop.
💡 Don’t be fooled by marketing claims like “natural” or “multigrain.” The full label gives you the real story about what you’re eating!
Taking a few extra seconds to read labels can help you make informed decisions for your health and your family. ❤️
👉 Want to learn more? Check out K-State Extension’s “What’s on a Food Label” resource for helpful tips! https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/whats-on-a-food-label_L883

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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