Extension Office opens doors to the community – Emporia Gazette

Spring is right around the corner and the Lyon County Extension, 2632 W. Highway 50, hosted an open house for the community on Thursday afternoon.

Close to 50 community members attended the open house. Visitors had the opportunity to meet extension agents, attend several informative presentations, and tour the building. A critical mission of the Lyon County Extension is to reach out to the community, providing education and resources to the local area.

There are currently four extension agents serving Lyon County: Rhonda Gordon, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Travis Carmichael, Horticulture and Community Development Agent, Corrine Patterson, 4-H Youth Development Agent, and Brian Rees, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent. The Extension also has four part-time grant-funded employees that go into local elementary schools to provide nutrition education.

During the open house, Rhonda Gordon highlighted the large variety of services provided by the Lyon County Extension. The extension promotes the following six areas: 4-H youth development, health, nutrition and safety, lawn and garden, business and economics, crops and livestock, and home and family.

Rees provides livestock and food producers with support and information regarding agricultural resources, soil samples, and spring burning. Patterson coordinates a number of activities throughout the year focused on youth involvement and safety.

Carmichael commonly receives questions regarding plants and gardening, soil sampling, and plant disease. He led a presentation on container gardening. Following the presentation, Carmichael fielded some questions from attendees. With spring quickly approaching, the extension office is a reliable resource for information on planting schedules, growing and caring for vegetables, and improving overall lawn health.

Gordon’s open house presentation, ‘Cooking with Rhonda,’ focused on promoting healthy eating habits. Gordon and the other Extension Agents play an active role in local schools, teaching children about healthy food choices, nutritious and delicious recipes, and the importance of food safety and regular physical activity. Last summer, food preservation classes taught by Extension Agents were so well received that there are other similar classes in the works.

There are numerous opportunities for Lyon County residents of all ages to get involved in activities offered through the Extension.

‘Walk Kansas’ kicks off on March 16 with teams now forming. Families or individuals interested in forming a team and taking part in this health and fitness event can register at the Lyon County Extension until March 14th. ‘Keep It a Safe Summer’ is an event for local youth to get together and kick start summer and will be held on May 22. Parents and Youth can contact Patterson regarding this event and any other upcoming 4-H events.

Other open class events are offered by the Lyon County Extension throughout the year, especially during the Lyon County Fair. Pie-making, photography, crafts and gardening are just a few. There is a little something for everyone at the Extension.

For more information about the services and events offered through the Lyon County Extension, contact any of the Extension Agents mentioned above at 620-341-3220 or stop by the office at 2362 W. Highway 50.

||||