Sound Living

A significant opportunity exists for K-State Extension to expand support for families needing short-term and non-traditional childcare by training youth in safe caregiving practices through its "Prepared to Care – Babysitting Clinics" offered throughout the state. According to youth and development Extension agent for the Chisholm Trail District, Tristen Cope, just 200 facilities offer evening care, 39 offer overnight care and 129 provide weekend care, leaving a large percentage of working families with limited to no formal childcare options. She explains how the babysitting clinics prepare youth to fill some of those gaps.

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].

K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

A community health expert with Kansas State University's Extension service says that two community-based programs are helping Kansans take charge of their health while addressing cardiovascular disease and maternal health. According to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2030 program, Kansas recently received a grade of "D-minus" for cardiovascular disease indicators, and the March of Dimes gives the state a "C-minus" for pre-term births. Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation's Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University, says Extension is working to improve those grades because we all need to be taking care of ourselves.

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].

K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

The holiday shopping season is getting longer and has expanded into what is widely called "holiday creep" which starts as early July and continues through the Super Bowl. Right now, it's a mix of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. While this gives consumers more time to plan seasonal celebrations, Kansas State University Family Systems Specialist, Elizabeth Kiss, (kish) says it also increases the chance to overspend. She encourages consumers to make a spending plan that accounts for the holidays and events that occur over the next three or four months.

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].

K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

After more than 30 years and nearly 18-hundred editions of the weekly Kansas Profile series, the writer of the column and host of the radio program is retiring. Director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, Ron Wilson, discusses the series and the impact the program and community vitality efforts have had in rural Kansas and across the state.

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].

K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

As we get deeper into fall and winter, the foods we often eat and crave are comfort foods, such as soups, stews and casseroles. While a little comfort food is known to improve or sustain our mood in the short term, eating too many foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt can increase the risk of gaining weight in the short term and other health problems over time. However, Sara Sawer, a registered dietitian and K-State Extension Sedgwick County nutrition, health and wellness agent, says we can modify some recipes to make comfort foods healthier and there are things we can do to help avoid holiday weight gain.

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].

K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

There is a significant amount of evidence that demonstrates a direct relationship between what we consume and our physical and mental well-being. Over time, chronic stress can negatively affect our overall health. K-State Extension Johnson County nutrition, food safety and health agent, Chelsea King, says eating a diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein can improve gut health and in turn help fight off stress, depression, and anxiety.

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].

K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

A leading voice for the Home Baking Association recently met with a group of K-State Extension family and consumer sciences agents to discuss the benefits of baking. Sharon Davis, a consultant for the Home Baking Association, says there are economic and practical benefits, family, lifestyle and emotional benefits, educational, nutritional, cultural, social and quality-of-life benefits associated with home baking.

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].

K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

A leading advocate for mental health and suicide prevention in Kansas credits the state's Extension service for building connections within communities to help curtail the rise in the suicide rate. From 2011 to 2024, Kansas has seen a 30% increase in terms of the number of suicide losses. Josh Boydston, a client advocate for Kansas Lemon Aid, a statewide program operated by the nonprofit, Six Feet Over, says we're seeing more evidence of the impacts of suicide in communities. He discusses the work being done by the nonprofit and why Extension is a valued partner.

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].

K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

No matter how much you've paid for an item or product, it can be disappointing when it doesn't meet your expectations. It can be even more frustrating if it's difficult to get a refund or exchange from the retailer or seller. However, consumers have rights, and K-State Extension family resource management specialist, Elizabeth Kiss, (kish) says she's trying to educate consumers about their rights because they often think there's nothing they can do.

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].

K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

Dividing and transplanting perennial plants promotes growth and maintains a healthy landscape. For the September K-State Garden Hour, K-State Extension horticulture and community development agent for Lyon County, Travis Carmichael, discussed the best time to divide plants, the garden tools needed, and the techniques to divide and transplant a variety of perennial plants to move to new locations or share with others.

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].

K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.