Our 4-H and Youth Development Team is hosting another Beyond Ready segment. This time, they are expressing the importance of rewarding the hard work of the youth and volunteers alike. No one reward fits all, and they stress the importance of rewards being age-appropriate as well as expressing gratitude for volunteers! Such rewards provide satisfaction and feelings of accomplishment in youth, volunteer leaders, and parents/supporting adults.

Listen in to learn what that looks like through the lens of 4-H of Douglas County! 

Hosts

Nickie H. , 4-H Youth Development Program Agent

Nancy N., 4-H  Youth Development Program Assistant

 Show Resources

Positive Youth Development

Helping Youth Thrive

Recognizing county 4-H Members Achievements

Enviable lawns in Kansas may not be an unattainable dream come true for some. Sharon, Horticulture and Natural Resources Agent, and Steve, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, talk about lawn care. Listen in to learn about proper lawn care management, the struggles that could come with it, and the proper way to manage them. From critters like moles and armyworms to overwatering issues, Sharon and Steve offer research and experience-based tips for our listeners!

Hosts

Sharon Ashworth, Horticulture and Natural Resources Extension Agent

Steve Wood, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

K-State Publication Resources

Tall Fescue Lawns

Fall Armyworm; Insect Pest of Turfgrass

Grub Management in Turfgrass

Brown Patch in Tall Fescue Lawns

Maintaining Good Lawns with Less Water

Additional Resources

Douglas County Soil Test Page

Douglas County Water Test page

K-State Extension Douglas County Lawn and Garden Page

K-State Extension Douglas County Horticulture and Natural Resources News and Events Page

Local Douglas County, KS Micro-grant Opportunity

The Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) of Douglas County, KS, announce the availability of grant funds for gardening projects that support our mission, “To share research-based, horticultural information with residents of Douglas County, in partnership with K-State Research and Extension”. Access the grant guidelines and application below. Grant applications are due Oct. 1, 2025, for the 2026 garden season. Read More and Apply

Is it okay for my child to sleep in a car seat? How long is too long when I forget my groceries outside? What is a good balance for my youth with screen time?  Kaitlyn, Community Health and Wellness Agent, and Ginny, LiveWell of Douglas County Executive Director, have received many questions over the years and are excited to share the answers to them with you! Listen in to hear the answers to these questions and more in this week's episode of Thriving Together.

Hosts

Kailtyn Peine, Community Health and Wellness Agent

Ginny Barnard, LiveWell of Douglas County Executive Director

Show Resources

Safe Kids Worldwide

American Academy of Pediatrics – Screentime Recommendations

Family Media Plan

Leftovers and Food Safety

MyPlate Kitchen

More About our Host's Organizations

LiveWell of Douglas County Website 

K-State Extension Douglas County 

Today's We are Extension is hosted by Marlin, the Douglas County Extension Director and Community Development Agent. His guest is one of our Extension Council Members, Jack Low. Together, they talk about what the extension council is, Jack's personal experience on the council, and all the benefits one can gain by joining. 

Marlin also speaks of the upcoming Meet and Eat, Open House event, in which people in the community can join us at the Douglas County for a free meal and priceless company. Those who are curious about extension or want to join the council are free to attend and converse with staff and council members like Jack! 

Show Resources

Meet and Eat, 2025 Open House Registration

Douglas County Extension Council Information

Subscribe to our Quarterly Newsletters!

Host

Marlin Bates, County Extension Director, Community Development Agent

Guest: Jack Low, Extension Council Member

Follow Us on Social Media!

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

The Kaw Valley Farm Tour happens during the first weekend of October every year! Hilary Kass, the Kaw Valley Farm Tour Coordinator, along with her guests, will talk more about it during this special episode. Not only will you learn a little bit about what to expect on the tour, but you are also invited to join them at the Harvester Kick-off party for the event! Enjoy the conversation as they talk about behind-the-scenes treats as well as sneak peeks into these exciting upcoming events! 

Kaw Valley Farm Tour Harvest Party Tickets

Kaw Valley Farm Tour - Tour Tickets

Hosts

Hilary Kass Kaw Valley Farm Tour Coordinator

Amy Albright and Emma DavisonHarvest Party Location and Event Coordination vinlandvalleynursery.com

Jennifer Nelson Harvest Party Dinner and Drinks  saltwellfarmkitchen.com

Marlo Angell Harvest Party Video  outdoorsunscripted.org

Show Resources

https://www.kawvalleyfarmtour.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kawvalleyfarm/

https://www.facebook.com/kawvalleyfarmtour

Join us for another Beyond Ready episode. Listen in as Nickie speaks to her guest, Dr. Matthew Kelso, on his past and current journey with 4-H of Douglas County. She also speaks to him on a detailed yet easily digestible take on the 4-H Thrive Model and the positive impact it has on youth now and for their future. 

Hosts

Nickie Harding - 4-H Youth Development Agent

Dr. Matthew Kelso - 4-H Alumni, 4-H Ambassador Leader, County Fair Veterinarian, Eudora Animal Hospital Veterinarian

Want to join 4-H? Start here!

Cloverbud Members Resource Guide - Ages 5 - 6 

Junior Members Resource Guide - Ages 7 - 9 

Intermediate Members Resource Guide - Ages 10 - 13 

Senior Members Resource Guide - Ages 14 - 18 

Non-4-H Members Resource Guide - Ages 5 - 18 

Resources

4-H Thrive Model

About the 4-H Thrive Model Article

4-H of Douglas County Webpage

Follow Us On Social Media

4-H of Douglas County Facebook

4-H of Douglas County Instagram

Although it's not chilly yet, it's good to prepare some yummy veggies to eat when it is! Sharon Ashworth, Horticulture and Natural Resources Agent, hosts another episode of Beyond the Bloom. In addition to reminding listeners about upcoming opportunities at Douglas County Extension, Sharon invites one of our Horticulture Hotline volunteers, Sandra! 

Sandra is an Extension Master Gardener volunteer who is known as a Fall gardening expert. Learn some tricks and tips for preparing your garden space for fall vegetables, as well as learn solutions to issues that may arise. 

Show Resources

Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Classes - 8 -11 -2025 - LAST DAY TO REGISTER

KS Garden Guide

K-State planting and harvesting calendars

Douglas County Garden Micro-Grant Program - Apply by October 1, 2025!

Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Webpage 

Additional Reminders

Extension Master Food Volunteer Classes - 8 -11- 2025 - Last Day to Register

Visit Us

Website - Facebook - Instagram 

Thriving Together is back with another episode. Kaitlyn and Ginny talk about Volunteerism! Volunteering can be a formal position with an organization or informal acts of kindness and can be short-term or on a recurring schedule, but regardless of the type or duration of volunteering, the mental and social health benefits seem to be the same.

Hosts:

Kaitlyn Peine, Community Health and Wellness Agent

Ginny Barnard, LiveWell Executive Director

Resources:

Young Volunteers: The Benefits of Community Service (University of Nevada Extension)

The Health Benefits of Volunteering (South Dakota State University Extension)

Extension Master Food Volunteers Webpage

Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Webpage

Get Involved:

Extension Master Food Volunteer Training Information and Registration 

Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Training Information and Registration 

Kaw Valley Volunteers Website

Child Passenger Safety Technician Training

To learn more about volunteer opportunities with LiveWell Douglas County, email [email protected]

Stay Up-to-Date

K-State Extension Douglas County Official Website | Facebook | Instagram

LiveWell of Douglas County Official Website | Facebook | Instagram 

We are continually collaborating to build community! Today we have our host, Marlin Bates, Douglas County Extension's Director, having a conversation with our friends at the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF). 

Learn about community foundations, how they help, who they impact, and so much more. The unique insights of DCCF's Director of Philanthropy and Community Relations, Heather Hoy, as well as from their Director of Community Investment, Lori Trenholm, are sure to offer you a new perspective on charitable giving. 

Show Hosts

Marlin Bates, County Extension Director/Agent

Heather Hoy, Director of Philanthropy and Community Relations

Lori Trenholm, Director of Community Investment

Show Resources

DCCF and Baldwin City 25 Years of Charitable Action Celebration Event Information

DCCF Official Website

DCCF Official Facebook Page

DCCF Official X Account

DCCF Official X Account

Serving on a Board? - Survey

Douglas County Extension Council Giving Fund

Douglas County Extension Website

Douglas County Extension Facebook

Douglas County Extension Instagram

Margit is back with another episode of "Rooted in Ag." In this episode she speaks with her guest, Margaret Kalb. Margaret Kalb, the previous Douglas County Fair Executive Administrator, has been a part of extension in varying capacities for over 26 years and counting!

Listen in as they discuss:

• Agriculture Side of the Fair
• 4-H and Agriculture
• Fun Tidbits of History from Past Fairs

Hosts:

Margit Kaltenekker Bio

Guest:

Margaret Kalb

Other Resources:

Agriculture Resource Page

Agriculture News and Events Page

Farm Stress Management Resources