Kansas State University Extension is piecing together a statewide network of programs to strengthen local food systems, while ensuring Kansans have access to healthy food now and in the future. K-State Extension focuses its statewide outreach on five primary challenge areas: global food systems, water and natural resources, health, community vitality, and developing tomorrow's leaders. For the July K-State Garden Hour, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Small Farms agent, Anthony Reardon, discussed how Extension is working to support local food systems through those five primary challenge areas.

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 ksrenews@ksu.edu.

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.