We all know the saying that every building needs a solid foundation to stand strong. However, it is seldom noted that the framework is also crucial in supporting the interconnected parts that carry the building's load. The same can be said for the youth in our community. Having a good foundation is just the start.

Listen in as Nancy, our 4-H Youth Development Program Assistant, shares her experience with her co-host, 4-H alum, and daughter, Claire. Learn from the perspectives of both the parent and the child on how being raised in 4-H helped build a solid framework of skills that are being used well into adulthood.

Resources

4-H Team Judging - Winning at Life Skills

Kansas 4-H Photography Judging Contest

Horse Judging - Kansas 4-H

Interested in joining 4-H, or simply learning more about it?

4-H of Douglas County Program Area Web Page

We hope you have "grown" fond of our weekly podcasts. If not, perhaps this wonderful new episode can help you change your mind! Our Horticulture and Natural Resources Agent, Sharon, and our Agriculture and Horticulture Program Assistant, Niki, host another episode of Beyond the Bloom. This time they are sharing information about a potential new fun hobby for some and interesting facts/tips for others! Listen in to learn more about the value and charm of collecting, cleaning, and sowing seeds!

Resources

Rutgers Cooperative Extension - Native Plant Seed Propagation

Vinland Valley Nursery Demonstration Video

Collecting and Sewing Seeds for Beginners - Article by Sharon Ashworth

Prairie Moon Nursery stratification methods

Learn More About Your Local Extension Unit

Lawn and Garden Program Area Web Page

Natural Resources Program Area Web Page

Horticulture and Natural Resources News and Event Web Page

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Your favorite Health and Wellness friends are back. Listen in as Kaitlyn and Ginny discuss simple yet important ways to safely prepare food for large gatherings. What should be left out at room temperature? How long should I let this thaw? Should my out-of-state relatives bring food? What are the "must-have" tools for food prep? They have the answers, resources, and more on this week's Thriving Together!

Hosts

Kaitlyn Peine, Community Health and Wellness Extension Agent

Ginny Barnard, LiveWell of Douglas County Executive Director

Douglas County Community Health and Wellness Web Page and Resources

LiveWell of Douglas County Official Website

Resources

• Leftovers and Food Safety
• Rapid Response Center
  • Thawing and Preparing Turkey Safely - Rapid Response Center Web Page
• At-Home Safe Food Handling: It's in Your Hands - PDF
• Food Safety Outdoors – Barbecue and Grilling Web Page
• FoodSafety.gov Website
• K-State Extension Food Safety
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration: Food Safety for Consumers

Upcoming local Extension Food-Based programming:

October 27 - Comfort Food Cooking Class Information and Registration

October 29 - Cooking for 1 and 2! Tips, Tricks, and Tasty Recipes

Green. Blue. Yellow. Orange. Which color are you? Join Marlin and his co-host, Elesha, as they discuss a Community Development resource available to organizations within our community upon request, "Real Colors." Real Colors is a personality type test workshop experience that not only facilitates introspection but also aids participants in how they view and communicate with others. Fun, engaging, effective, and available for you in Douglas County, Kansas!

Hosts

Marlin Bates, Community Development Agent and Douglas County Extension Director

Elesha Hazel, Communications Coordinator

Resources

About Real Colors

Email Marlin for more information or to request him to facilitate this training for your organization.

batesm@ksu.edu

Community Development Program Area

Hilary Kass, Kaw Valley Farm Tour Coordinator, is back again with some exciting guests as she continues to highlight the upcoming self-guided tour.

From Sharon, who has been involved with the tour since the very beginning 21 years ago, to Saundra, who represents a historical site's first year on the tour, these guests have a wealth of history to share!

Listen in as they share their wealth of knowledge and memories with you!

Host

Hilary Kass, Kaw Valley Farm Tour Coordinator

Guests

Sharon Vesecky, Farmer

Vesecky Family Farms

Baldwin, KS

Saundra Hiller Vice President

Clinton Lake Historical Society/Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum

Lawrence, KS

Resources

Kaw Valley Farm Tour Website

Kaw Valley Farm Tour Tickets

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