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Johnson County

Research-based Information You Can Trust — Localized for your needs

Johnson County
11811 S. Sunset Drive
Suite 1500
Olathe, KS 66061

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday,
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

(913) 715-7000
(913) 715-7005 fax
jo@listserv.ksu.edu

Map to our office

K-State Research and Extension is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting Johnson County Extension at (913)715-7000. Notify staff of accommodation needs as early as possible.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Classes and Events

march 28

Four-Course Living

Thursday, March 28, 2024  |  6:00 PM - 7:45 PM

Location: Johnson County Extension Office

Four-Course Living works with adults with developmental disabilities to discover the importance of good nutrition, safety, planning, and preparation through a series of hands-on cooking classes. Our classes are designed to meet the participants’ individual needs to help them succeed at living a healthy, cost effective, and independent life.

Menu is salmon patties and steamed green beans with onions and soy sauce. Staff and/or family members are invited to observe and join us for a meal at no additional cost. Class payment is collected at the door.

Register Here

april 2

Extension Master Gardeners: Summer Bulbs

Tuesday, April 2, 2024  |  2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Virtual (Johnson County Park & Recreation District)

Glorious florist-quality flowers can be grown in your home garden. Come learn how to grow these summer beauties. Presented by Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners.

Register Here

april 3

K-State Garden Hour Webinar Series: Companion Plants in Your Garden

Wednesday, April 3, 2024  |  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Online via Zoom

Many gardeners have heard that marigolds repel pests in vegetable gardens or that beans dislike fennel. These sentiments are often attributed to a practice called "companion planting." But does companion planting really work? Join Horticulture Agents Pam Paulsen and Laura Phillips for a discussion on the research behind companion planting as we dispel common myths and discuss which benefits companion planting can offer your garden.

Register Here

april 8

WITS Workout: Apple a Day

Monday, April 8 

Session A: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Session B: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Online via Zoom

You are never too young or old to start training your brain. As part of this course, participants will engage in 'pen and paper' activities designed to maintain and enhance cognitive function and memory In this session, "Apple a Day," most of the activities are related to the apple in one way or another. The training component covers diet as it relates to brain health.

Register for Session A at 1:00 PM

Register for Session B at 3:00 PM

april 11

Managing an HOA Pond

Thursday, April 11, 2024  |  4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Location: Extension Office and Northwood Trails Access Park

Hey HOAs! Got a question about managing your ponds? Join K-State Research and Extension Wildlife Management Aquatic Specialist, Joe Gerken, for an in-person workshop on how to manage an HOA pond. This workshop includes an hour presentation at the Johnson County Extension Office followed by a fieldtrip to an HOA pond. Topics covered include vegetation management, siltation, aeration, and general pond maintenance.

Register Here

april 13

Healthy Yards Expo

Saturday, April 13, 2024  |  9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Location: Shawnee Civic Centre

Attend this free, day-long event and learn to make greener choices for your yard and home. There will be seminars, exhibits where you can chat with experts, a native plant sale, and free soil tests for Johnson County residents. We also welcome StoneLion Puppet Theatre with puppet shows for the children.

Learn more

april 13

Kids in the Kitchen: Air Fryer

Saturday, April 13, 2024  |  10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Johnson County Extension Office

Have you tried out your mom and dad’s air fryer? Ready to try some new recipes? Come join us for this fun morning of cooking in the kitchen. This class is designed for ages 7-12.

Register Here

april 16

Preventing Diabetes with Simple Lifestyle Changes

Wednesday, April 17, 2024  |  6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Join us for an informational session about prediabetes and how you can prevent the onset of diabetes through simple nutrition and lifestyle changes. This class also includes a demonstration of a healthy recipe that participants will have the opportunity to taste. This event is free but registration is required as space is limited.

Register Here

april 17

Dig Your Dinner: Pristine Potatoes

Wednesday, April 17, 2024  |  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Online via Zoom

The Dig Your Dinner monthly webinar series features Agents Anthony Reardon (Horticulture-Small Farms) and Chelsea Reinberg (Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health) who discuss the connections between growing and serving foods, suitable to the seasons. 

Register Here

april 18

Simple Home Modifications

Thursday, April 18, 2024  |  10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: New Century Fieldhouse

Modifications to a home can allow a person to age in place. This presentation will guide you through no to low-cost strategies of changes to a home to make independent living easier and safer.

Register Here

april 18

20 Minute Meals

Thursday, April 18, 2024  |  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: Johnson County Extension Office

There's no need to spend your whole evening in the kitchen to serve up a homemade dinner. There are quick and healthy dinner recipes you can make in just 20 minutes, start to finish.

Register Here

april 23

Sewing Class: Pillowcase

Tuesday, April 23, 2024  |  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: Johnson County Extension Office

A great class for beginning sewers, presented in partnership with Olathe Quilters Guild. Learn to make a standard pillowcase, known as a "burrito" pillowcase, with all enclosed seams- no raw edges! You will also learn how to modify the pattern to make your pillowcase a different size (such as king-sized). Upon registration, you will receive a list of what you must bring, including a sewing machine, sewing supplies, and fabric.

Register Here

April 23

Dig Your Dinner: Pristine Potatoes

Wednesday, April 23, 2024  |  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 

Location: Online via Zoom

Whether baked, fried, or mashed, potatoes are one of the most popular vegetables in the culinary world to be enjoyed. Learn all about serving AND growing them in the April edition of Dig Your Dinner with agents Chelsea Reinberg and Anthony Reardon.

Register Here

april 25

Managing a Fishing Pond

Thursday, April 25, 2024  |  3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Location: Board Room of Administration Building, Shawnee Mission Park Visitor Center

Do you own a fishing pond that could use some help? Join K-State Research and Extension Wildlife Management Aquatic Specialist, Joe Gerken, for an in-person workshop on how to manage a pond for fishing. This workshop includes an hour presentation followed by a hands-on look at multiple fishing ponds. Topics covered include fish species selection, vegetation management, aeration, and general pond maintenance.

Register Here

april 25

Four-Course Living

Thursday, April 25, 2024  |  6:00 PM - 7:45 PM

Location: Johnson County Extension Office

Four-Course Living works with adults with developmental disabilities to discover the importance of good nutrition, safety, planning, and preparation through a series of hands-on cooking classes. Our classes are designed to meet the participants’ individual needs to help them succeed at living a healthy, cost effective, and independent life. Menu: Meatloaf muffins and instant mashed potatoes. Staff and/or family members are invited to observe and join us for a meal at no additional cost. Class payment is collected at the door.

Register Here

april 27

Birding 101 Nature Program

Saturday, April 27, 2024  |  10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Shawnee Civic Centre

Learn all about common backyard birds and birding techniques with Natural Resources Agent Amy Keigher. After a short presentation inside, we’ll explore outside around the Civic Center to practice our new birding skills. Binoculars and walking shoes are highly recommended. 

Register Here 

may 1

K-State Garden Hour Webinar Series: Understanding Water Sources for Your Garden

Wednesday, April 3, 2024  |  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Online via Zoom

There are often multiple water sources available to irrigate our gardens. Join Jay Harris, Cottonwood District Horticulture Agent, to understand the many differences between water from private wells, city water supplies, or rural water districts. Learn about the differences in water quality, the importance of knowing what is in your water, the costs associated with each, and why you should test your water before you use it.

Register Here

may 4

Flint Knapping 101

Saturday, May 4, 2024  |  1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location: Johnson County Extension Office, Pavilion

For thousands of years, the art of shaping stone for tools has occurred across the world, changing cultures and societies. While it may seem like a lost trade, flint knapping is still a popular skill and art that many practice today. Are you interested in learning the trade? Join Chris Yackle, local flint knapper instructor, at the pavilion behind the Johnson County Sunset Building to learn more. Safety gear will be provided.  Class fee is $50 and includes tool pack and workable stone to take home. 

Register Here

may 17 and 18

Public Garden Tour

Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, 2024  |  9 AM - 5 PM

Location: various

The Extension Master Gardeners welcome you to this popular Popular Garden Tour. Tickets include access to six stunning private gardens, one demonstration garden, and the Garden Thyme Marketplace selling garden-themed decor and products. Our Extension Master Gardeners will be on site to answer questions. Tickets go on sale April 1.

Learn more

may 21

Air Fryer Gadget Class

Tuesday, May 21, 2024  |  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: Johnson County Extension Office

If you can't remember why you bought an air fryer, join us to learn new recipes and suggestions to get the most out of this kitchen counter gadget.

Register Here

June 8

Wild Kids! Summer Program: How to Read Nature

Saturday, June 8, 2024  |  9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Kill Creek Park

The Junior Extension Master Naturalist Wild Kids! Summer Program offers kids in grades 3 - 5 opportunities to explore and discover the natural environment of Johnson County with fun, hands-on experiences.

Register Here

June 8

Girl Scout Gardening Merit Badge Workshop

Saturday, June 8, 2024  |  1 PM - 3 PM

Location: Johnson County Extension Office

This is a fun hands-on gardening workshop for 4th and 5th grade Girl Scouts and non Girl Scouts alike. This 90 minute workshop is led by Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners and includes activities that meet all requirements needed to earn the Junior Gardener Badge. 

Register Here

june 22

Wild Kids! Summer Program: Wildlife and Habitats

Saturday, June 22, 2024  |  9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Ernie Miller Nature Center

The Junior Extension Master Naturalist Wild Kids! Summer Program offers kids in grades 3 - 5 opportunities to explore and discover the natural environment of Johnson County with fun, hands-on experiences.

Register Here

june 20

Picnic &/or Camping Food Class

Thursday, June 20, 2024  |  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM  

Location: Johnson County Extension Office

There’s just something about eating outdoors that makes food taste better. Whether you are planning a picnic at a park or a weekend in the wilderness, this class will help prepare you for summer gatherings.

Register Here

june 21

Wonders of Discovery

Friday, June 21, 2024  |   9 AM to 2 PM

Location: Pollinator Prairie, 320 South Blake in Olathe

On Friday of National Pollinator Week, we host members of the public as well as busloads of day-campers from Johnson County Parks and Recreation who come to learn about the importance of pollinators and ways we can support them.

Learn more

june 24-27

Nature Camp

June 24-27, 2024 (Monday through Thursday)  |  9 AM to 11 AM

Location: Wilder Bluff

Get out into the wild and explore with 4-H. Campers will explore our brand new Wilder Bluff Park and have fun learning about Entomology and Forestry from nature experts. Come dressed to get dirty and explore in nature while making new friends. Snacks will be provided each day. Cost is $25 per child.

Register Here

july 13

Wild Kids! Summer Program: Rocks & Fossils

Saturday, July 13, 2024  |  9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Lake Olathe

The Junior Extension Master NaturalistWild Kids! Summer Program offers kids in grades 3 - 5 opportunities to explore and discover the natural environment of Johnson County with fun, hands-on experiences.

Register Here

july 27

Wild Kids! Summer Program: The Importance of Water

Saturday, July 27, 2024  |  9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Millcreek Streamway Park

The JuniorExtension Master Naturalist Wild Kids! Summer Program offers kids in grades 3 - 5 opportunities to explore and discover the natural environment of Johnson County with fun, hands-on experiences.

Register Here

august 10

Wild Kids! Summer Program: Trees & Me

Saturday, August 10, 2024  |  9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Overland Park Arboretum

The Junior Extension Master Naturalist Wild Kids! Summer Program offers kids in grades 3 - 5 opportunities to explore and discover the natural environment of Johnson County with fun, hands-on experiences.

Register Here