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Classes and Events
Four-Course LivingThursday, 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. | |
Extension Master Gardeners: Summer BulbsTuesday, 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. | |
K-State Garden Hour Webinar Series: Companion Plants in Your GardenWednesday, 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. | |
WITS Workout: Apple a DayMonday, April 8 Session A: 1:00 PM - 2:00 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. | |
Managing an HOA PondThursday, 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. | |
Healthy Yards ExpoSaturday, 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. | |
Kids in the Kitchen: Air FryerSaturday, 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. | |
Preventing Diabetes with Simple Lifestyle ChangesWednesday, 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. | |
Dig Your Dinner: Pristine PotatoesWednesday, 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. | |
Simple Home ModificationsThursday, 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. | |
20 Minute MealsThursday, 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. | |
Sewing Class: PillowcaseTuesday, 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. | |
Dig Your Dinner: Pristine PotatoesWednesday, 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. | |
Managing a Fishing PondThursday, 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. | |
Four-Course LivingThursday, 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. | |
Birding 101 Nature ProgramSaturday, 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. | |
K-State Garden Hour Webinar Series: Understanding Water Sources for Your GardenWednesday, 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. | |
Flint Knapping 101Saturday, 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. | |
Public Garden TourFriday, 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. | |
Air Fryer Gadget ClassTuesday, 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. | |
Wild Kids! Summer Program: How to Read NatureSaturday, 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. | |
Girl Scout Gardening Merit Badge WorkshopSaturday, 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. | |
Wild Kids! Summer Program: Wildlife and HabitatsSaturday, June 22, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 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. | |
Picnic &/or Camping Food ClassThursday, 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. | |
Wonders of DiscoveryFriday, 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. | |
Nature CampJune 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. | |
Wild Kids! Summer Program: Rocks & FossilsSaturday, 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. | |
Wild Kids! Summer Program: The Importance of WaterSaturday, 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. | |
Wild Kids! Summer Program: Trees & MeSaturday, 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. |