New Staff
We are excited to introduce three new additions to the KSRE Johnson County team.
Amy Keigher serves as the new KSRE Natural Resources Agent for Johnson County. She is originally from Danforth, Illinois and graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2012 with a degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science. After finishing her bachelor’s degree, she completed a master’s program at the University of Illinois that focused on amphibian diversity within temporal wetlands. Amy has worked all across the country including Oregon, Idaho, Texas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Kansas collecting data on a wide range of taxa from grassland birds to bats. While Amy enjoys scientific research, her main passion is education (and snakes). As the Natural Resources Agent, she hopes to connect with the community and pass on her love of the natural world.
Lexi Ray joined the 4-H Youth Development Team as the second agent on April 17th. Lexi was raised in Olathe before going to school to study History and Ethnic and Gender Studies at Emporia State University. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she obtained a Master’s is Museum Studies with an emphasis in Public Education from the University of Kansas. Lexi has developed, facilitated and evaluated numerous educational programs for youth, adults and large groups throughout her career with National Park Service Affiliate; Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site, Great Overland Station Museum and Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka. In addition, Lexi thoroughly enjoys being a connector of community resources, professionals and organizations. Lexi is eager to get started learning all she can about the 4-H world and applying new ideas and perspectives to how we can make the best better in Johnson County!
In her spare time Lexi enjoys photography, exploring back roads, archery, wood burning, kayaking, painting and hanging out with her Chi-weenie, Juno.
Sara Wiercinski is the new Communications Manager for KSRE of Johnson County. Sara grew up in Columbia, MO, and attended the University of Missouri. She has worked in publishing for textbooks, trade books and newspapers. For ten years she directed marketing for National Catholic Reporter based in Kansas City. In early 2020, just before COVID, she left marketing to become a teacher. She studied elementary education at Avila University and taught preschool (while wearing a mask) before finally hitting the giant pause button. Sara has enjoyed a yearlong career sabbatical, where she kept backyard chickens and had outdoor adventures with her two children. Most recently she reported for the Martin City Telegraph.
Sara is excited to join Extension and promote its fantastic programs. She is a Master Naturalist with the Missouri Osage Trails Chapter (class of 2016) and enjoys reading, drawing and painting, gardening and foraging, and being outside.