Classes and Events
 | First Friday e-Call: Lessons Learned from Rural Champions: MH, Economic Development, CD, TrailsDecember 1st, 2023 | 9:30 AM Virtual via Zoom |
 | Beekeeping Basics: How To Start Your Own ColonyDecember 6th, 2023 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Beekeeping is both popular and important for many reasons. Whether it’s to produce your own local honey, supplement pollination of nearby plants, promote conservation, or even personal entertainment, there are many reasons to become a beekeeper. Join Ryan Engel, Golden Prairie District Horticulture Extension Agent, as he covers the equipment you will need, how to source your bees, and what it takes to establish a new colony. Online via Zoom |
| Wednesday: Rapid Development of Baby Brains and Why it MattersWednesday, December 6, 2023 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Location: Online via Zoom This program will describe the importance of early experiences for babies because of their rapid brain development. Discuss the effects of stress and trauma on brain development and actions that provide protective factors for healthy brain development in babies. Presenters: Presenters: Dr. Bradford Wiles, Kansas State University Child Development Specialist; Monique Koerner, Community Wellness Extension Agent, Cottonwood District; Tristen Cope, Family and Youth Development Agent, Chisholm Trail District. |
 | Living Well Wednesday: Rapid Development of Baby Brains and Why it Matters (Spanish)Thursday, December 7, 2023 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Online via Zoom This program will describe the importance of early experiences for babies because of their rapid brain development. Discuss the effects of stress and trauma on brain development and actions that provide protective factors for healthy brain development in babies. Presenter: Elizabeth Brunscheen-Cartagena, Family Life & Resource Management Agent, Sedgwick County. |
| Gingerbread MagicThursday, December 7, 2023 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: Johnson County Extension Office Join us in building a small gingerbread house. Supplies are provided including candy for decorating, but feel free to bring your own for a personal touch! This is a great class for an adult and a child (7 years and up) to take together. (Note that an adult is required to attend class with the child.) |
 | WITS WorkoutFriday, December 8, 2023 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM You are never too young or old to get started training your brain. Participants will take part in interactive activities to exercise the brain to maintain and enhance cognitive function and memory. |
| Gingerbread MagicFriday, December 8, 2023 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: Johnson County Extension Office Join us in building a small gingerbread house. Supplies are provided including candy for decorating, but feel free to bring your own for a personal touch! This is a great class for an adult and a child (7 years and up) to take together. (Note that an adult is required to attend class with the child.) |
 | The 3 B’s to Build a Better Body & MindTuesday, December 12, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Meadowbrook Park and Clubhouse Do you know the ingredients to building a better body and mind? In this one-hour session you will learn about the importance of good nutrition, the benefits of moving your body, and the negative impact of stress on your health. But more importantly, you will learn how to make meaningful and manageable changes to begin to build your better body and mind. Building a better body and mind starts with the 3 B’s: building a better meal, boosting physical activity, and balancing stress. |
| Wild Research: Evaluating Relationships between Grassland Loss, Woody Encroachment, and Pesticide use on Grassland Bird PopulationsTuesday, December 12, 2023 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: Online via zoom Grassland birds are one of the most threatened group of animals on Earth. Habitat loss and pesticide use are two factors believed to negatively impact grassland bird populations, but to what extent? Join Kansas State University Master’s student, Rachel Rusten, as she evaluates the relationships between grassland loss, woody encroachment, and pesticide use on grassland bird populations. Program note: Our webinar series Wild Research explores current research being done within the realm of Natural Resources throughout the Midwest. |
 | Four-Course LivingMonday, January 8, 2024 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 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 TBD. 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.
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 | Wild Research: John Cleveland - Colorado Pikeminnow in the San Juan River and the Use of Telemetry in Fisheries ResearchTuesday, January 9, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: Online via Zoom Have you ever wondered how big the largest minnow in the United States is? If you said nearly 6 feet long and up to 80 pounds, you would be correct! The Colorado pikeminnow, currently listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, is known to migrate up to 200 miles each spring for spawning throughout rivers in the southwest. Researching this travelling fish requires the use of telemetry and tagging. Join John Cleveland, Kansas State University Master’s student, as he discusses his research on the Colorado pikeminnow in the San Juan River. Program note: Our webinar series Wild Research explores current research being done within the realm of Natural Resources throughout the Midwest. Registration coming soon |
 | Urban Wildlife: RaccoonsFriday, January 19, 2024 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Location: Shawnee Civic Centre Are raccoons getting into your garbage again? Why do they do that? It’s time to learn all about these backyard bandits and why they enjoy living the urban life. Through this class, you’ll not only learn about raccoon biology, but also how to coexist with them. You’ll also take home tips and tricks on how to keep them out of places you don’t want them in. Instructor: Amy Keigher – Natural Resources Agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. Registration coming soon |
 | Families Cooking TogetherSaturday, January 20, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Johnson County Extension Office Spending time in the kitchen as a family has many benefits. It creates closer bonds, builds memories, and is a time to listen, share, and talk with children. It also teaches the lifelong skill of cooking! Come learn how to prepare tasty meals and make memories cooking alongside loved ones. Registration costs $45 and is for one adult and one youth (6-15 years). |
 | Wild Research: Brandon Bernhardt - Flying Squirrels in Eastern KansasTuesday, January 23, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: Online via Zoom Flying squirrels in Kansas? You better believe it! Because of their nocturnal habits, you might not have ever seen one. If you’re looking for an in-depth discussion on our furry, gliding neighbors, then you’re in luck! Kansas State University Master student, Brandon Bernhardt is here to answer all of your flying squirrel questions and introduce you to research being done on these rodents. Our webinar series Wild Research explores current research being done within the realm of Natural Resources throughout the Midwest. Registration coming soon |
 | Four-Course LivingThursday, January 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 is TBD. 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. |
 | Bluebird AcademySaturday, February 3, 2024 | 9 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Johnson County Extension Office Registration coming soon |
 | Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)February 7 to April 13, 2024 Location: Johnson County Extension Office The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. |
 | The Native Yard: Planting for WildlifeThursday, February 8, 2024 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Location: Shawnee Civic Centre A yard full of native plants can not only be beautiful but can be beneficial to wildlife such as butterflies and birds. Join us as we dig deep into how to transform your yard into a wildflower paradise that not only brings you joy but helps wildlife as well. During this class, we’ll discuss when to plant and what species to focus on. We’ll also learn about the benefits native plants bring to our local wildlife. Registration coming soon |
 | Wild Research: Dominique Byrd - Space-to-Event models used to estimate elk and deer abundance and elk occupancy models on Fort Riley, KSTuesday, February 13, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: Online via Zoom There are a variety of methods that can be used to estimate abundance for a particular species. Some involve multiple sampling efforts and tagging animals, while others rely on helicopter surveys. In this edition of Wild Research, we’ll learn about Space-to-Event models, and how they can help estimate elk and deer abundance on Fort Riley, KS. Join Domnique Byrd, Kansas State University Master’s student, as he describes his fascinating research.Our webinar series Wild Research explores current research being done within the realm of Natural Resources throughout the Midwest. Registration coming soon |
 | Date Night CookingFriday, February 16, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: Johnson County Extension Office Grab your partner, best friend, or other loved one and come to this cooking class together! Learn ways to master the kitchen, prepare delicious and beautiful dishes, and how each person can take part in the kitchen for a fun date night with friends or a loved one. Cost is $50 for two people. |
 | Wild Research: An Examination of Proximity to Water and Minimum Woody Cover Requirements for Northern Raccoon Occupancy and Abundance in KansasTuesday, February 27, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: Online via Zoom You’ve seen them before, those masked dumpster divers. The northern raccoon is a common trespasser that has made its home in both urban and rural environments. When it chooses its home, are there certain characteristics that it looks for, like closeness to water or number of trees? Kansas State University Master’s student, Caleb Durbin, will help answer all our questions. Registration coming soon |
 | Retirement Planning Today (3-part series)Tuesday, February 27, 2024 | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Location: Johnson County Extension Office An experienced financial planner will cover aspects of personal finance and retirement planning during this three-part series. The classes will take place in person on Tuesdays, February 27, March 5, and 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. There is a fee of $49 per person or $69 per couple. One book will be given to each couple. |
 | Medicare: An In-Depth LookTuesday, March 19, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Location: Johnson County Extension Office Educational class for adults who are 65 and older, newly retired or considering retirement soon. This program covers the parts of Medicare and helps you to begin the process of working through the Medicare maze! |
 | Bread Baking 101Thursday, March 21, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: Johnson County Extension Office Nothing beats the taste and smell of fresh homemade bread. Come learn the timeless skill of bread making at our hands-on class. We’ll show you how to make, roll, and shape dough to create a variety of delicious recipes. Class is designed for ages 16+. Cost is $30. |
 | 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. |
