Planting Seeds for a New School Year

With school soon to be back in session, Extension has two exciting upcoming ventures combining the realms of youth development and local foods horticulture. Our newest venture, Field to Future, is a pilot farm tour for middle school students designed to encourage them to explore careers in agriculture and the agricultural study pathways available to them in high school. Alongside it, Willie and the Salad Bonanza is once again gearing up to bring production lessons to youth classrooms throughout the county.

A joint venture between Johnson County K-State Extension, the Johnson County Conservation District, and the Johnson County Farm Bureau, Field to Future is a one-day, hands-on program that leads students through an agricultural study tour throughout western Johnson County, introducing them to agricultural career pathways that may pique their interests. On the list of tour stops, students will begin their day at Bowlin Farms, where they’ll learn about specialty crop production, row crop production, and agricultural technology. From there, they’ll venture to Walnut Pond Agricultural Discovery Center, where they’ll learn about urban livestock rearing, veterinary and animal care, and careers in livestock management. Ending the tour, they’ll stop at the Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center, where they’ll learn about natural resources and conservation, careers in crop research, and even public service.

While 2026 is a size-limited pilot year, the organizing committee is looking forward to fine tuning and expanding the program as time progresses. Those interested in having their classes potentially participate should contact Amy Keigher at amy.keigher@jocogov.org.

Elsewhere, the 2026 season of Willie and the Salad Bonanza is rearing up for a triumphant return! Altered in 2025 to be an in-class learning experience for elementary youth involving both potted and hydroponically grown salad plants, classrooms will once again have the opportunity to produce salad greens with their students while teaching about the fundamental components that drive plant health. If interest demands it, middle school and high school groups will also be able to compete against each other for the most physical mass of leafy greens produced. Teachers interested in having their classes participate in this year’s “bonanza” should reach out to Anthony Reardon at anthony.reardon@jocogov.org.

by Anthony Reardon, Horticulture Small Farms agent, 2026