Episodes

  • #7 with Ellie Vincent: "Raising Tomorrows Leaders - CKD 4-H Program"
    Jan 12 2026

    "The opportunities are endless"


    In this conversation, Justine Johns interviews EllieVincent, the 4-H Youth Development Agent for Central Kansas District. They discuss the multifaceted nature of the 4-H program, its impact on youth development, and the various opportunities it provides for young people to build skills in leadership, responsibility, and community engagement. Ellie shares her personal journey with 4-H, the diverse project areas available, and the importance of volunteers and staff in supporting the program. The discussion emphasizes the year-round activities of 4-H, its inclusivity for all youth, and the long-term benefits it offers to participants.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to 4-H and Ellie Vincent

    02:00 Ellie's 4-H Journey and Experience

    04:30 Understanding 4-H: More Than Just a Fair

    06:05 Year-Round Opportunities in 4-H

    07:58 Who 4-H Serves: Age Groups and Inclusivity

    08:57 What Sets 4-H Apart from Other Youth Programs

    10:43 Getting Started with 4-H

    12:03 Diverse Project Areas in 4-H

    14:30 The Role of Staff and Volunteers in 4-H

    19:09 Core Life Skills Developed in 4-H

    22:43 The Impact of 4-H on Youth Development

    25:19 Favorite Moments in 4-H

    28:00 Enrollment Process and Timeline

    32:07 Long-Term Impact of 4-H on Youth

    34:31 4-H's Relevance in Rural Communities

    39:17 Conclusion: 4-H as a Personalized Growth Experience


    Resources

    CKD 4-H Website: https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/4-h/

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    35 mins
  • #6 with Beks Lohmeier: "Empowering Communities Through SNAP & Nutrition Education"
    May 26 2025

    "We're creating concepts instead of just recipes."


    In this episode of the Everyday Extension Podcast, host Justine Johns welcomes Rebekah Lohmeier, the SNAP-Ed nutrition educator for Central Kansas District. They discuss the importance of nutrition education, the challenges faced by communities in accessing healthy food, and the innovative solutions SNAP-Ed provides to empower individuals and families. Rebecca shares her journey into nutrition education, the various programs offered for different age groups, and the significance of partnerships with local organizations and food pantries. The conversation emphasizes the joy of food, the need for accessible nutrition education, and how community members can get involved with SNAP-Ed resources.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to SNAP-Ed and Beks Lohmeier

    04:03 Beks' Journey into Nutrition Education

    06:55 Challenges in Food Access and Nutrition Education

    10:02 SNAP-Ed's Adaptation to Rural Needs

    13:18 Curriculum and Outreach for All Ages

    16:14 Partnerships and Community Engagement

    18:57 Understanding SNAP-Ed's Income-Based Structure

    21:55 Future Aspirations for SNAP-Ed

    24:57 How to Get Involved with SNAP-Ed

    28:06 Final Thoughts and Resources

    31:13 Contact Info


    Information & Resources

    Find out more - k-state.edu/ks-snaped

    Sign up for classes - https://www.k-state.edu/extension-nutrition-program/free-classes/




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    28 mins
  • #5 with Dr. Cassandra Olds: "Biting Back: Managing Ticks & Flies in Your Herd"
    May 12 2025

    "Flies will win every single year."


    In this episode of the Everyday Extension podcast, host Justine Johns and K-State Entomologist Dr. Cassandra Olds discuss the significant challenges that cattle producers face with flies and ticks. They explore how these pests affect animal health and production, and provide insights on recognizing fly problems, building an integrated pest management plan, and the role of spring burning in controlling pest populations. The conversation also highlights innovative methods for fly control, the importance of dung beetles, and the complexities of insecticide resistance. Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on effective strategies to manage livestock insects and improve herd health.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Fly and Tick Management

    03:32 Understanding the Impact of Flies and Ticks

    13:31 Creating an Integrated Pest Management Plan

    21:18 The Role of Burning in Pest Control

    24:27 Research Findings on Burning and Livestock Production

    33:00 Innovative Fly Control Methods

    34:51 Innovative Fly Control Solutions

    38:20 The Role of Dung Beetles in Ecosystem Health

    51:52 Understanding Insecticide Resistance vs. Failure

    01:02:11 Effective Insecticide Rotation Strategies

    01:02:21 Understanding Chemical Grouping in Agriculture

    01:03:55 Effective Use of Fly Tags

    01:07:20 Tagging Strategies for Optimal Fly Control

    01:11:16 The Importance of Resistance Management

    01:16:15 Feed Through Insect Growth Regulators

    01:20:40 Debunking Myths: The Truth About Garlic in Fly Control

    01:25:47 Contact Info


    ResourcesWillis Bruce Fly Trap - https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g1195

    Livestock Pest Face Flies Publication - https://bookstore.ksre.k-state.edu/download/face-flies-livestock-pests_MF3611

    How to manage flies video - https://youtu.be/CruB4fINMKY

    Cattle Pen Maintenance Publication - https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/cattle-pen-maintenance_MF3511.pdfSpring burning helps to control tick, fly populations video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbTRC8rjTXw

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • #4 with Dr. Chao & Guests: "Red Meat Allergy (Alpha Gal Syndrome): The Hidden Tick Threat"
    Mar 10 2025

    "Not just a red meat allergy, it's a growing health concern"


    This episode discusses Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), a red meat allergy triggered by tick bites, featuring experts from Kansas State University. The conversation covers the nature of AGS, its causes, the role of ticks, ongoing research on meat products, and community awareness efforts. The experts emphasize the importance of education and resources for those affected by AGS, as well as the long-term goals of establishing a research center to further study and address this growing health concern.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Alpha-Gal Syndrome

    09:55 Understanding Alpha-Gal Syndrome

    16:47 The Rise of Alpha-Gal Syndrome Cases

    19:27 Research on Reintroducing Red Meat

    27:08 Extension Efforts and Community Awareness

    36:48 Long-Term Goals and Future Directions

    44:47 Contact Info - Outro

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    45 mins
  • #3 with Lisa Newman: "Getting Your Health Spark Back After Winter and brief overview of the Simply Produce & Walk Kansas Programs”
    Mar 3 2025

    "Find what you like and start doing it."


    Summary

    In this episode of Everyday Extension, host Justine Johns and family and community wellness agent Lisa Newman discuss the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the winter months. They share practical tips for staying motivated to eat healthy and exercise, introduce the Simply Produce program that provides affordable access to fresh produce, and explore the Walk Kansas initiative aimed at promoting physical activity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community support and personal accountability in achieving health goals.


    Chapters

    00:00 Winter Health Slump: A Common Struggle

    10:39 Simply Produce: A Community Wellness Initiative

    22:48 Getting Your Spark Back

    23:10 Introduction to Walk Kansas

    23:55 Overview of Walk Kansas Program

    23:55 Physical Activity Guidelines

    25:31 Team Dynamics in Walk Kansas

    27:08 Tracking Progress and Visualizing Success

    28:48 Personal Success Stories

    30:28 Additional Features of Walk Kansas

    32:15 How to Register for Walk Kansas

    33:25 Encouragement to Participate

    34:21 Favorite Ways to Stay Active

    36:46 Upcoming Programs and Events

    40:20 Contact Info - Outro



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    40 mins
  • #2 with Everyone: "Meeting your CKD extension agents"
    Feb 24 2025

    "Extension is for everyone"


    Summary

    Get to know your extension agents! This conversation introduces the Central Kansas Extension Agents, highlighting their diverse roles in community education, youth engagement, and the importance of research-based information. The agents share their personal experiences and passion for connecting with the community, emphasizing the value of horticulture and agricultural education, enhancing well-being and fostering connections with nature, and providing services and education to everyone, regardless of who you are or where you live.


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction to Central Kansas Extension

    02:30 Meet Lisa Newman: Family and Community Wellness Agent

    07:07 The Impact of Extension Work

    08:15 Introduction to Jay Wisby and His Background

    10:02 Exploring Crop Production and Agronomy

    11:31 One-on-One Producer Engagement and Problem Solving

    12:39 Engaging Youth in Agriculture

    13:54 The Rewards of Being an Extension Agent

    14:12 Introduction to Horticulture and Jason Graves

    16:14 Jason's Journey into Horticulture

    18:40 The Broad Scope of Horticulture

    20:29 Master Gardeners Program Overview

    22:51 The Impact of Extension Work

    24:02 Introduction to Melissa Schrag

    26:05 Melissa's Journey to Extension

    28:35 Understanding Family Resource Management

    30:56 The Role of Extension in Community Education

    33:30 Meeting Justine

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    41 mins
  • #1 with Cade Rensink: “What is Extension? Understanding K-State Extension and its Impact for Kansans”
    Feb 13 2025

    In the inaugural episode of the Everyday Extension Podcast, host Justine Johns and guest Cade Rensink, the district director of the Central Kansas District Office, delve into the role of K-State Research and Extension. They discuss the importance of extension services, community vitality, and the various educational programming methods available to Kansans. Cade shares his journey into extension, the structure of the organization, and how it serves as a vital resource for the community. The episode emphasizes the accessibility of extension resources and encourages community involvement.


    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome to Everyday Extension Podcast

    01:53 Understanding K-State Research and Extension

    08:24 Community Vitality and Its Importance

    12:24 The Role of Extension in Kansas

    20:07 Agents vs. Specialists in Extension

    26:15 Educational Delivery Methods in Extension

    30:23 Accessing Extension Resources

    33:53 Community Involvement with Extension

    36:47 Key Takeaways About Extension

    38:52 Closing

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    39 mins