K-State Extension - Cowley County

05/26/2026

Happy kids happens at Sitter Solutions - the class for beginning babysitters. Spots are open in both classes but registration is requested by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27: https://forms.gle/qQxmbHpyFL3enPrP7 $10 class fee payable at door (cash or check to Cowley County Extension).

05/21/2026

The year is 1938 and Director Umberger is in Cowley County at the wheat tour.

Wheat Field Day, Director Umberger speaking

05/20/2026

Cowley County’s wheat test plot helps Kansas State University gather data about what grows well in south Central Kansas. Data helps wheat breeders and farmers consider options to increase yield while resisting disease and drought. This plot is north of Ark City with 28 varieties. Watch for data summaries after harvest.

Visit this link to view wheat tour photos from last century: https://www.facebook.com/share/18r3WdJNue/?

05/15/2026

It takes community partnerships to make things happen!

🚶‍♀️✨ Today was a great day to celebrate safer walking connections in Winfield! 🦶
RISE Cowley, the City of Winfield, KS, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, AARP Kansas, and community partners gathered near the new flashing crosswalk improvements to recognize the work that helps make our community safer and more walkable.

Tag Wall from the City shared how Sheryl with AARP helped serve as an early catalyst for this work, supporting previous efforts to improve pedestrian crossings on Main Street. That momentum helped lead to additional safety improvements through the Pathways initiative, including the new flashing crosswalk locations near 14th and Bliss, 19th and Andrews, and the library and recreation area.

These projects reflect what happens when community input, city planning, grant funding, and local partnerships come together. Safer crossings help connect people to parks, schools, libraries, recreation, neighborhoods, and daily life.

Thank you to everyone who helped move this work forward and to all who showed up today to celebrate community-driven progress.

Other Partners included: Winfield Public Library • Winfield, KS, William Newton Hospital, K-State Extension - Cowley County, Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce 🤩

05/11/2026

Producers, agronomists, and anyone interested in wheat production are invited to join us for the Cowley County Wheat Plot Tour on Monday, May 18th at 10:00 AM.

This is a great opportunity to get out in the field and take a look at wheat variety performance under local growing conditions.

☕ Coffee and donuts will be available.

📍 Location: 37.143051, -97.035577

05/08/2026

Tonight's beef jerky/beef canning class has been postponed. New date TBD

Send a message to learn more

05/05/2026

Rain barrels aren’t just handy—they’re downright drizzle‑ing with benefits! ☔
At our May 4 Cowley College Golden Tigers workshop, Extension Master Gardeners and Trevor Langer from City of Winfield, KS showed how harvesting rainwater can:
💧 Reduce runoff
🌱 Support healthier plants
💰 Save on water bills
Thanks to everyone who came out and helped make it rain‑credible!


Post your rain barrel photo in the comments!

05/05/2026

We love our community and local partners!

We are fortunate to be partners with Winfield Correctional Facility and K-State Extension - Cowley County in their gardening program! Today was the first day that they had produce ready to share with us…don’t these radishes look delicious? As the growing season progresses, they will have more kinds of veggies and more OF them to share not only with us, but other neighborhood agencies that help folks! Thank you again to those involved for helping our clients get the freshest produce around!

05/04/2026

🌱 Why Extension Outreach Matters 🌱
One of Extension’s greatest strengths is connecting people, places, and possibilities—and last week was a perfect example.

Through Kansas State University's Presidential Engagement Fellows program, university expertise is brought directly to communities across Kansas at no cost. This prestigious, community‑focused initiative supports faculty who translate research into real‑world impact, strengthening local connections and growing future opportunities.

On April 30, Dr. Yue Teng Vaughan, assistant professor in the School of Consumer Sciences at K-State College of Health and Human Sciences, spent the day engaging with students, educators, and local agri‑tourism partners in Cowley County. Dr. Vaughan’s work bridges sustainability, innovation, hospitality, and community development—exactly the kind of applied scholarship Extension is built to support.

The day began at Oxford High School (Oxford USD 358), where Dr. Vaughan connected with students through storytelling and discussion about hospitality, career pathways, and opportunities connected to horticulture and agritourism. These conversations help students see how classroom learning connects to real careers and local communities.

Jen Kerns (The Border Queen Harvest Hub) joined Extension Agents Becky Reid (Cowley County FCS) and Gavin Beesley (Sumner County - K-State Extension 4‑H) in hosting Dr. Vaughan on a tour of local agri‑tourism sites, including:

The Old Mill at Oxford
Flying Toad Farms
The Pecan Patch
Kilt's Orchard = growing grapes for Shiloh Vineyard & Winery
Elam Lavender & Honey Bee Farm

These visits highlight how Extension serves as a bridge—connecting university expertise with local entrepreneurs, families, producers, and youth. Outreach events like this strengthen rural economies, support innovation, and help communities tell their own stories.

💡 Extension outreach matters because it turns research into relationships, ideas into action, and education into opportunity—right where people live and work.