Extension could not do the work we do without community partners! For myself with 4-H work, partnerships with our local recreation centers, libraries, and school districts are invaluable. Our Family and Community Wellness agents also partner with health departments, medical providers, and day care facilities to provide a wide variety of services. Our Ag and Natural Resources agents work with ag cooperatives, livestock producers and facilities, and many others in the ag service industries. We partner to provide programming for a wide audience across the Cottonwood Extension District. 

Extension is literally the extension of research from and for the land-grant university. As our community, you have an opportunity to participate in regional community visits with administration from Kansas State University. From the press release information provided, Kansas State University is gearing up for the second year of presidential community visits across Kansas. The regional community visit initiative focuses on the people of Kansas and their communities. K-State is visiting multiple communities throughout the state to listen to and learn from the Kansans who live here. 

Visits for the Cottonwood Extension District include a community open forum from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Great Bend Events Center. On Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 9-10 a.m., a water management session will be held at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.

Also from 11:30-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8, child-care partnerships will be a focus of a discussion in Hays Following that event, prospective students and their families are invited to attend an event at The Strand in Hays from 6-7:15 p.m.

All of these events are open to the public and more information, including registration, can be found at https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits. You can also call either of our offices for more information. We look forward to seeing you at one of these community events!

Michelle Beran is the 4-H and youth development agent for the Cottonwood District, Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth and Development related questions email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.