Instead of the purple that is usually associated with K-State Research and Extension, we have decided to “Go Green with Extension.” Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Nov. 8, and drop by the Barton County Extension Office, 1800 12th Street, to vote and to learn something new.
We hear a lot about doing what we can to be kind to our earth. One of our projects for the day is to have the County landfill’s E-waste trailer parked in front of our office and available during office hours for your electronics to be dropped off. Items that you may bring for recycling include: microwave ovens, TV’s, VCR’s, stereos, phones of all kinds, video games, MP3 players, computers including towers and monitors. The service is free and open to residents of Barton County. Nothing would please us more than to have an overflowing trailer at the end of the day.
When you come by the Extension office on Tuesday, take a moment to enjoy refreshments and cast your ballot for the individuals who have agreed to serve on the program development committees for 2012. The candidates for the Agriculture PDC include Doug Dolechek, Hoisington; Greg Axman, Olmitz; and Austin Nokes, Albert. Those wanting to serve on the Family and Consumer Science PDC include: Reva Dougherty and Myra Sanchez, both from Great Bend; and Gwen Klepper, Ellinwood. 4-H and Youth Development candidates include: Wayne DeWerff, Ellinwood; Susan Keeler, Leonard Kaiser, and Kathie Rondeau, all of Great Bend. The Community Development PDC will be well served by Rob Fisher and Howard Rogers, Ellinwood; and Lori Waters, Great Bend. Those individuals who are elected will join the twelve Extension Council members who are in the middle of their two-year term. Berny and I appreciate the dedication and enthusiasm of the people who support our programs by serving on a PDC.
Other activities that you may be interested in on Tuesday include a program at noon titled, “Cook Once, Eat Twice – Serving Planned Overs.” The program is going to feature recipes that work well when changed and served again. Our goal is to save time, energy and money as it relates to putting healthy food on the table. Current Family and Consumer Science PDC members are helping me with this fun presentation. There will be samples served.
Berny is planning some fun activities for youth who come to our meeting room from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Several recycled crafts will be completed during this “hands on” workshop. Simply give us a call at 793-1910 to sign your kids up for this workshop so that we know how many supplies to have ready.
The final educational program of the day will feature one of our Julie Peterson, who is one of your Master Gardeners, and Kathie Rondeau, who is our Extension board secretary. Both Julie and Kathie are avid gardeners and they will share information about “Composting Yard and Garden Waste.”  This program will begin at 5:30 p.m. and like all of the other activities, will be held in our meeting room at 1800 12th street.
We look forward to seeing you at any or all of the “Go Green with Extension” programs set for Tuesday.
Donna Krug is the Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Barton County. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.