The past 10 days have been a whirlwind of activity. Our Program Development Committee met to welcome Monique, our new Family and Community Wellness agent in the Hays office. Conversation was lively as we planned for some issue-based programming in the months ahead. Then three days on our K-State campus participating in an agent update reinforced the important work we do in extension related to health and wellness in our communities.
We have all heard it a lot. The pandemic changed the way we do business. A hiring freeze with K-State Research and Extension was lifted late last year so many of the open Family and Community Wellness positions have been filled. There was good energy among the new hires at our conference and I loved it.
I found out that many of them have an interest in some of the things I am passionate about. As my Extension career winds down and I retire early next year, I have a full schedule of classes and workshops to lead.
The fermentation workshop I mentioned in last week’s column now has a waiting list, so I am hoping to offer another session later this fall. Several colleagues at K-State asked if I would provide a “train the trainer” workshop for them to learn about fermentation so that is also in the works.
Then there is the signature program I have enjoyed teaching since I was trained in 2012; Stay Strong Stay Healthy. This eight-week program is designed to help older adults improve their strength, flexibility, and balance. When our class starts the last week of September, we’ll be missing Reta Brack, who passed away this summer. Reta sat in the front row of every SSSH class I led, and like many of the other participants, enjoyed the socialization as much as the exercises.
To register for the last Stay Strong Stay Healthy workshop that I will be leading, you will want to call our office to reserve your spot. The cost is $20 and class size is limited.
I will be leading a one-hour Medicare Update at our Great Bend activity center on Oct. 12. As more people become eligible for Medicare it is a good time to review the basic parts of Medicare. My husband John, and I will also be providing appointments during open enrollment (Oct. 15–Dec. 7) to help people review their prescription drug plan in either the Great Bend or Hays offices.
Besides the face-to-face programs that Extension is well-known for, watch our Cottonwood District website and Facebook page for messages and links to on-line learning resources that you can take advantage whenever you have a few spare moments.
Who would have guessed that when my Extension career started in Barton County in July 1989 (and I typed my column on a typewriter) that I would be talking about websites, internet links, and Zoom meetings in 2022? While a lot has changed technology wise, a lot remains the same. K-State Research and Extension and the Cottonwood District still want to be your go-to source for research-based information to help improve your life!
Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent for K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. One may reach her at 620-792-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.
