There will be a new face at the K-State Research and Extension Barton County office next week. Jennifer Carr will join the Great Bend staff of the as an agriculture and natural resources agent, effective Monday.
She worked previously for five years as a water quality coordinator with the Cowley County Conservation District in Winfield and as an instructor at Cowley College in Arkansas City.
Carr earned a bachelor’s degree in agri-business at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She is working on her masters and her research has had to do with permiculture.
A native of a Sumner County farm, Carr is no stranger to the plains. “I really like western Kansas,” she said.
While she likes the open spaces, her husband Casey prefers the more lush, tree heavy eastern part of the state. “So, Great Bend was in the middle. It was a good mesh.”
In addition, she has 10 years working with hog confinement business and also feedlot business so she has a good background on livestock and environmental concerns. “I think she will be a great asset to Barton County Extension with her background and knowledge in several diverse areas,” said Berny Unruh, Barton County Extension agent covering 4-H and youth development.
“Jenni not only has experience working with farmers on conservation and federal dollars for improving their ground, she has also worked to educate people about conservation,” Unruh said. “She has helped to present a youth education days on taking care of our land for future generations.”
According to information from the state extension headquarters at Kansas State University in Manhattan, agriculture and natural resources extension agents provide leadership in their communities by developing and delivering educational programming relative to agriculture-related information including crop and livestock production, environmental stewardship, farm and ranch management, agriculture public policy, and horticulture production.
Carr said she may be new to extension, but not new to training. “I do a lot of informative and educational programs now” with the water conservation district.
She liked her job in Winfield, but said there was little opportunity to advance and she was ready for a new challenge.
Extension agents are jointly employed in a partnership between K-State Research and Extension and the local Extension board.
 The role of K-State Research and Extension is to encourage the adoption of research-based information to improve the quality of life for Kansans. K-State Research and Extension is the short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service.
Although she technically starts Monday, she will spend the first few days in Manhattan attending orientation sessions. She will be in the Great Bend office later in the week.
The couple will be living in Olmitz. A native of western Kansas, her husband operates his own heavy-duty mowing and tree-removal service which he will relocated to their new home.
As a hobby, the couple enjoys raising free-range chickens and gardening, selling the produce and eggs. But, both are on hold for the time being.
Carr replaces Rick Snell, who retired after serving in the Extension Service for 30 years, 24 of those in Barton County.
More information about the K-State Research and Extension Barton County office is available by calling 620-793-1910 or on the Web: http://barton.ksu.edu.