K-State Research and Extension

Register Here for the Homesteading Workshop

Thanks to the generosity of the Wildcat Extension Education Foundation, the cost per program will be $5 per person. In-person payment can be delivered to any of the following Wildcat District Offices:  

Crawford County Extension Office 120 E. Buffalo Street, Girard, KS 66743 

Labette County Extension Office 524 Huston Street, PO Box 39, Altamont, KS 67330 

Wilson County Extension Office Courthouse RM 1, 615 Madison, Fredonia, KS 66736 

Montgomery County Extension Office 410 Peter Pan Road, Suite B, Independence, KS 67301 

Official Event Flyer
 

This program series is presented by the following agents:

Programs

Fruit Tree Pest Management: 

• 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm March 7th  
• Pittsburg Public Library located at 308 N. Walnut Street, Pittsburg 

If you grow fruit trees, you already know that you’re not the only one who enjoys them. Insects, diseases, and wildlife all plague fruit trees, and knowing how to safely and effectively combat them is the key to ensuring that your harvests bear fruit. Join Jesse Gilmore, Horticulture Agent, to learn about the different ways we can control pests to ensure good harvests, while minimizing our impacts on the environment. 

Small Scale Livestock Operations: 

• 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm March 14th  
• Labette County Extension Office located at 524 Huston Street, Altamont 

We’ll cover fencing, housing, nutritional highlights and considerations for co-species management. 

Backyard Mushrooms: 

• 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm March 21st
• Must register for this program by 3/18, program cap at 20 registrants  
• First National Bank in Fredonia 4-H Learning Center located at Old Iron Club. 10392 Jade Road, Fredonia

Growing mushrooms couldn't be easier! We'll learn both straw bag oyster and log shitakes in this hands-on workshop. 

Fruit tree care selection and planting: 

• 6:00 pm – 7:00pm March 28th 
• Girard Public Library located at 128 West Prairie Street, Girard 

Fruit trees have the potential to be very productive in our southeast Kansas climate, but some are better choices than others. Which fruits are the most productive,and which require the least amount of work? Join Jesse Gilmore, Horticulture Agent, to learn all about the fruit trees you can buy, which you should buy, and how to plant them properly to give them the head start they need. 

Backyard Chickens and Egg Enlightenment: 

• 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm April 4th 
• Pittsburg Public Library located at 308 N. Walnut Street, Pittsburg 

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? This workshop will cover caring for chickens and storing eggs. There are many sources on the internet related to storing and keeping eggs for later use. Are these methods safe and reliable? We will put those myths to the test during the egg enlightenment portion of this program. 

Old School Making Soap: 

• 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on April 11th  
• Must register for this program by 4/8, program cap at 20 registrants 
• First National Bank in Fredonia 4-H Learning Center located at Old Iron Club. 10392 Jade Road, Fredonia 

It wasn't fancy, but the pioneers made soap out of what they had, lard and lye. This hands-on workshop will be some good clean fun! 

Get Your Goats:

• 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm April 18th  
• K-State Southeast Research and Extension Center located at 25092 Ness Road, Parsons 

Jump into the fun of raising goats! This workshop will cover the basics of raising goats including housing and fencing needs, nutrition, and everyday care. 

Pressure Canning Basics: 

• 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm April 25th
• Must register for this program by 4/22, program cap at 12 registrants  
• Independence Community College West located at 2615 West Main, Independence 

Participants will walk through the steps of pressure canning learning the science behind safe canning processes. Why the recommendations have changed and if you can use grandma’s recipe with today’s knowledge. 

Fantastic Fermentations Workshop: 

• 6:00 – 8:00 pm May 2nd
• Must register for this program by 4/29, program cap at 20 registrants 
• Independence Community College West located at 2615 West Main, Independence 

Sauerkraut, kimchi, sourdough, and fermented pickles. During this workshop participants will learn what happens during fermentation, how to determine if your fermentation is complete, and how to ferment food safely. Resources on fermenting will be provided and be prepared for some hands-on demonstrations. 

Good Grazing Techniques: 

• 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm May 9th 
• Labette County Extension Office located at 524 Huston Street, Altamont 

Learn how to determine stocking rates, when growing forages are ready to be harvested and how to promote longer grazing seasons.