Shawnee County K-State Extension

NEXT Wednesday!
Join us for this incredible 6 week series where you'll get to taste sample meals, and learn how to eat healthier and stay more active all while on a budget.
Co-Sponsored by the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, you can register on their website here: https://events.tscpl.org/event/16837444

Have you missed the three in-person session of "Easy Care Flowers for Kansas?" Don't fret! Horticulture Agent Lane Wiens will be hosting a webinar of this program on Wednesday, August 13th at 6:30. To register, go to https://tinyurl.com/37by5nrf.

We are a Medicare Open Enrollment site with certified SHICK counselors to help you choose an Original Medicare, Part D, drug plan for 2027, but we need more volunteers to help seniors get signed up for the correct plans. You don't need any experience, we'll train you! In fact, we have training classes coming up! Call Atalie 785-232-0062 with questions!

Applicants wishing to attend Initial Counselor training must register for both Initial Training Session 1 and Session 2. Attendees will need access to an internet-connected computer/tablet/smart phone for this training.

Please contact the KDADS Medicare inbox, [email protected], with questions or requests for training.

Sessions & Schedule
Session 1 Initial Training
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
8/11/2026 Lawrence Session 1 SRC Office Garden Room, 745 Vermont
8/18/2026 Hays Session 1 NWKAAA office 510 W. 29th St. Suite B
8/25/2026 Topeka Session 1 Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, Inc. 2910 SW Topeka Blvd
9/22/2026 Videoconference Session 1 Online
New Applicants must attend both sessions of the Initial training to certify. Experienced counselors must attend Update training to re-certify.
Please review all fields for accuracy, as a registration confirmation will be sent to the email address provided.
A videoconference sign-in and documents link will be sent closer to the training date when registering for videoconference in-person training.

Session 2 Initial Training
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Session 2 trainings are scheduled consecutively following Session 1 in the same week at the same location.
Applicants should plan to attend both sessions in the same location but can attend in any location as it fits their schedule.
Applicants must complete Session 1 before attending Session 2.
7/9/2026 Wichita Session 2 Sedgwick Co Extension office 7001 W 21st St N, Sunflower Room
7/16/2026 Manhattan Session 2 North Central Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging
8/12/2026 Lawrence Session 2 SRC Office Garden Room, 745 Vermont
8/19/2026 Hays Session 2 NWKAAA office 510 W. 29th St. Suite B
8/26/2026 Topeka Session 2 Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, Inc. 2910 SW Topeka Blvd
9/23/2026 Videoconference Session 2 Online

Register Now: https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/aging/senior-health-insurance-counseling-for-kansas-shick/shick-coordinator-and-counselor-information/shick-training-registration-form

Main site:
https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/aging/senior-health-insurance-counseling-for-kansas-shick/shick-coordinator-and-counselor-information/shick-annual-training-calendar

Having trouble eating healthy on a budget?

We can help! Join us starting August 19, 6-7:30 at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library for the first of 6 classes that will not only have you sampling meals, but eating healthier and being more active!

Register for the course via the website: https://events.tscpl.org/event/16837444

The August Plant of the Month is an good addition to summer flower gardens, hardy hibiscus!

-Grows 5-6 feet tall, depending on the variety
-Grows best in full sun and prefers well draining soil, but can stand poor soil
-Flowers can be up to 8-12" across
-Blooms come in white, pink, and red, and come in a variety of patterns
-Attractive to a wide variety of pollinators

For more information on hardy hibiscus and other perennials that are adapted for Kansas, go to https://tinyurl.com/4uyb9vpv.

Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community?
We're looking for you!
Join us on Sept 17, 2026 at 5:30 pm at the Marvin Auditorium Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, to learn about becoming a VITA Volunteer. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, assists those with low to moderate incomes with filing their taxes for free. You don't need experience, we'll train you, and we'll have ongoing assistance at the VITA sites, so you're never on your own! Call Atalie Tompkins at 785-232-0062 ext 103 with questions, or email [email protected].

Last chance! Sign up for this FREE ATV Safety Training via the QR codes on the graphic or call the Paola office at 913-294-4306!

Anyone ages 10 and up can participate, and they're including the ATV, helmet, goggles, and gloves for use while in the class! Don't miss out!

Learn cooking skills for an active, healthy lifestyle on limited resources. Each week features a tasty meal to sample, focusing on creating healthy, affordable meals with common pantry items.

Register for a six-week class starting August 19, 6-7:30pm at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library.

https://events.tscpl.org/event/16837444

Join horticulture agents and specialists from across the state for the webinar on Wednesday, August 5th, over the lunch hour to learn more about food gardening projects around the state. To register for this webinar, go to https://tinyurl.com/ydbjtym3. Unable to attend live? Go to https://hnr.k-state.edu/.../consumer.../garden-hour/ to see view all past webinars in the series!

We are a Medicare Open Enrollment site with certified SHICK counselors to help you choose an Original Medicare, Part D, drug plan for 2027, but we need more volunteers to help seniors get signed up for the correct plans. You don't need any experience, we'll train you! In fact, we have training classes coming up! Call Atalie 785-232-0062 with questions!

Applicants wishing to attend Initial Counselor training must register for both Initial Training Session 1 and Session 2. Attendees will need access to an internet-connected computer/tablet/smart phone for this training.
Please contact the KDADS Medicare inbox, [email protected], with questions or requests for training.

Sessions & Schedule
Session 1 Initial Training
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
8/11/2026 Lawrence Session 1 SRC Office Garden Room, 745 Vermont

8/18/2026 Hays Session 1 NWKAAA office 510 W. 29th St. Suite B

8/25/2026 Topeka Session 1 Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, Inc. 2910 SW Topeka Blvd

9/22/2026 Videoconference Session 1 Online

New Applicants must attend both sessions of the Initial training to certify. Experienced counselors must attend Update training to re-certify.

Please review all fields for accuracy, as a registration confirmation will be sent to the email address provided.
A videoconference sign-in and documents link will be sent closer to the training date when registering for videoconference in-person training.

Session 2 Initial Training
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Session 2 trainings are scheduled consecutively following Session 1 in the same week at the same location.
Applicants should plan to attend both sessions in the same location but can attend in any location as it fits their schedule.
Applicants must complete Session 1 before attending Session 2.

7/9/2026 Wichita Session 2 Sedgwick Co Extension office 7001 W 21st St N, Sunflower Room

7/16/2026 Manhattan Session 2 North Central Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging

8/12/2026 Lawrence Session 2 SRC Office Garden Room, 745 Vermont

8/19/2026 Hays Session 2 NWKAAA office 510 W. 29th St. Suite B

8/26/2026 Topeka Session 2 Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, Inc. 2910 SW Topeka Blvd

9/23/2026 Videoconference Session 2 Online

Register Now! https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/aging/senior-health-insurance-counseling-for-kansas-shick/shick-coordinator-and-counselor-information/shick-training-registration-form

Main site:
https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/aging/senior-health-insurance-counseling-for-kansas-shick/shick-coordinator-and-counselor-information/shick-annual-training-calendar