What happens when a pair of extension professionals set out to provide the two local school districts in their county with fresh beef for school lunches? They not only connect local beef producers with a meat locker to benefit all involved, but they also create more connections within the county and eventually expand the program to provide food to people who have become food insecure because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Photo courtesy of Richard Poland/Poland Angus Ranch

In fact, they were so successful in demonstrating how they could get everyone on the same page that they received a $25,000 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation to support the effort. The Kansas Health Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the health of all Kansans.

You don’t want to miss this story of K-State Research and Extension agents working hard to improve lives, livelihoods and their communities.

Guests for this episode:

• Justin Goodno is the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Barber County.
• Robin Eubank-Callis is the Family and Consumer Science agent for Barber County.

Links to Resources:

• Kansas Health Foundation
• K-State Research and Extension homepage
• K-State Research and Extension COVID-19 Resources page
• Contact information for local K-State Research and Extension offices

The Extension Files is a product of K-State Research and Extension, which is Kansas State University’s outreach and education system. We have an office in every one of Kansas’ 105 counties.

The goal for K-State Research and Extension is to be everyday Kansans’ trusted source for relevant, unbiased research and information to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future.

In Kansas, extension agents’ expertise and deep network of connections cover a wide array of topics:

• food (from livestock and crop production to preparation and preservation)
• families and community
• 4-H youth development
• finances
• health in all stages of life
• gardening
• landscaping
• … and much more

Check out the K-State Research and Extension website to learn more. The quickest way to find us on Facebook and Twitter is to search for #KSRE.

To provide feedback about this podcast, email us at ksrenews@ksu.edu.