By Kacie Lawrence/For The Sentinel
MURRAY – The agricultural division of the Calloway County Cooperative Extension Service recently released its second seasonal magazine, “Extension Diversified.” The newsletter-style magazine features educational articles and information regarding events and classes offered by the extension service.
“This recent edition includes valuable updates, insights, and information pertinent to our ongoing programs and events.” said Matt Chadwick, the agricultural agent for the Calloway office.
The first newsletter came out in the Fall of last year and featured articles written by local agents in the western Kentucky region. Articles on the local Master Gardeners program and raising chickens were just a few of the highlights. Print editions of the first and second editions of the magazine may be picked up at the local extension office, which is located off U.S. 641 N, at 93 Extension Way in Murray.
The newest edition, for the winter and spring seasons, is not only available in print, but there is also an e-edition.
For many years, the Calloway County Cooperative Extension, in connection with the University of Kentucky, has offered free or low-cost educational experiences for residents of Calloway. Whether it be through a class or a workshop, the mission of the extension office, according to its website, is to improve the community through research-based education. For more information about classes or meetings visit the extension website.
Other divisions within the Calloway Extension Service also offer similar newsletters. Debra Hixon, the agent for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), puts out a monthly newsletter to promote events and offer information. Digital copies of the most recent FCS newsletter can be found here.
“My monthly newsletter has flyers of upcoming classes,” Hixon said.
Much like Extension Diversified, the FCS newsletter also lets community members know about the variety of classes offered by the extension office.
“I do several community classes,” Hixon said, “Cooking Through the Calendar, a food demonstration at the Calloway County Public Library, the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. Also Laugh and Learn, a pre-kindergarten readiness program on the first Friday of the month at 10 a.m., which is also at the library.”
Hixon also offers a brain health class called WITS Workout at the Murray Senior center twice monthly, on the second and fourth Friday at 10 a.m. For those with children aged nine years and up, the Calloway County 4-H division of the extension office offers a wide array of programs.
“There are many new opportunities for our youth and volunteers coming up this spring that I am excited to share,” said Calyn Colston, Calloway’s 4-H youth development agent, of the Calloway 4-H newsletter, which can be found here.