2021 Voting Guide
Program Development Committee
MEMBER POSITION DESCRIPTION
Purpose
Program Development Committee (PDC) members work together with extension agents to develop local programming.
Responsibilities
Working with agents, PDC members understand and promote the mission of K-State Research and Extension and serve their communities by completing the following tasks:
- Assess needs and issues of agricultural producers, communities, families, and youth.
- Identify new local audiences and develop a proactive plan to expand the scope of extension programming.
- Use K-State Research and Extension resources to meet local programming needs.
- Develop program action plans to address community needs and submit those plans to the extension board and area director for review and approval.
- Implement, participate in, and evaluate extension programs.
- Promote K-State Research and Extension program successes and impacts.
Qualifications
- At least 18 years old and a resident of the county in which the PDC is represented.
- Interested in working within the philosophy and mission of K-State Research and Extension.
- Willing to work closely with the local extension agent and other members of the PDC.
- Sincere interest in improving the quality of life for community residents.
Time Required
A PDC member serves a two-year term and are expected to participate in PDC meetings scheduled throughout the year.
4-H Youth Development
Martha Adame
Tell us about yourself:
I am currently working at West High School with the Pando Initiative as a student support advocate. I have experience working as a Social Worker for the State of Kansas, as a case manager at the Comcare Crisis center and in the school system. I am one of the first in my family that has graduated from college. I have a bachelor's degree in Social Work and a certificate in addictions and I am currently working on obtaining a masters degree in Social Work.
Experience with educational programs:
In my current position with the Pando Initiative my main priorities are to assist students with academic goal setting, to provide social emotional support, to assist with resources for students and families such as food pantries, free medical services and housing. I also do home visits to communicate with parents or guardians if needed due to truancy. I co facilitate several different groups at West high school such as our gardening club where we work closely with the the horticulture, forestry, and recreation resources programs of K-State Research and Extension. Our main goal with the gardening club is to grow fruit and vegetables to give to our students as well as creating a place for them to have fun and to be productive. Another group that I co facilitate is our baby pioneer group where I work with other agencies and organizations in the community to provide support for expecting and current teen moms. I also have lunch groups where students can come in and get assistance with homework, resume building, applying for scholarships, job searching and practicing interviewing skills.
Goals for Extension:
Some of the goals that I envision for the extension office would be to bring my experience to better help serve the staff and community members as well as preventing any miscommunication that may occur due to language barriers. I am bilingual and have experience working with the black and Hispanic community in Wichita and I would love to bring my passion for education and equality to the extension office so that we can help improve educational programs for all students including minorities.
Mel Hussey
Tell us about yourself:
I am a retired geologist and teacher/coach. I am a current community volunteer at CASA of Sedgwick County, Reality U, and oversee financial literacy for The Pando Initiative. I am also the owner of a farm in northwest Kansas.
Experience with educational programs:
I work with middle and high school students sharing Financial Literacy program. I served as a 4-H judge in geology at county fair, observed judges at state fair.
Goals for Extension:
To help grow awareness of the Extension in our community and promote success of programs in 4-H.
Corey Lyons
Tell us about yourself:
I work with the City of Wichita. I am the center director at McAdams Recreation Center. During my 6 years working in park and rec I have worked with the extension office to have classes for summer camps. Most of the kids that come to camp are low income and the extension office teaches them skills that wouldn’t receive at home. I am also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity so one of our key purposes is giving back to the community and being a leader.
Experience with educational programs:
As a center director I develop classes for fall, winter, and spring. We offer a variety of classes from fitness to sports. The first time I heard of programming that the K-State Extension offered was your mowing class. I worked at Lynette Woodard at the time and helped set up. The turnout for the event was amazing and the kids really loved learning from the professionals that were speaking.
Goals for Extension:
The goals I see for the extension office is having more free classes in areas where kids wouldn’t usually get the chance. Also working with every rec center in Wichita to offer programming because each area is different.
Agriculture/Horticulture
Mark Bergkamp
Tell us about yourself:
I farm with my wife Kristin in SW Sedgwick County and we have 4 children age 6-14. I have served on the PDC in the past as well as Sedgwick County Farm Bureau. Our children and family activities such as school/basketball/swim/and volleyball keep our life exciting. We embrace the challenges presented these days and are thankful to be Americans.
Experience with educational programs:
Our farm has used and participated in the programs and educational opportunities provided by extension over the years in particular related to Ag/Hort.
Goals for Extension:
Extension is a great resource for educating oneself on many issues. Making it available and easy to access is important.
Irene Denault
Tell us about yourself:
I am a wife and mother of two boys living in Wichita, KS. I am the owner of Denault Designs, a small local business that provides fine gardening and landscaping services. I enjoy providing education to my clients and community members to help them feel more confident in their gardening abilities. It is truly an honor to share the information that I have received while maintaining my Master Gardner certification.
Experience with educational programs:
I have thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the Agricultural/ Horticultural PDC for the past two years. I also have the honor of being a certified Master Gardener. This has allowed me to serve on various committees and volunteer for community service outreach programs.
Goals for Extension:
The goal I envision for the Extension is to continue to provide excellent resources and education for the community.
Karla Jahn
Tell us about yourself:
I’m from a farming family in Harper County, Ks and still own part of that farm. I moved to Wichita in 1973 and here I met my husband and raised our two sons. I retired in 2015 but have stayed busy with volunteer work and like traveling to see the great outdoors.
Experience with educational programs:
I was a member of the first Master Composter class of 2001 and became a Master Gardener in 2003. That involvement and sharing knowledge with these two groups has been priceless to me. I like talking to both young and old about what I’ve learned new each year while working in the Extension demonstration garden and other areas on the ground.
Goals for Extension:
I see our future with the Extension is to bring as much knowledge to others about what grows best here in order to enrich and beautify our community.
Jon Seymour
Tell us about yourself:
My family and I have lived in Park City for about 12 years. I have a Bachelors Degree in Park and Rec Administration from Pittsburg State University and I have worked at Longhofer Lawn and Tree Care for about 9 ½ years. I am a Licensed Aquatics Applicator and spend most of my days treating ponds, lakes, and lagoons for things like algae and aquatic weeds. My wife is a Marriage and Family Therapist and we have 2 daughters, ages 10 and 8. I was chosen by my professors to serve on the Student Curriculum Planning Board while a student at PSU. I have served on the Eureka, KS Chamber of Commerce Board in the past and am currently serving on the Park City Park and Recreation Board, which I have been on for about 8 years and have served as President and Vice-President.
Experience with educational programs:
We have been able to take advantage of several Health and Nutrition and Horticulture Programs as well as Agriculture Programs like Applicator Recertification Workshops through the years.
Goals for Extension:
The goal should always be to learn and grow. The blueprint is laid out in the PDC Member Position Description under Responsibilities. Every Responsibility should also be a goal. Understand and promote the mission of K-State Research and Extension and serve the community. I would personally be interested in helping to develop a plan to expand extension programming for Youth since I have a 10-year-old and an 8-year-old.
Community Vitality
Maggie Ballard
Tell us about yourself:
I was born and raised in Wichita, KS. I am currently running for Wichita City Council for District 6, running our non-profit Paxton’s Blessing Box and trying to keep up with my sweet 11 year old son, Paxton. This will be my 2nd term for PDC. Covid put a damper on things a little but tried to stay as involved as possible! We came out to judge the Sedgwick County Fair 4H animals which was super fun! Definitely appreciate the opportunities to keep learning more about the programs at Extension Center.
Goals for Extension:
My goals are just to keep trying to be present and learn where there are still gaps in the community and see if we can help try to close them.
Susan Hussey
Tell us about yourself:
I am a retired teacher and administrator from USD 259, retired liaison from WSU and graduate of Leadership Wichita. I served in leadership roles and on boards for CASA of Sedgwick County, the Pando Initiative, and currently the Assistance League of Wichita.
Experience with educational programs:
I am a current mentor for 3 students attending WSU Tech and Butler Community College. I volunteer at a middle and high school program for financial literacy. I continue to be a community volunteer for children.
Goals for Extension:
To bring more community awareness of the mission and vision of the Extension Center.
Lori Lohrenz
Tell us about yourself:
I am a retired microbiologist from ViaChristi St. Francis and AMS Laboratories, having lived in Wichita since 1979. I first joined the Master Gardener program in 1995, and also actively volunteered over the years with Positive Directions, East High School site council, McKnight Neighborhood Association, Science Olympiad, a local women’s clinic, and other local organizations.
Experience with educational programs:
I have presented programs at Botanica, Wichita Public Libraries, Wichita Public Schools and to Master Gardeners on topics such as composting, herb gardening, kombucha making, vermicomposting and soil preparation. I have given educational talks on HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention and volunteered as support to people living with AIDS. Along with other Master Gardeners, I helped plan and present an annual Juneteenth kids' gardening event, participated in gardening activities with kids in local community gardens, and presented hands-on composting and worm composting classes at elementary schools.
Goals for Extension:
My goal is to become more knowledgeable about the programs and assets of the Extension Service, and then bring my own knowledge, contacts and experiences to promote the kinds of educational opportunities desired especially by underserved groups which have not previously been reached by Extension programming. The turnout of minority community members for the Bloom & Grow event this spring was, for me, a striking contrast to a typical lack of diversity at many of our outreach events, and I would love to find ways to increase diversity throughout both our programming and volunteers.
Family and Consumer Sciences
Bonnie Hitzeman
Tell us about yourself:
I am a retired medical laboratory technologist. I have enjoyed being on the PDC for Family and Consumer Sciences as well as the Extension Board for two years.
Experience with educational programs:
I have volunteered with the SHICK program for approximately seven years where I have helped clients make informed decisions regarding their Medicare options.
Goals for Extension:
My goal is promoting an all-inclusive environment providing programs for the education, growth and well-being of all participants.
Litona Hoyt
Tell us about yourself:
I currently am the Superintendent's Secretary and Board Clerk for Derby Public Schools (USD 260) and have been in this role since 2012. I also sit on the Derby Education Foundation board since 2016. I am a very motivated and organized individual who also have many interests, primarily cooking, gardening, and serving the community.
Experience with educational programs:
I have taken a few classes with K-State Extension in the past at the John Pair facility near Derby.
Goals for Extension:
My goal is inclusiveness and true community outreach that impacts high need areas.
Teresa Molina
Tell us about yourself:
I am a professor of Spanish, Interpreting and Translation, and Latin American History and Culture at Friends University. I also taught for the USD 259 School District for 25 years as a teacher of Spanish and English as a Second Language, and served for years as the dual Foreign Language Department Head and Family and Consumer Science Department Head. I sponsored the Hispanos Unidos groups at South and East High Schools in Wichita. At East I taught for the International Baccalaureate program. My South High students were part of the first mural project promoting art by Hispanic Youth, our mural is still seen at 21st Street and Park Place in Wichita, KS. I taught language immersion camps for middle and high school youth in the summer as well. During those years with USD 259 I also functioned as an adjunct professor for Friends U., teaching Foreign Language Methodology and taking the college students on four-week Study Abroad summers in the Yucatan Peninsula in México. I founded the Hispanic American Leadership Organization in 2016.
Growing up I was part of a rather dysfunctional family and during my grade school years, a migrant family. Even though I was rarely in the same school during the entire school year, there were various towns in which an active 4-H group functioned. Thanks to 4-H, I came to value life skills being taught, and practiced sewing, cooking, and caring for animals.
Currently I am the Vice-President of the Executive Board of Wichita Area Sister Cities, and the chair of the México Committee, serving our Sister Cities in Tlalnepantla, México, México and Cancún, Quintana Roo, México. And I am studying to complete my Pastoral Care Certificate through an online program with Global University in Springfield, Missouri.
Goals for Extension:
Having taught in public schools for so many years, and having many dear friends who are still teaching, supporting our educators is more important than ever. I have been so pleased to see Extension support for teachers, students and parents and believe that should continue to be an emphasis.
Sí se puede, yes you CAN aspire to college, even if no one in your family has ever gone! Showing a path to higher education and helping students to dream of a BIG future is vital to our community.
Helping families with special needs children is critical. I feel acutely the exhaustion of parents who feel isolated because their children have conditions which require special care, and need help to search for solutions to daily challenges.
My life has been touched by suicide. Mental health is a priority I am so thankful that Extension programs address and should continue. And community service activities are good for the soul! So is gardening! Viva the Extension programs promoting both!
Vince Painter
Tell us about yourself:
I am a retired USAF and Learjet employee. I am a SHICK Counselor for Medicare Parts A, B, C, D, since 2017. I have been a Master Gardner, since 2017, answering hotline calls and helping customers who walk-in (4 years).
Experience with educational programs:
I have been an adjunct Instructor at the college level for 25 years-teaching both online and on-ground courses.
Goals for Extension:
Increase knowledge about health and wellness to a growing aging adult population while purposely extending services to underserved communities.
Promote knowledge of Medicare by increasing the outreach to the local communities.
Increase the number of SHICK counselors to serve more customers during open enrollment.
Debbie Williams
Tell us about yourself:
I am currently the Community Wellness Coordinator for the Derby Recreation Commission and certified as a Master Food Volunteer through the Extension. Prior to joining the DRC, I was the Health Promotion Coordinator for the Sedgwick County Health Department and then served as the Healthy Community Director for the Greater Wichita YMCA and the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita.
Experience with educational programs:
PDC Member 2017 & 2018, Volunteer Farm to Fork, Director Derby Health Collaborative, Employee Wellness Committee Chair, DHC Bike Committee, Derby Circles Representative, Health Alliance Member, Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita Member, Think Tank Member, Derby USD 260 Wellness Committee Member.
Goals for Extension:
Extension provides education and learning activities to farmers and growers and other residents of rural and urban communities. Our programs should provide knowledge and education directly to the people to improve lives and create positive community change. In addition, we should be aware of up and coming trends to offer relevant programs.
