15 Years and Counting
by Kaitlyn Peine
Community Health and Wellness Agent
On June 8th I celebrated my 15th anniversary with K-State Research and Extension. Most days it seems like the time has flown by. It’s true when others say, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” In this fall issue of our newsletter, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the previous 15 years and look forward to opportunities on the horizon.
Looking back to my childhood, my journey with Extension as a 4-H member in Cowley County. While I was an undergrad student at K-State, I worked for Extension on campus at the State 4-H Office and the Animal Science Department. While I was working on campus, a supervisor suggested I consider being an Extension agent as a career. Prior to that nudge, I had never considered Extension as a career option after college. That suggestion led to me starting my career as a 4-H Youth Development Agent in Johnson County in 2009.
Like many organizations, Extension has experienced employee turnover over the past several years. When I am asked why I stay in Extension, my answer is always, “The people”. On our Douglas County team, I work with some of the most talented and passionate colleagues in Extension. Our team at Douglas County Extension really is like a family and the skillset each person brings to our team is valued. Equally important, I work alongside some of the most gracious and skilled volunteers who increase our community reach while delivering our mission.
Speaking of volunteers, our Extension Master Food Volunteer Program is a highlight of our more recent efforts. In the spring of 2023, we hosted a series of trainings for new volunteers locally. Rebuilding the Extension Master Food Volunteer Program has been a labor of love made possible by the current membership and leadership team. It’s exciting to see an organization transform by growing our membership and increasing our volunteer capacity. The future is looking promising as we are embarking on our 2024 new class training this fall.
When I made the move to Douglas County in 2013, I knew it was the right move for me early into my tenure with our team. The Douglas County community has a culture of collaboration. Through the coalition work I have engaged in over the years, there is a spirit of teamwork among agencies that allows for transformational change in our community. A recent coalition highlight is from LiveWell Douglas County which includes having the opportunity to serve as their chair and our Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways Grant that provided $300,000 to community partners committing to the implementation of 19 new healthy living policies.
Working to improve the health of a community is not easy work, but it’s worthy work. I appreciate the chance to work and live in a county that is ready to take on the hard issues while working together. I look forward to what the future brings.