By JAY HARRIS
Cottonwood Extension District
Have you ever wanted to make a difference in your community, support local agriculture, youth, families, and community development, or help guide educational outreach in Barton and Ellis Counties? Serving on the Cottonwood Extension District Board may be just the opportunity you’re looking for.
The filing deadline for the 2025 Cottonwood Extension District Board Election is June 1, 2025. Interested individuals must be residents of either Barton or Ellis County and file for candidacy through the respective county clerk’s office. Four positions—two from each county—will be on the ballot during the upcoming election.
What Is the Cottonwood Extension District?
The Cottonwood Extension District is part of K-State Research and Extension, a statewide system that brings the resources of Kansas State University to local communities. Our staff work in areas such as agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, and community vitality. Programs are offered through educational workshops, field demonstrations, school enrichment, one-on-one consultations, and more.
The Cottonwood District serves both Barton and Ellis Counties through offices in Great Bend and Hays, and is guided by a locally elected board of directors.
The Role of the Board
The Extension District Board plays a vital role in overseeing the planning, budgeting, and staffing of district programs and services. Board members work closely with local extension agents and administrative staff to ensure that educational needs of the community are being met effectively. The board also provides fiscal oversight and strategic guidance to support long-term impact and sustainability.
Board members are elected to four-year terms and meet regularly throughout the year. This is a great opportunity to serve your community while gaining insight into the important work being done to support agriculture, health, youth, and economic development in our region.
How to File
Filing is easy. Simply contact your County Clerk’s office—either in Barton County or Ellis County—and request to file for the Cottonwood Extension District Board election. The deadline to file is June 1, 2025.
For more information about the Cottonwood Extension District and the work we do, visit our website at cottonwood.k-state.edu or call the office in Hays at 785-628-9430 or Great Bend at 620-793-1910.