About Cowley County Extension
The Cowley County Extension Office is located at 311 E 9th in Winfield. The office can be accessed using the southeast entrance of the Cowley County Courthouse.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
Open 8 a.m. -11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
K-State Research and Extension
In Kansas, Extension personnel work on the Kansas State University campus and in 105 county offices. Extension programs are designed to meet the needs of the local community.
In addition to county agents, Cowley County Extension programs are supported by one office professional and numerous volunteers. Educational efforts are guided by volunteers that serve on one of four Program Development Committees (PDC). The PDC collectively constitutes the Cowley County Extension Executive Council.
K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. We are a partnership between Kansas State University and federal, state, and county government, with offices in every Kansas county. We conduct research through Kansas that is then shared by Extension agents and others on our Web sites and through numerous conferences, workshops, field days, publications, newsletters and more.
Our Mission
"We are dedicated to a safe, sustainable, competitive food and fiber system and to strong, healthy communities, families and youth through integrated research, analysis and education."
Our Vision
K-State Research and Extension is committed to expanding human capacity by delivering educational programs and technical information that result in improved leadership skills in the areas of communication, group dynamics, conflict resolution, issue analysis, and strategic planning that can enhance the economic viability and quality of life in communities.
Brief History of K-State Research and Extension
1862 - The Morrill Act was passed paving the way for a land-grant university in every state.
1863 - Bluemont College was renamed the Kansas State Agricultural College.
1887- The Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station was created at Kansas State Agricultural College under the provisions of the Hatch Act.
1914 - The Smith-Lever Act created the Cooperative Extension Service.
1959 - The official university name was changed to Kansas State University of Agriculture and Applied Science.
1996 - The Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station and Kansas Cooperative Extension Service (K-State Research and Extension).
Today, K-State Research and Extension employs more than 300 research scientists, approximately 180 faculty specialists and program leaders, nearly 270 county and area specialists, and more than 400 support staff in 23 academic departments in five different colleges. In addition to main campus, K-State Research and Extension personnel are located in all 105 counties, seven experiment fields, four area offices, three research centers, and three research - extension centers.
About Cowley County
Cowley County has a population of 35,753 and is located in south central Kansas approximately one hour from Wichita. Winfield, population 12,284, is the county seat and home of Southwestern College. Arkansas City, population of 12,063, is the home of Cowley College. Five school districts serve students in the county.
Major employers include Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, GE Engine Services and Rubbermaid. Winfield is home to several blow-molding companies. Strother Field has numerous industries. Arkansas City has ADM flour mills; Skyline mobile home manufacturing; KanPac maker of shelf-stable milk products.
The agriculture industry includes a cotton gin, grain elevators, farm services, and active oil exploration and production. The eastern half of the county is Flint Hills pasture and the western half of the county is crop land with corn, wheat, soybeans, milo and cotton.
Cowley County has a little irrigation. There are 2 lakes: Cowley County State fishing lake and Winfield City lake. Winfield City lake supplies domestic water to about 30,000 people. Arkansas City gets its water from a well field near the Arkansas River. They are permitted for 9 mpg/day, a far greater yield than the Winfield City lake. There are 2 watershed restoration and protection systems (WRAPS) in Cowley County. These are partnerships between local stake holders, the State of Kansas and EPA. The Upper Timber Creek WRAPS is focused on protecting the Winfield City Lake. The Grouse-Silver WRAPS focuses on water quality. The Grouse-Silver system is a reference stream. This is what EPA looks to as a standard when evaluating impaired streams. Grouse Creek qualifies for listing as America’s wild and natural stream.
Cowley County Extension has a rich and proud history with an active "Friends of Extension" committee that serves to raise the profile of extension and generate non-tax monies to support extension programs.
