Newsletter
Urban Food Systems Initiative Spring 2025 Newsletter
Spring Has Sprung in Kansas
We're excited to share updates about what is going on within the Urban Food Systems Initiative as we enter into another semester filled with new faces, courses and exciting events! Keep reading to learn more.
Welcome New Students
This spring we welcomed a large cohort into the Urban Food Systems graduate programs. We welcome two research track students, as well as six professional track students. We are so inspired by our incredible group of UFS students — we hope you're able to connect with them throughout their time at K-State.
Shubham Kumar
Shubham Kumar joined Dr. Ravneet Sandhu and will be conducting research on June-bearing strawberries at OHREC.
Sindhu Priya Bobbili
Sindhu Priya Bobbili joined Dr. Tricia Jenkins and Dr. Eleni Pliakoni in the Postharvest Physiology Lab and will be conducting research about plastic-alternative packaging for urban growers.
We also welcomed the following Professional Track Students:
- Anne Hayse, a registered dietitian in Kansas for the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment
- Jorge Espinoza, a high school teacher establishing gardens and agriculture programs at a public school in Texas
- Leeoria Willis, an extension educator with The Ohio State University Extension
- Dana Freeman, an urban agriculture instructor with Nebraska Extension
- Jenna Turnipseed, a retired U.S. Military officer, mom and beginning farmer in Georgia
- Megin Jacques, a recent Kansas State University graduate and Marshall County Extension agent
New Courses in Therapeutic Horticulture
We are so excited to have Cynthia Domenghini join our core Urban Food Systems team. Domenghini earned her Ph.D. in horticulture from Kansas State University with a focus on therapeutic horticulture. After spending several years in various horticulture and education roles, she is back at Kansas State University as a horticulture Extension specialist and instructor. Domenghini writes a newsletter for Kansas gardeners with a distribution of more than 5,000. She also teaches classes focused on the people-plant connection and horticulture for human health. She is currently developing and teaching a series of online therapeutic horticulture courses.
The certificate in Therapeutic Horticulture from Kansas State University is a 12-credit hour program. Six therapeutic horticulture courses are offered online and asynchronous for eight weeks each throughout the academic year. Students will gain an understanding of why therapeutic horticulture is a useful tool for various populations seeking improved well-being, how to implement therapeutic activities and design a therapeutic space to meet the needs of the participants. Coursework for the certificate is being offered each Spring and Fall semester, however the official certificate program (available at both undergraduate and graduate levels) will be launched in 2026. If you have questions, you can reach Cynthia directly at cdom@ksu.edu.
Growing Growers Expansion
Are you in the Hays or Wichita area and know folks interested in learning specialty crop production from established farmers? The Growing Growers Apprenticeship program has a group of new farm hosts (in addition to those established in the KC area) that are looking to hire apprentices this growing season. Please share!
- Harvest Hays — The apprentice would gain hands-on experience in all aspects of farm operations, assist with farmers' markets, and help establish a CSA subscription-based program. Looking for seasonal and part-time throughout the summer, with wages ranging from $10-$12 per hour. Contact Matt Bender at mbender@arcofcentralplains.org.
- Wichita Area Sites — Contact Abbey Draut at abbeyd@ksu.edu.
- Common Ground Producers and Growers
- Legacy Garden Works
- KanGrow Hydro Farm
- Anchor Farms
- Rommey Farms
Upcoming Events
Growing Growers
2-4 p.m. on April 1 — Plant Propogation at Juniper Gardens- 3-5 p.m. on May 27 — Food Safety and Postharvest Handling at Mellowfields
- 4-6 p.m. on June 17 — Soil at Urbavore Urban Farm
- 9-11 a.m. on July 15 — Integrated Pest Management at JCCC Open Petal Farm
- 4-6 p.m. on Aug. 25 — Veggie Field Day and Graduation at K-State OHREC
See the Growing Growers calendar
New Growth
Our friends and program partners at New Growth, a program of West Central Missouri Community Action Agency, are seeking mentees for their Beginning Farmer Mentorship program. If you are interested or know a beginning farmer that would benefit, please visit the New Growth website to learn more.
Gaining Ground Webinar Series
From 1-2 p.m. CST April 30 on Zoom, come learn about a digital farm management platform designed to assist with planning, task scheduling and sustainability tracking, as well as simple spreadsheet-based tools that help growers with crop storage, heating and cooling needs and other essential farm functions. Explore how you can share these tools and better serve urban and small-scale growers.
Study with Us
Curious about our graduate programs in Urban Food Systems? We accept students on a rolling admission basis. If you're curious about your master's degree or graduate certificate, email Semra to schedule a call.
Work with Us
We currently have two exciting position openings at Kansas State University that collaborate significantly with the Urban Food Systems Initiative:
- The Horticulture Department is seeking a full-time Assistant Professor in Sustainable Food Production Systems to join us at the Manhattan campus.
- K-State Research and Extension is seeking a full-time Assistant/Associate Professor (Consumer Food Safety Specialist) with a joint Kansas State and University of Missouri appointment. This position will be based at the K-State Olathe campus.
Save the Date
On June 7, join Cultivate KC for the Urban Grown Farms and Gardens Tour. Learn more.
The biennial Urban Food Systems Symposium, or UFSS, is coming back to Kansas City in from Sept. 14-17, 2026. Learn more.
Metropolitan Community College Maple Woods
Are you in the KC Metro Area and able to teach introductory agriculture courses? Metropolitan Community College is experiencing growth in their agricultural programs and is seeking adjunct Instructors. Learn more and apply.