YATES CENTER — Cassidy Lutz says she “basically grew up in an Extension office,” so it’s no surprise she would choose to become an Extension agent.
Lutz is the new Family and Consumer Science Agent for the Southwind Extension District. Her office is located in Yates Center but she covers all four counties in the district: Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson.
Lutz grew up in Anderson County, just outside Garnett, where she was active in 4-H, FFA, sports and a variety of other activities: “All that good ag-kid stuff,” as she called it.
Because of her involvement with 4-H, Lutz spent much of her time in the Extension office in Garnett. That’s where she prepared for the county fair or other events, and where she learned valuable information and skills.
“I felt really comfortable there. It felt like a space where I could be my own person,” she said.
Growing up, Lutz worked closely with Nancy Schuster, a longtime K-State Research & Extension agent based in Garnett who is now retired. Lutz points to Schuster as a sort of role model for the kind of Extension agent she wants to be.
“She was a wealth of knowledge. The general public could come in and ask her any question from canning to nutrition to family and health. It was such an awesome resource,” Lutz said.
“Not only that, I saw how 4-H helps kids grow and be their best self. I felt like I could give back, too.”
Lutz graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in food science in industry in May of 2020, during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It wasn’t an ideal time to start a career, but she had served as an intern for the Southwind Extension District the previous summer as a program assistant.
She has ties to the area; her mother is from Woodson County and relocated there to be closer to family. She also has grandparents who live in the area.
In November of 2020, Lutz took a job as the Family and Consumer Science agent in Greenwood County, where she has worked for the past 2 ½ years.
When Barbara Stockebrand retired from the Southwind district last fall, Lutz took advantage of the opportunity to join the district and be closer to her family.
Lutz has a background in food safety, including canning safety. She also specializes in family and child development. She’s particularly interested in helping families with children between the ages of 7-17.
“One of my goals is providing parents and kids with good, research-based information to better their lives and the lives of their family members,” she said.
“Family health and personal health start with how we communicate with each other. If you have a healthy relationship, it helps everyone thrive. You have to have that foundation at home to be the best you can be.”
