Tara Solomon-Smith wants to see the big picture when it comes to improving health.
It’s about how everything — and everyone — can work together. That means having conversations to identify needs, educating the community and implementing programs that meet those needs.
“The momentum of moving toward that bigger picture of health has definitely excited me,” Solomon-Smith said.
She’s the new family and community wellness agent for the Southwind Extension District. Though her primary office is based in Erie, she serves all counties in the district: Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson.
She joined the Southwind District in January; she and Cassidy Lutz are new agents to the district, after Joy Miller transferred and Barbara Stockebrand retired.
Solomon-Smith works to increase health, well-being and vitality in the communities she serves. That includes programs that promote physical activity, such as Walk With Ease and Stay Healthy, Live Strong. She also teaches financial education for youth and adults, and works with senior citizens on insurance counseling for making Medicare decisions.
She also sees a greater need for child care in the area, and is working with counties to brainstorm solutions and find partnerships, coalitions and grants that can help. 
SOLOMON-SMITH has worked for K-State Research and Extension, before, including for the Southwind district.
In fact, it’s that previous experience combined with time away that gives her a broader perspective and appreciation for the work she’s doing now.
“I’m originally from southeast Kansas and it’s my favorite place to be,” she said.
She grew up in rural Woodson County and attended school in Yates Center. She graduated from K-State in Manhattan with a degree in family studies and human services before moving back to the area.
She lives in Neosho County with her husband and two boys, ages 2 and 10, and still has the family farm in Woodson County.
Solomon-Smith worked for Extension in Neosho County before it became part of the Southwind district.
She left about a year later to pursue other opportunities in grant-funded prevention work and in higher education at community colleges.
She returned to Extension about five years ago to serve as the adult development and aging agent with the Wildcat District in Crawford, Labette, Montgomery, and Wilson counties.
She discovered that during her absence, Extension had shifted to a more preventative approach. It fit well with the experience she had gained in the meantime.
