written by: Donn Krug,&nbsp;K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District

The wintry weather we are having makes me think of how good a piping hot bowl of soup would taste. Whether it’s a prize winning recipe for chili or a recipe you are preparing for the first time, soups can be a great way to add nutrition and a sense of warmth to any meal.

There are several distinct kinds of soups. Many times a meal starts off with a broth type of soup. This can help whet the appetite for the rest of the meal. A broth type soup can also help keep a person hydrated since we often don’t drink enough water on a cold wintry day. 

One of our favorite soups is Miso soup. It’s simple to make, and besides tasting good, the miso paste added at the end of the cooking time, has cancer fighting properties.

Savory soups and stews are popular in the winter months because they stick to your ribs. As a general rule, a savory soup may cook more slowly, like in a slow cooker or electric roaster. The added benefit of preparing a soup in this way is that you get to enjoy the smell of the soup while it is cooking throughout the day. You can add just about any vegetable to a savory soup and not be disappointed. 

And finally, there are creamy soups. Recipes abound in this category. Some creamy soups are milk based but you can also find recipes where you pull out a few ladles full of the chunky ingredients and use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup before adding it back in to the entire pot full. This will thicken the soup and provide an almost creamy texture. 

Perhaps a family member is not fond of the texture of a soup ingredient; by pureeing it like I’ve described, you can almost hide an ingredient.

Whatever type of soup you choose to prepare, you will find that cooking from scratch has many advantages. I try to avoid using canned soups as much as possible because they add a large amount of sodium and other preservatives to your diet. If you do purchase canned soup, make sure you look for low sodium options.

If I have made you just a little bit hungry for soup, I hope you will mark your calendar for Sunday, Jan. 26. That is the date of our next Healthy Community Potluck from 4-6 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Great Bend. The focus of our January potluck will be on plant based soups, so start looking for a recipe to prepare and share. I will do a short cooking demonstration at 4 and then we’ll enjoy sampling all of the soups brought by everyone. Make sure you bring a recipe and following the potluck we will e-mail all of the recipes out to everyone. I hope to see you on the 26th!

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141417887.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug</figcaption>
 </figure>written by: Donn Krug,&nbsp;K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood DistrictThe wintry weather we are having makes me think of how good a piping hot bowl of soup would taste. Whether it’s a prize winning recipe for chili or a recipe you are preparing for the first time, soups can be a great way to add nutrition and a sense of warmth to any meal.There are several distinct kinds of soups. Many times a meal starts off with a broth type of soup. This can help whet the appetite for the rest of the meal. A broth type soup can also help keep a person hydrated since we often don’t drink enough water on a cold wintry day. One of our favorite soups is Miso soup. It’s simple to make, and besides tasting good, the miso paste added at the end of the cooking time, has cancer fighting properties.Savory soups and stews are popular in the winter months because they stick to your ribs. As a general rule, a savory soup may cook more slowly, like in a slow cooker or electric roaster. The added benefit of preparing a soup in this way is that you get to enjoy the smell of the soup while it is cooking throughout the day. You can add just about any vegetable to a savory soup and not be disappointed. And finally, there are creamy soups. Recipes abound in this category. Some creamy soups are milk based but you can also find recipes where you pull out a few ladles full of the chunky ingredients and use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup before adding it back in to the entire pot full. This will thicken the soup and provide an almost creamy texture. Perhaps a family member is not fond of the texture of a soup ingredient; by pureeing it like I’ve described, you can almost hide an ingredient.Whatever type of soup you choose to prepare, you will find that cooking from scratch has many advantages. I try to avoid using canned soups as much as possible because they add a large amount of sodium and other preservatives to your diet. If you do purchase canned soup, make sure you look for low sodium options.If I have made you just a little bit hungry for soup, I hope you will mark your calendar for Sunday, Jan. 26. That is the date of our next Healthy Community Potluck from 4-6 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Great Bend. The focus of our January potluck will be on plant based soups, so start looking for a recipe to prepare and share. I will do a short cooking demonstration at 4 and then we’ll enjoy sampling all of the soups brought by everyone. Make sure you bring a recipe and following the potluck we will e-mail all of the recipes out to everyone. I hope to see you on the 26th!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.

Super soups are great comfort foods

written by: Stacy Campbell,&nbsp;Cottonwood Extension District

The Kansas Mesonet is a network of
weather stations in Kansas founded in 1986 by K-State Research &amp; Extension
to record climate and provide essential weather data for Kansas agriculture and
industries. Currently there are 62 Mesonet weather stations in the state. 

Kansas Mesonet provides access to
both real time and historical data online at mesonet.ksu.edu Data is updated
every five minutes, information available includes – yesterday’s weather,
weekly soil temperatures, evapotranspiration data, weekly summaries, station
metadata, growing degree information for crops and an animal comfort index. It
now has made their website compatible with mobile phones. All the info. is now
available at your fingertips with an easy-to-use mobile display and the ability
to bookmark specific pages. 

Cold winter days are returning!
However, it is not always the temperature that gives the air that nip. The
“feels like” temperature is usually influenced by the wind as well. We call
this the wind chill.

When temperatures drop below 50 oF
and wind speeds are greater than 5 mph, the “Feels Like” temperature is lower
than the actual temperature. Wind chill can be calculated two ways: 1) using
the chart below, or 2) mathematically. As the wind increases and/or the
temperature decreases, wind chill values decrease. This means that despite it
being 0 oF on a very cold morning, when factoring in the wind (for
example 20 mph, it can feel like a much colder temperature (in this example,
-22 oF).

This colder “feels like” temperature
can not only make you feel chilled quicker; it can also lead to other problems
such as frostbite much quicker. Exposure time estimations of frostbite issues
at 0 degrees F with no wind is 30 minutes, while 0 oF and 55 mph
winds is less than 10 minutes of exposure. Wind chills can be determined by the
following chart from the National Weather Service (<a href="https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-wind-chill-chart">https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-wind-chill-chart</a>):

Wind chill chart from the National Weather
Service.

Where can you access wind chill
data?

The Kansas Mesonet makes viewing the
wind chill very easy! They have put together a webpage depicting current wind
chill via a gradient map here: <a href="http://mesonet.ksu.edu/weather/wind%20chill">mesonet.ksu.edu/weather/wind
chill</a>

It is also accessible by clicking
the banner on the Kansas Mesonet homepage, <a href="http://mesonet.ksu.edu/">mesonet.ksu.edu</a>.
The map defaults to the current wind chill, but also has a selection at the top
where you can change the map to view temperature and wind speed/direction.
Since these are the two ingredients for the wind chill, it tells the complete
story. The table below the map also displays the wind chill, temperature, and
wind data for each station in sortable columns. By clicking the column
headings, that particular column will sort from lowest to highest values. Click
it again and it will reverse the order. You can also select a specific station
either on the map or in the data table and it will display the specific
information for that location.

How many hours has the temperature
been below freezing?

Winter wheat and cover crop
producers still have an interest in the cold temperatures. The freeze monitor
data is available on this webpage as well. It allows you to track the hours
below 32 or 24 oF thresholds useful for permafrost development or
winter wheat/cover crop damages.&nbsp; You can access this information via the
menu in the top left (Weather à Freeze Monitor) or at: <a href="http://mesonet.ksu.edu/weather/freeze">mesonet.ksu.edu/weather/freeze</a> on this
page you can also see what the normal low for that date is, the record low and
year it occurred as well.

Stay warm and safe on these chilly
days! Winter has only just begun.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141087694.png" alt="Stacy Campbell" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell</figcaption>
 </figure>written by: Stacy Campbell,&nbsp;Cottonwood Extension DistrictThe Kansas Mesonet is a network of
weather stations in Kansas founded in 1986 by K-State Research &amp; Extension
to record climate and provide essential weather data for Kansas agriculture and
industries. Currently there are 62 Mesonet weather stations in the state. Kansas Mesonet provides access to
both real time and historical data online at mesonet.ksu.edu Data is updated
every five minutes, information available includes – yesterday’s weather,
weekly soil temperatures, evapotranspiration data, weekly summaries, station
metadata, growing degree information for crops and an animal comfort index. It
now has made their website compatible with mobile phones. All the info. is now
available at your fingertips with an easy-to-use mobile display and the ability
to bookmark specific pages. Cold winter days are returning!
However, it is not always the temperature that gives the air that nip. The
“feels like” temperature is usually influenced by the wind as well. We call
this the wind chill.What is the wind chill?When temperatures drop below 50 oF
and wind speeds are greater than 5 mph, the “Feels Like” temperature is lower
than the actual temperature. Wind chill can be calculated two ways: 1) using
the chart below, or 2) mathematically. As the wind increases and/or the
temperature decreases, wind chill values decrease. This means that despite it
being 0 oF on a very cold morning, when factoring in the wind (for
example 20 mph, it can feel like a much colder temperature (in this example,
-22 oF).This colder “feels like” temperature
can not only make you feel chilled quicker; it can also lead to other problems
such as frostbite much quicker. Exposure time estimations of frostbite issues
at 0 degrees F with no wind is 30 minutes, while 0 oF and 55 mph
winds is less than 10 minutes of exposure. Wind chills can be determined by the
following chart from the National Weather Service (<a href="https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-wind-chill-chart">https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-wind-chill-chart</a>):<figure>
 <img src="file:///C:/Users/Cole/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Wind chill chart from the National Weather
Service.Where can you access wind chill
data?The Kansas Mesonet makes viewing the
wind chill very easy! They have put together a webpage depicting current wind
chill via a gradient map here: <a href="http://mesonet.ksu.edu/weather/wind%20chill">mesonet.ksu.edu/weather/wind
chill</a>It is also accessible by clicking
the banner on the Kansas Mesonet homepage, <a href="http://mesonet.ksu.edu/">mesonet.ksu.edu</a>.
The map defaults to the current wind chill, but also has a selection at the top
where you can change the map to view temperature and wind speed/direction.
Since these are the two ingredients for the wind chill, it tells the complete
story. The table below the map also displays the wind chill, temperature, and
wind data for each station in sortable columns. By clicking the column
headings, that particular column will sort from lowest to highest values. Click
it again and it will reverse the order. You can also select a specific station
either on the map or in the data table and it will display the specific
information for that location.How many hours has the temperature
been below freezing?Winter wheat and cover crop
producers still have an interest in the cold temperatures. The freeze monitor
data is available on this webpage as well. It allows you to track the hours
below 32 or 24 oF thresholds useful for permafrost development or
winter wheat/cover crop damages.&nbsp; You can access this information via the
menu in the top left (Weather à Freeze Monitor) or at: <a href="http://mesonet.ksu.edu/weather/freeze">mesonet.ksu.edu/weather/freeze</a> on this
page you can also see what the normal low for that date is, the record low and
year it occurred as well. Stay warm and safe on these chilly
days! Winter has only just begun.

Wind chill analysis tool from Kansas Mesonet

written by: Michelle Beran -&nbsp;4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District Youth from ages 7-18 have a wealth of opportunities to learn, create and improve skills through 4-H!

The mission of 4-H is Learning Through Doing and the Cottonwood Extension District through K-State Research and Extension provide many different opportunities for learning.

When most people think of 4-H, they think of the fair with the many purple, blue, red and white ribbons. While the ribbons represent what a 4-H member has learned, working on the project itself is, by far, the most important part. Work ethic, responsibility, time management and budgeting are all important life&nbsp;skills gained by working on a project during the year. We encourage 4-H members to set goals early in the 4-H year and reflect on those at the end to review the important lessons learned.

4-H Club Day is coming up in February and this is an opportunity for 4-H youth to present a demonstration or illustrated talk, work together as a club to showcase a skit or model meeting, or really challenge their skills with extemporaneous or public speaking. 

Public speaking doesn’t come easy for many of us and it is heart-warming to watch a young one who, last year couldn’t stand in front of their club, now looking a judge in the eye and presenting their information. This requires research skills, practice, development of visual aids and, most importantly, honing their communication skills.

Skills judging from livestock and meats teams to photography, horticulture and FCS (Family and Consumer Science) give 4-H members time to practice analytical and critical thinking skills. Club leadership and 4-H service projects allow 4-H members an opportunity to improve leadership skills and understand civic involvement.

Day camps, Discovery Days and 4-H Camp let 4-H members stretch their horizons, meet new people and have new experiences. Several exciting opportunities for older 4-H members happen throughout the year. One of these is serving as a camp counselor which is a great way for young people to practice leadership and communication as well as responsibility! 

Citizenship In Action occurs over President’s Day weekend and provides a unique opportunity for 4-H members to meet in Topeka to develop, debate, and vote on a bill. Citizenship Washington Focus is a state-wide trip which selects 50 4-H youth across Kansas to travel to Washington DC in June to meet with legislators, tour landmarks, and learn a considerable amount about the United States government. 

The Kansas Youth Leadership Forum (KYLF) happens the weekend before Thanksgiving each year and the Cottonwood District was well represented again this year. Providing opportunities to practice the important life skills of leadership, civic involvement, communication, planning/time management and budgeting are truly the goals of 4-H Youth Development. 

As a lifelong learner, I continue to look for opportunities to stretch my ability, broaden my way of thinking and continue to practice my own life skills. What opportunities have you taken advantage of today, this month or this year?

“Today is an opportunity to get better; don’t waste it!” anonymous

Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575650994387.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran</figcaption>
 </figure>written by: Michelle Beran -&nbsp;4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District Youth from ages 7-18 have a wealth of opportunities to learn, create and improve skills through 4-H!The mission of 4-H is Learning Through Doing and the Cottonwood Extension District through K-State Research and Extension provide many different opportunities for learning.When most people think of 4-H, they think of the fair with the many purple, blue, red and white ribbons. While the ribbons represent what a 4-H member has learned, working on the project itself is, by far, the most important part. Work ethic, responsibility, time management and budgeting are all important life&nbsp;skills gained by working on a project during the year. We encourage 4-H members to set goals early in the 4-H year and reflect on those at the end to review the important lessons learned.4-H Club Day is coming up in February and this is an opportunity for 4-H youth to present a demonstration or illustrated talk, work together as a club to showcase a skit or model meeting, or really challenge their skills with extemporaneous or public speaking. Public speaking doesn’t come easy for many of us and it is heart-warming to watch a young one who, last year couldn’t stand in front of their club, now looking a judge in the eye and presenting their information. This requires research skills, practice, development of visual aids and, most importantly, honing their communication skills.Skills judging from livestock and meats teams to photography, horticulture and FCS (Family and Consumer Science) give 4-H members time to practice analytical and critical thinking skills. Club leadership and 4-H service projects allow 4-H members an opportunity to improve leadership skills and understand civic involvement.Day camps, Discovery Days and 4-H Camp let 4-H members stretch their horizons, meet new people and have new experiences. Several exciting opportunities for older 4-H members happen throughout the year. One of these is serving as a camp counselor which is a great way for young people to practice leadership and communication as well as responsibility! Citizenship In Action occurs over President’s Day weekend and provides a unique opportunity for 4-H members to meet in Topeka to develop, debate, and vote on a bill. Citizenship Washington Focus is a state-wide trip which selects 50 4-H youth across Kansas to travel to Washington DC in June to meet with legislators, tour landmarks, and learn a considerable amount about the United States government. The Kansas Youth Leadership Forum (KYLF) happens the weekend before Thanksgiving each year and the Cottonwood District was well represented again this year. Providing opportunities to practice the important life skills of leadership, civic involvement, communication, planning/time management and budgeting are truly the goals of 4-H Youth Development. As a lifelong learner, I continue to look for opportunities to stretch my ability, broaden my way of thinking and continue to practice my own life skills. What opportunities have you taken advantage of today, this month or this year?“Today is an opportunity to get better; don’t waste it!” anonymousMichelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.

Opportunities abound in 4-H

written by: Donna Krug -&nbsp;K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District

What gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, but is cited as the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers? If you guessed radon you are absolutely right.

January is noted as Radon Action Awareness Month so it is the perfect time to share up-to-date information on this important topic.

Radon surveys show that 6 percent of homes in the U.S. have average concentrations above the recommended maximum level. However, the Kansas survey demonstrated that one in four homes were high. This information is provided by Bruce Snead, K-State Research and Extension residential energy specialist.

So how does this cancer causing gas enter a house? The most common way is it can seep from the soil beneath the foundation through cracks or joints. Another factor, soil porosity, under and around the basement or foundation, also affects the radon levels in homes and public buildings.

Detection of radon is relatively simple. We recommend purchasing a short term radon detection kit. We have these available at both of our Cottonwood District offices, (Great Bend and Hays). The kits cost $6.50 and we have a good supply available for purchase. Radon tests may also be found at hardware stores and on the Internet, usually for $25 or less.

Testing is important, because it is the only way to tell how much of the gas is present. We advise people to test in the lowest level where they spend time, such as a bedroom, living or family room. Avoid testing in a kitchen or bathroom, since the higher humidity in those areas can alter the test results. The testing device needs to be at least 20 inches above the floor and be left in place for two to four days. The goal is to measure the potential for elevated concentrations that come from the soil beneath the home's foundation.

If the initial test result is 4 pico curies per liter of air or higher, a follow-up test is recommended. If you find that you need to contact a contractor to help mitigate radon, give me a call. I have an up to date list of certified mitigation technicians and laboratories providing services in Kansas. Certification through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for radon professionals was required starting in July 2011.

In Kansas, since July 1, 2009, residential real estate contracts must contain a specific paragraph recommending radon testing in real estate transactions and disclosure of test results. There are, however, currently no laws requiring such tests or mitigation of high levels of radon.

Consider testing your home soon. The cost of the test kit is a small price to pay for the peace of mind knowing the radon level in your home.

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District – Great Bend Office. You may reach her at:(620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141417887.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug</figcaption>
 </figure>written by: Donna Krug -&nbsp;K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood DistrictWhat gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, but is cited as the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers? If you guessed radon you are absolutely right.January is noted as Radon Action Awareness Month so it is the perfect time to share up-to-date information on this important topic.Radon surveys show that 6 percent of homes in the U.S. have average concentrations above the recommended maximum level. However, the Kansas survey demonstrated that one in four homes were high. This information is provided by Bruce Snead, K-State Research and Extension residential energy specialist.So how does this cancer causing gas enter a house? The most common way is it can seep from the soil beneath the foundation through cracks or joints. Another factor, soil porosity, under and around the basement or foundation, also affects the radon levels in homes and public buildings.Detection of radon is relatively simple. We recommend purchasing a short term radon detection kit. We have these available at both of our Cottonwood District offices, (Great Bend and Hays). The kits cost $6.50 and we have a good supply available for purchase. Radon tests may also be found at hardware stores and on the Internet, usually for $25 or less.Testing is important, because it is the only way to tell how much of the gas is present. We advise people to test in the lowest level where they spend time, such as a bedroom, living or family room. Avoid testing in a kitchen or bathroom, since the higher humidity in those areas can alter the test results. The testing device needs to be at least 20 inches above the floor and be left in place for two to four days. The goal is to measure the potential for elevated concentrations that come from the soil beneath the home's foundation.If the initial test result is 4 pico curies per liter of air or higher, a follow-up test is recommended. If you find that you need to contact a contractor to help mitigate radon, give me a call. I have an up to date list of certified mitigation technicians and laboratories providing services in Kansas. Certification through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for radon professionals was required starting in July 2011.In Kansas, since July 1, 2009, residential real estate contracts must contain a specific paragraph recommending radon testing in real estate transactions and disclosure of test results. There are, however, currently no laws requiring such tests or mitigation of high levels of radon.Consider testing your home soon. The cost of the test kit is a small price to pay for the peace of mind knowing the radon level in your home.Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District – Great Bend Office. You may reach her at:(620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu

Protecting your home from radon

written by: Donna Krug -&nbsp;K-State&nbsp;Research &amp; Extension, Cottonwood District

Wow, can you believe it is 2020? I am still getting used to writing it on my correspondence. With a new decade ahead of us it seems like the perfect time to remind you about an Action Plan. Hopefully you have some goals or expectations written down so that the year ahead can be fulfilling and satisfying. Still, there may be times that challenges get in the way of meeting these goals.

An “Action Plan” can help get the New Year off to a great start. A few years ago I wrote a fact sheet titled, “Action Plan for Healthy Living.” The fact sheet focuses on 15 lifestyle choices that can bring about a healthier life. 

Several of the lifestyle choices revolve around a healthier plate while others target the importance of physical activity. And finally, I added some other considerations like stress management, simplifying your life, sleeping well, and surrounding yourself with positive people. 

Helping individuals create an action plan that they can become engaged in was my goal in sharing this information.

So what exactly is an “Action Plan”? The first step in developing an action plan is to find something you “want” to do. Think about lifestyle changes that could impact your health in a positive way. Choose something that is reasonable; something you could expect to accomplish in a week or two.

A true action plan is behavior specific. Losing weight is not a behavior, but drinking three sugary drinks every day is. So your action plan might read like this. “I will drink a glass of water instead of a sugary drink twice each day in the week ahead.” As you can see the action plan answered these questions:

The final piece of a successful action plan is to assess the confidence level that you will fulfill the contract. On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 represents little confidence and 10 represents total confidence, your plan should rank at least a 7.

Many serious health problems are directly related to personal habits or behavior. The risk factors that can lead to these problems are of little concern to many people. They may have the attitude, “I feel fine – why worry about a healthier lifestyle? The medical system was built around caring for the sick instead of keeping people well. Achieving a healthy lifestyle takes knowledge, effort, and determination. No one can do it for you. Now is the time to build healthy habits into your daily life. Soon they will come naturally.

Feel free to join me for the educational program, Action Plan for Healthy Living, on Friday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m. at the Great Bend Senior. If you are unable to participate you can find my fact sheet on the KSRE website. The publication number is: MF 3053. 

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141417887.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug</figcaption>
 </figure>written by: Donna Krug -&nbsp;K-State&nbsp;Research &amp; Extension, Cottonwood DistrictWow, can you believe it is 2020? I am still getting used to writing it on my correspondence. With a new decade ahead of us it seems like the perfect time to remind you about an Action Plan. Hopefully you have some goals or expectations written down so that the year ahead can be fulfilling and satisfying. Still, there may be times that challenges get in the way of meeting these goals.An “Action Plan” can help get the New Year off to a great start. A few years ago I wrote a fact sheet titled, “Action Plan for Healthy Living.” The fact sheet focuses on 15 lifestyle choices that can bring about a healthier life. Several of the lifestyle choices revolve around a healthier plate while others target the importance of physical activity. And finally, I added some other considerations like stress management, simplifying your life, sleeping well, and surrounding yourself with positive people. Helping individuals create an action plan that they can become engaged in was my goal in sharing this information.So what exactly is an “Action Plan”? The first step in developing an action plan is to find something you “want” to do. Think about lifestyle changes that could impact your health in a positive way. Choose something that is reasonable; something you could expect to accomplish in a week or two.A true action plan is behavior specific. Losing weight is not a behavior, but drinking three sugary drinks every day is. So your action plan might read like this. “I will drink a glass of water instead of a sugary drink twice each day in the week ahead.” As you can see the action plan answered these questions:What? How much? When? How often?The final piece of a successful action plan is to assess the confidence level that you will fulfill the contract. On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 represents little confidence and 10 represents total confidence, your plan should rank at least a 7.Many serious health problems are directly related to personal habits or behavior. The risk factors that can lead to these problems are of little concern to many people. They may have the attitude, “I feel fine – why worry about a healthier lifestyle? The medical system was built around caring for the sick instead of keeping people well. Achieving a healthy lifestyle takes knowledge, effort, and determination. No one can do it for you. Now is the time to build healthy habits into your daily life. Soon they will come naturally.Feel free to join me for the educational program, Action Plan for Healthy Living, on Friday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m. at the Great Bend Senior. If you are unable to participate you can find my fact sheet on the KSRE website. The publication number is: MF 3053. Have a happy and healthy New Year!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu

Start new decade off right with an Action Plan

written by Michelle Beran - 4-H and Youth Development Agent, Cottonwood Extension District

We often talk about 4-H teaching life skills to youth but what exactly does that mean?

It means the very practical skills of caring for ourselves and others by learning through projects such as Food and Nutrition, Clothing and Textiles, and Health. It means practicing being able to read a basic recipe, buy groceries, and make healthy food decisions. 

Am I going to sew my own suits these days – No – but I do know how with many thanks to my own 4-H leaders. What is more important is that a youth learns to repair a hem or sew on a button and knows how to care for their clothing so that it lasts.

Life Skills also means having a need for curiosity and learning. Projects like entomology, forestry, photography, and visual arts encourage life-long learning and, in many cases, can lead to jobs in agriculture, education, and many other areas.

An important aspect of 4-H Life Skills is decision making! Through judging opportunities, participation in their clubs, and interactions at a wide variety of events, 4-H members have the opportunity to make decisions and have feedback on how effective that decision was. These are definitely learning opportunities as they won’t always make the wisest decision – that comes with time and experience!

Have you ever heard the phrase “another meeting that could have been handled through an email?” Learning parliamentary procedure is a definite life skill for 4-H members and is applicable for their future in business meetings, civic board and committee meetings, as well as governmental service.

So how do we teach these life skills in 4-H? We use project learning, such as the ones already noted, as well as club meetings, workshops and day camps which give youth a chance to try out new skills and continue to increase their knowledge of a topic. All the while they are learning to communicate effectively, learning the value of involvement in their community, and practicing decision making. These are important life skills to help our communities not just survive, but to thrive!

Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth and Development related questions email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call the Cottonwood-Barton office at 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575650994387.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran</figcaption>
 </figure>written by Michelle Beran - 4-H and Youth Development Agent, Cottonwood Extension DistrictWe often talk about 4-H teaching life skills to youth but what exactly does that mean?It means the very practical skills of caring for ourselves and others by learning through projects such as Food and Nutrition, Clothing and Textiles, and Health. It means practicing being able to read a basic recipe, buy groceries, and make healthy food decisions. Am I going to sew my own suits these days – No – but I do know how with many thanks to my own 4-H leaders. What is more important is that a youth learns to repair a hem or sew on a button and knows how to care for their clothing so that it lasts.Life Skills also means having a need for curiosity and learning. Projects like entomology, forestry, photography, and visual arts encourage life-long learning and, in many cases, can lead to jobs in agriculture, education, and many other areas.An important aspect of 4-H Life Skills is decision making! Through judging opportunities, participation in their clubs, and interactions at a wide variety of events, 4-H members have the opportunity to make decisions and have feedback on how effective that decision was. These are definitely learning opportunities as they won’t always make the wisest decision – that comes with time and experience!Have you ever heard the phrase “another meeting that could have been handled through an email?” Learning parliamentary procedure is a definite life skill for 4-H members and is applicable for their future in business meetings, civic board and committee meetings, as well as governmental service.So how do we teach these life skills in 4-H? We use project learning, such as the ones already noted, as well as club meetings, workshops and day camps which give youth a chance to try out new skills and continue to increase their knowledge of a topic. All the while they are learning to communicate effectively, learning the value of involvement in their community, and practicing decision making. These are important life skills to help our communities not just survive, but to thrive!Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth and Development related questions email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call the Cottonwood-Barton office at 620-793-1910.

4-H = Life Skills

written by Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual
Cover Your Acres Winter Conference! It will be held on January 14 and 15th
at the Gateway in Oberlin, KS.

A research based
educational conference for producers and industry. It's a conference for new
ideas and updates in crop production practices relevant to the Central Plains.
This is a producer driven conference program resulting from a partnership of
K-State Research and Extension and the Northwest Kansas Crop Residue Alliance.

Alternative
Crops-What We Know, Don’t Know, and Should Be Thinking About by Lucas Haag, NW
Extension regional agronomist. 

Beyond Grain: The
Value of Wheat in the Production Chain by Aaron Harries, VP of Research &amp; Operations
- Kansas Wheat.

Cover Crops as a
Weed Management Tool by K-State agronomy graduate students. 

Current Financial
Status of NW Kansas Farms by Jordan Steele, NW Farm Management Association
economist and field man. 

Insect Management
in Dryland Corn by Sarah Zukoff, SW Extension entomologist. 

Planter
Technology Advancements by Ajay Sharda, K-State Research &amp; Extension Ag
Engineer. 

Soil Testing-
Interpretations Matter by Dorivar Ruiz-Diaz, Extension soil fertility
specialist. 

The War on Weeds
by Jeanne Falk Jones, Multi-County Extension agronomist. 

What Drives
Efficiency and Profitability in Irrigated Corn? Lessons Learned From the TAPS
Grower Competition by Daran Rudnik, UNL Irrigation Management specialist. 

Why Does a Food
Company Care About Soil? An intro to General Mills’ Ag Commitment by Steve
Rosenzweig, soil scientist General Mills. 

And the always
popular producer panel will discuss various alternative crop options in the
region. Potentially included in the discussion will be winter canola, dry
edible beans, field peas, barley, and triticale. 

There will be
equipment displays, vendor booths and company representatives to visit with. 

Early Bird Registration – Deadline is
January 8th.

It will be the
same program both days $50 for Tuesday, $45 for Wednesday, $65 for both days.
After the deadline $65. On Tuesday immediately following the conference there
is a social hour with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.&nbsp; 

Certified Crop
Advisor and Commercial Applicator CEU’s have been applied for. 

I plan to attend
on the 15th, if you would like to ride along give me a call. If you
have any registration questions call our Colby Area Office at 785-462-6281

Register online, view
full schedule and meet the speakers to find out what they plan to discuss at <a href="http://www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres">www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres</a>

Stacy Campbell
is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. You
can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578070143255.png" alt="Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>written by Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual
Cover Your Acres Winter Conference! It will be held on January 14 and 15th
at the Gateway in Oberlin, KS. A research based
educational conference for producers and industry. It's a conference for new
ideas and updates in crop production practices relevant to the Central Plains.
This is a producer driven conference program resulting from a partnership of
K-State Research and Extension and the Northwest Kansas Crop Residue Alliance.Presentations and
speakers: Alternative
Crops-What We Know, Don’t Know, and Should Be Thinking About by Lucas Haag, NW
Extension regional agronomist. Beyond Grain: The
Value of Wheat in the Production Chain by Aaron Harries, VP of Research &amp; Operations
- Kansas Wheat.Cover Crops as a
Weed Management Tool by K-State agronomy graduate students. Current Financial
Status of NW Kansas Farms by Jordan Steele, NW Farm Management Association
economist and field man. Insect Management
in Dryland Corn by Sarah Zukoff, SW Extension entomologist. Planter
Technology Advancements by Ajay Sharda, K-State Research &amp; Extension Ag
Engineer. Soil Testing-
Interpretations Matter by Dorivar Ruiz-Diaz, Extension soil fertility
specialist. The War on Weeds
by Jeanne Falk Jones, Multi-County Extension agronomist. What Drives
Efficiency and Profitability in Irrigated Corn? Lessons Learned From the TAPS
Grower Competition by Daran Rudnik, UNL Irrigation Management specialist. Why Does a Food
Company Care About Soil? An intro to General Mills’ Ag Commitment by Steve
Rosenzweig, soil scientist General Mills. And the always
popular producer panel will discuss various alternative crop options in the
region. Potentially included in the discussion will be winter canola, dry
edible beans, field peas, barley, and triticale. There will be
equipment displays, vendor booths and company representatives to visit with. Early Bird Registration – Deadline is
January 8th.
It will be the
same program both days $50 for Tuesday, $45 for Wednesday, $65 for both days.
After the deadline $65. On Tuesday immediately following the conference there
is a social hour with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.&nbsp; Certified Crop
Advisor and Commercial Applicator CEU’s have been applied for. I plan to attend
on the 15th, if you would like to ride along give me a call. If you
have any registration questions call our Colby Area Office at 785-462-6281Register online, view
full schedule and meet the speakers to find out what they plan to discuss at <a href="http://www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres">www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres</a>
Stacy Campbell
is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. You
can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

Cover Your Acres Winter Conference 

Few topics in rural Kansas life are more filled with fact and fiction than Kansas Fence Law. Yes, we have a fence law in Kansas. We have had for a long time. It specifies who is and isn’t responsible for building and maintaining a fence and it even gives specifics on what qualifies for a legal fence including stone walls and hedge fences!

Kansas is considered a fence in state. In other words, we are not “open range." The owner of the livestock is responsible for keeping them “fenced in.” With that said, a public road MAY go through private property where the cattle are not restricted from access to the road, so be alert to this fact in the more rural areas of the state. In general, livestock are to be kept behind a fence.

Kansas law states that adjoining property owners are equally responsible for maintaining a fence, or as the statute is written, “in equal shares”. Unless the adjoining owners agree otherwise. Contrary to what many landowners practice, the right-hand or left-hand rule is convention, not statute. What this means is that where two properties adjoin, the two property owners are responsible for building or maintaining that fence. What often happens is that the two owners will agree that if they meet at the middle of the fence, each will take the half of the fence to the right or left. This works fine when the entire length of the fence is on fairly level land. However, if there is a big difference in the lay of the land (flat vs. hilly) then one property owner is being taken advantage of. For this reason, the law states that each owner is equally responsible so that the added cost of the adverse terrain is not wholly on just one owner. If a fence is along a county road though, the full cost of the fence is on the sole property owner. There is a special provision in the statutes however, that pertain to fences along state highways.

Most partition fences, as these are called, are constructed of barbed wire. What constitutes a legal barbed wire partition fence is actually far less than what most cattle producers would ever consider building! A legal barbed wire partition fence must be at least three wires. The third wire from the ground not less than 44 inches nor more than 48 inches from the ground; bottom wire must be between 18 and 24 inches from the gound; center wire must be equidistant between the upper and lower wires; all wires must be well stretched and barbed; barbs must average not more than 9 inches apart; all wires must be securely fastened to the posts. Posts must not be more than two rods apart (a rod is an old surveyor’s measurement and is 16.5 feet in length so two rods is 33 feet) and not less than 20 inches in the ground. There are even requirements of size of wire, but that is too complex to include here!

Occasionally the question comes up by owners of small rural residential properties if an adjoining property owner can force them to pay for half of the fence. The answer to that is a gray area. There is a provision in the law that states non-livestock owners who do not want their land enclosed cannot be forced to pay for an equal share of the partition fence. There are several conditions to that exception, it can get quite complex, and the statute has never been interpreted by an appellate court in Kansas. It might be beneficial in these situations that adjoining landowners share in the costs, if they can afford to do so, to maintain good neighborly relations.

Good fences do make good neighbors. However, make sure that you fully understand the fence law so that you are following legal statutes, not long standing tradition that may or may not be factual!

Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. You can contact him by e-mail at&nbsp;scampbel@ksu.edu&nbsp;or calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578070143255.png" alt="written by Stacy Campbell -&nbsp;Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District" />
 <figcaption>written by Stacy Campbell -&nbsp;Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District</figcaption>
 </figure>Few topics in rural Kansas life are more filled with fact and fiction than Kansas Fence Law. Yes, we have a fence law in Kansas. We have had for a long time. It specifies who is and isn’t responsible for building and maintaining a fence and it even gives specifics on what qualifies for a legal fence including stone walls and hedge fences!Kansas is considered a fence in state. In other words, we are not “open range." The owner of the livestock is responsible for keeping them “fenced in.” With that said, a public road MAY go through private property where the cattle are not restricted from access to the road, so be alert to this fact in the more rural areas of the state. In general, livestock are to be kept behind a fence.Kansas law states that adjoining property owners are equally responsible for maintaining a fence, or as the statute is written, “in equal shares”. Unless the adjoining owners agree otherwise. Contrary to what many landowners practice, the right-hand or left-hand rule is convention, not statute. What this means is that where two properties adjoin, the two property owners are responsible for building or maintaining that fence. What often happens is that the two owners will agree that if they meet at the middle of the fence, each will take the half of the fence to the right or left. This works fine when the entire length of the fence is on fairly level land. However, if there is a big difference in the lay of the land (flat vs. hilly) then one property owner is being taken advantage of. For this reason, the law states that each owner is equally responsible so that the added cost of the adverse terrain is not wholly on just one owner. If a fence is along a county road though, the full cost of the fence is on the sole property owner. There is a special provision in the statutes however, that pertain to fences along state highways.Most partition fences, as these are called, are constructed of barbed wire. What constitutes a legal barbed wire partition fence is actually far less than what most cattle producers would ever consider building! A legal barbed wire partition fence must be at least three wires. The third wire from the ground not less than 44 inches nor more than 48 inches from the ground; bottom wire must be between 18 and 24 inches from the gound; center wire must be equidistant between the upper and lower wires; all wires must be well stretched and barbed; barbs must average not more than 9 inches apart; all wires must be securely fastened to the posts. Posts must not be more than two rods apart (a rod is an old surveyor’s measurement and is 16.5 feet in length so two rods is 33 feet) and not less than 20 inches in the ground. There are even requirements of size of wire, but that is too complex to include here!Occasionally the question comes up by owners of small rural residential properties if an adjoining property owner can force them to pay for half of the fence. The answer to that is a gray area. There is a provision in the law that states non-livestock owners who do not want their land enclosed cannot be forced to pay for an equal share of the partition fence. There are several conditions to that exception, it can get quite complex, and the statute has never been interpreted by an appellate court in Kansas. It might be beneficial in these situations that adjoining landowners share in the costs, if they can afford to do so, to maintain good neighborly relations.Good fences do make good neighbors. However, make sure that you fully understand the fence law so that you are following legal statutes, not long standing tradition that may or may not be factual!Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. You can contact him by e-mail at&nbsp;scampbel@ksu.edu&nbsp;or calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Kansas fence law — fact and fiction

written by Michelle Beran -&nbsp;K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood Extension District

As 2020 gets started many people will look at making resolutions or changes for the new year. Several people I know choose to select a word for focus on for the year and I really appreciate this concept! 

My word for 2019 was rest which may seem odd but I tend to run at a pretty good rate and focus on other’s needs without attending to my own. I cannot effectively care for others if I don’t take care of myself. As such in 2019, I made time to slow down and allow time for rest and recuperation.

For 2020, my word is health both for myself and for others around me.

I am looking at my physical health. Where can I make room for a 15-minute walk or add a veggie to my plate? We also work with this in 4-H through our Foods and Nutrition project and Health and Wellness project.

Healthy relationships are another area of health to consider. Where do I need to improve or expand relationships with family and friends? Are there toxic relationships that I need to step away from? How can I support the youth I work with to understand and develop healthy relationships?

An area of health that is especially important is mental health. Mental health is a tough subject but important for all of us who work with youth. It causes me to ask myself hard questions. Am I showing kindness and compassion? Am I providing the best version of myself to the youth around me? Am I aware of distress in myself or others? Do I know what resources are available? Are we providing youth with the life skills to develop confidence to handle life’s challenges?

What is your word for 2020? Joy, Peace, Growth, Kindness, Compassion?

Michelle Beran is a 4-H and Youth Development Agent for the K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood Extension District.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575650994387.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran</figcaption>
 </figure>written by Michelle Beran -&nbsp;K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood Extension DistrictAs 2020 gets started many people will look at making resolutions or changes for the new year. Several people I know choose to select a word for focus on for the year and I really appreciate this concept! My word for 2019 was rest which may seem odd but I tend to run at a pretty good rate and focus on other’s needs without attending to my own. I cannot effectively care for others if I don’t take care of myself. As such in 2019, I made time to slow down and allow time for rest and recuperation.For 2020, my word is health both for myself and for others around me.I am looking at my physical health. Where can I make room for a 15-minute walk or add a veggie to my plate? We also work with this in 4-H through our Foods and Nutrition project and Health and Wellness project.Healthy relationships are another area of health to consider. Where do I need to improve or expand relationships with family and friends? Are there toxic relationships that I need to step away from? How can I support the youth I work with to understand and develop healthy relationships?An area of health that is especially important is mental health. Mental health is a tough subject but important for all of us who work with youth. It causes me to ask myself hard questions. Am I showing kindness and compassion? Am I providing the best version of myself to the youth around me? Am I aware of distress in myself or others? Do I know what resources are available? Are we providing youth with the life skills to develop confidence to handle life’s challenges?What is your word for 2020? Joy, Peace, Growth, Kindness, Compassion?Michelle Beran is a 4-H and Youth Development Agent for the K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood Extension District.

New year, new you!


Grain marketing is no easy task, the more information one has can be
useful in making those difficult marketing decisions. Farmers and
landlords should make plans to join the Cottonwood Extension District
at the “Gran Market Outlook &amp; Strategies for 2020 program on
Tuesday, January 7th in Hays &amp; Great Bend. 



In Hays it will be held at the Agricultural Research Center, 1232
240th Ave. Registration at 11:30 a.m. the program starts at 12:15 to
2:45 p.m. A complimentary noon meal is provided.


In Great Bend it will be held at American Ag Credit, 5634 10th
Street. Registration at 5:30 p.m. program starts at 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
a complimentary supper is provided.  



K-State Extension grain market economist Dan O’Brien will discuss
Current Market Overview &amp; Price Prospects of Corn, Sorghum, Wheat
&amp; Soybeans; and 2020 Marketing Strategies &amp; Opportunities –
from USDA January 10th &amp; Forward. Then there will be a panel
discussion by local elevator cooperatives on Basis Trends &amp; Local
Market Factors. 



To RSVP for either location contact the Cottonwood Extension District
in Hays at 785-628-9430 by Friday, January 3rd that’s 785-628-9430
for the Grain Market Outlook &amp; Strategies program on January 7th.


Grain marketing is no easy task, the more information one has can be
useful in making those difficult marketing decisions. Farmers and
landlords should make plans to join the Cottonwood Extension District
at the “Gran Market Outlook &amp; Strategies for 2020 program on
Tuesday, January 7th in Hays &amp; Great Bend. 

In Hays it will be held at the Agricultural Research Center, 1232
240th Ave. Registration at 11:30 a.m. the program starts at 12:15 to
2:45 p.m. A complimentary noon meal is provided.
In Great Bend it will be held at American Ag Credit, 5634 10th
Street. Registration at 5:30 p.m. program starts at 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
a complimentary supper is provided. 

K-State Extension grain market economist Dan O’Brien will discuss
Current Market Overview &amp; Price Prospects of Corn, Sorghum, Wheat
&amp; Soybeans; and 2020 Marketing Strategies &amp; Opportunities –
from USDA January 10th &amp; Forward. Then there will be a panel
discussion by local elevator cooperatives on Basis Trends &amp; Local
Market Factors. 

To RSVP for either location contact the Cottonwood Extension District
in Hays at 785-628-9430 by Friday, January 3rd that’s 785-628-9430
for the Grain Market Outlook &amp; Strategies program on January 7th.

Grain Market Outlook & Strategies for 2020

written by Lauren Fick - Cottonwood Extension District Horticulture Agent

Winter is here bringing heavy ice, extreme wind speeds, and blowing snow! If possible, prune damaged trees as soon as you notice them because they almost always cause destruction. In the event that we get a bad storm and you are faced with damaged trees, here is a useful checklist that you can refer to.

Before you decide to prune a damaged tree you will need to decide how severe the damage is. If you decided the damage is extremely severe, it is highly recommended to call a certified arborist who has the tools and knowledge to safely remove hazardous limbs.

1. Be careful: Slippery ice and chainsaws don’t mix. &nbsp;Wait until all ice has melted before beginning work. Check for downed power lines or hanging branches. Don't venture under the tree until it is safe. If large limbs are hanging precariously, a certified arborist has the tools, training and knowledge to do the work safely.

2. Cleanup: Remove debris so you don't trip over it.

3. Decide whether it is feasible to save a tree. If the bark has been split so the cambium is exposed or the main trunk split, the tree probably will not survive and should be removed. If there are so many broken limbs that the tree’s form is destroyed, replacement is the best option.

Topping, where all the main branches are cut and there are only stubs left, is not a recommended pruning procedure. Though new branches will normally arise from the stubs, they are not as firmly attached as the original branches and more likely to break in subsequent storms. Also, the tree must use a lot of energy to develop new branches, leaving less to fight off diseases and insect attacks. Often, the topped tree's life is shortened.

4. Prune broken branches to the next larger branch or to the trunk. If cutting back to the trunk, do not cut flush with the trunk but rather at the collar area between the branch and the trunk. Cutting flush with the trunk leaves a much larger wound than cutting at the collar and takes longer to heal. Middle-aged or younger vigorous trees can have up to one-third of the crown removed and still make a surprisingly swift comeback.

5. Take large limbs off in stages. If you try to take off a large limb in one cut, it will often break before the cut is finished and strip bark from the tree. Instead, first make a cut about 15 inches from the trunk. Start from the bottom and cut one-third of the way up through the limb. Make the second cut from the top down but start 2 inches further away from the trunk than the first. The branch will break away as you make the second cut. The third cut, made at the collar area, removes the stub that is left.

Note: Pruning can be dangerous. Consider hiring a trained, certified arborist to do major work. &nbsp;Also, a good arborist knows how to prune trees so that storm breakage is less likely to occur. Preventing damage is better than trying to fix it once it has happened.&nbsp;

If you have questions about tree pruning or need help identifying a damaged limb, please call your local Extension Office or Forester.

Lauren Fick- Cottonwood Extension District Horticulture Agent, lfick@k-state.edu Hays: 785-628-9430 Great Bend: 620-793-1910

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577815154994.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>written by Lauren Fick - Cottonwood Extension District Horticulture AgentWinter is here bringing heavy ice, extreme wind speeds, and blowing snow! If possible, prune damaged trees as soon as you notice them because they almost always cause destruction. In the event that we get a bad storm and you are faced with damaged trees, here is a useful checklist that you can refer to.Before you decide to prune a damaged tree you will need to decide how severe the damage is. If you decided the damage is extremely severe, it is highly recommended to call a certified arborist who has the tools and knowledge to safely remove hazardous limbs.1. Be careful: Slippery ice and chainsaws don’t mix. &nbsp;Wait until all ice has melted before beginning work. Check for downed power lines or hanging branches. Don't venture under the tree until it is safe. If large limbs are hanging precariously, a certified arborist has the tools, training and knowledge to do the work safely.2. Cleanup: Remove debris so you don't trip over it.3. Decide whether it is feasible to save a tree. If the bark has been split so the cambium is exposed or the main trunk split, the tree probably will not survive and should be removed. If there are so many broken limbs that the tree’s form is destroyed, replacement is the best option.Topping, where all the main branches are cut and there are only stubs left, is not a recommended pruning procedure. Though new branches will normally arise from the stubs, they are not as firmly attached as the original branches and more likely to break in subsequent storms. Also, the tree must use a lot of energy to develop new branches, leaving less to fight off diseases and insect attacks. Often, the topped tree's life is shortened.4. Prune broken branches to the next larger branch or to the trunk. If cutting back to the trunk, do not cut flush with the trunk but rather at the collar area between the branch and the trunk. Cutting flush with the trunk leaves a much larger wound than cutting at the collar and takes longer to heal. Middle-aged or younger vigorous trees can have up to one-third of the crown removed and still make a surprisingly swift comeback.5. Take large limbs off in stages. If you try to take off a large limb in one cut, it will often break before the cut is finished and strip bark from the tree. Instead, first make a cut about 15 inches from the trunk. Start from the bottom and cut one-third of the way up through the limb. Make the second cut from the top down but start 2 inches further away from the trunk than the first. The branch will break away as you make the second cut. The third cut, made at the collar area, removes the stub that is left.Note: Pruning can be dangerous. Consider hiring a trained, certified arborist to do major work. &nbsp;Also, a good arborist knows how to prune trees so that storm breakage is less likely to occur. Preventing damage is better than trying to fix it once it has happened.&nbsp;If you have questions about tree pruning or need help identifying a damaged limb, please call your local Extension Office or Forester.Lauren Fick- Cottonwood Extension District Horticulture Agent, lfick@k-state.edu Hays: 785-628-9430 Great Bend: 620-793-1910

Pruning storm-damaged trees

From Berny Unruh -&nbsp;Cottonwood Extension&nbsp;District

It is so close to Christmas and gifts have still not been purchased and wrapped. Ask yourself this question, “Do I really need to buy a gift?” Are there gifts that our children need that cannot be bought, but come from the heart?

Here are ten gifts that I believe we need to give our children. These were shared by a speaker at a national 4-H meeting many years ago.

1. The joy of learning. Hopefully, we never stop learning. We can encourage our children to listen to others and learn from them. Teachers and all those who are interested in their well-being have a gift to share.

2. The gift of hope. Isn’t it nice to know there’s still hope for our young people? Give them hope in a world that weighs a little too heavy on the negative.

3. The gift of communication. Learn to communicate with your spouse and with your children. Communication involves listening and then responding and then listening again.

4. The gift of laughter. Experts say we need to laugh 15 times a day to stay healthy.

5. The gift of uniqueness. Let’s teach our children to be themselves. We do need role models, but we do not need our children to be just like so-and-so.

6. The gift of flexibility. Try new things. Do new things. Today is different than yesterday.

7. The gift of balance. We all need a good balance of work and play. Maybe as grownups we need to go fly a kite or play a game of dominos.

8. The gift of respect. To earn respect, you must be respectful. Our children’s thoughts and opinions are very important and we need to respect them.

9. The gift of spirituality. Time to get to know ourselves is needed in today’s busy lifestyle. Preschooler often get a “time out” to think about it. Maybe adults need the same thing?

10. The gift of love. The most personal and special present is YOU! Your time may be the best way to share your love.

Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at bunruh@ksu.edu

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576860410391.jpeg" alt="Berny Unruh -&nbsp;Family and Community Wellness Agent" />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh -&nbsp;Family and Community Wellness Agent</figcaption>
 </figure>From Berny Unruh -&nbsp;Cottonwood Extension&nbsp;DistrictIt is so close to Christmas and gifts have still not been purchased and wrapped. Ask yourself this question, “Do I really need to buy a gift?” Are there gifts that our children need that cannot be bought, but come from the heart?Here are ten gifts that I believe we need to give our children. These were shared by a speaker at a national 4-H meeting many years ago.1. The joy of learning. Hopefully, we never stop learning. We can encourage our children to listen to others and learn from them. Teachers and all those who are interested in their well-being have a gift to share.2. The gift of hope. Isn’t it nice to know there’s still hope for our young people? Give them hope in a world that weighs a little too heavy on the negative.3. The gift of communication. Learn to communicate with your spouse and with your children. Communication involves listening and then responding and then listening again.4. The gift of laughter. Experts say we need to laugh 15 times a day to stay healthy.5. The gift of uniqueness. Let’s teach our children to be themselves. We do need role models, but we do not need our children to be just like so-and-so.6. The gift of flexibility. Try new things. Do new things. Today is different than yesterday.7. The gift of balance. We all need a good balance of work and play. Maybe as grownups we need to go fly a kite or play a game of dominos.8. The gift of respect. To earn respect, you must be respectful. Our children’s thoughts and opinions are very important and we need to respect them.9. The gift of spirituality. Time to get to know ourselves is needed in today’s busy lifestyle. Preschooler often get a “time out” to think about it. Maybe adults need the same thing?10. The gift of love. The most personal and special present is YOU! Your time may be the best way to share your love.Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at bunruh@ksu.edu

The gifts we need to give

from Donna Krug Tis the season for entertaining and with the decorations and fun comes spills and stains. The following tips, from a newsletter I found in my files from the Whirlpool company, should help handle every drip and drizzle of the 12 stains of Christmas!

12 Candles dripping. Scrape off excess wax with a dull knife. Place stain between white paper towels. Press with a warm iron from back of fabric. Then place stain face side down on clean paper towels and sponge with a dry cleaning solvent. Air dry and launder as usual. If traces of color remain, launder again using bleach (chlorine or color-safe) according to fabric instructions.

11 Aunties kissing. To remove lipstick, scrape fabric stain with a dull knife. Use a dry-cleaning solvent or pretreat with detergent or stain treatment. Wash in warm water and air dry.

10 Chocolates melting. Pretreat with a liquid laundry detergent or soak fabric in warm water using a detergent containing enzymes. Difficult stains may require a bleach safe for the garment.

9 Toasts a tipping. To remove wine, rinse in cold water to dilute stain. Soak up to 30 minutes in detergent, weighted with a towel to keep submerged. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric and color. Air dry and repeat if necessary.

8 Hosts perspiring. Dampen stain with warm water and rub with bar soap. Launder in hot water with appropriate bleach is safe for the fabric. Note: if perspiration has changed the color of a fabric, apply ammonia to fresh stains or vinegar to old stains and rinse. Launder in the hottest water safe for fabric and color.

7 Fruits a falling. Rinse in cold water to dilute stain. Soak up to 30 minutes in detergent. Launder in warm water. Air dry and repeat if necessary.

6 Cups of coffee, tea or soda. To remove coffee, tea or soda, sponge or rinse stain promptly in cold water. Pretreat with liquid laundry detergent, launder using color safe bleach and the hottest water safe for the fabric.

5 Candy canes. To remove colored candy stains, rinse in warm water to dilute stain. Wash in warm to hot water and dry as usual.

4 Meat slices. To remove grease or cooking oil, use a dry-cleaning solvent or pretreat with a laundry product by rubbing into stain until saturated. Wash in warm to hot water. Air dry and repeat if necessary.

3 Trees a tipping. To remove tree sap, use dry cleaning solvent and then wash in detergent in warm to hot water. Dry and repeat if necessary.

2 Upset egg nogs. To remove milk or other dairy products, rinse in cold water to dilute stain. Soak up to 30 minutes with detergent. Wash in warm water and air dry.

And one gravy boat splashing. Scrape off excess with a full knife if dried. Pretreat by soaking in a laundry product containing enzymes or rub with a paste of powdered laundry detergent and water.

And here are some good stain removal reminders from my files. First, treat stains as soon as possible to avoid having them set permanently. Always remember to test for colorfastness prior to treatment. Try any treatment on an unexposed area such as an inside seam or pocket. Air dry treated items until you are certain the stain is removed.

Drying in a dryer heat sets the stain. And finally, if the care label recommends dry cleaning, take items to your favorite drycleaners and inform them about the type of stain.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that 2020 brings health and happiness to you and your family!

Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director in the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141417887.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug -&nbsp;Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug -&nbsp;Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>from Donna Krug Tis the season for entertaining and with the decorations and fun comes spills and stains. The following tips, from a newsletter I found in my files from the Whirlpool company, should help handle every drip and drizzle of the 12 stains of Christmas!12 Candles dripping. Scrape off excess wax with a dull knife. Place stain between white paper towels. Press with a warm iron from back of fabric. Then place stain face side down on clean paper towels and sponge with a dry cleaning solvent. Air dry and launder as usual. If traces of color remain, launder again using bleach (chlorine or color-safe) according to fabric instructions.11 Aunties kissing. To remove lipstick, scrape fabric stain with a dull knife. Use a dry-cleaning solvent or pretreat with detergent or stain treatment. Wash in warm water and air dry.10 Chocolates melting. Pretreat with a liquid laundry detergent or soak fabric in warm water using a detergent containing enzymes. Difficult stains may require a bleach safe for the garment.9 Toasts a tipping. To remove wine, rinse in cold water to dilute stain. Soak up to 30 minutes in detergent, weighted with a towel to keep submerged. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric and color. Air dry and repeat if necessary.8 Hosts perspiring. Dampen stain with warm water and rub with bar soap. Launder in hot water with appropriate bleach is safe for the fabric. Note: if perspiration has changed the color of a fabric, apply ammonia to fresh stains or vinegar to old stains and rinse. Launder in the hottest water safe for fabric and color.7 Fruits a falling. Rinse in cold water to dilute stain. Soak up to 30 minutes in detergent. Launder in warm water. Air dry and repeat if necessary.6 Cups of coffee, tea or soda. To remove coffee, tea or soda, sponge or rinse stain promptly in cold water. Pretreat with liquid laundry detergent, launder using color safe bleach and the hottest water safe for the fabric.5 Candy canes. To remove colored candy stains, rinse in warm water to dilute stain. Wash in warm to hot water and dry as usual.4 Meat slices. To remove grease or cooking oil, use a dry-cleaning solvent or pretreat with a laundry product by rubbing into stain until saturated. Wash in warm to hot water. Air dry and repeat if necessary.3 Trees a tipping. To remove tree sap, use dry cleaning solvent and then wash in detergent in warm to hot water. Dry and repeat if necessary.2 Upset egg nogs. To remove milk or other dairy products, rinse in cold water to dilute stain. Soak up to 30 minutes with detergent. Wash in warm water and air dry.And one gravy boat splashing. Scrape off excess with a full knife if dried. Pretreat by soaking in a laundry product containing enzymes or rub with a paste of powdered laundry detergent and water.And here are some good stain removal reminders from my files. First, treat stains as soon as possible to avoid having them set permanently. Always remember to test for colorfastness prior to treatment. Try any treatment on an unexposed area such as an inside seam or pocket. Air dry treated items until you are certain the stain is removed.Drying in a dryer heat sets the stain. And finally, if the care label recommends dry cleaning, take items to your favorite drycleaners and inform them about the type of stain.I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that 2020 brings health and happiness to you and your family!Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director in the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu

The 12 stains of Christmas

Weekly Column - Donna Krug, District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent – K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District

Each year at this time I like to reflect on the positive things that are happening in the Cottonwood Extension District. Everywhere we turn the media bombards us with negative news about the economic downturn, an increase in chronic health issues, or threats of terrorism. What can be done to change the negative news into positive thoughts? Take on a ALife is Good attitude. To do what you like and like what you do really is the best way to have an attitude adjustment.

As educational programming winds down for another year, be assured I will hit the ground running when 2020 arrives. January 14 marks the start of the “Stay Strong, Stay Healthy” workshops that I will be leading in Great Bend. This is a research based program that emphasizes strength, flexibility and balance for our aging population. We target those who are over 60 but can definitely include younger folks who may be dealing with a chronic condition. The class meets two times per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for 8 weeks at the Great Bend Activity Center on 18th Street. There are just a few spots remaining in both the 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. classes. A $20 registration fee may be paid at the Barton County Extension Office to hold your spot. Later this month and the first week in January I will conduct pre-assessments for everyone who is enrolled. At the end of the 8-week class, we conduct post-assessments and see how much improvement is made.

Mark your calendar for my next program at the Great Bend Senior Center. The 4th Friday in January, the 24, I will be sharing the Fact Sheet, “Action Plan for Healthy Living” at 1 p.m. at the Great Bend Senior Center. It’s the perfect time of year to review 15 healthy lifestyle choices. If you want to begin working on your Action Plan as 2019 comes to a close, give me a call or send me an e-mail and I will be happy to share the fact sheet with you before the January 24 program.

As another year winds down I find the variety of questions I receive at the office are interesting and sometimes challenging. I do enjoy finding answers that may help improve a person’s quality of life. I appreciate having this column space as well as radio time to bring up to date research based information to our Cottonwood District families. It has been a great year and I am looking forward to visiting with you in 2020!

On a personal note I would say that Life is Good too. Our family has enjoyed good health and safe travels during 2019. The tree is decorated and family celebrations are planned for the weeks ahead. My wish for your family is for a blessed Christmas and a happy year ahead!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141417887.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug</figcaption>
 </figure>Weekly Column - Donna Krug, District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent – K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood DistrictEach year at this time I like to reflect on the positive things that are happening in the Cottonwood Extension District. Everywhere we turn the media bombards us with negative news about the economic downturn, an increase in chronic health issues, or threats of terrorism. What can be done to change the negative news into positive thoughts? Take on a ALife is Good attitude. To do what you like and like what you do really is the best way to have an attitude adjustment.As educational programming winds down for another year, be assured I will hit the ground running when 2020 arrives. January 14 marks the start of the “Stay Strong, Stay Healthy” workshops that I will be leading in Great Bend. This is a research based program that emphasizes strength, flexibility and balance for our aging population. We target those who are over 60 but can definitely include younger folks who may be dealing with a chronic condition. The class meets two times per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for 8 weeks at the Great Bend Activity Center on 18th Street. There are just a few spots remaining in both the 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. classes. A $20 registration fee may be paid at the Barton County Extension Office to hold your spot. Later this month and the first week in January I will conduct pre-assessments for everyone who is enrolled. At the end of the 8-week class, we conduct post-assessments and see how much improvement is made.Mark your calendar for my next program at the Great Bend Senior Center. The 4th Friday in January, the 24, I will be sharing the Fact Sheet, “Action Plan for Healthy Living” at 1 p.m. at the Great Bend Senior Center. It’s the perfect time of year to review 15 healthy lifestyle choices. If you want to begin working on your Action Plan as 2019 comes to a close, give me a call or send me an e-mail and I will be happy to share the fact sheet with you before the January 24 program.As another year winds down I find the variety of questions I receive at the office are interesting and sometimes challenging. I do enjoy finding answers that may help improve a person’s quality of life. I appreciate having this column space as well as radio time to bring up to date research based information to our Cottonwood District families. It has been a great year and I am looking forward to visiting with you in 2020!On a personal note I would say that Life is Good too. Our family has enjoyed good health and safe travels during 2019. The tree is decorated and family celebrations are planned for the weeks ahead. My wish for your family is for a blessed Christmas and a happy year ahead!

Make 'Life Is Good' your motto

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141417887.jpeg">written by Donna Krug Two and a half years ago we received word from the Kansas Attorney General’s office that the Cottonwood Extension District #17 had been approved. Months of hard work by our Extension supporters preceded the formal announcement. Our board, consisting of four members from each county, has held monthly meetings to stay abreast of the business of running an Extension District. At the end of this month we will say good bye and thank you to two of our outgoing board members and welcome two new faces to the board in January. Rhiannon Corn from Ellis County and Steve Tustin from Barton County will both be stepping off the board and I want to publicly say “thank-you” for your support and hard work on the board. Allen Roth, from Ellis County, and Kathie Rondeau, from Barton County, were re-elected to another term on the Executive board. Tatum Kimsey, from Ellis County, and Dick Dougherty, from Barton County, were elected on Nov. 5 and will begin their 4 year terms in January 2020. Four additional board members will continue to serve through 2021. They include: Nathan Leiker and Ramie Wasinger, from Ellis County and Deanna Essmiller and Natalie Fullerton, from Barton County. The Cottonwood Extension District includes a staff of seven agents and two office professionals. Our goals include providing research based information to help improve the quality of life of the individuals we serve. I hope you have had an opportunity to utilize our services. Perhaps you have worked with one of our Agriculture agents, Alicia Boor or Stacy Campbell, to learn about wheat varieties that do well in our region or about details of the Farm Bill. If your family is involved in 4-H or after school programs, you have two experienced agents, Susan Schlichting and Michelle Beran, leading the youth development program in our district. Take time to introduce yourself to our Horticulture Agent, Lauren Fick. Lauren divides her time between the two counties and is excited to provide leadership to a successful Master Gardener program and answer yard, garden and tree questions you may have. And finally, Berny Unruh and I are committed to bringing Extension educational programming related to nutrition, health and wellness, food safety, family resource management, aging issues, and family life in general. I also want to mention our two experienced office professionals. Brenda Walton, in the Great Bend office, takes the lead with the finances for the district while Theresa Meis, in the Hays office, focuses on communicating our efforts through newsletters and our web site. Both Brenda and Theresa handle a multitude of other duties thatkeep our offices running smoothly. We’ve also appreciated having Kory Ridnour, our intern, help us with media and the marketing of our programs. It is great news that K-State Research and Extension has answers to many of lifes’ questions, typically at no or low cost. Unlike what you might find through a Google search, the answers we provide are research based and non-biased. I hope you will take a look at our Cottonwood web site. We have tried a different format for our newsletter that I think you will like. We hope to see you at some of ourupcoming programs. Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.

Cottonwood Extension District thanks out-going board members

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575650994387.jpeg">Michelle Beran written by Michelle Beran A credit card company ran a series of commercials a few years ago that listed the cost of several activities and ended with the related experience as “priceless”. 4-H Youth Development could not function without volunteers. We often think of the county fair as the culmination of 4-H projects and volunteers are certainly visible serving as superintendents, setting up and cleaning up, distributing flyers and so much more. Volunteers also serve extremely important roles as club and project leaders. A club or project leader has a day-to-day impact on youth by teaching life skills, setting examples and helping them practice responsibility and communication. Volunteers are also needed for short-term commitments such as helping with the Style Revue or club days. Another option is assisting with a SPIN (Special Interest) Club which are six hours of instruction over several days or weeks. Program Development Committees (PDC) are made up of six volunteers from each county who provide ideas and an understanding of the needs of each county for youth development. As with most youth organizations, 4-H has specific requirements to be a registered volunteer. The goal of 4-H Youth Development is to provide positive learning experiences with positive relationships in a positive environment. Across the Cottonwood District (Barton and Ellis) over 120 individuals are registered 4-H volunteers which means that they have completed an application, an onlineorientation, successfully passed two background checks and received approval by the Cottonwood District Extension Board. As a volunteer, you can reinforce the Kansas 4-H Mission which states “With unique strategies and opportunities, Kansas 4-H Youth Development engages youth in reaching their full potential through partnerships with caring adults." One of the Essential Elements of 4-H is belonging and research shows that it is important for youth to have opportunities for long-term relationships with adults other than their parents. Would you like to give back to your community and have a positive impact on youth development? 4-H Youth Development Volunteers, no matter the size of your contribution of time and talents, are priceless! It’s not for the money,It’s not for the fame,It’s not for only personal gain,It’s not for the love of fellow man,It’s just to lend a helping hand,It’s just to give a little of selfThat’s something you can’t buy with wealth,It’s not for medals worn with pride,But it’s the feeling deep inside,It’s that reward deep in your heart,It’s that feeling you’ve been a part,Of helping others far and near,That makes you a volunteer!-Author Unknown Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District-Barton County. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth and Development related questions email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or 620-793-1910.

4-H gives youth opportunities for long-term relationships

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574802720194.jpeg">written by: Donna Krug Tuesday, Dec. 3, is a special day designated as “Dining In Day.” Research has shown that the whole family benefits from family mealtime by having better nutrition, improving family communication, fostering family traditions, and teaching life skills, such as meal planning, budgeting, and food preparation. Encouraging families to prepare simple, healthy meals and eat together supports the essence of my job as a family and consumer sciences educator: “Creating Healthy and Sustainable Families” is my goal. I know how challenging it can be for busy families to actually sit down together for a meal that is prepared at home. Work schedules and kids who need to be shuttled to sports or activities interrupt plans to prepare a healthy meal at home. When our three kids were growing up, my middle child, Adam, would call me every day when he arrived home from school and ask what was for supper. As a 6th grader, I believe he prepared as many skillet meals and spaghetti and meatballs as I did. And to his credit, he often prepares the evening meal for his busy family now. Revisiting a popular program from a couple of years ago titled, “Freezer Ready Slow Cooker Meals” can be a great way to make “Dining In Day” a success at your house. Twelve recipes, complete with a shopping list, takes a lot of the guess work out of meal preparation. Pulling one of the prepared meals out of the freezer in the evening and thawing in the fridge, makes this an easy prep. Cooking the ingredients in a slow cooker while you are at work the next day, means supper is ready when you walk in the door! I’ll be happy to share the Freezer-Ready Slow Cooker meals recipes and handout. Just give me a call or send me an e-mail. With my busy work schedule, I am blessed to have my husband John plan and prepare most of our evening meals. I’m not sure what is on our menu for December 3 rd , but I’m betting we will be “Dining In.” I would love to hear your “Dining In” stories! Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.

“Dining In” for healthy families

HAYS -- Women involved in agriculture should make plans to attend the “Surviving to Thriving: Care for Yourself to Care for the Farm – Women in Ag Workshop” to be held on Dec. 9 at the K-State Agricultural Research Center in Hays.&nbsp; Registration and supper begins at 5:30 p.m. and the program will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Come listen to Will Stutterheim with the Fort Hay State University Kelly Center talk about his experiences with the farm crisis and mental health; Kaley Conner with High Plains Mental Health will give tips on nurturing your mental health; Berny Unruh with Cottonwood Extension will discuss healthy eating for the busy farm family; and Meagan Cramer with Kansas Farm Bureau will finish out the evening sharing organizational tips on bullet journaling and organizing your brain. Advance registration is requested by Dec. 4 to the Ellis County Conservation District at 785-628-3081, extension 3. A $5 fee for the meal can be made payable in advance to the Conservation District at 2715 Canterbury, Hays, Kansas 67601, or at the event. A meal cannot be guaranteed for those who don’t register in advance. The workshop is sponsored by Ellis Co. Farm Bureau, Ellis Co. Conservation District, Farm Service Agency, High Plains Mental Health, K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District and the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.