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Better Kansas – Ideas for Living, Growing and Succeeding

Month: November 2020

Better Kansas – Nov. 19, 2020

Posted on by Mary Lou Peter

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In today’s Better Kansas, we touch on holiday food preparation, Kansas PRIDE happenings, produce contributions feeding the hungry, dry to drought conditions across the state, sorghum product advances (more about feeding the hungry) and a change in pest management schools. This is a small glimpse of what K-State Research and Extension across the state has to offer.

I am taking a break next week to try out some of these holiday tips I’ve been sharing and to give thanks – for my family, friends, colleagues, readers and while we’re at it, food, shelter, health, a nice fall day …. I could go on and on! HAPPY THANKSGIVING and as always, feel free to share on social media and subscribe! – Mary Lou Peter mlpeter@ksu.edu

Better Living, Better Communities

TURKEYS, STUFFING AND TURDUCKENS, OH MY! In looking for info for the other part of my job (writing and editing news articles), I happened upon a full page dedicated to preparing holiday foods. Us being a university and all, it’s mostly links to good information about research-based food safety, but there are also a few basic recipes. Many of the resources are available in both English and Spanish. And YES, under “Seasonal Food Safety” there really is a fact sheet about how to safely prepare turducken. I didn’t realize until now that we have Louisianans to thank for those layered turkey-duck-chicken creations. Also, don’t miss the USDA Hotline Answers. Isn’t accidentally cooking the bag of giblets in the turkey a rite of passage for novice cooks?!

 

AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE KANSAS PRIDE PROGRAM as it celebrates its 50th anniversary of helping make communities across the state better. In the November PRIDE newsletter we can read about (or listen to) a Kansas Profile column on the restoration of the high school in Lecompton, Kansas (pictured), which now serves as the community center, library, physical activity and meeting venue. Plus, learn about ways volunteers in Potwin, Riverton, Galena, Wichita, Ellis and Conway Springs are working to make their communities better. Don’t miss “If It Is To Be, It Is Up To Me.” And for those of you on social media, Kansas PRIDE is also on Facebook.

Better Farming, Ranching and Gardening

K-STATE’S OLATHE HORTICULTURE CENTER is at it again – teaming up with non-profit After the Harvest to help feed hungry families in the Kansas City metro area. And this time, we’re on television! After the Harvest has volunteer “gleaners” who travel to the university’s horticulture center and other farms in the area to harvest fresh produce that was missed or – in the university’s case – not needed for research. That fresh, nutritious food – thousands of pounds of it – is then distributed to families in need through Harvester’s, a regional food bank serving 26 counties in northeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri. Read about this effort plus current research in fruits and vegetables, turfgrass, work with Growing Growers and more in the Olathe Horticulture Center Fall 2020 Newsletter. And watch upcoming issues of this blog for updates on Kansas Extension Master Gardeners’ (aka EMGs) generous efforts across the state.

 

SPEAKING OF HUNGRY PEOPLE, researchers here in Kansas are working to better utilize Kansas crops – corn, soybeans, wheat and sorghum – to feed hungry populations around the world AND give Kansas agriculture an economic boost. Take a look at Sorghum grain provides answers for food shortages to learn how fortified food products can alleviate hunger and add high caloric value to support early development in young children. Given that Kansas grows by far more sorghum than any other state, this effort and work like this is beneficial for the world’s growing population and for the agricultural economy right here at home.

KANSAS, LIKE MANY STATES, IS DRY, with 12% in severe or worse drought as of Nov. 10. The rest of the state, save some southern counties, was in the abnormally dry to moderate drought category, according to a K-State e-Update article and the U.S. Drought Monitor. For an update on how dry conditions and fall temperatures have affected our important winter wheat crop, take a look at Factors to Consider in Winter Survival of Wheat. For the record, USDA/NASS reported that the state’s newly planted winter wheat was rated 32% good to excellent, 45% fair, and 23% poor to very poor as of Nov. 15. A total of 88% of the new crop had emerged. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 23% very short, 41% short, 35% adequate and 1% surplus, while subsoil moisture – you know, down where those plant roots are looking for it – was rated 22% very short, 43% short, 34% adequate and 1% surplus.

CHANGE IN PLANS! LAST WEEK I BROUGHT YOU INFORMATION ABOUT PEST MANAGEMENT SCHOOLS PLANNED FOR DECEMBER. They will still be held but because of the surge in coronavirus cases in Kansas and elsewhere, they will be in a virtual format rather than in-person as previously planned. Take a look to sign up for this valuable training.

For more resources and activities, contact the K-State Research and Extension office in your area. Check out our other blogs and subscribe to our weekly emails here: https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/blogs/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Better Kansas – Nov. 12, 2020

Posted on by Mary Lou Peter

Header image for the Better Kansas Blog

In today’s Better Kansas, we shed a little light on a new U.S. Mint Tallgrass Prairie coin and agritourism, protecting finances, safe food handling, that last fall drink for your lawn, an important survey for southwest Kansas and other farmers and December crop pest management schools. They’re a small glimpse of what K-State Research and Extension across the state has to offer. Share on social media and subscribe! – Mary Lou Peter mlpeter@ksu.edu

Better Living, Better Communities

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THE FLINT HILLS REGION IS ONE OF KANSAS’ BEST KEPT SECRETS but shouldn’t be. Every time I see people flocking to Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks (and spending their out-of-state money), I can’t help but feel like more people should be aware of our own state’s awesome beauty, including our lovely Flint Hills. That visibility may get a little boost now that the U.S. Mint has released a new quarter honoring Kansas’ Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve as part of its “America the Beautiful Quarters Program.” Many thanks to a friend for tipping me off about this. And those of you interested in growing what some call “agritourism” around such sites as the Tallgrass Prairie, the overall Flint Hills and other interesting parts of Kansas, might want to listen in to a K-State First Friday e-Call on Growing Agritourism presented by Sue Stringer, manager of agritourism with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Many other First Friday e-Call presentations in support of community vitality statewide are also available online.

ALL THIS TALK ABOUT WHERE WE CAN SAFELY SPEND THANKSGIVING is making me hungry for turkey, dressing, potatoes, cranberries …. the list goes on! Because of COVID-19, many of us will stay home rather than make the trip to Mom and Dad’s or cousin Bill’s (or in my case, my niece Jill’s) like we normally would. And you know what that means? We are going to be cooking the whole meal rather than taking a dish or two to contribute to the cause! Before we get deeper into the holiday shopping, cooking and baking rush, now’s a good time to review At-Home Safe Food Handling: It’s in Your Hands. And if the kids are going to “help” this time, it would be good to go over these basics with them, too. I’ve learned a lot as I’ve written about fact sheets like these over the years – things like write dates on packages of leftovers – that way when you find it hidden behind the sour cream and milk in the back of the fridge, you’ll know just how long it’s been back there. And it looks like we should eat or freeze that leftover turkey within three to four days. No problem there!

IT’S DESPICABLE, BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE FRAUDULENTLY TRYING TO FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, using our identities. In our state alone, the Kansas Department of Labor stopped a whopping 45,000 identity-theft related claims from being paid out as of Oct. 6 this year. That seems like a staggering number to me. Check this news article for more information including tips for monitoring your own financial health and what you can do if you suspect there’s a problem. That starts with opening all your mail and watching your bank and credit accounts like a hawk.

Better Farming, Ranching and Gardening

BEFORE YOU PUT THOSE HOSES AWAY FOR THE WINTER, it’s a good idea to give your lawn and landscaping a good drink. That good drink translates to moist soil at least 12 inches deep, according to the Nov. 10 Horticulture Newsletter. I admit, if I hadn’t read this, I probably would have been impatient and thought a couple of inches would suffice. But moisture down to at least a 12-inch depth where the roots can really take it up will put plants in good stead for quite a while. Other topics in that edition include natural needle drop on some trees, Kansas Turfgrass Conference, winterizing roses, amaryllis culture, plus soil challenges and what to do about them. There’s also a section on the effect of temperature on trees and link to a video on protecting roses for the winter. Take a look.

 

SHHHH … DON’T TELL BILL SELF OR BRUCE WEBER, BUT JAYHAWKS, WILDCATS AND OTHERS ARE COLLABORATING on a cleverly named survey with an important intent. The FEWtures (Food-Energy-Water) survey, launched by the FEW Research Project, is seeking input from farmers and ranchers in southwest Kansas, southeast Colorado, northeast New Mexico, northwest Oklahoma and north Texas. The project is focused on evaluating ways to help producers maintain their farms and communities in the face of resource uncertainty with a goal to develop water and energy solutions. Those solutions include the potential for expanding the use of wind and solar energy and evaluating technologies to use renewable energy for local scale treatment of poor-quality water and to produce ammonia to be used for fertilizer or to store energy for future use. Take a look for more information on this effort by Kansas State University, the University of Kansas and other collaborators.

 

FARMERS KNOW ALL TOO WELL HOW MUCH PESTS EAT INTO THEIR CROPS AND PROFITS. To help shed light on the topic, Crop Pest Management Schools are planned in Russell, Phillipsburg and Oakley during December. These are full-day schools with lunch and plenty of good information provided about the latest pest challenges, including insects, diseases and weeds, and ways to combat them. A segment about current Kansas regulations by a representative of the Kansas Department of Agriculture is included in the lineup. Check here for more information about the presentations and speakers at each location. Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday that we first heard about sugar cane aphids taking a little too much liking to our Kansas sorghum fields?

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For more resources and activities, contact the K-State Research and Extension office in your area. Check out our other blogs and subscribe to our weekly emails here: https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/blogs/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Better Kansas – Nov. 5, 2020

Posted on by Mary Lou Peter

Header image for the Better Kansas Blog

In today’s Better Kansas, we touch on some pretty disparate topics — food preservation for those with dietary restrictions, coping with depression, Kansas weather extremes, beef production tips and the passing of Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, a one-of-a-kind if ever there was one. This is a small glimpse of what K-State Research and Extension across the state has to offer. Share on social media and subscribe! – Mary Lou Peter mlpeter@ksu.edu

Better Living, Better Communities

THERE’S BEEN A RESURGENCE IN INTEREST IN HOME FOOD PRESERVATION since the pandemic started, but those who have special dietary needs for health reasons can’t use just any recipe. In such cases, it’s helpful to know that there are several guides for preserving foods at home without sugar or salt. We bring them to you compliments of the University of Georgia and Colorado State University – two other land grant universities that have extension services and like K-State Research and Extension, happily share the knowledge with our states’ residents. More information about home food preservation is available at your county or district extension office.

SWITCHING GEARS HERE but I wanted to take a moment to broach a very tough subject. It happened again last week … a close family friend died by suicide. Many of us, within family, social or professional circles have been affected by depression or worse. This horrible coronavirus pandemic, plus economic, political and social turmoil have exacerbated the problem. And it’s a problem on America’s farms and in rural communities, as well as in suburbs and cities. Early this year – before we were feeling the full effects of COVID-19, an NPR/KMUW article told how suicide rates were rising in rural America. A resource, Understanding Suicide and Depression, is aimed at those in rural communities, but the messages are helpful to anyone who’s dealing with depression, no matter where you live. Additionally, a CDC report issued in August this year addresses mental health since the pandemic began. Please take note: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255.

Better Farming, Ranching and Gardening

YOU KNOW THE SAYING, “IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE WEATHER IN KANSAS, WAIT A MINUTE” which describes how changeable our weather can be? I’ve come across a  summary of Kansas weather records set over 120 years, from 1895 to 2015. It’s full of interesting facts. Did you know that the temperature in July 1936 in Fredonia and Alton, Kansas hit 121 degrees F? Or that the frequency of extreme precipitation events in the state has increased from 1891 to 2015? Or that the temperature in Lebanon, Kansas fell to -40 F in February 1905?! This will speak to weather watchers everywhere. Count me among them! In researching this I learned that Samuel Clemens a.k.a. Mark Twain was credited with the saying, “If you don’t like the weather …” and it turns out he was talking about New England. Apparently, what he actually said was, “I reverently believe that the Maker who made us all makes everything in New England but the weather.” Hey, I went to Mark Twain Elementary School so I’m pretty sure he’d approve of my adapting the saying a bit!

 

THE LATEST EDITION OF BEEF TIPS INCLUDES AN UPDATE ON THE CORONAVIRUS FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 2 (CFAP2) with a link to a webinar about the program available to assist agricultural producers who face challenges linked to COVID-19. The newsletter also provides an update on current Kansas forage conditions, tips for figuring out why cow pregnancy rates may be lower than expected, and the most recent Focus on Feedlots, updating average numbers of days on feed for cattle in Kansas, final weights and more. Take a look.

 

THIS WEEK WE MOURN THE UNEXPECTED PASSING OF DR. BARRY FLINCHBAUGH. Known for his charismatic, entertaining and sometimes-tough-to-hear presentations to politicians, farmers and college students alike, on agricultural economics and specifically, farm policy, Barry was an adviser to senators and congressmen in both parties, plus secretaries of agriculture, governors and other officials. But no matter who you were, he had that rare ability to make you feel like you were the most important person in the room. He was there to console if you were having a tough time, he delighted in sparring (with humor and respect :), especially about politics, and seemed to always have a perspective that others hadn’t thought of. He had an impact on pretty much everyone he encountered. Such a loss. We will miss him way more than words can express. Read more and listen to an Agriculture Today radio tribute.

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For more resources and activities, contact the K-State Research and Extension office in your area. Check out our other blogs and subscribe to our weekly emails here: https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/blogs/