In the latest Better Kansas, we explore alternatives to in-person learning, staying active at home, information for small businesses, online food safety workshops for produce growers, corn seeding rates and beef cattle research reports. 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
IN-PERSON CLASSES ARE A NO-NO RIGHT NOW, BUT THE LEARNING ISN’T STOPPING! In some cases, it’s just in a different format. Check out this video on YouTube with good, practical information on preparing dried beans in an electric pressure cooker. Take a look at your county or district extension office and on the K-State Research and Extension homepage for other ways we’re delivering research-based, practical information. Many of us are working from home right now, but we’re still here for you, figuring out new ways to do things and planning more good educational outreach when we are finally able to meet again the old fashioned way.
HUNKERING DOWN AND STAYING AT HOME does not mean we should stop moving! In fact, my friends and I have shared on Facebook and text messages about how the refrigerator and pantry are a little too convenient right now and overeating is a definite possibility. Those butter croissants (so tasty, but oh so fattening) keep calling to me! In my defense, the store was all out of regular bread that day. Take a look at Move More, Sit Less: Tips for Staying Active While at Home. Fortunately, the cookies that were whispering to me from the pantry are no longer a temptation … because … you know … I ate them!
SMALL BUSINESS ALERT: There’s no better time to take advantage of free monthly online informational sessions called First Friday e-Calls occurring on the first Fridays of the month. The calls feature presentations and speakers with the goal of making small business owners and community leaders aware of experts, education and economic resources available to them. Each call is archived. The Friday, April 3 call features the Kansas Secretary of Labor, Kansas Secretary of Commerce and Kansas Director of Unemployment Services, all speaking to the COVID-19 pandemic with information pertinent to small businesses and their employees. Previous calls addressed such topics as cybersecurity, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), filling empty buildings and many more.
Better Farming, Ranching and Gardening
COVID-19 MAY BE SLOWING OUR DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES, BUT THE CROPS MUST GO ON or should I say in? To keep fresh produce growers up on food safety requirements, particularly those who sell their fruits and vegetables, a number of online workshops are planned in April and May, including free Produce Safety and COVID-19 Updates via Zoom. Workshops on USDA’s Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Introduction to Fresh Produce Safety Training are also available. Take a look at the On-Farm Produce Safety page for all the scoops, as my lovely sister-in-law used to say.
AND SPEAKING OF CROPS GOING IN, the state’s corn growers are eager to get out there and start planting. Check out Optimal corn seeding rate recommendations in a recent Agronomy eUpdate for details about different hybrids, plus how planting date, row spacing and crop rotations factor in. While you’re at it, this might be a good time to review the Corn Production Handbook, which includes hybrid selection, optimal planting practices, insect, weed and nutrient management and more.
K-STATE’S CATTLEMEN’S DAY 2020 HAPPENED IN EARLY MARCH, but even if you missed the camaraderie, great food, presentations and keynote speakers, you can still access reports on 12 research projects in Cattlemen’s Day 2020 Beef Cattle Research. Topics include research results on management practices, beef cattle nutrition and meat science. Now, if only we could arrange a delivery of that lunchtime smoked brisket for you!
_
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/
