JANUARY 2025 eNews

Horticulture

Recycling Your Christmas Tree:

A Sustainable Way to Share Holiday Joy

As the holiday season winds down and the decorations come down, one important task remains: recycling your live Christmas tree. Instead of sending your Christmas tree to a landfill, recycling helps divert waste and gives the tree a second life, reducing its environmental impact. Here are the 3 easy steps you’ll need to do:

1. Remove all lights, decorations, and ornaments from your tree. A dumpster will be available onsite for discarding tree bags.
2. Bring your tree to the nearest drop-off location – 22 will be set up throughout Sedgwick County.
3. Help yourself to free Christmas tree mulch to take home for your landscape too.

Christmas tree recycling runs now through January 23, 2025. By recycling your Christmas tree, you’re not only helping to reduce waste but also supporting sustainable practices that benefit the environment. Happy Holidays and Happy Recycling!

Growing a successful garden in Kansas can be difficult. Poor soils, weather extremes, insects, diseases, and unpredictable rainfall all make gardening a challenge. Learn how you can address these challenges to have a successful vegetable garden in Kansas. Join the next K-State Garden Hour webinar on Wednesday, January 8th, 2024 to learn more about “Sowing Success: Research-Based Gardening For Beginners”. Scott Eckert, Harvey County Horticulture Agent, will share practical advice to ensure your garden is successful in the new year. This free webinar will be presented live from Noon to 1pm, and recorded and available online. Register for upcoming webinars or find past recordings online at: www.ksre-learn.com/KStateGardenHour    

Local Food

Save the date! The 2025 Local Food Producer Workshop will be held at the K-State Research and Extension Education Center – Sedgwick County in Wichita, KS on Saturday, February 1^st. This workshop is for those selling at farmers’ markets, direct-to-consumer, and farm stands. Registration and schedule details coming soon.

Health and Nutrition

Enjoy the holiday season with balance and wellness in mind! From savoring your favorite treats to staying active and hydrated, small steps can keep you feeling your best. This year, make your health the greatest gift to yourself. 🎄💪🍎

Know Your Radon Risks

Did you know that 1 in 4 Kansas homes test high for radon? Radon is a natural, tasteless, odorless, colorless, radioactive gas produced from the decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. This gas moves from the ground under and around your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Long-term radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, so your home needs to be routinely tested.

To learn more about radon exposure and testing, join us to hear from Laura Wallace at the Kansas Radon Program at K-State on January 21st from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at K-State Research and Extension- Sedgwick County in the Sunflower Conference Room located at 7001 W. 21^st N., Wichita, KS 67205. The first 25 participants will receive a FREE radon test kit upon pre-registration and attendance.

• The program is FREE, but you must register to attend. Please visit https://bit.ly/3ZfK4i4 or call 316.660.0143 to register.

Community Vitality

First Friday E-Call: January 3, 2025, 9:30-10:30 am CT

Child Care Innovations in Hays

Mickey Parker, CPA

Accelefund

https://ksre-learn.com/ecall

Grant Writing Basics Online Workshop

For Food System Partners, Farmers, and Food Businesses

February 10, 11, 2025, 1:30-4:30 pm

Register Today

https://ksre-learn.com/grant-writing-basics

Family Life

4-H and Youth Development

Snowy Days at Home 4-H Activities

Looking for creative ways to keep the young minds in your life active and engaged over the winter season? Look no further! 4-H has created an exciting activity guide designed to make your winter season both educational and entertaining.

This comprehensive guide is packed with hands-on projects that spark creativity and learning. From crafting a fun and foamy Frosty the Snowman to preparing delicious treats the whole family can enjoy, these activities are perfect for making memories while inspiring curiosity.

Whether it’s exploring new skills or simply having fun, 4-H’s activity guide ensures that the winter is filled with joyful learning experiences. Get ready to make this winter season one to remember! Click here for activities

Get Involved!

K-State Research and Extension — Sedgwick County exists to serve the people of south central Kansas. Our mission thrives because of community support. We offer many opportunities for volunteers to offer their time and skills, from gardening to youth development to programming support.

Learn more about ways to support our programming and the needs of the community. 

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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.