|
Welcome to the December 2024 edition of our newsletter. In these pages, you’ll be introduced to new faces on our team, see why we’re celebrating, learn strategies to stay safe and healthy, and get tips on soil and landscape best practices. We hope that these messages catch your interest, and we invite you to reach out to learn even more. | |
In This Newsletter
Agriculture
- Cover Crops Part 3: Termination Options
Community Development
- 2024 Celebration Breakfast - Our Appreciation
- Supporting Farm and Food-Based Businesses
- Heartland Regional Food Business Center
Community Health and Wellness
- Food Safety for Holiday Meals
- Increasing Community Understanding with Local Data
Horticulture and Natural Resources
- Landscape Protection from Wildlife this Winter
- Winterize Your Tree Stubs
SNAP-Ed Nutrition Education
- New SNAP Educators Join the Team
Youth Development
- 4-H Club Days Aid Youth in Skill Building
- 4-H Achievement Celebration
News, Updates, and Upcoming Events
Text Link
| | | |
|
Cover Crops Part 3:
Thinking Ahead for Terminating Options
| |
by Margit Kaltenekker
Agriculture Agent
We can all be thankful for the recent rains that came just as harvest wrapped up! While we all like long soaking rains, too often, poor soil structure from tillage, compaction, over-grazing, low soil organic matter (SOM), or deficient soil microbial life results in soil erosion and run-off, or ‘puddling’ (low infiltration). The rain ‘puddles’ on the field from a combination of factors including compaction or the lack of porosity, preventing all the rain from soaking in – at least not in a timely manner.
It’s never too late to change the situation by planting cover crops. Our soil can recover organic matter & increased infiltration by applying soil health principles, reducing costs, while increasing ROI. At least cover crops planted during the drought of this September and October, finally germinated in November.
| |
|
Depending on temperatures through early December, the cold hardy crops will inch out their crowns before the ground freezes. By early February when things start to thaw, the covers will take off!
Are you ready? Late-winter grazing may be an option in March…. But do you have a plan for terminating those green covers by April or May? It’s been standard to spray an herbicide at termination, prior to planting. Practical Farmers of Iowa, completed 8 years of trials comparing combinations of practices, roller crimping and reduced rates of herbicides.
As discussed in the previous article last fall, “planting green" is a manner of terminating the green standing cover crop prior to, during or after planting with the use of a roller crimper. There are various options and considerations, summarized in this video clip: The Low Down on Roller Crimpers.
| |
|
|
Happy Holidays
Thank you for your engaging with Douglas County Extension throughout 2024!
Serving farmers throughout Douglas County is an honor and privilege. What topics do you need to know about?
Please complete the 3-question survey to let me know how I may better serve you.
Text Link
| | | |
Supporting Farm and Food-Based Businesses
by Quinlan Carttar
Food Business Resource Navigator
Housed within Douglas County Extension is a small team working on a huge project: implementing the services of the Heartland Regional Food Business Center across the state of Kansas. Heartland is one of 12 regional food business centers established by USDA in 2023 to work with food- and farm-based businesses, providing them with technical assistance, coordinating efforts to solve shared challenges in the regional food system, and building capacity through the Business Builder Grant program.
To that end, I joined the team at Douglas County Extension as Food Systems Entrepreneurial Resource Navigator in October. My name is Quinlan Carttar and my background is in hospitality, food access, and communications. I will be part of the team coordinating technical assistance for Kansas food business entrepreneurs, especially during the forthcoming rounds of Business Builder Grant Subawards in 2025.
The Local Foods Transdisciplinary Team within KSRE Douglas County is one of 13 partner organizations across the region that make up the Heartland Center, and one of four representing the state of Kansas, alongside the Kansas Rural Center, KC Healthy Kids, and the Food Conservancy. We support Kansas farmers and food business entrepreneurs from startup through growth, including everything from value chain coordination to market development, from business development to helping find and navigate financial resources.
If you are interested in starting or growing your food business, you can reach me at qcarttar@ksu.edu -- incluso si usted prefiere recibir asistencia técnica por su negocio en español.
| | | |
Heartland Regional Food Business Center
by Marlin Bates
Douglas County Extension Director
K-State Research and Extension is a key partner in the Heartland Regional Food Business Center – a 5-state USDA-funded grant dedicated to accelerating farm- and food-related business development and growth. A key activity of the Center is the Business Builder Subaward program. We have closed the first of three rounds of these subawards, with each round set to distribute $3.7 million to help these businesses. A total of 479 applications were collected, with a region-best 124 applications submitted by Kansas businesses.
The second round of Business Builder Subawards is expected to open in mid-January. Fill out the ‘Contact Us’ form on the Center’s website to get in touch with our Food Business Entrepreneurial Resource Navigators: https://heartlandfoodbusiness.org/
| |
Community Health and Wellness | |
Horticulture and Natural Resources | |
Landscape Protection from Wildlife this Winter
by Sharon Ashworth
Horticulture and Natural Resources Agent
Squirrels can strip the bark from trees and shrubs, dig up newly planted bulbs, and raid bird feeders.
To protect trees, wrap tree trunks with 2 ft. wide metal sheeting (aluminum roof flashing) or use a baffle placed at least 5 ft off the ground (figure 1). If the tree is isolated and squirrels can’t jump into its branches, the sheeting or baffle will prevent squirrels from climbing the tree. Remember, you need to allow tree growth, so remove the baffle or metal sheet during the growing season. Also, try holding the metal sheet to the tree with a ratchet strap instead of driving nails or screws into the tree.
To protect your bulbs, plant them in a trough lined with 1-inch chicken wire. Once soil has been backfilled around the bulbs, place chicken wire on top of the bulbs before covering everything with a final layer of soil and mulch.
Place bird feeders at least 8 feet from any vegetation or structure from which a squirrel could jump. Use a baffle on the pole to prevent squirrels from climbing. Alternatively, hang your feeder on a wire bracketed by smooth plastic pipes covering the wire. For other ingenious ideas and a good laugh, google “mission impossible squirrel”.
Often the simplest strategy is to try and distract the squirrels by feeding them in a separate area. You can offer them corn or collected acorns and walnuts.
| |
Winterize your Trees and Shrubs
by Niki Kenniff
Agriculture and Horticulture
Program Assistant
The weather may soon be frightful, but there is still time for a few outside tasks to ensure that your perennials, trees and shrubs are ready for winter. Temperatures can fluctuate between very mild days and bitterly cold stretches with the highs well below freezing. These ups and downs can wreak havoc on plants- especially if they were recently planted or moved over the past summer or fall.
A simply layer of mulch applied to plants can yield benefits throughout the winter months. It is best to apply mulch before the ground freezes and before we receive the first covering of snow. The addition of mulch for winter can help moderate the temperature of the soil and roots around the plants. Frost heaving, or the process of repeated freezing and thawing of the soil causing it to expand and contract, is another danger to plants over the winter month. Frost heaving can actually lift out plants, exposing the crown and roots to freezing temperatures and drying winds. The addition of mulch will contribute to a more consistent soil temperature and limit this heaving process. Another benefit of mulch is more consistent moisture in the soil surrounding the roots. Dry periods can be hard on plants, even during the winter months and mulch will help to maintain moisture levels around the plant.
It is important to apply a 2-to-4-inch layer of mulch around woody trees and shrubs, leaving a few inches of space around the trunk(s) and then extending out at least 3 feet. Avoid mounding mulch around the trunk as this common practice can lead to excess water retention at the truck area and subsequent trunk rot and loss of the tree. Organic mulches work best; wood chips, shredded bark, chopped leaves and straw that is free from seeds are great options.
| | | |
SNAP-Ed Nutrition Education | |
|
New SNAP Educators Join The Team
This Fall we welcomed two new SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educators to our team, Zorrae Bowie and Michelle Thacker! Our Nutrition Educators deliver a comprehensive research-based curriculum designed to teach participants how to eat well and be active on a budget. Our classes take place in various community settings with a diverse range of community partners. Program participants gain knowledge and cooking skills needed to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
Bringing a wealth of experience and education to their roles, both Michelle and Zorrae feel right at home with the K-State Research and Extension team. They are taking great care to prepare themselves for the year ahead and are looking forward to getting programming up and going in 2025!
| |
|
Zorrae holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Washburn University and a Master of Science in Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco. She has a diverse range of experience including organizational culture and change consulting, capacity building, childcare, property management, marketing, and emotional support services.
Drawing on her personal, academic, and professional background, Zorrae engages and encourages individuals on their journeys of personal growth and takes a comprehensive approach to health that considers the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. She believes that equity in nutrition access and education is key to achieving better health and impacting policies and systems change that improve environmental outcomes for all. Zorrae is dedicated to educating and empowering others to expand their knowledge and skills, enabling them to make enriching lifestyle decisions and commit to personal accountability while staying grounded in community.
Known for her friendly and adaptable nature, Zorrae brings to her role as a nutrition educator her ability to foster a sense of connection and understanding among others, a talent for synthesizing and sharing information, and a commitment to contributing in a meaningful and impactful way. When she’s not working, Zorrae enjoys teaching and practicing yoga, reading, exploring outdoors and enjoying time with family and friends.
| | | |
|
Michelle earned her bachelor's degree in education and Master of Science in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University. Prior to joining K-State Research and Extension, Michelle taught Family & Consumer Sciences at the high school level in the Hospitality, Tourism, Human Services Career and Technical Education pathways. Michelle also was a training specialist for a non-profit organization in Hays, KS. She was a 4-H youth leader in Ellis County, KS and extensively involved with the ARC of Central Plains as a thrift store volunteer that raised funds for Special Olympics.
With a background in culinary arts and nutrition instruction, Michelle brings a foundation of knowledge and experience into the Nutrition Educator position. Healthy lifestyle choices, exercise, food safety and how to prepare nutritious meals are priorities Michelle looks forward to promoting in the community. When not at work, Michelle enjoys bicycling, gym workouts, thrift store shopping and spending time with family and friends.
| | | |
4-H Club Days Aid Youth in Skill Building
by Nickie Harding
4-H Youth Development Agent
Few things are better than hearing, "I'm not as nervous in front of an audience anymore!" from a 4-Her after they complete their prepared presentation. Self- confidence, presentation techniques and many other forms of growth and skill development is what our 4-H Club Day are all about!
In our house, we spend several months thinking about how each of our 4-H’ers will showcase their skills at County Club Day. I have one 4-H’er who loves to talk and teach others about his variety of 4-H project work. I have another 4-H’er who would rather be a part of a conversation or group discussion while exploring her 4-H project work throughout the year. Thankfully, 4-H Club Day offers multiple ways my 4-H’ers can showcase their talents in a comfortable and positive environment.
What is 4-H Club Day? County 4-H Club Day is an annual event that allows 4-H’ers to demonstrate the benefits and opportunities provided through 4-H by showcasing themselves. Club Day offers 4-H’ers an opportunity to learn skills and gain confidence in their abilities to exercise parliamentary procedure, speak effectively, and give creative performances in the arts. Presentations offered at Club Day allow 4-H’ers the opportunity to participate as individuals, as a group, or even as a club.
| |
4-H Achievement Celebration
by Nancy Noyes
4-H Youth Development
Program Assistant
| |
Our Annual Achievement Celebration was held on November 10th on the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Building 21. This event was well-attended by 4-H Families and KSRE staff. We come together every year to celebrate the recognition of champion and blue award report forms and yearly achievement pins of members, and the exemplary leadership of both youth and adults.
Kansas 4-H Member Achievement pins are designed to recognize 4-H members as they reach milestones throughout their 4-H journey. The pins are in a series. As a member 4-H progresses, the achievement pin requirements expand to challenge individuals to explore and engage in greater opportunities to develop the range of life skills as the iconic “H” of each of the four symbolizes.
| |
|
Project Achievement Report is a cornerstone of the 4-H program that helps 4-H'ers develop written and oral communication skills as they detail with word and photo their past year in a project of interest and submit a portfolio to be evaluated by a judging panel.
In summary, this year’s Douglas County Achievement Celebration was an afternoon of food and fellowship; of 4-H families gathering to celebrate the members who were recognized for excelling in project records, in community service and in leadership. We applauded the volunteer adult leaders who were nominated by their peers for their exceptional leadership.
| | |
News, Updates, and Upcoming Events | | |
|
K-State Research and Extension Douglas County in partnership with K-State Research and Extension Local Food Systems is seeking a Local Food Fellow to complete a local food system project focusing on improving accessibility of locally grown food.
This part-time, 16-week fellowship will run from February- May 2025. The exact start and end time for the fellowship is negotiable depending on candidate availability. Screening will start December 12, 2024.
| |
K-State Research and Extension Douglas County Celebration Breakfast | Join us for our Annual Breakfast Celebration in honor of our hard working partners and volunteers! | | | |
|
4-H Foundation Annual Meeting 2025 | Promoting and developing 4-H Youth Development Programs in Douglas County through the development and enhancement of available resources and support of higher education opportunities for Douglas County 4-H members.
The Douglas County 4-H Foundation would like to invite you and your guest to the annual meeting of the Foundation. We hope you will join us to receive an update on Foundation activities, as well as to honor our scholarship sponsors and recipients. | | | |
Every year the Extension Master Food Volunteers host their annual Kitchen Sale! The Kitchen Sale is an opportunity for community members to declutter their kitchen of their lightly used and cleaned kitchen supplies! Small appliances, dinnerware, glassware, pots and pans and other lightly used kitchen supplies will be accepted. These donations will be sold at $10 and under to the members of the community. Proceeds go toward the Extension Master Food Volunteers and their outreach efforts in Douglas County! | |
We are connecting rural living service providers with current and future residents of Douglas County! More information to come! Follow us on Social Media to learn more about this event as updates become available! | | | |
|
K-State Research and Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. Program information may be available in languages other than English. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, including alternative means for communication (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, and American Sign Language) may be requested by contacting the event contact our main office or the event's program leader four weeks prior to the start of the event at 785-843-7058. Please see the full Douglas County staff list for detailed contact information. Requests received after programs' deadline dates will be honored when it is feasible to do so. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information will be provided free of charge to limited English proficient individuals upon request.
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
| | | | |
