By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The state legislators representing Ellis County discussed the need for tax relief for Kansas taxpayers but said they are waiting for legislative leadership to bring forth a plan.

A legislative coffee was facilitated Saturday at the Hays Public Library by the Chamber in Hays.

Early in the session, the Kansas Legislature passed a tax plan that included a flat tax and eliminated the tax on social security.

Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th district, said the legislative leadership seems to be stuck on the flat tax and the governor opposes the flat tax, which has left Topeka in a stalmate.

Dean Stramel, local resident, asked about the flat tax and expressed stern opposition to the plan, which he said would benefit the rich.

"Are you kidding me? Do you think that is just for the rich?" Rahjes said.

Rahjes said there were other things in the tax bill, but the media and the governor made it about the flat tax.

"I'm doing whatever it takes to bring tax relief back," he said. "I'm guessing the next tax plan won't have [a flat tax] in it, but that was the plan we had at the time."

Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, serves on the House Taxation Committee. She said the highest income tax rate in Kansas is 5.77 percent. The flat tax would have dropped that to 5.25 percent. She said the lowest-earning Kansans would have paid no tax.

"I have a problem with people thinking the rich will get all of it. There are an awful lot of better deductions. I think you'll like that," she said.

Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, said he supported property tax relief.

The legislators said there will be a hearing on Medicaid expansion.

Wasinger said she was not in favor of Medicaid expansion because she thinks spending on Medicaid would crowd out higher education funding.

She said a study of other states indicated every dollar increase in&nbsp; Medicaid spending reduces higher education spending by $2.44. She said that study also said Medicaid expansion crowded out spending on children by $500 per child.

She said it would not prevent the closure of small, rural hospitals.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e0c44577-203c-47bd-8676-c360c34c67c1">Kansas is among only 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid in line with the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act, which promises federal funds to cover 90 percent of the new costs</a>, according to the Associated Press.

Gov. Kelly's plan would increase the cost of the Kansas Medicaid program by 31 percent, about $1.35 billion a year. However, federal funds would cover all but $135 million, with the state imposing fees on hospitals and large private health insurance companies for most of the rest, an Associated Press story said.

According to the Associated Press, the expansion would cover an estimated 150,000 Kansans.

Billinger said he did not think the legislation would pass this session, but he thinks legislation that would increase reimbursements to doctors might.

Rahjes said he thought the higher reimbursement rates will help the rural hospitals.

The legislators said Fort Hays State University should receive more funding in the upcoming budget year.

That includes funding for a new nursing building on the FHSU campus, additional funding for operations, and additional funding for certification for mental health professionals.

Wasinger said all funding for higher education had been stripped and left for the final omnibus bill because legislators did not want any funding going to diversity and inclusion measures.

Billinger said on the Senate side, Fort Hays is in the budget with more funding than the governor recommended.

The legislators were asked why they continue spending taxpayer dollars on anti-abortion and anti-transgender bills that target minority communities and go against agreed-upon scientific research and medical best practices.

"I don't think it's a waste of time protecting children," Wasinger said. ..."To get children born who need to be here, to make sure we protect women, to make sure we do the very best for humanity.&nbsp;

"Pope Francis just said the most dangerous ideology in the country and the world is gender ideology, so I don't think it's wasting money."

Billinger said he believes there are two sexes — men and women.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709440191227.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, and Reps. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, and Barb Wasigner, R-Hays, at a legislative coffee on Saturday at the Hays Public Library. Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, and Reps. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, and Barb Wasigner, R-Hays, at a legislative coffee on Saturday at the Hays Public Library. Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe state legislators representing Ellis County discussed the need for tax relief for Kansas taxpayers but said they are waiting for legislative leadership to bring forth a plan.A legislative coffee was facilitated Saturday at the Hays Public Library by the Chamber in Hays.Early in the session, the Kansas Legislature passed a tax plan that included a flat tax and eliminated the tax on social security.The governor vetoed that legislation.Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th district, said the legislative leadership seems to be stuck on the flat tax and the governor opposes the flat tax, which has left Topeka in a stalmate.Dean Stramel, local resident, asked about the flat tax and expressed stern opposition to the plan, which he said would benefit the rich."Are you kidding me? Do you think that is just for the rich?" Rahjes said.Rahjes said there were other things in the tax bill, but the media and the governor made it about the flat tax."I'm doing whatever it takes to bring tax relief back," he said. "I'm guessing the next tax plan won't have [a flat tax] in it, but that was the plan we had at the time."Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, serves on the House Taxation Committee. She said the highest income tax rate in Kansas is 5.77 percent. The flat tax would have dropped that to 5.25 percent. She said the lowest-earning Kansans would have paid no tax."I have a problem with people thinking the rich will get all of it. There are an awful lot of better deductions. I think you'll like that," she said.Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, said he supported property tax relief.<h2>Medicaid expansion</h2>The legislators said there will be a hearing on Medicaid expansion.Wasinger said she was not in favor of Medicaid expansion because she thinks spending on Medicaid would crowd out higher education funding.She said a study of other states indicated every dollar increase in&nbsp; Medicaid spending reduces higher education spending by $2.44. She said that study also said Medicaid expansion crowded out spending on children by $500 per child.She said it would not prevent the closure of small, rural hospitals.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e0c44577-203c-47bd-8676-c360c34c67c1">Kansas is among only 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid in line with the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act, which promises federal funds to cover 90 percent of the new costs</a>, according to the Associated Press.Gov. Kelly's plan would increase the cost of the Kansas Medicaid program by 31 percent, about $1.35 billion a year. However, federal funds would cover all but $135 million, with the state imposing fees on hospitals and large private health insurance companies for most of the rest, an Associated Press story said.According to the Associated Press, the expansion would cover an estimated 150,000 Kansans.Billinger said he did not think the legislation would pass this session, but he thinks legislation that would increase reimbursements to doctors might.Rahjes said he thought the higher reimbursement rates will help the rural hospitals.<h2>Funding for Fort Hays State University</h2>The legislators said Fort Hays State University should receive more funding in the upcoming budget year.That includes funding for a new nursing building on the FHSU campus, additional funding for operations, and additional funding for certification for mental health professionals.Wasinger said all funding for higher education had been stripped and left for the final omnibus bill because legislators did not want any funding going to diversity and inclusion measures.Billinger said on the Senate side, Fort Hays is in the budget with more funding than the governor recommended.<h2>Anti-abortion, anti-transgender bills</h2>The legislators were asked why they continue spending taxpayer dollars on anti-abortion and anti-transgender bills that target minority communities and go against agreed-upon scientific research and medical best practices."I don't think it's a waste of time protecting children," Wasinger said. ..."To get children born who need to be here, to make sure we protect women, to make sure we do the very best for humanity.&nbsp;"Pope Francis just said the most dangerous ideology in the country and the world is gender ideology, so I don't think it's wasting money."Billinger said he believes there are two sexes — men and women.

Ellis County legislators: Tax relief needed, plan up in air

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Kansas Department of Health and Environment reminds Kansans that March and April are when large areas of the state’s rangelands are burned by prescribed fire, especially within the Flint Hills.

Prescribed fire is a tool used by landowners and managers to help preserve the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from species such as Eastern Red Cedar and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning also reduces the risk of wildfires and is effective in managing rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management techniques is vital to reduce the air quality and health impacts.

KDHE will activate the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly9rc2ZpcmUuc29ub21hdGVjaGRhdGEuY29tL3ZpZXcvc3VtbWFyeS8_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIyOC45MDk1NzE2MSJ9.b-LOEMzQZRwEqTbTgsJKZYP6ykOPQr5_3QCjZeTu_UI/s/1305913623/br/237860248838-l">Kansas smoke modeling tool</a>&nbsp;in early March, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the potential contribution of smoke and air quality impacts to downwind areas. There are approximately 2.2 million acres burned on average in the Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma each year.

“We are entering the 14th year that we have been able to provide this important tool for the prescribed fire community,” Jayson Prentice, meteorologist at the KDHE Bureau of Air, said. “We continue to encourage ranchers and land managers to utilize smoke modeling resources, such as the smoke modeling tool to mitigate potential air quality impacts.”

Prescribed burns release large amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants that can form ground-level ozone. Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals. Common health problems include: burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses such as bronchitis. People with respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, children and the elderly are more vulnerable to experience symptoms.

Steps to protect your health on days when smoke is present in your community include:

For more information about the prescribed burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, April burn restrictions and the smoke modeling tool, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cua3NmaXJlLm9yZy8_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIyOC45MDk1NzE2MSJ9.7UVhKYDXbMOHiR5atHpAN9Wk4hjpngSN6BuB8bGfg9s/s/1305913623/br/237860248838-l">The Kansas Flint Hill Smoke Management Website.</a>

KDHETOPEKA –&nbsp;Kansas Department of Health and Environment reminds Kansans that March and April are when large areas of the state’s rangelands are burned by prescribed fire, especially within the Flint Hills.Prescribed fire is a tool used by landowners and managers to help preserve the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from species such as Eastern Red Cedar and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning also reduces the risk of wildfires and is effective in managing rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management techniques is vital to reduce the air quality and health impacts.KDHE will activate the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly9rc2ZpcmUuc29ub21hdGVjaGRhdGEuY29tL3ZpZXcvc3VtbWFyeS8_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIyOC45MDk1NzE2MSJ9.b-LOEMzQZRwEqTbTgsJKZYP6ykOPQr5_3QCjZeTu_UI/s/1305913623/br/237860248838-l">Kansas smoke modeling tool</a>&nbsp;in early March, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the potential contribution of smoke and air quality impacts to downwind areas. There are approximately 2.2 million acres burned on average in the Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma each year.“We are entering the 14th year that we have been able to provide this important tool for the prescribed fire community,” Jayson Prentice, meteorologist at the KDHE Bureau of Air, said. “We continue to encourage ranchers and land managers to utilize smoke modeling resources, such as the smoke modeling tool to mitigate potential air quality impacts.”Prescribed burns release large amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants that can form ground-level ozone. Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals. Common health problems include: burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses such as bronchitis. People with respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, children and the elderly are more vulnerable to experience symptoms.Steps to protect your health on days when smoke is present in your community include:<ul>
 <li>Healthy people limiting or avoiding strenuous outdoor</li><li>Vulnerable people should remain</li><li>Keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with air</li><li>Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of</li><li>Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe</li>
 </ul>For more information about the prescribed burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, April burn restrictions and the smoke modeling tool, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cua3NmaXJlLm9yZy8_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIyOC45MDk1NzE2MSJ9.7UVhKYDXbMOHiR5atHpAN9Wk4hjpngSN6BuB8bGfg9s/s/1305913623/br/237860248838-l">The Kansas Flint Hill Smoke Management Website.</a>

Health advisory, safety tips for prescribed fire season in Flint Hills

HODGEMAN COUNTY —Two people avoided injury after an accident Sunday in Hodgeman County.

The semi rollover crash occurred on Kansas 156 about 2 1/2 miles east of Jetmore, according to a social media report from Sheriff Jared Walker.

The accident closed the road until just after 4:30p.m. Sunday. The driver and passenger walked away, according to Walker.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709552410307.png" alt="Photo Hodgeman County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Hodgeman County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>HODGEMAN COUNTY —Two people avoided injury after an accident Sunday in Hodgeman County.The semi rollover crash occurred on Kansas 156 about 2 1/2 miles east of Jetmore, according to a social media report from Sheriff Jared Walker.The accident closed the road until just after 4:30p.m. Sunday. The driver and passenger walked away, according to Walker.

Sheriff: 2 walk away from semi rollover accident

World Water Day is an annual observance focusing on the importance of water. To celebrate, the city of Hays and the KSU Big Creek Middle Smoky Hill River Watersheds are once again partnering to host a World Water Day Fun Fest on from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 12 at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

Get to “Know Your Water” with fun, hands-on, "water-related" activities and displays for kids of all ages. This free event is open to all.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709312752428.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>World Water Day is an annual observance focusing on the importance of water. To celebrate, the city of Hays and the KSU Big Creek Middle Smoky Hill River Watersheds are once again partnering to host a World Water Day Fun Fest on from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 12 at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.Get to “Know Your Water” with fun, hands-on, "water-related" activities and displays for kids of all ages. This free event is open to all.

World Water Day Fun Fest set for March 12

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

We often associate 4-H projects with the county fair but there is so much more to the 4-H year!

The 4-H year begins in October and youth select several projects to explore and increase their knowledge and skills. During winter months, this project work can involve working with a beef or swine animal to begin growing, learning about health, and start handling the animal so that it is familiar with the 4-H member. Project work for the foods project may involve learning new skills such as measuring or using a sharp knife, and helping make meals for the family. Photography members can have incredible opportunities to experiment with light, shadows, and composition with the variety of weather that Kansas provides! Additionally, club members are taking on new leadership roles in their club and improving their communication skills at each meeting.

As we move into spring, livestock projects such as sheep and goats take off as those animals are born or purchased and youth will be learning about nutrition, animal health, and showmanship skills. Photography becomes even more fun as 4-H youth can explore subjects such as animals, insects, or landscapes as we can spend more time outside. This is the time that horticulture projects really get busy as youth work on preparing garden space and selecting seeds or plants.

Throughout the year, youth learn record keeping by working on Project Records which include setting goals, learning opportunities, project work, and financial records.

Communication, Leadership, and Community Engagement are all 4-H project areas but there is a piece of each of these in every 4-H project! These are lifetime skills that help youth be good family members, good employees, and good community members.

Keep learning! Keep showing grace and kindness!

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&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mberan@ksu.edu">mberan@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179445671.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension DistrictWe often associate 4-H projects with the county fair but there is so much more to the 4-H year!The 4-H year begins in October and youth select several projects to explore and increase their knowledge and skills. During winter months, this project work can involve working with a beef or swine animal to begin growing, learning about health, and start handling the animal so that it is familiar with the 4-H member. Project work for the foods project may involve learning new skills such as measuring or using a sharp knife, and helping make meals for the family. Photography members can have incredible opportunities to experiment with light, shadows, and composition with the variety of weather that Kansas provides! Additionally, club members are taking on new leadership roles in their club and improving their communication skills at each meeting.As we move into spring, livestock projects such as sheep and goats take off as those animals are born or purchased and youth will be learning about nutrition, animal health, and showmanship skills. Photography becomes even more fun as 4-H youth can explore subjects such as animals, insects, or landscapes as we can spend more time outside. This is the time that horticulture projects really get busy as youth work on preparing garden space and selecting seeds or plants.Throughout the year, youth learn record keeping by working on Project Records which include setting goals, learning opportunities, project work, and financial records.Communication, Leadership, and Community Engagement are all 4-H project areas but there is a piece of each of these in every 4-H project! These are lifetime skills that help youth be good family members, good employees, and good community members.Keep learning! Keep showing grace and kindness!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&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mberan@ksu.edu">mberan@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Year round learning

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709497092656.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast,</a>&nbsp;Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services executive director Jennifer Hecker about their Teen Book Club.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Options Teen Book Club helps teens discuss difficult subjects" allowtransparency="true" height="600" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:600px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ip57e-159c1ca-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=600" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast,</a>&nbsp;Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services executive director Jennifer Hecker about their Teen Book Club.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 Post Podcast: Options Teen Book Club helps teens discuss difficult subjects

The Fort Hays State University Makerspace is having an open house with free activities and demonstrations from 3 to 6 p.m. March 5.&nbsp;

The renovation of Forsyth Library has resulted in the Makerspace moving to Picken Hall 102. The open house is to introduce people to the new space.

No registration is required. Door prizes and refreshments also will be offered.

Demonstrations include the 3D printer, 3D scanner, desktop mill, laser cutter, vinyl cutter, robots, ozobots, and a thermal camera. Activities will include stickers, buttons, stomp rockets, and origami.

"What I'm finding out now is how much origami is used now to deploy satellites and do a lot of packing, " Paul Adams, dean of the College of Education, said. "Although it's an ancient art form, it's now a modern technology."

The Makerspace has makers cards, which are challenges. You might be challenged to make a marionette from paper, straws and string.

"It's technology from the lowest of what we would consider crafts. We have sewing machines down there. ... Up to soldering to make your own electronics," Adams said.

Children are welcome and encouraged to attend the open house.

The Makerspace will have a series of activities through April where visitors of all ages can make items. See the flyer below for times, dates and activities or visit <a href="http://www.fhsu.edu/smei">www.fhsu.edu/smei</a>.

The Makerspace only charges the cost of materials, which aren't very expensive, Adams said.

FHSU also sponsors a monthly Science Cafe´ lecture. The next lecture will be "Snakes in Jars: Using Museum Specimens to Discover News Species and Test Evolution" at 7 p.m. March 18 at The Venue at Thirsty's. The presenter will be Jackson Roberts, zoology collections manager of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

Snakes that have been collected over decades are still being used in research today, Adams said.

The Western Kansas Lego Robotics Competition will be on March 25 in the Memorial Union. The competition is open to students in grades five through eight.

It's partially funded through a NASA space grant, Adams said.

Twenty-five schools are coming with 315 students and more than 100 robots, with each team competing in at least one of five events.

"One of the events that gets everyone cheering is the sumo bot competition that starts at 1 o'clock," Adams said. "It's something to see — a whole ballroom of people cheering and 100 plus robots going at it with the sumo bots."

The students also have a line sorter competition, and the robots must follow a line of M&amp;Ms ... if the kids don't eat them first.

The students will compete with catapults for the first time this year.

Enrollment for science and math summer camps opened on Monday. You can find more at <a href="http://www.fhsu.edu/smei">www.fhsu.edu/smei</a>.

During a math camp, students desgin a business and use their math skills to run their businesses.

New this yeat is a Folklore and Fairytale Camp. Students will create their own short story through 2D illustration, 3D image scanning and designing their own 3D model.

Adams encouraged adults with science degrees who might be interested in teaching to apply for more than $22,500 in scholarships through the Post-Baccalaureate STEM Teacher Program.

The curriculum is delivered all online. Graduates must complete two years of teaching in a rural school.

"We really do encourage anyone with a science degree who's thinking about a career change to talk to us because we have the money from the National Science Foundation to help them to make that life transition and make a difference."

For more information, contact Imelda Koenke at 785-628-4144 or i_koenke@fhsu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591739251264.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Fort Hays State University Makerspace is having an open house with free activities and demonstrations from 3 to 6 p.m. March 5.&nbsp;The renovation of Forsyth Library has resulted in the Makerspace moving to Picken Hall 102. The open house is to introduce people to the new space.No registration is required. Door prizes and refreshments also will be offered.Demonstrations include the 3D printer, 3D scanner, desktop mill, laser cutter, vinyl cutter, robots, ozobots, and a thermal camera. Activities will include stickers, buttons, stomp rockets, and origami."What I'm finding out now is how much origami is used now to deploy satellites and do a lot of packing, " Paul Adams, dean of the College of Education, said. "Although it's an ancient art form, it's now a modern technology."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709592970326.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Makerspace has makers cards, which are challenges. You might be challenged to make a marionette from paper, straws and string."It's technology from the lowest of what we would consider crafts. We have sewing machines down there. ... Up to soldering to make your own electronics," Adams said.Children are welcome and encouraged to attend the open house.The Makerspace will have a series of activities through April where visitors of all ages can make items. See the flyer below for times, dates and activities or visit <a href="http://www.fhsu.edu/smei">www.fhsu.edu/smei</a>.The Makerspace only charges the cost of materials, which aren't very expensive, Adams said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709592997576.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU also sponsors a monthly Science Cafe´ lecture. The next lecture will be "Snakes in Jars: Using Museum Specimens to Discover News Species and Test Evolution" at 7 p.m. March 18 at The Venue at Thirsty's. The presenter will be Jackson Roberts, zoology collections manager of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.Snakes that have been collected over decades are still being used in research today, Adams said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709593022677.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Western Kansas Lego Robotics Competition will be on March 25 in the Memorial Union. The competition is open to students in grades five through eight.It's partially funded through a NASA space grant, Adams said.Twenty-five schools are coming with 315 students and more than 100 robots, with each team competing in at least one of five events."One of the events that gets everyone cheering is the sumo bot competition that starts at 1 o'clock," Adams said. "It's something to see — a whole ballroom of people cheering and 100 plus robots going at it with the sumo bots."The students also have a line sorter competition, and the robots must follow a line of M&amp;Ms ... if the kids don't eat them first.The students will compete with catapults for the first time this year.Enrollment for science and math summer camps opened on Monday. You can find more at <a href="http://www.fhsu.edu/smei">www.fhsu.edu/smei</a>.During a math camp, students desgin a business and use their math skills to run their businesses.New this yeat is a Folklore and Fairytale Camp. Students will create their own short story through 2D illustration, 3D image scanning and designing their own 3D model.Adams encouraged adults with science degrees who might be interested in teaching to apply for more than $22,500 in scholarships through the Post-Baccalaureate STEM Teacher Program.The curriculum is delivered all online. Graduates must complete two years of teaching in a rural school."We really do encourage anyone with a science degree who's thinking about a career change to talk to us because we have the money from the National Science Foundation to help them to make that life transition and make a difference."For more information, contact Imelda Koenke at 785-628-4144 or i_koenke@fhsu.edu.

Free FHSU Makerspace open house; more events on snakes, robots, math

The Hays USD 489 school board will discuss the purchase of iPads for students and staff for kindergarten through fifth grade at its meeting Monday night.

The board will consider the purchase of 1,630 iPads  with cases for $604,695.

The board will also hear a request for a contract with Midwest Energy for&nbsp;$214,120 to provide permanent power and electric meters to the new Hays High School site.

The board will consider accepting a bid from Sunflower Restaurant Supply for $26,750 for an outside walk-in freezer at Hays Middle School.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ff11c16e-4824-45c6-8303-be8f8ae5f7e2">The board will have a second reading on policy revisions to match the new state graduation requirements.</a>

Superintendent Ron Wilson also will give an update on bond projects.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school board will discuss the purchase of iPads for students and staff for kindergarten through fifth grade at its meeting Monday night.The board will consider the purchase of 1,630 iPads with cases for $604,695.The board will also hear a request for a contract with Midwest Energy for&nbsp;$214,120 to provide permanent power and electric meters to the new Hays High School site.The board will consider accepting a bid from Sunflower Restaurant Supply for $26,750 for an outside walk-in freezer at Hays Middle School.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ff11c16e-4824-45c6-8303-be8f8ae5f7e2">The board will have a second reading on policy revisions to match the new state graduation requirements.</a>Superintendent Ron Wilson also will give an update on bond projects.

Hays USD 489 school board to consider purchase of K-5 iPads

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

I saw an old friend in town the other day and he asked how I had done trapping last year. I told him I hadn’t set as many traps as I’d wanted and thus hadn’t caught as many coyotes as I had planned. I’ll never forget his reply; he told me “I was never a very good trapper. I had a friend that was very good, and I would set twice as many traps as him and I would catch twice as little!” I chuckled at his wording, but it got me to thinking. If I had thrown in the towel every time I hadn’t gotten a deer, or trapped as many coyotes as planned, or caught all the fish I’d wanted I would probably have ceased even going outdoors years ago.

There have been plenty of years when I haven’t harvested a deer or trapped as many critters as I’d wanted, but my biggest challenge has always been my fishing skills, or better yet my lack-thereof. Growing up in Ohio, we enjoyed Lake Erie and one of the many islands in Lake Erie is named Kelley’s Island. Our neighbor was pastor at one of the churches on Kelley’s Island and stayed there in the parsonage during the weekend, and lived next door to us during the week. Because of our friendship, if we went to Kelley’s Island on week days, he let us stay in the church parsonage, so each year we planned a short fishing trip there during the week. One of the fish Lake Erie is known for is the Yellow Perch. They are nothing like our invasive species White Perch here in Kansas and in my book are nearly as good as Walleye as far as eating quality. In the fall the perch would be biting around the island so we planned our trips around that. We sometimes fished from the ferry dock alongside native islanders. I always bought the same bait from the same bait shop and used the same tackle as the native islanders, but sitting 3 feet away on the dock, they would catch 12 fish to my one.

Some years back when Joyce and I still had a boat, we went to Kannapolis fishing with another couple who were both avid fishermen, they in their boat and Joyce and I in ours. They had numerous brush piles in the lake marked on their GPS, so we anchored on each side of a long narrow brush pile. Joyce and I both rigged our rods exactly like theirs, and our boats were so close that at one point they tossed us the exact jig they were using. They caught crappies left and right and the only thing we caught was the rope anchoring the marker buoy.

My points here are, number one, I’m a lousy fisherman, seemingly almost cursed at times, but yet I still go when I can. Point number two is, that although harvesting fish and game is usually the goal when in the field or on the lake, the harvest should not be our sole purpose for being there. On one particular deer hunt during my youth, I was standing in a pre-determined spot in a large woodlot awaiting other hunters walking toward me. I heard rustling in the leaves, and watched as a mother red fox and her family of half-grown kits ran past me just a few feet away. As I recall, I didn’t harvest a deer that year, but would have missed that once-in-a-lifetime-sight had I not been there anyway.

I could fill pages with other stories like that of bobcats that peered at us from a few feet away, or hawks that cruised past us mere feet above the ground and only a stones-throw away, or the beaver that swam beneath my feet under the ice of a frozen creek. The bottom line is that all that would have been missed had we not been there, successful harvest or not. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors (successful harvest or not!)

Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsI saw an old friend in town the other day and he asked how I had done trapping last year. I told him I hadn’t set as many traps as I’d wanted and thus hadn’t caught as many coyotes as I had planned. I’ll never forget his reply; he told me “I was never a very good trapper. I had a friend that was very good, and I would set twice as many traps as him and I would catch twice as little!” I chuckled at his wording, but it got me to thinking. If I had thrown in the towel every time I hadn’t gotten a deer, or trapped as many coyotes as planned, or caught all the fish I’d wanted I would probably have ceased even going outdoors years ago.There have been plenty of years when I haven’t harvested a deer or trapped as many critters as I’d wanted, but my biggest challenge has always been my fishing skills, or better yet my lack-thereof. Growing up in Ohio, we enjoyed Lake Erie and one of the many islands in Lake Erie is named Kelley’s Island. Our neighbor was pastor at one of the churches on Kelley’s Island and stayed there in the parsonage during the weekend, and lived next door to us during the week. Because of our friendship, if we went to Kelley’s Island on week days, he let us stay in the church parsonage, so each year we planned a short fishing trip there during the week. One of the fish Lake Erie is known for is the Yellow Perch. They are nothing like our invasive species White Perch here in Kansas and in my book are nearly as good as Walleye as far as eating quality. In the fall the perch would be biting around the island so we planned our trips around that. We sometimes fished from the ferry dock alongside native islanders. I always bought the same bait from the same bait shop and used the same tackle as the native islanders, but sitting 3 feet away on the dock, they would catch 12 fish to my one.Some years back when Joyce and I still had a boat, we went to Kannapolis fishing with another couple who were both avid fishermen, they in their boat and Joyce and I in ours. They had numerous brush piles in the lake marked on their GPS, so we anchored on each side of a long narrow brush pile. Joyce and I both rigged our rods exactly like theirs, and our boats were so close that at one point they tossed us the exact jig they were using. They caught crappies left and right and the only thing we caught was the rope anchoring the marker buoy.My points here are, number one, I’m a lousy fisherman, seemingly almost cursed at times, but yet I still go when I can. Point number two is, that although harvesting fish and game is usually the goal when in the field or on the lake, the harvest should not be our sole purpose for being there. On one particular deer hunt during my youth, I was standing in a pre-determined spot in a large woodlot awaiting other hunters walking toward me. I heard rustling in the leaves, and watched as a mother red fox and her family of half-grown kits ran past me just a few feet away. As I recall, I didn’t harvest a deer that year, but would have missed that once-in-a-lifetime-sight had I not been there anyway.I could fill pages with other stories like that of bobcats that peered at us from a few feet away, or hawks that cruised past us mere feet above the ground and only a stones-throw away, or the beaver that swam beneath my feet under the ice of a frozen creek. The bottom line is that all that would have been missed had we not been there, successful harvest or not. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors (successful harvest or not!)Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

GILLILAND: You never know what you might be missing

By RANDY GONZALES Special to Hays Post

Almena Grade School, part of Northern Valley USD 212 in Almena that includes Long Island, recently had a 100th-anniversary celebration of the current building, which is situated on a corner not far from Main Street in Almena.

Locals simply call the school and the environs The Valley.

The teachers at the grade school celebrate the 100th day of classes every year. This year, they came up with the idea to recognize at the same time the 100th anniversary of the red brick, a two-story structure where thousands of kids through the years learned their reading, writing and ’rithmetic.

In mid-February, a group of former students who roamed the halls decades ago gathered at the grade school reception to reminisce.

Tall tales were told, and there was enough laughter echoing off the walls that, in years gone by, would have garnered a stern look from a teacher.

Before the current gym and cafeteria linked the high school and grade school together, high school students would come over to eat lunch in the basement, where the kindergarten room is now.

Glenda (Schalansky) Smith, who graduated from high school in 1969, attended first through eighth grades at the school and later taught there for 33 years.

“I experienced the unification,” Smith said, adding her mom graduated from high school in Almena in 1944. She graduated from there 25 years later, and 25 years after that, her oldest daughter graduated from Northern Valley High School.

“That makes us all feel really old,” Smith said with a laugh while talking about the 100th anniversary of the grade school.

Most of those attending the reception went to grade school there 50-some years ago and a few even further back in time. There was talk of teachers and classrooms, of classmates back in the day, remembering some who are no longer on this earth.

They also remembered more than just book learning. Students got the opportunity to make tortillas and to paint shields out of the bottom of bushel baskets to represent those used by Native Americans, and much, much more.

Classroom time was important, but recess was fun.

One former student remembered playing tag and hide-and-go-seek in the bushes in front of the school. Decades later, in the 1960s, kids would play kickball in the school gym in the winter. The fresh air and playground equipment were beckoning when it was nice out.

Students would draw a circle in the dirt in front of the swings, then pump their legs, swinging as high as they could before jumping out, trying to land in the circle.

Next to the swings was a trapeze bar, where braver kids hung from their legs upside down. There was the teeter-totter, merry-go-round and slipper slide, too. Those gathered agreed that perhaps playing tetherball was the most popular.

First through eighth grades were taught in the building until 1968. Almena and Long Island consolidated to form Northern Valley in 1967, and a year later seventh- and eighth-graders rode the bus from Almena to Long Island, and Long Island high school students would take the bus to Almena. Each bus would stop at the county line and switch drivers, so they would end up back home.

These days, fifth through eighth grades are taught at Long Island. The Almena Grade School now is home to preschool, kindergarten and first through fourth grades.

The former students remembered their teachers during their early school years in the 1960s, with fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Crowder often mentioned as their favorite.

“Mrs. Crowder was the best,” said Alan Schukman, a 1973 graduate of NVHS. “I looked forward going into fourth grade.”

“She made every day fun,” he added. “Mrs. Crowder was fabulous.”

Schukman’s older sister, Lynette (Schukman) Hammond, graduated from high school in 1970.

“I have vivid memories of building snow forts,” in grade school, she said.

Back then, the girls wore dresses, and nobody wore shorts. Those were different times, simpler times.

“We had a real sheltered life,” Hammond said.

When the final bell rang and school was out for the day, everything a kid could want could be found in this small town of about 500 people.

Schukman remembered buying a comic book for a nickel and candy for a dime at Denny’s drugstore. The stores downtown stayed open on Thursday nights.

Everybody remembered Doc Bennie, who made house calls in his Rambler. Mr. Casey, who owned the grocery store, would give little children crackers and bologna from behind the meat counter.

“Growing up in Almena was special,” Schukman said. “We thought we had the best of everything. I thought I was in the best town in the world.”

After playing outside until dark, it was time for supper and homework. Then it was back the next day to learn more about the world outside their grade school – and their small town.

Now, more than five decades later, what was Mrs. Crowder’s fourth grade now features Mrs. Chandler.

There will be a day when today’s teachers give way to tomorrow’s leaders, too. Through the years, however, two things will remain a constant: the building itself and what it represents to the people of The Valley.

“You’ve got a 100-year-old building. You definitely have to treat it with care,” Principal Marvin Gebhard said, adding that buildings just aren’t built now like they used to be.

The building has undergone some improvements through the years, but the basic structure remains the same. Gebhard said that is something that is a source of respect.

“We have a lot of pride in our community,” said Gebhard, a 1998 graduate of the local high school. “When you have pride in your community, you have pride in your schools.”

“When you have pride in your schools, you take care of things,” he added. “That plays a big part in it, too.”

Gebhard was pleased to see former students come back for the reception.

“That was what was neat,” Gebhard said. “People like me, even though I went to school here, there are certain things I didn’t know.”

Things like a principal who decades ago liked to walk on his hands up and down the stairs. Things like a flood inundating the gym floor at the grade school, postponing graduation.

“We had to wait until it dried out,” Smith said with a laugh.

All in a day at The Valley. All in a year at The Valley. All in decade after decade at The Valley.

Maybe, just maybe, today’s first-, second-, third- and fourth-graders might get together in something like 50 years from now – like those who gathered last month – and reminisce about their days gone by.

They do talk, actually, with former students keeping alive cherished memories of their grade school in The Valley.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709311902706.jpeg" alt="The current Northern Valley Grade School was built in 1924. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The current Northern Valley Grade School was built in 1924. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708110719636.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RANDY GONZALES Special to Hays PostIf only these walls could talk.Almena Grade School, part of Northern Valley USD 212 in Almena that includes Long Island, recently had a 100th-anniversary celebration of the current building, which is situated on a corner not far from Main Street in Almena.Locals simply call the school and the environs The Valley.The teachers at the grade school celebrate the 100th day of classes every year. This year, they came up with the idea to recognize at the same time the 100th anniversary of the red brick, a two-story structure where thousands of kids through the years learned their reading, writing and ’rithmetic.In mid-February, a group of former students who roamed the halls decades ago gathered at the grade school reception to reminisce.Tall tales were told, and there was enough laughter echoing off the walls that, in years gone by, would have garnered a stern look from a teacher.If only these walls could talk.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709311943855.jpeg" alt="The former schoolhouse, built in 1907, burned in the early 1920s. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The former schoolhouse, built in 1907, burned in the early 1920s. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Before the current gym and cafeteria linked the high school and grade school together, high school students would come over to eat lunch in the basement, where the kindergarten room is now.Glenda (Schalansky) Smith, who graduated from high school in 1969, attended first through eighth grades at the school and later taught there for 33 years.“I experienced the unification,” Smith said, adding her mom graduated from high school in Almena in 1944. She graduated from there 25 years later, and 25 years after that, her oldest daughter graduated from Northern Valley High School.“That makes us all feel really old,” Smith said with a laugh while talking about the 100th anniversary of the grade school.Most of those attending the reception went to grade school there 50-some years ago and a few even further back in time. There was talk of teachers and classrooms, of classmates back in the day, remembering some who are no longer on this earth.They also remembered more than just book learning. Students got the opportunity to make tortillas and to paint shields out of the bottom of bushel baskets to represent those used by Native Americans, and much, much more.Classroom time was important, but recess was fun.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709311973053.jpeg" alt="Former Northern Valley students reminisce at a recent 100-year anniversary celebration of the grade school. Bottom row are Alan Schukman and his sister, Lynette (Schukman) Hammond, Long Island; top row are Marilyn Lowry, Shirley Sides and Dale Sides, Almena. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Former Northern Valley students reminisce at a recent 100-year anniversary celebration of the grade school. Bottom row are Alan Schukman and his sister, Lynette (Schukman) Hammond, Long Island; top row are Marilyn Lowry, Shirley Sides and Dale Sides, Almena. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>One former student remembered playing tag and hide-and-go-seek in the bushes in front of the school. Decades later, in the 1960s, kids would play kickball in the school gym in the winter. The fresh air and playground equipment were beckoning when it was nice out.Students would draw a circle in the dirt in front of the swings, then pump their legs, swinging as high as they could before jumping out, trying to land in the circle.Next to the swings was a trapeze bar, where braver kids hung from their legs upside down. There was the teeter-totter, merry-go-round and slipper slide, too. Those gathered agreed that perhaps playing tetherball was the most popular.First through eighth grades were taught in the building until 1968. Almena and Long Island consolidated to form Northern Valley in 1967, and a year later seventh- and eighth-graders rode the bus from Almena to Long Island, and Long Island high school students would take the bus to Almena. Each bus would stop at the county line and switch drivers, so they would end up back home.These days, fifth through eighth grades are taught at Long Island. The Almena Grade School now is home to preschool, kindergarten and first through fourth grades.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709312000987.jpeg" alt="Lights on the scoreboard clock in the high school gymnasium displayed the number 100 in several areas for the centennial celebration of the grade school. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Lights on the scoreboard clock in the high school gymnasium displayed the number 100 in several areas for the centennial celebration of the grade school. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The former students remembered their teachers during their early school years in the 1960s, with fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Crowder often mentioned as their favorite.“Mrs. Crowder was the best,” said Alan Schukman, a 1973 graduate of NVHS. “I looked forward going into fourth grade.”“She made every day fun,” he added. “Mrs. Crowder was fabulous.”Schukman’s older sister, Lynette (Schukman) Hammond, graduated from high school in 1970.“I have vivid memories of building snow forts,” in grade school, she said.Back then, the girls wore dresses, and nobody wore shorts. Those were different times, simpler times.“We had a real sheltered life,” Hammond said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709312037070.jpeg" alt="Julie and Dick Thompson, Almena, check out school memorabilia displayed during the celebration. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Julie and Dick Thompson, Almena, check out school memorabilia displayed during the celebration. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>When the final bell rang and school was out for the day, everything a kid could want could be found in this small town of about 500 people.Schukman remembered buying a comic book for a nickel and candy for a dime at Denny’s drugstore. The stores downtown stayed open on Thursday nights.Everybody remembered Doc Bennie, who made house calls in his Rambler. Mr. Casey, who owned the grocery store, would give little children crackers and bologna from behind the meat counter.“Growing up in Almena was special,” Schukman said. “We thought we had the best of everything. I thought I was in the best town in the world.”After playing outside until dark, it was time for supper and homework. Then it was back the next day to learn more about the world outside their grade school – and their small town.Now, more than five decades later, what was Mrs. Crowder’s fourth grade now features Mrs. Chandler.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709312082487.jpeg" alt="Current students at Northern Valley Grade School celebrated the 100th day of school in February on the same day that former students celebrated the 100th anniversary of the school building. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Current students at Northern Valley Grade School celebrated the 100th day of school in February on the same day that former students celebrated the 100th anniversary of the school building. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien/Special to the Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>There will be a day when today’s teachers give way to tomorrow’s leaders, too. Through the years, however, two things will remain a constant: the building itself and what it represents to the people of The Valley.“You’ve got a 100-year-old building. You definitely have to treat it with care,” Principal Marvin Gebhard said, adding that buildings just aren’t built now like they used to be.The building has undergone some improvements through the years, but the basic structure remains the same. Gebhard said that is something that is a source of respect.“We have a lot of pride in our community,” said Gebhard, a 1998 graduate of the local high school. “When you have pride in your community, you have pride in your schools.”“When you have pride in your schools, you take care of things,” he added. “That plays a big part in it, too.”Gebhard was pleased to see former students come back for the reception.“That was what was neat,” Gebhard said. “People like me, even though I went to school here, there are certain things I didn’t know.”Things like a principal who decades ago liked to walk on his hands up and down the stairs. Things like a flood inundating the gym floor at the grade school, postponing graduation.“We had to wait until it dried out,” Smith said with a laugh.All in a day at The Valley. All in a year at The Valley. All in decade after decade at The Valley.Maybe, just maybe, today’s first-, second-, third- and fourth-graders might get together in something like 50 years from now – like those who gathered last month – and reminisce about their days gone by.If only these walls could talk.They do talk, actually, with former students keeping alive cherished memories of their grade school in The Valley.

NWester: 100 years later, Almena school still making the grade

By DALE YOUNKER Natural Resources Conservation Service

Many Kansas dryland cropping systems tend to have long 9–15-month fallow periods between cash crops. This is to basically “bank” moisture in the soil profile for the next crop, thus reducing the risk of a failure. This seems to make sense in semi-arid regions that receives an average of 15 to 22 inches of rainfall annually.

Unfortunately, these systems are typically not very efficient at capturing and storing moisture. Roughly around 15-25% of the rain and snow received during the fallow period is captured and stored in the soil for the next crop. The rest is lost from runoff, evaporation, and in some cases deep percolation below the crop’s root zone. 16 inches of moisture during a fallow period will only gain about 2.5 to 4 inches of additional soil moisture. The more tillage in the system the less moisture you will be able to capture and store. Granted, in dry years that extra moisture, as small as it is, might be the difference between a failed crop and a harvested crop. But in average or wet years we are greatly under utilizing the moisture mother nature has provided us.

Many times, these systems leave the soil surface nearly bare making the soil susceptible to both wind and water erosion. This is true in both tillage and no-till systems. No-till fallow fields, without cover on the soil surface, can blow and wash away just as easily as a tilled field. With every erosion event the soil becomes more degraded and less productive.

Can we utilize that lost moisture in a more positive way? In many situations I believe that we can. One way is to add more cash crops to the cropping system. This doesn’t have to be an all or none scenario and should be flexible. If there is a good soil moisture at planting time, and the long- term weather forecast is favorable, a cash crop could replace a fallow period. If soil moisture is sketchy and the long-term weather forecast is dry to neutral, you may forgo planting a cash crop and plant a cover crop, or just continue with the traditional fallow period.

Cover crops could also be used to bridge the time between the cash crops. They provide a lot more flexibility than trying to add more cash crops, because you don’t need to worry about getting a crop to maturity to harvest it. They can always be terminated early if gets dry, or not planted at all if moisture conditions are not favorable at planting.

Intensifying the crop rotation or adding cover crops are not a silver bullets that will fix all soil health issues. They are just another tool in the toolbox that may work for some producers, but not for others. There are other practices, like nutrient management, no-till, crop rotation and others that may be a better fit for some producers.

At the end of the day every producer needs to ask, is changing my current system going to put more money in my pocket? Both short term and long-term costs and benefits need to be considered, including the long-term productivity of the soil. For more information you can contact me at dale.younker@ks.usda.gov or any local NRCS office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674661010889.png" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By DALE YOUNKER Natural Resources Conservation ServiceMany Kansas dryland cropping systems tend to have long 9–15-month fallow periods between cash crops. This is to basically “bank” moisture in the soil profile for the next crop, thus reducing the risk of a failure. This seems to make sense in semi-arid regions that receives an average of 15 to 22 inches of rainfall annually.Unfortunately, these systems are typically not very efficient at capturing and storing moisture. Roughly around 15-25% of the rain and snow received during the fallow period is captured and stored in the soil for the next crop. The rest is lost from runoff, evaporation, and in some cases deep percolation below the crop’s root zone. 16 inches of moisture during a fallow period will only gain about 2.5 to 4 inches of additional soil moisture. The more tillage in the system the less moisture you will be able to capture and store. Granted, in dry years that extra moisture, as small as it is, might be the difference between a failed crop and a harvested crop. But in average or wet years we are greatly under utilizing the moisture mother nature has provided us.Many times, these systems leave the soil surface nearly bare making the soil susceptible to both wind and water erosion. This is true in both tillage and no-till systems. No-till fallow fields, without cover on the soil surface, can blow and wash away just as easily as a tilled field. With every erosion event the soil becomes more degraded and less productive.Can we utilize that lost moisture in a more positive way? In many situations I believe that we can. One way is to add more cash crops to the cropping system. This doesn’t have to be an all or none scenario and should be flexible. If there is a good soil moisture at planting time, and the long- term weather forecast is favorable, a cash crop could replace a fallow period. If soil moisture is sketchy and the long-term weather forecast is dry to neutral, you may forgo planting a cash crop and plant a cover crop, or just continue with the traditional fallow period.Cover crops could also be used to bridge the time between the cash crops. They provide a lot more flexibility than trying to add more cash crops, because you don’t need to worry about getting a crop to maturity to harvest it. They can always be terminated early if gets dry, or not planted at all if moisture conditions are not favorable at planting.Intensifying the crop rotation or adding cover crops are not a silver bullets that will fix all soil health issues. They are just another tool in the toolbox that may work for some producers, but not for others. There are other practices, like nutrient management, no-till, crop rotation and others that may be a better fit for some producers.At the end of the day every producer needs to ask, is changing my current system going to put more money in my pocket? Both short term and long-term costs and benefits need to be considered, including the long-term productivity of the soil. For more information you can contact me at dale.younker@ks.usda.gov or any local NRCS office.

YOUNKER: Kansas dryland cropping systems

By CRISTINA MIRANDA Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

If you’re in the checkout line with a gift card (or several) in your hand, ask yourself: is the gift card you’re buying for a gift? Or is someone on the phone with you as you’re checking out telling you what to do – like buy a gift card to pay for something and give them the numbers? Gift cards are ONLY for gifts. That means if the gift card isn’t for someone’s birthday, anniversary, or for any other gift giving reason, it’s a scam.

<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/giftcards">Gift card</a>&nbsp;scammers only want your money. First they’ll call, text, email, or send a social media message. Then comes a made-up story: They’re from the government (pay taxes or a fine), tech support (something’s wrong with your computer – pay to fix it), or you’ve won a prize (but pay for it first.) Other scammers might use AI voice cloning to sound like a family member in trouble. It’s always urgent. They always want you to act fast or something bad will happen. And it’s always a scam.

Think you gave gift card numbers to a scammer? Act fast. Grab your gift card and the gift card receipt. Then,

Remember: gift cards are ONLY for gifts. If it’s for anything else, like to pay to fix any problem for ANY reason, it’s a scam.&nbsp;

Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/giftcards">ftc.gov/gift cards</a>&nbsp;to learn more. Share this information with your friends, family, and community to help stop gift card scams.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692642990978.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA MIRANDA Consumer Education Specialist, FTCIf you’re in the checkout line with a gift card (or several) in your hand, ask yourself: is the gift card you’re buying for a gift? Or is someone on the phone with you as you’re checking out telling you what to do – like buy a gift card to pay for something and give them the numbers? Gift cards are ONLY for gifts. That means if the gift card isn’t for someone’s birthday, anniversary, or for any other gift giving reason, it’s a scam.<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/giftcards">Gift card</a>&nbsp;scammers only want your money. First they’ll call, text, email, or send a social media message. Then comes a made-up story: They’re from the government (pay taxes or a fine), tech support (something’s wrong with your computer – pay to fix it), or you’ve won a prize (but pay for it first.) Other scammers might use AI voice cloning to sound like a family member in trouble. It’s always urgent. They always want you to act fast or something bad will happen. And it’s always a scam.Think you gave gift card numbers to a scammer? Act fast. Grab your gift card and the gift card receipt. Then,<ul>
 <li>Report the gift card scam to the gift card company.&nbsp;It doesn’t matter when the scam happened. Use this&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/avoiding-and-reporting-gift-card-scams#_Gift_Card_Company">How To Contact Gift Card Companies</a>&nbsp;list to report it.</li><li>Ask for your money back.&nbsp;Some companies are helping stop gift card scams and might give your money back. Always ask.</li><li>Tell the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.&nbsp;Your report makes a difference and helps protect people in your community from fraud and scams.</li>
 </ul>Remember: gift cards are ONLY for gifts. If it’s for anything else, like to pay to fix any problem for ANY reason, it’s a scam.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/giftcards">ftc.gov/gift cards</a>&nbsp;to learn more. Share this information with your friends, family, and community to help stop gift card scams.

In the check-out line buying gift cards? Read on to avoid a scam

By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight Kansas

Last week justices on the Kansas Supreme Court signaled that they find fault with the 2021 state law that makes it more difficult for groups to hold voter registration drives.

The controversial law criminalizes “false representation” of an election official.

In theory, this seems like it would be a good thing as it would prevent voters from being misled. However, in reality, the law was written so poorly that any group or individual registering voters without a giant sign stating “Not An Election Official” could be punished under the law.

The justices’ line of questioning seem to indicate that they believe the “false representation” law might violate protected speech — which, if accurate, would be in agreement with the arguments brought forth by the law’s challengers, civic engagement groups focused on voter participation like the League of Women Voters and Loud Light.

As arguments are heard by the Kansas Supreme Court, the legislature is simultaneously pushing through changes that would amend the law to make it more narrow, only criminalizing voter registration drives if groups or individuals engaged in conduct “with the intent to cause a person to believe” they are an election official. In short, if they were deliberately engaging in disinformation.

This situation highlights the continuing power struggle between the legislature and the judiciary.

Voting rights is only one example. Another is access to abortion services.

For example, this session alone, the legislature has introduced nine bills that would restrict abortion access, despite the Court’s 2019 decision in Hodes &amp; Nauser v. Schmidt that constitutionally protects access and citizens’ vote to uphold that decision in August 2022.

Branches competing for political power is a feature of our system of separation of powers, not a bug.

James Madison, the brain behind separation of powers, believed that creating competing power centers within the political system would force compromise to happen. Madison meant just this when he famously said “ambition must be made to counteract ambition”.

Historically, compromise was more common in the political system than it is today. In our current era of hyperpartisan polarization, we more often see instances of constitutional hardball.

Constitutional hardball is often defined as actions by political parties to pass laws that violate norms in ways that undermine democracy. Another result of constitutional hardball is declining satisfaction with government institutions and overall lack of trust in government.

The 2023 Kansas Speaks public opinion survey, conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, gauged satisfaction with the performance of the state’s legislature and supreme court in October 2023.

23% of Kansans answered that they were very or somewhat satisfied with the overall performance of the Kansas Legislature, an 8 point drop from 2022.

22% of Kansans answered the same about the Kansas Supreme Court, a 10 point decline from the previous year.

The survey also asks about approval ratings for Governor Laura Kelly (38%), the US Congress (10%), US Senators Jerry Moran (24%) and Roger Marshall (21%), and President Joe Biden (22%), all of which saw a decline from 2022.

In an era marked by low approval ratings, continuous political power struggles risk further alienation of citizens. A healthy democratic government requires active and engaged Kansans, but the social science literature on civic engagement says that citizens are less likely to participate when trust in government is low.

As branches of government vie for power, democratic responsiveness wanes and Kansans suffer the consequences.

Alexandra Middlewood, PhD is the Department Chair of Political Science at Wichita State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699489540.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight KansasLast week justices on the Kansas Supreme Court signaled that they find fault with the 2021 state law that makes it more difficult for groups to hold voter registration drives.The controversial law criminalizes “false representation” of an election official.In theory, this seems like it would be a good thing as it would prevent voters from being misled. However, in reality, the law was written so poorly that any group or individual registering voters without a giant sign stating “Not An Election Official” could be punished under the law.The justices’ line of questioning seem to indicate that they believe the “false representation” law might violate protected speech — which, if accurate, would be in agreement with the arguments brought forth by the law’s challengers, civic engagement groups focused on voter participation like the League of Women Voters and Loud Light.As arguments are heard by the Kansas Supreme Court, the legislature is simultaneously pushing through changes that would amend the law to make it more narrow, only criminalizing voter registration drives if groups or individuals engaged in conduct “with the intent to cause a person to believe” they are an election official. In short, if they were deliberately engaging in disinformation.This situation highlights the continuing power struggle between the legislature and the judiciary.Voting rights is only one example. Another is access to abortion services.For example, this session alone, the legislature has introduced nine bills that would restrict abortion access, despite the Court’s 2019 decision in Hodes &amp; Nauser v. Schmidt that constitutionally protects access and citizens’ vote to uphold that decision in August 2022.Branches competing for political power is a feature of our system of separation of powers, not a bug.James Madison, the brain behind separation of powers, believed that creating competing power centers within the political system would force compromise to happen. Madison meant just this when he famously said “ambition must be made to counteract ambition”.Historically, compromise was more common in the political system than it is today. In our current era of hyperpartisan polarization, we more often see instances of constitutional hardball.Constitutional hardball is often defined as actions by political parties to pass laws that violate norms in ways that undermine democracy. Another result of constitutional hardball is declining satisfaction with government institutions and overall lack of trust in government.The 2023 Kansas Speaks public opinion survey, conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, gauged satisfaction with the performance of the state’s legislature and supreme court in October 2023.23% of Kansans answered that they were very or somewhat satisfied with the overall performance of the Kansas Legislature, an 8 point drop from 2022.22% of Kansans answered the same about the Kansas Supreme Court, a 10 point decline from the previous year.The survey also asks about approval ratings for Governor Laura Kelly (38%), the US Congress (10%), US Senators Jerry Moran (24%) and Roger Marshall (21%), and President Joe Biden (22%), all of which saw a decline from 2022.In an era marked by low approval ratings, continuous political power struggles risk further alienation of citizens. A healthy democratic government requires active and engaged Kansans, but the social science literature on civic engagement says that citizens are less likely to participate when trust in government is low.As branches of government vie for power, democratic responsiveness wanes and Kansans suffer the consequences.Alexandra Middlewood, PhD is the Department Chair of Political Science at Wichita State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: James Madison would not be happy with Kansas politics in 2024

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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>