<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a>

<a href="https://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr/vol6/iss3/3/">To read more about the findings visit the K-State Ag Research website.</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a><div><iframe title="Regular exercise found to increase cattle health" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/x7m8t-d885c5?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><a href="https://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr/vol6/iss3/3/">To read more about the findings visit the K-State Ag Research website.</a>

🎤Post Podcast: Regular exercise found to increase cattle health

The Eagle Radio of Hays Online Auction has begun!

There are several great items to bid on including:

Kubota DZ Riding Mower from Radke Implement This new Kubota DZ 12-11 riding lawn mower has a 72 inch
cutting width with side discharge. The shaft-driven deck means no pulley’s or
belts. There’s more than enough power with Kubota’s diesel driven 26 HP
3-cylinder engine driving this zero-turn mower.

Current Bid: $4,100.00 Retail Price: $16,999.00

Anti-Stress Package from Rock Haven Spa Rock Haven’s most popular package! Begin with a luxurious
Signature Massage with warm blue stones applied to the back of your body. This
relaxing treatment is followed by a soothing half hour Heavenly Facial to
minimize line and rejuvenate the skin.

Current Bid: $51.00 Retail Price: $140.00

$100 Certificate from Roto Rooter If you have a stopped up or clogged drain, this certificate
is perfect for getting it cleared up. Or if you have drain that is running slow
it’s a good thing to get cleaned before it’s totally clogged. At Roto-Rooter
they can unclog /unstop a drain whether it’s a kitchen sink drain, a clogged
shower or bathtub. This certificate is good for one secondary drain in your
home like bathroom, kitchen, or shower. It excludes camera service. Certificate
good through March 15th, 2021. Roto-Rooter call 628-6850.

Current Bid: There is no current bid on this item.

Retail Price: $100.00 Opening Bid: $10.00

$50 Certificate from Salon Brands These $50 gift cards are good towards any salon service.
Salon Brands is known for their multitude of products but they also have a
talented team of stylists! A gift card can be used for haircuts, hair colors,
highlights, styling – updos (prom!, Men’s cuts, and nails. They also have a
braiding expert on their staff too! Located in Wichita, Manhattan, Derby, Hays
and Missouri.

Current Bid: $5.00 Retail Price: $50.00

Milwaukee Impact Driver Kit from Sawyer's Ace Hardware The M18 1/4” Hex Brushless Impact Driver is the Most Compact
Impact Driver in its class and delivers Over 50% More Run-Time than Impact
Drivers with brushed motors. The Milwaukee built brushless motor, REDLINK™
Electronics, and REDLITHIUM™ batteries provide more efficient power delivery,
for fewer trips to the charger.At only 5-3/8” long and 3.1 lbs, this impact
driver provides excellent control and balance in a compact size, perfect for
work overhead or in tight spaces. The M18™ ¼” Hex Brushless Impact Driver delivers
up to 1500 in-lbs. of torque and 0-2,800 RPM for a wide range of fastening
applications.

Current Bid: $69.00 Retail Price: $200.00

The Eagle Radio of Hays Online Auction has begun!There are several great items to bid on including:Kubota DZ Riding Mower from Radke Implement This new Kubota DZ 12-11 riding lawn mower has a 72 inch
cutting width with side discharge. The shaft-driven deck means no pulley’s or
belts. There’s more than enough power with Kubota’s diesel driven 26 HP
3-cylinder engine driving this zero-turn mower.Current Bid: $4,100.00 Retail Price: $16,999.00Anti-Stress Package from Rock Haven Spa Rock Haven’s most popular package! Begin with a luxurious
Signature Massage with warm blue stones applied to the back of your body. This
relaxing treatment is followed by a soothing half hour Heavenly Facial to
minimize line and rejuvenate the skin.Current Bid: $51.00 Retail Price: $140.00$100 Certificate from Roto Rooter If you have a stopped up or clogged drain, this certificate
is perfect for getting it cleared up. Or if you have drain that is running slow
it’s a good thing to get cleaned before it’s totally clogged. At Roto-Rooter
they can unclog /unstop a drain whether it’s a kitchen sink drain, a clogged
shower or bathtub. This certificate is good for one secondary drain in your
home like bathroom, kitchen, or shower. It excludes camera service. Certificate
good through March 15th, 2021. Roto-Rooter call 628-6850.Current Bid: There is no current bid on this item.Retail Price: $100.00 Opening Bid: $10.00$50 Certificate from Salon Brands These $50 gift cards are good towards any salon service.
Salon Brands is known for their multitude of products but they also have a
talented team of stylists! A gift card can be used for haircuts, hair colors,
highlights, styling – updos (prom!, Men’s cuts, and nails. They also have a
braiding expert on their staff too! Located in Wichita, Manhattan, Derby, Hays
and Missouri.Current Bid: $5.00 Retail Price: $50.00Milwaukee Impact Driver Kit from Sawyer's Ace Hardware The M18 1/4” Hex Brushless Impact Driver is the Most Compact
Impact Driver in its class and delivers Over 50% More Run-Time than Impact
Drivers with brushed motors. The Milwaukee built brushless motor, REDLINK™
Electronics, and REDLITHIUM™ batteries provide more efficient power delivery,
for fewer trips to the charger.At only 5-3/8” long and 3.1 lbs, this impact
driver provides excellent control and balance in a compact size, perfect for
work overhead or in tight spaces. The M18™ ¼” Hex Brushless Impact Driver delivers
up to 1500 in-lbs. of torque and 0-2,800 RPM for a wide range of fastening
applications.Current Bid: $69.00 Retail Price: $200.00

Eagle Radio Online Auction has begun!

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

First Call for Help has seen its request for food double in the last month and expects more calls for resources as the financial downturn caused by the coronavirus continues.

The organization gave away twice as much food in March compared to February, said Linda Mills, First Call for Help director.

Most of that aid came in the last couple weeks of March, and Mills said she believes about half of the aid was a result of people being laid off because of the coronavirus.

First Call also provides rent and utility assistance. Mills said First Call had not seen an increase in requests for that type of assistance, but she said she thought those requests will likely increase if layoffs persist.

The governor has issued orders to delay evictions and utility disconnects at least through this month. First Call is not scheduling any interviews for&nbsp; utility and rent assistance until after May 1.

First Call is applying for grants to help with what Mills said she thought would be an increase in need for assistance in the coming weeks and months.

First Call is not seeing people face to face as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus. Workers are taking applications over the phone. Food donations and food assistance are being done through no-contact procedures.

First Call plans to post a list of food and household items that it needs donated on its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/firstcallelliscounty/">Facebook page</a> in the coming days.

If you wish to make a donation, Mills suggested you call ahead. Items can be left at the east side door. Monetary donations can be made online through <a href="https://www.firstcallelliscounty.com/">First Call's website</a>. Checks can also be mailed to First Call for Help, 607 E. 13th St., Hays, KS 67601.

A group of Leadership 310 students from Fort Hays State University had scheduled a donkey basketball game in April to raise funds for the First Call for Help First Step project.

The governor's stay-at-home order resulted in the event being canceled, but the students are still trying to raise money for First Step through a raffle that will run now through May 3.

<a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2019/07/30/first-call-for-help-launches-housing-fundraising-campaign-2/">First Call for Help has launched a capital campaign to renovate a portion of its building to be used for transitional housing.&nbsp;</a>

Participants in the program would live at the center, work and take classes on subjects such as budgeting.

The goal is to help people to transition to permanent, stable housing of their own.

Meleny Jacome, FHSU sophomore in organizational leadership, said the students wanted to raise awareness about homeless even in this time of the coronavirus crisis.

"Right now everybody is saying, 'Stay home. Stay home. But it is really hard to do that when you don't have a home," she said.

Homelessness might not look the same in Hays as it does in cities, she said. Homeless individuals may be moving from house to house, sleeping on friends' couches.

However, Jacome said that does not mean there is not a need for programs like First Call and First Step in Hays.

"Everyone one needs a safe place to go back to — somewhere they can build a family," she said.

Raffle ticket prices are one for $2, five for $5, 15 for $10, and 40 for $20.

If you don't want to buy a raffle ticket, but want to donate to the First Step project, you can do so directly through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.firstcallelliscounty.com/">First Call for Help website</a>. Select the First Step program from the designation menu on the online donation form.

The students will write your first and last name, and phone number on a raffle ticket, and they will send you a picture of the front and back of the ticket for your documentation.

Payments can be taken online through Venmo @FirstCall-ForHelp. You can contact one of the students below for more information or to buy raffle tickets.

Meleny Jacome: <a href="mailto:majacomebanuelos@mail.fhsu.edu">majacomebanuelos@mail.fhsu.edu</a>

Ana Ortega: <a href="mailto:a_ortega3@mail.fhsu.edu">a_ortega3@mail.fhsu.edu</a>

Brayden Winter: <a href="mailto:winters1743@icloud.com">winters1743@icloud.com</a>

Mitchell Kihle: <a href="mailto:mrkihle@mail.fhsu.edu">mrkihle@mail.fhsu.edu</a>

Tyler Bronston:&nbsp; <a href="mailto:T_bronston@mail.fhsu.edu">T_bronston@mail.fhsu.edu</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581950446822.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostFirst Call for Help has seen its request for food double in the last month and expects more calls for resources as the financial downturn caused by the coronavirus continues.The organization gave away twice as much food in March compared to February, said Linda Mills, First Call for Help director.Most of that aid came in the last couple weeks of March, and Mills said she believes about half of the aid was a result of people being laid off because of the coronavirus.First Call also provides rent and utility assistance. Mills said First Call had not seen an increase in requests for that type of assistance, but she said she thought those requests will likely increase if layoffs persist.The governor has issued orders to delay evictions and utility disconnects at least through this month. First Call is not scheduling any interviews for&nbsp; utility and rent assistance until after May 1.First Call is applying for grants to help with what Mills said she thought would be an increase in need for assistance in the coming weeks and months.First Call is not seeing people face to face as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus. Workers are taking applications over the phone. Food donations and food assistance are being done through no-contact procedures.First Call plans to post a list of food and household items that it needs donated on its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/firstcallelliscounty/">Facebook page</a> in the coming days.If you wish to make a donation, Mills suggested you call ahead. Items can be left at the east side door. Monetary donations can be made online through <a href="https://www.firstcallelliscounty.com/">First Call's website</a>. Checks can also be mailed to First Call for Help, 607 E. 13th St., Hays, KS 67601.<h2>First Step raffle</h2>A group of Leadership 310 students from Fort Hays State University had scheduled a donkey basketball game in April to raise funds for the First Call for Help First Step project.The governor's stay-at-home order resulted in the event being canceled, but the students are still trying to raise money for First Step through a raffle that will run now through May 3.<a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2019/07/30/first-call-for-help-launches-housing-fundraising-campaign-2/">First Call for Help has launched a capital campaign to renovate a portion of its building to be used for transitional housing.&nbsp;</a>Participants in the program would live at the center, work and take classes on subjects such as budgeting.The goal is to help people to transition to permanent, stable housing of their own.Meleny Jacome, FHSU sophomore in organizational leadership, said the students wanted to raise awareness about homeless even in this time of the coronavirus crisis."Right now everybody is saying, 'Stay home. Stay home. But it is really hard to do that when you don't have a home," she said.Homelessness might not look the same in Hays as it does in cities, she said. Homeless individuals may be moving from house to house, sleeping on friends' couches.However, Jacome said that does not mean there is not a need for programs like First Call and First Step in Hays."Everyone one needs a safe place to go back to — somewhere they can build a family," she said.<h2>Basket options</h2>The students are raffling four baskets.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586203571799.jpeg" alt="Care basket&nbsp;includes granola bars, fruit snacks, ramen (chicken, a variety of cookies, and two $10 Tiger Burger gift cards. The winner&nbsp; will be announced on&nbsp;April 12." />
 <figcaption>Care basket&nbsp;includes granola bars, fruit snacks, ramen (chicken, a variety of cookies, and two $10 Tiger Burger gift cards. The winner&nbsp; will be announced on&nbsp;April 12.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586203662478.jpeg" alt="Movie basket&nbsp;includes: movie candy, (Mike and Ike’s, Hot Tamales, Skittles, Starburst and Reese’s Pieces)&nbsp; movie popcorn, granola bar, fruit snacks and cookie mix. Winner announced on&nbsp;April 19." />
 <figcaption>Movie basket&nbsp;includes: movie candy, (Mike and Ike’s, Hot Tamales, Skittles, Starburst and Reese’s Pieces)&nbsp; movie popcorn, granola bar, fruit snacks and cookie mix. Winner announced on&nbsp;April 19.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586204280640.jpeg" alt="Beauty basket&nbsp;includes hairspray, nail polish, vegan shampoo and conditioner, ramen, fruit snack, and granola bars. Winner on April 26." />
 <figcaption>Beauty basket&nbsp;includes hairspray, nail polish, vegan shampoo and conditioner, ramen, fruit snack, and granola bars. Winner on April 26.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586204311055.jpeg" alt="Starbucks basket&nbsp;includes two Starbucks cups, two bags of Starbucks coffee roast, bottle of creamer, and snacks (granola bars, fruit snacks, cookies and muffins). Winner announced on&nbsp;May 3." />
 <figcaption>Starbucks basket&nbsp;includes two Starbucks cups, two bags of Starbucks coffee roast, bottle of creamer, and snacks (granola bars, fruit snacks, cookies and muffins). Winner announced on&nbsp;May 3.</figcaption>
 </figure>Raffle ticket prices are one for $2, five for $5, 15 for $10, and 40 for $20.If you don't want to buy a raffle ticket, but want to donate to the First Step project, you can do so directly through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.firstcallelliscounty.com/">First Call for Help website</a>. Select the First Step program from the designation menu on the online donation form.The students will write your first and last name, and phone number on a raffle ticket, and they will send you a picture of the front and back of the ticket for your documentation.Payments can be taken online through Venmo @FirstCall-ForHelp. You can contact one of the students below for more information or to buy raffle tickets.Meleny Jacome: <a href="mailto:majacomebanuelos@mail.fhsu.edu">majacomebanuelos@mail.fhsu.edu</a>Ana Ortega: <a href="mailto:a_ortega3@mail.fhsu.edu">a_ortega3@mail.fhsu.edu</a>Brayden Winter: <a href="mailto:winters1743@icloud.com">winters1743@icloud.com</a>Mitchell Kihle: <a href="mailto:mrkihle@mail.fhsu.edu">mrkihle@mail.fhsu.edu</a>Tyler Bronston:&nbsp; <a href="mailto:T_bronston@mail.fhsu.edu">T_bronston@mail.fhsu.edu</a>

First Call sees food requests double; raffle set for First Step

K-State Research and Extension will be offering a Hazardous Occupation Safety Training for Agriculture or Tractor and Farm Safety Course sponsored by NW Area 4-H Day Camps provided by Dane G. Hansen Foundation. This course has always been held in-person at Hill City by Twin Creeks, Golden Prairie, Cottonwood, and Phillips/Rooks Extension Districts. However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, all in-person trainings will not be available this year. Only online or mail correspondence is now available for 2020.

The United States Department of Labor requires youth 14 – 15 years of age attend this safety training in order to work on a farm for someone other than their parents. However, there are several cases where youth may be required to take the training even though they are working on the “family farm.”&nbsp; For instance, if the parent is a partner or member of a farm corporation or if the youth is legally employed by grandparents, the law requires youth participate in the course.&nbsp; Any employer who plans to hire youth under 16 years of age must make sure they complete this tractor safety course.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you wish to take this course and be certified, please contact your local Extension District Office mentioned above or the Cottonwood Extension District in Hays at 785-628-9430 or email Stacy – <a href="mailto:scampbel@ksu.edu">scampbel@ksu.edu</a> to register by April 15, 2020. Extension Staff will be accepting coursework until May 15, 2020. After May 15, please attend the 2021 Tractor/Farm Safety Course that will be offered.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585922215357.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578070283981.png" alt="Stacy Campbell&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>K-State Research and Extension will be offering a Hazardous Occupation Safety Training for Agriculture or Tractor and Farm Safety Course sponsored by NW Area 4-H Day Camps provided by Dane G. Hansen Foundation. This course has always been held in-person at Hill City by Twin Creeks, Golden Prairie, Cottonwood, and Phillips/Rooks Extension Districts. However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, all in-person trainings will not be available this year. Only online or mail correspondence is now available for 2020.The United States Department of Labor requires youth 14 – 15 years of age attend this safety training in order to work on a farm for someone other than their parents. However, there are several cases where youth may be required to take the training even though they are working on the “family farm.”&nbsp; For instance, if the parent is a partner or member of a farm corporation or if the youth is legally employed by grandparents, the law requires youth participate in the course.&nbsp; Any employer who plans to hire youth under 16 years of age must make sure they complete this tractor safety course.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you wish to take this course and be certified, please contact your local Extension District Office mentioned above or the Cottonwood Extension District in Hays at 785-628-9430 or email Stacy – <a href="mailto:scampbel@ksu.edu">scampbel@ksu.edu</a> to register by April 15, 2020. Extension Staff will be accepting coursework until May 15, 2020. After May 15, please attend the 2021 Tractor/Farm Safety Course that will be offered.

CAMPBELL: Tractor/farm safety course moved online, mail 

What’s the delivery of services by your Kansas government going to look like on the other side of the coronavirus pandemic?

So far, the Legislature, which may or may not be done for the year, has passed a budget, it has funded K-12 education to the level that the Kansas Supreme Court says meets the constitutional need to provide education in public schools from border to border and it has set aside about $50 million that the state budget director can request for dealing with the coronavirus.

Many state employees have been shifted from their crowded offices to working from home over the Internet, which so far seems to be working fairly well…except of course for those tens of thousands of Kansans who are applying for unemployment compensation after their jobs have ended because of the wide shutdown of most businesses.

For some Kansans, this effort to save lives by preventing the transmission of COVID-19 is going to be a test of just how state government works for all of us. And for some of those Kansans, just how well the state is able to provide the basic social and educational and public safety services that we all want for our fellow Kansas citizens may reshape state government well after the coronavirus is over.

Everything from applying for or renewing a driver’s license to dropping off a check for local property taxes to seeking assistance for Kansans with no jobs anymore is going to be handled over the phone or the Internet for now.

And we Statehouse habitués who have for years heard mostly conservative members of the House and Senate complain about the growth of state government – in terms of new programs, of the state employee jobs to carry out those programs, and of course the total bill for operation of the state – are wondering just what this pandemic is going to do in the future.

Everything from smaller state offices if employees work over the Internet from their homes to just what elementary and secondary education is going to look like in the future if the newly assembled remote learning programs that educators are essentially testing on students the remainder of this school year are the start of what might become a whole new face for state government.

Yes, some of us regulars here under the dome are wondering whether Kansas’ success in keeping basic services operating over the Internet is going to be key for providing more personal service to Kansans once the social distancing isn’t necessary. Whether that socializing even when applying for a new driver’s license is a valuable way to show Kansans that they are important, and that Kansas government understands that.

That humanity may well become the real issue once this pandemic is over.

We can probably teach our kids long division over the Internet, but remember, it’s the social skills that make us proud of those kids, not their ability to just hit a “send” key when they’ve completed their essay on water resources and how they shape the state’s economy.

Those teachers and even contact with fellow students are a big part of what public education has yielded as a dividend for us. But we’re wondering whether that is the sort of information that will turn up in the inevitable legislative committees that will study just how well Kansas responded to the pandemic.

Yup, this pandemic may be a test of state government and the jobs that we send lawmakers to Topeka to manage each year. Save a few bucks, lower the tax rates, boost the deduction for providing a school room at home for those kids? Lots of ways to respond to coronavirus and the lessons it teaches us.

We’ll see whether it’s just long division, or kids who you want to live next door to, won’t we?

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573590596307.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>What’s the delivery of services by your Kansas government going to look like on the other side of the coronavirus pandemic?So far, the Legislature, which may or may not be done for the year, has passed a budget, it has funded K-12 education to the level that the Kansas Supreme Court says meets the constitutional need to provide education in public schools from border to border and it has set aside about $50 million that the state budget director can request for dealing with the coronavirus.Many state employees have been shifted from their crowded offices to working from home over the Internet, which so far seems to be working fairly well…except of course for those tens of thousands of Kansans who are applying for unemployment compensation after their jobs have ended because of the wide shutdown of most businesses.For some Kansans, this effort to save lives by preventing the transmission of COVID-19 is going to be a test of just how state government works for all of us. And for some of those Kansans, just how well the state is able to provide the basic social and educational and public safety services that we all want for our fellow Kansas citizens may reshape state government well after the coronavirus is over.Everything from applying for or renewing a driver’s license to dropping off a check for local property taxes to seeking assistance for Kansans with no jobs anymore is going to be handled over the phone or the Internet for now.And we Statehouse habitués who have for years heard mostly conservative members of the House and Senate complain about the growth of state government – in terms of new programs, of the state employee jobs to carry out those programs, and of course the total bill for operation of the state – are wondering just what this pandemic is going to do in the future.Everything from smaller state offices if employees work over the Internet from their homes to just what elementary and secondary education is going to look like in the future if the newly assembled remote learning programs that educators are essentially testing on students the remainder of this school year are the start of what might become a whole new face for state government.Yes, some of us regulars here under the dome are wondering whether Kansas’ success in keeping basic services operating over the Internet is going to be key for providing more personal service to Kansans once the social distancing isn’t necessary. Whether that socializing even when applying for a new driver’s license is a valuable way to show Kansans that they are important, and that Kansas government understands that.That humanity may well become the real issue once this pandemic is over.We can probably teach our kids long division over the Internet, but remember, it’s the social skills that make us proud of those kids, not their ability to just hit a “send” key when they’ve completed their essay on water resources and how they shape the state’s economy.Those teachers and even contact with fellow students are a big part of what public education has yielded as a dividend for us. But we’re wondering whether that is the sort of information that will turn up in the inevitable legislative committees that will study just how well Kansas responded to the pandemic.Yup, this pandemic may be a test of state government and the jobs that we send lawmakers to Topeka to manage each year. Save a few bucks, lower the tax rates, boost the deduction for providing a school room at home for those kids? Lots of ways to respond to coronavirus and the lessons it teaches us.We’ll see whether it’s just long division, or kids who you want to live next door to, won’t we?Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

HAWVER: What does Kan. government look like after COVID-19?

The Kansas Department of Transportation expects to begin work this week on the delayed T-WORKS project to rehabilitate and reconstruct approximately 4 miles of U.S. 281 in Russell County.

Project work includes construction of a 30-foot paved surface with 3-foot turf shoulders starting at 15th Street in Russell and ending near Land Road. Approximately 2 miles of the road will be completely reconstructed on an offset alignment around a geological slide area that has caused issues on the current highway. In addition to the pavement work, a right-turn lane will also be constructed in the northbound lane at Land Road.

Work will be phased across two construction seasons and is expected to be complete in December 2021, weather permitting. During 2020, activity will generally be constrained on the shoulders with occasional daily lane closures. Traffic will be directed by flaggers with delays not exceeding 15 minutes. Construction in 2021 will require the closure of U.S. 281 with a state route detour in effect. More information regarding the detour will be released closer to the time of the closure.

Sporer Land Development of Oakley is the primary contractor for the project with a total contract cost of approximately $9.8 million.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583421595707.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KDOTThe Kansas Department of Transportation expects to begin work this week on the delayed T-WORKS project to rehabilitate and reconstruct approximately 4 miles of U.S. 281 in Russell County.Project work includes construction of a 30-foot paved surface with 3-foot turf shoulders starting at 15th Street in Russell and ending near Land Road. Approximately 2 miles of the road will be completely reconstructed on an offset alignment around a geological slide area that has caused issues on the current highway. In addition to the pavement work, a right-turn lane will also be constructed in the northbound lane at Land Road.Work will be phased across two construction seasons and is expected to be complete in December 2021, weather permitting. During 2020, activity will generally be constrained on the shoulders with occasional daily lane closures. Traffic will be directed by flaggers with delays not exceeding 15 minutes. Construction in 2021 will require the closure of U.S. 281 with a state route detour in effect. More information regarding the detour will be released closer to the time of the closure.Sporer Land Development of Oakley is the primary contractor for the project with a total contract cost of approximately $9.8 million.&nbsp;

Roadwork set to begin on U.S. 281 in Russell County

<a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575929617735.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586213317443.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Three-day weather outlook

In 2004, an organization calling itself Fishing’s Future began as a way to “return today’s society back to nature one child/one family at a time.” Their mission statement became “to reconnect kids and nature, strengthen family relationships, build stewardship of the environment and provide positive, primary, outdoor experiences for children ages 6 – 16.” Fishing’s Future uses Kids Fish Camps, to accomplish these goals. Leaders and instructors of Fish Camps are trained by Fishing’s Future staff, and earn the title of Master Angler, which then allows them to start their own Fishing’s Future local chapter if they wish.

Heidi Albin grew up trout fishing in Colorado. She remembers her family always went on one big family fishing trip each year and many other smaller fishing excursions as life allowed. Heidi is now the science teacher and character education coordinator at Complete High School, an alternative school in Maize, Ks. Her students have not been successful in traditional learning environments for one reason or another, and the curriculum stresses character development and life skills. In 2016 Heidi took the required training and became a Master Angler through the Fishing’s Future program and started her own Fishing’s Future chapter, which she runs through her classroom at Complete High School. Like all other schools in the state and like many others across the country, Complete High School is closed for the rest of the school year, leaving Heidi and the other teachers there to search for novel ways to somehow keep her students feeling connected for the rest of the school year.&nbsp;

Greg Schott is another Fishing’s Future Master Angler from Mulvane, KS. Greg has extensive experience in teaching kids about fishing and works with Kansas Dept of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, and also with COMCARE of Sedgwick County, an outreach program that works with community health programs. Greg feels fishing is a great socialization tool that helps improve kids demeaners and helps guide them in the right direction in life.

Using Greg’s experience in teachings kids to fish, and Heidi’s classroom and technical expertise, the two of them have teamed up to begin offering online, live-streamed Kids Fish Camps for Heidi’s students. Heidi says the initial camp will be filmed from her classroom and will be all about the basics of fishing. The students will be taught how to use a rod and reel and how to rig them up with a hook, bobber and sinker, how to tie fishing knots, where to find fish and what bait to use for what fish. Initially the fish pursued will be panfish like sunfish and bluegills and catfish. Heidi usually teaches these basic classes to her students in the classroom, then they get to go outdoors to continue learning about nature, and eventually get to go fishing during school hours in the spring and in the fall. From there, they progress to inviting other kids to go fishing with them and to larger activities like community fish camps, where the community and groups like firemen and first responders are invited and the kids themselves actually provide the instruction. Heidi and Greg are still working-out how to accomplish the actual fishing time, whether to have everyone go fish where they can, and link them all together digitally with Facetime, etc. or whether to wait-out this predicament and hope they can all get together to fish again later in the spring. Any community involvement is also obviously up-in-the-air at this time.&nbsp;

Since many of Heidi’s students come from difficult backgrounds and less-than-perfect home situations, she feels it very important to keep these kids connected with each other and with outdoors learning during this current strange and stressful situation. Learning how to fish and going fishing will help accomplish that connection, so Kudos to Heidi and Greg for going the extra mile to make that happen…Who knows, even I might be good at virtual fishing! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>In 2004, an organization calling itself Fishing’s Future began as a way to “return today’s society back to nature one child/one family at a time.” Their mission statement became “to reconnect kids and nature, strengthen family relationships, build stewardship of the environment and provide positive, primary, outdoor experiences for children ages 6 – 16.” Fishing’s Future uses Kids Fish Camps, to accomplish these goals. Leaders and instructors of Fish Camps are trained by Fishing’s Future staff, and earn the title of Master Angler, which then allows them to start their own Fishing’s Future local chapter if they wish.Heidi Albin grew up trout fishing in Colorado. She remembers her family always went on one big family fishing trip each year and many other smaller fishing excursions as life allowed. Heidi is now the science teacher and character education coordinator at Complete High School, an alternative school in Maize, Ks. Her students have not been successful in traditional learning environments for one reason or another, and the curriculum stresses character development and life skills. In 2016 Heidi took the required training and became a Master Angler through the Fishing’s Future program and started her own Fishing’s Future chapter, which she runs through her classroom at Complete High School. Like all other schools in the state and like many others across the country, Complete High School is closed for the rest of the school year, leaving Heidi and the other teachers there to search for novel ways to somehow keep her students feeling connected for the rest of the school year.&nbsp;Greg Schott is another Fishing’s Future Master Angler from Mulvane, KS. Greg has extensive experience in teaching kids about fishing and works with Kansas Dept of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, and also with COMCARE of Sedgwick County, an outreach program that works with community health programs. Greg feels fishing is a great socialization tool that helps improve kids demeaners and helps guide them in the right direction in life.Using Greg’s experience in teachings kids to fish, and Heidi’s classroom and technical expertise, the two of them have teamed up to begin offering online, live-streamed Kids Fish Camps for Heidi’s students. Heidi says the initial camp will be filmed from her classroom and will be all about the basics of fishing. The students will be taught how to use a rod and reel and how to rig them up with a hook, bobber and sinker, how to tie fishing knots, where to find fish and what bait to use for what fish. Initially the fish pursued will be panfish like sunfish and bluegills and catfish. Heidi usually teaches these basic classes to her students in the classroom, then they get to go outdoors to continue learning about nature, and eventually get to go fishing during school hours in the spring and in the fall. From there, they progress to inviting other kids to go fishing with them and to larger activities like community fish camps, where the community and groups like firemen and first responders are invited and the kids themselves actually provide the instruction. Heidi and Greg are still working-out how to accomplish the actual fishing time, whether to have everyone go fish where they can, and link them all together digitally with Facetime, etc. or whether to wait-out this predicament and hope they can all get together to fish again later in the spring. Any community involvement is also obviously up-in-the-air at this time.&nbsp;Since many of Heidi’s students come from difficult backgrounds and less-than-perfect home situations, she feels it very important to keep these kids connected with each other and with outdoors learning during this current strange and stressful situation. Learning how to fish and going fishing will help accomplish that connection, so Kudos to Heidi and Greg for going the extra mile to make that happen…Who knows, even I might be good at virtual fishing! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Virtual fishing?

Today, I have filed to run for the office of Ellis County Treasurer. I am humbled by the overwhelming support I have received while collecting 300 signatures to file by petition. While this amount is more than what was required, I wanted to have a larger margin of signatures and planned to complete this during the first week of April. I felt it was best to direct file instead of ascertaining more signatures due to the stay at home request by the Governor of Kansas for COVID-19.

I believe that I can restore professionalism, integrity, trust, transparency, teamwork and ethics to the position. Those who know me professionally and/or personally, have seen this demonstrated through my 39 years of living and working in Ellis County. For those who do not know me, I encourage contact through phone 785-259-3402 or email contact@drydenfortreasurer.com to ask questions on my standards and experience.

Growing up, I spent my summers with my grandparents in Webster, Kansas. My grandmother worked in the Rooks County Treasurer’s office. I got to help in the office by carrying the big bounded ledger books out of the vaults for their recordkeeping – yes, before computers. I was in awe of all the important work the office was responsible for and how many of the county departments AND other county treasurer departments they had to work with. Fast forward to today, and Ellis County. 

Those who know me can substantiate that I will restore professionalism, integrity, trust, transparency, teamwork, ethics and PRIDE back into the office of Ellis County Treasurer. This is my goal for this office if I am afforded the honor of being elected into this office. Please visit my website at www.drydenfortreasurer.com for more information. 

SUBMITTEDToday, I have filed to run for the office of Ellis County Treasurer. I am humbled by the overwhelming support I have received while collecting 300 signatures to file by petition. While this amount is more than what was required, I wanted to have a larger margin of signatures and planned to complete this during the first week of April. I felt it was best to direct file instead of ascertaining more signatures due to the stay at home request by the Governor of Kansas for COVID-19.I believe that I can restore professionalism, integrity, trust, transparency, teamwork and ethics to the position. Those who know me professionally and/or personally, have seen this demonstrated through my 39 years of living and working in Ellis County. For those who do not know me, I encourage contact through phone 785-259-3402 or email contact@drydenfortreasurer.com to ask questions on my standards and experience.Growing up, I spent my summers with my grandparents in Webster, Kansas. My grandmother worked in the Rooks County Treasurer’s office. I got to help in the office by carrying the big bounded ledger books out of the vaults for their recordkeeping – yes, before computers. I was in awe of all the important work the office was responsible for and how many of the county departments AND other county treasurer departments they had to work with. Fast forward to today, and Ellis County. Those who know me can substantiate that I will restore professionalism, integrity, trust, transparency, teamwork, ethics and PRIDE back into the office of Ellis County Treasurer. This is my goal for this office if I am afforded the honor of being elected into this office. Please visit my website at www.drydenfortreasurer.com for more information.

Sherry Dryden files for Ellis County Treasurer

Hays High agriculture teacher Curt Vajnar didn’t think when he announced his retirement earlier this year he would not be able to say goodbye to all of his students in person.

Vajnar, like teachers across the nation, is teaching remotely for the first time in his 31-year career.

Vajnar is back in his classroom this week. The only students with him in person are his own children, who range in age from a senior at HHS to a first grader.

Although it is now April, Vajnar was nominated for the March Hays Post Teacher of the Month. This story was pushed back to allow for coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.

Chelsea Dickey, former student and parent, wrote, in her nomination said Vajnar is simply one of the best ag teachers in the state. 

"I not only had him as a teacher but have had the privilege of having my children experience his great teaching ability," she said. "He pushes students to do their best and never gives up on them. 

"Hays High will not be the same without Mr. Vajnar. He truly is one of a kind, and his dedication to agriculture will never be forgotten."

Vajnar grew up loving his grandparents' and uncle’s farm near Durham, south of Abilene.

Vajnar’s uncle also did a lot of gardening and raised and sold watermelon, cantaloupe and sweet corn. He said he was blessed to learn much through the family operation. 

When Vajnar started college, he was an accounting major. His father sold insurance and wanted Curt to enter the business.

“I thought as an 18-year-old money was the way to go, and then I took Accounting II and thought, ‘I don’t want to sit in an office for the rest of my life.' That changed my course to ag that I always enjoyed.

“I always loved watching the animals born and crops being raised.”

Vajnar earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kansas State University. He also earned an school administration certificate from Fort Hays State University, although he chose never to pursue a role as administrator.

In addition, Vajnar said he was very competitive and enjoyed sports and FFA judging. 

Vajnar passed on that competitive spirt to his students, many of who were successful in judging competitions and as FFA leaders.

Vajnar’s students several years ago won a national FFA land judging title. HHS has also had runners-up in the national competition under Vajnar’s direction.

He has had state winners in FFA competitions and three FFA state officers. It will be four if his son, Colton, is elected as a state officer this year.

“I push them hard,” Vajnar said of his students. “Kids will give you what you expect. If you expect low standards, that is what they will give you. … I have had a lot of kids do great things, and that is because I expect them to do great things.

“I will work as hard as they do. That’ll make me awfully tired sometimes.”

All of Vajnar’s 31 years of teaching has been at Hays High. In addition to teaching ag classes, he also taught biology and, for a time, driver’s education.

At the time Vajnar was named the Teacher of the Year by the KNEA, he was the youngest teacher to win that honor.

“That was a day it felt great to be at teacher,” he said.

At one time, he was also the only nationally board-certified agriculture teacher in the state.

Vajnar said the favorite class he taught was ag research. 

“These kids have been told how to learn for 12 years and what to do every step. Their senior year in ag research is the most enjoyable because for the first time I give them structure and I give them guidelines, but they get to create their own educational experience with an ag research project.”

He said he is amazed when the students are in control what kinds of projects they develop.

Quintin Rupp, a senior, developed a cattle research project with a professor at the research station on high stress cattle. He got the cattle up and moving every six hours. It was a $12 to $13 difference in cattle that got up every six hours for two weeks compared to the control group.

Another student and Vajnar’s son Colton did an experiment on water rates and different grass types. The students mowed the grass and measured the bio-mass of the grass. They determined the grass did not need to be watered 2 inches per week.

Those results will be turned over to City of Hays water conservation department.

Vajnar has former students who are working both locally and internationally in the ag industry, and he is also teaching the children of some his former students.

Vajnar has had a lot of students who aspired to be vets, but when one of his one his children was born, he realized all the nurses in the maternity ward at HaysMed were former aspiring vets who had gone into the human health field.

Vajnar, 53, said he decided to retire now to spend more time with his younger children. He said he thought he missed out on a lot with his older two children as a result of time spent traveling with FFA teams. 

He will continue to operate what had been his side business, Hays K-Lawn, a lawn spraying business.

In addition he hopes to spend time fishing, hunting and trapping. 

He does not plan to completely step back from ag ed at HHS. He will be helping form a new alumni group that will help support the HHS ag program.

Nikole Cain, a recent K-State graduate who student taught at HHS in the fall, will take on the agriculture education role at HHS for the next school year.

You can still nominate teachers for the last Teacher of the Month award of the school year in April. Please send nominations to admin@hayspost.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140720976.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585943076439.jpeg" alt="Hays High ag teacher Curt Vajnar with students at the&nbsp;National Land Practice in 2019. Vajnar will retire at the end of the school year after 31 years as a teacher at HHS." />
 <figcaption>Hays High ag teacher Curt Vajnar with students at the&nbsp;National Land Practice in 2019. Vajnar will retire at the end of the school year after 31 years as a teacher at HHS.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostHays High agriculture teacher Curt Vajnar didn’t think when he announced his retirement earlier this year he would not be able to say goodbye to all of his students in person.Vajnar, like teachers across the nation, is teaching remotely for the first time in his 31-year career.Vajnar is back in his classroom this week. The only students with him in person are his own children, who range in age from a senior at HHS to a first grader.Although it is now April, Vajnar was nominated for the March Hays Post Teacher of the Month. This story was pushed back to allow for coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.Chelsea Dickey, former student and parent, wrote, in her nomination said Vajnar is simply one of the best ag teachers in the state. "I not only had him as a teacher but have had the privilege of having my children experience his great teaching ability," she said. "He pushes students to do their best and never gives up on them. "Hays High will not be the same without Mr. Vajnar. He truly is one of a kind, and his dedication to agriculture will never be forgotten."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585943154638.jpeg" alt="Vajnar with a former student teacher at a national FFA convention." />
 <figcaption>Vajnar with a former student teacher at a national FFA convention.</figcaption>
 </figure>Vajnar grew up loving his grandparents' and uncle’s farm near Durham, south of Abilene.Vajnar’s uncle also did a lot of gardening and raised and sold watermelon, cantaloupe and sweet corn. He said he was blessed to learn much through the family operation. When Vajnar started college, he was an accounting major. His father sold insurance and wanted Curt to enter the business.“I thought as an 18-year-old money was the way to go, and then I took Accounting II and thought, ‘I don’t want to sit in an office for the rest of my life.' That changed my course to ag that I always enjoyed.“I always loved watching the animals born and crops being raised.”Vajnar earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kansas State University. He also earned an school administration certificate from Fort Hays State University, although he chose never to pursue a role as administrator.In addition, Vajnar said he was very competitive and enjoyed sports and FFA judging. Vajnar passed on that competitive spirt to his students, many of who were successful in judging competitions and as FFA leaders.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585943219960.jpeg" alt="HHS ag teacher Curt Vajnar with his oldest son, Conrad, who had just won seventh in the 2016 national FFA competition." />
 <figcaption>HHS ag teacher Curt Vajnar with his oldest son, Conrad, who had just won seventh in the 2016 national FFA competition.</figcaption>
 </figure>Vajnar’s students several years ago won a national FFA land judging title. HHS has also had runners-up in the national competition under Vajnar’s direction.He has had state winners in FFA competitions and three FFA state officers. It will be four if his son, Colton, is elected as a state officer this year.“I push them hard,” Vajnar said of his students. “Kids will give you what you expect. If you expect low standards, that is what they will give you. … I have had a lot of kids do great things, and that is because I expect them to do great things.“I will work as hard as they do. That’ll make me awfully tired sometimes.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585943299260.jpeg" alt="Vajnar with a student at National Land Practice in 2019." />
 <figcaption>Vajnar with a student at National Land Practice in 2019.</figcaption>
 </figure>All of Vajnar’s 31 years of teaching has been at Hays High. In addition to teaching ag classes, he also taught biology and, for a time, driver’s education.At the time Vajnar was named the Teacher of the Year by the KNEA, he was the youngest teacher to win that honor.“That was a day it felt great to be at teacher,” he said.At one time, he was also the only nationally board-certified agriculture teacher in the state.Vajnar said the favorite class he taught was ag research. “These kids have been told how to learn for 12 years and what to do every step. Their senior year in ag research is the most enjoyable because for the first time I give them structure and I give them guidelines, but they get to create their own educational experience with an ag research project.”He said he is amazed when the students are in control what kinds of projects they develop.Quintin Rupp, a senior, developed a cattle research project with a professor at the research station on high stress cattle. He got the cattle up and moving every six hours. It was a $12 to $13 difference in cattle that got up every six hours for two weeks compared to the control group.Another student and Vajnar’s son Colton did an experiment on water rates and different grass types. The students mowed the grass and measured the bio-mass of the grass. They determined the grass did not need to be watered 2 inches per week.Those results will be turned over to City of Hays water conservation department.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585943458085.jpeg" alt="Vajnar with FFA officers at a team building event at a K-State game." />
 <figcaption>Vajnar with FFA officers at a team building event at a K-State game.</figcaption>
 </figure>Vajnar has former students who are working both locally and internationally in the ag industry, and he is also teaching the children of some his former students.Vajnar has had a lot of students who aspired to be vets, but when one of his one his children was born, he realized all the nurses in the maternity ward at HaysMed were former aspiring vets who had gone into the human health field.Vajnar, 53, said he decided to retire now to spend more time with his younger children. He said he thought he missed out on a lot with his older two children as a result of time spent traveling with FFA teams. He will continue to operate what had been his side business, Hays K-Lawn, a lawn spraying business.In addition he hopes to spend time fishing, hunting and trapping. He does not plan to completely step back from ag ed at HHS. He will be helping form a new alumni group that will help support the HHS ag program.Nikole Cain, a recent K-State graduate who student taught at HHS in the fall, will take on the agriculture education role at HHS for the next school year.You can still nominate teachers for the last Teacher of the Month award of the school year in April. Please send nominations to admin@hayspost.com.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140720976.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Teacher of the Month: Vajnar says goodbye to HHS

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The parent company of Dillons announced additional measures are being taken at its stores to better protect employees and customers.

Kroger announced the adoption of customer capacity limits to further encourage physical distancing in stores. Starting Tuesday, Dillons will begin to limit the number of customers to 50% of the international building code’s calculated capacity to allow for proper physical distancing in every store.

 “Kroger’s introduction of customer capacity limits is one more way we are doing our part to flatten the curve while operating as an essential business, providing our customers with access to fresh, affordable food and products,” Mary Ellen Adcock, Kroger’s senior vice president of operations, said.

“During this national pandemic, we are committed to adopting preventive measures to help protect the safety and health of our associates, customers and communities.”

 As an illustration, the standard building capacity for a grocery store is one person per 60 square feet. Under Kroger’s new reduced capacity limits, the number will be one person per 120 square feet. Kroger will begin to monitor the number of customers per square foot in its stores using QueVision technology, which already provides a count of the customers entering and exiting stores.

 “By leveraging QueVision, our technology system that uses infrared sensors and predictive analytics, we will be able to more efficiently support our new capacity limits, creating a safer environment for our customers and associates,” Yael Cosset, Kroger’s chief technology and digital officer, said.

Kroger’s new customer capacity limits join other measures the retailer has established over the last few weeks to promote physical distancing, including the addition of plexiglass partitions and educational floor decals and airing of a healthy habit message via in-store radio to encourage customers to practice good hygiene and spatial awareness.

Kroger and its affiliates have also recently implemented the following protective and preventive measures:

Protective Face Masks and Gloves for Associates

The Kroger Family of Companies is encouraging associates to wear protective masks and gloves. The retailer has ordered masks for associates nationwide with supply starting to arrive in select regions and the anticipation of all locations having supply by the end of this week.

The Kroger Family of Companies is asking associates to closely monitor their health and take their temperature at home before coming to work. If they experience symptoms, including a fever, they are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider and stay home. Under its expanded COVID-19 emergency leave guidelines, associates self-isolating or experiencing symptoms as verified by a healthcare professional are eligible to receive their standard pay for up to two weeks (14 days).

The retailer started testing temperature checks in its distribution centers several weeks ago and is beginning to expand associate temperature checks to stores. Kroger and its affiliates are following local ordinances in cities or counties that mandate employee temperature checks, and associates may also request to have their temperature taken at work.

Piloting One-Way Aisles in Select Markets

The Kroger Family of Companies has started to test one-way aisles in select markets to determine its effectiveness as a measure to further support physical distancing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584307499220.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The parent company of Dillons announced additional measures are being taken at its stores to better protect employees and customers.Kroger announced the adoption of customer capacity limits to further encourage physical distancing in stores. Starting Tuesday, Dillons will begin to limit the number of customers to 50% of the international building code’s calculated capacity to allow for proper physical distancing in every store. “Kroger’s introduction of customer capacity limits is one more way we are doing our part to flatten the curve while operating as an essential business, providing our customers with access to fresh, affordable food and products,” Mary Ellen Adcock, Kroger’s senior vice president of operations, said.“During this national pandemic, we are committed to adopting preventive measures to help protect the safety and health of our associates, customers and communities.” As an illustration, the standard building capacity for a grocery store is one person per 60 square feet. Under Kroger’s new reduced capacity limits, the number will be one person per 120 square feet. Kroger will begin to monitor the number of customers per square foot in its stores using QueVision technology, which already provides a count of the customers entering and exiting stores. “By leveraging QueVision, our technology system that uses infrared sensors and predictive analytics, we will be able to more efficiently support our new capacity limits, creating a safer environment for our customers and associates,” Yael Cosset, Kroger’s chief technology and digital officer, said.Kroger’s new customer capacity limits join other measures the retailer has established over the last few weeks to promote physical distancing, including the addition of plexiglass partitions and educational floor decals and airing of a healthy habit message via in-store radio to encourage customers to practice good hygiene and spatial awareness.Kroger and its affiliates have also recently implemented the following protective and preventive measures:Protective Face Masks and Gloves for AssociatesThe Kroger Family of Companies is encouraging associates to wear protective masks and gloves. The retailer has ordered masks for associates nationwide with supply starting to arrive in select regions and the anticipation of all locations having supply by the end of this week.Associate Wellness ChecksThe Kroger Family of Companies is asking associates to closely monitor their health and take their temperature at home before coming to work. If they experience symptoms, including a fever, they are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider and stay home. Under its expanded COVID-19 emergency leave guidelines, associates self-isolating or experiencing symptoms as verified by a healthcare professional are eligible to receive their standard pay for up to two weeks (14 days).The retailer started testing temperature checks in its distribution centers several weeks ago and is beginning to expand associate temperature checks to stores. Kroger and its affiliates are following local ordinances in cities or counties that mandate employee temperature checks, and associates may also request to have their temperature taken at work.Piloting One-Way Aisles in Select MarketsThe Kroger Family of Companies has started to test one-way aisles in select markets to determine its effectiveness as a measure to further support physical distancing.

Dillons to limit store occupancy starting Tuesday

President Donald Trump ramped up threats to use tariffs to protect the U.S. energy industry from a historic glut of oil, as efforts to forge a global deal to cut output appeared to lose momentum. Trump said Saturday at a White House press briefing he’d use tariffs if needed to protect the domestic oil industry. At the same time, he predicted that Saudi Arabia and Russia would come to an agreement to cut output and stem the price rout. Russia and Saudi Arabia may very well be "very close" to a deal to cut oil production. But a meeting planned for Monday was delayed, and crude prices cratered.

U.S. crude futures prices were down about 6 percent in mid-morning trading Monday after posting big gains last week. The near-month Nymex contract was down $1.78 to $26.56 a barrel.&nbsp; London Brent was down more than 3 percent at $32.95.

Kansas oil prices posted significant gains last week. Prices at CHS in McPherson jumped $3 on Friday to start the week at $18.50 a barrel. &nbsp; &nbsp;That's down $16.50 from the beginning of last month, and more than $34 below the price a year ago at this time.

Regulators report 37 new intent-to-drill notices in Kansas last month, including one in Barton County and two in Stafford County. That makes a total of 171 for the first quarter on 2020, compared to 228 at this time last year.

Rig counts across Kansas continue to decline, reflecting the industry's retreat across the country and around the world. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports one active rig in eastern Kansas, unchanged, and five west of Wichita, down four from the week before. &nbsp;

Baker Hughes reports 664 active drilling rigs nationwide, a drop of 62 oil rigs and two seeking natural gas. The count in Texas is down 30, Oklahoma is down ten, New Mexico dropped by nine rigs and North Dakota is down six.&nbsp; Canada reports 41 active rigs, down 13 for the week. &nbsp;

Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports nine newly-completed wells across Kansas last week, all of them west of Wichita.&nbsp; That's 311 completions so far this year. There are NO new drilling permits filed in Kansas this week.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline dropped below two dollars for the first time in four years last week. By Monday, the average price across the U.S. was $1.929. Triple-A expects that to drop to $1.75 or less later this month. The average across Kansas Monday was $1.689.&nbsp; We spotted $1.64 at several stations in Great Bend, and $1.42 at some stations in Hays.

The latest numbers from the Energy Information Administration show a continuing slide in Kansas crude-oil production in January.&nbsp; Operators pumped 2.74 million [["two point seven four million"]] barrels per day. That's down 18,000 barrels per day from December and about 95,000 barrels per day less than a year ago.

The government reports U.S operators pumped 12.975 million barrels of crude oil per day last week.&nbsp; That's up 16,000 barrels per day from the week before. The Energy Information Administration reports an increase in U.S. crude oil inventories of more than 13 million barrels.&nbsp; At 469.2 million barrels, U.S. stockpiles are near the five-year average for this time of year. EIA said imports totaled six million barrels per day last week. That's down 70,000 barrels per day from the week before.

With the spread between crude-oil delivery in May and November reaching record heights, traders are increasingly turning to floating storage to hedge against low prices. But it's still a huge gamble, which based on today's numbers will not pay off. Reuters reports it now costs up to $180,000 a day to charter a supertanker, double the going rate last Wednesday. The November contract for U.S. crude pays $12.85 a barrel more for than the near-month contract. You can store up to two million barrels on the so-called Very Large Crude Carriers. Thus at today's rates it costs more than $32 million to charter the supertanker, but at current November prices the trader only recaps a return of $25.7 million.

Nonetheless, the scramble for tanker storage continues. Lloyd's List Maritime Intelligence reports the Saudis have joined that particular market, even though their price and production war with the Russians is responsible in part for low crude prices. Lloyd's reports that in just the last two weeks, 21 Very Large Crude Carriers have been chartered for six to 12 months, and nine of those are specifically designated as floating storage.

Oil-by-rail in the United States was up in March, despite a 6 percent decline in total railroad traffic and a double-digit decline in the weekly oil-by-rail totals.&nbsp; The Association of American Railroads says monthly petroleum shipments by rail increased 3.5 percent over March of 2019.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574099516454.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARPresident Donald Trump ramped up threats to use tariffs to protect the U.S. energy industry from a historic glut of oil, as efforts to forge a global deal to cut output appeared to lose momentum. Trump said Saturday at a White House press briefing he’d use tariffs if needed to protect the domestic oil industry. At the same time, he predicted that Saudi Arabia and Russia would come to an agreement to cut output and stem the price rout. Russia and Saudi Arabia may very well be "very close" to a deal to cut oil production. But a meeting planned for Monday was delayed, and crude prices cratered.U.S. crude futures prices were down about 6 percent in mid-morning trading Monday after posting big gains last week. The near-month Nymex contract was down $1.78 to $26.56 a barrel.&nbsp; London Brent was down more than 3 percent at $32.95.Kansas oil prices posted significant gains last week. Prices at CHS in McPherson jumped $3 on Friday to start the week at $18.50 a barrel. &nbsp; &nbsp;That's down $16.50 from the beginning of last month, and more than $34 below the price a year ago at this time.Regulators report 37 new intent-to-drill notices in Kansas last month, including one in Barton County and two in Stafford County. That makes a total of 171 for the first quarter on 2020, compared to 228 at this time last year.Rig counts across Kansas continue to decline, reflecting the industry's retreat across the country and around the world. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports one active rig in eastern Kansas, unchanged, and five west of Wichita, down four from the week before. &nbsp;Baker Hughes reports 664 active drilling rigs nationwide, a drop of 62 oil rigs and two seeking natural gas. The count in Texas is down 30, Oklahoma is down ten, New Mexico dropped by nine rigs and North Dakota is down six.&nbsp; Canada reports 41 active rigs, down 13 for the week. &nbsp;Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports nine newly-completed wells across Kansas last week, all of them west of Wichita.&nbsp; That's 311 completions so far this year. There are NO new drilling permits filed in Kansas this week.The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline dropped below two dollars for the first time in four years last week. By Monday, the average price across the U.S. was $1.929. Triple-A expects that to drop to $1.75 or less later this month. The average across Kansas Monday was $1.689.&nbsp; We spotted $1.64 at several stations in Great Bend, and $1.42 at some stations in Hays.The latest numbers from the Energy Information Administration show a continuing slide in Kansas crude-oil production in January.&nbsp; Operators pumped 2.74 million [["two point seven four million"]] barrels per day. That's down 18,000 barrels per day from December and about 95,000 barrels per day less than a year ago.The government reports U.S operators pumped 12.975 million barrels of crude oil per day last week.&nbsp; That's up 16,000 barrels per day from the week before. The Energy Information Administration reports an increase in U.S. crude oil inventories of more than 13 million barrels.&nbsp; At 469.2 million barrels, U.S. stockpiles are near the five-year average for this time of year. EIA said imports totaled six million barrels per day last week. That's down 70,000 barrels per day from the week before.With the spread between crude-oil delivery in May and November reaching record heights, traders are increasingly turning to floating storage to hedge against low prices. But it's still a huge gamble, which based on today's numbers will not pay off. Reuters reports it now costs up to $180,000 a day to charter a supertanker, double the going rate last Wednesday. The November contract for U.S. crude pays $12.85 a barrel more for than the near-month contract. You can store up to two million barrels on the so-called Very Large Crude Carriers. Thus at today's rates it costs more than $32 million to charter the supertanker, but at current November prices the trader only recaps a return of $25.7 million.Nonetheless, the scramble for tanker storage continues. Lloyd's List Maritime Intelligence reports the Saudis have joined that particular market, even though their price and production war with the Russians is responsible in part for low crude prices. Lloyd's reports that in just the last two weeks, 21 Very Large Crude Carriers have been chartered for six to 12 months, and nine of those are specifically designated as floating storage.Oil-by-rail in the United States was up in March, despite a 6 percent decline in total railroad traffic and a double-digit decline in the weekly oil-by-rail totals.&nbsp; The Association of American Railroads says monthly petroleum shipments by rail increased 3.5 percent over March of 2019.&nbsp;

News from the Oil Patch: Kan. rig counts continue to decline

BY GREG DOERING <a href="https://kansaslivingmagazine.com/articles/2020/04/03/consumers-making-direct-connections-with-farmers-ranchers-during-pandemic">Kansas Living Magazine, a publication of Kansas Farm Bureau</a>

If there’s a silver lining in the COVID-19 pandemic for Kansas 
farmers and ranchers, it may just be in the new connections they’re 
forging with consumers. Growers with the ability to sell directly to the
 public believe the virus is forever changing the nature of food 
buying.&nbsp;

“People are starting to realize their food isn’t grown in the back of
 a store,” Lyon County farmer and rancher&nbsp;Jacquelyne&nbsp;Leffler says. “The 
first thing I hear on the phone is, ‘I’ve never done this before. Can 
you explain how it works?’”&nbsp;

Leffler has been running a custom beef business,&nbsp;Leffler Prime 
Performance, near Americus since 2015. Starting about mid-March, orders 
began taking off as more people stayed home and grocery supply chains 
struggled to keep shelves stocked.&nbsp;

That’s about the same time Scott&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;who runs&nbsp;Juniper Hill Farms&nbsp;outside of Lawrence&nbsp;noticed a dramatic shift.&nbsp;

“We not only grow local produce, we’ve also got a line of national 
organic produce we distribute,”&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;says of his operation. “We just
 all of a sudden were inundated with orders because national wholesalers
 couldn’t keep up with demand.”&nbsp;

Leffler says she typically sells 10 to 15 head a year in her custom 
beef business, with the busy times falling in August, around Christmas 
and then a small bump in February.&nbsp;In a nearly two-week span, she 
sold&nbsp;20&nbsp;head, mainly through Facebook and word of mouth.&nbsp;

“I’ve yet to ever pay for marketing,” she says.&nbsp;

The calls come from about a 100-mile radius, which includes Manhattan, Topeka and Wichita.&nbsp;

The calls also have hit&nbsp;R Family Farms&nbsp;in Lebanon, where Kaden and 
Emily Roush raise pigs marketed to restaurants and directly to 
customers. While the restaurant business has fallen off, the&nbsp;Roushes’ 
ecommerce business, which wasn’t really a focus before, has nearly 
tripled.&nbsp;

“I think we did maybe 35 or 40 orders throughout all of 2019,” Kaden 
says. “We’re well above 100 orders in just the last three weeks.”&nbsp;

Thellman&nbsp;partnered with a friend who runs a meat distribution company to build&nbsp;out an ecommerce website in about 24 hours.&nbsp;

“We had to do something to serve our community – making sure people 
had access to good food,”&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;says.&nbsp;“It’s pretty pathetic looking, 
but it’s on its way.”&nbsp;

The site,<a href="http://www.sunflowerprovisions.com" target="_blank">&nbsp;www.sunflowerprovisions.com</a>,
 offers local delivery to Lawrence, but people outside the city have 
discovered it and are traveling from Kansas City, Baldwin and Ottawa to 
pick up orders.&nbsp;

“Our hope is we can continue this on after this pandemic slows down a
 little bit,”&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;says. “It might be a good source for all things 
local and regional.”&nbsp;

The growth has been fast and furious, which led&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;to build out more storage space over the course of a few days.&nbsp;

“We didn’t think it would happen as quickly, but we outgrew our 
warehouse we were starting to fulfill in about the second time we packed
 boxes,” he says. “I spent all weekend building a cold storage unit, so 
I’ve got my mechanical contractors out running all the conduit and 
getting ready for the refrigeration aspects.&nbsp;It’s that farmer mentality –
 get done what needs to get done to get it done.”&nbsp;

Thellman&nbsp;says he’s hired two new employees to help fulfill orders and
 is working to hire additional help, though there have been a couple of 
bumps.&nbsp;

Juniper Hill Farms is certified through two U.S. Department of 
Agriculture programs, Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling 
Practices.&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;says both are good certifications to have in the 
middle of a pandemic because employees are trained on proper hygiene 
practices. The downside is Kansas State University can no longer provide
 the training for new workers to become certified&nbsp;because of the 
pandemic.&nbsp;

Thellman&nbsp;says he’s working on becoming a trainer so he can help get new hires up to speed.&nbsp;

Leffler’s sales also have had an impact on&nbsp;her local processing plant, which handles the butchering and packing.&nbsp;

“He told me a couple days ago I’m the reason his employees are getting paid right now,” she says.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Leffler sells cattle by the quarter, half or whole, which equates to 
138, 277 or 554 pounds of beef to the consumer. The finished product 
includes hamburger, roasts and steaks all for a little less than $5 per 
pound once the cost of the animal, processing and packaging is factored 
in.&nbsp;

“I’ve never gotten rich doing this,” she says. “It’s just something I
 enjoy. I’m just charging a fraction over market price to justify my 
cost hauling the animal and my time taking the phone calls.”&nbsp;

Kaden says R Family Farms has taken a similar approach.&nbsp;

“We are trying to do everything we can think of to give us the 
opportunity to retain these customers,” he says.&nbsp;“They’re buying from us
 now because of current events. We’ve not changed our prices any from a 
year ago. In fact, when this started, we were running a spring sale of 
15 percent off orders.”&nbsp;

All of&nbsp;the growers see an opportunity well beyond the current sales 
boom.&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;believes the pandemic is remaking the entire food 
industry.&nbsp;

“I think with this change in the world, we’re going to see more 
attention to local and more appreciation for sourcing,” he says. “I 
didn’t want to start an online store. Then we saw the need and we did 
it. I think it’s going to shift the consumer’s mind about food. 
Especially if they’re pulling it from a&nbsp;source&nbsp;they know is a decent 
quality and decent price.”&nbsp;

Leffler says some of her sales have been to other small businesses looking to source food for their employees.&nbsp;

“They’re calling saying, ‘Hey, my employees are getting off work and 
they’re going to the grocery store where they can’t find food,’” she 
says.&nbsp;

Thellman&nbsp;has taken similar steps, offering boxes of staples to 
workers so they can minimize the chances of getting sick. It’s also a 
concern as he ramps up hiring to meet demand.&nbsp;

“You hesitate to bring more people in because you don’t know what 
their social distancing practices have been recently,” he says. “We’re 
really trying to minimize any potential issues.”&nbsp;

While production&nbsp;agriculture will continue to provide safe sustenance
 for&nbsp;the majority of&nbsp;shoppers, these niche producers&nbsp;are seeing the 
benefits of connecting directly with&nbsp;consumers.&nbsp;

Kaden says&nbsp;farmers are doing what they’ve always done – provide healthy, nutritious food for people to feed their families.&nbsp;

“We like being that anchor for customers to go to with questions,” he
 says. “A lot of our business is focused on building that relationship 
with our customers, allowing them to get to know us.”&nbsp;

Thellman, who’s now sourcing produce from around the country to sell 
alongside his locally grown salad mixes, is waiting for the first 
Kansas-grown tomato of the season.&nbsp;

“The moment there’s a local tomato to put on the website, we’re sure as heck going to be having those&nbsp;(for sale,” he says.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586204263485.png" alt="Screen Shot 2020-04-06 at 3.17.33 PM.png" />
 <figcaption>Screen Shot 2020-04-06 at 3.17.33 PM.png</figcaption>
 </figure>BY GREG DOERING <a href="https://kansaslivingmagazine.com/articles/2020/04/03/consumers-making-direct-connections-with-farmers-ranchers-during-pandemic">Kansas Living Magazine, a publication of Kansas Farm Bureau</a> If there’s a silver lining in the COVID-19 pandemic for Kansas 
farmers and ranchers, it may just be in the new connections they’re 
forging with consumers. Growers with the ability to sell directly to the
 public believe the virus is forever changing the nature of food 
buying.&nbsp;“People are starting to realize their food isn’t grown in the back of
 a store,” Lyon County farmer and rancher&nbsp;Jacquelyne&nbsp;Leffler says. “The 
first thing I hear on the phone is, ‘I’ve never done this before. Can 
you explain how it works?’”&nbsp;Leffler has been running a custom beef business,&nbsp;Leffler Prime 
Performance, near Americus since 2015. Starting about mid-March, orders 
began taking off as more people stayed home and grocery supply chains 
struggled to keep shelves stocked.&nbsp;That’s about the same time Scott&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;who runs&nbsp;Juniper Hill Farms&nbsp;outside of Lawrence&nbsp;noticed a dramatic shift.&nbsp;“We not only grow local produce, we’ve also got a line of national 
organic produce we distribute,”&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;says of his operation. “We just
 all of a sudden were inundated with orders because national wholesalers
 couldn’t keep up with demand.”&nbsp;<h2>BOOMING BUSINESS&nbsp;</h2>Leffler says she typically sells 10 to 15 head a year in her custom 
beef business, with the busy times falling in August, around Christmas 
and then a small bump in February.&nbsp;In a nearly two-week span, she 
sold&nbsp;20&nbsp;head, mainly through Facebook and word of mouth.&nbsp;“I’ve yet to ever pay for marketing,” she says.&nbsp;The calls come from about a 100-mile radius, which includes Manhattan, Topeka and Wichita.&nbsp;The calls also have hit&nbsp;R Family Farms&nbsp;in Lebanon, where Kaden and 
Emily Roush raise pigs marketed to restaurants and directly to 
customers. While the restaurant business has fallen off, the&nbsp;Roushes’ 
ecommerce business, which wasn’t really a focus before, has nearly 
tripled.&nbsp;“I think we did maybe 35 or 40 orders throughout all of 2019,” Kaden 
says. “We’re well above 100 orders in just the last three weeks.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586204122305.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Thellman&nbsp;partnered with a friend who runs a meat distribution company to build&nbsp;out an ecommerce website in about 24 hours.&nbsp;“We had to do something to serve our community – making sure people 
had access to good food,”&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;says.&nbsp;“It’s pretty pathetic looking, 
but it’s on its way.”&nbsp;The site,<a href="http://www.sunflowerprovisions.com" target="_blank">&nbsp;www.sunflowerprovisions.com</a>,
 offers local delivery to Lawrence, but people outside the city have 
discovered it and are traveling from Kansas City, Baldwin and Ottawa to 
pick up orders.&nbsp;“Our hope is we can continue this on after this pandemic slows down a
 little bit,”&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;says. “It might be a good source for all things 
local and regional.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586204152557.jpeg" alt="Scott Thellman" />
 <figcaption>Scott Thellman</figcaption>
 </figure>The growth has been fast and furious, which led&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;to build out more storage space over the course of a few days.&nbsp;“We didn’t think it would happen as quickly, but we outgrew our 
warehouse we were starting to fulfill in about the second time we packed
 boxes,” he says. “I spent all weekend building a cold storage unit, so 
I’ve got my mechanical contractors out running all the conduit and 
getting ready for the refrigeration aspects.&nbsp;It’s that farmer mentality –
 get done what needs to get done to get it done.”&nbsp;<h2>ON THE JOB&nbsp;</h2>Thellman&nbsp;says he’s hired two new employees to help fulfill orders and
 is working to hire additional help, though there have been a couple of 
bumps.&nbsp;Juniper Hill Farms is certified through two U.S. Department of 
Agriculture programs, Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling 
Practices.&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;says both are good certifications to have in the 
middle of a pandemic because employees are trained on proper hygiene 
practices. The downside is Kansas State University can no longer provide
 the training for new workers to become certified&nbsp;because of the 
pandemic.&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;says he’s working on becoming a trainer so he can help get new hires up to speed.&nbsp;Leffler’s sales also have had an impact on&nbsp;her local processing plant, which handles the butchering and packing.&nbsp;“He told me a couple days ago I’m the reason his employees are getting paid right now,” she says.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>EYE ON THE FUTRUE&nbsp;</h2>Leffler sells cattle by the quarter, half or whole, which equates to 
138, 277 or 554 pounds of beef to the consumer. The finished product 
includes hamburger, roasts and steaks all for a little less than $5 per 
pound once the cost of the animal, processing and packaging is factored 
in.&nbsp;“I’ve never gotten rich doing this,” she says. “It’s just something I
 enjoy. I’m just charging a fraction over market price to justify my 
cost hauling the animal and my time taking the phone calls.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586204186467.jpeg" alt="Jacquelyne Leffler" />
 <figcaption>Jacquelyne Leffler</figcaption>
 </figure>Kaden says R Family Farms has taken a similar approach.&nbsp;“We are trying to do everything we can think of to give us the 
opportunity to retain these customers,” he says.&nbsp;“They’re buying from us
 now because of current events. We’ve not changed our prices any from a 
year ago. In fact, when this started, we were running a spring sale of 
15 percent off orders.”&nbsp;All of&nbsp;the growers see an opportunity well beyond the current sales 
boom.&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;believes the pandemic is remaking the entire food 
industry.&nbsp;“I think with this change in the world, we’re going to see more 
attention to local and more appreciation for sourcing,” he says. “I 
didn’t want to start an online store. Then we saw the need and we did 
it. I think it’s going to shift the consumer’s mind about food. 
Especially if they’re pulling it from a&nbsp;source&nbsp;they know is a decent 
quality and decent price.”&nbsp;<h2>SAFETY MEASURES&nbsp;</h2>Leffler says some of her sales have been to other small businesses looking to source food for their employees.&nbsp;“They’re calling saying, ‘Hey, my employees are getting off work and 
they’re going to the grocery store where they can’t find food,’” she 
says.&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;has taken similar steps, offering boxes of staples to 
workers so they can minimize the chances of getting sick. It’s also a 
concern as he ramps up hiring to meet demand.&nbsp;“You hesitate to bring more people in because you don’t know what 
their social distancing practices have been recently,” he says. “We’re 
really trying to minimize any potential issues.”&nbsp;<h2>CONSUMER CONNECTION&nbsp;</h2>While production&nbsp;agriculture will continue to provide safe sustenance
 for&nbsp;the majority of&nbsp;shoppers, these niche producers&nbsp;are seeing the 
benefits of connecting directly with&nbsp;consumers.&nbsp;Kaden says&nbsp;farmers are doing what they’ve always done – provide healthy, nutritious food for people to feed their families.&nbsp;“We like being that anchor for customers to go to with questions,” he
 says. “A lot of our business is focused on building that relationship 
with our customers, allowing them to get to know us.”&nbsp;Thellman, who’s now sourcing produce from around the country to sell 
alongside his locally grown salad mixes, is waiting for the first 
Kansas-grown tomato of the season.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586204206738.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“The moment there’s a local tomato to put on the website, we’re sure as heck going to be having those&nbsp;(for sale,” he says.&nbsp;There’s only one item&nbsp;Thellman&nbsp;has had to deny customers who’ve asked about recently.&nbsp;“There’s six weeks a year you’re allowed to eat sweet&nbsp;corn,” he says. “That starts about the First of July.”&nbsp;

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