By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

Screens are having a profound effect on our world and our children. 

Most experts in the early childhood field recommend no screen time for children under two years old. The only screen time that would be beneficial for a young child might include video chatting with important people in their lives. 

Screen time can affect children in many ways from developmental, behaviorally, and their physical health. Screen time often gets replaced by things that are important for children to experience. 

Just 10 Minutes is an initiative aimed at helping combat the effect of screen time in our lives and our relationships.

JustTenMinutes.org is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to helping families strengthen their relationships through daily, intentional, screen-free moments. The organization encourages parents and caregivers to set aside just 10 minutes each day for focused, undistracted connection with their children. These brief interactions—such as reading together, drawing, or sharing a favorite memory—are designed to nurture emotional growth, support brain development, and create lasting memories.

The initiative emphasizes the power of small, consistent actions. It provides research-backed insights into how short, meaningful interactions can have a profound impact on a child's development and a family's well-being. The organization also offers resources and activity ideas to help families make the most of their 10-minute connections.

JustTenMinutes.org collaborates with various partners, including healthcare organizations and community groups, to promote its message and expand its reach. Community partners such as Advent Health Kansas City Foundation, Kansas Head Start Association (KHSA), Kansas Parents as Teachers Association (KPATA) and Sing Play Love indicate a broad network of support for its mission.

The website invites visitors to join its efforts by exploring activities, sharing experiences, and connecting with others who are committed to making meaningful moments a daily habit. Through its "Get Involved" section, JustTenMinutes.org provides opportunities for individuals and organizations to contribute to its mission of fostering stronger families and communities.

"Life moves quickly, and finding time for meaningful moments can feel challenging," says the organization's mission statement. "But what if you could make a significant impact in just 10 minutes a day?"

The initiative offers a variety of simple, research-backed activities designed to nurture emotional growth and build lasting memories. From nature art bracelets to finger counting games for toddlers, the website provides resources that are easy to integrate into daily routines. For more information or to get involved, visit JustTenMinutes.org.

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747158699683.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictScreens are having a profound effect on our world and our children. Most experts in the early childhood field recommend no screen time for children under two years old. The only screen time that would be beneficial for a young child might include video chatting with important people in their lives. Screen time can affect children in many ways from developmental, behaviorally, and their physical health. Screen time often gets replaced by things that are important for children to experience. Just 10 Minutes is an initiative aimed at helping combat the effect of screen time in our lives and our relationships.JustTenMinutes.org is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to helping families strengthen their relationships through daily, intentional, screen-free moments. The organization encourages parents and caregivers to set aside just 10 minutes each day for focused, undistracted connection with their children. These brief interactions—such as reading together, drawing, or sharing a favorite memory—are designed to nurture emotional growth, support brain development, and create lasting memories.The initiative emphasizes the power of small, consistent actions. It provides research-backed insights into how short, meaningful interactions can have a profound impact on a child's development and a family's well-being. The organization also offers resources and activity ideas to help families make the most of their 10-minute connections.JustTenMinutes.org collaborates with various partners, including healthcare organizations and community groups, to promote its message and expand its reach. Community partners such as Advent Health Kansas City Foundation, Kansas Head Start Association (KHSA), Kansas Parents as Teachers Association (KPATA) and Sing Play Love indicate a broad network of support for its mission.The website invites visitors to join its efforts by exploring activities, sharing experiences, and connecting with others who are committed to making meaningful moments a daily habit. Through its "Get Involved" section, JustTenMinutes.org provides opportunities for individuals and organizations to contribute to its mission of fostering stronger families and communities."Life moves quickly, and finding time for meaningful moments can feel challenging," says the organization's mission statement. "But what if you could make a significant impact in just 10 minutes a day?"The initiative offers a variety of simple, research-backed activities designed to nurture emotional growth and build lasting memories. From nature art bracelets to finger counting games for toddlers, the website provides resources that are easy to integrate into daily routines. For more information or to get involved, visit JustTenMinutes.org.Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

Kansas-based nonprofit promotes family connection through just 10 minutes a day

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2730c5cd-1026-4098-9e5f-ebf15c8fd949">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays faces loss of federal airport funds</a>

I work at Hays Regional Airport, and I’m proud of it. But I’m also deeply concerned because the federal funding that keeps our airport operational is under threat, and not enough people are talking about it.

Small airports like ours are often taken for granted by those in power. They’re dismissed as luxuries or “non-essential” in the grand scheme of federal spending. That’s a dangerous and misguided view. Hays Regional Airport is not a luxury, it is an essential infrastructure. Its existence supports commercial air service, emergency medical flights, mail and cargo delivery, and economic activity across our region. It provides so much more than people realize and is a staple for the community to work.&nbsp;

Federal funding doesn’t just keep the lights on. It pays for critical infrastructure upkeep, runway repairs, snow and ice removal, safety, and communications systems. It ensures we have trained staff and emergency preparedness. Most importantly, it keeps the Essential Air Service (EAS) program running, which is the only reason we have regular commercial flights in and out of Hays. Without EAS funding, our airport would likely lose its airline service altogether, cutting us off from the rest of the country. Cutting jobs and putting livelihoods, including mine, at risk.&nbsp;

This isn’t just about convenience. If we lose flights in Hays, it means longer drives for medical appointments, fewer options for students and professionals traveling for school and work, and real consequences for local businesses that rely on air connections. It means losing jobs, not just at the airport, but in all the industries that benefit from it. The hospital and the college rely on our air services.

It also sends a message that rural communities like Hays don’t matter.

We’ve seen time and again how rural Kansas gets overlooked by policymakers until it’s time to campaign. We hear a lot about “supporting rural America,” but when push comes to shove, too many of our leaders are silent when federal support is pulled away from critical services in towns like ours. That silence speaks volumes. Are we great again yet? No, because this isn't about helping small rural America be great.&nbsp;

Let me be clear. Defunding our airport is not a budget cut. It’s a betrayal.

If you care about Hays and the future of our region, I urge you to speak up! Call your representatives. Write letters and emails. Demand answers. Our airport is too important to let it quietly disappear under the weight of political indifference.

We deserve better. Hays deserves better. And it’s time we all made that known loud and clear!&nbsp;

— Joy Marok-Schmeidler, resident of Hays and an employee at Hays Regional Airport

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091063975.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2730c5cd-1026-4098-9e5f-ebf15c8fd949">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays faces loss of federal airport funds</a>I work at Hays Regional Airport, and I’m proud of it. But I’m also deeply concerned because the federal funding that keeps our airport operational is under threat, and not enough people are talking about it.Small airports like ours are often taken for granted by those in power. They’re dismissed as luxuries or “non-essential” in the grand scheme of federal spending. That’s a dangerous and misguided view. Hays Regional Airport is not a luxury, it is an essential infrastructure. Its existence supports commercial air service, emergency medical flights, mail and cargo delivery, and economic activity across our region. It provides so much more than people realize and is a staple for the community to work.&nbsp;Federal funding doesn’t just keep the lights on. It pays for critical infrastructure upkeep, runway repairs, snow and ice removal, safety, and communications systems. It ensures we have trained staff and emergency preparedness. Most importantly, it keeps the Essential Air Service (EAS) program running, which is the only reason we have regular commercial flights in and out of Hays. Without EAS funding, our airport would likely lose its airline service altogether, cutting us off from the rest of the country. Cutting jobs and putting livelihoods, including mine, at risk.&nbsp;This isn’t just about convenience. If we lose flights in Hays, it means longer drives for medical appointments, fewer options for students and professionals traveling for school and work, and real consequences for local businesses that rely on air connections. It means losing jobs, not just at the airport, but in all the industries that benefit from it. The hospital and the college rely on our air services.It also sends a message that rural communities like Hays don’t matter.We’ve seen time and again how rural Kansas gets overlooked by policymakers until it’s time to campaign. We hear a lot about “supporting rural America,” but when push comes to shove, too many of our leaders are silent when federal support is pulled away from critical services in towns like ours. That silence speaks volumes. Are we great again yet? No, because this isn't about helping small rural America be great.&nbsp;Let me be clear. Defunding our airport is not a budget cut. It’s a betrayal.If you care about Hays and the future of our region, I urge you to speak up! Call your representatives. Write letters and emails. Demand answers. Our airport is too important to let it quietly disappear under the weight of political indifference.We deserve better. Hays deserves better. And it’s time we all made that known loud and clear!&nbsp;— Joy Marok-Schmeidler, resident of Hays and an employee at Hays Regional Airport

LETTER: Hays Regional Airport is a community necessity

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/032dc57b-89f7-4905-ba23-e72dd8543a9a">SEE RELATED STORY: Ransom couple enters pleas on mistreatment of adult charges</a>

On May 28 at 2 p.m. at the Ness County Courthouse in Ness City, Kansas, I would greatly appreciate as many veterans and concerned citizens as are able to come help me fight for justice for a retired Major of the United States Air Force, the 92-year-old retired major was an OR nurse in Vietnam.

A Ransom couple was arrested in July 2024 on charges of mistreatment of an elderly person, a level 5 felony, and a class A misdemeanor of criminal restraint, as well as a class A misdemeanor of endangerment. As of March 2025, the charges of mistreatment of an elderly person, a level 5 felony is what the charges are against the woman. Her husband is still charged with the level 5 felony of mistreatment of an elderly person and the two class A misdemeanors of criminal restraint and endangerment. They both entered a plea of no contest to their charges.

In Kansas (K.S.A. 21-5417), mistreatment of a dependent adult or elder person can be a level 5 felony if the aggregated value of the resources taken is at least $25,000 but less than $100,000. This type of mistreatment includes inflicting physical abuse, unreasonable confinement or punishment, taking personal property or financial resources, depriving treatment, or neglecting their case. A level 5 felony carries a sentence ranging from 1 to 10 years in prison. The sentencing judge will be the person to determine the actual sentencing.

When you look at your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I'd like you to think about the face, if not for those OR nurses, nurses, Naval corpsman, medics and doctors, those children might not exist. It's our turn. We must fight for one of those veterans that fought for the freedom's that we all have and are blessed with in the United States!!!

"If you disrespect one veteran, you are disrespecting every single veteran!"

I would like to thank all the many people that have helped in so many ways over the last year to right for justice with me in one way or another. No human being let alone a United States veteran should ever be mistreated or disresepected in the way that my friend was.

— Renata Kraft,&nbsp; victim's friend

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748363664661.jpg" alt="Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/032dc57b-89f7-4905-ba23-e72dd8543a9a">SEE RELATED STORY: Ransom couple enters pleas on mistreatment of adult charges</a>On May 28 at 2 p.m. at the Ness County Courthouse in Ness City, Kansas, I would greatly appreciate as many veterans and concerned citizens as are able to come help me fight for justice for a retired Major of the United States Air Force, the 92-year-old retired major was an OR nurse in Vietnam.A Ransom couple was arrested in July 2024 on charges of mistreatment of an elderly person, a level 5 felony, and a class A misdemeanor of criminal restraint, as well as a class A misdemeanor of endangerment. As of March 2025, the charges of mistreatment of an elderly person, a level 5 felony is what the charges are against the woman. Her husband is still charged with the level 5 felony of mistreatment of an elderly person and the two class A misdemeanors of criminal restraint and endangerment. They both entered a plea of no contest to their charges.In Kansas (K.S.A. 21-5417), mistreatment of a dependent adult or elder person can be a level 5 felony if the aggregated value of the resources taken is at least $25,000 but less than $100,000. This type of mistreatment includes inflicting physical abuse, unreasonable confinement or punishment, taking personal property or financial resources, depriving treatment, or neglecting their case. A level 5 felony carries a sentence ranging from 1 to 10 years in prison. The sentencing judge will be the person to determine the actual sentencing.When you look at your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I'd like you to think about the face, if not for those OR nurses, nurses, Naval corpsman, medics and doctors, those children might not exist. It's our turn. We must fight for one of those veterans that fought for the freedom's that we all have and are blessed with in the United States!!!"If you disrespect one veteran, you are disrespecting every single veteran!"I would like to thank all the many people that have helped in so many ways over the last year to right for justice with me in one way or another. No human being let alone a United States veteran should ever be mistreated or disresepected in the way that my friend was.— Renata Kraft,&nbsp; victim's friend

LETTER: Pack the court for sentencing of couple who mistreated elder vet

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension

Many of my most recent home visits have been centered around tree health and subsequently around trees experiencing dieback or death from drought stress. 

The past several years has been very dry and it typically it takes a few years for a tree to show stress from an event. If you take a good look at your tree, you can begin to analyze the overall health and take steps to keep them healthy. 

To&nbsp;determine the health of your trees, looking at the amount of new growth each year will show you how healthy they are. Observe the tips of the branches that are exposed (not shaded). A tree that grows less than four inches from the previous year is likely under stress and considered unhealthy.

New growth is often identifiable by the color. The new twig emerging from the bud may be greener but the leaves are often a brighter shade as well. You'll notice the leaves attached directly to these new stems rather than lateral branches. New growth may also look more compressed than growth from previous years.&nbsp;

Though evaluating the amount of growth can help you determine if your tree is healthy, it does not tell you what may be the cause of an unhealthy tree. 

The effects of stress accumulate year after year. A drought two years ago can have an impact on growth of a recovering tree. The root growth may have been stunted and roots could struggle to take in enough water to support the tree as temperatures rise. 

When possible, ensure trees are receiving water to a depth of 12 inches every couple of weeks during the summer either from rain or supplemental watering.

One of the more common means of watering trees is the use of soaker hoses, but they are notorious for non-uniform watering. 

On small trees, circling the tree several times with the soaker hose will even out the amount of water applied but this isn't practical for larger trees. On larger trees, hooking both the beginning and the end of the soaker hose to a Y-adapter helps equalize the pressure and therefore provide a more uniform watering. The specific parts you need include the soaker hose, Y-adapter and female to female connector.&nbsp;

The soaker hose can circle the trunk at a distance within the dripline of the tree but at least ½ the distance to the dripline. The dripline of the tree is outermost reach of the branches.

Soil should be wet at least 12 inches deep as 80% of a tree’s roots are in the top foot of soil.&nbsp; Use a metal rod, wooden dowel, electric fence post or something similar to check depth. Dry soil is much harder to push through than wet and your probe will stop when it hits dry soil.&nbsp;

How long it takes water to reach a 12-inch depth varies depending on the rate of water flow and soil.&nbsp; Record the amount of time it takes to reach 12 inches the first time the tree is watered. After that, simply water for that same amount of time.&nbsp;

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698682262753.jpeg" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood ExtensionMany of my most recent home visits have been centered around tree health and subsequently around trees experiencing dieback or death from drought stress. The past several years has been very dry and it typically it takes a few years for a tree to show stress from an event. If you take a good look at your tree, you can begin to analyze the overall health and take steps to keep them healthy. To&nbsp;determine the health of your trees, looking at the amount of new growth each year will show you how healthy they are. Observe the tips of the branches that are exposed (not shaded). A tree that grows less than four inches from the previous year is likely under stress and considered unhealthy.New growth is often identifiable by the color. The new twig emerging from the bud may be greener but the leaves are often a brighter shade as well. You'll notice the leaves attached directly to these new stems rather than lateral branches. New growth may also look more compressed than growth from previous years.&nbsp;Though evaluating the amount of growth can help you determine if your tree is healthy, it does not tell you what may be the cause of an unhealthy tree. The effects of stress accumulate year after year. A drought two years ago can have an impact on growth of a recovering tree. The root growth may have been stunted and roots could struggle to take in enough water to support the tree as temperatures rise. When possible, ensure trees are receiving water to a depth of 12 inches every couple of weeks during the summer either from rain or supplemental watering.One of the more common means of watering trees is the use of soaker hoses, but they are notorious for non-uniform watering. On small trees, circling the tree several times with the soaker hose will even out the amount of water applied but this isn't practical for larger trees. On larger trees, hooking both the beginning and the end of the soaker hose to a Y-adapter helps equalize the pressure and therefore provide a more uniform watering. The specific parts you need include the soaker hose, Y-adapter and female to female connector.&nbsp;The soaker hose can circle the trunk at a distance within the dripline of the tree but at least ½ the distance to the dripline. The dripline of the tree is outermost reach of the branches.Soil should be wet at least 12 inches deep as 80% of a tree’s roots are in the top foot of soil.&nbsp; Use a metal rod, wooden dowel, electric fence post or something similar to check depth. Dry soil is much harder to push through than wet and your probe will stop when it hits dry soil.&nbsp;How long it takes water to reach a 12-inch depth varies depending on the rate of water flow and soil.&nbsp; Record the amount of time it takes to reach 12 inches the first time the tree is watered. After that, simply water for that same amount of time.&nbsp;Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Tree health, drought stress

Over the years I’ve had many encounters with those jaunty little stilt-legged birds known as Killdeers.

 As a midwestern farm kid I can’t count the number of times the little beggars ran ahead of the tractor in the middle of a field full of absolutely nothing but bare soil, never once hesitating to take on the big green behemoth invading their space. 

And that broken wings thing they do to lead you away from their nest; seriously? Occasionally I’d stop to chase one around and the minute I’d start to gain on it those wings that looked broken to the point of dragging uselessly in the dirt would miraculously heal and those tiny stick legs would propel it well out of reach again.

 I suppose Killdeer are named partly for the loud “KILL DEER” call they use, especially after they’ve fooled you again with the broken wing thing.

Killdeers migrate south for the winter, and are probably the first sign of spring each year, often arriving back in Kansas in mid-February. 

Killdeer are members of the plover family which includes several other cousins that also look a lot like Killdeers.

 I learned that baby birds are divided into two distinct groups.

 Birds that hatch blind, naked and helpless are known as altricial, (Greek for “wet nurse.”) This group includes robins, blue jays and most other backyard birds whose hatchlings lie helplessly in their nest utterly relying on the parents to bring them food and push it down their throats. It's two weeks or more before altricial hatchlings mature enough to leave the nest, and even then, they rely completely on the parents for food. 

The other group is known as precocial, (Latin for “ripened beforehand,”) and includes ducks, geese, pheasants, quail and killdeer. These hatchlings remain in the nest only long enough for their feathers to dry, then they are already out following their parents about, learning the ropes of life. Precocial birds remain in the egg twice as long as altricial birds to give them more time to develop. 

So, for example, a one-day old killdeer chick is at least two weeks older than a one-day old robin hatchling. And along with this, Killdeer eggs are twice as big as robin eggs to allow for more nourishment to be built into the egg to sustain the chick for its longer time “behind the shell;” yet another “God Thing” found in nature. 

Killdeers almost always lay four eggs but none of the eggs start to develop until the last egg is laid and the parent begins to sit on the nest. When the embryos feel the warmth of the adult Killdeer on the nest, they all start to develop at the same time, meaning that even though three of the eggs are older than the last one laid, all chicks will still be the same age when hatched; yup, you guessed it, another God Thing!

The thing about Killdeers that has always baffled me is why on earth they nest in the places they do. 

Although technically in the family known as shorebirds, their nests will usually be found about as far away from water as they can get; often in the middle of a plowed field or in the gravel of a busy parking lot; places with absolutely no cover whatsoever. As far as no-frill nests go, they rank right up there with turkey vultures. They’ll use a slight depression, if there happens to be one, to hold the eggs, but that’s about as fancy as it gets.&nbsp;

They make up for all this by laying eggs that blend in so well with their chosen locations, it’s a fortunate person indeed who ever actually spots a Killdeer nest and eggs in the wild. 

And from those humble nests hatch some of the cutest chicks there can be, looking for all the world like fuzzy little ping pong balls on toothpick legs. Killdeers are very tolerant of us humans; there are numerous examples of them nesting and hatching families along busy sidewalks or next to tennis courts.

Like I said, when I was a kid, I had dozens of encounters with those cute little birds with the stick legs known as Killdeers, but never once did I ever find a nest. In fact, I don’t think it ever occurred to me to search for one.&nbsp;The actor with the broken wing would drag its apparently poor dilapidated body out of my way and the tractor would steam past.

Now as I think about it, it kind of bothers me thinking about all the Killdeer nests I probably unknowingly disked under. 

To Killdeers everywhere, can you find it in your heart to forgive me? And maybe next time rethink the whole nest location thing. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Over the years I’ve had many encounters with those jaunty little stilt-legged birds known as Killdeers. As a midwestern farm kid I can’t count the number of times the little beggars ran ahead of the tractor in the middle of a field full of absolutely nothing but bare soil, never once hesitating to take on the big green behemoth invading their space. And that broken wings thing they do to lead you away from their nest; seriously? Occasionally I’d stop to chase one around and the minute I’d start to gain on it those wings that looked broken to the point of dragging uselessly in the dirt would miraculously heal and those tiny stick legs would propel it well out of reach again. I suppose Killdeer are named partly for the loud “KILL DEER” call they use, especially after they’ve fooled you again with the broken wing thing.Killdeers migrate south for the winter, and are probably the first sign of spring each year, often arriving back in Kansas in mid-February. Killdeer are members of the plover family which includes several other cousins that also look a lot like Killdeers. I learned that baby birds are divided into two distinct groups. Birds that hatch blind, naked and helpless are known as altricial, (Greek for “wet nurse.”) This group includes robins, blue jays and most other backyard birds whose hatchlings lie helplessly in their nest utterly relying on the parents to bring them food and push it down their throats. It's two weeks or more before altricial hatchlings mature enough to leave the nest, and even then, they rely completely on the parents for food. The other group is known as precocial, (Latin for “ripened beforehand,”) and includes ducks, geese, pheasants, quail and killdeer. These hatchlings remain in the nest only long enough for their feathers to dry, then they are already out following their parents about, learning the ropes of life. Precocial birds remain in the egg twice as long as altricial birds to give them more time to develop. So, for example, a one-day old killdeer chick is at least two weeks older than a one-day old robin hatchling. And along with this, Killdeer eggs are twice as big as robin eggs to allow for more nourishment to be built into the egg to sustain the chick for its longer time “behind the shell;” yet another “God Thing” found in nature. Killdeers almost always lay four eggs but none of the eggs start to develop until the last egg is laid and the parent begins to sit on the nest. When the embryos feel the warmth of the adult Killdeer on the nest, they all start to develop at the same time, meaning that even though three of the eggs are older than the last one laid, all chicks will still be the same age when hatched; yup, you guessed it, another God Thing!The thing about Killdeers that has always baffled me is why on earth they nest in the places they do. Although technically in the family known as shorebirds, their nests will usually be found about as far away from water as they can get; often in the middle of a plowed field or in the gravel of a busy parking lot; places with absolutely no cover whatsoever. As far as no-frill nests go, they rank right up there with turkey vultures. They’ll use a slight depression, if there happens to be one, to hold the eggs, but that’s about as fancy as it gets.&nbsp;They make up for all this by laying eggs that blend in so well with their chosen locations, it’s a fortunate person indeed who ever actually spots a Killdeer nest and eggs in the wild. And from those humble nests hatch some of the cutest chicks there can be, looking for all the world like fuzzy little ping pong balls on toothpick legs. Killdeers are very tolerant of us humans; there are numerous examples of them nesting and hatching families along busy sidewalks or next to tennis courts.Like I said, when I was a kid, I had dozens of encounters with those cute little birds with the stick legs known as Killdeers, but never once did I ever find a nest. In fact, I don’t think it ever occurred to me to search for one.&nbsp;The actor with the broken wing would drag its apparently poor dilapidated body out of my way and the tractor would steam past.Now as I think about it, it kind of bothers me thinking about all the Killdeer nests I probably unknowingly disked under. To Killdeers everywhere, can you find it in your heart to forgive me? And maybe next time rethink the whole nest location thing. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Killdeers and that broken wing thing

Every day, courtrooms across the United States are filled with individuals impacted by substance use and mental health disorders.&nbsp;Without treatment to address the underlying cause of criminal behavior, many will continue to cycle in and out of the justice system, burdening law enforcement and at tremendous expense to taxpayers.

Treatment courts break this cycle by holding individuals accountable through a combination of treatment and rigorous supervision and returning them to the community as healthy, productive citizens. 

Today, approximately 4,000 treatment courts across the nation are now considered the most successful justice intervention in our nation’s history, proving that when one person, family, and community rises, we all rise. 

Kansas has 33 specialty courts serving 37 counties. 

Ellis County Recovery Court, formerly Ellis County Drug Court, has helped justice involved individuals with substance use disorder since 2018, graduating 65 community members to date. 

Approximately 65% of the U.S. prison population has a substance use disorder, and another 20% were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their crime. 

The largest and most comprehensive multi-site study ever conducted on treatment courts found reductions in crime averaging 58% and savings of more than $6,000 for every individual served. Further benefits include improved education, employment, housing, financial stability, and family reunification. 

Ellis County and the surrounding communities are very fortunate to have this program available. 

Treatment courts are our most effective approach to the devastation of addiction and justice involvement. Collaboration between corrections, court, treatment, mental health and law enforcement allow us to support those in addiction and help them manage their recovery while providing resources and tools for long term success. This leads to a stronger community of productive, law-abiding citizens. 

This National Treatment Court Month, The Ellis County Recovery Court thanks the community for its continued support of our efforts to make a difference in Ellis County and the 23rd Judicial District.&nbsp;

Ellis County Recovery Court Team&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091063975.png" alt="Image by Pixabay&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Image by Pixabay&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Every day, courtrooms across the United States are filled with individuals impacted by substance use and mental health disorders.&nbsp;Without treatment to address the underlying cause of criminal behavior, many will continue to cycle in and out of the justice system, burdening law enforcement and at tremendous expense to taxpayers.Treatment courts break this cycle by holding individuals accountable through a combination of treatment and rigorous supervision and returning them to the community as healthy, productive citizens. Today, approximately 4,000 treatment courts across the nation are now considered the most successful justice intervention in our nation’s history, proving that when one person, family, and community rises, we all rise. Kansas has 33 specialty courts serving 37 counties. Ellis County Recovery Court, formerly Ellis County Drug Court, has helped justice involved individuals with substance use disorder since 2018, graduating 65 community members to date. Approximately 65% of the U.S. prison population has a substance use disorder, and another 20% were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their crime. The largest and most comprehensive multi-site study ever conducted on treatment courts found reductions in crime averaging 58% and savings of more than $6,000 for every individual served. Further benefits include improved education, employment, housing, financial stability, and family reunification. Ellis County and the surrounding communities are very fortunate to have this program available. Treatment courts are our most effective approach to the devastation of addiction and justice involvement. Collaboration between corrections, court, treatment, mental health and law enforcement allow us to support those in addiction and help them manage their recovery while providing resources and tools for long term success. This leads to a stronger community of productive, law-abiding citizens. This National Treatment Court Month, The Ellis County Recovery Court thanks the community for its continued support of our efforts to make a difference in Ellis County and the 23rd Judicial District.&nbsp;Ellis County Recovery Court Team&nbsp;

LETTER: May is National Treatment Court Month

It all seemed so easy back in January.

Delivering property tax relief and reform for Kansan homeowners was atop every Kansas legislator’s list as if Moses himself was delivering them on stone tablets from Mount Sinai.&nbsp;An expanded Republican supermajority riding high off November’s victory party rhetoric blustered that property taxes were job #1, #2, and #3.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/edwDjlQFHGw?si=uT38_mwTRaphZbQP">Senate President Ty Masterson</a>&nbsp;chiseled it to the very top of his GOP tablets daring Governor Kelly’s compliance. And when three property tax bills passed out of committee within the first weeks of the session, it appeared the mountain was moving to Moses just as promised.

Three months later, Moses came back down with broken tablets and a t-shirt, “I went to the mountain top and all I got were these crummy 1.5 mills.”&nbsp;So, what in the holy land happened?

·&nbsp; &nbsp; Lawmakers grossly oversold their agency.&nbsp;It shouldn’t be a big secret by now that the State can only be so transformative with property taxes. They controlled a miniscule one percent (1.5 mills) portion of your property tax bill for state and university building maintenance. In the end, it was the only unilateral thing they could play with and eliminated it to their credit. The fact it only saves $35 on a $200,000 house is a kick in the shins to vulnerable homeowners. Other bills like&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2011/">HB 2011</a>&nbsp;and the Dems&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb217/">SB 217</a>&nbsp;targeted the other portion of your bill under State auspices - 20 mills for local schools – but the juice was not worth the squeeze.

·&nbsp; &nbsp;Dueling chambers&nbsp;– For some reason, the Senate revived the same 3% cap on property value increases the House rejected last year. House leaders rejected it again calling the constitutional amendment&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/02/25/kansas-property-tax-where-do-tax-cuts-stand-so-far/#:~:text=inbox%20%E2%80%94%20for%20free.-,Kansas%20Statehouse,exemptions%20from%20$75%2C000%20to%20$125%2C000.">gimmicky</a>&nbsp;given it doesn’t force cities to cut any property tax. Instead, the House deftly proposed an innovative $60 million fund to incentivize local governments to lower property taxes (<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2396/">HB 2396/ASTRA fund</a>). One stick. One carrot. One philosophical logjam.

·&nbsp; &nbsp; The well is running dry&nbsp;– As time wore on, enough lawmakers realized they were either not willing, or unable, to cash checks they’d have to write for property tax relief. This session came on the heels of a massive signature $1.3 billion tax cut in 2024 including twice as much property tax relief. Don’t forget, for every dollar of property tax relief they had to backfill with an equal dollar of income/sales tax revenue so schools and public building maintenance didn’t’ suffer. With the specter of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/04/17/kansas-faces-budget-shortfall-after-cutting-taxes-while-spending-more/83140051007/">state coffers going red by 2028</a>, the well is drying up like an Ogallala aquifer.

·&nbsp; &nbsp; The flat tax “okey doke”.&nbsp;With everyone spellbound on property taxes, Republican leaders pulled a classic&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/ppHRs0qKw5U?si=H5ckHnvlS9iZLz5T">“okey doke” ball fake</a>&nbsp;very late in the session by slipping past a Kelly veto block to deliver a phased-in 4% flat income tax. Talk about deep fakes. Kelly proclaimed it the “<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/19/gov-laura-kelly-warns-of-undercutting-kansas-schools-judicial-independence-budget-stability/?emci=bb6f7748-3335-f011-a5f1-6045bda9d96b&amp;emdi=96fe52d4-5835-f011-a5f1-6045bda9d96b&amp;ceid=125005">kiss of death for the Kansas budget</a>” as it sucked the well even drier for property tax relief and unmasked conservatives true colors putting income tax cuts first.

In the end, there was no Promise Land. But maybe that’s the lesson. The State will not part the Red Sea meddling with mill rates. Not now. The real issue, and their real power, lies in property assessment reform which they control through Kansas statutes and the county appraisal system. That’s a talk they could walk.

Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708024541249.jpeg" alt="Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>It all seemed so easy back in January.Delivering property tax relief and reform for Kansan homeowners was atop every Kansas legislator’s list as if Moses himself was delivering them on stone tablets from Mount Sinai.&nbsp;An expanded Republican supermajority riding high off November’s victory party rhetoric blustered that property taxes were job #1, #2, and #3.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/edwDjlQFHGw?si=uT38_mwTRaphZbQP">Senate President Ty Masterson</a>&nbsp;chiseled it to the very top of his GOP tablets daring Governor Kelly’s compliance. And when three property tax bills passed out of committee within the first weeks of the session, it appeared the mountain was moving to Moses just as promised.Three months later, Moses came back down with broken tablets and a t-shirt, “I went to the mountain top and all I got were these crummy 1.5 mills.”&nbsp;So, what in the holy land happened?·&nbsp; &nbsp; Lawmakers grossly oversold their agency.&nbsp;It shouldn’t be a big secret by now that the State can only be so transformative with property taxes. They controlled a miniscule one percent (1.5 mills) portion of your property tax bill for state and university building maintenance. In the end, it was the only unilateral thing they could play with and eliminated it to their credit. The fact it only saves $35 on a $200,000 house is a kick in the shins to vulnerable homeowners. Other bills like&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2011/">HB 2011</a>&nbsp;and the Dems&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb217/">SB 217</a>&nbsp;targeted the other portion of your bill under State auspices - 20 mills for local schools – but the juice was not worth the squeeze.·&nbsp; &nbsp;Dueling chambers&nbsp;– For some reason, the Senate revived the same 3% cap on property value increases the House rejected last year. House leaders rejected it again calling the constitutional amendment&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/02/25/kansas-property-tax-where-do-tax-cuts-stand-so-far/#:~:text=inbox%20%E2%80%94%20for%20free.-,Kansas%20Statehouse,exemptions%20from%20$75%2C000%20to%20$125%2C000.">gimmicky</a>&nbsp;given it doesn’t force cities to cut any property tax. Instead, the House deftly proposed an innovative $60 million fund to incentivize local governments to lower property taxes (<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2396/">HB 2396/ASTRA fund</a>). One stick. One carrot. One philosophical logjam.·&nbsp; &nbsp; The well is running dry&nbsp;– As time wore on, enough lawmakers realized they were either not willing, or unable, to cash checks they’d have to write for property tax relief. This session came on the heels of a massive signature $1.3 billion tax cut in 2024 including twice as much property tax relief. Don’t forget, for every dollar of property tax relief they had to backfill with an equal dollar of income/sales tax revenue so schools and public building maintenance didn’t’ suffer. With the specter of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/04/17/kansas-faces-budget-shortfall-after-cutting-taxes-while-spending-more/83140051007/">state coffers going red by 2028</a>, the well is drying up like an Ogallala aquifer.·&nbsp; &nbsp; The flat tax “okey doke”.&nbsp;With everyone spellbound on property taxes, Republican leaders pulled a classic&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/ppHRs0qKw5U?si=H5ckHnvlS9iZLz5T">“okey doke” ball fake</a>&nbsp;very late in the session by slipping past a Kelly veto block to deliver a phased-in 4% flat income tax. Talk about deep fakes. Kelly proclaimed it the “<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/19/gov-laura-kelly-warns-of-undercutting-kansas-schools-judicial-independence-budget-stability/?emci=bb6f7748-3335-f011-a5f1-6045bda9d96b&amp;emdi=96fe52d4-5835-f011-a5f1-6045bda9d96b&amp;ceid=125005">kiss of death for the Kansas budget</a>” as it sucked the well even drier for property tax relief and unmasked conservatives true colors putting income tax cuts first.In the end, there was no Promise Land. But maybe that’s the lesson. The State will not part the Red Sea meddling with mill rates. Not now. The real issue, and their real power, lies in property assessment reform which they control through Kansas statutes and the county appraisal system. That’s a talk they could walk.Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government.&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: What happened to property tax cuts? 

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension

The Department of Agronomy and K-State Research and Extension (KSRE) will host several winter wheat variety plot tours in different regions of the state. Please make plans to attend a plot tour near you to see and learn about the newest available and upcoming wheat varieties, their agronomics, and their disease reactions. 

Below is a preliminary list of plot tour dates, times, and locations with directions. 

This list will be continuously added to and updated in the K-State Agronomy eUpdates in the coming weeks. To subscribe to the <a href="https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/extension/eupdates/">K-State Agronomy eUpdates</a>, simply google it in your internet browser. It only takes seconds to do and your email is never shared with anyone.

Some of the upcoming wheat plot tours in our area are:

May 28: 7:30 a.m. - Phillipsburg 1:00 p.m. - Plainville. For more information, contact Cody Miller at 785-543-6845. 6:00 p.m.&nbsp; Ellis County, at the Agricultural Research Center in Hays across from the main buildings on the west side of 240th Avenue. RSVP is greatly appreciated for the meal count at&nbsp; <a href="https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_brT0WxfHCBxXZJk">bit.ly/KSRECottonwoodDistrictWheatPlotTours</a> or by calling our office 785-628-9430 or email Theresa tam3@ksu.edu.

May 29: 9:30 a.m. Rush County 2:00 p.m. Ness County 6:00 p.m. Lane County. For more information contact Lacey Noterman at 785-798-3921.

Plots tours scheduled after May 29 are being finalized, and details will be updated soon. Stay tuned to the eUpdate for any changes to this schedule.

If you would like to start receiving the Cottonwood Extension District monthly newsletter, send us your email to receive an email notification and link when it comes out each month. Send your email to Theresa Meis tam3@ksu.edu.

 The newsletter can contain information on lawn, garden, and tree care, agronomic and livestock production information for producers, family and community health information, 4-H &amp; Youth Development and upcoming Cottonwood District events.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620850316151.png" alt="File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood ExtensionThe Department of Agronomy and K-State Research and Extension (KSRE) will host several winter wheat variety plot tours in different regions of the state. Please make plans to attend a plot tour near you to see and learn about the newest available and upcoming wheat varieties, their agronomics, and their disease reactions. Below is a preliminary list of plot tour dates, times, and locations with directions. This list will be continuously added to and updated in the K-State Agronomy eUpdates in the coming weeks. To subscribe to the <a href="https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/extension/eupdates/">K-State Agronomy eUpdates</a>, simply google it in your internet browser. It only takes seconds to do and your email is never shared with anyone.Some of the upcoming wheat plot tours in our area are:May 28: 7:30 a.m. - Phillipsburg 1:00 p.m. - Plainville. For more information, contact Cody Miller at 785-543-6845. 6:00 p.m.&nbsp; Ellis County, at the Agricultural Research Center in Hays across from the main buildings on the west side of 240th Avenue. RSVP is greatly appreciated for the meal count at&nbsp; <a href="https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_brT0WxfHCBxXZJk">bit.ly/KSRECottonwoodDistrictWheatPlotTours</a> or by calling our office 785-628-9430 or email Theresa tam3@ksu.edu.May 29: 9:30 a.m. Rush County 2:00 p.m. Ness County 6:00 p.m. Lane County. For more information contact Lacey Noterman at 785-798-3921.Plots tours scheduled after May 29 are being finalized, and details will be updated soon. Stay tuned to the eUpdate for any changes to this schedule.<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Wheat variety plots and the wheat streak mosaic virus" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=rtpzc-18b71f1-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>If you would like to start receiving the Cottonwood Extension District monthly newsletter, send us your email to receive an email notification and link when it comes out each month. Send your email to Theresa Meis tam3@ksu.edu. The newsletter can contain information on lawn, garden, and tree care, agronomic and livestock production information for producers, family and community health information, 4-H &amp; Youth Development and upcoming Cottonwood District events.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

🎙CAMPBELL: 2025 Kansas wheat plot tours

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension

There are lots of ways for you to be involved in the Barton County Fair!

The theme for the 2025 Barton County Fair is Barnyard Mardi Gras and it will be happening June 25-29.

 Exhibits are due to the fairgrounds for most categories on Wednesday, June 25. Our 4-H members must pre-enter their exhibits while Open Class entries can be entered online ahead of time or on-site on the 25th.

We have a couple of 4-H pre-fair judging events for Sewing &amp; Textiles, Shopping In Style, and Fiber Arts, as well as the 4-H Dog Show. However, these results will be on display in Expo II throughout the fair week.

Judging is handled a bit differently for 4-H and Open Class. Consultative judging is used to provide one-on-one feedback about project learning, and the exhibit, as an important part of the learning opportunity for the 4-H member and all members receive a ribbon on their entry. 

We use the Danish system for 4-H exhibits which defines a Purple as exemplary, a Blue as above average, a Red as average, and a White as having substantial deficiencies. For Open Class, the judge will evaluate the exhibit item and determine if it receives one of the top three placings awarded per class.

Each year, the Barton County Fair Association has several special award categories for Open Class which tie to the theme. Be on the lookout for the announcements about these and all Open Class opportunities. Open Class offers a youth (16 and younger), Adult (17-65), Senior (65 and better), and a Professional class for those who teach about or make a practice of selling their work.

Online entries aren’t open just yet for 4-H or Open Class but keep an eye on <a href="https://www.bartoncountyfair.com/">bartoncountyfair.com</a> for updates, schedules, and entry information.

Come join us June 25-29 to watch the livestock shows, check out 4-H and Open Class exhibits, listen to a concert, share a meal with friends, and support all ages across our community as they showcase their interests from art to woodworking!

We look forward to seeing your entry for the Barnyard Mardi Gras!

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 mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179445671.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood ExtensionThere are lots of ways for you to be involved in the Barton County Fair!The theme for the 2025 Barton County Fair is Barnyard Mardi Gras and it will be happening June 25-29. Exhibits are due to the fairgrounds for most categories on Wednesday, June 25. Our 4-H members must pre-enter their exhibits while Open Class entries can be entered online ahead of time or on-site on the 25th.We have a couple of 4-H pre-fair judging events for Sewing &amp; Textiles, Shopping In Style, and Fiber Arts, as well as the 4-H Dog Show. However, these results will be on display in Expo II throughout the fair week.Judging is handled a bit differently for 4-H and Open Class. Consultative judging is used to provide one-on-one feedback about project learning, and the exhibit, as an important part of the learning opportunity for the 4-H member and all members receive a ribbon on their entry. We use the Danish system for 4-H exhibits which defines a Purple as exemplary, a Blue as above average, a Red as average, and a White as having substantial deficiencies. For Open Class, the judge will evaluate the exhibit item and determine if it receives one of the top three placings awarded per class.Each year, the Barton County Fair Association has several special award categories for Open Class which tie to the theme. Be on the lookout for the announcements about these and all Open Class opportunities. Open Class offers a youth (16 and younger), Adult (17-65), Senior (65 and better), and a Professional class for those who teach about or make a practice of selling their work.Online entries aren’t open just yet for 4-H or Open Class but keep an eye on <a href="https://www.bartoncountyfair.com/">bartoncountyfair.com</a> for updates, schedules, and entry information.Come join us June 25-29 to watch the livestock shows, check out 4-H and Open Class exhibits, listen to a concert, share a meal with friends, and support all ages across our community as they showcase their interests from art to woodworking!We look forward to seeing your entry for the Barnyard Mardi Gras!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 mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Barnyard Mardi Gras

Gardeners often garden in the same spot every year. Despite familiarity, new challenges often present themselves. 

Somewhere over years tilling soil and nurturing vegetables, I discovered swallowtail butterflies have a symbiotic relationship with fennel which offers front row seating to watch yellow, green, cream, and black swallowtail caterpillars munch tender fronds. Once those caterpillars morph into winged creatures, an aerial ballet of pirouetting swallow- tails floating on summer breezes adds further entertainment to hours spent in the garden. To encourage this, I plant fennel annually to guarantee the show continues.

That is until this year. Where’s the fennel? Normally, I add pots of fennel along with rosemary, basil, and thyme when I visit local greenhouses to buy tomato and pepper plants. This year, I found everything but fennel. Off to find the person in charge. She looked high and low for this fern-like herb, saying, “We had it last year.”

I know. I bought some.&nbsp;That initiated a multi-greenhouse search for this swallowtail delectable.

&nbsp;After visiting local greenhouses, we traveled further from home to a lovely greenhouse filled with dazzling flowers, vegetables, shrubs, trees, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, lavender, and more several counties away. No fennel.

That led to a search of garden departments at Walmart, Tractor Supply, Bomgaar’s and Home Depot. Certain I’d find this desire of swallowtail caterpillar gastronomic systems at Big Box stores, I sadly struck out 4, 5, 6, and 7 more times. Even though it’s late to start herbs from seed, I headed to aisles filled with magical packets of summer delight. Guess what? No fennel.

Heading home to google reasons for a lack of fennel, I found sources claiming it’s a supply and demand issue. However, I discovered no definitive answer for who’s monopolizing this herb rural cooks rarely use. 

Scores of recipes using licorice-flavored fennel bulbs, stems, leaves, and seeds in seafood, meat, and Italian dishes filled internet feeds. Chefs somewhere but not here concoct fennel soups; pork, fish, and lamb seasoned with fennel; sauteed, grilled, roasted, baked, fried, and pickled fennel; and fennel salads.

 Herbalists claim its good for heart and digestive health, but I know no one self-treating with fennel products. On-line, I can buy processed seeds for cooking. Unfortunately, those won’t work in my garden.

In a world experiencing a variety of shortages, who imagined fennel would join the ever-growing list. In conversations with nursery staff and online searches, I never discovered the reason why places I normally find fennel plants don’t have them nor did the internet offer any extraordinary rationale like a fennel flu pandemic. One clerk grinned and attributed the lack to conspiracy theories.

On the positive side, I have a dill bed. While, in my experience, swallowtails prefer frothy fennel leaves, dill will substitute to fuel caterpillar life cycles. Their preference for faint licorice scents of fennel to quirky notes of dill can’t be helped this gardening season.

Hopefully, the huge swallowtails flitting around our yard will find that dill bed and lay eggs. Soon they’ll smell it on warm days even if they don’t see it. Once their eggs hatch, they can sip nectar from flowers planted around the yard while their offspring reduce the dill one chomp at a time. In the meantime, I’ll continue seeking a fennel source for next spring.

Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747403448596.jpeg" alt="Swallowtail caterpillars. Photo by Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Swallowtail caterpillars. Photo by Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORIN Gardeners often garden in the same spot every year. Despite familiarity, new challenges often present themselves. Somewhere over years tilling soil and nurturing vegetables, I discovered swallowtail butterflies have a symbiotic relationship with fennel which offers front row seating to watch yellow, green, cream, and black swallowtail caterpillars munch tender fronds. Once those caterpillars morph into winged creatures, an aerial ballet of pirouetting swallow- tails floating on summer breezes adds further entertainment to hours spent in the garden. To encourage this, I plant fennel annually to guarantee the show continues.That is until this year. Where’s the fennel? Normally, I add pots of fennel along with rosemary, basil, and thyme when I visit local greenhouses to buy tomato and pepper plants. This year, I found everything but fennel. Off to find the person in charge. She looked high and low for this fern-like herb, saying, “We had it last year.”I know. I bought some.&nbsp;That initiated a multi-greenhouse search for this swallowtail delectable.&nbsp;After visiting local greenhouses, we traveled further from home to a lovely greenhouse filled with dazzling flowers, vegetables, shrubs, trees, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, lavender, and more several counties away. No fennel.That led to a search of garden departments at Walmart, Tractor Supply, Bomgaar’s and Home Depot. Certain I’d find this desire of swallowtail caterpillar gastronomic systems at Big Box stores, I sadly struck out 4, 5, 6, and 7 more times. Even though it’s late to start herbs from seed, I headed to aisles filled with magical packets of summer delight. Guess what? No fennel.Heading home to google reasons for a lack of fennel, I found sources claiming it’s a supply and demand issue. However, I discovered no definitive answer for who’s monopolizing this herb rural cooks rarely use. Scores of recipes using licorice-flavored fennel bulbs, stems, leaves, and seeds in seafood, meat, and Italian dishes filled internet feeds. Chefs somewhere but not here concoct fennel soups; pork, fish, and lamb seasoned with fennel; sauteed, grilled, roasted, baked, fried, and pickled fennel; and fennel salads. Herbalists claim its good for heart and digestive health, but I know no one self-treating with fennel products. On-line, I can buy processed seeds for cooking. Unfortunately, those won’t work in my garden.In a world experiencing a variety of shortages, who imagined fennel would join the ever-growing list. In conversations with nursery staff and online searches, I never discovered the reason why places I normally find fennel plants don’t have them nor did the internet offer any extraordinary rationale like a fennel flu pandemic. One clerk grinned and attributed the lack to conspiracy theories.On the positive side, I have a dill bed. While, in my experience, swallowtails prefer frothy fennel leaves, dill will substitute to fuel caterpillar life cycles. Their preference for faint licorice scents of fennel to quirky notes of dill can’t be helped this gardening season.Hopefully, the huge swallowtails flitting around our yard will find that dill bed and lay eggs. Soon they’ll smell it on warm days even if they don’t see it. Once their eggs hatch, they can sip nectar from flowers planted around the yard while their offspring reduce the dill one chomp at a time. In the meantime, I’ll continue seeking a fennel source for next spring.Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

MADORIN: Fennel conspiracy?

Ticks and the pathogens they transmit are a significant concern for both humans and animals alike. Controlling tick populations can be difficult because a large part of their lives are spent off the animal host or are on hosts we have little control over like deer, rabbits and other animals. 

Between feeding periods, ticks are found in brush or tall grasses, especially around water areas and streams. High humidity, the presence of protective leaf litter and animals moving through the area provide a perfect habitat for ticks.

Burning pastures in the Flint Hills can significantly reduce tick populations, with burning early in the spring while ticks are still overwintering being the most effective (Salazar et al., 2024). The impact of burning is immediate, with reduced tick numbers lasting the growing season after the burn. Female ticks lay thousands of eggs and tick populations can rebound very quickly if burning isn’t maintained. 

When burning, pay special attention to thickets and areas of dense plant growth. 

Eastern redcedars are a tick hot spot (Noden et al., 2021) and an area often visited by animals. Alarmingly, not only are more ticks found in these areas, but they are also carrying more pathogens than those collected from surrounding pasture (Noden et al., 2021). 

Keep grass around buildings short and bushes trimmed and off the ground.

For on animal tick control, fly tags can help control ear-associated ticks like Gulf Coast and spinose ear ticks. These are not effective for tick species that are on the body of the animal, like the American dog tick, which transmits Anaplasmosis. 

Sprays can be effective if they reach areas where ticks are attached, and tick populations are not resistant. As seen with flies, rates of pesticide resistance in ticks are also increasing. 

Common tick attachment sites include areas under the tail, in folds of skin, under the belly/udder areas and dewlap. 

Pour-on’s can also be effective but be aware that those containing macrocyclic lactone group chemicals will impact your dung beetle populations.

Protect yourself and your family while outdoors, too!

 Make sure you wear long pants tucked into socks and shirts with long sleeves, tucked into pants. Check yourself for ticks at the end of the day and remove any attached ticks as soon as possible. 

Dogs and cats should receive veterinarian prescribed tick control products. Be careful of ‘natural’ remedies found on the internet as these have not been tested for safety or efficacy.

 There has been a rise in garlic-based products for tick and flea control in dogs for sale on online retailers like Amazon. Garlic is not safe for dogs to consume and should not be used for flea and tick control.

More information on the most common ticks found in Kansas can be found here (<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/ticks-in-kansas_MF2653.pdf">https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/ticks-in-kansas_MF2653.pdf</a>).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747237916762.png" alt="Photo by K-State Research and Extension" />
 <figcaption>Photo by K-State Research and Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood ExtensionTicks and the pathogens they transmit are a significant concern for both humans and animals alike. Controlling tick populations can be difficult because a large part of their lives are spent off the animal host or are on hosts we have little control over like deer, rabbits and other animals. Between feeding periods, ticks are found in brush or tall grasses, especially around water areas and streams. High humidity, the presence of protective leaf litter and animals moving through the area provide a perfect habitat for ticks.Burning pastures in the Flint Hills can significantly reduce tick populations, with burning early in the spring while ticks are still overwintering being the most effective (Salazar et al., 2024). The impact of burning is immediate, with reduced tick numbers lasting the growing season after the burn. Female ticks lay thousands of eggs and tick populations can rebound very quickly if burning isn’t maintained. When burning, pay special attention to thickets and areas of dense plant growth. Eastern redcedars are a tick hot spot (Noden et al., 2021) and an area often visited by animals. Alarmingly, not only are more ticks found in these areas, but they are also carrying more pathogens than those collected from surrounding pasture (Noden et al., 2021). Keep grass around buildings short and bushes trimmed and off the ground.For on animal tick control, fly tags can help control ear-associated ticks like Gulf Coast and spinose ear ticks. These are not effective for tick species that are on the body of the animal, like the American dog tick, which transmits Anaplasmosis. Sprays can be effective if they reach areas where ticks are attached, and tick populations are not resistant. As seen with flies, rates of pesticide resistance in ticks are also increasing. Common tick attachment sites include areas under the tail, in folds of skin, under the belly/udder areas and dewlap. Pour-on’s can also be effective but be aware that those containing macrocyclic lactone group chemicals will impact your dung beetle populations.Protect yourself and your family while outdoors, too! Make sure you wear long pants tucked into socks and shirts with long sleeves, tucked into pants. Check yourself for ticks at the end of the day and remove any attached ticks as soon as possible. Dogs and cats should receive veterinarian prescribed tick control products. Be careful of ‘natural’ remedies found on the internet as these have not been tested for safety or efficacy. There has been a rise in garlic-based products for tick and flea control in dogs for sale on online retailers like Amazon. Garlic is not safe for dogs to consume and should not be used for flea and tick control.More information on the most common ticks found in Kansas can be found here (<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/ticks-in-kansas_MF2653.pdf">https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/ticks-in-kansas_MF2653.pdf</a>).Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Controlling tick populations can be difficult

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;

Change is a constant in every day life. Sometimes change is fun, sometimes hard, and nearly always challenging.

After almost nine years of working in the 4-H Youth Development program, I am beginning a move to Family and Community Wellness. This move continues my commitment to my goal of helping rural communities – and most importantly, MY rural communities – to thrive, not just survive!

While my heart will always beat a little 4-H green, I am excited about the potential in continuing established programs such as Stay Strong, Stay Healthy and SHICK (Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas) and working with the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. 

Financial literacy for every age has been an important part of my professional world for many years and I look forward to additional training and experiences that will help me to expand that knowledge and resources across the Cottonwood Extension District.

For the next couple of months, I will still be focused on a positive learning experience for 4-H youth at the Barton County Fair! 

Come support the 120 4-H members during the fair June 25th through 30th. They have been working all year on livestock projects, foods and nutrition, photography, woodworking, and many more of the 50 available project areas! 

We use a process of consultative judging in many areas of 4-H and I love listening in as a 4-H member shares their challenges and learning experiences with a judge. I enjoy consultative judging so much that I judge at several area fairs after ours is complete.

Change is a part of the teaching youth to be resilient, flexible, and problem-solvers. 

While I know that my change impacts their 4-H experience, I hope that they always know that I am here to cheer them on, support a new 4-H agent when hired, and celebrate their successes and commiserate when things don’t go quite as planned. Every 4-H youth I have had the opportunity to work with becomes just a little bit one of “my kids.”

 I will continue to encourage them to live the 4-H Pledge every day:

I pledge my Head to clearer thinking (make good decisions)

My Heart to greater loyalty (be a good friend)

My Hands to larger service (be engaged in making our communities better)

And My Health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

Keep learning! Keep showing grace and kindness!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179445671.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran&nbsp;is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran&nbsp;is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;Change is a constant in every day life. Sometimes change is fun, sometimes hard, and nearly always challenging.After almost nine years of working in the 4-H Youth Development program, I am beginning a move to Family and Community Wellness. This move continues my commitment to my goal of helping rural communities – and most importantly, MY rural communities – to thrive, not just survive!While my heart will always beat a little 4-H green, I am excited about the potential in continuing established programs such as Stay Strong, Stay Healthy and SHICK (Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas) and working with the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. Financial literacy for every age has been an important part of my professional world for many years and I look forward to additional training and experiences that will help me to expand that knowledge and resources across the Cottonwood Extension District.For the next couple of months, I will still be focused on a positive learning experience for 4-H youth at the Barton County Fair! Come support the 120 4-H members during the fair June 25th through 30th. They have been working all year on livestock projects, foods and nutrition, photography, woodworking, and many more of the 50 available project areas! We use a process of consultative judging in many areas of 4-H and I love listening in as a 4-H member shares their challenges and learning experiences with a judge. I enjoy consultative judging so much that I judge at several area fairs after ours is complete.Change is a part of the teaching youth to be resilient, flexible, and problem-solvers. While I know that my change impacts their 4-H experience, I hope that they always know that I am here to cheer them on, support a new 4-H agent when hired, and celebrate their successes and commiserate when things don’t go quite as planned. Every 4-H youth I have had the opportunity to work with becomes just a little bit one of “my kids.” I will continue to encourage them to live the 4-H Pledge every day:I pledge my Head to clearer thinking (make good decisions)My Heart to greater loyalty (be a good friend)My Hands to larger service (be engaged in making our communities better)And My Health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world.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 mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Change is a constant

By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas Outdoors

With the “road-kill” season upon us, considering the financial struggles of many folks right now, and the political agendas of even more, I’ve planned in my mind what I’ll do if the day ever arrives when the only way for me to feed my family will be to harvest road-kill. I would become a “Road-Kill Griller” in the purest sense of the phrase, and I’m bettin’ there are bunches more of you out there that are afraid to come forward.

Grilling utensils of a Road-Kill chef would be very different than the usual grilling tools. 

Your spatula would become a flat ended shovel, preferably the short-handled kind with the “D” shaped handle, allowing you to put maximum power behind your spatula when scraping meals from the asphalt. The fork normally used to turn steaks on the grill would become a pitchfork or potato fork, anything capable of holding your find while removing gravel with the shovel/spatula. 

Timing for harvesting road-killed meals would be an important issue. The five-second rule would become the five-day rule. You would want to either get to a kill while it’s fresh, or wait until it became jerky. 

Cooking road-kill would be a whole new learning experience in itself and should definitely be done outside; the hotter the fire the better to quickly burn off hair and sterilize your meal.

Concerning recipes, just plan to toss all your favorites and start anew. 

I’ll list a few examples: The rare find of a chicken that could once have become chicken tetrazzini, would now be chicken flattened by machinery. The closest you’d ever get to potatoes au gratin would be opossum smells rotten. 

The internet fairly teems with road-kill recipes free for the reading. A few of my favorite main dishes were skunk skillet stew, shake-n-bake snake, rack of raccoon, pavement possum and too-slow doe. Side dishes included square of hare, fork of stork and bowl of mole.

If you were to suddenly become unemployed, I’m quite sure a good living could be made by fixing up your old camping trailer and following the state fair or carnival circuit peddling road-kill on a stick.

 It wouldn’t matter what species it was; just cut it into chunks, skewer it with a stick, slather it in some sort of batter and fry it up in old french-fry grease. If you didn’t tell customers what it was, I’m&nbsp;sure they’d think it tasted just like chicken, and the unique name alone would probably flood you with business.

The driving habits of a true road-kill griller would be changed forever.

 While we’d once have avoided hitting critters on the roadway at all costs, especially deer, we now would strive to hit every critter possible, especially deer. No Hunting signs would become No Gleaning signs, and turf wars might break out as we all tried to protect our favorite back roads, swamps and river bridges where road-kill often abounds.

Yes, if the world someday crumples around our feet, I have no doubt good ol’ American ingenuity will abound and those of us here in the Midwest will still be able to feed our families and make a living as road-kill harvesters and grillers.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas OutdoorsWith the “road-kill” season upon us, considering the financial struggles of many folks right now, and the political agendas of even more, I’ve planned in my mind what I’ll do if the day ever arrives when the only way for me to feed my family will be to harvest road-kill. I would become a “Road-Kill Griller” in the purest sense of the phrase, and I’m bettin’ there are bunches more of you out there that are afraid to come forward.Grilling utensils of a Road-Kill chef would be very different than the usual grilling tools. Your spatula would become a flat ended shovel, preferably the short-handled kind with the “D” shaped handle, allowing you to put maximum power behind your spatula when scraping meals from the asphalt. The fork normally used to turn steaks on the grill would become a pitchfork or potato fork, anything capable of holding your find while removing gravel with the shovel/spatula. Timing for harvesting road-killed meals would be an important issue. The five-second rule would become the five-day rule. You would want to either get to a kill while it’s fresh, or wait until it became jerky. Cooking road-kill would be a whole new learning experience in itself and should definitely be done outside; the hotter the fire the better to quickly burn off hair and sterilize your meal.Concerning recipes, just plan to toss all your favorites and start anew. I’ll list a few examples: The rare find of a chicken that could once have become chicken tetrazzini, would now be chicken flattened by machinery. The closest you’d ever get to potatoes au gratin would be opossum smells rotten. The internet fairly teems with road-kill recipes free for the reading. A few of my favorite main dishes were skunk skillet stew, shake-n-bake snake, rack of raccoon, pavement possum and too-slow doe. Side dishes included square of hare, fork of stork and bowl of mole.If you were to suddenly become unemployed, I’m quite sure a good living could be made by fixing up your old camping trailer and following the state fair or carnival circuit peddling road-kill on a stick. It wouldn’t matter what species it was; just cut it into chunks, skewer it with a stick, slather it in some sort of batter and fry it up in old french-fry grease. If you didn’t tell customers what it was, I’m&nbsp;sure they’d think it tasted just like chicken, and the unique name alone would probably flood you with business.The driving habits of a true road-kill griller would be changed forever. While we’d once have avoided hitting critters on the roadway at all costs, especially deer, we now would strive to hit every critter possible, especially deer. No Hunting signs would become No Gleaning signs, and turf wars might break out as we all tried to protect our favorite back roads, swamps and river bridges where road-kill often abounds.Yes, if the world someday crumples around our feet, I have no doubt good ol’ American ingenuity will abound and those of us here in the Midwest will still be able to feed our families and make a living as road-kill harvesters and grillers. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: You, too, can become a 'Road-Kill Griller'

By RUSSELL ARBEN FOX Insight Kansas

Back in December I wrote&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mittelpolitan.substack.com/p/insight-kansas-column-for-december">a column on symbolism and substance in politics</a>. At the time, I was especially struck by the problem of what it means to take political rhetoric—the constant, often bizarre social media statements flooding from the White House being a great example—“seriously but not literally.”

As we continue, both in Kansas and across the country, to be caught up in a political environment filled with protests and proclamations that may or may not be meant to be taken seriously, a return to the topic is in order.

Here in Wichita, the largest stand-alone city in Kansas, the biggest controversy of the past two months has been a declaration which our city council issued in support of Transgender Day of Visibility, a national occasion promoted by LGBTQ organizations. Mayor Lily Wu&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article302324064.html">did not endorse that proclamation</a>, though neither did she prevent the majority of council members who did support it from publicly presenting it.

Since&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article302386849.html">the relevant city ordinance seems to stipulate that the mayor must formally read any proclamation issued by the council</a>, her action (or lack thereof) has generated&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dion-lefler/article302362364.html">heated debate</a>, including&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article302440494.html">multiple</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article302929154.html">accusations</a>&nbsp;both by and against the mayor.

I brought up this controversy while speaking to a civic group recently, and one participant asked a question that seemed to capture what the majority of that group seemed to be feeling: why are we fighting about entirely symbolic proclamations anyway? It’s a fair question.

Like I wrote in my previous column, it’s very easy to get frustrated over what might be broadly called “performative politics.” Often that term is used critically: you, or the church or business or interests you represent, don’t have the votes or resources to affect real change, so instead you just “perform” your demands, grabbing attention, disrupting others with your silly, symbolic claims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586443443315.jpeg" alt="Russell Arben Fox&nbsp;teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Russell Arben Fox&nbsp;teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By RUSSELL ARBEN FOX Insight KansasBack in December I wrote&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mittelpolitan.substack.com/p/insight-kansas-column-for-december">a column on symbolism and substance in politics</a>. At the time, I was especially struck by the problem of what it means to take political rhetoric—the constant, often bizarre social media statements flooding from the White House being a great example—“seriously but not literally.” As we continue, both in Kansas and across the country, to be caught up in a political environment filled with protests and proclamations that may or may not be meant to be taken seriously, a return to the topic is in order.Here in Wichita, the largest stand-alone city in Kansas, the biggest controversy of the past two months has been a declaration which our city council issued in support of Transgender Day of Visibility, a national occasion promoted by LGBTQ organizations. Mayor Lily Wu&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article302324064.html">did not endorse that proclamation</a>, though neither did she prevent the majority of council members who did support it from publicly presenting it. Since&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article302386849.html">the relevant city ordinance seems to stipulate that the mayor must formally read any proclamation issued by the council</a>, her action (or lack thereof) has generated&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dion-lefler/article302362364.html">heated debate</a>, including&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article302440494.html">multiple</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article302929154.html">accusations</a>&nbsp;both by and against the mayor.I brought up this controversy while speaking to a civic group recently, and one participant asked a question that seemed to capture what the majority of that group seemed to be feeling: why are we fighting about entirely symbolic proclamations anyway? It’s a fair question.Like I wrote in my previous column, it’s very easy to get frustrated over what might be broadly called “performative politics.” Often that term is used critically: you, or the church or business or interests you represent, don’t have the votes or resources to affect real change, so instead you just “perform” your demands, grabbing attention, disrupting others with your silly, symbolic claims.But making statements, carrying signs, or organizing on behalf of recognition isn’t silly at all. Rather, these kinds of performative actions occupy a range of places within our political life.At one end, there are those who possess actual administrative or executive authority: a CEO, a mayor, a governor, or the President of the United States. The statements such people make, even if they’re legally groundless or substantively empty, still matter, because the authority they possess will invariably influence others to take action, even if there is no basis for doing so.On the other end, though, are just ordinary citizens, possessing no more authority than anyone else. But citizens can nonetheless take up a signs to express frustration (as sizable crowds have done almost every week over the past few months in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article305500671.html">Wichita</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article303558496.html">Kansas City</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hayspost.com/posts/069b4d3f-9ecc-45cb-95df-c5b75b653d08">Hays</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/01/may-day-rally-draws-hundreds-to-kansas-capitol-to-protest-trump-administration/">Topeka</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/general-news/2025/apr/30/may-day-protest-in-lawrence-and-across-the-u-s-to-oppose-trumps-executive-actions-and-support-workers-rights-social-justice/">Lawrence</a>, and elsewhere), and by so doing capture the attention of others. Also, any citizen can petition elected leaders to plead for recognition for the work one does, or the identity one represents. If enough agree, then suddenly a degree of legitimacy—and, crucially, the awareness of others—is granted that didn’t exist before, empowering those who made the request.Over the past decade, as social media has transformed political life, multiple scholars have begun to rethink democratic politics, and the place of performance and spectatorship within it. Today we live in an environment where “attention” is often the most valuable commodity anyone can possess. Those who can do the work and organize with others and put themselves forward to make sure their cause is seen (and sometimes their opponents triggered or scandalized), may not be a distraction; instead, maybe they’re doing politics the way it is fated to be played today.Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.

Opinion