By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

Most folks generally accept that maintaining good health includes an annual visit to the doctor to check their heart, teeth, ears and more.

But there’s more to personal health than some may realize.

“The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has done quite a bit of research over the years that affirms that a little over 50% of our overall health is related to the places that we live, learn, work, play and pray,” said Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University.

Research indicates that engaging in one’s community is connected to living longer and healthier.

“So,” she says, “we should look for opportunities to be civically engaged, and be aware of opportunities to volunteer, be involved in clubs and organizations, vote and contribute to local community improvement projects. That’s part of civic health.”

The National Conference on Citizenship, which has studied civic life for ten years, reports that communities with higher employment rates, stronger schools and more responsive governments have better health among its residents.

Civic health reflects the opportunities people have to participate in their communities, and can be summed up in three areas:

· Places – Healthy communities have places where people can get together formally or informally, such as festivals in a city park; or a library with extended hours.

· Processes – Healthy communities make it easier for residents to have their voices heard. Some examples: Are voting processes easily understood? Do people know how to voice their support for new projects or changes in

ordinances? Can people participate in local city or county meetings in-person and online?

· People – In healthy communities, people get involved as volunteers and in other roles. People are socially engaged and active.

“When social capital is in place – places, processes, and people – the community is stronger,” Johannes said. “Then, the overall health of the people in the community improves. And there’s research that shows that civic health matters to our physical and mental health.”

The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute annually publishes the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps for every county in the United States. Johannes said the report provides data and evidence that reveals overall community health improvements due to community-led health equity and access efforts.

The yearly report includes links to information specific to Kansas counties, rating each according to such health outcomes as length of life and quality of life; and such health factors as adult smoking, obesity, physical activity and more.

Johannes said the recent report includes information about the civic health of states and counties. She said Kansas is among 16 states that have more structural barriers to civic health.

“Research shows that states with well-resourced civic infrastructure have more civic participation, which is tied to how well and how long we live,” she said.

Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictMost folks generally accept that maintaining good health includes an annual visit to the doctor to check their heart, teeth, ears and more.But there’s more to personal health than some may realize.“The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has done quite a bit of research over the years that affirms that a little over 50% of our overall health is related to the places that we live, learn, work, play and pray,” said Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University.Research indicates that engaging in one’s community is connected to living longer and healthier.“So,” she says, “we should look for opportunities to be civically engaged, and be aware of opportunities to volunteer, be involved in clubs and organizations, vote and contribute to local community improvement projects. That’s part of civic health.”The National Conference on Citizenship, which has studied civic life for ten years, reports that communities with higher employment rates, stronger schools and more responsive governments have better health among its residents.Civic health reflects the opportunities people have to participate in their communities, and can be summed up in three areas:· Places – Healthy communities have places where people can get together formally or informally, such as festivals in a city park; or a library with extended hours.· Processes – Healthy communities make it easier for residents to have their voices heard. Some examples: Are voting processes easily understood? Do people know how to voice their support for new projects or changes inordinances? Can people participate in local city or county meetings in-person and online?· People – In healthy communities, people get involved as volunteers and in other roles. People are socially engaged and active.“When social capital is in place – places, processes, and people – the community is stronger,” Johannes said. “Then, the overall health of the people in the community improves. And there’s research that shows that civic health matters to our physical and mental health.”The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute annually publishes the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps for every county in the United States. Johannes said the report provides data and evidence that reveals overall community health improvements due to community-led health equity and access efforts.The yearly report includes links to information specific to Kansas counties, rating each according to such health outcomes as length of life and quality of life; and such health factors as adult smoking, obesity, physical activity and more.Johannes said the recent report includes information about the civic health of states and counties. She said Kansas is among 16 states that have more structural barriers to civic health.“Research shows that states with well-resourced civic infrastructure have more civic participation, which is tied to how well and how long we live,” she said.Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

WINKEL: Community health boosts personal health

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

July 1 is traditionally the opening day of Kansas Bull Frog Season, a hunting season that gets little fanfare, and frankly a season that’s as underutilized here in Kansas as is squirrel or rabbit season. Nonetheless, hunting bull frogs can be an action-packed way to spend a hot summer night, and will reward you with a feast of sweet tasty frog legs.

My introduction to frog hunting came when I was in third or fourth grade. Across the road from the neighbor’s house was a deep drainage ditch that always harbored a few frogs. The three neighbor kids had a BB gun, and when we weren’t behind their barn trying to shoot their big boar hog in the butt with it, we were at the ditch tryin’ to shoot frogs. We were such poor shots with that old BB gun that the frog population always kept ahead of us, so there were always plenty to chase. When we did kill one, it was retrieved and cut open to get back our BB (the ultimate in recycling!)

I can think of no other hunting sport where there are so many legal ways to harvest your quarry, even though shooting them with a BB gun is NOT among them. For starters, you can don old sneakers or waders and walk, or you can hunt from a canoe, kayak or any kind of boat. Frogs can legally be caught by hand, with a dip net, by hook and line, speared with a gig, or shot with a bow or a crossbow outfitted with a bow fishing rig that uses a barbed arrow attached to the bow or crossbow with a reel or string, and even though most frog hunting is done at night, any of these methods can also be employed during daylight hours to harvest frogs.

Nighttime bull frog hunting has additional challenges, but after dark is the standard tried-and-true time to hunt them. A bright flashlight or headlamp is perhaps the most important tool for nighttime frog hunts no matter the method you choose. Most ponds, lakes, rivers, streams (and yes, even drainage ditches) contain bull frogs; you’ll hear their deep, soothing “harumm, harumm, harumm” nighttime calls piercing the darkness. The trick is to creep silently up on them, whether by boat or by boot, then shine the flashlight or headlamp into their glowing eyes, which temporarily blinds and stuns them, allowing the hunter to capture them by whatever method.

Perhaps my most memorable frog hunt was an ill-conceived safari I took with a coworker when I was a kid. I worked with this guy named Frank who was at least 15 or 20 years my senior and the strange thing was I didn’t even like the guy! To say Frank was eccentric was like calling Chernobyl a small hazardous waste spill. The guy had built a huge box kite that he launched from the back of his old flat bed truck by driving like a maniac through a field, then hoisting it into the sky with a winch! Anyway, for whatever reason, I agreed to take him frog hunting that particular night. It was well past 10 as we drove along a dirt road to a creek where I had never hunted frogs before. I seem to remember that I drove, and somehow in the process of getting off the road far enough to park, I slid my old pickup into the ditch. We decided to hunt frogs then worry about that predicament latter. The fact that my truck was in the ditch kinda soured the whole experience for me, and after wading the unknown creek for awhile, we returned to the “stuck-truck” empty-handed and proceeded to try wresting our transportation from said ditch. After a time of “nothing working,” we trekked up the road to the nearest house and knocked on the door. By then it was past midnight, and as we waited for the owner to stumble to the door, or to

shoot at us, whichever came first, some kids heard the commotion and stuck their heads out a couple upstairs windows right above us. As they stared down at the two wet, stinking absolute strangers below, their brief conversation I’ll take with me to the grave. “Who is it?” asked one kid. “I don’t know” answered a second. Then a third kid chimed in “Looks like a couple bums to me!”

So here are my tips for a fun and successful frog hunting experience. First of all, go with someone you actually like. Secondly, don’t put your truck in the ditch. Thirdly, find yourselves a farm pond, lake or stream full of bull frogs and have at it with whatever method of harvest you choose. When you get home, butcher the frogs by cutting off the big, white, meaty hind legs, skin them with a pair of pliers, rinse them, pat them dry, dredge them in a milk/egg mixture, roll them in flour or cornmeal and fry them just a short time until they’re golden brown. Their sweet taste will amaze you and you’ll be hooked on Kansas Froggin’. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsJuly 1 is traditionally the opening day of Kansas Bull Frog Season, a hunting season that gets little fanfare, and frankly a season that’s as underutilized here in Kansas as is squirrel or rabbit season. Nonetheless, hunting bull frogs can be an action-packed way to spend a hot summer night, and will reward you with a feast of sweet tasty frog legs.My introduction to frog hunting came when I was in third or fourth grade. Across the road from the neighbor’s house was a deep drainage ditch that always harbored a few frogs. The three neighbor kids had a BB gun, and when we weren’t behind their barn trying to shoot their big boar hog in the butt with it, we were at the ditch tryin’ to shoot frogs. We were such poor shots with that old BB gun that the frog population always kept ahead of us, so there were always plenty to chase. When we did kill one, it was retrieved and cut open to get back our BB (the ultimate in recycling!)I can think of no other hunting sport where there are so many legal ways to harvest your quarry, even though shooting them with a BB gun is NOT among them. For starters, you can don old sneakers or waders and walk, or you can hunt from a canoe, kayak or any kind of boat. Frogs can legally be caught by hand, with a dip net, by hook and line, speared with a gig, or shot with a bow or a crossbow outfitted with a bow fishing rig that uses a barbed arrow attached to the bow or crossbow with a reel or string, and even though most frog hunting is done at night, any of these methods can also be employed during daylight hours to harvest frogs.Nighttime bull frog hunting has additional challenges, but after dark is the standard tried-and-true time to hunt them. A bright flashlight or headlamp is perhaps the most important tool for nighttime frog hunts no matter the method you choose. Most ponds, lakes, rivers, streams (and yes, even drainage ditches) contain bull frogs; you’ll hear their deep, soothing “harumm, harumm, harumm” nighttime calls piercing the darkness. The trick is to creep silently up on them, whether by boat or by boot, then shine the flashlight or headlamp into their glowing eyes, which temporarily blinds and stuns them, allowing the hunter to capture them by whatever method.Perhaps my most memorable frog hunt was an ill-conceived safari I took with a coworker when I was a kid. I worked with this guy named Frank who was at least 15 or 20 years my senior and the strange thing was I didn’t even like the guy! To say Frank was eccentric was like calling Chernobyl a small hazardous waste spill. The guy had built a huge box kite that he launched from the back of his old flat bed truck by driving like a maniac through a field, then hoisting it into the sky with a winch! Anyway, for whatever reason, I agreed to take him frog hunting that particular night. It was well past 10 as we drove along a dirt road to a creek where I had never hunted frogs before. I seem to remember that I drove, and somehow in the process of getting off the road far enough to park, I slid my old pickup into the ditch. We decided to hunt frogs then worry about that predicament latter. The fact that my truck was in the ditch kinda soured the whole experience for me, and after wading the unknown creek for awhile, we returned to the “stuck-truck” empty-handed and proceeded to try wresting our transportation from said ditch. After a time of “nothing working,” we trekked up the road to the nearest house and knocked on the door. By then it was past midnight, and as we waited for the owner to stumble to the door, or toshoot at us, whichever came first, some kids heard the commotion and stuck their heads out a couple upstairs windows right above us. As they stared down at the two wet, stinking absolute strangers below, their brief conversation I’ll take with me to the grave. “Who is it?” asked one kid. “I don’t know” answered a second. Then a third kid chimed in “Looks like a couple bums to me!”So here are my tips for a fun and successful frog hunting experience. First of all, go with someone you actually like. Secondly, don’t put your truck in the ditch. Thirdly, find yourselves a farm pond, lake or stream full of bull frogs and have at it with whatever method of harvest you choose. When you get home, butcher the frogs by cutting off the big, white, meaty hind legs, skin them with a pair of pliers, rinse them, pat them dry, dredge them in a milk/egg mixture, roll them in flour or cornmeal and fry them just a short time until they’re golden brown. Their sweet taste will amaze you and you’ll be hooked on Kansas Froggin’. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: Kansas Froggin’

By RUSSELL FOX Insight Kansas

I recently read the manuscript of a soon-to-be-published scholarly book looking at one of Kansas’s major cities. It was filled with sharp observations and smart ideas; when it’s published, I’ll buy copies of it for all my local representatives, in hopes that they’ll read it and learn something. But there’s one point in the manuscript that I can’t get out of my head.

When the author–who, like me, is not a Kansas native–arrived in the Sunflower state, they were struck by how the city they were moving to seemed to sprout out of the ground without warning. Flying into a Kansas airport, the book suggests, you look around, seeing nothing but farmland, and then suddenly a city is there, seemingly at random. The point being that Kansas’s urban areas--with Kansas City’s agglomeration of Overland Park and Olathe, Leavenworth and Lenexa, being the sole exception–are stand-alone entities, the product of geographic happenstance or boundary-line-drawing rooted decades, or even centuries, in the past.

Cities everywhere are both products and providers of connectivity; making connections and pursuing opportunities is why people congregate together, why businesses and investment capital flow to urban areas. So when you see a solitary city or town standing in an otherwise entirely rural space, there is the temptation to wonder how “real” a place it actually is.

Given that global trade and internet communication means that no city or town, no matter how small, is truly disconnected any longer, this kind of wondering is more a matter of perception than reality. Unless, of course, the perception becomes a self-imposed trap, and thus accidentally, or perhaps preemptively, sets the terms for the real-world decisions that follow.

That kind of self-referential trapping is not unusual in Kansas, I fear. There are positive aspects to it, of course; it can encourage people to focus on their local resources, adding to the culture of our state by supporting and celebrating the creativity that can be found in local places. But too often this dynamic takes a negative tone, whether it be a defiant pride in disconnection, or a hopelessness that dismisses new connections and possibilities before they’ve even been tried.

Look at Kansas politics through this frame, and you can see examples everywhere. State policies that could be easily adapted to Kansas’s population–like Medicaid expansion, legal medical marijuana, and more–face opposition from political interests that mostly offer a simple “it won’t work here” rather than any serious policy argument. Counties with farmers looking to bring in additional income and companies happy to pay them to install solar arrays face onerous regulations instead, because otherwise “people will complain.” Cities trying to manage their slow growth by establishing more reliable revenue streams, reconsidering the costs of an overbuilt infrastructure, free parking, and mill levies that haven’t been touched in decades, shy away from moving forward, fearing that Kansans are “too cheap” to ever pay for improving public goods.

Obviously such perceptions don’t explain everything about these disputes; political disagreements, backed by powerful partisan interests, are real, and simple boosterism won’t change that. But pushing back against the idea that certain things just “can’t happen in Kansas” is nonetheless important, I think, because that’s a perception rooted in an assumption based on Kansas’s spatiality, its supposed disconnectedness, and not on our common resources and will.

The fact that there are, and always have been, many throughout Kansas’s cities and towns willing to do that kind of pushing back is evidence enough that the political powers that be aren’t the whole story. That’s my hopeful perception, at least.

Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690389122282.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RUSSELL FOX Insight KansasI recently read the manuscript of a soon-to-be-published scholarly book looking at one of Kansas’s major cities. It was filled with sharp observations and smart ideas; when it’s published, I’ll buy copies of it for all my local representatives, in hopes that they’ll read it and learn something. But there’s one point in the manuscript that I can’t get out of my head.When the author–who, like me, is not a Kansas native–arrived in the Sunflower state, they were struck by how the city they were moving to seemed to sprout out of the ground without warning. Flying into a Kansas airport, the book suggests, you look around, seeing nothing but farmland, and then suddenly a city is there, seemingly at random. The point being that Kansas’s urban areas--with Kansas City’s agglomeration of Overland Park and Olathe, Leavenworth and Lenexa, being the sole exception–are stand-alone entities, the product of geographic happenstance or boundary-line-drawing rooted decades, or even centuries, in the past.Cities everywhere are both products and providers of connectivity; making connections and pursuing opportunities is why people congregate together, why businesses and investment capital flow to urban areas. So when you see a solitary city or town standing in an otherwise entirely rural space, there is the temptation to wonder how “real” a place it actually is.Given that global trade and internet communication means that no city or town, no matter how small, is truly disconnected any longer, this kind of wondering is more a matter of perception than reality. Unless, of course, the perception becomes a self-imposed trap, and thus accidentally, or perhaps preemptively, sets the terms for the real-world decisions that follow.That kind of self-referential trapping is not unusual in Kansas, I fear. There are positive aspects to it, of course; it can encourage people to focus on their local resources, adding to the culture of our state by supporting and celebrating the creativity that can be found in local places. But too often this dynamic takes a negative tone, whether it be a defiant pride in disconnection, or a hopelessness that dismisses new connections and possibilities before they’ve even been tried.Look at Kansas politics through this frame, and you can see examples everywhere. State policies that could be easily adapted to Kansas’s population–like Medicaid expansion, legal medical marijuana, and more–face opposition from political interests that mostly offer a simple “it won’t work here” rather than any serious policy argument. Counties with farmers looking to bring in additional income and companies happy to pay them to install solar arrays face onerous regulations instead, because otherwise “people will complain.” Cities trying to manage their slow growth by establishing more reliable revenue streams, reconsidering the costs of an overbuilt infrastructure, free parking, and mill levies that haven’t been touched in decades, shy away from moving forward, fearing that Kansans are “too cheap” to ever pay for improving public goods.Obviously such perceptions don’t explain everything about these disputes; political disagreements, backed by powerful partisan interests, are real, and simple boosterism won’t change that. But pushing back against the idea that certain things just “can’t happen in Kansas” is nonetheless important, I think, because that’s a perception rooted in an assumption based on Kansas’s spatiality, its supposed disconnectedness, and not on our common resources and will.The fact that there are, and always have been, many throughout Kansas’s cities and towns willing to do that kind of pushing back is evidence enough that the political powers that be aren’t the whole story. That’s my hopeful perception, at least.Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS.

INSIGHT KANSAS: The problem of Kansas’s self-perception

Cereal rye can provide excellent weed suppression as a cover crop; however, it should be handled carefully. Cereal rye can be introduced into a wheat field by contamination of harvest or seed conditioning equipment, dry fertilizer spreaders, or drills. Seeds and pollen can also be moved by wind or other natural means.

Cereal rye is very similar to wheat in terms of life cycle, growth requirements, and appearance. There are a few features that distinguish rye from wheat. First, cereal rye is generally taller than winter wheat, and the seed heads are usually longer and thinner. Other differences require a closer look. The ligule of cereal rye does not have a fringe of hairs (winter wheat does), and cereal rye does not have prominent auricles (winter wheat does). Cereal rye seeds are longer than wheat seeds and usually shaded more yellow or green rather than red.

Chemical control in wheat is limited to herbicide-tolerant varieties (discussed later in this article). Because there are few herbicide options in crops, preventing the introduction of cereal rye into wheat fields is critical. Cleaning equipment and planting weed-free seed are two important measures. Control during other phases of the crop rotation is also important. For example, letting rye emerge during a fallow phase of the rotation and applying glyphosate and/or atrazine. Hand rouging has long been used to remove cereal rye from wheat.

Herbicide-tolerant wheat varieties - Clearfield wheat varieties allow the use of Beyond (imazamox). Imazamox is more effective on other cool-season grass weeds, and only provides suppression of cereal rye. If you choose a Clearfield variety, be sure to spray before rye tillers and use a nitrogen fertilizer (up to 50% of the spray solution). Two applications (fall and spring) will provide better control than a single application.

CoAXium wheat varieties allow the use of Aggressor (quizalofop). Quizalofop provides excellent control of cereal rye. In studies at Great Bend control was 94% or greater with 10 or 12 fl oz of Aggressor applied with either NIS or MSO in fall or spring. Quizalofop is a Group 1 herbicide that only controls grasses.

In both systems, cereal rye control will be reduced if applications are made when temperatures are below 40F during the week following application.

Reminder Control Volunteer Wheat - since we have been fortunate enough to get some much-needed moisture in the last month or so. Any volunteer wheat that has came up will need to be controlled before wheat is drilled. It is recommended to have all volunteer wheat controlled two weeks prior to any wheat being planted. To allow sufficient time for the wheat curl mites to die off. The mites preferred host plant is wheat, so any volunteer wheat around will more than likely

harbor wheat curl mites. Which are important vectors of wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), one of the most destructive wheat diseases in Kansas.

One tool in the toolbox - other than timely control of volunteer wheat, genetic resistance is also an important tool for WSMV control. Genetic resistance to wheat streak mosaic can also reduce the risk of severe disease problems. There are currently several wheat varieties adapted to Kansas that have wheat streak mosaic virus resistance. To see what those varieties are go to the July 18th issue of K-State Agronomy eUpdate.

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.

Cereal rye can provide excellent weed suppression as a cover crop; however, it should be handled carefully. Cereal rye can be introduced into a wheat field by contamination of harvest or seed conditioning equipment, dry fertilizer spreaders, or drills. Seeds and pollen can also be moved by wind or other natural means.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>Cereal rye is very similar to wheat in terms of life cycle, growth requirements, and appearance. There are a few features that distinguish rye from wheat. First, cereal rye is generally taller than winter wheat, and the seed heads are usually longer and thinner. Other differences require a closer look. The ligule of cereal rye does not have a fringe of hairs (winter wheat does), and cereal rye does not have prominent auricles (winter wheat does). Cereal rye seeds are longer than wheat seeds and usually shaded more yellow or green rather than red.Chemical control in wheat is limited to herbicide-tolerant varieties (discussed later in this article). Because there are few herbicide options in crops, preventing the introduction of cereal rye into wheat fields is critical. Cleaning equipment and planting weed-free seed are two important measures. Control during other phases of the crop rotation is also important. For example, letting rye emerge during a fallow phase of the rotation and applying glyphosate and/or atrazine. Hand rouging has long been used to remove cereal rye from wheat.Herbicide-tolerant wheat varieties - Clearfield wheat varieties allow the use of Beyond (imazamox). Imazamox is more effective on other cool-season grass weeds, and only provides suppression of cereal rye. If you choose a Clearfield variety, be sure to spray before rye tillers and use a nitrogen fertilizer (up to 50% of the spray solution). Two applications (fall and spring) will provide better control than a single application.CoAXium wheat varieties allow the use of Aggressor (quizalofop). Quizalofop provides excellent control of cereal rye. In studies at Great Bend control was 94% or greater with 10 or 12 fl oz of Aggressor applied with either NIS or MSO in fall or spring. Quizalofop is a Group 1 herbicide that only controls grasses.In both systems, cereal rye control will be reduced if applications are made when temperatures are below 40F during the week following application.Reminder Control Volunteer Wheat - since we have been fortunate enough to get some much-needed moisture in the last month or so. Any volunteer wheat that has came up will need to be controlled before wheat is drilled. It is recommended to have all volunteer wheat controlled two weeks prior to any wheat being planted. To allow sufficient time for the wheat curl mites to die off. The mites preferred host plant is wheat, so any volunteer wheat around will more than likelyharbor wheat curl mites. Which are important vectors of wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), one of the most destructive wheat diseases in Kansas.One tool in the toolbox - other than timely control of volunteer wheat, genetic resistance is also an important tool for WSMV control. Genetic resistance to wheat streak mosaic can also reduce the risk of severe disease problems. There are currently several wheat varieties adapted to Kansas that have wheat streak mosaic virus resistance. To see what those varieties are go to the July 18th issue of K-State Agronomy eUpdate.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: Cereal rye control in wheat

By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University President

Fort Hays State University is a regional public university with a global reach. In the academic year 2023, our enrollment served 16,922 students, including 11,715 students from the United States, with 8,000 of these U.S. students hailing from Kansas. This means that more than 68 percent of our U.S.-based students are Kansans. The 8,000 Kansans served included more than 5,000 students from western Kansas and more than 2,000 from Ellis County.

Among those we served are 4,022 on-campus students, 7,693 online students, and 5,207 students who study at our partner campuses in Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, and Senegal.

The diverse mix of students we serve aligns with our mission: Fort Hays State University provides accessible quality education to Kansas, the nation, and the world through an innovative community of teacher-scholars and professionals to develop engaged global citizen-leaders.

In the ever-changing landscape of higher education, universities must continuously adapt and evolve to meet the needs of their students and communities. With our relentless focus on providing accessible, affordable tuition, we recognized the importance of strategic growth to ensure our continued success and relevance in the education sector. We embedded strategic growth to expand the university's reach and impact through thoughtful planning and implementation of initiatives as goal three of our strategic plan.

Dr. Dennis King, Associate VP for Student Affairs/Enrollment Management, was crucial in leading this goal. His expertise in enrollment management and collaboration with various stakeholders across campus were instrumental in the success of Goal 3. Reflecting on his experience, Dr. King acknowledged the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted historical data and planning. Despite these challenges, we implemented critical initiatives such as reimagining an office of university marketing and implementing new technology to enhance communication with students. The pandemic also prompted changes to the scholarship program, demonstrating FHSU's adaptability and commitment to supporting students during uncertain times.

A selection of Goal 3 successes was the growth of strategic enrollment plans in areas such as social work, history, clinical psychology, and medical diagnostic imaging majors. We signed the first state-wide community college articulation agreement guaranteeing nursing program admission to all community college-trained registered nurses. Additionally, the construction of the Wilmer and Lorena Kellogg Training Center for the Shotgun Team showcased FHSU's commitment to supporting co-curricular activities and enhancing the student experience. Women's wrestling created a new opportunity for thousands of women high school wrestlers across Kansas.

Dr. King emphasized that the strategic growth initiative has positively impacted university culture, fostering a desire for better data and refined ROI models. By implementing new tools and processes, FHSU aims to continue improving the university community and providing all students (on campus, online, and globally) with the support they need to succeed.

Dr. King expressed confidence that the 2019-2024 strategic enrollment work will serve as a foundation for ongoing efforts to enhance the university's enrollment during the next iteration of our strategic plan. Recognizing the dedication and collaboration of everyone involved in the process, Dr. King expressed pride in the achievements of Goal 3 and the impact it has had on FHSU's campus community.

Dr. Joey Linn, VP for Student Affairs and co-chair for Goal 3, emphasized the significance of enrollment stabilization in the post-pandemic era of higher education. Dr. Linn highlighted the importance of experimentation and innovation in enrollment strategies, noting that 44 plans were created and reviewed over the five years, 31 were selected and funded, and five were discontinued. “Discontinuance is essential, as the role of experimentation is to create a proof-of-concept opportunity,” Dr. Linn said. “We learn from those experiments that work and those that do not.”

One of the key strategies under Goal 3 was the development of a financial aid leveraging plan to support university growth and enhance student retention. By re-evaluating the scholarship program and implementing new models of data collection and needs-based funding, FHSU improved persistence (the percentage of all degree-seeking students moving through the university) and graduation rates. The success of the financial aid leveraging plan was evident in the proactive transition to new scholarship programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed for a wider disbursement of scholarship funds.

Goal 3 also emphasized attracting and retaining diverse faculty and staff to support institutional growth. This initiative, led by Dr. Grady Dixon, Dean of the Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics, highlighted the progress made in closing faculty representation gaps among women and minorities to increase a sense of belonging among all members of Tiger Nation.

By leveraging the success of past initiatives and embracing new opportunities for stability and growth, FHSU aims to enhance the student experience and prepare students for success in an ever-changing world. As FHSU continues to evolve and adapt to the demands of higher education, Goal 3 will continue to serve as a guiding framework for future strategic planning, relentlessly focusing on our mission to provide a quality, affordable option for our citizens.

We strive every day to deliver the best value in education anywhere. The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREEOPP.org) used data from the U.S. Department's College Scorecard on the earnings of students receiving federal financial aid from over 30,000 bachelor's degree programs at U.S. colleges and universities. Looking across the 27 programs evaluated at FHSU, the cumulative lifetime ROI of FHSU programs provided an economic impact of more than $1.1 billion from the students who graduated during the study period. (https://www.fhsu.edu/president/heart-of-a-tiger/final-heart-of-a-tiger-for-aug-31.pdf)

Through the dedication and collaboration of key stakeholders, FHSU has adapted to challenges and seized opportunities in critical areas such as enrollment, scholarship programs, and faculty diversity. The success of Goal 3 reflects FHSU's commitment to excellence and innovation in higher education, positioning the university for continued success and impact in the years to come. By building upon the achievements of Goal 3 and embracing new challenges and opportunities, FHSU will remain a leader in higher education and a beacon of growth and opportunity for its students, faculty, and community.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University PresidentFort Hays State University is a regional public university with a global reach. In the academic year 2023, our enrollment served 16,922 students, including 11,715 students from the United States, with 8,000 of these U.S. students hailing from Kansas. This means that more than 68 percent of our U.S.-based students are Kansans. The 8,000 Kansans served included more than 5,000 students from western Kansas and more than 2,000 from Ellis County.Among those we served are 4,022 on-campus students, 7,693 online students, and 5,207 students who study at our partner campuses in Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, and Senegal.The diverse mix of students we serve aligns with our mission: Fort Hays State University provides accessible quality education to Kansas, the nation, and the world through an innovative community of teacher-scholars and professionals to develop engaged global citizen-leaders.In the ever-changing landscape of higher education, universities must continuously adapt and evolve to meet the needs of their students and communities. With our relentless focus on providing accessible, affordable tuition, we recognized the importance of strategic growth to ensure our continued success and relevance in the education sector. We embedded strategic growth to expand the university's reach and impact through thoughtful planning and implementation of initiatives as goal three of our strategic plan.Dr. Dennis King, Associate VP for Student Affairs/Enrollment Management, was crucial in leading this goal. His expertise in enrollment management and collaboration with various stakeholders across campus were instrumental in the success of Goal 3. Reflecting on his experience, Dr. King acknowledged the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted historical data and planning. Despite these challenges, we implemented critical initiatives such as reimagining an office of university marketing and implementing new technology to enhance communication with students. The pandemic also prompted changes to the scholarship program, demonstrating FHSU's adaptability and commitment to supporting students during uncertain times.A selection of Goal 3 successes was the growth of strategic enrollment plans in areas such as social work, history, clinical psychology, and medical diagnostic imaging majors. We signed the first state-wide community college articulation agreement guaranteeing nursing program admission to all community college-trained registered nurses. Additionally, the construction of the Wilmer and Lorena Kellogg Training Center for the Shotgun Team showcased FHSU's commitment to supporting co-curricular activities and enhancing the student experience. Women's wrestling created a new opportunity for thousands of women high school wrestlers across Kansas.Dr. King emphasized that the strategic growth initiative has positively impacted university culture, fostering a desire for better data and refined ROI models. By implementing new tools and processes, FHSU aims to continue improving the university community and providing all students (on campus, online, and globally) with the support they need to succeed.Dr. King expressed confidence that the 2019-2024 strategic enrollment work will serve as a foundation for ongoing efforts to enhance the university's enrollment during the next iteration of our strategic plan. Recognizing the dedication and collaboration of everyone involved in the process, Dr. King expressed pride in the achievements of Goal 3 and the impact it has had on FHSU's campus community.Dr. Joey Linn, VP for Student Affairs and co-chair for Goal 3, emphasized the significance of enrollment stabilization in the post-pandemic era of higher education. Dr. Linn highlighted the importance of experimentation and innovation in enrollment strategies, noting that 44 plans were created and reviewed over the five years, 31 were selected and funded, and five were discontinued. “Discontinuance is essential, as the role of experimentation is to create a proof-of-concept opportunity,” Dr. Linn said. “We learn from those experiments that work and those that do not.”One of the key strategies under Goal 3 was the development of a financial aid leveraging plan to support university growth and enhance student retention. By re-evaluating the scholarship program and implementing new models of data collection and needs-based funding, FHSU improved persistence (the percentage of all degree-seeking students moving through the university) and graduation rates. The success of the financial aid leveraging plan was evident in the proactive transition to new scholarship programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed for a wider disbursement of scholarship funds.Goal 3 also emphasized attracting and retaining diverse faculty and staff to support institutional growth. This initiative, led by Dr. Grady Dixon, Dean of the Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics, highlighted the progress made in closing faculty representation gaps among women and minorities to increase a sense of belonging among all members of Tiger Nation.By leveraging the success of past initiatives and embracing new opportunities for stability and growth, FHSU aims to enhance the student experience and prepare students for success in an ever-changing world. As FHSU continues to evolve and adapt to the demands of higher education, Goal 3 will continue to serve as a guiding framework for future strategic planning, relentlessly focusing on our mission to provide a quality, affordable option for our citizens.We strive every day to deliver the best value in education anywhere. The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREEOPP.org) used data from the U.S. Department's College Scorecard on the earnings of students receiving federal financial aid from over 30,000 bachelor's degree programs at U.S. colleges and universities. Looking across the 27 programs evaluated at FHSU, the cumulative lifetime ROI of FHSU programs provided an economic impact of more than $1.1 billion from the students who graduated during the study period. (https://www.fhsu.edu/president/heart-of-a-tiger/final-heart-of-a-tiger-for-aug-31.pdf)Through the dedication and collaboration of key stakeholders, FHSU has adapted to challenges and seized opportunities in critical areas such as enrollment, scholarship programs, and faculty diversity. The success of Goal 3 reflects FHSU's commitment to excellence and innovation in higher education, positioning the university for continued success and impact in the years to come. By building upon the achievements of Goal 3 and embracing new challenges and opportunities, FHSU will remain a leader in higher education and a beacon of growth and opportunity for its students, faculty, and community.

Heart of a Tiger: Celebrating success, part 3

Unfortunately for several of my gardening friends this summer, grasshoppers descended in mass and devoured entire gardens as well as leaves and bark off trees. For those expecting to load canning shelves and freezers with summer harvests, this invasion devastated their plans.

While we saw plenty of hoppers in our yard, garden, and flower bed, numbers didn’t increase enough to do more than leave moth-eaten leaves. Compounding the insult, some insects landed on unsuspecting humans, causing them to jerk and thrash like a victim with a severe case of St. Vitus’ Dance. As a result, when I see a grasshopper, I exercise permanent population control. While I race after zig-zagging, bristle-legged insects, my town chickens cheer me on, hopping from foot to foot eagerly awaiting their daily connection to nature’s food chain.

I’ve learned early morning offers my best opportunity to catch elusive insects. Cooler temps slow the critters until they act downright sluggish. Morning dew offers me an additional edge. Jumping and crawling through good size droplets that collect on insect wings and legs impedes their flying and leaping.

When we lived in the country, our chickens free-ranged over yard and prairie, snagging all the hoppers they wanted. Our current town girls live a restricted life in their princess pen with excelsior-lined nesting boxes. As royalty, they eagerly await a minion’s delivery of lettuce and zucchini for breakfast. While they peck at their greens, they ogle me racing about the yard and through the garden seeking fresh protein to contribute.

Over decades serving as a chicken tender, I’ve learned chickens are smarter than they look. They recognize words, people, and actions, and make decisions accordingly. When they see me exit the garage first thing each morning, they line up ready to compete for the best pickins from the scrap bowl. While nibbling veggies, their attentive eyes and clucks urge me to collect leaf-devouring hoppers and deliver them. In their minds, insects trump veggies any morning of the week.

While the girls await my success at grabbing grasshoppers hiding in our lawn, crawling up garden plants, and drying off on the shed wall, I suspect they tally how many I snag. They then devise ways they can beat their fellow cackleberry-droppers to my bug-filled fingers as I pop one at a time into their enclosure.

In general, our ISO Browns are gentle, sweet little gals. However, mornings get western when one hen grabs a succulent hopper from the beak of another. If that hopper falls to the ground during the snatch and escapes, chaos erupts. Millenia of genetic wiring drive these ladies to a frenzy, releasing inner Tyrannosaurus Rexes. Suddenly, I have four prowling predators until one finds the prey and gobbles it.

In a perfect world, these hens would free range. Being town girls, they need help. As that helper, I get exercise and agility training, my plants survive with fewer holes gnawed in them, and the hens get fresh-from-nature food. Returning the favor, they bless us with our link to nature’s food chain—the best eggs ever.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724432953538.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINUnfortunately for several of my gardening friends this summer, grasshoppers descended in mass and devoured entire gardens as well as leaves and bark off trees. For those expecting to load canning shelves and freezers with summer harvests, this invasion devastated their plans.While we saw plenty of hoppers in our yard, garden, and flower bed, numbers didn’t increase enough to do more than leave moth-eaten leaves. Compounding the insult, some insects landed on unsuspecting humans, causing them to jerk and thrash like a victim with a severe case of St. Vitus’ Dance. As a result, when I see a grasshopper, I exercise permanent population control. While I race after zig-zagging, bristle-legged insects, my town chickens cheer me on, hopping from foot to foot eagerly awaiting their daily connection to nature’s food chain.I’ve learned early morning offers my best opportunity to catch elusive insects. Cooler temps slow the critters until they act downright sluggish. Morning dew offers me an additional edge. Jumping and crawling through good size droplets that collect on insect wings and legs impedes their flying and leaping.When we lived in the country, our chickens free-ranged over yard and prairie, snagging all the hoppers they wanted. Our current town girls live a restricted life in their princess pen with excelsior-lined nesting boxes. As royalty, they eagerly await a minion’s delivery of lettuce and zucchini for breakfast. While they peck at their greens, they ogle me racing about the yard and through the garden seeking fresh protein to contribute.Over decades serving as a chicken tender, I’ve learned chickens are smarter than they look. They recognize words, people, and actions, and make decisions accordingly. When they see me exit the garage first thing each morning, they line up ready to compete for the best pickins from the scrap bowl. While nibbling veggies, their attentive eyes and clucks urge me to collect leaf-devouring hoppers and deliver them. In their minds, insects trump veggies any morning of the week.While the girls await my success at grabbing grasshoppers hiding in our lawn, crawling up garden plants, and drying off on the shed wall, I suspect they tally how many I snag. They then devise ways they can beat their fellow cackleberry-droppers to my bug-filled fingers as I pop one at a time into their enclosure.In general, our ISO Browns are gentle, sweet little gals. However, mornings get western when one hen grabs a succulent hopper from the beak of another. If that hopper falls to the ground during the snatch and escapes, chaos erupts. Millenia of genetic wiring drive these ladies to a frenzy, releasing inner Tyrannosaurus Rexes. Suddenly, I have four prowling predators until one finds the prey and gobbles it.In a perfect world, these hens would free range. Being town girls, they need help. As that helper, I get exercise and agility training, my plants survive with fewer holes gnawed in them, and the hens get fresh-from-nature food. Returning the favor, they bless us with our link to nature’s food chain—the best eggs ever.

MADORIN: Grandma and the hoppers

For decades, the 1984 Chevron Doctrine gave unelected D.C. bureaucrats the power to bury Kansas businesses—especially our oil fields, farms, and ranches—in unnecessary regulations. Thankfully, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Chevron decision just a few weeks ago, finally reining in those powers.&nbsp;

This is a significant win for Kansas’ economy. Bureaucrats will no longer have free rein to impose extreme environmental regulations that stifle economic growth while offering little progress towards leaving this world cleaner than we found it. Under the Chevron Doctrine, businesses were legally powerless to fight back against these Washington-imposed rules. Federal agencies held all the cards, leaving our elected representatives with little say.&nbsp;

But those days are over. The legal playing field has now been leveled, giving Kansans a fair chance to challenge regulations that threaten their livelihoods. Federal agencies’ unchecked power has been curtailed, slowing down the regulatory assault on businesses across Kansas—from our fields and factories to Main Street.&nbsp;

The Chevron Doctrine was responsible for harmful regulations like the Obama and Biden Administrations’ Waters of the United States rule, which absurdly classified a puddle on a farm as federal water. It also allowed for overbearing, costly rules that hindered medical treatments and burdened workplaces with unnecessary safety regulations. Now, these kinds of federal rules can be legally scrutinized, delaying or even stopping them before they take effect.&nbsp;

This Supreme Court decision is a win for voters, too. It returns some power to our elected officials, ensuring that Washington’s bureaucratic class is more accountable to the people. Unelected agents still hold considerable regulatory power, but now they must adhere more closely to the laws written by Congress—the voice of the American people.&nbsp;

This is a victory for Kansas industries and the companies that call our state home. Reducing overregulation will spur economic activity, create good-paying jobs, and lower the cost of living.&nbsp;

We all want clean water, clean air, and to protect endangered species. But it’s Congress, not unelected bureaucrats, that should define what those terms mean.&nbsp;

— Sen.&nbsp;Roger Marshall, R-Kan.

For decades, the 1984 Chevron Doctrine gave unelected D.C. bureaucrats the power to bury Kansas businesses—especially our oil fields, farms, and ranches—in unnecessary regulations. Thankfully, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Chevron decision just a few weeks ago, finally reining in those powers.&nbsp;This is a significant win for Kansas’ economy. Bureaucrats will no longer have free rein to impose extreme environmental regulations that stifle economic growth while offering little progress towards leaving this world cleaner than we found it. Under the Chevron Doctrine, businesses were legally powerless to fight back against these Washington-imposed rules. Federal agencies held all the cards, leaving our elected representatives with little say.&nbsp;But those days are over. The legal playing field has now been leveled, giving Kansans a fair chance to challenge regulations that threaten their livelihoods. Federal agencies’ unchecked power has been curtailed, slowing down the regulatory assault on businesses across Kansas—from our fields and factories to Main Street.&nbsp;The Chevron Doctrine was responsible for harmful regulations like the Obama and Biden Administrations’ Waters of the United States rule, which absurdly classified a puddle on a farm as federal water. It also allowed for overbearing, costly rules that hindered medical treatments and burdened workplaces with unnecessary safety regulations. Now, these kinds of federal rules can be legally scrutinized, delaying or even stopping them before they take effect.&nbsp;This Supreme Court decision is a win for voters, too. It returns some power to our elected officials, ensuring that Washington’s bureaucratic class is more accountable to the people. Unelected agents still hold considerable regulatory power, but now they must adhere more closely to the laws written by Congress—the voice of the American people.&nbsp;This is a victory for Kansas industries and the companies that call our state home. Reducing overregulation will spur economic activity, create good-paying jobs, and lower the cost of living.&nbsp;We all want clean water, clean air, and to protect endangered species. But it’s Congress, not unelected bureaucrats, that should define what those terms mean.&nbsp;— Sen.&nbsp;Roger Marshall, R-Kan.

Marshall: Overturning Chevron delivers regulatory relief for Kansas’ economy 

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

Handwashing might seem like a routine activity in today’s world, especially after COVID, but that wasn’t always the case. Have you ever wondered where we got this idea? I learned about it in graduate school and was fascinated by how it came about. It wasn’t until the 19th century that handwashing was actually researched and the birth of modern handwashing came about. And the physician that pioneered this work was ridiculed!

Ignaz Semmelweis (1840s) was Hungarian physician that discovered handwashing with chlorinated lime solutions dramatically reduced the incidence of puerperal fever (childbed fever) in his obstetric wards. Despite his findings, his ideas were initially met with skepticism. In the 1800’s the understanding of disease transmission and germ theory were rudimentary. Semmelweis noticed that there was a stark difference in mortality rates between two maternity wards at the Vienna General Hospital. The ward attended by medical students had a much higher mortality rate compared to the ward run by midwives.

With further investigation he found that medical students moved between the dissection room and the maternity ward which we know now that they carried infectious material from the cadavers to the women in labor causing the high mortality rates. In 1847, Semmelweis introduced a policy requiring medical students and doctors to wash their hands with a chlorinated lime solution before examining patients. Handwashing lowered rates of puerperal fever and mortality rates in the maternity ward. However, he faced professional isolation and resistance from his colleagues.

Semmelweis’s methods were dismissed and ridiculed by the medical community and his findings were not accepted until later with the work of Joseph Lister (1860s) and Louis Pasteur that furthered microbiology and germ theory that Semmelweis’s work was accepted. Joseph Lister was a British surgeon who built on Semmelweis’s work by promoting antiseptic techniques in surgery. Lister’s use of carbolic acid (phenol) as an antiseptic led to a significant decrease in post-surgical infections.

Moving forward to the 20th century commercialization of antiseptic agents and soap improved hand hygiene practices, especially in the medical field but then later would move to the general public with Handwashing Campaigns in the 1970s-1980s. Handwashing became a public health issue.

Today handwashing is recognized as one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness.

Extension agents promote handwashing often whether it’s cooking in the kitchen, outdoor parties, or in the classroom or workplace.

Hands pick up bacteria during daily routines, including gardening, taking out the trash, driving, playing with pets and many other activities.

It only takes 20 seconds with soap and warm water or about the time it takes to sing the alphabet. Be sure to scrub your hands…because the bubbles really do pick up the dirt and take it away.

A fun way we teach this to kids (and adults) is through our Glo-Germ Handwashing program that uses a black light to show the germs on your hands before washing and how they are gone after handwashing. We can also teach high speed handwashing that helps students learn to wash hands quickly and efficiently to save water! Call or email Monique today if you would like to introduce or remind your students how to properly wash their hands to keep everyone as healthy as possible this school year!

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/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictHandwashing might seem like a routine activity in today’s world, especially after COVID, but that wasn’t always the case. Have you ever wondered where we got this idea? I learned about it in graduate school and was fascinated by how it came about. It wasn’t until the 19th century that handwashing was actually researched and the birth of modern handwashing came about. And the physician that pioneered this work was ridiculed!Ignaz Semmelweis (1840s) was Hungarian physician that discovered handwashing with chlorinated lime solutions dramatically reduced the incidence of puerperal fever (childbed fever) in his obstetric wards. Despite his findings, his ideas were initially met with skepticism. In the 1800’s the understanding of disease transmission and germ theory were rudimentary. Semmelweis noticed that there was a stark difference in mortality rates between two maternity wards at the Vienna General Hospital. The ward attended by medical students had a much higher mortality rate compared to the ward run by midwives.With further investigation he found that medical students moved between the dissection room and the maternity ward which we know now that they carried infectious material from the cadavers to the women in labor causing the high mortality rates. In 1847, Semmelweis introduced a policy requiring medical students and doctors to wash their hands with a chlorinated lime solution before examining patients. Handwashing lowered rates of puerperal fever and mortality rates in the maternity ward. However, he faced professional isolation and resistance from his colleagues.Semmelweis’s methods were dismissed and ridiculed by the medical community and his findings were not accepted until later with the work of Joseph Lister (1860s) and Louis Pasteur that furthered microbiology and germ theory that Semmelweis’s work was accepted. Joseph Lister was a British surgeon who built on Semmelweis’s work by promoting antiseptic techniques in surgery. Lister’s use of carbolic acid (phenol) as an antiseptic led to a significant decrease in post-surgical infections.Moving forward to the 20th century commercialization of antiseptic agents and soap improved hand hygiene practices, especially in the medical field but then later would move to the general public with Handwashing Campaigns in the 1970s-1980s. Handwashing became a public health issue.Today handwashing is recognized as one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness.Extension agents promote handwashing often whether it’s cooking in the kitchen, outdoor parties, or in the classroom or workplace.Hands pick up bacteria during daily routines, including gardening, taking out the trash, driving, playing with pets and many other activities.It only takes 20 seconds with soap and warm water or about the time it takes to sing the alphabet. Be sure to scrub your hands…because the bubbles really do pick up the dirt and take it away.A fun way we teach this to kids (and adults) is through our Glo-Germ Handwashing program that uses a black light to show the germs on your hands before washing and how they are gone after handwashing. We can also teach high speed handwashing that helps students learn to wash hands quickly and efficiently to save water! Call or email Monique today if you would like to introduce or remind your students how to properly wash their hands to keep everyone as healthy as possible this school year!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.

KOERNER: Handwashing

By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

For me, not many things beat the rejuvenation of a good night's sleep. I feel alert, focused, and ready to tackle the day. On the other hand, restless nights lead to sluggish mornings and dull afternoons.

It’s amazing how sleep quality directly affects quality of life, and there’s reason for it. Sleep plays an important role in how the entire body functions! Specifically, it makes a big impact on brain health, immune function, metabolism, mood, and heart health:

· Learning and memory- During sleep, the brain stores away memories, and it clears plaque that is associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.

· Illness- While your mind rests during sleep, your immune system works hard. Antibodies and cytokines that fight infection and viruses are produced during sleep.

· Hormone alterations- Sleep deprivation can change hormone production. For example, insufficient sleep increases cortisol levels and raises appetite. This can make weight management difficult. However, sufficient sleep supports healthy hormone production and also defends against irritability, inability to concentrate, and depression.

· Cardiovascular health- Getting enough sleep improves heart health. Sleep disorders are linked to hypertension, increased stress, and irregular heartbeat.

Research shows that people who consistently fail to get enough sleep are at an increased risk of chronic disease. Treating sleep as a priority, rather than a luxury, may be an important step in preventing many chronic conditions.

If you currently have difficulty sleeping, pay close attention to your sleeping habits. Here are a few recommendations to help you fall asleep and stay asleep:

· Get into the routine of going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning.

· Avoid large meals, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before bedtime. Also, try not to exercise immediately before you sleep.

· Make your environment quiet, cool, dark, and relaxing. Keep technology out of reach.

As you know, sleep is vital for a healthy body. Plus, it simply makes you feel better. Good sleep doesn’t have to be a luxury. In fact, quality sleep should be a priority for your physical and mental health!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictFor me, not many things beat the rejuvenation of a good night's sleep. I feel alert, focused, and ready to tackle the day. On the other hand, restless nights lead to sluggish mornings and dull afternoons.It’s amazing how sleep quality directly affects quality of life, and there’s reason for it. Sleep plays an important role in how the entire body functions! Specifically, it makes a big impact on brain health, immune function, metabolism, mood, and heart health:· Learning and memory- During sleep, the brain stores away memories, and it clears plaque that is associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.· Illness- While your mind rests during sleep, your immune system works hard. Antibodies and cytokines that fight infection and viruses are produced during sleep.· Hormone alterations- Sleep deprivation can change hormone production. For example, insufficient sleep increases cortisol levels and raises appetite. This can make weight management difficult. However, sufficient sleep supports healthy hormone production and also defends against irritability, inability to concentrate, and depression.· Cardiovascular health- Getting enough sleep improves heart health. Sleep disorders are linked to hypertension, increased stress, and irregular heartbeat.Research shows that people who consistently fail to get enough sleep are at an increased risk of chronic disease. Treating sleep as a priority, rather than a luxury, may be an important step in preventing many chronic conditions.If you currently have difficulty sleeping, pay close attention to your sleeping habits. Here are a few recommendations to help you fall asleep and stay asleep:· Get into the routine of going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning.· Avoid large meals, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before bedtime. Also, try not to exercise immediately before you sleep.· Make your environment quiet, cool, dark, and relaxing. Keep technology out of reach.As you know, sleep is vital for a healthy body. Plus, it simply makes you feel better. Good sleep doesn’t have to be a luxury. In fact, quality sleep should be a priority for your physical and mental health!Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

WINKEL: The role of sleep, make it a priority

As we hurtle toward our fall time change, it makes me consider how the length-of-days and the increased or decreased amount of sunlight affects all life on this rock. Every living thing has an internal clock of some sort that helps regulate its life. It’s what tells butterflies and birds when to migrate and sea turtles when to lumber ashore to lay their eggs. My internal clock is very reliable as it relates to getting me up in the morning. I have an alarm clock by my bed like most everyone does, but I rarely have to use it. It seems I can just decide in my mind when I want to awaken and when that time rolls around, I awaken. We put our two little dogs to bed about ten PM every night and they also get a treat then. Their internal clock often tells them when it’s time for a snack, as they begin to stir and whine about that time every night, and you can nearly set your watch by it.

Wildlife has different worries in life which are all about survival, like when to begin growing their heavy winter coats or when to begin breeding to sustain their species. All studies and research say that those things are dictated by the amount of daylight in a day, technically known as photo-period. So as the days get shorter and thus the amount of daylight becomes less, it triggers changes in wildlife.

In deer, shortening days and reduced amount of daylight triggers the breeding season known to us as “the rut.” I spoke with now retired Big Game Coordinator for the state of Kansas, who explained to me how increased amount of darkness each day causes increased production of certain hormones in a deer’s body and thus the bodies of both male and female deer prepare for the breeding season. He also pointed out that moon signs and other factors may bring about increased deer activity and changes of behavior, but it is all ultimately controlled by the length of days (photo-period.) As a side note here, have you ever wondered why deer and all wildlife for that matter have their young in the spring and not fall, early winter or even year-round like some domestic livestock? God has programmed their bodies to react the way they do so all wildlife young are born in spring when everything in nature gives them the absolute best chance of survival.

Furbearers are also affected by decreased amount of daylight. Matt Peek, Furbearer Biologist for the state of Kansas explained to me how the photo period dictates when a fur bearer’s pelt becomes “prime.” Fur bearing animals grow an extra-thick, heavy coat to protect them from winter blasts, and when that coat is at its absolute fullest and best for fur harvesting it is called “prime.” Decreasing amounts of daylight initiates that growth. It could be sixty-five degrees clear into December, but the animals’ fur still grows and becomes prime in anticipation of the cold, no matter when it comes, so that the critters are prepared. Fur from different parts of the country varies vastly in quality, as fur from Idaho for example will always be thicker and more luxurious than fur from Florida. But no matter where a fur bearing animal lives, their fur still becomes prime and the timing of that is dictated by the amount of daylight.

I hate the bi-annual time changes; I wish we would just choose one or the other (I really don’t care which one) and then just leave it alone! But twice each year as I scurry around resetting the clocks on the microwave, etc. knowing full well I’ll have to do it again in 6 months, I stop for a moment and consider how the wild critters clocks just kinda’ reset themselves thanks to the wisdom of our Creator. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsAs we hurtle toward our fall time change, it makes me consider how the length-of-days and the increased or decreased amount of sunlight affects all life on this rock. Every living thing has an internal clock of some sort that helps regulate its life. It’s what tells butterflies and birds when to migrate and sea turtles when to lumber ashore to lay their eggs. My internal clock is very reliable as it relates to getting me up in the morning. I have an alarm clock by my bed like most everyone does, but I rarely have to use it. It seems I can just decide in my mind when I want to awaken and when that time rolls around, I awaken. We put our two little dogs to bed about ten PM every night and they also get a treat then. Their internal clock often tells them when it’s time for a snack, as they begin to stir and whine about that time every night, and you can nearly set your watch by it.Wildlife has different worries in life which are all about survival, like when to begin growing their heavy winter coats or when to begin breeding to sustain their species. All studies and research say that those things are dictated by the amount of daylight in a day, technically known as photo-period. So as the days get shorter and thus the amount of daylight becomes less, it triggers changes in wildlife.In deer, shortening days and reduced amount of daylight triggers the breeding season known to us as “the rut.” I spoke with now retired Big Game Coordinator for the state of Kansas, who explained to me how increased amount of darkness each day causes increased production of certain hormones in a deer’s body and thus the bodies of both male and female deer prepare for the breeding season. He also pointed out that moon signs and other factors may bring about increased deer activity and changes of behavior, but it is all ultimately controlled by the length of days (photo-period.) As a side note here, have you ever wondered why deer and all wildlife for that matter have their young in the spring and not fall, early winter or even year-round like some domestic livestock? God has programmed their bodies to react the way they do so all wildlife young are born in spring when everything in nature gives them the absolute best chance of survival.Furbearers are also affected by decreased amount of daylight. Matt Peek, Furbearer Biologist for the state of Kansas explained to me how the photo period dictates when a fur bearer’s pelt becomes “prime.” Fur bearing animals grow an extra-thick, heavy coat to protect them from winter blasts, and when that coat is at its absolute fullest and best for fur harvesting it is called “prime.” Decreasing amounts of daylight initiates that growth. It could be sixty-five degrees clear into December, but the animals’ fur still grows and becomes prime in anticipation of the cold, no matter when it comes, so that the critters are prepared. Fur from different parts of the country varies vastly in quality, as fur from Idaho for example will always be thicker and more luxurious than fur from Florida. But no matter where a fur bearing animal lives, their fur still becomes prime and the timing of that is dictated by the amount of daylight.I hate the bi-annual time changes; I wish we would just choose one or the other (I really don’t care which one) and then just leave it alone! But twice each year as I scurry around resetting the clocks on the microwave, etc. knowing full well I’ll have to do it again in 6 months, I stop for a moment and consider how the wild critters clocks just kinda’ reset themselves thanks to the wisdom of our Creator. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: Does the length of the day cause your body to obey?

By Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01)

Last week, I completed my fourth annual 60-county Mann Listening Tour. Each year that I have served in Congress, I have hosted at least one town hall in every county of the Big First District. If an issue matters to Kansan, it matters to me, and those of you who show up to my town halls give me valuable insights to best serve you in Congress.

Over the past eight months I have consistently heard Kansans’ concerns about passing a fiscally conservative Farm Bill, reining in the weaponization of our federal government, cutting our reckless government spending, protecting the integrity of our nation’s elections, and securing America’s wide-open borders. These concerns have been a guide to how I develop solutions in Congress, and they will continue to be my pilot light in Washington, D.C.

As I concluded my annual listening tour last week, I could not help but to think about how our nation’s capital could benefit from more Kansas values.

Senator Bob Dole once told me about the “Kansas approach”—honesty, hard work, respect for your roots, common sense, service, simplicity, and genuine, thoughtful care for people. That is the Kansas spirit that so many of our fellow Kansans want to see more of in the nation’s capital. Sadly, that approach has dwindled and been forgotten by too many over the years.

Since the Biden-Harris Administration was sworn in, more than 12 million illegal immigrants have illegally entered the country. America begged Congress to come up with a solution, so House Republicans drafted H.R. 2, the strongest border security legislation passed in decades. Rather than coming to the table and finding commonsense solutions, Senate Majority Leader Schumer buried the bill in his legislative graveyard and refused to work with House Republicans to develop a solution.

When Americans rightly expressed their concerns about illegal immigrants voting in our national elections, House Republicans passed the SAVE Act, which requires individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. 198 of my Democrat colleagues voted against this commonsense legislation, and President Biden and Vice President Harris came out against it.

The House Agriculture Committee heard the demands from farm country for a fiscally conservative Farm Bill that provides certainty as they work to feed, fuel, and clothe world. We passed the Food, Farm, and National Security Act of 2024 out of committee with bipartisan support, and again, our Senate Democrat colleagues have responded with silence and failed to develop their own Farm Bill.

When President Biden was sworn in, he inherited a strong economy from the Trump Administration. However, President Biden was hyper-focused on massive government spending and expansion. For the first two years, Washington Democrats shoved their partisan, reckless tax-and-spend packages through Congress, which ultimately led to skyrocketing inflation and a declining U.S. economy. They senselessly taxed hardworking Americans and spent those dollars in an irresponsible manner. They have ignored the financial burden this spending put on American families, all while implementing burdensome regulations that handcuff hardworking Americans and drive-up costs even further.

Rather than resolving these issues, the Biden-Harris Administration spent more time using the federal government as a weapon against its political opponents. From using federal agencies to register voters at official events to attacking former President Trump in our federal courts, President Biden and Vice President Harris have been more committed to abusing their power than serving the American people.

Meanwhile, Kansans are just asking for some sort of commonsense policy solutions that bring them a degree of relief from the hardships of the past four years.

Ad Astra per Aspera, “to the stars through difficulty”. This isn’t just our state motto – it’s our way of life. Since our state’s founding, Kansans have endured and embraced hardships as we reached for the stars. We work hard to solve difficult problems, we keep our word, and we take pride in being a loyal and dedicated people. Our government would be a lot more productive and efficient if our nation’s capital embraced these values.

When I laid out my Commitment to the Big First District at the beginning of the 118th&nbsp;Congress, I promised Kansans to fight for an economy that’s strong, a future that’s built on freedom, a nation that’s safe, and a government that is accountable. Throughout my town halls it was clear – Kansans want me to continue that fight and to get our nation back on track.

I do not serve in Congress to be a caretaker in the slow demise of America- I serve to fight and work to make it stronger. I will not give up on bringing our conservative Kansas values to our nation’s capital or believing our brightest days are yet to come.

Tracey Mann, R-Salina, is the Kansas First District Congressman.

By Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01)Last week, I completed my fourth annual 60-county Mann Listening Tour. Each year that I have served in Congress, I have hosted at least one town hall in every county of the Big First District. If an issue matters to Kansan, it matters to me, and those of you who show up to my town halls give me valuable insights to best serve you in Congress.Over the past eight months I have consistently heard Kansans’ concerns about passing a fiscally conservative Farm Bill, reining in the weaponization of our federal government, cutting our reckless government spending, protecting the integrity of our nation’s elections, and securing America’s wide-open borders. These concerns have been a guide to how I develop solutions in Congress, and they will continue to be my pilot light in Washington, D.C.As I concluded my annual listening tour last week, I could not help but to think about how our nation’s capital could benefit from more Kansas values.Senator Bob Dole once told me about the “Kansas approach”—honesty, hard work, respect for your roots, common sense, service, simplicity, and genuine, thoughtful care for people. That is the Kansas spirit that so many of our fellow Kansans want to see more of in the nation’s capital. Sadly, that approach has dwindled and been forgotten by too many over the years.Since the Biden-Harris Administration was sworn in, more than 12 million illegal immigrants have illegally entered the country. America begged Congress to come up with a solution, so House Republicans drafted H.R. 2, the strongest border security legislation passed in decades. Rather than coming to the table and finding commonsense solutions, Senate Majority Leader Schumer buried the bill in his legislative graveyard and refused to work with House Republicans to develop a solution.When Americans rightly expressed their concerns about illegal immigrants voting in our national elections, House Republicans passed the SAVE Act, which requires individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. 198 of my Democrat colleagues voted against this commonsense legislation, and President Biden and Vice President Harris came out against it.The House Agriculture Committee heard the demands from farm country for a fiscally conservative Farm Bill that provides certainty as they work to feed, fuel, and clothe world. We passed the Food, Farm, and National Security Act of 2024 out of committee with bipartisan support, and again, our Senate Democrat colleagues have responded with silence and failed to develop their own Farm Bill.When President Biden was sworn in, he inherited a strong economy from the Trump Administration. However, President Biden was hyper-focused on massive government spending and expansion. For the first two years, Washington Democrats shoved their partisan, reckless tax-and-spend packages through Congress, which ultimately led to skyrocketing inflation and a declining U.S. economy. They senselessly taxed hardworking Americans and spent those dollars in an irresponsible manner. They have ignored the financial burden this spending put on American families, all while implementing burdensome regulations that handcuff hardworking Americans and drive-up costs even further.Rather than resolving these issues, the Biden-Harris Administration spent more time using the federal government as a weapon against its political opponents. From using federal agencies to register voters at official events to attacking former President Trump in our federal courts, President Biden and Vice President Harris have been more committed to abusing their power than serving the American people.Meanwhile, Kansans are just asking for some sort of commonsense policy solutions that bring them a degree of relief from the hardships of the past four years.Ad Astra per Aspera, “to the stars through difficulty”. This isn’t just our state motto – it’s our way of life. Since our state’s founding, Kansans have endured and embraced hardships as we reached for the stars. We work hard to solve difficult problems, we keep our word, and we take pride in being a loyal and dedicated people. Our government would be a lot more productive and efficient if our nation’s capital embraced these values.When I laid out my Commitment to the Big First District at the beginning of the 118th&nbsp;Congress, I promised Kansans to fight for an economy that’s strong, a future that’s built on freedom, a nation that’s safe, and a government that is accountable. Throughout my town halls it was clear – Kansans want me to continue that fight and to get our nation back on track.I do not serve in Congress to be a caretaker in the slow demise of America- I serve to fight and work to make it stronger. I will not give up on bringing our conservative Kansas values to our nation’s capital or believing our brightest days are yet to come.Tracey Mann, R-Salina, is the Kansas First District Congressman.

MANN: More Kansas values in our nation’s capital

By MARK JOSLYN Insight Kansas

For over a century, Johnson County residents voted for Republican presidential candidates.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Even during periods of Democrat strength, including Franklin Roosevelt’s landslide victory in 1932 and Lyndon Johnson’s overwhelming triumph in 1964, the county stayed true to its Republican identity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Woodward Wilson was the last Democrat to win Johnson County, achieving this feat way back in 1916.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

But in 2020 Joe Biden put an end to the extraordinary run.

Two years later, nearly 60 percent of Johnson County voters supported Governor Kelly’s reelection bid and the county’s state House and Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-03/kansas-is-becoming-more-divided-democrats-win-suburban-areas-and-the-gop-holds-rural-communities">Democrat delegations</a>&nbsp;increased considerably.&nbsp;&nbsp;Democrats in fact now consider Johnson County a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2024-08-04/how-johnson-county-kansas-became-a-crucial-battleground-in-the-2024-election">crucial battle ground</a>&nbsp;in the 2024 elections.&nbsp;So, we have arrived at an important crossroad.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Are Democrat gains in Johnson County a harbinger of things to come?&nbsp; Or are they a temporary break in an otherwise robust trend of Republican dominance?&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;The answer can be attributed to changes in demographics.&nbsp; Johnson County’s population is increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/geo/chart/johnsoncountykansas/POP060220">urban</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/geo/chart/johnsoncountykansas/EDU685222">college-educated</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/geo/chart/douglascountykansas,johnsoncountykansas/INC110222">wealthy</a>&nbsp;– trends that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/04/09/partisanship-by-family-income-home-ownership-union-membership-and-veteran-status/">favor</a>&nbsp;the Democratic Party.&nbsp;Moreover, Democrat-leaning industries – education, health care and scientific professionals – now account for roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://thinkkc.com/business/communities/johnson-county-kansas">40 percent</a>&nbsp;of the county’s employment base.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Accordingly, the proportion of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jocoelection.org/archive/registration-numbers">Johnson County voters</a>&nbsp;registered as Democrats has increased from 20 percent in 2000 to 32 percent today.&nbsp; &nbsp;

But these changes cannot fully account for the shifts in voting behavior.&nbsp;After all, the percentage of voters in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jocoelection.org/archive/registration-numbers">Johnson County&nbsp;</a>registered as Republican has remained above 40 percent.&nbsp;&nbsp;What has changed is the Republican party.&nbsp; It has failed to offer candidates that appeal to moderates and those unaffiliated with either party.&nbsp; &nbsp;In the 2018 gubernatorial race, for example, Laura Kelly prevailed over Kris Kobach by 5 points statewide.&nbsp; &nbsp;In Johnson County, Kelly thumped Kobach by a whopping 17 points.

Also, in 2018 Democrat Sharice Davids unseated incumbent Republican Kevin Yoder in the race for Kansas’ third congressional district –&nbsp; which includes Johnson County.&nbsp;Davids skillfully managed a centrist image and has been able to hold the seat comfortably even after the district’s boundaries were redrawn to eliminate Democrat advantages.&nbsp; &nbsp;In 2016, Trump resonated with centrist voters.&nbsp;

 He secured majority support from independents and suburban voters across the nation and extended the Republican streak in Johnson County.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Four year later, Biden seized the ideological center winning 64 percent of moderates and 54 percent of Independents. &nbsp;He convincingly won Johnson County, garnering an unprecedented 53 percent of the vote.&nbsp;The meaning is clear:&nbsp; Centrism thrives in Johnson County.&nbsp;&nbsp;The county’s demographics do suggest a supportive environment for Democrats.&nbsp; &nbsp;

This alone implies Kamala Harris is poised to win Johnson County.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 

However, a better explanation is that county residents like centrist candidates.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Neither Harris not Trump, at this point, are centrists.&nbsp;And their vice president picks merely energized core supporters, prioritizing base maximization strategies over appeals to on-the-fence moderates.

Despite centrism’s successful track record of winning elections, reaching out to moderate voters if often met with disapproval.&nbsp; Passionate partisans steer candidates away from the middle ground in favor of more extreme policy agendas.&nbsp; &nbsp;Should Harris resist progressive pressures and concentrate on moderate voters, she will be in a strong position to take Johnson County and may very well be the next president.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695215697316.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MARK JOSLYN Insight KansasFor over a century, Johnson County residents voted for Republican presidential candidates.&nbsp; &nbsp;Even during periods of Democrat strength, including Franklin Roosevelt’s landslide victory in 1932 and Lyndon Johnson’s overwhelming triumph in 1964, the county stayed true to its Republican identity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Woodward Wilson was the last Democrat to win Johnson County, achieving this feat way back in 1916.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;But in 2020 Joe Biden put an end to the extraordinary run.Two years later, nearly 60 percent of Johnson County voters supported Governor Kelly’s reelection bid and the county’s state House and Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-03/kansas-is-becoming-more-divided-democrats-win-suburban-areas-and-the-gop-holds-rural-communities">Democrat delegations</a>&nbsp;increased considerably.&nbsp;&nbsp;Democrats in fact now consider Johnson County a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2024-08-04/how-johnson-county-kansas-became-a-crucial-battleground-in-the-2024-election">crucial battle ground</a>&nbsp;in the 2024 elections.&nbsp;So, we have arrived at an important crossroad.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Are Democrat gains in Johnson County a harbinger of things to come?&nbsp; Or are they a temporary break in an otherwise robust trend of Republican dominance?&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;The answer can be attributed to changes in demographics.&nbsp; Johnson County’s population is increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/geo/chart/johnsoncountykansas/POP060220">urban</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/geo/chart/johnsoncountykansas/EDU685222">college-educated</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/geo/chart/douglascountykansas,johnsoncountykansas/INC110222">wealthy</a>&nbsp;– trends that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/04/09/partisanship-by-family-income-home-ownership-union-membership-and-veteran-status/">favor</a>&nbsp;the Democratic Party.&nbsp;Moreover, Democrat-leaning industries – education, health care and scientific professionals – now account for roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://thinkkc.com/business/communities/johnson-county-kansas">40 percent</a>&nbsp;of the county’s employment base.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Accordingly, the proportion of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jocoelection.org/archive/registration-numbers">Johnson County voters</a>&nbsp;registered as Democrats has increased from 20 percent in 2000 to 32 percent today.&nbsp; &nbsp;But these changes cannot fully account for the shifts in voting behavior.&nbsp;After all, the percentage of voters in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jocoelection.org/archive/registration-numbers">Johnson County&nbsp;</a>registered as Republican has remained above 40 percent.&nbsp;&nbsp;What has changed is the Republican party.&nbsp; It has failed to offer candidates that appeal to moderates and those unaffiliated with either party.&nbsp; &nbsp;In the 2018 gubernatorial race, for example, Laura Kelly prevailed over Kris Kobach by 5 points statewide.&nbsp; &nbsp;In Johnson County, Kelly thumped Kobach by a whopping 17 points.Also, in 2018 Democrat Sharice Davids unseated incumbent Republican Kevin Yoder in the race for Kansas’ third congressional district –&nbsp; which includes Johnson County.&nbsp;Davids skillfully managed a centrist image and has been able to hold the seat comfortably even after the district’s boundaries were redrawn to eliminate Democrat advantages.&nbsp; &nbsp;In 2016, Trump resonated with centrist voters.&nbsp; He secured majority support from independents and suburban voters across the nation and extended the Republican streak in Johnson County.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Four year later, Biden seized the ideological center winning 64 percent of moderates and 54 percent of Independents. &nbsp;He convincingly won Johnson County, garnering an unprecedented 53 percent of the vote.&nbsp;The meaning is clear:&nbsp; Centrism thrives in Johnson County.&nbsp;&nbsp;The county’s demographics do suggest a supportive environment for Democrats.&nbsp; &nbsp;This alone implies Kamala Harris is poised to win Johnson County.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; However, a better explanation is that county residents like centrist candidates.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Neither Harris not Trump, at this point, are centrists.&nbsp;And their vice president picks merely energized core supporters, prioritizing base maximization strategies over appeals to on-the-fence moderates.Despite centrism’s successful track record of winning elections, reaching out to moderate voters if often met with disapproval.&nbsp; Passionate partisans steer candidates away from the middle ground in favor of more extreme policy agendas.&nbsp; &nbsp;Should Harris resist progressive pressures and concentrate on moderate voters, she will be in a strong position to take Johnson County and may very well be the next president.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Can Kamala Harris repeat Biden’s historic Johnson County performance?

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Someone recently came into the Cottonwood Extension office with a tiny insect, asking what it is. Fortunately, it had a distinctive long snout. So that meant it was a weevil and I was able to narrow it down considerably and identify it as a rice weevil. I did get verification from J.P. Michaud, entomologist at the Ag Research Ct. in Hays, too.

It just so happened that was the same day my newspaper article is due. Therefore, I thought I would write about pantry or stored product pests. Some of the more common pantry or kitchen insect pests are probably the Indian meal moth, sawtoothed grain beetles, and flour beetles.

Several insects, commonly referred to as pantry or kitchen pests, infest dry or stored food products in the home. Most are either beetles or moths. In the case of beetles, both the adult and larval stages may be damaging while only the larvae of moths are destructive. Infestations may be noted when these insects are found in some products, but more commonly when the adults are seen crawling or flying about the kitchen or pantry.

Since most of these insects are of tropical or semi-tropical origin, they live and breed best under warm, humid conditions – conditions often found in kitchen cupboards. Since most do not hibernate, reproduction is continuous throughout the year and populations can build up rapidly if they are left undisturbed.

Inspection - Always keep in mind that many pantry pests are strong fliers and that their larvae can crawl some distance from a source of infestation. The source of infestation is usually limited to a small area such as the kitchen, or a single cabinet, or a single susceptible product. Before you attempt control, find out this source and eliminate it.

This is not always an easy job. Check all the materials mentioned as susceptible products. Do not overlook the fact that a sealed container may be infested because the lid may be loose enough to allow pantry pests.

Sterilization - It is possible to kill pantry pests by putting lightly infested packages in the refrigerator freezer compartment for a least two or three days.

Sanitation - Periodically clean all shelves in storage areas. Many pantry pests can breed in food particles that spill or sift from packages and accumulate in cracks and corners. The insects can then infest food packages on the shelves later.

Buy only small quantities of foods susceptible to infestation, especially in the summer. Carefully examine these foods when you get them to be sure they are free of pests.

Whenever possible, dry foods can be stored in clean glass or metal containers with tight fitting lids. (Empty coffee cans with plastic lids make excellent storage containers.) Clean containers thoroughly before placing fresh food in them. Never leave them undisturbed for long periods of time. Storing these food products in the refrigerator or freezer will prevent infestation.

Insecticides are not recommended for use against pantry pests.

This article is not intended to provoke panic, but just an FYI for folks to be aware of and keep in mind. If you have any questions give us a call at the Cottonwood Extension Office.

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/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictSomeone recently came into the Cottonwood Extension office with a tiny insect, asking what it is. Fortunately, it had a distinctive long snout. So that meant it was a weevil and I was able to narrow it down considerably and identify it as a rice weevil. I did get verification from J.P. Michaud, entomologist at the Ag Research Ct. in Hays, too.It just so happened that was the same day my newspaper article is due. Therefore, I thought I would write about pantry or stored product pests. Some of the more common pantry or kitchen insect pests are probably the Indian meal moth, sawtoothed grain beetles, and flour beetles.Several insects, commonly referred to as pantry or kitchen pests, infest dry or stored food products in the home. Most are either beetles or moths. In the case of beetles, both the adult and larval stages may be damaging while only the larvae of moths are destructive. Infestations may be noted when these insects are found in some products, but more commonly when the adults are seen crawling or flying about the kitchen or pantry.Since most of these insects are of tropical or semi-tropical origin, they live and breed best under warm, humid conditions – conditions often found in kitchen cupboards. Since most do not hibernate, reproduction is continuous throughout the year and populations can build up rapidly if they are left undisturbed.Inspection - Always keep in mind that many pantry pests are strong fliers and that their larvae can crawl some distance from a source of infestation. The source of infestation is usually limited to a small area such as the kitchen, or a single cabinet, or a single susceptible product. Before you attempt control, find out this source and eliminate it.This is not always an easy job. Check all the materials mentioned as susceptible products. Do not overlook the fact that a sealed container may be infested because the lid may be loose enough to allow pantry pests.Sterilization - It is possible to kill pantry pests by putting lightly infested packages in the refrigerator freezer compartment for a least two or three days.Sanitation - Periodically clean all shelves in storage areas. Many pantry pests can breed in food particles that spill or sift from packages and accumulate in cracks and corners. The insects can then infest food packages on the shelves later.Buy only small quantities of foods susceptible to infestation, especially in the summer. Carefully examine these foods when you get them to be sure they are free of pests.Whenever possible, dry foods can be stored in clean glass or metal containers with tight fitting lids. (Empty coffee cans with plastic lids make excellent storage containers.) Clean containers thoroughly before placing fresh food in them. Never leave them undisturbed for long periods of time. Storing these food products in the refrigerator or freezer will prevent infestation.Insecticides are not recommended for use against pantry pests.This article is not intended to provoke panic, but just an FYI for folks to be aware of and keep in mind. If you have any questions give us a call at the Cottonwood Extension Office.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: Pantry pest control measures

In early July, we explored Ayre’s Natural Bridge, a site not far from Douglas, Wyoming. We’ve driven past a bazillion times and finally exited I-80 to investigate. It’s one of only a few intact natural bridges with water running beneath them in America. But, the highlight for me was seeing and hearing scores of flitting yellow warblers zipping through box elder trees that shade this charming historic/picnic site. This Western Kansan doesn’t see yellow warblers often and never in great numbers, which made that detour a big deal.

Just thinking about our hour wandering along La Prele Creek burbling through a red rock canyon while hordes of warblers presented an early July symphony continues put a smile on my face. Imagine my surprise when my husband recently alerted me to a pair of yellow warblers in our front locust tree one chilly day in early August. Temps never cracked 70 degrees til after 4 p.m. so maybe that triggered a mini-migration….

Due to the cool, every window in the house hung open, so I heard our visitors vigorously chatting out front before I saw them. I grabbed my camera and crept outside where I tucked myself behind the bush next to our porch and sat and sat and sat, listening to vocalizing I’d first heard in Ayre’s Canyon. Swift movements from branch to branch clued me in that these guys weren’t any more likely to pose than those warblers I tried photographing in Wyoming.

Thank goodness clouds held temps down as I awaited my photo op. Periodically, I’d see a tiny, yellow bird swiftly drop from a low-hanging branch to the lawn below to snag an insect and return at warp speed. I could never focus in time to capture a shot. As expected, vivid yellow feathered males showed up better than the paler females. Unfortunately, the males moved continuously, and when they paused, a dangling curtain of locust leaves left me photo-less.

Eventually, I saw we had more than a pair stopping to refuel. At least 5 if not 6 warblers occupied our tree for over an hour of intensive feasting. I learned they prefer caterpillars, but as far as I’m concerned, they can gobble any bug they want from our yard. No matter what they ate, these insectivores left with stuffed gullets.

Finally, they dined long enough that a lone female offered my waiting lens a side shot. After sitting still, my stiff muscles did their job and snapped her picture. Afterward, I re-assumed the patient position, hoping a male would cooperate. No such luck.

Eventually, I headed inside where my husband and I hid behind an open window to continue observing these unexpected visitors. Obviously, the screen eliminated any photo chances, but we enjoyed watching warbler acrobatic maneuvers through the tangle of branches and leaves of that old locust. With humans out of sight, our visitors unconcernedly zipped every direction, snarfing even more six-legged critters.

Who knows what told these visitors they needed to go, but go they did. That tree out front got awful quiet once they departed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723824078494.jpeg" alt="Photo by Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINIn early July, we explored Ayre’s Natural Bridge, a site not far from Douglas, Wyoming. We’ve driven past a bazillion times and finally exited I-80 to investigate. It’s one of only a few intact natural bridges with water running beneath them in America. But, the highlight for me was seeing and hearing scores of flitting yellow warblers zipping through box elder trees that shade this charming historic/picnic site. This Western Kansan doesn’t see yellow warblers often and never in great numbers, which made that detour a big deal.Just thinking about our hour wandering along La Prele Creek burbling through a red rock canyon while hordes of warblers presented an early July symphony continues put a smile on my face. Imagine my surprise when my husband recently alerted me to a pair of yellow warblers in our front locust tree one chilly day in early August. Temps never cracked 70 degrees til after 4 p.m. so maybe that triggered a mini-migration….Due to the cool, every window in the house hung open, so I heard our visitors vigorously chatting out front before I saw them. I grabbed my camera and crept outside where I tucked myself behind the bush next to our porch and sat and sat and sat, listening to vocalizing I’d first heard in Ayre’s Canyon. Swift movements from branch to branch clued me in that these guys weren’t any more likely to pose than those warblers I tried photographing in Wyoming.Thank goodness clouds held temps down as I awaited my photo op. Periodically, I’d see a tiny, yellow bird swiftly drop from a low-hanging branch to the lawn below to snag an insect and return at warp speed. I could never focus in time to capture a shot. As expected, vivid yellow feathered males showed up better than the paler females. Unfortunately, the males moved continuously, and when they paused, a dangling curtain of locust leaves left me photo-less.Eventually, I saw we had more than a pair stopping to refuel. At least 5 if not 6 warblers occupied our tree for over an hour of intensive feasting. I learned they prefer caterpillars, but as far as I’m concerned, they can gobble any bug they want from our yard. No matter what they ate, these insectivores left with stuffed gullets.Finally, they dined long enough that a lone female offered my waiting lens a side shot. After sitting still, my stiff muscles did their job and snapped her picture. Afterward, I re-assumed the patient position, hoping a male would cooperate. No such luck.Eventually, I headed inside where my husband and I hid behind an open window to continue observing these unexpected visitors. Obviously, the screen eliminated any photo chances, but we enjoyed watching warbler acrobatic maneuvers through the tangle of branches and leaves of that old locust. With humans out of sight, our visitors unconcernedly zipped every direction, snarfing even more six-legged critters.Who knows what told these visitors they needed to go, but go they did. That tree out front got awful quiet once they departed.

MADORIN: Staying alert pays off

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

It is just about time for the Kansas State Fair! The State Fair will kick off on Friday, September 6th, and run through Sunday, September 15th.

We had 42 4-H youth in Barton County qualify to take an entry to the State Fair. From those 42, we have over 80 entries!

I always say this day of delivering 4-H exhibits to the Kansas State Fair is one of the scariest driving days that I experience all year. Fragile visual arts projects, entomology and geology boxes, small woodworking projects, and cakes, pies, and cookies – Oh My!

Several 4-H youth will take part in contests such as modeling for Fashion Revue, participating with a photography judging team, or presenting a demonstration or illustrated talk.

As a ten-year 4-H member, I lived too far from Hutchinson to ever see my State Fair exhibits on display so I encourage all of our 4-H members to check out the 4-H exhibits!

If you attend the State Fair on a weekend, be sure to stop in Centennial Hall and listen to a few demonstrations or project talks. These youth are working hard to improve their communication skills and it is fun to see their ideas. Over 1200 4-H photographs will be on display as well as a wealth of rockets, sewing, quilting, and horticulture exhibits.

In case you are wondering, the foods entries are judged on Thursday, September 5th, and only a small number of samples are kept on display due to space constraints. The other portion of the foods entry is placed in a bake sale which benefits the International Foreign Youth Exchange (IFYE) program so be sure to check this out if you happen to be in Hutchinson on the afternoon of September 5th.

Come visit the Kansas State Fair and step off the midway for a while to see the wide variety of talents and skills on display by 4-H members across our state!

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="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension DistrictIt is just about time for the Kansas State Fair! The State Fair will kick off on Friday, September 6th, and run through Sunday, September 15th.We had 42 4-H youth in Barton County qualify to take an entry to the State Fair. From those 42, we have over 80 entries!I always say this day of delivering 4-H exhibits to the Kansas State Fair is one of the scariest driving days that I experience all year. Fragile visual arts projects, entomology and geology boxes, small woodworking projects, and cakes, pies, and cookies – Oh My!Several 4-H youth will take part in contests such as modeling for Fashion Revue, participating with a photography judging team, or presenting a demonstration or illustrated talk.As a ten-year 4-H member, I lived too far from Hutchinson to ever see my State Fair exhibits on display so I encourage all of our 4-H members to check out the 4-H exhibits!If you attend the State Fair on a weekend, be sure to stop in Centennial Hall and listen to a few demonstrations or project talks. These youth are working hard to improve their communication skills and it is fun to see their ideas. Over 1200 4-H photographs will be on display as well as a wealth of rockets, sewing, quilting, and horticulture exhibits.In case you are wondering, the foods entries are judged on Thursday, September 5th, and only a small number of samples are kept on display due to space constraints. The other portion of the foods entry is placed in a bake sale which benefits the International Foreign Youth Exchange (IFYE) program so be sure to check this out if you happen to be in Hutchinson on the afternoon of September 5th.Come visit the Kansas State Fair and step off the midway for a while to see the wide variety of talents and skills on display by 4-H members across our state!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.

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