By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University President

Jorja Burch grew up in Pratt, Kansas, where the warmth of the community and the steadfast support of her parents, Verlan and Starla Elliott, created a nurturing environment for her to flourish.

From an early age, Jorja displayed a natural curiosity that propelled her into the world of science. A middle school science fair project that compared household bleach brands' effectiveness against stubborn Kool-Aid stains piqued her interest in understanding the “why” behind everyday things.

“I always had to understand why something worked the way it did. And my desire to dig deeper grew with every question,” Jorja reflected. Driven by this insatiable thirst for knowledge, she learned about the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science (KAMS) and knew this unique program was where she belonged. “I wanted a learning experience tailored to me: small class sizes where I could communicate with peers and professors and hands-on research experience.”

KAMS was no ordinary educational experience. Designed for gifted and talented students, it offered early college immersion, college-level courses, and, notably, hands-on research experience. The residential community welcomed her with open arms—a blend of intellectual rigor and camaraderie that spoke to her nature.

“From day one, I felt inspired and enthusiastic about learning,” she said, recalling her impressions of Fort Hays State University’s (FHSU) vibrant campus. “Small class sizes allowed me to engage meaningfully with my peers and professors.”

Jorja describes KAMS as “an incredible experience that taught me how to ask critical questions and design experiments, and it made me a stronger scientist overall. KAMS built the foundation, and FHSU expanded on it, which ultimately prepared me to be successful in graduate school and beyond.”

Jorja dove into plant biology research. She polished her technical skills in molecular and cellular biology labs, uncovering a passion cultivated with each experiment. She thrived in a culture emphasizing collaboration, assisting her peers first as a student and later as a tutor. “It was rewarding to give back, supporting other students in subjects I had grown to love,” she noted.

Jorja completed her bachelor's degree at FHSU in 2021. She served as a VIP Ambassador for the Office of the President and as the Chemistry/Pre-Professional Club president. Under her leadership, the club organized several volunteer and outreach initiatives, instilling in her the importance of community engagement. The Honors College experience further enriched her education, focusing on personal growth and mentorship.

Throughout her undergraduate years, Jorja showcased her determination and capability. She presented her research findings at various conferences, connecting with fellow scientists and

mentors, one of whom was Dr. Amidon, whose advice she still cherishes. “He shaped my entry into the workforce and provided invaluable insights into navigating my academic journey,” Jorja reminisced.

In 2021, Jorja embarked on her Ph.D. journey at Texas A&amp;M University, a decision driven by her commitment to research and her desire to expand her understanding of evolutionary biology. “I was accepted straight out of my bachelor’s program,” she said. “That was such an honor; it meant I could jump into intensive research without taking a couple of extra years to pursue a master’s degree.”

The path to her Ph.D. has been built not only on her academic achievements but has also laid a strong groundwork for future success. Recently recognized with the Lawrence S. Dillon Distinguished Graduate Student Award at Texas A&amp;M, she looks forward to defending her doctoral dissertation in November 2024.

Yet Jorja’s path hasn’t been devoid of challenges. “I have always struggled with setting boundaries between my research and my personal life.”

“I remember being completely overwhelmed with coursework and career planning in my second year of the KAMS program. I sat in Will Burns’ office, planning my next two years of classes, when he suggested that I wait to take organic chemistry and instead take a yoga class to try to relax. Completely appalled by this suggestion, I left to consider my options, and the next week, I enrolled in organic chemistry for the following semester. I passed the class, vowed never to take another chemistry course, and switched my study from pre-medicine to biology. Had I never made this switch, I might've never found the research I am passionate about.”

Despite not following Will’s advice, Jorja recognizes his wisdom and shares that finding ways to destress is a skill she is still cultivating. While continuing to hone this skill, she encourages future generations to embrace moments of clarity and rest amidst the whirlwind of academia. “Taking time to destress is so important. I wish I had prioritized that sooner,” she adds thoughtfully, with the wisdom of her experiences resonating through her words.

“I think about the moments of joy and struggle, the teachers who believed in me, the peers who supported me,” she said, reflecting on her journey. “Every step, every question asked has brought me to this point. I am so grateful to KAMS for providing the foundation upon which I built my career and to FHSU for expanding my horizons. It’s a network of support that I carry with me everywhere.”

As her dissertation defense approaches in November 2024, Jorja embodies all the promises of a scientist on the precipice of a bright future. She is not just a researcher but an educator, an advocate for young students striving for their dreams in STEM, and a mentor in the making.

Jorja’s unwavering dedication to research and education ensures she will leave her mark in evolutionary biology and inspire countless others to follow their dreams and explore the infinite possibilities that await them.

Jorja Burch embodies the heart of an FHSU tiger through her resilience, passion, and pursuit of knowledge. From her roots in Pratt, Kansas, to the expansive research landscapes of Texas A&amp;M University and beyond, she continues to push boundaries, redefine what’s possible, and inspire others with her journey.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University PresidentJorja Burch grew up in Pratt, Kansas, where the warmth of the community and the steadfast support of her parents, Verlan and Starla Elliott, created a nurturing environment for her to flourish.From an early age, Jorja displayed a natural curiosity that propelled her into the world of science. A middle school science fair project that compared household bleach brands' effectiveness against stubborn Kool-Aid stains piqued her interest in understanding the “why” behind everyday things.“I always had to understand why something worked the way it did. And my desire to dig deeper grew with every question,” Jorja reflected. Driven by this insatiable thirst for knowledge, she learned about the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science (KAMS) and knew this unique program was where she belonged. “I wanted a learning experience tailored to me: small class sizes where I could communicate with peers and professors and hands-on research experience.”KAMS was no ordinary educational experience. Designed for gifted and talented students, it offered early college immersion, college-level courses, and, notably, hands-on research experience. The residential community welcomed her with open arms—a blend of intellectual rigor and camaraderie that spoke to her nature.“From day one, I felt inspired and enthusiastic about learning,” she said, recalling her impressions of Fort Hays State University’s (FHSU) vibrant campus. “Small class sizes allowed me to engage meaningfully with my peers and professors.”Jorja describes KAMS as “an incredible experience that taught me how to ask critical questions and design experiments, and it made me a stronger scientist overall. KAMS built the foundation, and FHSU expanded on it, which ultimately prepared me to be successful in graduate school and beyond.”Jorja dove into plant biology research. She polished her technical skills in molecular and cellular biology labs, uncovering a passion cultivated with each experiment. She thrived in a culture emphasizing collaboration, assisting her peers first as a student and later as a tutor. “It was rewarding to give back, supporting other students in subjects I had grown to love,” she noted.Jorja completed her bachelor's degree at FHSU in 2021. She served as a VIP Ambassador for the Office of the President and as the Chemistry/Pre-Professional Club president. Under her leadership, the club organized several volunteer and outreach initiatives, instilling in her the importance of community engagement. The Honors College experience further enriched her education, focusing on personal growth and mentorship.Throughout her undergraduate years, Jorja showcased her determination and capability. She presented her research findings at various conferences, connecting with fellow scientists andmentors, one of whom was Dr. Amidon, whose advice she still cherishes. “He shaped my entry into the workforce and provided invaluable insights into navigating my academic journey,” Jorja reminisced.In 2021, Jorja embarked on her Ph.D. journey at Texas A&amp;M University, a decision driven by her commitment to research and her desire to expand her understanding of evolutionary biology. “I was accepted straight out of my bachelor’s program,” she said. “That was such an honor; it meant I could jump into intensive research without taking a couple of extra years to pursue a master’s degree.”The path to her Ph.D. has been built not only on her academic achievements but has also laid a strong groundwork for future success. Recently recognized with the Lawrence S. Dillon Distinguished Graduate Student Award at Texas A&amp;M, she looks forward to defending her doctoral dissertation in November 2024.Yet Jorja’s path hasn’t been devoid of challenges. “I have always struggled with setting boundaries between my research and my personal life.”“I remember being completely overwhelmed with coursework and career planning in my second year of the KAMS program. I sat in Will Burns’ office, planning my next two years of classes, when he suggested that I wait to take organic chemistry and instead take a yoga class to try to relax. Completely appalled by this suggestion, I left to consider my options, and the next week, I enrolled in organic chemistry for the following semester. I passed the class, vowed never to take another chemistry course, and switched my study from pre-medicine to biology. Had I never made this switch, I might've never found the research I am passionate about.”Despite not following Will’s advice, Jorja recognizes his wisdom and shares that finding ways to destress is a skill she is still cultivating. While continuing to hone this skill, she encourages future generations to embrace moments of clarity and rest amidst the whirlwind of academia. “Taking time to destress is so important. I wish I had prioritized that sooner,” she adds thoughtfully, with the wisdom of her experiences resonating through her words.“I think about the moments of joy and struggle, the teachers who believed in me, the peers who supported me,” she said, reflecting on her journey. “Every step, every question asked has brought me to this point. I am so grateful to KAMS for providing the foundation upon which I built my career and to FHSU for expanding my horizons. It’s a network of support that I carry with me everywhere.”As her dissertation defense approaches in November 2024, Jorja embodies all the promises of a scientist on the precipice of a bright future. She is not just a researcher but an educator, an advocate for young students striving for their dreams in STEM, and a mentor in the making.Jorja’s unwavering dedication to research and education ensures she will leave her mark in evolutionary biology and inspire countless others to follow their dreams and explore the infinite possibilities that await them.Jorja Burch embodies the heart of an FHSU tiger through her resilience, passion, and pursuit of knowledge. From her roots in Pratt, Kansas, to the expansive research landscapes of Texas A&amp;M University and beyond, she continues to push boundaries, redefine what’s possible, and inspire others with her journey.

Heart of a Tiger: Kansas Academy of Math and Science alum ready to make her mark on the world

For
the last nearly 15 years, I have had the honor of serving your community.&nbsp; I’ve represented you, your family members,
and your neighbors on all sorts of legal matters ranging from speeding tickets
and traffic matters, to minors in possession of alcohol, to drug possession and
distribution cases, to Children in Need of Care hearings, to juvenile offender
matters, to some of the most heartbreaking criminal cases that plague every
community.&nbsp; I’ve been a lifelong Western
Kansas kid, and have enjoyed helping the residents of Trego County with all of
their legal matters.

Without
a doubt, one of the people that keeps Trego County on the right path is Judge
Richard Flax.&nbsp; He’s been your judge since
he was elected in 1996, and has done an admirable job in that position.

If
you would ask any attorney that appears regularly in front of Judge Flax, I
have no doubt any of them will tell you the same thing: Judge Flax is fair.
Judge Flax is honest. Judge Flax is well prepared for every hearing. Every
plaintiff and every defendant will be given their chance to be heard in Judge
Flax’s courtroom.

In
many ways, Judge Flax embodies the spirit of the community.&nbsp; He’s not a politician, not someone to ever
talk about himself, so you’ll never hear him brag about his accomplishments,
accolades, or awards. Few in Trego County know Judge Flax was awarded the Lee
Nusser Award for Outstanding Magistrate Judge last year, because he would never
bring it up.

I
will tell you, that combination of professionalism, with that level of humility
is exactly why his colleagues gave him that award.&nbsp; 

A
vote for Richard Flax is a vote for integrity, honesty, and fairness. Having
someone you know will provide all of that to your community is not something
that can be found around any corner.&nbsp; On
November 5, 2024, I would encourage you to vote for Richard Flax for Trego
County Magistrate Judge. 

J.
Alex Herman Herman
&amp; McCoy, P.A.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091063975.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Voters
of Trego County:For
the last nearly 15 years, I have had the honor of serving your community.&nbsp; I’ve represented you, your family members,
and your neighbors on all sorts of legal matters ranging from speeding tickets
and traffic matters, to minors in possession of alcohol, to drug possession and
distribution cases, to Children in Need of Care hearings, to juvenile offender
matters, to some of the most heartbreaking criminal cases that plague every
community.&nbsp; I’ve been a lifelong Western
Kansas kid, and have enjoyed helping the residents of Trego County with all of
their legal matters.Without
a doubt, one of the people that keeps Trego County on the right path is Judge
Richard Flax.&nbsp; He’s been your judge since
he was elected in 1996, and has done an admirable job in that position.If
you would ask any attorney that appears regularly in front of Judge Flax, I
have no doubt any of them will tell you the same thing: Judge Flax is fair.
Judge Flax is honest. Judge Flax is well prepared for every hearing. Every
plaintiff and every defendant will be given their chance to be heard in Judge
Flax’s courtroom.In
many ways, Judge Flax embodies the spirit of the community.&nbsp; He’s not a politician, not someone to ever
talk about himself, so you’ll never hear him brag about his accomplishments,
accolades, or awards. Few in Trego County know Judge Flax was awarded the Lee
Nusser Award for Outstanding Magistrate Judge last year, because he would never
bring it up.I
will tell you, that combination of professionalism, with that level of humility
is exactly why his colleagues gave him that award.&nbsp; A
vote for Richard Flax is a vote for integrity, honesty, and fairness. Having
someone you know will provide all of that to your community is not something
that can be found around any corner.&nbsp; On
November 5, 2024, I would encourage you to vote for Richard Flax for Trego
County Magistrate Judge. J.
Alex Herman Herman
&amp; McCoy, P.A.

LETTER: Re-elect Richard Flax, Magistrate Judge

As a gal who grew up bodysurfing every warm and sort of warm day of her teenage years, I love the ocean. Relocating to my birth state required readjusting until I realized I heard the reverberations of pounding waves when I stood atop windy Kansas hills. Adding sight to sound, high-ground overlooking windblown grainfields reveals that blowing wheat rolls like the Pacific waves of my childhood. After digging into Kansas geology, I realized an ancient seabed forms this landscape, offering OLD rocks and fossils to seekers of such.

The Western Inland Sea that split our land mass from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean during the late Cretaceous left treasures for the curious. During our early years of marriage, I’d find septarian nodules near Cedar Bluff. They were so common, I kept none. They’re harder to find now so I celebrated when a recent adventure delivered two weighty prizes to my house.

The first time I spotted a septarian nodule, I swore I’d found a petrified turtle. The segments of limestone and calcite or carbonate mineral look like turtle shell scutes. I’ve since learned no turtle created this stone. Anywhere from 144,000,000 to 65,000,000 years ago during the Cretaceous period, mud, limestone, or silt may or may not have compacted around a bit of organic matter, creating a round or oval conglomeration in that shallow seabed. Once dried, the orb cracked. Another wet cycle began and suspended minerals then collected in radiating fissures, creating eye-catching dividing lines to dazzle future collectors. Finding a septarian nodule is a journey across time. Listen for the sounds of lapping waves.

Speaking of dividing lines—that’s where these rocks got their name. That little flap of skin that divides nostrils is called a septum. Some Latin speaking scientist made the connection between his schnoz splitter and these rocks and named them septarian nodules. Tuck that tidbit into your trivia collection for future reference.

For those who love interesting looking rocks, these meet such criteria. Mixtures of colors, including hues of ochre, brown, yellow, orange, tan, white, and grey create geometric designs throughout the stone. Because the original mudstones split and filled with carbonates, calcites, or other minerals, these easily fracture which results in oddly shaped and sized stones. In fact, hounders often find parts instead of whole nodules. After millions of freeze and thaw cycles, it’s amazing we still discover intact specimens.

On that note, weathering takes its toll. Often times folks recognize septarian nodules because the outer crust or matrix covering the filled-in fractures erodes. I’m guessing more than one inexperienced nodule hunter walked right over a stone that recently emerged from protective soils and still has a limestone coating.

Because some nodules formed around organic matter, some collectors saw them in half to see what’s inside. It’s possible to find crystals or a small fossil. The ones I’ve found are just mudballs that cracked and filled with calcite or carbonate suspensions. When I want to see hidden treasure, I visit rock shops and museums.

When the day comes I can no longer find reminders that I live on an ancient seabed, I hope our daughters position my septarian nodules outside my window. I’ll see them and recall the thrill of finding rocks created millions of years ago by receding, shallow seas--a recollection that even beats body-surfing memories.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728330328251.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINAs a gal who grew up bodysurfing every warm and sort of warm day of her teenage years, I love the ocean. Relocating to my birth state required readjusting until I realized I heard the reverberations of pounding waves when I stood atop windy Kansas hills. Adding sight to sound, high-ground overlooking windblown grainfields reveals that blowing wheat rolls like the Pacific waves of my childhood. After digging into Kansas geology, I realized an ancient seabed forms this landscape, offering OLD rocks and fossils to seekers of such.The Western Inland Sea that split our land mass from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean during the late Cretaceous left treasures for the curious. During our early years of marriage, I’d find septarian nodules near Cedar Bluff. They were so common, I kept none. They’re harder to find now so I celebrated when a recent adventure delivered two weighty prizes to my house.The first time I spotted a septarian nodule, I swore I’d found a petrified turtle. The segments of limestone and calcite or carbonate mineral look like turtle shell scutes. I’ve since learned no turtle created this stone. Anywhere from 144,000,000 to 65,000,000 years ago during the Cretaceous period, mud, limestone, or silt may or may not have compacted around a bit of organic matter, creating a round or oval conglomeration in that shallow seabed. Once dried, the orb cracked. Another wet cycle began and suspended minerals then collected in radiating fissures, creating eye-catching dividing lines to dazzle future collectors. Finding a septarian nodule is a journey across time. Listen for the sounds of lapping waves.Speaking of dividing lines—that’s where these rocks got their name. That little flap of skin that divides nostrils is called a septum. Some Latin speaking scientist made the connection between his schnoz splitter and these rocks and named them septarian nodules. Tuck that tidbit into your trivia collection for future reference.For those who love interesting looking rocks, these meet such criteria. Mixtures of colors, including hues of ochre, brown, yellow, orange, tan, white, and grey create geometric designs throughout the stone. Because the original mudstones split and filled with carbonates, calcites, or other minerals, these easily fracture which results in oddly shaped and sized stones. In fact, hounders often find parts instead of whole nodules. After millions of freeze and thaw cycles, it’s amazing we still discover intact specimens.On that note, weathering takes its toll. Often times folks recognize septarian nodules because the outer crust or matrix covering the filled-in fractures erodes. I’m guessing more than one inexperienced nodule hunter walked right over a stone that recently emerged from protective soils and still has a limestone coating.Because some nodules formed around organic matter, some collectors saw them in half to see what’s inside. It’s possible to find crystals or a small fossil. The ones I’ve found are just mudballs that cracked and filled with calcite or carbonate suspensions. When I want to see hidden treasure, I visit rock shops and museums.When the day comes I can no longer find reminders that I live on an ancient seabed, I hope our daughters position my septarian nodules outside my window. I’ll see them and recall the thrill of finding rocks created millions of years ago by receding, shallow seas--a recollection that even beats body-surfing memories.

MADORIN: Don’t knock those nodules

By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

Medicare can be challenging to navigate. If you are eligible, you know that enrolling in hospital insurance, Part B, supplemental coverage, and a drug plan can be overwhelming. The good news is that if you aren’t pleased with your current coverage, open enrollment allows you to make some changes. For example, you can review your current drug plan and see if it will be your best option next year. Since Part D plans tend to change yearly, it’s smart to see what that means for your coverage and costs.

The Cottonwood Extension District is here to help. Certified Senior Health Insurance Counselors in Kansas (SHICK) offer free, unbiased, and confidential Part D assistance to help you find the best drug plan. If you want to compare drug plans, switch plans, or shop around, we are available to visit with you, and see what works best for your situation. Open Enrollment is from October 15 – December 7, and you can schedule an appointment today in the Great Bend or Hays office. Certified volunteers, Donna and John Krug, will also have limited availability in the Great Bend office.

Other resources in the Great Bend area include Volunteers in Action who are SHICK trained. They will be accepting appointments starting on Oct. 17 and you can call 620-792-1614 to make an appointment. Director Linn Hogg says, “Our goal is to help you find the lowest out-of-pocket plan available.”

When you schedule an appointment with the Cottonwood District, you will receive a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug -Coverage Worksheet. Medicare beneficiaries need to list all prescription drugs taken, dosage, and 30-day quantity on the worksheet. Bring the worksheet, your Medicare card, and recent letters from Social Security or Medicare to your appointment. To

schedule your appointment, please call (620) 793- 1910. If you have questions regarding Medicare, please contact Karissa at (620) 793- 1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

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 DistrictMedicare can be challenging to navigate. If you are eligible, you know that enrolling in hospital insurance, Part B, supplemental coverage, and a drug plan can be overwhelming. The good news is that if you aren’t pleased with your current coverage, open enrollment allows you to make some changes. For example, you can review your current drug plan and see if it will be your best option next year. Since Part D plans tend to change yearly, it’s smart to see what that means for your coverage and costs.The Cottonwood Extension District is here to help. Certified Senior Health Insurance Counselors in Kansas (SHICK) offer free, unbiased, and confidential Part D assistance to help you find the best drug plan. If you want to compare drug plans, switch plans, or shop around, we are available to visit with you, and see what works best for your situation. Open Enrollment is from October 15 – December 7, and you can schedule an appointment today in the Great Bend or Hays office. Certified volunteers, Donna and John Krug, will also have limited availability in the Great Bend office.Other resources in the Great Bend area include Volunteers in Action who are SHICK trained. They will be accepting appointments starting on Oct. 17 and you can call 620-792-1614 to make an appointment. Director Linn Hogg says, “Our goal is to help you find the lowest out-of-pocket plan available.”When you schedule an appointment with the Cottonwood District, you will receive a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug -Coverage Worksheet. Medicare beneficiaries need to list all prescription drugs taken, dosage, and 30-day quantity on the worksheet. Bring the worksheet, your Medicare card, and recent letters from Social Security or Medicare to your appointment. Toschedule your appointment, please call (620) 793- 1910. If you have questions regarding Medicare, please contact Karissa at (620) 793- 1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.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: Medicare Part D open enrollment

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

Musk thistle is one of 12 noxious weeds in Kansas, infesting over 420,000 acres. It has been reported in nearly every county in Kansas and is found primarily in pastures, rangeland, hay meadows, alfalfa, fallow, roadsides, and waste areas. Under the new Noxious Weed Law, musk thistle is considered a Category C weed. That means it is well established within the state and has an extensive population.&nbsp;

Control efforts should be aimed at reducing or eliminating new populations, and established stands should be managed with any accepted control method.&nbsp; These include mechanical, chemical, and biological approaches.&nbsp; Mechanical control involves removing the entire plant or just the reproductive parts to prevent the plants from producing flowers/seeds.&nbsp; 

Mowing, digging, and hoeing are common mechanical methods of controlling musk thistle. Several herbicides are labeled for musk thistle control and are discussed below.&nbsp; Biological control requires a permit and needs to be integrated with other methods.&nbsp; Head and crown weevils are found in the state but cannot be transported across state lines.&nbsp; A flower fly is a new candidate species for biological control of musk thistle.

Musk thistle is primarily a biennial or winter annual species. Biennials take two growing seasons to complete their life cycle. Thistles germinating in the spring will spend the entire summer as a rosette, live through the winter, and bolt the next year in May and June. Winter annual plants will germinate with moisture and warm temperatures in the fall, live through the winter, and bolt the following year.

Most people recognize musk thistle during the early summer when the plants are actively blooming. However, musk thistle control is easiest as a rosette.

Fall is an excellent time to spray musk thistle as all are in the rosette growth stage. Another advantage of treatment in the fall is reduced risk of off-target drift. Waiting until most deciduous trees have lost their leaves and most crops are harvested will greatly reduce the likelihood of damage from herbicide drift. A wider window of opportunity for treating musk thistle also exists in the fall. The spraying window in the fall probably extends until the ground is frozen, and the musk thistle plants have shut down activity until warmer temperatures in the spring. Freezing temperatures will start to damage musk thistle plants, with some yellowing and curling of leaves. However, the plants are susceptible to herbicides as long as green tissue exists.

Dry conditions in the fall can reduce control of musk thistle with certain herbicides. Still, studies in Kansas indicated that a fall application of 2,4-D LVE at 2 lbs per acre was more effective (80% control) than a similar rate of 2,4-D amine (49% control). Dicamba + 2,4-D amine at 0.25 + 0.75 lbs per acre and picloram at 0.125 lbs per acre were also effective (&gt;90% control) on musk thistle treated in the fall.&nbsp; Other herbicides that have proven effective include 3-5&nbsp; fl oz/acre aminopyralid (Milestone) and aminopyralid + metsulfuron (Chaparral at 1.5 oz/acre).&nbsp; Products containing picloram and aminopyralid will not only control rosettes treated in the fall but will have enough carryover to control emerging seedlings the following spring.

If you need to treat musk thistle this fall, select the proper herbicide for the job.&nbsp; If possible, select a warm, sunny day to spray. Scattered rosettes can be mechanically removed by digging below the crown. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698682262753.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension DistrictMusk thistle is one of 12 noxious weeds in Kansas, infesting over 420,000 acres. It has been reported in nearly every county in Kansas and is found primarily in pastures, rangeland, hay meadows, alfalfa, fallow, roadsides, and waste areas. Under the new Noxious Weed Law, musk thistle is considered a Category C weed. That means it is well established within the state and has an extensive population.&nbsp;Control efforts should be aimed at reducing or eliminating new populations, and established stands should be managed with any accepted control method.&nbsp; These include mechanical, chemical, and biological approaches.&nbsp; Mechanical control involves removing the entire plant or just the reproductive parts to prevent the plants from producing flowers/seeds.&nbsp; Mowing, digging, and hoeing are common mechanical methods of controlling musk thistle. Several herbicides are labeled for musk thistle control and are discussed below.&nbsp; Biological control requires a permit and needs to be integrated with other methods.&nbsp; Head and crown weevils are found in the state but cannot be transported across state lines.&nbsp; A flower fly is a new candidate species for biological control of musk thistle.Musk thistle is primarily a biennial or winter annual species. Biennials take two growing seasons to complete their life cycle. Thistles germinating in the spring will spend the entire summer as a rosette, live through the winter, and bolt the next year in May and June. Winter annual plants will germinate with moisture and warm temperatures in the fall, live through the winter, and bolt the following year.Most people recognize musk thistle during the early summer when the plants are actively blooming. However, musk thistle control is easiest as a rosette.Fall is an excellent time to spray musk thistle as all are in the rosette growth stage. Another advantage of treatment in the fall is reduced risk of off-target drift. Waiting until most deciduous trees have lost their leaves and most crops are harvested will greatly reduce the likelihood of damage from herbicide drift. A wider window of opportunity for treating musk thistle also exists in the fall. The spraying window in the fall probably extends until the ground is frozen, and the musk thistle plants have shut down activity until warmer temperatures in the spring. Freezing temperatures will start to damage musk thistle plants, with some yellowing and curling of leaves. However, the plants are susceptible to herbicides as long as green tissue exists.Dry conditions in the fall can reduce control of musk thistle with certain herbicides. Still, studies in Kansas indicated that a fall application of 2,4-D LVE at 2 lbs per acre was more effective (80% control) than a similar rate of 2,4-D amine (49% control). Dicamba + 2,4-D amine at 0.25 + 0.75 lbs per acre and picloram at 0.125 lbs per acre were also effective (&gt;90% control) on musk thistle treated in the fall.&nbsp; Other herbicides that have proven effective include 3-5&nbsp; fl oz/acre aminopyralid (Milestone) and aminopyralid + metsulfuron (Chaparral at 1.5 oz/acre).&nbsp; Products containing picloram and aminopyralid will not only control rosettes treated in the fall but will have enough carryover to control emerging seedlings the following spring.If you need to treat musk thistle this fall, select the proper herbicide for the job.&nbsp; If possible, select a warm, sunny day to spray. Scattered rosettes can be mechanically removed by digging below the crown. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Musk thistle control

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

Do you have a family member diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia? Maybe you work with dementia patients at your job? Would you like to learn more about this disease?

Twice a year, Cottonwood Extension District, A Different Mindset Association, and Clinkscales Elder Law come together to present an educational workshop aimed to support people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their family or caregivers.

In the spring and the fall, we hold a two-night workshop aimed at educating the public about dementia. The fall workshop will be held October 9th and 10th from 6-8pm at the Cottonwood Extension District office located at 601 Main St. The first night Monique will present on

Nourishing Brain Health: Recommendations for Combating Neurodegenerative Diseases. The second night, Jill Wechsler, Care Coordinator from Clinkscales Elder Law, will present on Dementia Behaviors along with a panel discussion with individuals from A Different Mindset Association. A Different Mindset Association is a non-profit organization from Ellis County that offer support and education to families experiencing dementia.

Please call the Extension office to sign up. We will also offer a zoom link if you cannot attend in person. You must provide a working email address to obtain the zoom link. The sessions will also be recorded for future use and training.

You are welcome to come one or both nights, whatever works best for you. Light refreshments will be served.

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 DistrictDo you have a family member diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia? Maybe you work with dementia patients at your job? Would you like to learn more about this disease?Twice a year, Cottonwood Extension District, A Different Mindset Association, and Clinkscales Elder Law come together to present an educational workshop aimed to support people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their family or caregivers.In the spring and the fall, we hold a two-night workshop aimed at educating the public about dementia. The fall workshop will be held October 9th and 10th from 6-8pm at the Cottonwood Extension District office located at 601 Main St. The first night Monique will present onNourishing Brain Health: Recommendations for Combating Neurodegenerative Diseases. The second night, Jill Wechsler, Care Coordinator from Clinkscales Elder Law, will present on Dementia Behaviors along with a panel discussion with individuals from A Different Mindset Association. A Different Mindset Association is a non-profit organization from Ellis County that offer support and education to families experiencing dementia.Please call the Extension office to sign up. We will also offer a zoom link if you cannot attend in person. You must provide a working email address to obtain the zoom link. The sessions will also be recorded for future use and training.You are welcome to come one or both nights, whatever works best for you. Light refreshments will be served.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: Dementia workshop

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

This week’s column is short on outdoor learnin’, but it seems to me we could all use some chuckles about now. So, if you can identify with any of the below, you probably should NOT be a fisherman.

When someone hollers “Quick, get the net,” and you dive for your smart phone to quickly pull up the internet, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.

If you worry more about whether your life jacket makes you look fat than whether it would save your life, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.

If you insist on scrubbing your hands like a surgeon each time you dip into your snack bag, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.

If you feel the need to read a eulogy for each night crawler you thread onto a hook, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.

If you think “trolling” has something to do with ugly, wart-covered creatures that live under bridges you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.

If a deep-seated concern for “night crawler rights” leads you to make midnight covert raids on fishermen’s cabins, emptying worm boxes and pillaging bait buckets you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.

And finally, if bending or stretching the truth even slightly makes you break into a cold sweat, stutter or lose control of your bodily functions, you DEFINEATLY should not be a fisherman!

And along those same lines, if you can relate to any of the conditions stated below, you probably should consider yourself AN OLD fisherman.

You’re probably an old fisherman if you still smell like Ben Gay even after you’ve cleaned your fish.

If, after reaching quickly under the boat seat for the dip net, you’ve found yourself holding your cane instead, you’re probably an old fisherman.

If you have ever started to hold the line between your teeth only to discover you’ve left your teeth at home at home, you’re probably an old fisherman.

If removing that occasional fishbone from your teeth can now be accomplished by removing your teeth and tapping them on the table, you just might be an old fisherman.

If you’re shore lunch during a fishing trip now includes a tall, cool thermos of Metamucil and a box of prunes, you’re probably an old fisherman.

If your fishing buddies are now more than happy to take you along to their secret “honey holes” because they are confident you’ll never remember where you were anyway, you’re probably an old fisherman.

You’re probably an old fisherman if your wife now begs to go fishing with you because she’s afraid you’ll forget your way back home (you should feel lucky she wants you back home).

You’re probably an old fisherman if you recently removed a seat from your boat to make room for your walker.

You just might be an old fisherman, if to you, the letters GPS mean Gotta’ Pee Soon

And finally, it’s easy for anyone to drive off with their coffee cup sitting on the roof or the bumper of the pickup, but if you have gotten to the lake and turned around to back your boat down the boat ramp only to discover the boat was still parked in the driveway at home, you’re an old fisherman.

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 OutdoorsThis week’s column is short on outdoor learnin’, but it seems to me we could all use some chuckles about now. So, if you can identify with any of the below, you probably should NOT be a fisherman.When someone hollers “Quick, get the net,” and you dive for your smart phone to quickly pull up the internet, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.If you worry more about whether your life jacket makes you look fat than whether it would save your life, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.If you insist on scrubbing your hands like a surgeon each time you dip into your snack bag, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.If you feel the need to read a eulogy for each night crawler you thread onto a hook, you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.If you think “trolling” has something to do with ugly, wart-covered creatures that live under bridges you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.If a deep-seated concern for “night crawler rights” leads you to make midnight covert raids on fishermen’s cabins, emptying worm boxes and pillaging bait buckets you probably shouldn’t be a fisherman.And finally, if bending or stretching the truth even slightly makes you break into a cold sweat, stutter or lose control of your bodily functions, you DEFINEATLY should not be a fisherman!And along those same lines, if you can relate to any of the conditions stated below, you probably should consider yourself AN OLD fisherman.You’re probably an old fisherman if you still smell like Ben Gay even after you’ve cleaned your fish.If, after reaching quickly under the boat seat for the dip net, you’ve found yourself holding your cane instead, you’re probably an old fisherman.If you have ever started to hold the line between your teeth only to discover you’ve left your teeth at home at home, you’re probably an old fisherman.If removing that occasional fishbone from your teeth can now be accomplished by removing your teeth and tapping them on the table, you just might be an old fisherman.If you’re shore lunch during a fishing trip now includes a tall, cool thermos of Metamucil and a box of prunes, you’re probably an old fisherman.If your fishing buddies are now more than happy to take you along to their secret “honey holes” because they are confident you’ll never remember where you were anyway, you’re probably an old fisherman.You’re probably an old fisherman if your wife now begs to go fishing with you because she’s afraid you’ll forget your way back home (you should feel lucky she wants you back home).You’re probably an old fisherman if you recently removed a seat from your boat to make room for your walker.You just might be an old fisherman, if to you, the letters GPS mean Gotta’ Pee SoonAnd finally, it’s easy for anyone to drive off with their coffee cup sitting on the roof or the bumper of the pickup, but if you have gotten to the lake and turned around to back your boat down the boat ramp only to discover the boat was still parked in the driveway at home, you’re an old fisherman.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: Fishing Proverbs

By MARK JOSLYN Insight Kansas

In today’s fiercely partisan environment, elected officials struggle to balance their party loyalties with their responsibilities as representatives of the public they serve. Most falter, unable to rise above their tribal instincts: Witness Kris Kobach’s failed 2020 Senate campaign. Still, a few do achieve a successful equilibrium. Governor Laura Kelly comes to mind.

It appears that Secretary of State Scott Schwab has also established a favorable balance.

A couple weeks ago, he launched a well-orchestrated campaign against the United States Postal Service. In a letter to the postmaster general, Schwab blamed USPS for the disqualification of voters in the Kansas primaries.

Specifically, voters had sent their mail ballots in a timely manner, well before Election Day. But the ballots either arrived late, past the three-day post-election grace period, or without an essential postmark.

Under Kansas law, the ballots could not be counted.

Through no fault of their own, nearly 1,000 primary voters – approximately two percent of all mail-in votes – were unfairly disenfranchised.

Bear in mind local elections are often decided by narrow margins. State House District 51 in Leavenworth was decided by a mere 22 votes.

In 2017, the legislature adopted the 3-day grace period in part because of concerns about slow mail delivery.

This is therefore not a new concern, nor a trivial one.

Secretary Schwab recognized the ramifications extended well beyond Kansas to the presidential battle grounds.

In these states, the political climate is highly charged, with intense pressures mounting on election officials and the postal service.

Even a small number of mail-in ballots thrown out could be decisive. In 2016, Georgia rejected over 13,000 mail-in ballots. Four years later Joe Biden won the state by roughly 11,000 votes.

So, it makes sense that national news organizations carried the Kansas story, and CNN invited Schaub for an interview.

“The post office delivers great on excuses, but they don’t deliver great on ballots.”

“If you vote by mail, use a drop box run by the county, give it (ballot) to your county election officials, give it to a polling place, give it to any advanced early polling place.”

“But don’t ever give your ballot to the federal government.” This resonates in a nation that has completely lost faith in its federal institutions.

It strikes a chord with Kansans as well. They visit the post office; they get it.

Several days later, the National Association of State Elections Directors penned its own bipartisan letter outlining serious concerns about long mail delivery times, poor training for postal workers, and an increase in ballots returned as undeliverable.

Next, a bipartisan group of KC area congressional representatives including Sharice Davids, Emanuel Cleaver, Mark Alford, Jake LaTurner and Sam Graves sent a letter citing similar concerns.

Schwab’s efforts resulted in a rare trifecta.

By casting himself as champion of Kansas voters, he drew praise from constituents while simultaneously boosting his partisan credentials and political visibility.

To be sure, Schwab also deflected blame, setting up a handy scapegoat.

Now, as we head down the home stretch of the closest presidential contest in memory, all eyes are on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy – ironically a Trump appointee.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695215697316.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MARK JOSLYN Insight KansasIn today’s fiercely partisan environment, elected officials struggle to balance their party loyalties with their responsibilities as representatives of the public they serve. Most falter, unable to rise above their tribal instincts: Witness Kris Kobach’s failed 2020 Senate campaign. Still, a few do achieve a successful equilibrium. Governor Laura Kelly comes to mind.It appears that Secretary of State Scott Schwab has also established a favorable balance.A couple weeks ago, he launched a well-orchestrated campaign against the United States Postal Service. In a letter to the postmaster general, Schwab blamed USPS for the disqualification of voters in the Kansas primaries.Specifically, voters had sent their mail ballots in a timely manner, well before Election Day. But the ballots either arrived late, past the three-day post-election grace period, or without an essential postmark.Under Kansas law, the ballots could not be counted.Through no fault of their own, nearly 1,000 primary voters – approximately two percent of all mail-in votes – were unfairly disenfranchised.Bear in mind local elections are often decided by narrow margins. State House District 51 in Leavenworth was decided by a mere 22 votes.In 2017, the legislature adopted the 3-day grace period in part because of concerns about slow mail delivery.This is therefore not a new concern, nor a trivial one.Secretary Schwab recognized the ramifications extended well beyond Kansas to the presidential battle grounds.In these states, the political climate is highly charged, with intense pressures mounting on election officials and the postal service.Even a small number of mail-in ballots thrown out could be decisive. In 2016, Georgia rejected over 13,000 mail-in ballots. Four years later Joe Biden won the state by roughly 11,000 votes.So, it makes sense that national news organizations carried the Kansas story, and CNN invited Schaub for an interview.He leveraged the moment:“The post office delivers great on excuses, but they don’t deliver great on ballots.”“If you vote by mail, use a drop box run by the county, give it (ballot) to your county election officials, give it to a polling place, give it to any advanced early polling place.”“But don’t ever give your ballot to the federal government.” This resonates in a nation that has completely lost faith in its federal institutions.It strikes a chord with Kansans as well. They visit the post office; they get it.Several days later, the National Association of State Elections Directors penned its own bipartisan letter outlining serious concerns about long mail delivery times, poor training for postal workers, and an increase in ballots returned as undeliverable.Next, a bipartisan group of KC area congressional representatives including Sharice Davids, Emanuel Cleaver, Mark Alford, Jake LaTurner and Sam Graves sent a letter citing similar concerns.Schwab’s efforts resulted in a rare trifecta.By casting himself as champion of Kansas voters, he drew praise from constituents while simultaneously boosting his partisan credentials and political visibility.To be sure, Schwab also deflected blame, setting up a handy scapegoat.Now, as we head down the home stretch of the closest presidential contest in memory, all eyes are on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy – ironically a Trump appointee.Will he deliver?

INSIGHT KANSAS: Bipartisan support grows after Secretary Schwab’s USPS critique

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

This fall after wheat is planted and any new stands of alfalfa are established, farmers will need to scout those fields for grasshoppers, fall armyworm, armyworm and any feeding damage on seedling plants.

Fall armyworms do not overwinter in Kansas in any significant numbers. Thus, after these larvae (worms) pupate in the soil and emerge as adult moths, they will head south for overwintering. Armyworm moths do not migrate south for the winter, but continue to feed on plants until temperatures get cooler, then overwinter in a protective cocoon in the soil.

Army cutworm moths, on the other hand, lay their eggs on the soil in the fall, and the larvae remain active throughout the winter, emerging to feed above ground in warm spells, and hiding deeper in the soil when it is cold. So, it is important to properly identify any worms feeding in wheat or seedling alfalfa, as armyworms and fall armyworms will not feed through the winter and early spring, but army cutworms will.

Keep in mind that, if growing conditions are favorable for fall planted wheat, it can withstand quite a bit of armyworm feeding and continue to grow. However, if growing conditions are not favorable, considerable feeding may severely reduce the stand.

Fall armyworm counts from pheromone traps steadily increased through August, particularly in central and eastern Kansas, with reports of egg masses in residential and agricultural settings. At-risk crops should be scouted regularly for the remainder of the growing season, says K-State Research &amp; Extension Entomologist Anthony Zukoff. Caterpillars increase in size at an exponential rate and a majority of feeding occurs during the last larval stage. It is critical to scout thoroughly and treat, if needed, before the caterpillars are over ½ inch long. Larger caterpillars are harder to control and do the most damage, says Zukoff.

Fall armyworm thresholds for fall planted crops

• Alfalfa: 1-2 caterpillars per square foot can destroy seedling alfalfa. 10-15 per square foot can

• Wheat: Larval “window-paning” in early planted wheat can be a concern. If 25-30% of

plants show damage, examine field frequently. Treat at 2-3 active larvae/ft.

For more information on products registered for control of fall armyworm in Kansas, please consult the

following 2024 K-State insect pest management guides: • Wheat - https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/wheat-insect-pest-management-2024_MF745.pdf • Alfalfa - https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/alfalfa-insect-pest-management-2024_MF809.PDF

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 DistrictThis fall after wheat is planted and any new stands of alfalfa are established, farmers will need to scout those fields for grasshoppers, fall armyworm, armyworm and any feeding damage on seedling plants.Fall armyworms do not overwinter in Kansas in any significant numbers. Thus, after these larvae (worms) pupate in the soil and emerge as adult moths, they will head south for overwintering. Armyworm moths do not migrate south for the winter, but continue to feed on plants until temperatures get cooler, then overwinter in a protective cocoon in the soil.Army cutworm moths, on the other hand, lay their eggs on the soil in the fall, and the larvae remain active throughout the winter, emerging to feed above ground in warm spells, and hiding deeper in the soil when it is cold. So, it is important to properly identify any worms feeding in wheat or seedling alfalfa, as armyworms and fall armyworms will not feed through the winter and early spring, but army cutworms will.Keep in mind that, if growing conditions are favorable for fall planted wheat, it can withstand quite a bit of armyworm feeding and continue to grow. However, if growing conditions are not favorable, considerable feeding may severely reduce the stand.Fall armyworm counts from pheromone traps steadily increased through August, particularly in central and eastern Kansas, with reports of egg masses in residential and agricultural settings. At-risk crops should be scouted regularly for the remainder of the growing season, says K-State Research &amp; Extension Entomologist Anthony Zukoff. Caterpillars increase in size at an exponential rate and a majority of feeding occurs during the last larval stage. It is critical to scout thoroughly and treat, if needed, before the caterpillars are over ½ inch long. Larger caterpillars are harder to control and do the most damage, says Zukoff.Fall armyworm thresholds for fall planted crops• Alfalfa: 1-2 caterpillars per square foot can destroy seedling alfalfa. 10-15 per square foot candestroy 12” tall plants.• Wheat: Larval “window-paning” in early planted wheat can be a concern. If 25-30% ofplants show damage, examine field frequently. Treat at 2-3 active larvae/ft.For more information on products registered for control of fall armyworm in Kansas, please consult thefollowing 2024 K-State insect pest management guides: • Wheat - https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/wheat-insect-pest-management-2024_MF745.pdf • Alfalfa - https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/alfalfa-insect-pest-management-2024_MF809.PDFStacy 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: Fall armyworm activity in Kansas

If curses and death wishes worked, a fly couldn’t survive let alone buzz in human ears or crawl on flesh near my house. In the last two weeks, I’ve thought or said, “Die fly,” at least 10,000 times. Unfortunately, wishing these creepy crawlers into the afterworld has no effect. It’s time to plan an attack.

You’d think cooler temperatures would slow the little buggers enough that I could pop them into fly Valhalla one by one. However, flies on my wall or ceiling laugh until they fall watching me trying to smack their relatives into tomorrow. Rolled up magazines, mail, empty paper towel tubes, plastic made-in-foreign-places swatters, and good old-fashioned palms serve as weaponry when buzzing autumn irritants sneak into our well-screened home.

Instead of dead insects creating autumnal ambience, crushed paper goods and cheaply made plastic tools accent each room. Crinkled magazines and newspapers lie near chairs. Cardboard cylinders crushed in the middle flop to the point they’re useless as armament. Most distressing, I sport bruises where I slapped myself trying to kill these germ-delivery agents. Adding insult to injury, I run around spraying disinfectant everywhere flies land to eradicate their microscopic slobbers and poopers. Fly patrol in the fall is an endless, thankless job.

Fortunately, common houseflies don’t live long—about 21 days. Unfortunately, they reproduce prolifically. Under optimal conditions, a single pair of flies and their progressive generations spawn nearly 200 quintillion family members during a single reproductive season. Food supplies--preferably feces or garbage--initiate breeding behavior in these miniscule monstrosities. Such knowledge inspires me to clean obsessively. Don’t wanna feed those bugs and have them . . . you know . . . around our place.

Though nasty, these disease-carrying insects are aeronautical wonders, which explains destroyed paper products and bruises. To aid missions of destruction, I learned flies flap their two wings only as long as their feet are free to move—hence a reason to use sticky fly paper. Successful pest whackers understand these guys leap up and backward upon take-off. This bit of trivia helped me understand why those in the know catch so many more flies than less informed folk.

Today, scientists, undoubtedly individuals who grew up successfully trapping and smacking flies, analyze these creatures’ flight technology. According to Michael Dickinson of the University of California, Berkley, ``Flies are the most accomplished fliers on the planet in terms of aerodynamics. They can do things no other animal can, like land on ceilings or inclined surfaces,'' he added. ``And they are especially deft at takeoffs and landings -- their skill far exceeds that of any other insect or bird.''

What these researchers learned in their study is that fly eyes, possessing 4000 lenses, are directly connected to their wing muscles. The minute they perceive stimuli, their body responds. Don’t act surprised when you find out someone created a futuristic robot with fly-like eyes and flight properties to discover the secrets of outer space, spy behind enemy lines, or snoop in your house.

After researching flies, I don’t feel so bad about missing so many. When that nefarious pest sees me putting the whammy on it, its little wing muscles automatically react, leaving it to reproduce another day. While I might not kill every fly I see, I can starve them to death. Where’s the Clorox?

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727377791815.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINIf curses and death wishes worked, a fly couldn’t survive let alone buzz in human ears or crawl on flesh near my house. In the last two weeks, I’ve thought or said, “Die fly,” at least 10,000 times. Unfortunately, wishing these creepy crawlers into the afterworld has no effect. It’s time to plan an attack.You’d think cooler temperatures would slow the little buggers enough that I could pop them into fly Valhalla one by one. However, flies on my wall or ceiling laugh until they fall watching me trying to smack their relatives into tomorrow. Rolled up magazines, mail, empty paper towel tubes, plastic made-in-foreign-places swatters, and good old-fashioned palms serve as weaponry when buzzing autumn irritants sneak into our well-screened home.Instead of dead insects creating autumnal ambience, crushed paper goods and cheaply made plastic tools accent each room. Crinkled magazines and newspapers lie near chairs. Cardboard cylinders crushed in the middle flop to the point they’re useless as armament. Most distressing, I sport bruises where I slapped myself trying to kill these germ-delivery agents. Adding insult to injury, I run around spraying disinfectant everywhere flies land to eradicate their microscopic slobbers and poopers. Fly patrol in the fall is an endless, thankless job.Fortunately, common houseflies don’t live long—about 21 days. Unfortunately, they reproduce prolifically. Under optimal conditions, a single pair of flies and their progressive generations spawn nearly 200 quintillion family members during a single reproductive season. Food supplies--preferably feces or garbage--initiate breeding behavior in these miniscule monstrosities. Such knowledge inspires me to clean obsessively. Don’t wanna feed those bugs and have them . . . you know . . . around our place.Though nasty, these disease-carrying insects are aeronautical wonders, which explains destroyed paper products and bruises. To aid missions of destruction, I learned flies flap their two wings only as long as their feet are free to move—hence a reason to use sticky fly paper. Successful pest whackers understand these guys leap up and backward upon take-off. This bit of trivia helped me understand why those in the know catch so many more flies than less informed folk.Today, scientists, undoubtedly individuals who grew up successfully trapping and smacking flies, analyze these creatures’ flight technology. According to Michael Dickinson of the University of California, Berkley, ``Flies are the most accomplished fliers on the planet in terms of aerodynamics. They can do things no other animal can, like land on ceilings or inclined surfaces,'' he added. ``And they are especially deft at takeoffs and landings -- their skill far exceeds that of any other insect or bird.''What these researchers learned in their study is that fly eyes, possessing 4000 lenses, are directly connected to their wing muscles. The minute they perceive stimuli, their body responds. Don’t act surprised when you find out someone created a futuristic robot with fly-like eyes and flight properties to discover the secrets of outer space, spy behind enemy lines, or snoop in your house.After researching flies, I don’t feel so bad about missing so many. When that nefarious pest sees me putting the whammy on it, its little wing muscles automatically react, leaving it to reproduce another day. While I might not kill every fly I see, I can starve them to death. Where’s the Clorox?

MADORIN: Die Fly!

Parenting is difficult to navigate, but small habits can make a tremendous difference. For example, including family meals in your routine can boost children’s self-esteem and academic performance. It can even improve heart health, and reduce the risk of depression, substance misuse, and teen pregnancy. According to Harvard research, one hour a day of genuine connection at dinner can improve the physical and mental health of the whole family!

In fact, over three decades of research shows that family mealtime is the only activity that simultaneously supports physical, social-emotional, and academic well-being.

1. Children who regularly eat family dinners eat more fruits and vegetables and are less likely to be picky eaters. This not only helps them to develop strong bones and grow tall, but it also promotes healthy habits into adulthood. Teens who eat family meals reduce their risk of obesity and are more likely to choose nutritious foods once they are independent.

2. Creating strong connections over family mealtime helps to improve communication, boost resilience, and increase self-esteem. Plus, high-risk teenage behaviors such as smoking, drug use, eating disorders, and sexual activity are shown to be lowered with regular family dinners.

3. Conversations around the dinner table boost vocabulary in young children. In fact, children can learn seven times as many rare words at family meals than being read to. In adolescents, those who eat family meals 5-7 times per week are twice as likely to achieve A’s than those who eat family meals 2 times or less per week.

As you can see, family dinners can shape a child and how they respond to the world around them. However, making time for family dinners is challenging. After-school activities and evening work schedules tend to get in the way. To overcome these barriers, be creative! Make time for a family brunch on Saturdays or plan specific evenings to gather around the table.

If you want to learn more about the impact of family meals, celebrate Eat Better, Eat Together month with the Cottonwood Extension District and Gambino’s Pizza! This event welcomes families to choose ingredients from the MyPlate food groups to make a pizza to take home, bake, and enjoy eating together. Each large pizza is only $5 and pre-registration is required. Pay by September 27th at the Barton County Cottonwood District Extension Office, 3007 10th St, Great Bend, KS 67530. Cash or check is accepted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictParenting is difficult to navigate, but small habits can make a tremendous difference. For example, including family meals in your routine can boost children’s self-esteem and academic performance. It can even improve heart health, and reduce the risk of depression, substance misuse, and teen pregnancy. According to Harvard research, one hour a day of genuine connection at dinner can improve the physical and mental health of the whole family!In fact, over three decades of research shows that family mealtime is the only activity that simultaneously supports physical, social-emotional, and academic well-being.1. Children who regularly eat family dinners eat more fruits and vegetables and are less likely to be picky eaters. This not only helps them to develop strong bones and grow tall, but it also promotes healthy habits into adulthood. Teens who eat family meals reduce their risk of obesity and are more likely to choose nutritious foods once they are independent.2. Creating strong connections over family mealtime helps to improve communication, boost resilience, and increase self-esteem. Plus, high-risk teenage behaviors such as smoking, drug use, eating disorders, and sexual activity are shown to be lowered with regular family dinners.3. Conversations around the dinner table boost vocabulary in young children. In fact, children can learn seven times as many rare words at family meals than being read to. In adolescents, those who eat family meals 5-7 times per week are twice as likely to achieve A’s than those who eat family meals 2 times or less per week.As you can see, family dinners can shape a child and how they respond to the world around them. However, making time for family dinners is challenging. After-school activities and evening work schedules tend to get in the way. To overcome these barriers, be creative! Make time for a family brunch on Saturdays or plan specific evenings to gather around the table.If you want to learn more about the impact of family meals, celebrate Eat Better, Eat Together month with the Cottonwood Extension District and Gambino’s Pizza! This event welcomes families to choose ingredients from the MyPlate food groups to make a pizza to take home, bake, and enjoy eating together. Each large pizza is only $5 and pre-registration is required. Pay by September 27th at the Barton County Cottonwood District Extension Office, 3007 10th St, Great Bend, KS 67530. Cash or check is accepted.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: Eat better, eat together

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

The 2024 Surgeon General Report highlights the needs of parents. The document starts with a quote “Raising children is sacred work. It should matter to all of us.” Being a parent is not easy, unfortunately, as the old saying goes, “Kids do not come with handbooks!”

Every year the Surgeon General advisory report highlights a public health issue and provides recommendations for how it should be addressed. Advisories are reserved for significant public health challenges that require the nations immediate awareness and action.

Here are some of the highlights from the document:

Parents consistently report experiencing high levels of stress compared to other adults

· 33% of parents report high levels of stress in the past month compared to 20% of other adults.

· 48% of parents say that most days their stress is completely overwhelming compared to 26% among other adults.

Parents and caregivers experience a multitude of unique stressors from raising children

These stressors include, but are not limited to:

· Financial strain, economic instability, and poverty

· Cultural pressures and children’s futures

We must do more to better support parents and caregivers

The work of parenting is essential not only for the health of children but also for the health of society. Amid a youth mental health crisis, the work of raising a child is just as valuable as the work performed in a paid job and critically important when it comes to the impact on the future of society.

The report also highlights some ways based on our roles how we can help. For example, employers can help by expanding policies and programs that support the well-being of parents and caregivers in the workplace, implement training for managers on stress management and work-life harmony, and provide access to comprehensive and affordable high-quality mental health care.

Communities, community organizations and schools can foster open dialogue about parental stress, mental health, and well-being, create opportunities to cultivate supportive social connections among parents and caregivers, and elevate the voices of parents and caregivers to shape community programs and investments.

Family and friends can reach out and offer practical support with household or everyday tasks, connect with parents and caregivers in your life on a regular basis, learn about mental health challenges parents and caregivers may face.

At K-State Research and Extension our Stress and Resiliency team along with Family Community Wellness Agents and Family and Child Development agents are here to support parents. We provide a range of services and partner with other community entities to provide support whether it is working on affordable and quality childcare or providing educational services around stress and mental health.

In the Cottonwood District, we partner with the Barton County Health Department to provide Becoming a Mom classes that support prenatal families and we hope to provide the same service in Ellis County in the near future. The goal is to bring families together at the very beginning of their parenting journey to support each other as well build the relationships with community services so parents know where to go when they need extra support.

We also offer Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) which is a suicide prevention program as well as other topics around mental health such as stress and stress management.

We have wide range of educational materials in our bookstore to support parents with fact sheets covering topics such as child development, screen time, family meals, and choosing appropriate childcare. https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/

Finally, we partner with schools from child care to the university level to provide programming based on the needs of the teachers, students, and parents.

To read the entire Surgeon General report: https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/parents/index.html

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictThe 2024 Surgeon General Report highlights the needs of parents. The document starts with a quote “Raising children is sacred work. It should matter to all of us.” Being a parent is not easy, unfortunately, as the old saying goes, “Kids do not come with handbooks!”Every year the Surgeon General advisory report highlights a public health issue and provides recommendations for how it should be addressed. Advisories are reserved for significant public health challenges that require the nations immediate awareness and action.Here are some of the highlights from the document:Parents consistently report experiencing high levels of stress compared to other adultsAccording to 2023 data:· 33% of parents report high levels of stress in the past month compared to 20% of other adults.· 48% of parents say that most days their stress is completely overwhelming compared to 26% among other adults.Parents and caregivers experience a multitude of unique stressors from raising childrenThese stressors include, but are not limited to:· Financial strain, economic instability, and poverty· Time demands· Children’s health· Children’s safety· Parental isolation and loneliness· Technology and social media· Cultural pressures and children’s futuresWe must do more to better support parents and caregiversThe work of parenting is essential not only for the health of children but also for the health of society. Amid a youth mental health crisis, the work of raising a child is just as valuable as the work performed in a paid job and critically important when it comes to the impact on the future of society.The report also highlights some ways based on our roles how we can help. For example, employers can help by expanding policies and programs that support the well-being of parents and caregivers in the workplace, implement training for managers on stress management and work-life harmony, and provide access to comprehensive and affordable high-quality mental health care.Communities, community organizations and schools can foster open dialogue about parental stress, mental health, and well-being, create opportunities to cultivate supportive social connections among parents and caregivers, and elevate the voices of parents and caregivers to shape community programs and investments.Family and friends can reach out and offer practical support with household or everyday tasks, connect with parents and caregivers in your life on a regular basis, learn about mental health challenges parents and caregivers may face.At K-State Research and Extension our Stress and Resiliency team along with Family Community Wellness Agents and Family and Child Development agents are here to support parents. We provide a range of services and partner with other community entities to provide support whether it is working on affordable and quality childcare or providing educational services around stress and mental health.In the Cottonwood District, we partner with the Barton County Health Department to provide Becoming a Mom classes that support prenatal families and we hope to provide the same service in Ellis County in the near future. The goal is to bring families together at the very beginning of their parenting journey to support each other as well build the relationships with community services so parents know where to go when they need extra support.We also offer Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) which is a suicide prevention program as well as other topics around mental health such as stress and stress management.We have wide range of educational materials in our bookstore to support parents with fact sheets covering topics such as child development, screen time, family meals, and choosing appropriate childcare. https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/Finally, we partner with schools from child care to the university level to provide programming based on the needs of the teachers, students, and parents.To read the entire Surgeon General report: https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/parents/index.htmlMonique 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: 2024 Surgeon General Report

I remember plainly a column years ago in the Hutchinson News by then regular contributor Amanda Miller. It left me scratching my head; until I read it through and realized how spot-on it was pertaining to my time in the outdoors.

The article was entitled” The Power of Low Expectations” and caught me off-guard, because Amanda, as seen through her writing style, always seemed to be quite bubbly and cheerful. The gist of the article however, was that we often set ourselves up for what we see as constant failure, or we miss any enjoyment in the task at hand because we set our expectations unreasonably high.

When I was a kid, an older coworker always used to say “If all else fails, lower your expectations.” Although witty, I disregarded most of what he told me, because this was a man that said he went home each night and tossed his hat in the backdoor; if the hat stayed in, he too went inside, but if it came flying back out, he went away and tried again later. Today, however I can see the value in at least monitoring our expectations as we go.

My wife Joyce is usually the one who maintains the better outlook when we go afield. Listening to the great horned owl call near our deer blind, or watching a group of does and fawns slip silently across the waterway in front of us, or hanging out the open blind window to watch a colorful songbird below as it flits from branch-to-branch all make her just as happy as harvesting a nice buck. Reading a book when the fish aren’t biting brings her just as much joy as if the fish were throwing themselves into the boat. Me, on the other hand, not-so-much.

In my defense, I’m a goal-oriented creature so failing to attain a goal drives me mad. Also, according to my wife, I often shift into “conquer mode” where all that matters is “conquering” what I / we are there to do. While these are not bad qualities for life, they are lousy road-blocks to enjoying the outdoors. When trapping, my expectations are full traps, (after all, isn’t that the point) so when my traps aren’t catching predators, I beat myself up and spend all my time trying to diagnose what I’m doing wrong, when I should stop and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation around me and the beautiful, luxurious fur of the ones I do catch. When we have hunted deer for a couple days and have not yet seen or harvested our annual venison, (that’s why we’re there isn’t it) I begin to spend my time analyzing every detail to find the flaws in our plan, when I should be hanging out

the open blind window to watch the songbird, or listening for the owl. When it has been a spell without a fish biting, I get antsy and am ready to leave (after all we are there to catch fish) when I should be marveling that God created something that breathes under water and lives in huge basins of water called lakes.

Maybe I don’t need to lower my expectations as much as alter them to allow for time to appreciate God’s Creation around me. In her column, Amanda went on to say, “Whether they be unreasonable or maybe even quite reasonable, not all expectations should be grasped too firmly; my contentment should be based on something much firmer than whatever I planned on happening.” Hmmm, good advice as we continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsI remember plainly a column years ago in the Hutchinson News by then regular contributor Amanda Miller. It left me scratching my head; until I read it through and realized how spot-on it was pertaining to my time in the outdoors.The article was entitled” The Power of Low Expectations” and caught me off-guard, because Amanda, as seen through her writing style, always seemed to be quite bubbly and cheerful. The gist of the article however, was that we often set ourselves up for what we see as constant failure, or we miss any enjoyment in the task at hand because we set our expectations unreasonably high.When I was a kid, an older coworker always used to say “If all else fails, lower your expectations.” Although witty, I disregarded most of what he told me, because this was a man that said he went home each night and tossed his hat in the backdoor; if the hat stayed in, he too went inside, but if it came flying back out, he went away and tried again later. Today, however I can see the value in at least monitoring our expectations as we go.My wife Joyce is usually the one who maintains the better outlook when we go afield. Listening to the great horned owl call near our deer blind, or watching a group of does and fawns slip silently across the waterway in front of us, or hanging out the open blind window to watch a colorful songbird below as it flits from branch-to-branch all make her just as happy as harvesting a nice buck. Reading a book when the fish aren’t biting brings her just as much joy as if the fish were throwing themselves into the boat. Me, on the other hand, not-so-much.In my defense, I’m a goal-oriented creature so failing to attain a goal drives me mad. Also, according to my wife, I often shift into “conquer mode” where all that matters is “conquering” what I / we are there to do. While these are not bad qualities for life, they are lousy road-blocks to enjoying the outdoors. When trapping, my expectations are full traps, (after all, isn’t that the point) so when my traps aren’t catching predators, I beat myself up and spend all my time trying to diagnose what I’m doing wrong, when I should stop and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation around me and the beautiful, luxurious fur of the ones I do catch. When we have hunted deer for a couple days and have not yet seen or harvested our annual venison, (that’s why we’re there isn’t it) I begin to spend my time analyzing every detail to find the flaws in our plan, when I should be hanging outthe open blind window to watch the songbird, or listening for the owl. When it has been a spell without a fish biting, I get antsy and am ready to leave (after all we are there to catch fish) when I should be marveling that God created something that breathes under water and lives in huge basins of water called lakes.Maybe I don’t need to lower my expectations as much as alter them to allow for time to appreciate God’s Creation around me. In her column, Amanda went on to say, “Whether they be unreasonable or maybe even quite reasonable, not all expectations should be grasped too firmly; my contentment should be based on something much firmer than whatever I planned on happening.” Hmmm, good advice as we continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: If all else fails, lower your expectations???

What if the alfalfa stand is short (less than 12 inches)?

In this case, the recommendation would be to avoid cutting it as the alfalfa tonnage would likely be low enough, not justifying costs. Additionally, avoiding cutting a short stand of alfalfa if there is insufficient growth to warrant harvesting from an economic standpoint actually helps the stand. This decision may also depend on stand thickness, but there should be about 12 to 15 inches of plant height to warrant harvesting. If there isn’t that much growth, wait for sufficient second growth once rainfall is received.

What are the best management options for drought-stressed alfalfa stands? Is it too late to cut a stand now, assuming there won’t be a hard freeze until November?

Always use caution when harvesting alfalfa in the fall, especially if the plant is already drought-stressed. Cutting the crop without leaving 6-8 weeks of re-growth before the first freeze can damage the stand and reduce persistence for subsequent years. Here, growers should base the anticipated timing of the freeze event on the average freeze date for their location and not count on a later date. Thus, if the crop is drought-stressed, the most appropriate management would be to wait until a good hard freeze before harvesting it. If yield is limiting enough not to cover harvest costs later in the fall, an option would be to graze after a hard freeze event (below 25F for 4+ hours). These measures would give the stand the best possible situation going into the fall. That way, you will have a good stand and (hopefully) precipitation to work with the next year.

Alfalfa stands decline in both tonnage and quality as they age and thin. Stands past their economically productive life also serve as a weed and disease source for surrounding fields. Operators should carefully weigh their projected returns from rotating out of alfalfa to maximize profit. Fields having less than four to five plants per square foot are considered poor and should be rotated. Another method is counting the number of stems per square foot when growth is around 5 inches tall. More than 55 stems per square foot indicate that yields are not limited, 40 to 55 stems indicate yields are somewhat limited, and fields with less than 40 stems per square foot should be considered for rotation.

“Rule of Hat” Method: If you do not have a measuring square, a standard baseball cap with brim measures approximately half a square foot, so stem counts can be doubled or threshold halved. For example, if 30 stems are counted under the hat, then multiply 30 by 2 to estimate 60 stems per square foot.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictWhat if the alfalfa stand is short (less than 12 inches)?In this case, the recommendation would be to avoid cutting it as the alfalfa tonnage would likely be low enough, not justifying costs. Additionally, avoiding cutting a short stand of alfalfa if there is insufficient growth to warrant harvesting from an economic standpoint actually helps the stand. This decision may also depend on stand thickness, but there should be about 12 to 15 inches of plant height to warrant harvesting. If there isn’t that much growth, wait for sufficient second growth once rainfall is received.What are the best management options for drought-stressed alfalfa stands? Is it too late to cut a stand now, assuming there won’t be a hard freeze until November?Always use caution when harvesting alfalfa in the fall, especially if the plant is already drought-stressed. Cutting the crop without leaving 6-8 weeks of re-growth before the first freeze can damage the stand and reduce persistence for subsequent years. Here, growers should base the anticipated timing of the freeze event on the average freeze date for their location and not count on a later date. Thus, if the crop is drought-stressed, the most appropriate management would be to wait until a good hard freeze before harvesting it. If yield is limiting enough not to cover harvest costs later in the fall, an option would be to graze after a hard freeze event (below 25F for 4+ hours). These measures would give the stand the best possible situation going into the fall. That way, you will have a good stand and (hopefully) precipitation to work with the next year.Should I keep the thinning stand?Alfalfa stands decline in both tonnage and quality as they age and thin. Stands past their economically productive life also serve as a weed and disease source for surrounding fields. Operators should carefully weigh their projected returns from rotating out of alfalfa to maximize profit. Fields having less than four to five plants per square foot are considered poor and should be rotated. Another method is counting the number of stems per square foot when growth is around 5 inches tall. More than 55 stems per square foot indicate that yields are not limited, 40 to 55 stems indicate yields are somewhat limited, and fields with less than 40 stems per square foot should be considered for rotation.“Rule of Hat” Method: If you do not have a measuring square, a standard baseball cap with brim measures approximately half a square foot, so stem counts can be doubled or threshold halved. For example, if 30 stems are counted under the hat, then multiply 30 by 2 to estimate 60 stems per square foot.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: Alfalfa management options for short or drought-stressed stands

As I conclude this five-part series on the 2019-2024 Strategic Plan at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), I want to proudly highlight our fifth and final strategic goal. This goal focuses on Community and Global Engagement and encapsulates our commitment to cultivating impactful partnerships that resonate within our institution and extend to our local, national, and global communities.

Our desired outcomes for this goal were to annually develop or enhance innovative partnerships that bolster community, regional, or state economic prosperity. Additionally, we aimed to meet all requirements for classification as a Carnegie Community Engaged university—an important reflection of FHSU’s mission to develop global citizen leaders.

As we reflect on our strides in delivering this outcome, I am invigorated by the transformative partnerships we continue to forge and the achievements that define our collective efforts. Our journey has been marked by resilience and innovation, from launching the Cybersecurity Institute and Technology Incubator (CITI) to establishing a Professional and Continuing Education Unit.

The Cybersecurity Institute and Technology Incubator, a direct response to the Kansas Board of Regents' (KBOR) call for higher education institutions to actively contribute to Kansas's economic prosperity, is a prime example of our responsiveness. Leveraging FHSU’s National Security Agency Center for Academic Excellence accreditation, CITI provides students with hands-on experiences through micro-internships and supports local businesses in improving their cybersecurity strategies.

Despite the expected challenges of establishing infrastructure and marketing, we remain unwavering in our commitment to the CITI initiative. Interim Dean of the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship Melissa Hunsicker-Walburn aptly stated, “The CITI initiative exemplifies our continued commitment to our mission and service area as an institution. We create impactful opportunities for students to learn while engaging with our communities and businesses to address the growing challenge of cyber threats and cybercrime.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University PresidentAs I conclude this five-part series on the 2019-2024 Strategic Plan at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), I want to proudly highlight our fifth and final strategic goal. This goal focuses on Community and Global Engagement and encapsulates our commitment to cultivating impactful partnerships that resonate within our institution and extend to our local, national, and global communities.Our desired outcomes for this goal were to annually develop or enhance innovative partnerships that bolster community, regional, or state economic prosperity. Additionally, we aimed to meet all requirements for classification as a Carnegie Community Engaged university—an important reflection of FHSU’s mission to develop global citizen leaders.As we reflect on our strides in delivering this outcome, I am invigorated by the transformative partnerships we continue to forge and the achievements that define our collective efforts. Our journey has been marked by resilience and innovation, from launching the Cybersecurity Institute and Technology Incubator (CITI) to establishing a Professional and Continuing Education Unit.The Cybersecurity Institute and Technology Incubator, a direct response to the Kansas Board of Regents' (KBOR) call for higher education institutions to actively contribute to Kansas's economic prosperity, is a prime example of our responsiveness. Leveraging FHSU’s National Security Agency Center for Academic Excellence accreditation, CITI provides students with hands-on experiences through micro-internships and supports local businesses in improving their cybersecurity strategies.Despite the expected challenges of establishing infrastructure and marketing, we remain unwavering in our commitment to the CITI initiative. Interim Dean of the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship Melissa Hunsicker-Walburn aptly stated, “The CITI initiative exemplifies our continued commitment to our mission and service area as an institution. We create impactful opportunities for students to learn while engaging with our communities and businesses to address the growing challenge of cyber threats and cybercrime.”We also achieved a groundbreaking partnership between the Robbins Banking Institute and the Kansas Bankers Association, reinforcing our commitment to community engagement and educational excellence. Our strategic affiliations with two technical colleges—Fort Hays Tech Northwest and Fort Hays Tech North Central—further enhance our commitment to workforce development and addressing local economic needs.Another notable achievement was establishing the first state-wide community college articulation agreement, guaranteeing all community college-trained registered nurses' admission to the nursing program. This agreement streamlines pathways for aspiring nurses and strengthens Kansas's healthcare workforce, illustrating our partnerships' profound impact on regional health outcomes.In collaboration with the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, we launched an accelerated 3+4 pathway that enables our students to start their first year of medical school during their senior year at FHSU. This innovative pathway expedites the educational journey for futurehealthcare professionals and exemplifies our commitment to producing well-prepared, engaged leaders in the medical field.Our efforts extend to supporting criminal justice initiatives, with FHSU becoming the host site for the National De-escalation Training Center – Central Region. This designation allows us to provide critical training that equips law enforcement professionals and community leaders with essential skills, ultimately fostering safer communities.As we explored Goal Five, the journey was not without obstacles. Notably, the COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges just months after initiating our Five-Year Strategic Plan. In response, we formed the Civic Learning and Engagement Advisory Board to navigate these unprecedented times. This board organically evolved into the Campus Community Collaborative (3C), now an active body focused on strengthening relationships and increasing programmatic bandwidth across our campus.Unexpected successes during this time included our expanded institutional memberships in organizations like Imagining America (IA) and the International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE). These memberships have opened new avenues for student scholarships, faculty professional development, and an enhanced culture of engagement on campus.We are particularly grateful for Provost Arensdorf's unwavering dedication to making community engagement an institutional priority. This commitment resonates throughout our campus culture, encouraging faculty and staff to pursue initiatives that create a lasting impact on both students and the communities we serve.A significant milestone was reached when FHSU submitted its application for the Leadership for Public Purpose elective classification for the Carnegie Foundation on December 15, 2023. On May 17, 2024, we were thrilled to learn that FHSU had been awarded this prestigious classification through 2030. This recognition places us among only 25 institutions nationwide and marks FHSU as the only university in Kansas to receive this distinction.Receiving the Carnegie Foundation's Leadership for Public Purpose classification is a remarkable achievement and a testament to our consistent alignment with our mission. The foundation acknowledges universities that demonstrate their commitment to enhancing teaching, research, and service missions to develop leaders who engage with and serve the greater good. This classification validates the hard work and dedication the FHSU community has invested in cultivating partnerships and engaging with our diverse communities.As we reflect on these accomplishments, I am filled with pride in our recognition and the authenticity of our mission. We are living out our commitment to developing global citizen leaders, evident in our work that transcends traditional boundaries. Our impact can be seen in Hays, across Kansas, and beyond.As we progress through the final stage of our strategic plan, we remain committed to fostering innovative partnerships that drive regional educational and economic advancement. Our continuous growth in community engagement will only empower us to hone our strategies further and expand the programs that benefit our students and the communities we serve.Our work within our communities will evolve, but our core focus will remain—supporting students, enhancing educational pathways, and comprehensively addressing community needs. As we look toward the future, we will persist in seizing opportunities to expand our reach anddeepen our engagement, ensuring that FHSU remains a leader in community and global partnerships.This five-part series has illuminated the significant work that FHSU undertakes across all strategic goals, and Goal Five epitomizes our dedication to meaningful engagement. The profound partnerships and initiatives established reflect our values and commitment to education as a force for good. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this vital work. Together, we will continue to make a meaningful impact, inspiring and empowering future generations of global leaders.

Opinion