Last weekend, 4-H families across Barton County gathered for fun, fellowship, and celebrations!

The annual 4-H Achievement Celebration gives us an opportunity to celebrate individual and club achievements, and recognize leaders and supporters.

4-H Council officers Landon Woydziak, Melody Braddy, and Jonas Kern were our masters of ceremony as each club had the time to highlight a few of their activities and award winners for the past year.

In addition to club awards, a few special awards are presented including the Key Award and Friends of 4-H.

The Key Award is the most prestigious Kansas 4-H Award. Candidates must be 16 years old and have been enrolled in the Leadership project for the past four years. Nominees must have demonstrated outstanding contributions in leadership, citizenship, community service, demonstrations, and the holding of club and county offices. In short, it recognizes 4-H members who have lived up to the high ideals of the 4-H pledge. 

The Farm Credit Associations of Kansas proudly present these awards across the state each year and Parker Dicks is the 2023 recipient. 

Dicks is a 10-year member of the Busy Buzzers 4-H Club and has been active in the Leadership project for four years. He has held multiple offices for his club and at the county level for 4-H Council, Junior Leaders, and the 4-H Livestock Committee. He is involved in a variety of project areas and can be counted on to mentor young 4-H members and provide a calm and steady presence in and out of the show ring.

Each 4-H Club has the opportunity to nominate someone as a Friend of 4-H. 

The first recipient this year is the Dustin and Aimee Wyant family. Wyants give generously of their time to assist at the county level in several project areas. In particular, they provide direction for the STEM SpaceTech project, help younger members attending STEM camp, and assist livestock members in the poultry and rabbit projects.

An additional Friend of 4-H was awarded to Connie Hughes. She was a club leader for the Ellinwood Energizers 4-H Club for a number of years and continues to support Junior Leaders through peach sales, welcome photography youth to their family farm to practice their skills, and supports 4-H at the Barton County Fair Sale of Champions. She helped to plan the Achievement Celebration for many years and mentored many youth in the Beef project.

A wonderful 4-H Council committee planned the meal and the decorations for a fun-filled evening with a delicious dinner! In this season of thanksgiving, I always end the evening by reminding 4-H members to look around them and show their appreciation to their families and club leaders for direction and support. I’ll add the same here – 4-H couldn’t provide such opportunities without dedicated volunteers, club leaders, fantastic families, and my co-workers who step in to help whenever and wherever needed!

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.

Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mberan@ksu.edu">mberan@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or call Cottonwood Extension District, Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179445671.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Last weekend, 4-H families across Barton County gathered for fun, fellowship, and celebrations!The annual 4-H Achievement Celebration gives us an opportunity to celebrate individual and club achievements, and recognize leaders and supporters.4-H Council officers Landon Woydziak, Melody Braddy, and Jonas Kern were our masters of ceremony as each club had the time to highlight a few of their activities and award winners for the past year.In addition to club awards, a few special awards are presented including the Key Award and Friends of 4-H.The Key Award is the most prestigious Kansas 4-H Award. Candidates must be 16 years old and have been enrolled in the Leadership project for the past four years. Nominees must have demonstrated outstanding contributions in leadership, citizenship, community service, demonstrations, and the holding of club and county offices. In short, it recognizes 4-H members who have lived up to the high ideals of the 4-H pledge. The Farm Credit Associations of Kansas proudly present these awards across the state each year and Parker Dicks is the 2023 recipient. Dicks is a 10-year member of the Busy Buzzers 4-H Club and has been active in the Leadership project for four years. He has held multiple offices for his club and at the county level for 4-H Council, Junior Leaders, and the 4-H Livestock Committee. He is involved in a variety of project areas and can be counted on to mentor young 4-H members and provide a calm and steady presence in and out of the show ring.Each 4-H Club has the opportunity to nominate someone as a Friend of 4-H. The first recipient this year is the Dustin and Aimee Wyant family. Wyants give generously of their time to assist at the county level in several project areas. In particular, they provide direction for the STEM SpaceTech project, help younger members attending STEM camp, and assist livestock members in the poultry and rabbit projects.An additional Friend of 4-H was awarded to Connie Hughes. She was a club leader for the Ellinwood Energizers 4-H Club for a number of years and continues to support Junior Leaders through peach sales, welcome photography youth to their family farm to practice their skills, and supports 4-H at the Barton County Fair Sale of Champions. She helped to plan the Achievement Celebration for many years and mentored many youth in the Beef project.A wonderful 4-H Council committee planned the meal and the decorations for a fun-filled evening with a delicious dinner! In this season of thanksgiving, I always end the evening by reminding 4-H members to look around them and show their appreciation to their families and club leaders for direction and support. I’ll add the same here – 4-H couldn’t provide such opportunities without dedicated volunteers, club leaders, fantastic families, and my co-workers who step in to help whenever and wherever needed!Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mberan@ksu.edu">mberan@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or call Cottonwood Extension District, Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: 4-H achievement celebrations

After hunting for several years now from our permanent, enclosed, raised deer blind, I often take it for granted, forgetting the good, the bad and the ugly experiences of hunting deer any other way. Today, however, as I searched the cobweb-cluttered attic of my mind for this week’s column, I felt a new appreciation for our nice raised blind as memories of deer hunts early in our marriage came up. Don’t ask me how I can remember any of these when I can’t remember now what I had for breakfast this morning, but here are some memories from a particular deer hunt in southwest Kansas many years ago when we still hunted as a couple from a small portable ground blind.

By flashlight, we again settled into our respective camp chairs, unzipped each shooting window slightly, and prepared to greet a new day through these narrow slits in our hunting blind. Since Joyce and I often hunted together, this blind was a worthy investment. It was lightweight, quick and easy to set up, provided camouflage and protection from the wind, plus allowed for a little more noise and movement than if we merely sat in an open stand. It served another purpose as well. Even a slight breeze made enough natural noise that it allowed us to talk in quiet whispers, and talk we did. When stepping into the blind for another morning or evening of hunting, the adrenalin flowed briskly for a time, and all was business. But gradually we relaxed, and the thoughts that were born in the solitude were given voice.

My wife’s designing mind was usually going full speed. 

We hunted in an area of Kansas where both whitetail and mule deer existed side by side, and, despite what you have heard or read, distinguishing between the two species is not so easy on very short notice. We verbally designed a deck of “flash” cards, which would show comparative views of both species, male and female, side by side, for quick reference. 

We designed new and better hunting blinds and stands, as well as made improvements to our own. To ours, we imagined adding removable drapes made of netting that would hang over the windows, and pouches sewn to the inside walls for storage of binoculars, etc. Joyce mentally designed and built folding camp chairs with swivel seats that could be raised and lowered, and with more padding! We also custom designed hunting clothing; from gloves with inner pouches to hold heat packets, to outer clothing with insulation that would automatically shrink or swell according to the temperature.

Occasionally, after a time of watching deer that we couldn’t shoot, we’d get a bit silly, and begin imagining conversations between them. For instance, one morning a nice mule deer doe grazed for several minutes on the wheat, not 30 yards away. Having “Whitetail Only” tags, we watched in silence. Deciding to have some fun with the situation, we began concocting a story that had all the neighborhood deer drawing tumbleweeds to see which one would walk onto the wheat as a decoy so the rest could slip away unseen. Ole’ Mable, now in front of us, drew the short tumbleweed, so there she stood while the rest of her buddies crept away and awaited her fate.

On the serious side, we both felt this time was good for our relationship. Activities enjoyed together always seem to draw people closer, and somehow, the silence of the&nbsp;hunt drowned out all the usual cares and conversations, clearing the way for discussion (in whispers) of subjects we didn’t often tackle.

I think that every presidential cabinet meeting, United Nations Assembly, world summits and especially congressional meetings should be held in a huge hunting blind. Who knows what diseases may be cured, what discoveries could be made, which mortal enemies might shake hands again and maybe congress would even get something accomplished…or maybe not! 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>After hunting for several years now from our permanent, enclosed, raised deer blind, I often take it for granted, forgetting the good, the bad and the ugly experiences of hunting deer any other way. Today, however, as I searched the cobweb-cluttered attic of my mind for this week’s column, I felt a new appreciation for our nice raised blind as memories of deer hunts early in our marriage came up. Don’t ask me how I can remember any of these when I can’t remember now what I had for breakfast this morning, but here are some memories from a particular deer hunt in southwest Kansas many years ago when we still hunted as a couple from a small portable ground blind.By flashlight, we again settled into our respective camp chairs, unzipped each shooting window slightly, and prepared to greet a new day through these narrow slits in our hunting blind. Since Joyce and I often hunted together, this blind was a worthy investment. It was lightweight, quick and easy to set up, provided camouflage and protection from the wind, plus allowed for a little more noise and movement than if we merely sat in an open stand. It served another purpose as well. Even a slight breeze made enough natural noise that it allowed us to talk in quiet whispers, and talk we did. When stepping into the blind for another morning or evening of hunting, the adrenalin flowed briskly for a time, and all was business. But gradually we relaxed, and the thoughts that were born in the solitude were given voice.My wife’s designing mind was usually going full speed. We hunted in an area of Kansas where both whitetail and mule deer existed side by side, and, despite what you have heard or read, distinguishing between the two species is not so easy on very short notice. We verbally designed a deck of “flash” cards, which would show comparative views of both species, male and female, side by side, for quick reference. We designed new and better hunting blinds and stands, as well as made improvements to our own. To ours, we imagined adding removable drapes made of netting that would hang over the windows, and pouches sewn to the inside walls for storage of binoculars, etc. Joyce mentally designed and built folding camp chairs with swivel seats that could be raised and lowered, and with more padding! We also custom designed hunting clothing; from gloves with inner pouches to hold heat packets, to outer clothing with insulation that would automatically shrink or swell according to the temperature.Occasionally, after a time of watching deer that we couldn’t shoot, we’d get a bit silly, and begin imagining conversations between them. For instance, one morning a nice mule deer doe grazed for several minutes on the wheat, not 30 yards away. Having “Whitetail Only” tags, we watched in silence. Deciding to have some fun with the situation, we began concocting a story that had all the neighborhood deer drawing tumbleweeds to see which one would walk onto the wheat as a decoy so the rest could slip away unseen. Ole’ Mable, now in front of us, drew the short tumbleweed, so there she stood while the rest of her buddies crept away and awaited her fate.On the serious side, we both felt this time was good for our relationship. Activities enjoyed together always seem to draw people closer, and somehow, the silence of the&nbsp;hunt drowned out all the usual cares and conversations, clearing the way for discussion (in whispers) of subjects we didn’t often tackle.I think that every presidential cabinet meeting, United Nations Assembly, world summits and especially congressional meetings should be held in a huge hunting blind. Who knows what diseases may be cured, what discoveries could be made, which mortal enemies might shake hands again and maybe congress would even get something accomplished…or maybe not! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at&nbsp;stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoor Kansas: Deliberations from a deer blind

Wildly popular with consumers, recycling in the USA is in crisis right now, particularly for plastics.&nbsp; Many of the items we try to recycle end up in landfills.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/48933486/kake-news-investigates-the-problem-with-plastic-bag-recycling" target="_blank">recent KAKE news project</a>&nbsp;tracked the recycling crisis… literally.&nbsp; KAKE staff attached GPS trackers to four different plastic bags, then recycled those bags at four different Wichita retail stores.&nbsp; One bag went on a long journey to Malaysia.&nbsp; One was being held at a local recycling center.&nbsp; The last two went to the landfill.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Plastic bags must be recycled separately, just one of many problems.&nbsp; Plastics do not mix well, so they should be sorted according to the number inside the triangle of arrows embossed on the item.&nbsp; 

Recycling plastic changes its properties, making it more dense and less flexible.&nbsp; This type of plastic definitely has its uses– one inventor in Ghana is turning&nbsp;<a href="https://face2faceafrica.com/article/nelson-boateng-the-entrepreneur-behind-ghanas-first-house-made-from-plastic-waste" target="_blank">recycled plastics into bricks</a>&nbsp;that can be assembled into houses.&nbsp; Recycled plastic’s tough, heavy, rugged qualities also make good toys.&nbsp;

Unfortunately, much of the demand for plastic is because it is lightweight and flexible. Recycled plastic lacks these qualities, and plastic gets harder and harder to recycle each time it is processed.

<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/10/24/1131131088/recycling-plastic-is-practically-impossible-and-the-problem-is-getting-worse" target="_blank">Recent studies</a>&nbsp;found that fewer than 5% of cups and containers and only 21% of plastic bottles are actually recycled.&nbsp; There are many&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article273912825.html" target="_blank">reports&nbsp;</a>of plastics being sent from recycling centers to landfills.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For years, U.S. recycling was sent to China for processing, filling shipping containers for their return trip.&nbsp; However, China&nbsp;<a href="https://www.waste360.com/recycling/chinese-banned-our-recyclables-what-happened-next" target="_blank">imposed a ban&nbsp;</a>on many imported recyclables starting in 2018, including paper and plastic.&nbsp; One reason cited was that the recyclables being sent there were not clean– recyclable and non-recyclable items were mixed together, and many were contaminated, particularly with food waste.&nbsp; This last is also the reason why the University of Kansas recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/ku/2023/feb/23/ku-suspends-a-major-part-of-its-recycling-program-and-it-is-uncertain-if-it-will-return-in-future-years/" target="_blank">curtailed some recycling programs</a>.&nbsp;

In addition, the price for recyclable materials has plummeted. The California Attorney General is&nbsp;<a href="https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-demands-manufacturers-plastic-bags-substantiate" target="_blank">investigating</a>&nbsp;the plastics industry for misleading consumers about the recyclability of plastic over decades, a deception known as “greenwashing.”

Consumers need to clean our recyclables.&nbsp; Fast food containers and other items contaminated with food waste are not recyclable.&nbsp; 

This&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jocogov.org/department/environment/recycling/recycling-101" target="_blank">handy guide&nbsp;</a>called “Recycling 101” from Johnson County lists recycling dos and don’ts.&nbsp;

Welcome to your source for what can and cannot go in your recycling bin.

If you drop your recyclables off at a recycling center, clean and sort them first.&nbsp; If you place a bin outside for curbside collection, follow the instructions provided.&nbsp; Consumers should avoid “aspirational recycling,” or throwing items in recycling containers hoping for the best.&nbsp; These items must be removed, deposited into the trash and hauled to the landfill, raising costs.&nbsp; Better to throw them away at home.

It is also time to reduce uses of these items in the first place. 

For example, the Lawrence city commission in August of this year approved an ordinance banning single-use disposable plastic bags.&nbsp;The ordinance will take effect in March.

 Plastic production has grown from 1.5 million tons annually in the 1950s to 300 million tons today.&nbsp; Substitute reusable materials when possible.&nbsp; When it is not, placing non-recyclable materials in the trash to be deposited in a proper landfill is still a good alternative to littering, illegal dumping, and illegal burning.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While recycling items like aluminum and precious metals is highly valuable,&nbsp; other materials have little value as scrap.&nbsp; Many end up in the landfill despite our good intentions.&nbsp; Just throwing everything in the recycling bin is not working.&nbsp; We need to re-think our interconnected systems of packaging, production, and waste from top to bottom.

Michael Smith is a professor&nbsp;of&nbsp;political Science and chair of social sciences at Emporia State University.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700168795368.png" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Wildly popular with consumers, recycling in the USA is in crisis right now, particularly for plastics.&nbsp; Many of the items we try to recycle end up in landfills.A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/48933486/kake-news-investigates-the-problem-with-plastic-bag-recycling" target="_blank">recent KAKE news project</a>&nbsp;tracked the recycling crisis… literally.&nbsp; KAKE staff attached GPS trackers to four different plastic bags, then recycled those bags at four different Wichita retail stores.&nbsp; One bag went on a long journey to Malaysia.&nbsp; One was being held at a local recycling center.&nbsp; The last two went to the landfill.&nbsp;&nbsp;Plastic bags must be recycled separately, just one of many problems.&nbsp; Plastics do not mix well, so they should be sorted according to the number inside the triangle of arrows embossed on the item.&nbsp; Recycling plastic changes its properties, making it more dense and less flexible.&nbsp; This type of plastic definitely has its uses– one inventor in Ghana is turning&nbsp;<a href="https://face2faceafrica.com/article/nelson-boateng-the-entrepreneur-behind-ghanas-first-house-made-from-plastic-waste" target="_blank">recycled plastics into bricks</a>&nbsp;that can be assembled into houses.&nbsp; Recycled plastic’s tough, heavy, rugged qualities also make good toys.&nbsp; Unfortunately, much of the demand for plastic is because it is lightweight and flexible. Recycled plastic lacks these qualities, and plastic gets harder and harder to recycle each time it is processed.<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/10/24/1131131088/recycling-plastic-is-practically-impossible-and-the-problem-is-getting-worse" target="_blank">Recent studies</a>&nbsp;found that fewer than 5% of cups and containers and only 21% of plastic bottles are actually recycled.&nbsp; There are many&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article273912825.html" target="_blank">reports&nbsp;</a>of plastics being sent from recycling centers to landfills.&nbsp;&nbsp;For years, U.S. recycling was sent to China for processing, filling shipping containers for their return trip.&nbsp; However, China&nbsp;<a href="https://www.waste360.com/recycling/chinese-banned-our-recyclables-what-happened-next" target="_blank">imposed a ban&nbsp;</a>on many imported recyclables starting in 2018, including paper and plastic.&nbsp; One reason cited was that the recyclables being sent there were not clean– recyclable and non-recyclable items were mixed together, and many were contaminated, particularly with food waste.&nbsp; This last is also the reason why the University of Kansas recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/ku/2023/feb/23/ku-suspends-a-major-part-of-its-recycling-program-and-it-is-uncertain-if-it-will-return-in-future-years/" target="_blank">curtailed some recycling programs</a>.&nbsp; In addition, the price for recyclable materials has plummeted. The California Attorney General is&nbsp;<a href="https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-demands-manufacturers-plastic-bags-substantiate" target="_blank">investigating</a>&nbsp;the plastics industry for misleading consumers about the recyclability of plastic over decades, a deception known as “greenwashing.”Consumers need to clean our recyclables.&nbsp; Fast food containers and other items contaminated with food waste are not recyclable.&nbsp; This&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jocogov.org/department/environment/recycling/recycling-101" target="_blank">handy guide&nbsp;</a>called “Recycling 101” from Johnson County lists recycling dos and don’ts.&nbsp;<h2>Recycling 101</h2>Welcome to your source for what can and cannot go in your recycling bin.If you drop your recyclables off at a recycling center, clean and sort them first.&nbsp; If you place a bin outside for curbside collection, follow the instructions provided.&nbsp; Consumers should avoid “aspirational recycling,” or throwing items in recycling containers hoping for the best.&nbsp; These items must be removed, deposited into the trash and hauled to the landfill, raising costs.&nbsp; Better to throw them away at home.It is also time to reduce uses of these items in the first place. For example, the Lawrence city commission in August of this year approved an ordinance banning single-use disposable plastic bags.&nbsp;The ordinance will take effect in March. Plastic production has grown from 1.5 million tons annually in the 1950s to 300 million tons today.&nbsp; Substitute reusable materials when possible.&nbsp; When it is not, placing non-recyclable materials in the trash to be deposited in a proper landfill is still a good alternative to littering, illegal dumping, and illegal burning.&nbsp;&nbsp;While recycling items like aluminum and precious metals is highly valuable,&nbsp; other materials have little value as scrap.&nbsp; Many end up in the landfill despite our good intentions.&nbsp; Just throwing everything in the recycling bin is not working.&nbsp; We need to re-think our interconnected systems of packaging, production, and waste from top to bottom.Michael Smith is a professor&nbsp;of&nbsp;political Science and chair of social sciences at Emporia State University.&nbsp;

Insight Kansas: Time to rethink recycling

Save the date for the 2023 Crop Production Update, hosted by the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association and in cooperation with K-State Research and Extension. The two-day event is set for December 6 and 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Manhattan. Each day will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and conclude around 4:00 p.m. Several CCA CEUs will be offered in addition to one 1A hour and one core hour.

This training provides the latest research and technological advances in weed and insect control, fertilizer and chemical recommendations, soil fertility concerns, and much more. The agendas for each day are still being finalized and will be shared in a future eUpdate article. Stay tuned to the eUpdate and the conference website (<a href="https://www.ksagretailers.org/events-training/crop-production-update/">https://www.ksagretailers.org/events-training/crop-production-update/</a>) for registration to open and the final agendas to be released soon.

K-State Research and Extension will host the 21st annual Cover Your Acres Winter Conference for crop producers and consultants on January 16 and 17. The conference will take place in the traditional in-person format at the Gateway Civic Center in Oberlin.

Cover Your Acres is a producer-driven meeting focused on new ideas and research-based updates in crop production in northwest Kansas and the Central High Plains region.

The conference, which typically draws more than 400 attendees from Kansas and other states, highlights the latest technology, methods, and conservation practices to improve crop production in the region. This year’s conference will feature university specialists and industry representatives discussing what’s driving profitability in northwest Kansas farms. Confirmed session topics will include economic drivers on northwest Kansas farms, weed resistance management, cropping systems, and soil fertility management. Additional session topics and speakers are still being finalized and will be announced in an upcoming eUpdate article and on the conference website at <a href="https://www.northwest.k-state.edu/events/cover-your-acres/">www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres</a>.

The same programs will be offered on both days of the conference. Participants attending both days will find catching most or all of the programs easier. The sessions are followed by a social on Tuesday evening, where attendees can visit with industry representatives and conference speakers while enjoying appetizers.

Online registration is open. The fee is $55 for Tuesday, January 16, $60 for Wednesday, January 17, or $80 for both days. After January 10, and for walk-ins, the cost is $80 per day. The conference fee includes lunch, morning and afternoon refreshments and educational materials. The program will offer continuing education unit (CEU) credits for Certified Crop Advisors and 1A for Commercial Applicators credit.

To view the preliminary conference details, lodging accommodations, and online registration, visit www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres. For questions, call 785-462-6281.

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="Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Save the date for the 2023 Crop Production Update, hosted by the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association and in cooperation with K-State Research and Extension. The two-day event is set for December 6 and 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Manhattan. Each day will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and conclude around 4:00 p.m. Several CCA CEUs will be offered in addition to one 1A hour and one core hour.This training provides the latest research and technological advances in weed and insect control, fertilizer and chemical recommendations, soil fertility concerns, and much more. The agendas for each day are still being finalized and will be shared in a future eUpdate article. Stay tuned to the eUpdate and the conference website (<a href="https://www.ksagretailers.org/events-training/crop-production-update/">https://www.ksagretailers.org/events-training/crop-production-update/</a>) for registration to open and the final agendas to be released soon. K-State Research and Extension will host the 21st annual Cover Your Acres Winter Conference for crop producers and consultants on January 16 and 17. The conference will take place in the traditional in-person format at the Gateway Civic Center in Oberlin.Cover Your Acres is a producer-driven meeting focused on new ideas and research-based updates in crop production in northwest Kansas and the Central High Plains region.The conference, which typically draws more than 400 attendees from Kansas and other states, highlights the latest technology, methods, and conservation practices to improve crop production in the region. This year’s conference will feature university specialists and industry representatives discussing what’s driving profitability in northwest Kansas farms. Confirmed session topics will include economic drivers on northwest Kansas farms, weed resistance management, cropping systems, and soil fertility management. Additional session topics and speakers are still being finalized and will be announced in an upcoming eUpdate article and on the conference website at <a href="https://www.northwest.k-state.edu/events/cover-your-acres/">www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres</a>.The same programs will be offered on both days of the conference. Participants attending both days will find catching most or all of the programs easier. The sessions are followed by a social on Tuesday evening, where attendees can visit with industry representatives and conference speakers while enjoying appetizers.Online registration is open. The fee is $55 for Tuesday, January 16, $60 for Wednesday, January 17, or $80 for both days. After January 10, and for walk-ins, the cost is $80 per day. The conference fee includes lunch, morning and afternoon refreshments and educational materials. The program will offer continuing education unit (CEU) credits for Certified Crop Advisors and 1A for Commercial Applicators credit.To view the preliminary conference details, lodging accommodations, and online registration, visit www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres. For questions, call 785-462-6281.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.

CAMBELL: K-State/KARA crop production, 'Cover Your Acres' winter conferences scheduled

Hot weather lovers dread the arrival of mornings decorated with ice-covered bird baths and frosted vehicle windows that require scraping before drivers head off to work or school.

 In sharp contrast, I love this time of year. 

Watching migratory birds vee their way south, hearing cranes and geese sing autumn songs, watching golden leaves flutter in shiver-inducing breezes, wearing fleece-topped layers of clothing, and making soup several times a week turns each day into a personal Great Plains nirvana.

In response to that first frosty morning, I dug through our freezer to guarantee I have adequate supplies of tomatoes, chopped onions, peppers, celery, and shredded cabbage on hand. These I’ll add to meat broths and stews to warm us from inside out. Continuing this mission, I baked, pureed, bagged, and froze garden pumpkins for soups, puddings, breads, and pies. I checked flour and yeast supplies to be sure I can slap together hot bread or cinnamon rolls. A corn meal stash assures we’ll enjoy pans of steaming cornbread or johnny cakes we can drizzle with local honey to dance on taste buds.

As I inventoried seasonal supplies, I glanced out the kitchen window and spied a larger-than-typical bird navigating the edge of our now dormant garden, where we experimentally left plants in place. We hoped providing extra shelter encourages more winter birds to visit our heated water bowl. It does. I identified a female Cooper’s hawk fighting her way through drying zinnias, marigolds, and pepper plants to snag her prey. It didn’t take long to recognize familiar markings. Raptors eat too, and over the years, I’ve learned feeding birds means you feed all birds.

During a recent visit, this frequent guest left evidence she satisfied her hunger. We returned from church to find collared dove feathers blanketing the base of our ash tree where she devoured dinner in sight of our hens.

Speaking of chickens, she appeared on the branch of a nearby pine the day we moved four pullets into their netted enclosure. The hawk lurked long enough to provide a pitiful cell phone photo. Bottomline, she’s no stranger to this yard, which is why we covered the hen pen. As a bird lover, I admire her, though I prefer she eat someone else’s feathered friends. I’ve told her, cardinals, should they show up, aren’t a menu option.

Anyway, back to soups. Seeing that hawk scrabbling after a fresh meal in my now sere garden, I wondered if autumn weather invigorates wild birds the way it heightens my senses. 

Perhaps diving after a dodging sparrow or collared dove sparks raptor neurons the same way steam rising above coffee or walking through crunchy leaves does mine. Nothing starts a morning better than slipping into the grey-lavender dawn to creep across rime-covered grass to snap a photo of the rising sun.

I can’t read bird minds, but I like to imagine this taloned neighbor enjoys favorite foods this time of year. My spouse ends such reveries in a pointedly matter-of-fact voice, reminding me, “Birds just want to eat regularly.” 

Regardless, when I blow on a spoonful of hot soup, I’ll wish her the best as long as she leaves red birds alone.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158605319.jpeg" alt="Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>Hot weather lovers dread the arrival of mornings decorated with ice-covered bird baths and frosted vehicle windows that require scraping before drivers head off to work or school. In sharp contrast, I love this time of year. Watching migratory birds vee their way south, hearing cranes and geese sing autumn songs, watching golden leaves flutter in shiver-inducing breezes, wearing fleece-topped layers of clothing, and making soup several times a week turns each day into a personal Great Plains nirvana.In response to that first frosty morning, I dug through our freezer to guarantee I have adequate supplies of tomatoes, chopped onions, peppers, celery, and shredded cabbage on hand. These I’ll add to meat broths and stews to warm us from inside out. Continuing this mission, I baked, pureed, bagged, and froze garden pumpkins for soups, puddings, breads, and pies. I checked flour and yeast supplies to be sure I can slap together hot bread or cinnamon rolls. A corn meal stash assures we’ll enjoy pans of steaming cornbread or johnny cakes we can drizzle with local honey to dance on taste buds.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699308712012.jpeg" alt="Cooper's hawk. Photo by Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Cooper's hawk. Photo by Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>As I inventoried seasonal supplies, I glanced out the kitchen window and spied a larger-than-typical bird navigating the edge of our now dormant garden, where we experimentally left plants in place. We hoped providing extra shelter encourages more winter birds to visit our heated water bowl. It does. I identified a female Cooper’s hawk fighting her way through drying zinnias, marigolds, and pepper plants to snag her prey. It didn’t take long to recognize familiar markings. Raptors eat too, and over the years, I’ve learned feeding birds means you feed all birds.During a recent visit, this frequent guest left evidence she satisfied her hunger. We returned from church to find collared dove feathers blanketing the base of our ash tree where she devoured dinner in sight of our hens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699308760287.jpeg" alt="Cooper's hawk. Photo by Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Cooper's hawk. Photo by Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>Speaking of chickens, she appeared on the branch of a nearby pine the day we moved four pullets into their netted enclosure. The hawk lurked long enough to provide a pitiful cell phone photo. Bottomline, she’s no stranger to this yard, which is why we covered the hen pen. As a bird lover, I admire her, though I prefer she eat someone else’s feathered friends. I’ve told her, cardinals, should they show up, aren’t a menu option.Anyway, back to soups. Seeing that hawk scrabbling after a fresh meal in my now sere garden, I wondered if autumn weather invigorates wild birds the way it heightens my senses. Perhaps diving after a dodging sparrow or collared dove sparks raptor neurons the same way steam rising above coffee or walking through crunchy leaves does mine. Nothing starts a morning better than slipping into the grey-lavender dawn to creep across rime-covered grass to snap a photo of the rising sun.I can’t read bird minds, but I like to imagine this taloned neighbor enjoys favorite foods this time of year. My spouse ends such reveries in a pointedly matter-of-fact voice, reminding me, “Birds just want to eat regularly.” Regardless, when I blow on a spoonful of hot soup, I’ll wish her the best as long as she leaves red birds alone.Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.&nbsp;

MADORIN: Tis the season  

In early childhood, we teach routines to help children feel safe. When children know what is happening next in their world, they are less likely to feel anxious or worried. 

Brush, Book, Bed is a routine and structure you can create for children to help them prepare for bed. 

Brush, Book, Bed is a program by the American Academy of Pediatrics to educate families with children to combine oral health and bedtime routines. This program has been implemented by safety net clinics, Parents as Teachers, and Healthy families in Kansas.

Brush: Each night assist your child in brushing their teeth. If teeth haven’t come in use a soft washcloth to wipe your baby’s gums before bed. This helps them get used to the sensory experience of having something put into their mouth, which will hopefully make brushing teeth easier when those pearly whites pop through. Be gentle, make it a game, smile and help your baby feel comfortable. It’s okay to let your child practice brushing, but they need your help to do the best job. Until they can write in cursive or tie their own shoes, they do not have the fine motor skills to be able to properly brush their teeth on their own.

Book: After you have helped them brush their teeth, it is time to read. Let your child pick a book. Let them be in charge, follow their lead. You don’t have to read word for word for them to have fun. Ask them questions about the pictures. Even as kids get older and can read on their own, this may be a good time to connect with your child at the end of the day. Many parents have fond memories of reading a chapter or two of longer novels with their children in the evening.

Bed: After brushing teeth and reading together, it’s time to go to bed. Make daytime playtime! Play and exercise during the day will help your children sleep at night. To prevent tooth decay, avoid putting babies in bed with a bottle of milk or juice. Breastfeeding at night is okay, since breastmilk alone does not cause cavities, according to Kansas Cavity Free Kids.

Try to start this routine at about the same time every night, about 30 minutes before bedtime, so that you have enough time to brush teeth, read together, and go to sleep. For more tips visit: <a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Brush-Book-Bed.aspx">www.healthychildren.org/brushbookbed</a>

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="Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>In early childhood, we teach routines to help children feel safe. When children know what is happening next in their world, they are less likely to feel anxious or worried. Brush, Book, Bed is a routine and structure you can create for children to help them prepare for bed. Brush, Book, Bed is a program by the American Academy of Pediatrics to educate families with children to combine oral health and bedtime routines. This program has been implemented by safety net clinics, Parents as Teachers, and Healthy families in Kansas.Brush: Each night assist your child in brushing their teeth. If teeth haven’t come in use a soft washcloth to wipe your baby’s gums before bed. This helps them get used to the sensory experience of having something put into their mouth, which will hopefully make brushing teeth easier when those pearly whites pop through. Be gentle, make it a game, smile and help your baby feel comfortable. It’s okay to let your child practice brushing, but they need your help to do the best job. Until they can write in cursive or tie their own shoes, they do not have the fine motor skills to be able to properly brush their teeth on their own.Book: After you have helped them brush their teeth, it is time to read. Let your child pick a book. Let them be in charge, follow their lead. You don’t have to read word for word for them to have fun. Ask them questions about the pictures. Even as kids get older and can read on their own, this may be a good time to connect with your child at the end of the day. Many parents have fond memories of reading a chapter or two of longer novels with their children in the evening.Bed: After brushing teeth and reading together, it’s time to go to bed. Make daytime playtime! Play and exercise during the day will help your children sleep at night. To prevent tooth decay, avoid putting babies in bed with a bottle of milk or juice. Breastfeeding at night is okay, since breastmilk alone does not cause cavities, according to Kansas Cavity Free Kids.Try to start this routine at about the same time every night, about 30 minutes before bedtime, so that you have enough time to brush teeth, read together, and go to sleep. For more tips visit: <a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Brush-Book-Bed.aspx">www.healthychildren.org/brushbookbed</a>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: Brush, book, bed

The holiday season is around the corner, and this means that the kitchen will likely become a busy place as we prepare meals to gather around. As you prepare tasty dishes to share, be conscious of the possibility of sharing illness too. 

I found these tips from K-State food scientist, Karen Blakeslee, especially helpful for preventing cross-contamination:&nbsp;

“We use the kitchen sink for food preparation and more,” Blakeslee said. “The possibility exists for foodborne illness-causing bacteria to hang out in the sink too. These bacteria could cross-contaminate your food and make you sick.”&nbsp;

Blakeslee added that a recent USDA study tested surfaces where participants prepared a breakfast meal with raw sausage, shell eggs, and a fruit salad made with cut-up cantaloupe. Test results showed that 34% of the sinks were contaminated after preparing the meal.&nbsp;

Even more scary, 26% of the samples of cut-up cantaloupe from the fruit salad were contaminated after breakfast prep.&nbsp;

“The bacteria in the sink or on your hands can cross-contaminate from the sink to other items, including those you normally eat raw. This means you’ll be eating that bacteria too,” Blakeslee said.&nbsp;

After using your sink to wash or prepare food, clean and sanitize the sink:&nbsp;

1) Use warm, soapy water to wash the sink. Wipe it clean with paper towels.&nbsp;

2) Use a sanitizer and let air dry. Sanitizers can be homemade (1 tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water) or use a commercial sanitizer or sanitizing wipe.&nbsp;

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 <a href="mailto:krwinkel@ksu.edu" target="_blank">krwinkel@ksu.edu</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The holiday season is around the corner, and this means that the kitchen will likely become a busy place as we prepare meals to gather around. As you prepare tasty dishes to share, be conscious of the possibility of sharing illness too. I found these tips from K-State food scientist, Karen Blakeslee, especially helpful for preventing cross-contamination:&nbsp;“We use the kitchen sink for food preparation and more,” Blakeslee said. “The possibility exists for foodborne illness-causing bacteria to hang out in the sink too. These bacteria could cross-contaminate your food and make you sick.”&nbsp;Blakeslee added that a recent USDA study tested surfaces where participants prepared a breakfast meal with raw sausage, shell eggs, and a fruit salad made with cut-up cantaloupe. Test results showed that 34% of the sinks were contaminated after preparing the meal.&nbsp;Even more scary, 26% of the samples of cut-up cantaloupe from the fruit salad were contaminated after breakfast prep.&nbsp;“The bacteria in the sink or on your hands can cross-contaminate from the sink to other items, including those you normally eat raw. This means you’ll be eating that bacteria too,” Blakeslee said.&nbsp;After using your sink to wash or prepare food, clean and sanitize the sink:&nbsp;1) Use warm, soapy water to wash the sink. Wipe it clean with paper towels.&nbsp;2) Use a sanitizer and let air dry. Sanitizers can be homemade (1 tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water) or use a commercial sanitizer or sanitizing wipe.&nbsp;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 <a href="mailto:krwinkel@ksu.edu" target="_blank">krwinkel@ksu.edu</a>.&nbsp;

WINKEL: Food Safety Tip: Clean the kitchen sink 

I love watching hawks hunt and I love observing how they’ve learned to interact with farm equipment as it rolls across fields and stirs up rodents and small birds that scurry about and often end up as a snack for the hawk. 

Our raised deer blind overlooks a grass waterway that grows up in giant sunflowers and pigweed by summer’s end, becoming a nice secure travel way for deer, but making them hard to spot during hunting season. I try to mow that area every fall, and every year as I mow the last swath of thick weedy cover, fat field mice scatter everywhere and I think to myself “Man, could the hawks be feasting here.” 

A few years back I happened by a nearby field of soybeans being cut. What caught my eye was the enormous number of hawks all around the field; I counted to thirty-some, then lost count.

 I rolled into the field and talked with one of the combine drivers about the hawks. He said they had suddenly appeared as if from nowhere when they started cutting and had been there since. The soybean plants were extra tall and thick that year, and as they ripened and dropped their foliage, it left several inches of duff covering the ground between the rows, perfect cover for field mice and rats looking for warm concealment. As the combines lumbered through the field, they forced all those rodents from their cozy quarters and the hawks were feasting.

We’re already starting to see an extraordinary number of hawks of all varieties as they migrate south toward warmer climates. The extent of our Kansas winter will largely determine whether they stay here for a spell or move on south, and our milder-than-normal winters of late have been a huge draw to migrating hawks. 

The hawks I observed hunting the soybean stubble field that year were obviously migrants that were getting a good meal whether they stayed or not. 

The vast acreages of new wheat fields will be a huge draw too, as mice, voles and insects become vulnerable to the hawk’s keen eyes in the short new wheat. Another plus is the type of air currents and thermals that blow through the Plains states. North winds coming down from Canada are utilized by all types of hawks, saving them precious energy by being able to soar. 

So, in summary, the mild winters, the open fields and the beneficial wind currents all make Kansas a popular place to see hawks of many varieties this time of year.

One common hawk we see here every winter is the Northern Harrier. They are large hawks with wide white bands across their broad square tails and are often seen gliding effortlessly mere feet above CRP fields and pastures. We also get an influx of Red Tails from northern states as they come here for our milder winters. Swainson Hawks on their way to Argentina stop in Kansas by the thousands. Rough-Legged Hawks migrate from Canada to the western U.S., including Kansas. Ferruginous Hawks may be seen here as they travel from western Kansas to parts of the South Eastern US and to Florida. All these truly make for a kaleidoscope of raptors in our Kansas sky.

This article wouldn’t be complete without emphasizing the important role raptors play in our agricultural environment. Raptors get blamed for everything from low pheasant and quail populations to stealing chickens and everything in between. Yes, we all know that hawks and especially owls will steal a chicken or two given the chance, but in actuality, hawks prey on mice, rats, snakes and possums that eat quail and pheasant eggs and newly&nbsp;hatched young. (FYI, feral and stray cats are the worst predators alive for killing young game birds and song birds.) Owls are huge rat and mice hunters and also eat skunks that carry rabies. 

If not for these raptors in our midst, rodent populations would devastate farmer’s crops and our environment as a whole. And for the record, killing a raptor of any kind is illegal in Kansas!

You can’t go afield this time of year without spotting hawks silently hunting low over patches of CRP and milo stalks, waiting patiently atop power poles for prey to reveal themselves or putting on shows of acrobatic excellence as they soar above us on the fall breezes. I once overheard a raptor rehabilitator tell someone “We as humans have encroached on them, so the least we can do is let them live with us.” 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>I love watching hawks hunt and I love observing how they’ve learned to interact with farm equipment as it rolls across fields and stirs up rodents and small birds that scurry about and often end up as a snack for the hawk. Our raised deer blind overlooks a grass waterway that grows up in giant sunflowers and pigweed by summer’s end, becoming a nice secure travel way for deer, but making them hard to spot during hunting season. I try to mow that area every fall, and every year as I mow the last swath of thick weedy cover, fat field mice scatter everywhere and I think to myself “Man, could the hawks be feasting here.” A few years back I happened by a nearby field of soybeans being cut. What caught my eye was the enormous number of hawks all around the field; I counted to thirty-some, then lost count. I rolled into the field and talked with one of the combine drivers about the hawks. He said they had suddenly appeared as if from nowhere when they started cutting and had been there since. The soybean plants were extra tall and thick that year, and as they ripened and dropped their foliage, it left several inches of duff covering the ground between the rows, perfect cover for field mice and rats looking for warm concealment. As the combines lumbered through the field, they forced all those rodents from their cozy quarters and the hawks were feasting.We’re already starting to see an extraordinary number of hawks of all varieties as they migrate south toward warmer climates. The extent of our Kansas winter will largely determine whether they stay here for a spell or move on south, and our milder-than-normal winters of late have been a huge draw to migrating hawks. The hawks I observed hunting the soybean stubble field that year were obviously migrants that were getting a good meal whether they stayed or not. The vast acreages of new wheat fields will be a huge draw too, as mice, voles and insects become vulnerable to the hawk’s keen eyes in the short new wheat. Another plus is the type of air currents and thermals that blow through the Plains states. North winds coming down from Canada are utilized by all types of hawks, saving them precious energy by being able to soar. So, in summary, the mild winters, the open fields and the beneficial wind currents all make Kansas a popular place to see hawks of many varieties this time of year.One common hawk we see here every winter is the Northern Harrier. They are large hawks with wide white bands across their broad square tails and are often seen gliding effortlessly mere feet above CRP fields and pastures. We also get an influx of Red Tails from northern states as they come here for our milder winters. Swainson Hawks on their way to Argentina stop in Kansas by the thousands. Rough-Legged Hawks migrate from Canada to the western U.S., including Kansas. Ferruginous Hawks may be seen here as they travel from western Kansas to parts of the South Eastern US and to Florida. All these truly make for a kaleidoscope of raptors in our Kansas sky.This article wouldn’t be complete without emphasizing the important role raptors play in our agricultural environment. Raptors get blamed for everything from low pheasant and quail populations to stealing chickens and everything in between. Yes, we all know that hawks and especially owls will steal a chicken or two given the chance, but in actuality, hawks prey on mice, rats, snakes and possums that eat quail and pheasant eggs and newly&nbsp;hatched young. (FYI, feral and stray cats are the worst predators alive for killing young game birds and song birds.) Owls are huge rat and mice hunters and also eat skunks that carry rabies. If not for these raptors in our midst, rodent populations would devastate farmer’s crops and our environment as a whole. And for the record, killing a raptor of any kind is illegal in Kansas!You can’t go afield this time of year without spotting hawks silently hunting low over patches of CRP and milo stalks, waiting patiently atop power poles for prey to reveal themselves or putting on shows of acrobatic excellence as they soar above us on the fall breezes. I once overheard a raptor rehabilitator tell someone “We as humans have encroached on them, so the least we can do is let them live with us.” Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at&nbsp;stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoor Kansas: Here Come the Hawks

Russell Arben Fox's insightful <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5044e38b-4d59-4805-9474-786c9a04bbf1">editorial on the dynamics of local governance in Kansas</a> rightly underscores the pivotal role played by city managers in shaping our communities.

While his article delves into the complexities of the relationship between elected officials and appointed professionals, it is equally important to acknowledge the empowering nature of constitutional home-rule authority granted to Kansas citizens, the cornerstone of self-determination. 

Home­ rule authority allows cities to choose the form of government that aligns with the community's specific needs and goals. This flexibility is instrumental in ensuring that local governments can effectively address the challenges they face while operating within the framework of our great state.

In Kansas, the council-manager system has predominantly been embraced, which, as Fox aptly points out, fosters pragmatic governance and guards against the polarization often observed in state and national politics. 

City managers, as nonpartisan professionals, bring expertise and experience to the decision-making process, ensuring that choices are made based on sound judgment and technical knowledge rather than political agendas.

It is important to recognize that appointing city managers by elected officials creates a synergy between professional expertise and the community's values and priorities. Elected officials representing their constituents are well-suited to select city managers who share their vision for the community and possess the necessary skills to execute it effectively. 

While city managers play a vital role in day-to-day decision-making, they are held accountable to the elected officials who appoint them. City managers serve at the pleasure of the governing body, and their performance is continually evaluated based on their ability to implement the council's decisions and achieve the community's goals.

The balance between elected officials and professionals in local government is crucial. Elected officials provide the vision and direction, while professional managers ensure those goals are translated into effective action. This collaborative approach allows for the best of both worlds: the democratic representation of citizens' interests and the expertise needed to navigate complex administrative tasks.

In summary, Fox's column serves as a valuable reminder of the critical role played by city managers and their staff in shaping our local communities. Home-rule authority empowers cities to choose a form of government - a council-manager system, a strong mayor system, or a hybrid model - that is effective and responsive to community values. 

By striking a balance&nbsp;between elected officials and professional managers and fostering transparency and citizen engagement, Kansas cities can continue to thrive under strong leadership and professional expertise.

Jon Quinday, ICMA-CM Russell City Manager

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091063975.png" alt="Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>Russell Arben Fox's insightful <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5044e38b-4d59-4805-9474-786c9a04bbf1">editorial on the dynamics of local governance in Kansas</a> rightly underscores the pivotal role played by city managers in shaping our communities. While his article delves into the complexities of the relationship between elected officials and appointed professionals, it is equally important to acknowledge the empowering nature of constitutional home-rule authority granted to Kansas citizens, the cornerstone of self-determination. Home­ rule authority allows cities to choose the form of government that aligns with the community's specific needs and goals. This flexibility is instrumental in ensuring that local governments can effectively address the challenges they face while operating within the framework of our great state.In Kansas, the council-manager system has predominantly been embraced, which, as Fox aptly points out, fosters pragmatic governance and guards against the polarization often observed in state and national politics. City managers, as nonpartisan professionals, bring expertise and experience to the decision-making process, ensuring that choices are made based on sound judgment and technical knowledge rather than political agendas.It is important to recognize that appointing city managers by elected officials creates a synergy between professional expertise and the community's values and priorities. Elected officials representing their constituents are well-suited to select city managers who share their vision for the community and possess the necessary skills to execute it effectively. While city managers play a vital role in day-to-day decision-making, they are held accountable to the elected officials who appoint them. City managers serve at the pleasure of the governing body, and their performance is continually evaluated based on their ability to implement the council's decisions and achieve the community's goals.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The balance between elected officials and professionals in local government is crucial. Elected officials provide the vision and direction, while professional managers ensure those goals are translated into effective action. This collaborative approach allows for the best of both worlds: the democratic representation of citizens' interests and the expertise needed to navigate complex administrative tasks.In summary, Fox's column serves as a valuable reminder of the critical role played by city managers and their staff in shaping our local communities. Home-rule authority empowers cities to choose a form of government - a council-manager system, a strong mayor system, or a hybrid model - that is effective and responsive to community values. By striking a balance&nbsp;between elected officials and professional managers and fostering transparency and citizen engagement, Kansas cities can continue to thrive under strong leadership and professional expertise.Jon Quinday, ICMA-CM Russell City Manager

LETTER: The role of city managers and home-rule authority in local governance

According to data published by the Pew Charitable Trusts, an affiliate of the Pew Research Center, Kansas ranks dead last in the country on the share of state revenue that comes from federal funds.

Across the country, the percentage of state revenue from federal funds ranges from about a quarter to more than half of state revenue and according to Pew, a higher or lower percentage does not necessarily indicate a problem for state budgets.

The highest and lowest ranked states vary greatly — and perhaps challenge some partisan stereotypes about federal spending. Alaska, Louisiana, Montana and Rhode Island make up the top four, while New Jersey, California, Utah, and Kansas fall at the bottom of the list.

To some, this may not seem like a bad thing; Kansas’ politics has strong libertarian undertones after all.

However, the federal share of state revenue does reflect how much funding states receive from the federal government to help pay for public services — healthcare, education and training, transportation, infrastructure, etc.

In Kansas in particular, our ranking shows that federal dollars are left on the table rather than being used on public goods that benefit citizens.

The latest Kansas Speaks public opinion survey — conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University from September 20 to October 10 of this year — shows that nearly 70% of respondents support Medicaid expansion.

Ninety-percent of the cost of expanding KanCare, the state’s Medicaid program, would come from federal dollars under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Forty states and Washington, D.C. have enacted expansion, including all of our neighboring states — three of which expanded Medicaid via initiative petition.

Studies estimate that 150,000 Kansans would gain coverage under KanCare expansion. Sixty-six percent of Kansas Speaks respondents indicated that these Kansans deserve healthcare from the state.

Furthermore, expanding KanCare would also keep rural hospitals open — which is critically important to our rural communities.

In an investigation by Wichita’s KWCH Factfinder 12 team earlier this year, over half of the state’s rural hospitals are at risk of closing. Of 104 rural hospitals, 60 are at risk of closing, including 29 facing immediate risk.

Just over 64% of Kansas Speaks respondents agree that keeping rural hospitals open is an important benefit of expanding KanCare.

In the face of Kansas' unique position as the lowest-ranked state in terms of federal funds contributing to our state revenue, it becomes evident that there is untapped potential for improving the well-being of citizens.

The data from Pew and Kansas Speaks paint a clear picture: Kansas has an opportunity to leverage federal funding to enhance public services, especially in the crucial areas of healthcare and rural hospital sustainability.

Accepting federal funds does not compromise our values but rather presents an avenue to improve the lives of our fellow Kansans. It's not just about numbers; it's about providing a lifeline to those who need it and ensuring the stability of our rural hospitals.

Kansas stands at a crossroads, with the opportunity to harness federal resources for the betterment of our citizens and communities.

Expanding KanCare is not just an investment in healthcare; it is an investment in the future of our state, where every individual's well-being and the vitality of our rural communities matter.

Kansas can rise above its ranking by embracing practical solutions that reflect our deeply held values of compassion, community, and care for one another.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699489540.png" alt="Alexandra Middlewood (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Alexandra Middlewood (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>According to data published by the Pew Charitable Trusts, an affiliate of the Pew Research Center, Kansas ranks dead last in the country on the share of state revenue that comes from federal funds.Across the country, the percentage of state revenue from federal funds ranges from about a quarter to more than half of state revenue and according to Pew, a higher or lower percentage does not necessarily indicate a problem for state budgets.The highest and lowest ranked states vary greatly — and perhaps challenge some partisan stereotypes about federal spending. Alaska, Louisiana, Montana and Rhode Island make up the top four, while New Jersey, California, Utah, and Kansas fall at the bottom of the list.To some, this may not seem like a bad thing; Kansas’ politics has strong libertarian undertones after all.However, the federal share of state revenue does reflect how much funding states receive from the federal government to help pay for public services — healthcare, education and training, transportation, infrastructure, etc.In Kansas in particular, our ranking shows that federal dollars are left on the table rather than being used on public goods that benefit citizens.The latest Kansas Speaks public opinion survey — conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University from September 20 to October 10 of this year — shows that nearly 70% of respondents support Medicaid expansion.Ninety-percent of the cost of expanding KanCare, the state’s Medicaid program, would come from federal dollars under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Forty states and Washington, D.C. have enacted expansion, including all of our neighboring states — three of which expanded Medicaid via initiative petition.Studies estimate that 150,000 Kansans would gain coverage under KanCare expansion. Sixty-six percent of Kansas Speaks respondents indicated that these Kansans deserve healthcare from the state.Furthermore, expanding KanCare would also keep rural hospitals open — which is critically important to our rural communities.In an investigation by Wichita’s KWCH Factfinder 12 team earlier this year, over half of the state’s rural hospitals are at risk of closing. Of 104 rural hospitals, 60 are at risk of closing, including 29 facing immediate risk.Just over 64% of Kansas Speaks respondents agree that keeping rural hospitals open is an important benefit of expanding KanCare.In the face of Kansas' unique position as the lowest-ranked state in terms of federal funds contributing to our state revenue, it becomes evident that there is untapped potential for improving the well-being of citizens.The data from Pew and Kansas Speaks paint a clear picture: Kansas has an opportunity to leverage federal funding to enhance public services, especially in the crucial areas of healthcare and rural hospital sustainability.Accepting federal funds does not compromise our values but rather presents an avenue to improve the lives of our fellow Kansans. It's not just about numbers; it's about providing a lifeline to those who need it and ensuring the stability of our rural hospitals.Kansas stands at a crossroads, with the opportunity to harness federal resources for the betterment of our citizens and communities.Expanding KanCare is not just an investment in healthcare; it is an investment in the future of our state, where every individual's well-being and the vitality of our rural communities matter.Kansas can rise above its ranking by embracing practical solutions that reflect our deeply held values of compassion, community, and care for one another.Alexandra Middlewood, PhD, is the Department Chair of Political Science at Wichita State University.

Insight Kansas: Kansas’ dilemma: Embracing federal dollars for a brighter, healthier future

By CAROL KANDO-PINEDA FTC

As we approach Veterans Day, we thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice. But not everyone has a vet’s best interests in mind. Whether you left the service decades ago or you’re planning your transition to civilian life, scammers will try to get you to send money or share personal information. Scammers also want to get their hands on the valuable benefits you earned through military service. 

What are some ways to know you’re dealing with a scammer?

First know how scammers operate. Imposter scams come in many varieties but they work the same way: scammers call, text, email, or reach out over social media and pretend to be someone you trust to convince you to send them money.&nbsp;

Scammers&nbsp;may pretend to be from a&nbsp;<a href="http://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-government-impersonator-scam">government agency</a>&nbsp;and say you need to pay a fine. Or they may pose as an online&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-romance-scams">love interest</a>&nbsp;who needs you to send money for an expensive medical procedure. The scammer may&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams">offer you a job</a>, too, but say you need to pay a fee before you get hired. Scammers may claim to have some affinity with the military to gain your trust so you won’t dig too deep into what they’re saying.

Second, know how scammers ask you to pay. No matter what the story is, only scammers will insist that the only way you can pay is by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, payment app, or a wire transfer service.&nbsp;These methods make it almost impossible to get your money back, which is why scammers insist you pay that way.&nbsp;Stop. Don’t pay.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll highlight some of the ways scammers try to get at your veterans benefits — and ways you can spot and avoid those scams. 

One way to recognize Veterans Day is to share the advice about avoiding scams and encourage the veterans you know to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.militaryconsumer.gov/">sign up for the latest updates</a>&nbsp;to stay a step ahead of scammers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699286606601.png" alt="FTC" />
 <figcaption>FTC</figcaption>
 </figure>By CAROL KANDO-PINEDA FTCAs we approach Veterans Day, we thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice. But not everyone has a vet’s best interests in mind. Whether you left the service decades ago or you’re planning your transition to civilian life, scammers will try to get you to send money or share personal information. Scammers also want to get their hands on the valuable benefits you earned through military service. What are some ways to know you’re dealing with a scammer?First know how scammers operate. Imposter scams come in many varieties but they work the same way: scammers call, text, email, or reach out over social media and pretend to be someone you trust to convince you to send them money.&nbsp;Scammers&nbsp;may pretend to be from a&nbsp;<a href="http://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-government-impersonator-scam">government agency</a>&nbsp;and say you need to pay a fine. Or they may pose as an online&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-romance-scams">love interest</a>&nbsp;who needs you to send money for an expensive medical procedure. The scammer may&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams">offer you a job</a>, too, but say you need to pay a fee before you get hired. Scammers may claim to have some affinity with the military to gain your trust so you won’t dig too deep into what they’re saying.Second, know how scammers ask you to pay. No matter what the story is, only scammers will insist that the only way you can pay is by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, payment app, or a wire transfer service.&nbsp;These methods make it almost impossible to get your money back, which is why scammers insist you pay that way.&nbsp;Stop. Don’t pay.Over the next few weeks, we’ll highlight some of the ways scammers try to get at your veterans benefits — and ways you can spot and avoid those scams. One way to recognize Veterans Day is to share the advice about avoiding scams and encourage the veterans you know to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.militaryconsumer.gov/">sign up for the latest updates</a>&nbsp;to stay a step ahead of scammers.

FTC: Veterans and scams

Mustard plants such as field pennycress, bushy wallflower, flixweed, tansy mustard, and blue mustard in wheat fields often are not noticed until the mustards start to bloom in the spring. As a result, farmers often do not think about control until that time. Although it is possible to get some control with spring herbicide applications, mustards are much more difficult to control once they have flowered and often have already reduced wheat yields by then.

To minimize yield losses, mustards should be controlled by late winter or very early spring before the stems begin to elongate or bolt. If mustards are present in the fall, they can be controlled by various active ingredients. You can look for products containing Group 2 ALS-inhibiting herbicides.

Most ALS-inhibiting herbicides control winter annual mustards very well. However, there are populations of bushy wall flower (treacle mustard) and flixweed in Kansas that are ALS-resistant and cannot be controlled by these products. Alternative herbicides will be needed to control these populations. Also, be aware that some of the Group 2 herbicides have long rotation intervals to other crops.

Group 27 herbicides can control ALS-resistant mustards. Other options to control ALS-resistant mustards are Group 4 herbicides.

Group 27 and Group 4 herbicides have little to no residual activity, thus will only control weeds that have emerged and are actively growing. Applying them with fertilizer in January or February when weeds are dormant will not provide good mustard control. In addition, special care should be taken to ensure wheat is fully tillered when 2,4-D is applied to avoid reducing tillering.

In the late winter or early spring, blue mustard is perhaps the most difficult of the winter annual broadleaf weeds to control because it bolts very early. To be effective on blue mustard, herbicides typically need to be applied in late February or early March. Blue mustard is more difficult to control than tansy mustard with 2,4-D because blue mustard has often already bolted by the time 2,4-D can be safely applied to wheat. Thus, 2,4-D is often applied too late to be effective on blue mustard.

Flixweed and tansy mustard should be treated when they are no larger than two to three inches across and two to three inches tall. As these plants become larger, control decreases dramatically. Ester formulations of 2,4-D and MCPA are more effective on tansy mustard and flixweed than amine formulations. Field pennycress is easier to control than tansy mustard or flixweed. Herbicide applications made before the pennycress bolts are usually effective.

Crop rotation with corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, or sunflowers is a good way of managing mustards as long as they are controlled in the spring before producing seeds. Crop rotation will usually result in a gradual reduction of mustard populations in the future as the seedbank in the soil decreases.

Always consult the herbicide label for the most current use requirements.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Mustard plants such as field pennycress, bushy wallflower, flixweed, tansy mustard, and blue mustard in wheat fields often are not noticed until the mustards start to bloom in the spring. As a result, farmers often do not think about control until that time. Although it is possible to get some control with spring herbicide applications, mustards are much more difficult to control once they have flowered and often have already reduced wheat yields by then.To minimize yield losses, mustards should be controlled by late winter or very early spring before the stems begin to elongate or bolt. If mustards are present in the fall, they can be controlled by various active ingredients. You can look for products containing Group 2 ALS-inhibiting herbicides.Most ALS-inhibiting herbicides control winter annual mustards very well. However, there are populations of bushy wall flower (treacle mustard) and flixweed in Kansas that are ALS-resistant and cannot be controlled by these products. Alternative herbicides will be needed to control these populations. Also, be aware that some of the Group 2 herbicides have long rotation intervals to other crops.Group 27 herbicides can control ALS-resistant mustards. Other options to control ALS-resistant mustards are Group 4 herbicides.Group 27 and Group 4 herbicides have little to no residual activity, thus will only control weeds that have emerged and are actively growing. Applying them with fertilizer in January or February when weeds are dormant will not provide good mustard control. In addition, special care should be taken to ensure wheat is fully tillered when 2,4-D is applied to avoid reducing tillering.In the late winter or early spring, blue mustard is perhaps the most difficult of the winter annual broadleaf weeds to control because it bolts very early. To be effective on blue mustard, herbicides typically need to be applied in late February or early March. Blue mustard is more difficult to control than tansy mustard with 2,4-D because blue mustard has often already bolted by the time 2,4-D can be safely applied to wheat. Thus, 2,4-D is often applied too late to be effective on blue mustard.Flixweed and tansy mustard should be treated when they are no larger than two to three inches across and two to three inches tall. As these plants become larger, control decreases dramatically. Ester formulations of 2,4-D and MCPA are more effective on tansy mustard and flixweed than amine formulations. Field pennycress is easier to control than tansy mustard or flixweed. Herbicide applications made before the pennycress bolts are usually effective.Crop rotation with corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, or sunflowers is a good way of managing mustards as long as they are controlled in the spring before producing seeds. Crop rotation will usually result in a gradual reduction of mustard populations in the future as the seedbank in the soil decreases.Always consult the herbicide label for the most current use requirements.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension.

CAMPBELL: Control of mustards in wheat, timely treatment is important

First-Generation College Celebration is an annual event raising awareness of first-generation college students and highlighting their achievements and experiences. Launched in 2017, the celebration recognizes the successes of the first-generation community. It is also a significant date, as November 8 marks the signing of the Higher Education Act&nbsp; of 1965, which established federal financial aid programs and made vital investments in colleges and universities, particularly benefiting limited-income, first-generation college students.

The term "first-generation" has been used in higher education for decades. Still, with shifting demographics, increasing enrollment of first-gen students, rising tuition costs, and a focus on graduation rates, the experiences of first-generation college students have become a renewed area of focus in postsecondary education.

As an institution dedicated to providing accessible, quality education, Fort Hays State University prioritizes welcoming and supporting first-generation college students. Our programs and services, such as the First to Finish Living Learning Community, aim to assist our students in their academic, career, and professional development.

The First to Finish Living Learning Community is designed to foster leadership growth among first-gen students by offering introductory leadership courses and a CORE (confidence, optimism, resilience, and engagement) leadership model. Our goal is to provide a pathway for students to navigate campus and community resources, explore engagement opportunities, and create career goals. Additionally, we prioritize assisting students in navigating campus services such as academic advising, career services, financial aid, and student employment opportunities, ensuring they feel supported throughout their college journey.

Our students also participate in various co-curricular experiences, including service projects and leadership opportunities. One of the signature co-curricular experiences is the Ad Astra First Generation Conference, where students travel to a Kansas university to engage in a two-day conference for first-generation college students.

To build a pipeline of support, we initiated a second-year community in 2019. This community aims to continue supporting students during their second or third year and includes a peer mentoring component. Students in this community are connected with the First to Finish community, allowing for networking and additional support.

Students in the First to Finish Living Learning Community are encouraged to complete the leadership certificate or minor to enhance their leadership skills and knowledge further. The second-year community, driven by the confidence and engagement gained in the first year, inspires the first-year living-learning community students, demonstrating what success can look like for first-generation college students. Becoming a first-generation college graduate can&nbsp;profoundly impact future generations, and we celebrate the achievements of our students who pave the way for others.

In celebration of the First-Generation College Celebration, I want to highlight the stories of some of our students.

Hailing from Holcomb, Kansas, Derek Mesa embarked on his journey at FHSU in the fall of 2020 amidst the challenges posed by pandemic protocols and limited student engagement. Recounting his initial visit to the campus during Tiger Day 2019, Derek was drawn to Fort Hays due to its exceptional experience. However, his expectations of finding friends exactly like him were exceeded as he and his fellow First to Finish Living Learning Community members realized the beauty of diversity in their newfound friendships.

Amid diverse backgrounds and interests, Derek was surrounded by friends from various majors, providing a unique opportunity to learn about their distinct experiences at Fort Hays. The programs at FHSU played a crucial role in Derek's success, equipping him with real-world career and professional experiences. Through his courses and club involvement, he absorbed invaluable knowledge that will shape his future career.

Currently a senior health and human performance major, Derek envisions continuing his education in graduate school and gaining classroom experience as a graduate teacher's assistant. Setting his sights even further, he aspires to work at a college or a facility akin to HaysMed's Center for Health Improvement after earning his master’s degree.

Derek fondly reflects on his lifelong appreciation for education, instilled by his parents since kindergarten. With unwavering support from his dad, mom, and brother, Derek emphasizes that his degree may bear his name, but its achievement would have been impossible without his family’s assistance. Their unwavering belief in his aspirations has enabled him to pursue opportunities they never had.

Melissa Nunez's journey from growing up in Topeka, Kansas, to attending FHSU is inspiring. Originally from California, she joined the First to Finish Living Learning Community in the fall of 2021. Melissa, a junior studying business management, dreams of owning her own business. However, her immediate goal after college is to oversee a company or business and establish her name as a business professional.

Reflecting on her time at FHSU, Melissa finds it challenging to pinpoint a favorite memory because she cherishes every aspect of being part of the program. The First to Finish Living Learning Community experience helped her step out of her comfort zone, allowing her to be authentic. It taught her there is always room for growth and learning. This newfound confidence has permeated all aspects of her life: school, work, and personal experiences.

Melissa's college journey holds great significance for her. She contemplated dropping out after a turbulent first semester of her freshman year. However, with her family's and professors' support, she realized she was simply in the wrong major. The decision to change majors proved life-changing; she knows it was the best choice she could have made. Melissa's determination and resilience have made her family exceptionally proud, especially considering the opportunities they never had.

Embracing every aspect of her college experience, pushing boundaries, and seizing opportunities, Melissa has transformed her journey into a tale of perseverance and growth. Her&nbsp;story inspires others who may find themselves at a crossroads, showing them that incredible success is within reach with the right support and self-belief.

Efren Tarango Fernandez, a technology studies (Construction Management) student, hails from Chihuahua, Mexico, specifically a ranch called El Chamizal. Last fall, he was a member of the First to Finish Living Learning Community, an experience that has profoundly impacted his college journey. The program provided Efren with a valuable opportunity to connect with other first-generation students, providing constant motivation in his academic pursuits. Moreover, he forged lifelong friendships with instructors, leaders, and fellow students, creating a supportive network beyond the classroom.

Efren draws inspiration from his sister, the first in their family to attend college, who continues to set a remarkable example for him and his brother. She consistently lends her assistance and support whenever he needs it most. Growing up, Efren's parents courageously uprooted their lives in Mexico and migrated to the United States to provide their children with opportunities they never had. They continue to make sacrifices, dedicating time and money to ensure their children's success and realize the American Dream. Efren's college journey fills his parents with pride and a deep sense of accomplishment. They relish witnessing their children flourish and courageously pursue their diverse career paths.

Membership in the First to Finish Living Learning Community program facilitated new friendships for Efren and propelled him out of his comfort zone through interactive class structures and dynamic classmates. His leadership role within the program enabled him to foster lasting connections that persist to this day. Whether conversing on the way to class, socializing around campus, or engaging with each other in public, these friends have become an integral part of Efren's college experience. The profound impact of the First to Finish Living Learning Community has instilled in him a desire to become even more involved in student organizations, such as Tiger Team, the Associated General Contractors, Alpha Kappa Psi, and Catholic Tiger.

Efren's college journey exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance and a strong support system. From the First to Finish Living Learning Community program to his unwavering family support, he has found the motivation to thrive academically and navigate the challenges of pursuing his dreams. Through his story, Efren shows us the profound impact of our connections, the importance of family, and the unlimited potential within each of us.

I love how we engage and support our students, fostering their growth and helping them reach their full potential. From the moment they walk through our doors to the day they graduate, we provide a nurturing environment that allows them to flourish. 

As someone who experienced being a first-generation college student, I understand the incredible transformation during this journey.

I vividly recall how gaining knowledge and skills during my time as a student empowered me to envision a future I had never thought possible. The opportunities that emerged as a result were beyond my wildest dreams. It was remarkable to witness the positive impact of gaining an education on my life.

My personal story drives my unwavering commitment to education and helping others succeed. I deeply appreciate the value education brings, as it granted me the opportunity to one day pay it forward and serve as a university president. This privilege allows me to inspire and empower countless students, helping them realize their potential and achieve their goals.

By combining our passion for student success, dedication to supporting their growth, and providing the tools they need to navigate the world beyond graduation, we can continue to create a vibrant university community that transforms lives. Together, we can make a lasting impact and contribute to a future filled with endless possibilities.

Dr. Tisa Mason is the president of Fort Hays State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Tisa Mason" />
 <figcaption>Tisa Mason</figcaption>
 </figure>First-Generation College Celebration is an annual event raising awareness of first-generation college students and highlighting their achievements and experiences. Launched in 2017, the celebration recognizes the successes of the first-generation community. It is also a significant date, as November 8 marks the signing of the Higher Education Act&nbsp; of 1965, which established federal financial aid programs and made vital investments in colleges and universities, particularly benefiting limited-income, first-generation college students.The term "first-generation" has been used in higher education for decades. Still, with shifting demographics, increasing enrollment of first-gen students, rising tuition costs, and a focus on graduation rates, the experiences of first-generation college students have become a renewed area of focus in postsecondary education.As an institution dedicated to providing accessible, quality education, Fort Hays State University prioritizes welcoming and supporting first-generation college students. Our programs and services, such as the First to Finish Living Learning Community, aim to assist our students in their academic, career, and professional development.The First to Finish Living Learning Community is designed to foster leadership growth among first-gen students by offering introductory leadership courses and a CORE (confidence, optimism, resilience, and engagement) leadership model. Our goal is to provide a pathway for students to navigate campus and community resources, explore engagement opportunities, and create career goals. Additionally, we prioritize assisting students in navigating campus services such as academic advising, career services, financial aid, and student employment opportunities, ensuring they feel supported throughout their college journey.Our students also participate in various co-curricular experiences, including service projects and leadership opportunities. One of the signature co-curricular experiences is the Ad Astra First Generation Conference, where students travel to a Kansas university to engage in a two-day conference for first-generation college students.To build a pipeline of support, we initiated a second-year community in 2019. This community aims to continue supporting students during their second or third year and includes a peer mentoring component. Students in this community are connected with the First to Finish community, allowing for networking and additional support.Students in the First to Finish Living Learning Community are encouraged to complete the leadership certificate or minor to enhance their leadership skills and knowledge further. The second-year community, driven by the confidence and engagement gained in the first year, inspires the first-year living-learning community students, demonstrating what success can look like for first-generation college students. Becoming a first-generation college graduate can&nbsp;profoundly impact future generations, and we celebrate the achievements of our students who pave the way for others.In celebration of the First-Generation College Celebration, I want to highlight the stories of some of our students.Hailing from Holcomb, Kansas, Derek Mesa embarked on his journey at FHSU in the fall of 2020 amidst the challenges posed by pandemic protocols and limited student engagement. Recounting his initial visit to the campus during Tiger Day 2019, Derek was drawn to Fort Hays due to its exceptional experience. However, his expectations of finding friends exactly like him were exceeded as he and his fellow First to Finish Living Learning Community members realized the beauty of diversity in their newfound friendships.Amid diverse backgrounds and interests, Derek was surrounded by friends from various majors, providing a unique opportunity to learn about their distinct experiences at Fort Hays. The programs at FHSU played a crucial role in Derek's success, equipping him with real-world career and professional experiences. Through his courses and club involvement, he absorbed invaluable knowledge that will shape his future career.Currently a senior health and human performance major, Derek envisions continuing his education in graduate school and gaining classroom experience as a graduate teacher's assistant. Setting his sights even further, he aspires to work at a college or a facility akin to HaysMed's Center for Health Improvement after earning his master’s degree.Derek fondly reflects on his lifelong appreciation for education, instilled by his parents since kindergarten. With unwavering support from his dad, mom, and brother, Derek emphasizes that his degree may bear his name, but its achievement would have been impossible without his family’s assistance. Their unwavering belief in his aspirations has enabled him to pursue opportunities they never had.Melissa Nunez's journey from growing up in Topeka, Kansas, to attending FHSU is inspiring. Originally from California, she joined the First to Finish Living Learning Community in the fall of 2021. Melissa, a junior studying business management, dreams of owning her own business. However, her immediate goal after college is to oversee a company or business and establish her name as a business professional.Reflecting on her time at FHSU, Melissa finds it challenging to pinpoint a favorite memory because she cherishes every aspect of being part of the program. The First to Finish Living Learning Community experience helped her step out of her comfort zone, allowing her to be authentic. It taught her there is always room for growth and learning. This newfound confidence has permeated all aspects of her life: school, work, and personal experiences.Melissa's college journey holds great significance for her. She contemplated dropping out after a turbulent first semester of her freshman year. However, with her family's and professors' support, she realized she was simply in the wrong major. The decision to change majors proved life-changing; she knows it was the best choice she could have made. Melissa's determination and resilience have made her family exceptionally proud, especially considering the opportunities they never had.Embracing every aspect of her college experience, pushing boundaries, and seizing opportunities, Melissa has transformed her journey into a tale of perseverance and growth. Her&nbsp;story inspires others who may find themselves at a crossroads, showing them that incredible success is within reach with the right support and self-belief.Efren Tarango Fernandez, a technology studies (Construction Management) student, hails from Chihuahua, Mexico, specifically a ranch called El Chamizal. Last fall, he was a member of the First to Finish Living Learning Community, an experience that has profoundly impacted his college journey. The program provided Efren with a valuable opportunity to connect with other first-generation students, providing constant motivation in his academic pursuits. Moreover, he forged lifelong friendships with instructors, leaders, and fellow students, creating a supportive network beyond the classroom.Efren draws inspiration from his sister, the first in their family to attend college, who continues to set a remarkable example for him and his brother. She consistently lends her assistance and support whenever he needs it most. Growing up, Efren's parents courageously uprooted their lives in Mexico and migrated to the United States to provide their children with opportunities they never had. They continue to make sacrifices, dedicating time and money to ensure their children's success and realize the American Dream. Efren's college journey fills his parents with pride and a deep sense of accomplishment. They relish witnessing their children flourish and courageously pursue their diverse career paths.Membership in the First to Finish Living Learning Community program facilitated new friendships for Efren and propelled him out of his comfort zone through interactive class structures and dynamic classmates. His leadership role within the program enabled him to foster lasting connections that persist to this day. Whether conversing on the way to class, socializing around campus, or engaging with each other in public, these friends have become an integral part of Efren's college experience. The profound impact of the First to Finish Living Learning Community has instilled in him a desire to become even more involved in student organizations, such as Tiger Team, the Associated General Contractors, Alpha Kappa Psi, and Catholic Tiger.Efren's college journey exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance and a strong support system. From the First to Finish Living Learning Community program to his unwavering family support, he has found the motivation to thrive academically and navigate the challenges of pursuing his dreams. Through his story, Efren shows us the profound impact of our connections, the importance of family, and the unlimited potential within each of us.I love how we engage and support our students, fostering their growth and helping them reach their full potential. From the moment they walk through our doors to the day they graduate, we provide a nurturing environment that allows them to flourish. As someone who experienced being a first-generation college student, I understand the incredible transformation during this journey.I vividly recall how gaining knowledge and skills during my time as a student empowered me to envision a future I had never thought possible. The opportunities that emerged as a result were beyond my wildest dreams. It was remarkable to witness the positive impact of gaining an education on my life.My personal story drives my unwavering commitment to education and helping others succeed. I deeply appreciate the value education brings, as it granted me the opportunity to one day pay it forward and serve as a university president. This privilege allows me to inspire and empower countless students, helping them realize their potential and achieve their goals.By combining our passion for student success, dedication to supporting their growth, and providing the tools they need to navigate the world beyond graduation, we can continue to create a vibrant university community that transforms lives. Together, we can make a lasting impact and contribute to a future filled with endless possibilities.Dr. Tisa Mason is the president of Fort Hays State University.

Heart of a Tiger: Empowering first-generation college students at Fort Hays State University

Nothing like history conferences to tug old knowledge from the brain’s dark recesses and shake it up with fresh concepts. 

Recently, Trego County Historical Museum hosted the annual Smoky Hill Trail Conference. Organizers assembled stellar presenters to inform, entertain, and intrigue member’s interests.

I loved all the presentations, but one literally caught my eye. Denver historian Wes Brown has spent a lifetime collecting old and rare maps, several pertinent to this region and the trail that crosses it. He shared these, supplementing his visuals with details regarding development of what became Colorado and Kansas.

Those original maps paired with fellow attendee Jim Mayhew’s map tied into an article I wrote long ago. Add a recent trip across western Kansas and eastern Colorado and my overfull brain reeled as history leapt to life. Anyone who finds Kansas boring needs to study it and compare old maps to their current atlas.

The article mentioned focused on how the Arkansas River that flows across southern Kansas marked an international border. At the time I wrote that piece, this concept surprised several readers. 

Originally, this waterway separated U.S. territory from Spain, which acquired the region the Arkansas flowed across as a result of the Adams-Onis Treaty (aka the Florida Purchase Treaty) of 1819. This agreement added Florida to U.S. territory and established an official boundary. It designated the Arkansas River as part of the border between America and New Spain. Spain, intent on supplementing its coffers, protected trade in her new world territory and discouraged entrepreneurs willing to travel from Missouri to Santa Fe.

In short time, Mexico declared independence from Spain and successfully won the resulting war in 1821. Mexico encouraged cross-border trade relationships that made the Santa Fe Trail a successful exchange route beginning in 1821 with William Becknell’s delivery of goods.

While this victory over Spain changed Mexico’s government and its trade relationships, the established border remained until 1846, when the U.S. defeated Mexico in the Mexican-American War and annexed Texas. 

While I’d read text books that depicted modern illustrations of this border, seeing nearly 200-year-old maps with a sharply-defined river and its contributing streams combined with a different era’s terminology made it real versus theoretical.

One of those 19th century maps identified Territorial Kansas, revealing that it extended from the Missouri River to the Continental Divide. It showed physical attributes like waterways and mountain ranges but unlike today’s maps, few human settlements existed. As a result, this map’s clearly labeled Bent’s New Fort located north of the Arkansas River stood out like a beacon on the prairie.

After we recently visited that still isolated region, I reflected on how minor details like the Kansas-Nebraska Act and statehood prevented Old and New Bent’s Forts from becoming Kansas historical destinations. This map validated such thoughts. I also considered how including the Front Range with its traffic, cities, and industry would alter the world perception of western Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698329781749.jpeg" alt="Jim Mayhew and Wes Brown (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Jim Mayhew and Wes Brown (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Nothing like history conferences to tug old knowledge from the brain’s dark recesses and shake it up with fresh concepts. Recently, Trego County Historical Museum hosted the annual Smoky Hill Trail Conference. Organizers assembled stellar presenters to inform, entertain, and intrigue member’s interests.I loved all the presentations, but one literally caught my eye. Denver historian Wes Brown has spent a lifetime collecting old and rare maps, several pertinent to this region and the trail that crosses it. He shared these, supplementing his visuals with details regarding development of what became Colorado and Kansas.Those original maps paired with fellow attendee Jim Mayhew’s map tied into an article I wrote long ago. Add a recent trip across western Kansas and eastern Colorado and my overfull brain reeled as history leapt to life. Anyone who finds Kansas boring needs to study it and compare old maps to their current atlas.The article mentioned focused on how the Arkansas River that flows across southern Kansas marked an international border. At the time I wrote that piece, this concept surprised several readers. Originally, this waterway separated U.S. territory from Spain, which acquired the region the Arkansas flowed across as a result of the Adams-Onis Treaty (aka the Florida Purchase Treaty) of 1819. This agreement added Florida to U.S. territory and established an official boundary. It designated the Arkansas River as part of the border between America and New Spain. Spain, intent on supplementing its coffers, protected trade in her new world territory and discouraged entrepreneurs willing to travel from Missouri to Santa Fe.In short time, Mexico declared independence from Spain and successfully won the resulting war in 1821. Mexico encouraged cross-border trade relationships that made the Santa Fe Trail a successful exchange route beginning in 1821 with William Becknell’s delivery of goods.While this victory over Spain changed Mexico’s government and its trade relationships, the established border remained until 1846, when the U.S. defeated Mexico in the Mexican-American War and annexed Texas. While I’d read text books that depicted modern illustrations of this border, seeing nearly 200-year-old maps with a sharply-defined river and its contributing streams combined with a different era’s terminology made it real versus theoretical.One of those 19th century maps identified Territorial Kansas, revealing that it extended from the Missouri River to the Continental Divide. It showed physical attributes like waterways and mountain ranges but unlike today’s maps, few human settlements existed. As a result, this map’s clearly labeled Bent’s New Fort located north of the Arkansas River stood out like a beacon on the prairie.After we recently visited that still isolated region, I reflected on how minor details like the Kansas-Nebraska Act and statehood prevented Old and New Bent’s Forts from becoming Kansas historical destinations. This map validated such thoughts. I also considered how including the Front Range with its traffic, cities, and industry would alter the world perception of western Kansas.Seeing some of Mr. Brown’s map collection and listening to his presentation breathed life into history. It demonstrated how primary sources vividly link present to past. The people who created these documents are long dead, but their work lives when historians share.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158626307.png" alt="Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
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Opinion