I am writing to share my thoughts and concerns regarding the newly launched "Love, Kansas" initiative. While this campaign, led by Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, is a commendable effort to attract former Kansans and new families to our state, it fails to address significant challenges faced by current residents, particularly those striving to purchase homes and establish deeper roots within our communities.

The "Love, Kansas" campaign aims to highlight Kansas as an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family by focusing on our state’s abundant job opportunities, high quality of life, excellent education system, and affordable communities. The initiative's emphasis on "boomerangs"—individuals with previous ties to the state—underscores a strategic effort to bring back those who once called Kansas home. While this approach is admirable, it inadvertently overlooks the pressing issues faced by many Kansans who are already here.

Many young adults in Kansas struggle to transition from renters to homeowners. Despite having higher education and stable employment, the high cost of housing creates a substantial barrier to homeownership. This demographic is critical to the future of our state, yet they face significant obstacles in establishing financial stability and building lasting ties to their communities.

To address these concerns, I propose that the "Love, Kansas" initiative be expanded to include resources and opportunities for current residents. Providing financial incentives and support for existing Kansans to purchase homes would encourage them to stay and continue contributing to our State's success. Programs similar to the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) initiative, but inclusive of those already residing in these zones, could provide the much-needed stability and economic support for our current population. By offering such support, we can retain the talent and dedication of those who have already chosen Kansas as their home.

A small town’s approach to businesses can be a deciding factor for young people on whether to live there or not. New and small businesses are essential to the economy of rural communities. For young entrepreneurs, the right ingredients can make a big difference to start or grow a business—and for all who live there, the success of businesses is critical to keeping the community thriving. Perhaps the greatest of these ingredients is the openness to new ideas. Removing barriers and reducing friction for business owners is the goal.

Like all other challenges, the approach will need to be systemic and involve many aspects of a community—not just state and local governments, but housing, child care, local attitudes, and more. Rural Kansas should find ways to build on the ecosystem infrastructure that NetWork Kansas has established. A benefit of the NetWork Kansas model is that it pairs local control of funding decisions with statewide matching funds. Expanding outreach efforts would be a solid action that could make a difference.

Rural communities and counties could consider redirecting tax dollars from larger established businesses to supporting entrepreneurs. They could create locally directed and funded angel investment capital programs, pair existing business owners with new entrepreneurs for mentorship and coaching, view restoration of buildings as "site development" for entrepreneurs rather than site development for traditional recruitment, waive property taxes for any entrepreneur starting a new business in a currently vacant building, and connect existing K-12 efforts with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in a community/entrepreneurship internship model. Counties could provide additional incentives and capital to entrepreneurs planning to start a business in needed sectors such as child care, building trades, health care, tech, restaurants, and culture.

Starting in high school, create and nurture this mindset. Help new entrepreneurs know where to find support locally or in the network, and know about shared services and platforms for commerce. A continued emphasis on career and technical education, particularly building trades and tech jobs, could be emphasized as not only a career but a service to rural communities.

Local communities can take a number of approaches both big and small to support businesses. They could establish local revolving loans funds to assist with gap financing; offer professional consulting services (accounting, legal, business plan development, art, etc.) for entrepreneurs; celebrate, feature, and drive traffic to local businesses; host formal welcoming events/ribbon-cutting ceremonies; work with existing businesses on transition plans and needs; assist in accessing regional, state, and federal resources; share ideas and concepts working in other places; and serve as a connector within and outside of the community.

State agencies and nonprofit organizations could connect businesses in rural communities through their networks or to other resources for business planning or marketing. They might be particularly helpful for niche businesses and start-ups that fall outside a traditional model. One idea for either the public or private sector to consider is to create pools of specialists—like accountants or marketers—for a small rural business to access as a shared resource. State agencies are also skilled at creating “one-stop shops” for current issues affecting Kansas business owners once common stumbling blocks are identified. These portals can reduce the friction of obtaining operating licenses and cut down on surprises as a business gets ready to open. Industry organizations can also help with these education efforts.

Retention of our current residents is just as crucial as attracting new ones. By supporting those who are already here, we can ensure they feel valued and are given the opportunities they need to thrive. This approach not only strengthens our communities but also builds a compelling case for others to join a state that takes care of its own. Kansas has a unique opportunity to set an example by prioritizing the well-being of its current residents while simultaneously attracting new talent.

Thank you for considering this perspective. By addressing the needs of both current and prospective Kansans, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous future for our state. I hope that the leaders of the "Love, Kansas" campaign will take these concerns into account and work towards a more balanced approach that supports all residents of our great state.

I am writing to share my thoughts and concerns regarding the newly launched "Love, Kansas" initiative. While this campaign, led by Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, is a commendable effort to attract former Kansans and new families to our state, it fails to address significant challenges faced by current residents, particularly those striving to purchase homes and establish deeper roots within our communities.The "Love, Kansas" campaign aims to highlight Kansas as an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family by focusing on our state’s abundant job opportunities, high quality of life, excellent education system, and affordable communities. The initiative's emphasis on "boomerangs"—individuals with previous ties to the state—underscores a strategic effort to bring back those who once called Kansas home. While this approach is admirable, it inadvertently overlooks the pressing issues faced by many Kansans who are already here.Many young adults in Kansas struggle to transition from renters to homeowners. Despite having higher education and stable employment, the high cost of housing creates a substantial barrier to homeownership. This demographic is critical to the future of our state, yet they face significant obstacles in establishing financial stability and building lasting ties to their communities.To address these concerns, I propose that the "Love, Kansas" initiative be expanded to include resources and opportunities for current residents. Providing financial incentives and support for existing Kansans to purchase homes would encourage them to stay and continue contributing to our State's success. Programs similar to the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) initiative, but inclusive of those already residing in these zones, could provide the much-needed stability and economic support for our current population. By offering such support, we can retain the talent and dedication of those who have already chosen Kansas as their home.A small town’s approach to businesses can be a deciding factor for young people on whether to live there or not. New and small businesses are essential to the economy of rural communities. For young entrepreneurs, the right ingredients can make a big difference to start or grow a business—and for all who live there, the success of businesses is critical to keeping the community thriving. Perhaps the greatest of these ingredients is the openness to new ideas. Removing barriers and reducing friction for business owners is the goal.Like all other challenges, the approach will need to be systemic and involve many aspects of a community—not just state and local governments, but housing, child care, local attitudes, and more. Rural Kansas should find ways to build on the ecosystem infrastructure that NetWork Kansas has established. A benefit of the NetWork Kansas model is that it pairs local control of funding decisions with statewide matching funds. Expanding outreach efforts would be a solid action that could make a difference.Rural communities and counties could consider redirecting tax dollars from larger established businesses to supporting entrepreneurs. They could create locally directed and funded angel investment capital programs, pair existing business owners with new entrepreneurs for mentorship and coaching, view restoration of buildings as "site development" for entrepreneurs rather than site development for traditional recruitment, waive property taxes for any entrepreneur starting a new business in a currently vacant building, and connect existing K-12 efforts with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in a community/entrepreneurship internship model. Counties could provide additional incentives and capital to entrepreneurs planning to start a business in needed sectors such as child care, building trades, health care, tech, restaurants, and culture.Starting in high school, create and nurture this mindset. Help new entrepreneurs know where to find support locally or in the network, and know about shared services and platforms for commerce. A continued emphasis on career and technical education, particularly building trades and tech jobs, could be emphasized as not only a career but a service to rural communities.Local communities can take a number of approaches both big and small to support businesses. They could establish local revolving loans funds to assist with gap financing; offer professional consulting services (accounting, legal, business plan development, art, etc.) for entrepreneurs; celebrate, feature, and drive traffic to local businesses; host formal welcoming events/ribbon-cutting ceremonies; work with existing businesses on transition plans and needs; assist in accessing regional, state, and federal resources; share ideas and concepts working in other places; and serve as a connector within and outside of the community.State agencies and nonprofit organizations could connect businesses in rural communities through their networks or to other resources for business planning or marketing. They might be particularly helpful for niche businesses and start-ups that fall outside a traditional model. One idea for either the public or private sector to consider is to create pools of specialists—like accountants or marketers—for a small rural business to access as a shared resource. State agencies are also skilled at creating “one-stop shops” for current issues affecting Kansas business owners once common stumbling blocks are identified. These portals can reduce the friction of obtaining operating licenses and cut down on surprises as a business gets ready to open. Industry organizations can also help with these education efforts.Retention of our current residents is just as crucial as attracting new ones. By supporting those who are already here, we can ensure they feel valued and are given the opportunities they need to thrive. This approach not only strengthens our communities but also builds a compelling case for others to join a state that takes care of its own. Kansas has a unique opportunity to set an example by prioritizing the well-being of its current residents while simultaneously attracting new talent.Thank you for considering this perspective. By addressing the needs of both current and prospective Kansans, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous future for our state. I hope that the leaders of the "Love, Kansas" campaign will take these concerns into account and work towards a more balanced approach that supports all residents of our great state.Peacefully,&nbsp;John Brown

Letter to the Editor: Thoughts on 'Love, Kansas'

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

Have you ever been curious about canning meat? Is it safe? How do I do it safely? Why would I want to can meat?

Canning is a great method to preserve and extend shelf life for many types of foods, including meat products. Using safe preparation and storage practices allows for anyone to store nutritious, high-quality protein.

Before joining K-State Research and Extension I had done a little canning but mostly just trying to preserve garden produce. After taking a professional development canning class specifically for Extension Agents, I learned even more about canning and also how to can meat. I found canning meat a great skill to have in the kitchen. Why? You may ask…..

Well, canning meat can be an easy way to get supper on the table. As a busy, working wife and mother I’m often struggling at the end of the day to come up with yet another meal my family will eat. I’m tired and hungry. I need something fast and easy! When you have canned meat on the shelf, all you have to do is open the can, warm it up and add some vegetables or grains to make a fast meal.

Canning meat can also be healthy. Sometimes, when you purchase canned meat there maybe be unwanted ingredients. When you preserve the meat yourself you know exactly what is in there and can control the amount of ingredients you want in your food, for example, the amount of salt.

When preserving meat you can use inexpensive cuts of meat and they turn out tender and tasty! Canning can be a way to save money on your animal-based protein. Yes, there is some expense if needing to purchase equipment but hopefully those will be one-time expense that you can use for many years.

Next, canning may be another way to store food. Are you running out of freezer space? This can be a great way to free up that space by canning your meat.

Do you hunt or fish? You can also can game meat and fish! Canning wild game and fish is another way to preserve your protein well past the hunting and fishing season.

Finally, making it a social affair and doing with other people such as family and friends can make the work turn into a fun day. This can also help to minimize costs if you are able to preserve food with others. I always say, “Canning is like exercise, it is much more fun doing with others!”

If you are curious and would like to learn more, Karen Blakeslee, K-State Research and Extension Rapid Response Coordinator and food scientist will be in Hays to hold a meat canning workshop on August 7, 2024 from 1-5pm at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7th St. We will preserve beef and chicken at the workshop, using both raw and hot pack methods. All supplies will be provided. Karen will include

information on the science and history behind food preservation, safe pressure canning of all types of meat, and tips on freezing and dehydrating. Cost: $35

If you have any questions or would like to sign up please call 785-628-9430 or email Monique at moniquek@ksu.edu

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictHave you ever been curious about canning meat? Is it safe? How do I do it safely? Why would I want to can meat?Canning is a great method to preserve and extend shelf life for many types of foods, including meat products. Using safe preparation and storage practices allows for anyone to store nutritious, high-quality protein.Before joining K-State Research and Extension I had done a little canning but mostly just trying to preserve garden produce. After taking a professional development canning class specifically for Extension Agents, I learned even more about canning and also how to can meat. I found canning meat a great skill to have in the kitchen. Why? You may ask…..Well, canning meat can be an easy way to get supper on the table. As a busy, working wife and mother I’m often struggling at the end of the day to come up with yet another meal my family will eat. I’m tired and hungry. I need something fast and easy! When you have canned meat on the shelf, all you have to do is open the can, warm it up and add some vegetables or grains to make a fast meal.Canning meat can also be healthy. Sometimes, when you purchase canned meat there maybe be unwanted ingredients. When you preserve the meat yourself you know exactly what is in there and can control the amount of ingredients you want in your food, for example, the amount of salt.When preserving meat you can use inexpensive cuts of meat and they turn out tender and tasty! Canning can be a way to save money on your animal-based protein. Yes, there is some expense if needing to purchase equipment but hopefully those will be one-time expense that you can use for many years.Next, canning may be another way to store food. Are you running out of freezer space? This can be a great way to free up that space by canning your meat.Do you hunt or fish? You can also can game meat and fish! Canning wild game and fish is another way to preserve your protein well past the hunting and fishing season.Finally, making it a social affair and doing with other people such as family and friends can make the work turn into a fun day. This can also help to minimize costs if you are able to preserve food with others. I always say, “Canning is like exercise, it is much more fun doing with others!”If you are curious and would like to learn more, Karen Blakeslee, K-State Research and Extension Rapid Response Coordinator and food scientist will be in Hays to hold a meat canning workshop on August 7, 2024 from 1-5pm at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7th St. We will preserve beef and chicken at the workshop, using both raw and hot pack methods. All supplies will be provided. Karen will includeinformation on the science and history behind food preservation, safe pressure canning of all types of meat, and tips on freezing and dehydrating. Cost: $35If you have any questions or would like to sign up please call 785-628-9430 or email Monique at moniquek@ksu.eduMonique 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: Canning meat

I’ve seen several articles lately both in print and on the TV evening news reminding Kansans that it’s snake season. It reminded me of a small story years ago on the back page of the Hutchinson News entitled “Rattlesnake Relocation Project comes to an End.” It seems that in the spring of 2007, Lenexa, Kansas residents began spotting an ever-increasing number of rattlesnakes in some neighborhoods. While checking on the construction site for a never-built Target store, the city construction inspector discovered numerous rattlesnakes lying around the site. 

It was determined that a large rattlesnake den existed somewhere under a big pile of construction rubble there. A biology professor at a major out-of-state university, saw it as the perfect opportunity to test a new conservation model; the attempted relocation of as many snakes as possible from a single population in hopes they would establish their same population somewhere else. Around-the-clock “snake watches” were established at the den, and over the next 2 or 3 weeks the professor and a host of her students and other volunteers caught 35 Timber Rattlesnakes, implanted them with radio transmitters, (I’d like to have watched that) to permit their being tracked and deposited them at another suitable den site some miles away at a “top-secret” location.

The professors reasoning for relocating the snakes and not “whacking” them was two-fold; first of all, it seemed at that time, extreme eastern Kansas was probably the western most boundary of the Timber Rattlesnake in the U.S. and since their numbers were sparse, the Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) had made them a SINC species, which stands for Species in Need of Conservation. Because of this, Timber rattlesnakes can legally be killed in Kansas ONLY if they directly threaten your safety, not just because they happen to have rattles on their tail. She called them “the puppy dogs of the rattlesnake world,” and said a timber rattler’s first line of defense is to blend-in rather than to coil or strike, as they opt to save that energy for hunting. Secondly, she said that those snakes were likely there for years, possibly even before the area was built-up, meaning that we humans had encroached on their territory.

Now I’m more snake friendly than most, and because of the free, natural rodent control they provide I’ve been known to relocate a bull snake or two rather than to kill them, so don’t get me wrong here, I see rattlesnakes place in Nature. You rescue Lassie or Timmy if they fall into the well, you rescue a kitten with its head stuck in a salmon can, heck one guy on YouTube even rescued a prairie dog from his swimming pool, but I have a tough time seeing any sane Kansan rescuing a rattlesnake. It all reminds me of the prairie dogs “recued” years ago from around the mall in Hutchinson. The group went to great lengths to have them “sucked” from their dens into a big, padded truck, and taken to Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, only to discover later that the Quivira badgers were eating them like fast food.

So, I feel kinda’ sorry for the poor snakes, as the worst they probably ever encountered around their old home were little old ladies with garden hoses or hoes, but their new “secret” home was probably somewhere in the country where the resident farmers and ranchers would remove their heads and care less what species they were. The “puppy dog” of the rattlesnake world really doesn’t work for me either, as I refuse to give that nickname to anything that won’t curl up in my lap to have its ears scratched. And as far as killing Timber Rattlers in Kansas only if they threaten your safety, I have to ask you when you last saw a rattlesnake and DID NOT fear for your safety.

I’ve never been able to find the final outcome of the experiment / project in terms of whether it was deemed successful or not. The article did go on to say that a few litters of young Timber Rattlers were born during the project, and that the students went so far as to name several of the adult snakes; the largest being a male about 4 ½ feet long that weighed 2 pounds. He was named Abuelo, Spanish for grandfather. And by the way, the Timber Rattlesnake is still on the SINC list (Species in Need of Conservation) in Kansas. So, if confronted by a rattlesnake or any snake, give them a chance to retreat IF AT ALL POSSIBLE and live another day, before you remove their heads…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

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

I’ve seen several articles lately both in print and on the TV evening news reminding Kansans that it’s snake season. It reminded me of a small story years ago on the back page of the Hutchinson News entitled “Rattlesnake Relocation Project comes to an End.” It seems that in the spring of 2007, Lenexa, Kansas residents began spotting an ever-increasing number of rattlesnakes in some neighborhoods. While checking on the construction site for a never-built Target store, the city construction inspector discovered numerous rattlesnakes lying around the site. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>It was determined that a large rattlesnake den existed somewhere under a big pile of construction rubble there. A biology professor at a major out-of-state university, saw it as the perfect opportunity to test a new conservation model; the attempted relocation of as many snakes as possible from a single population in hopes they would establish their same population somewhere else. Around-the-clock “snake watches” were established at the den, and over the next 2 or 3 weeks the professor and a host of her students and other volunteers caught 35 Timber Rattlesnakes, implanted them with radio transmitters, (I’d like to have watched that) to permit their being tracked and deposited them at another suitable den site some miles away at a “top-secret” location.The professors reasoning for relocating the snakes and not “whacking” them was two-fold; first of all, it seemed at that time, extreme eastern Kansas was probably the western most boundary of the Timber Rattlesnake in the U.S. and since their numbers were sparse, the Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) had made them a SINC species, which stands for Species in Need of Conservation. Because of this, Timber rattlesnakes can legally be killed in Kansas ONLY if they directly threaten your safety, not just because they happen to have rattles on their tail. She called them “the puppy dogs of the rattlesnake world,” and said a timber rattler’s first line of defense is to blend-in rather than to coil or strike, as they opt to save that energy for hunting. Secondly, she said that those snakes were likely there for years, possibly even before the area was built-up, meaning that we humans had encroached on their territory.Now I’m more snake friendly than most, and because of the free, natural rodent control they provide I’ve been known to relocate a bull snake or two rather than to kill them, so don’t get me wrong here, I see rattlesnakes place in Nature. You rescue Lassie or Timmy if they fall into the well, you rescue a kitten with its head stuck in a salmon can, heck one guy on YouTube even rescued a prairie dog from his swimming pool, but I have a tough time seeing any sane Kansan rescuing a rattlesnake. It all reminds me of the prairie dogs “recued” years ago from around the mall in Hutchinson. The group went to great lengths to have them “sucked” from their dens into a big, padded truck, and taken to Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, only to discover later that the Quivira badgers were eating them like fast food.So, I feel kinda’ sorry for the poor snakes, as the worst they probably ever encountered around their old home were little old ladies with garden hoses or hoes, but their new “secret” home was probably somewhere in the country where the resident farmers and ranchers would remove their heads and care less what species they were. The “puppy dog” of the rattlesnake world really doesn’t work for me either, as I refuse to give that nickname to anything that won’t curl up in my lap to have its ears scratched. And as far as killing Timber Rattlers in Kansas only if they threaten your safety, I have to ask you when you last saw a rattlesnake and DID NOT fear for your safety.I’ve never been able to find the final outcome of the experiment / project in terms of whether it was deemed successful or not. The article did go on to say that a few litters of young Timber Rattlers were born during the project, and that the students went so far as to name several of the adult snakes; the largest being a male about 4 ½ feet long that weighed 2 pounds. He was named Abuelo, Spanish for grandfather. And by the way, the Timber Rattlesnake is still on the SINC list (Species in Need of Conservation) in Kansas. So, if confronted by a rattlesnake or any snake, give them a chance to retreat IF AT ALL POSSIBLE and live another day, before you remove their heads…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Gilliland: Rattlesnake Relocation Project

By Mark R. Joslyn Insight Kansas

Do people vote against their self-interest? For example, there are LGBTQ Americans that vote Republican, despite the party’s track record of unfavorable policies toward the LGBTQ community.

Similarly, affluent Americans back President Biden, even though his tax policies target high-income households.

And despite Donald Trump’s persistent attacks on migrants, and support for harsh immigration policies, many Latinos support him.

Writing after the reelection of George W. Bush in 2004, Kansas native Thomas Frank claimed in his bestseller, What’s the Matter with Kansas, that the white working class were deceived into voting against their economic interests. Republicans convinced them that a liberal, coastal, urban elite threatened traditional American values and it was the responsibility of heartland farmers, factory workers, and waitresses to protect those values.

But according to Frank, traditional values were a ploy. Republicans after all represented big business and the wealthy. What the working class received for their support was lower wages, tax cuts for the rich, business deregulations, and sustained attacks on labor unions.

“Strip today's Kansans of their job security, and they head out to become registered Republicans. Push them off their land, and next thing you know they're protesting in front of abortion clinics. Squander their life savings on manicures for the CEO, and there's a good chance they'll join the John Birch Society.” What’s the Matter with Kansas? (2004, 67-68).

As it turned out, Frank was wrong. Systematic research showed the working class was not tricked. Economic issues, compared to traditional values, were the main drivers of their vote.

Moreover, the working class are not the only group to switch party allegiances – affluent voters have as well. In 1996, the highest income voters went for Republican Bob Dole by 16 points. But that margin completely disappeared by 2020. Joe Biden split the wealthy vote evenly with Trump.

This change impacted Kansas. In 1996, Johnson County went for Dole by 22 points. By 2020, Biden won by 8 points, flipping Kansas’s wealthiest county for the first time in decades.

Does this mean Democrats hoodwinked affluent Johnson County voters into acting against their material interests?

Wealthy Americans that support Democrats may do so because they believe in the values championed by the party – protecting the environment, universal health care, and a larger role for government in fighting racial and economic inequalities.

Similarly, LGBTQ and Latino Americans who cast their votes for Republicans may do so because they identify with the values the party upholds - limited government, strong national defense, free markets, and lower taxes.

All of this serves as a reminder that self-interest manifests in countless ways and its interpretation is entirely subjective.

Voters prioritize certain interests over others. It’s ultimately a personal matter.

The strength of democracy lies in the freedom of voters to choose candidates that align with their self-interests. But when doubts are raised about what in fact those interests are, and the political choices that arise from them, democracy suffers.

By Mark R. Joslyn Insight KansasDo people vote against their self-interest? For example, there are LGBTQ Americans that vote Republican, despite the party’s track record of unfavorable policies toward the LGBTQ community.Similarly, affluent Americans back President Biden, even though his tax policies target high-income households.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695215697316.png" alt="Mark Joslyn" />
 <figcaption>Mark Joslyn</figcaption>
 </figure>And despite Donald Trump’s persistent attacks on migrants, and support for harsh immigration policies, many Latinos support him.Writing after the reelection of George W. Bush in 2004, Kansas native Thomas Frank claimed in his bestseller, What’s the Matter with Kansas, that the white working class were deceived into voting against their economic interests. Republicans convinced them that a liberal, coastal, urban elite threatened traditional American values and it was the responsibility of heartland farmers, factory workers, and waitresses to protect those values.And so, they voted Republican.But according to Frank, traditional values were a ploy. Republicans after all represented big business and the wealthy. What the working class received for their support was lower wages, tax cuts for the rich, business deregulations, and sustained attacks on labor unions.Frank did not hold back:“Strip today's Kansans of their job security, and they head out to become registered Republicans. Push them off their land, and next thing you know they're protesting in front of abortion clinics. Squander their life savings on manicures for the CEO, and there's a good chance they'll join the John Birch Society.” What’s the Matter with Kansas? (2004, 67-68).As it turned out, Frank was wrong. Systematic research showed the working class was not tricked. Economic issues, compared to traditional values, were the main drivers of their vote.Moreover, the working class are not the only group to switch party allegiances – affluent voters have as well. In 1996, the highest income voters went for Republican Bob Dole by 16 points. But that margin completely disappeared by 2020. Joe Biden split the wealthy vote evenly with Trump.This change impacted Kansas. In 1996, Johnson County went for Dole by 22 points. By 2020, Biden won by 8 points, flipping Kansas’s wealthiest county for the first time in decades.Does this mean Democrats hoodwinked affluent Johnson County voters into acting against their material interests?Of course not.Wealthy Americans that support Democrats may do so because they believe in the values championed by the party – protecting the environment, universal health care, and a larger role for government in fighting racial and economic inequalities.Similarly, LGBTQ and Latino Americans who cast their votes for Republicans may do so because they identify with the values the party upholds - limited government, strong national defense, free markets, and lower taxes.All of this serves as a reminder that self-interest manifests in countless ways and its interpretation is entirely subjective.Voters prioritize certain interests over others. It’s ultimately a personal matter.The strength of democracy lies in the freedom of voters to choose candidates that align with their self-interests. But when doubts are raised about what in fact those interests are, and the political choices that arise from them, democracy suffers.

INSIGHT: Respecting voter choices: A key rule for democracy

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Ok, I know I have already had an article on chinch bugs, but I thought I would wrap it up with a quick overview and summary of some keys points to ponder for farmers when facing them again next year.

Chinch bugs in Kansas are a perennial pest of just about any type of grass. Since they are true bugs, chinch bugs may attack any grass where they insert their mouthparts into the plants and suck out the juice.

They have caused problems in turf farms, golf courses, and lawns. In crops, they mainly affect sorghum and sorghum/sudan hay fields, but are occasionally problematic in corn and wheat.

Primarily, it is because of timing. As wheat is quickly maturing, chinch bug nymphs, which have been feeding on the wheat until the plants started drying, move elsewhere, seeking a new food source. Often, this is seedling sorghum or sorghum/sudan planted adjacent to those wheat fields that are now maturing, but in which the chinch bugs were perfectly happy feeding. This is called the walking migration because these nymphs can't fly or jump. They walk out of the maturing wheat seeking succulent grass to feed on. However, these small nymphs can only live a few days without food and can only walk about 50 yards without finding a suitable food source, says Jeff Whitworkh K-State Extension Entomologists.

Furthermore, it needs to be noted that the first generation of chinch bug nymphs migrating out of the wheat will not migrate through the entire sorghum field, and thus that is why you get the edge effect, of anywhere between 6 to 16 rows, give or take, of plants being affected.

There are two generations of chinch bugs in Kansas each growing season. But the first generation that is coming out of mature wheat fields and feeding on young seedling sorghum or sorghum/sudan plants is the main concern. Generally, by the time the second generation of chinch bugs nymphs are hatching and feeding, the sorghum and sorghum/sudan plants are big enough to withstand the feeding and will continue to grow well.

Insecticide-treated seed also helps as the nymphs seem susceptible. However, the bugs need to feed on the plant juice to get the toxin, and if there are too many bugs inserting their mouthparts and sucking out the fluid, especially on seedling plants or plants under less than ideal growing conditions, this may kill the bug, but also kill the small plant.

Last year, in 2023, much of Kansas experienced large populations of chinch bugs, so there were potentially large numbers going into the fall/winter. And this year, sure enough the number of chinch bugs was probably in all estimations the largest we have seen to date.

Also, because they float, says Withworth, chinch bugs do not generally drown in heavy rain. So, water running off infested wheat fields moves chinch bugs, often accumulating wherever runoff water pools. Good growing conditions really help plants withstand chinch bug feeding though. So once sorghum plants get bigger they can withstand the feeding of the chinch bugs without killing the plants.

The first generation of nymphs produced now has most likely became adults. Then they mate and start the process all over again for another generation, (two generations in KS each year) which will then move to fall-planted wheat, then on to overwintering sites. They overwinter in bunch grasses then move to wheat in the spring to deposit eggs and start all over again.

For more information, please refer to the following KSRE publications. Sorghum Insect Pest Management 2024 MF742, and Chinch Bugs MF3107, or give me a call in the Cottonwood Extension District Office in Hays at 785-628-9430.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictOk, I know I have already had an article on chinch bugs, but I thought I would wrap it up with a quick overview and summary of some keys points to ponder for farmers when facing them again next year.Chinch bugs in Kansas are a perennial pest of just about any type of grass. Since they are true bugs, chinch bugs may attack any grass where they insert their mouthparts into the plants and suck out the juice.They have caused problems in turf farms, golf courses, and lawns. In crops, they mainly affect sorghum and sorghum/sudan hay fields, but are occasionally problematic in corn and wheat.Primarily, it is because of timing. As wheat is quickly maturing, chinch bug nymphs, which have been feeding on the wheat until the plants started drying, move elsewhere, seeking a new food source. Often, this is seedling sorghum or sorghum/sudan planted adjacent to those wheat fields that are now maturing, but in which the chinch bugs were perfectly happy feeding. This is called the walking migration because these nymphs can't fly or jump. They walk out of the maturing wheat seeking succulent grass to feed on. However, these small nymphs can only live a few days without food and can only walk about 50 yards without finding a suitable food source, says Jeff Whitworkh K-State Extension Entomologists.Furthermore, it needs to be noted that the first generation of chinch bug nymphs migrating out of the wheat will not migrate through the entire sorghum field, and thus that is why you get the edge effect, of anywhere between 6 to 16 rows, give or take, of plants being affected.There are two generations of chinch bugs in Kansas each growing season. But the first generation that is coming out of mature wheat fields and feeding on young seedling sorghum or sorghum/sudan plants is the main concern. Generally, by the time the second generation of chinch bugs nymphs are hatching and feeding, the sorghum and sorghum/sudan plants are big enough to withstand the feeding and will continue to grow well.Insecticide-treated seed also helps as the nymphs seem susceptible. However, the bugs need to feed on the plant juice to get the toxin, and if there are too many bugs inserting their mouthparts and sucking out the fluid, especially on seedling plants or plants under less than ideal growing conditions, this may kill the bug, but also kill the small plant.Last year, in 2023, much of Kansas experienced large populations of chinch bugs, so there were potentially large numbers going into the fall/winter. And this year, sure enough the number of chinch bugs was probably in all estimations the largest we have seen to date.Also, because they float, says Withworth, chinch bugs do not generally drown in heavy rain. So, water running off infested wheat fields moves chinch bugs, often accumulating wherever runoff water pools. Good growing conditions really help plants withstand chinch bug feeding though. So once sorghum plants get bigger they can withstand the feeding of the chinch bugs without killing the plants.The first generation of nymphs produced now has most likely became adults. Then they mate and start the process all over again for another generation, (two generations in KS each year) which will then move to fall-planted wheat, then on to overwintering sites. They overwinter in bunch grasses then move to wheat in the spring to deposit eggs and start all over again.For more information, please refer to the following KSRE publications. Sorghum Insect Pest Management 2024 MF742, and Chinch Bugs MF3107, or give me a call in the Cottonwood Extension District Office in Hays at 785-628-9430.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Understanding chinch bugs

Somewhere I read a quote stating, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” I follow this philosophy and add you’ll meet interesting creatures on the road through life. Sometimes those creatures look like characters hanging out in intergalactic space bars in Star Wars.

Long ago, our big yellow dog and I took our morning walk. Such journeys started the day right and occasionally offered strange sights. I’ve mentioned a few in past columns. That trek beat the heck out of every sight I experienced on that two-mile sandy Trego County road.

We’d observed the usual that morning—a killdeer racing ahead, a sparrow hawk proclaiming territorial rights, cows trying to figure out why that yellow dog kept bouncing straight up and down as a mouse ran under his paws, and a ribbon of robin egg blue horizon line looping above lush pastures and ripening wheat.

Then we crossed the section line into what I consider “wilderness.” The only reason humans drive here is to go elsewhere. No one lives on this road.

Once, I spotted a bobcat leaping above big blue stem and brome grasses waving in Walk-in-Hunting. On damp mornings, I often spotted doe and fawn prints crossing from WIHA to Big Creek. Occasionally, I spied a snake’s tracks wriggling from one grassy ditch to the other before a redtail dove for dinner.

Surprises in the “wilderness” kept me walking that direction often. One particular morning offered an amazing “stop and stash this in the memory bank” moment.

Our dog analyzed the scent of everything that occurred since he last sniffed the area. I trailed after, admiring early morning pastels, cool air rippling across skin, gravel rolling underfoot, while repeatedly sweeping eyes close--then far. Suddenly I thought I’d ended up at the intergalactic space bar mentioned earlier. Two semi-gloss black bugs rolled a shooter-sized ball of brown stuff from the north side of the road to the south.

My first thought was “dung beetle,” though dung beetles I watched on the Discovery Channel grew considerably larger than these. Recalling I’d watched African dung beetles deal with elephant-sized poo hadn’t occurred yet.

I search for the nearest pile of …. It lay distant in terms of the size and stride of these two beetles. Could it be? Could they have marched short insect legs into that pasture, collected, and formed a rollable ball of cow dung several hundred feet to the south? Obviously, I had to study such diligence. One stood atop the ball like a lumberman rolling logs down river. The other rose on hind legs, using its uppers to lever the ball forward.

Once home, I searched the Internet. Sure enough, dung beetles live in Kansas. In fact, they live everywhere except the Antarctic. If we didn’t have them, we’d be up to our eyeballs in…. Several varieties of these necessary but unappreciated creatures exist, and I spied “rollers.”

Ancient Egyptians deified them. That may have carried things too far until you consider one source’s claim they keep “the land livable by reducing flies, foul odors, and the ruination of pastureland.” Another noted more efficient use of beetles “could save farmers $2 billion a year by restoring grazing

land.” One beetle-rich farmer stated, “Once the cattle have vacated the paddock, within 48 hours, there is no manure left.”

Maybe odiferous livestock operations need to add more dung beetles to keep up with the stuff causing offensive odors to waft through windows. These beetles are good guys with whom to share life’s journey. I hope I see some again.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720559629866.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINSomewhere I read a quote stating, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” I follow this philosophy and add you’ll meet interesting creatures on the road through life. Sometimes those creatures look like characters hanging out in intergalactic space bars in Star Wars.Long ago, our big yellow dog and I took our morning walk. Such journeys started the day right and occasionally offered strange sights. I’ve mentioned a few in past columns. That trek beat the heck out of every sight I experienced on that two-mile sandy Trego County road.We’d observed the usual that morning—a killdeer racing ahead, a sparrow hawk proclaiming territorial rights, cows trying to figure out why that yellow dog kept bouncing straight up and down as a mouse ran under his paws, and a ribbon of robin egg blue horizon line looping above lush pastures and ripening wheat.Then we crossed the section line into what I consider “wilderness.” The only reason humans drive here is to go elsewhere. No one lives on this road.Once, I spotted a bobcat leaping above big blue stem and brome grasses waving in Walk-in-Hunting. On damp mornings, I often spotted doe and fawn prints crossing from WIHA to Big Creek. Occasionally, I spied a snake’s tracks wriggling from one grassy ditch to the other before a redtail dove for dinner.Surprises in the “wilderness” kept me walking that direction often. One particular morning offered an amazing “stop and stash this in the memory bank” moment.Our dog analyzed the scent of everything that occurred since he last sniffed the area. I trailed after, admiring early morning pastels, cool air rippling across skin, gravel rolling underfoot, while repeatedly sweeping eyes close--then far. Suddenly I thought I’d ended up at the intergalactic space bar mentioned earlier. Two semi-gloss black bugs rolled a shooter-sized ball of brown stuff from the north side of the road to the south.My first thought was “dung beetle,” though dung beetles I watched on the Discovery Channel grew considerably larger than these. Recalling I’d watched African dung beetles deal with elephant-sized poo hadn’t occurred yet.I search for the nearest pile of …. It lay distant in terms of the size and stride of these two beetles. Could it be? Could they have marched short insect legs into that pasture, collected, and formed a rollable ball of cow dung several hundred feet to the south? Obviously, I had to study such diligence. One stood atop the ball like a lumberman rolling logs down river. The other rose on hind legs, using its uppers to lever the ball forward.Once home, I searched the Internet. Sure enough, dung beetles live in Kansas. In fact, they live everywhere except the Antarctic. If we didn’t have them, we’d be up to our eyeballs in…. Several varieties of these necessary but unappreciated creatures exist, and I spied “rollers.”Ancient Egyptians deified them. That may have carried things too far until you consider one source’s claim they keep “the land livable by reducing flies, foul odors, and the ruination of pastureland.” Another noted more efficient use of beetles “could save farmers $2 billion a year by restoring grazingland.” One beetle-rich farmer stated, “Once the cattle have vacated the paddock, within 48 hours, there is no manure left.”Maybe odiferous livestock operations need to add more dung beetles to keep up with the stuff causing offensive odors to waft through windows. These beetles are good guys with whom to share life’s journey. I hope I see some again.

MADORIN: Dung beetles–the ultimate clean up crew

Eating healthy isn’t always easy. Expert-recommended diets often emphasize fresh, whole foods and home-cooked meals. But that can be expensive and time-consuming. Highly processed foods are often cheap and convenient. But they also tend to be high in calories, added sugar, saturated fat, and salt, and low in fiber.

Scientists are starting to learn that highly processed foods can have certain effects on your body that may make sticking to your healthy eating goals even harder. Eating too much of them may lead to weight gain and increase your risk for certain diseases, like cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

Most foods that we eat are processed to some extent—they’re modified from how they exist in nature. Chopping, grinding, drying, cooking, and freezing are all forms of food processing. Some forms of processing are good for your health. For example, cooking meat and pasteurizing milk can help prevent foodborne diseases. But if your food is processed too much, it may be harmful to your health.

Ultra-processed foods are those that have undergone the greatest level of processing. As a general rule, ultra-processed foods are those that have been made using additives, ingredients that you wouldn’t likely have in your home kitchen. These include things like hydrogenated oils, isolated proteins, and high-fructose corn syrup. Ultra-processed foods are often made using industrial processes that you can’t easily do at home.

Ultra-processed foods are designed to be low cost and have long shelf lives. They’re tasty, convenient, and ready to eat. Examples include carbonated soft drinks, chips, chicken nuggets, and sausages. Having too much of these in your diet may result in overeating and can be harmful to your health.

It’s difficult for scientists to study exactly how ultra-processed foods affect overeating. That requires carefully controlling people’s diets for weeks at a time.

But NIH metabolism researcher Dr. Kevin Hall has done just that. In a recent study, he compared calorie intake and weight gain in participants who ate a highly processed diet with those who ate a minimally

processed diet. Study participants stayed at NIH’s Metabolic Clinical Research Unit for four weeks, spending two weeks on each diet. Both diets offered the same amount of calories, sugar, fiber, fat, sodium, and carbohydrates on a daily basis. Participants could eat as much or as little as they wanted.

When people were on the diet with ultra-processed foods, they ate about 500 more calories each day. They also gained about 2 pounds on average. In contrast, when they were on the less-processed diet, they lost about 2 pounds.

The differences weren’t due to different nutrients in the overall diet. And, the participants rated the meals on both diets as equally pleasant. So why did people eat more of the diet filled with ultra-processed foods? The researchers aren’t sure.

Hall’s team is now looking at what else might be in ultra-processed foods that leads people to overeat. The brain may react differently to those foods, he says, or the gut may send out different signals after they’re digested.

The tendency for ultra-processed foods to lead to overeating may partly explain the recent rise in obesity. “But we rely on ultra-processed foods too much to get rid of them,” Hall says. “They’re tasty, they’re convenient, and it doesn’t take much time or effort or skill to prepare them.”

Hall hopes that a better understanding of what’s causing increased calorie consumption can help guide how such foods are made, or which ones people choose to eat.

“If we had ways to target problematic foods by understanding how they cause overeating, that might help manufacturers reformulate those foods so that they no longer cause problems,” says Hall. “Or it might help policymakers come up with ways to regulate potentially problematic foods.”

One way that ultra-processed foods might lead to overeating is by altering the brain. MRI scans are being used to see how ultra-processed foods affect the brain’s reward system. These are the parts of the brain that are activated by pleasure and drive us to seek it out. Studies are being done on whether a diet high in ultra-processed foods affect this system, and if the changes lead to people eating more when they’re not hungry.

If consuming ultra-processed foods and drinks might make you want more, does that mean you can get addicted to them? Right now, it’s not clear whether ultra-processed foods are addictive. But some studies suggest they might be.

“These ultra-processed, highly rewarding foods have way more in common with a cigarette than they do with an apple or an orange or black beans,” says Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, a clinical psychologist who studies overeating behaviors at the University of Michigan. “Some of the same brain circuitry turns on when we’re craving drugs as when we’re craving these ultra-processed foods.”

Gearhardt says that eating ultra-processed foods may lead to a compulsive habit. This means you have difficulty cutting back even when you want to. This is similar to what happens with addictive substances.

Addictive substances can also cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them. Symptoms can include irritability, agitation, depression, and strong cravings for the substance. Gearhardt and others are

studying whether cutting back on ultra-processed foods can cause similar withdrawal symptoms. This research may help explain why eating healthier can be harder for some people.

“Right now, we tell people they should feel better if they’re eating healthier,” Gearhardt says. “But we hear a lot of people say: ‘When I start to eat healthier, I feel so irritable and agitated. My cravings are so strong that I don’t feel better. I feel worse.’”

If we recognize that these symptoms can occur, we could give people strategies to manage them, says Gearhardt. That might make it easier for people to change their eating habits. If you’re looking for ways to start eating healthier, stay tuned for next week’s article!

<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." />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictEating healthy isn’t always easy. Expert-recommended diets often emphasize fresh, whole foods and home-cooked meals. But that can be expensive and time-consuming. Highly processed foods are often cheap and convenient. But they also tend to be high in calories, added sugar, saturated fat, and salt, and low in fiber.Scientists are starting to learn that highly processed foods can have certain effects on your body that may make sticking to your healthy eating goals even harder. Eating too much of them may lead to weight gain and increase your risk for certain diseases, like cancer, diabetes, and obesity.What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?Most foods that we eat are processed to some extent—they’re modified from how they exist in nature. Chopping, grinding, drying, cooking, and freezing are all forms of food processing. Some forms of processing are good for your health. For example, cooking meat and pasteurizing milk can help prevent foodborne diseases. But if your food is processed too much, it may be harmful to your health.Ultra-processed foods are those that have undergone the greatest level of processing. As a general rule, ultra-processed foods are those that have been made using additives, ingredients that you wouldn’t likely have in your home kitchen. These include things like hydrogenated oils, isolated proteins, and high-fructose corn syrup. Ultra-processed foods are often made using industrial processes that you can’t easily do at home.Ultra-processed foods are designed to be low cost and have long shelf lives. They’re tasty, convenient, and ready to eat. Examples include carbonated soft drinks, chips, chicken nuggets, and sausages. Having too much of these in your diet may result in overeating and can be harmful to your health.Understanding OvereatingIt’s difficult for scientists to study exactly how ultra-processed foods affect overeating. That requires carefully controlling people’s diets for weeks at a time.But NIH metabolism researcher Dr. Kevin Hall has done just that. In a recent study, he compared calorie intake and weight gain in participants who ate a highly processed diet with those who ate a minimallyprocessed diet. Study participants stayed at NIH’s Metabolic Clinical Research Unit for four weeks, spending two weeks on each diet. Both diets offered the same amount of calories, sugar, fiber, fat, sodium, and carbohydrates on a daily basis. Participants could eat as much or as little as they wanted.When people were on the diet with ultra-processed foods, they ate about 500 more calories each day. They also gained about 2 pounds on average. In contrast, when they were on the less-processed diet, they lost about 2 pounds.The differences weren’t due to different nutrients in the overall diet. And, the participants rated the meals on both diets as equally pleasant. So why did people eat more of the diet filled with ultra-processed foods? The researchers aren’t sure.Hall’s team is now looking at what else might be in ultra-processed foods that leads people to overeat. The brain may react differently to those foods, he says, or the gut may send out different signals after they’re digested.The tendency for ultra-processed foods to lead to overeating may partly explain the recent rise in obesity. “But we rely on ultra-processed foods too much to get rid of them,” Hall says. “They’re tasty, they’re convenient, and it doesn’t take much time or effort or skill to prepare them.”Hall hopes that a better understanding of what’s causing increased calorie consumption can help guide how such foods are made, or which ones people choose to eat.“If we had ways to target problematic foods by understanding how they cause overeating, that might help manufacturers reformulate those foods so that they no longer cause problems,” says Hall. “Or it might help policymakers come up with ways to regulate potentially problematic foods.”Changing the BrainOne way that ultra-processed foods might lead to overeating is by altering the brain. MRI scans are being used to see how ultra-processed foods affect the brain’s reward system. These are the parts of the brain that are activated by pleasure and drive us to seek it out. Studies are being done on whether a diet high in ultra-processed foods affect this system, and if the changes lead to people eating more when they’re not hungry.If consuming ultra-processed foods and drinks might make you want more, does that mean you can get addicted to them? Right now, it’s not clear whether ultra-processed foods are addictive. But some studies suggest they might be.“These ultra-processed, highly rewarding foods have way more in common with a cigarette than they do with an apple or an orange or black beans,” says Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, a clinical psychologist who studies overeating behaviors at the University of Michigan. “Some of the same brain circuitry turns on when we’re craving drugs as when we’re craving these ultra-processed foods.”Gearhardt says that eating ultra-processed foods may lead to a compulsive habit. This means you have difficulty cutting back even when you want to. This is similar to what happens with addictive substances.Addictive substances can also cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them. Symptoms can include irritability, agitation, depression, and strong cravings for the substance. Gearhardt and others arestudying whether cutting back on ultra-processed foods can cause similar withdrawal symptoms. This research may help explain why eating healthier can be harder for some people.“Right now, we tell people they should feel better if they’re eating healthier,” Gearhardt says. “But we hear a lot of people say: ‘When I start to eat healthier, I feel so irritable and agitated. My cravings are so strong that I don’t feel better. I feel worse.’”If we recognize that these symptoms can occur, we could give people strategies to manage them, says Gearhardt. That might make it easier for people to change their eating habits. If you’re looking for ways to start eating healthier, stay tuned for next week’s article!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: Dejunking your diet

By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

An abundance of produce makes summer the perfect time to eat leafy greens and snack on fruit throughout the day. Whether you pick it straight from the garden or shop sales at the farmer’s market, fresh fruits and vegetables are widely available this time of year.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that only 10% of Americans meet the daily general recommendation of five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. However, with a surplus of options available, now is the perfect time to create the habit of eating fruits and vegetables. Here are a few tips to incorporate more produce in your diet no matter the season.

Ashley Svaty, K-State Extension Specialist, explains that the key is to make fruits and vegetables convenient and tasty. “One habit I like to share is to keep a bowl of fresh fruit out so you can see it when you walk into the kitchen. If you're hungry for a snack, you're likely to grab that instead of looking in the cabinet for something less nutritious.”

Tasty dips can also add flavor to fruits and vegetables. Pairing produce with hummus or yogurt can encourage children and adults to fill up on whole foods. For example, strawberries and Greek yogurt alongside a sandwich makes for a nutritious, quick meal. Also, broccoli paired with hummus can create a balanced, satisfying snack.

Another way to encourage fruits and vegetables is to make it fun! Svaty recommends adding fruit to a skewer or grilling veggie kabobs. “Kids and adults will have more fun eating fruit on a skewer compared to the same fruit or vegetable on a plate,” Svaty shares.

Eating five servings of fruit and vegetables per day may seem overwhelming, and it is difficult to reach unless you make a conscious effort. So, hiding produce in smoothies and sauces is another option to increase intake. Add frozen fruit and sneak greens in a smoothie for a refreshing breakfast. Also, finely chopped vegetables such as onion, celery, carrot, bell pepper, or zucchini can be sautéed, and disguised in pasta sauce.

Produce is packed with micronutrients and fiber that support a healthy body and brain. Eating the recommended serving of fruits and vegetables can help you lose weight, fight inflammation, lower cholesterol, and decrease blood pressure.

Now is the time to experiment and incorporate produce daily. Use this summer to make the healthy choice a habit, no matter the season.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictAn abundance of produce makes summer the perfect time to eat leafy greens and snack on fruit throughout the day. Whether you pick it straight from the garden or shop sales at the farmer’s market, fresh fruits and vegetables are widely available this time of year.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that only 10% of Americans meet the daily general recommendation of five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. However, with a surplus of options available, now is the perfect time to create the habit of eating fruits and vegetables. Here are a few tips to incorporate more produce in your diet no matter the season.Ashley Svaty, K-State Extension Specialist, explains that the key is to make fruits and vegetables convenient and tasty. “One habit I like to share is to keep a bowl of fresh fruit out so you can see it when you walk into the kitchen. If you're hungry for a snack, you're likely to grab that instead of looking in the cabinet for something less nutritious.”Tasty dips can also add flavor to fruits and vegetables. Pairing produce with hummus or yogurt can encourage children and adults to fill up on whole foods. For example, strawberries and Greek yogurt alongside a sandwich makes for a nutritious, quick meal. Also, broccoli paired with hummus can create a balanced, satisfying snack.Another way to encourage fruits and vegetables is to make it fun! Svaty recommends adding fruit to a skewer or grilling veggie kabobs. “Kids and adults will have more fun eating fruit on a skewer compared to the same fruit or vegetable on a plate,” Svaty shares.Eating five servings of fruit and vegetables per day may seem overwhelming, and it is difficult to reach unless you make a conscious effort. So, hiding produce in smoothies and sauces is another option to increase intake. Add frozen fruit and sneak greens in a smoothie for a refreshing breakfast. Also, finely chopped vegetables such as onion, celery, carrot, bell pepper, or zucchini can be sautéed, and disguised in pasta sauce.Produce is packed with micronutrients and fiber that support a healthy body and brain. Eating the recommended serving of fruits and vegetables can help you lose weight, fight inflammation, lower cholesterol, and decrease blood pressure.Now is the time to experiment and incorporate produce daily. Use this summer to make the healthy choice a habit, no matter the season.###Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

WINKEL: Healthy habits start now

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

I don’t know what makes some people deathly afraid of snakes and other people not, but I was blessed (or cursed) with the latter; we’ll call it a “healthy respect.” Now, don’t misunderstand me, I don’t want a snake for a pet, to wear around my neck or to curl up on my lap for scratches like our pups, but I’m not much afraid of them. I have close friends who would make a back-door in a building where there was no back-door, if suddenly faced with a snake. My brother, whom I have always seen as being as manly-as-they-come, will turn and walk the other way. I have seen grown men twice my size and tough-as-nails run screaming like little girls at the sight of a snake. A recent conversation with a friend who found a big bull snake in her basement, and a Facebook post today asking readers to identify a snake someone found in their backyard, reminded me of my first encounter with a big Kansas snake.

My first residence in Kansas, years ago, was only one-half mile from the Arkansas River, so my place was no stranger to critters. The first summer there, I had a vegetable garden at one end of the yard. Nearby sat a small chicken coup that was home to a few odd chickens and a duck or two. One duck was sitting on a nest of several eggs, on the floor, at the far end of the chicken house. This particular day as I worked in the garden, I could hear the duck squawking and quacking like crazy from inside the chicken house, sort of like a duck’s version of a frenzied 911 call. I peered into the little building and found the momma duck pacing back and forth in front of her nest. “Odd,” I thought, so I stepped up into the building to get a better look, and there coiled up in-and- around her nest was a big bull snake swallowing her eggs. As I remember, a couple lumps in its throat showed the beast had already ingested a few.

What happened next will probably make many readers think the butter had dripped off my noodles. Bull snakes are not poisonous and eat many vermin around farmsteads, so if you can tolerate them and give them space, we humans will be the benefactors. Knowing this, I didn’t want to kill or hurt the thing, so with the garden hoe I had in my hand, I scooped the bugger up and chucked it out the door into the yard where I had some maneuvering room. With the snake trying to decide whether to “slither” for its life or whether to turn and take me on, I pinned its head to the ground with the flat blade of the hoe, and carefully

grasped the wriggling critter just behind the head. The snake kept wrapping around my arm and leg, so I finally stood on its tail while I hoisted its head to stretch it out; it was as long as I am tall, over 6 feet. A friend was there, so with me holding the brutes head out the window with one hand, we drove to the river and released it there. I’m sure it paid me many more visits after that we just never knew about.

Back to my friend’s snake encounter that reminded me of this story. Her clothes dryer is in the basement, and some time back, the dryer quit working properly. Long story short, they found a big bull snake had somehow gotten into the dryer vent and was completely blocking it. It was pulled out and released near a row of round bales up the road. Now, I’m certainly not advising to release a rattlesnake that is around your home or buildings that might bite someone, but if possible, give bull, rat and garter snakes room and let them do the jobs God equipped them to do, to help rid your property of vermin. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsI don’t know what makes some people deathly afraid of snakes and other people not, but I was blessed (or cursed) with the latter; we’ll call it a “healthy respect.” Now, don’t misunderstand me, I don’t want a snake for a pet, to wear around my neck or to curl up on my lap for scratches like our pups, but I’m not much afraid of them. I have close friends who would make a back-door in a building where there was no back-door, if suddenly faced with a snake. My brother, whom I have always seen as being as manly-as-they-come, will turn and walk the other way. I have seen grown men twice my size and tough-as-nails run screaming like little girls at the sight of a snake. A recent conversation with a friend who found a big bull snake in her basement, and a Facebook post today asking readers to identify a snake someone found in their backyard, reminded me of my first encounter with a big Kansas snake.My first residence in Kansas, years ago, was only one-half mile from the Arkansas River, so my place was no stranger to critters. The first summer there, I had a vegetable garden at one end of the yard. Nearby sat a small chicken coup that was home to a few odd chickens and a duck or two. One duck was sitting on a nest of several eggs, on the floor, at the far end of the chicken house. This particular day as I worked in the garden, I could hear the duck squawking and quacking like crazy from inside the chicken house, sort of like a duck’s version of a frenzied 911 call. I peered into the little building and found the momma duck pacing back and forth in front of her nest. “Odd,” I thought, so I stepped up into the building to get a better look, and there coiled up in-and- around her nest was a big bull snake swallowing her eggs. As I remember, a couple lumps in its throat showed the beast had already ingested a few.What happened next will probably make many readers think the butter had dripped off my noodles. Bull snakes are not poisonous and eat many vermin around farmsteads, so if you can tolerate them and give them space, we humans will be the benefactors. Knowing this, I didn’t want to kill or hurt the thing, so with the garden hoe I had in my hand, I scooped the bugger up and chucked it out the door into the yard where I had some maneuvering room. With the snake trying to decide whether to “slither” for its life or whether to turn and take me on, I pinned its head to the ground with the flat blade of the hoe, and carefullygrasped the wriggling critter just behind the head. The snake kept wrapping around my arm and leg, so I finally stood on its tail while I hoisted its head to stretch it out; it was as long as I am tall, over 6 feet. A friend was there, so with me holding the brutes head out the window with one hand, we drove to the river and released it there. I’m sure it paid me many more visits after that we just never knew about.Back to my friend’s snake encounter that reminded me of this story. Her clothes dryer is in the basement, and some time back, the dryer quit working properly. Long story short, they found a big bull snake had somehow gotten into the dryer vent and was completely blocking it. It was pulled out and released near a row of round bales up the road. Now, I’m certainly not advising to release a rattlesnake that is around your home or buildings that might bite someone, but if possible, give bull, rat and garter snakes room and let them do the jobs God equipped them to do, to help rid your property of vermin. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: God’s slithering vermin snatchers

By BRIANNE HEIDBREDER Insight Kansas

Fireworks are an important part of Independence Day celebrations in the United States. They entertain us with their power and beauty, while symbolizing our national pride. However, the sale and use of fireworks are heavily regulated by state and local governments.

Consumer fireworks are legal to purchase in 49 of the 50 states. In fact, only Massachusetts bans the sale of all fireworks at the state level. However, just because you can buy them, doesn’t mean you can shoot them off. Kansas gives local authorities the power to regulate the use of consumer fireworks.  

Therefore, before lighting up your stash of smoke bombs, sparklers, and bottle rockets over the 4th of July week, you better check your local ordinances.

The regulation of fireworks is not arbitrary. City and county officials may be driven by several factors when deciding their own regulations.

The foremost reason for regulating fireworks is public safety. Many types of fireworks, while beautiful, are explosives. They can cause serious injuries when not handled with care. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, thousands of people are injured each year in fireworks-related accidents.

To prevent injury, government officials in some local governments have outright banned consumer fireworks. Others have chosen to heavily regulate the types that are allowed. For example, Lawrence is a “fireworks-free” city, allowing only the use of items such as party poppers, snappers, snakes, sparklers, toy caps and toy smoke devices.

Another critical aspect of fireworks regulation is the prevention of fires and property damage. Fireworks can be a fire hazard, especially in dry areas. To mitigate potential fire and property damage caused by fireworks, regulations may mandate safe distances from buildings and flammable material, or they may even prohibit their use during droughts. For example, Manhattan KS does not allow discharge of fireworks within 100 feet of firework stands.

Property and fire damage concerns are also the reason many local governments ban the use of sky lanterns as they can land on property while still burning.

Environmental concerns can also play a role in firework regulation. Fireworks contain chemicals and heavy metals that can pollute air, water, and soil. They leave behind debris, some of which is non-biodegradable.

Another type of pollution that comes with fireworks is noise pollution. Fireworks can be loud, causing disturbances to residents, particularly in densely populated areas. The loud explosions can be distressing to people. This is especially true for those with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

To mitigate the effects of noise pollution, cities and counties have regulated the hours of the day fireworks can be used. Shawnee county, for example, allows fireworks to be shot off between 8:00 am and midnight in unincorporated areas.

While fireworks are a revered part of our fourth of July celebrations, the regulation of fireworks by state and local governments is essential to protect public health, safety, and property, and to mitigate disturbances.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678375743023.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRIANNE HEIDBREDER Insight KansasFireworks are an important part of Independence Day celebrations in the United States. They entertain us with their power and beauty, while symbolizing our national pride. However, the sale and use of fireworks are heavily regulated by state and local governments.Consumer fireworks are legal to purchase in 49 of the 50 states. In fact, only Massachusetts bans the sale of all fireworks at the state level. However, just because you can buy them, doesn’t mean you can shoot them off. Kansas gives local authorities the power to regulate the use of consumer fireworks. Therefore, before lighting up your stash of smoke bombs, sparklers, and bottle rockets over the 4th of July week, you better check your local ordinances.The regulation of fireworks is not arbitrary. City and county officials may be driven by several factors when deciding their own regulations.The foremost reason for regulating fireworks is public safety. Many types of fireworks, while beautiful, are explosives. They can cause serious injuries when not handled with care. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, thousands of people are injured each year in fireworks-related accidents.To prevent injury, government officials in some local governments have outright banned consumer fireworks. Others have chosen to heavily regulate the types that are allowed. For example, Lawrence is a “fireworks-free” city, allowing only the use of items such as party poppers, snappers, snakes, sparklers, toy caps and toy smoke devices.Another critical aspect of fireworks regulation is the prevention of fires and property damage. Fireworks can be a fire hazard, especially in dry areas. To mitigate potential fire and property damage caused by fireworks, regulations may mandate safe distances from buildings and flammable material, or they may even prohibit their use during droughts. For example, Manhattan KS does not allow discharge of fireworks within 100 feet of firework stands.Property and fire damage concerns are also the reason many local governments ban the use of sky lanterns as they can land on property while still burning.Environmental concerns can also play a role in firework regulation. Fireworks contain chemicals and heavy metals that can pollute air, water, and soil. They leave behind debris, some of which is non-biodegradable.Another type of pollution that comes with fireworks is noise pollution. Fireworks can be loud, causing disturbances to residents, particularly in densely populated areas. The loud explosions can be distressing to people. This is especially true for those with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).To mitigate the effects of noise pollution, cities and counties have regulated the hours of the day fireworks can be used. Shawnee county, for example, allows fireworks to be shot off between 8:00 am and midnight in unincorporated areas.While fireworks are a revered part of our fourth of July celebrations, the regulation of fireworks by state and local governments is essential to protect public health, safety, and property, and to mitigate disturbances.

INSIGHT KANSAS: The politics of regulating fireworks

When the aggressive nature of Palmer amaranth (pigweed) is combined with the limited post-emergence herbicide options in grain sorghum, problems often arise – even when an adequate preemergence herbicide program is used. This article highlights post-emergence herbicide options for Palmer amaranth control in grain sorghum. To see the full version of the article with use rates, recommended surfactants, and plant height restrictions. Search for K-State Agronomy eUpdates, June 27th issue. Combinations of the herbicides listed here will generally improve control, and all of the options are most effective when applied to small (under 4 inches tall) pigweeds. Atrazine can control sensitive populations of Palmer amaranth and can be combined with other herbicides to enhance effectiveness. Aim (carfentrazone) is a Group 14 herbicide that can be applied to grain sorghum between 4 inches and boot stage. It is less effective than some of the other herbicides in this article and requires good coverage for maximum effectiveness.

2,4-D is an effective herbicide option to control Palmer amaranth. However, crop response should be expected, especially if applied in hot, humid conditions. Dicamba, at the rates used in grain sorghum (0.5 pint), may be less effective on Palmer amaranth than 2,4-D. Bromoxynil can be applied from the 3-leaf stage through boot stage. Crop response will be less with bromoxynil than other herbicides, but bromoxynil alone will not control Palmer amaranth larger than 4-leaf. Bromoxynil is a contact herbicide that is not translocated in the plant. Therefore, adequate spray coverage is needed for maximum effectiveness.

Huskie (pyrasulfutole+bromoxynil) is most effective when mixed with atrazine (up to 1 pound). When used alone, it can be applied between 3-leaf and 30 inches and should be applied with HSOC (high surfactant oil concentrate) or AMS + NIS. Huskie will cause leaf burn, which can be greater in fields where mesotrione was applied pre-emergence. Huskie plus atrazine may be tank-mixed with phenoxy broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D or dicamba.

Imiflex (imazamox) can only be applied to igrowth grain sorghum and only in fields that were not sprayed preemergence. Imiflex is an ALS-inhibiting herbicide, and ALS-resistance is assumed to be widespread in Kansas. However, there is limited evidence that it may still contribute to suppression of ALS-resistant pigweeds. For susceptible Palmer amaranth plants, herbicide applications should target plants that are 3” tall or less.

Other herbicide resistant sorghum technologies are also on the market and this technology specifically targets grasses. These technologies include Inzen sorghum from Corteva with the herbicide partner Zest WDG and DoubleTeam sorghum from S&amp;W seeds with the herbicide partner First Act.

Additional information can be found in the 2024 Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, Rangeland, and Noncropland, K-State publication SRP-1176-https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/SRP1183.pdf

The use of trade names is for clarity to readers and does not imply endorsement of a particular product, nor does exclusion imply non-approval. 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. 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/2024/7/1719877123898.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictWhen the aggressive nature of Palmer amaranth (pigweed) is combined with the limited post-emergence herbicide options in grain sorghum, problems often arise – even when an adequate preemergence herbicide program is used. This article highlights post-emergence herbicide options for Palmer amaranth control in grain sorghum. To see the full version of the article with use rates, recommended surfactants, and plant height restrictions. Search for K-State Agronomy eUpdates, June 27th issue. Combinations of the herbicides listed here will generally improve control, and all of the options are most effective when applied to small (under 4 inches tall) pigweeds. Atrazine can control sensitive populations of Palmer amaranth and can be combined with other herbicides to enhance effectiveness. Aim (carfentrazone) is a Group 14 herbicide that can be applied to grain sorghum between 4 inches and boot stage. It is less effective than some of the other herbicides in this article and requires good coverage for maximum effectiveness.2,4-D is an effective herbicide option to control Palmer amaranth. However, crop response should be expected, especially if applied in hot, humid conditions. Dicamba, at the rates used in grain sorghum (0.5 pint), may be less effective on Palmer amaranth than 2,4-D. Bromoxynil can be applied from the 3-leaf stage through boot stage. Crop response will be less with bromoxynil than other herbicides, but bromoxynil alone will not control Palmer amaranth larger than 4-leaf. Bromoxynil is a contact herbicide that is not translocated in the plant. Therefore, adequate spray coverage is needed for maximum effectiveness.Huskie (pyrasulfutole+bromoxynil) is most effective when mixed with atrazine (up to 1 pound). When used alone, it can be applied between 3-leaf and 30 inches and should be applied with HSOC (high surfactant oil concentrate) or AMS + NIS. Huskie will cause leaf burn, which can be greater in fields where mesotrione was applied pre-emergence. Huskie plus atrazine may be tank-mixed with phenoxy broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D or dicamba.Imiflex (imazamox) can only be applied to igrowth grain sorghum and only in fields that were not sprayed preemergence. Imiflex is an ALS-inhibiting herbicide, and ALS-resistance is assumed to be widespread in Kansas. However, there is limited evidence that it may still contribute to suppression of ALS-resistant pigweeds. For susceptible Palmer amaranth plants, herbicide applications should target plants that are 3” tall or less.Other herbicide resistant sorghum technologies are also on the market and this technology specifically targets grasses. These technologies include Inzen sorghum from Corteva with the herbicide partner Zest WDG and DoubleTeam sorghum from S&amp;W seeds with the herbicide partner First Act.Additional information can be found in the 2024 Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, Rangeland, and Noncropland, K-State publication SRP-1176-https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/SRP1183.pdfThe use of trade names is for clarity to readers and does not imply endorsement of a particular product, nor does exclusion imply non-approval. 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. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Palmer amaranth control in grain sorghum

July is a special month for many Americans. Most of us will eagerly take a break from our busy summer schedules to celebrate Independence Day once again. There will be much fanfare with fireworks, parades, picnics and other patriotic events. But when the festivities have ended, only a few will have reflected upon the true meaning of independence and the role it has played in shaping our nation’s character.

Freedom and independence are cornerstones in the foundation of our country’s heritage. The independent ideology of the American people is a fundamental element of our society and a key to our nation’s prosperity. We must protect that independence at all costs.

One important freedom we must protect is our free enterprise system. American business was founded upon the ideology of independence and free-market principles. Those principles allow business to be governed by the laws of supply and demand without government interference and excessive regulation. The dynamic free market has led to innovation and wealth creation and has established an economic environment where hard work is rewarded.

But now, it seems free-market capitalism and independence are under attack. Over the past four years, the Biden Administration has tried to shift energy policy away from fossil fuels and some expected this thinking to be the wave of the future. But, that kind of thinking is a threat to economic development in the U.S. and around the world.

When policy signals prevent energy leadership here at home, there are going to be consequences. Using well-worn talking points, Democrats are trying to deflect criticism that their party’s policies are to blame for rising gasoline prices. We now see a drumbeat of efforts from Democrats to blame higher gasoline prices at the pump on the actions of the fossil fuel industry — not Biden administration environmental policies.

At a time of persistent inflation and geopolitical instability, the American people need more affordable energy and less political gamesmanship. Reliable, affordable energy policy will support American families and businesses in the fight against inflation. Yet misguided policies and heavy-handed regulations, particularly over the past four years, threaten to undermine our existing energy advantage, potentially increasing costs and jeopardizing a key pillar of American leadership. Our current national energy policy is based on insufficient information and a lack of perspective.

Ahead of the 2024 elections, presidential candidates, as well as policymakers and candidates on both sides of the aisle, can support leveraging America’s energy resources to help protect consumers and cement U.S. energy leadership. 

I encourage policymakers and candidates to support actions to secure American energy leadership, protect consumers, and help reduce inflation. Such actions include supporting policies that protect consumer choice, restore the role of American energy in bolstering our geopolitical strength, leverage our abundant natural resources, reform the regulatory policies that increase certainty and unleash private investment, and advance sensible tax policy.

In his 1946 Independence Day speech, John F. Kennedy said, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” Those words were never so true. Being mindful of the erosion of our independence and free-market system through excessive regulation and government interference cannot be over emphasized. We must, now more than ever, remain steadfast in our resolve to protect and preserve the precious independence that has molded our nation’s character.

Ed Cross Kansas Independent Oil &amp; Gas Association&nbsp;President

July is a special month for many Americans. Most of us will eagerly take a break from our busy summer schedules to celebrate Independence Day once again. There will be much fanfare with fireworks, parades, picnics and other patriotic events. But when the festivities have ended, only a few will have reflected upon the true meaning of independence and the role it has played in shaping our nation’s character.Freedom and independence are cornerstones in the foundation of our country’s heritage. The independent ideology of the American people is a fundamental element of our society and a key to our nation’s prosperity. We must protect that independence at all costs.One important freedom we must protect is our free enterprise system. American business was founded upon the ideology of independence and free-market principles. Those principles allow business to be governed by the laws of supply and demand without government interference and excessive regulation. The dynamic free market has led to innovation and wealth creation and has established an economic environment where hard work is rewarded.But now, it seems free-market capitalism and independence are under attack. Over the past four years, the Biden Administration has tried to shift energy policy away from fossil fuels and some expected this thinking to be the wave of the future. But, that kind of thinking is a threat to economic development in the U.S. and around the world.When policy signals prevent energy leadership here at home, there are going to be consequences. Using well-worn talking points, Democrats are trying to deflect criticism that their party’s policies are to blame for rising gasoline prices. We now see a drumbeat of efforts from Democrats to blame higher gasoline prices at the pump on the actions of the fossil fuel industry — not Biden administration environmental policies.At a time of persistent inflation and geopolitical instability, the American people need more affordable energy and less political gamesmanship. Reliable, affordable energy policy will support American families and businesses in the fight against inflation. Yet misguided policies and heavy-handed regulations, particularly over the past four years, threaten to undermine our existing energy advantage, potentially increasing costs and jeopardizing a key pillar of American leadership. Our current national energy policy is based on insufficient information and a lack of perspective.Ahead of the 2024 elections, presidential candidates, as well as policymakers and candidates on both sides of the aisle, can support leveraging America’s energy resources to help protect consumers and cement U.S. energy leadership. I encourage policymakers and candidates to support actions to secure American energy leadership, protect consumers, and help reduce inflation. Such actions include supporting policies that protect consumer choice, restore the role of American energy in bolstering our geopolitical strength, leverage our abundant natural resources, reform the regulatory policies that increase certainty and unleash private investment, and advance sensible tax policy.In his 1946 Independence Day speech, John F. Kennedy said, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” Those words were never so true. Being mindful of the erosion of our independence and free-market system through excessive regulation and government interference cannot be over emphasized. We must, now more than ever, remain steadfast in our resolve to protect and preserve the precious independence that has molded our nation’s character.Ed Cross Kansas Independent Oil &amp; Gas Association&nbsp;President

LETTER: Protecting U.S. energy independence

Regular readers know we love our yard’s inhabitants. Our robins, orioles, finches, sparrows, and kingbirds both western and eastern fascinate us. Like proud grandparents, we ooh and aah over nesting parents and their fledglings. This year, we’ve enjoyed western kingbirds raising young in our mulberry tree. Unfortunately, a young squirrel who’s made our seed stations, bird baths, and shady ash tree his restaurant, libation source, and climbing gym finds them aggravating.

Living at the edge of town, we don’t encourage coyotes, foxes, deer, or other wildlife to roam through the yard. However, we do welcome a cottontail who lives under our shed, a frisky teenage squirrel, and birds both local and passers-through to stop at feeders and waterers. That frisky tree-climber tickles our funny bones with his silly antics and photogenic poses.

Our before supper ritual requires sitting on the deck watching critters and laughing at their antics. No one takes a splashy bath better than a robin. As much as I wish grackles chose other yards to call home, their attitudinal chest puffing grows on me--like watching a bird version of WWE wrestling. House finches delight us with polite feeding and gentle social graces. Orioles can’t help but brighten anyone’s day when males show up in brilliant orange and black tuxedos accompanied by mates wearing drab browns and pale yellows to feast on garden insects. But the ones that make you catch your breath and squeal at acrobatic dives and swift in-air snagging and eating of flying insects are king birds. Making life more exciting, these territorial wonders attack anything that dares come within 20 feet of their nest. Our little squirrel could tell more than one story about their dastardly dives on trespassers.

We had no idea the king birds would nest where they did nor did we know a squirrel would make itself welcome in our yard, so earlier in the spring my husband secured a corn feeder to our locust tree to tempt passing bushytails.

Though we’ve watched both western and eastern kingbirds arrive in April, we didn’t observe nest building behavior. Each year, they feast on insects flying over the farm field behind us and over our garden, but they’ve never selected our tree as their nursery. This year we won the backyard fun lottery, getting a kingbird nest in the mulberry tree next to the locust that hosts our squirrel feeder.

That poor squirrel. He’d love to dig into those golden kernels of tasty carbs, but the king birds ferociously attack before he ever arrives at the locust tree base. From the moment those tyrants of the sky spy him closing on his target, they put a bull’s-eye on him. Functioning like heat-seeking missiles, they dive close enough they mess up his fur. If he’s wily enough to make it to the trunk and start climbing, they quintuple their efforts.

I stood at the kitchen window one morning, sipping my morning brew and cheering that squirrel on. If he could make it to the jar feeder, he could crawl in its hole, feast as long as he wanted out of those tenacious warriors’ reach, and then leap out and race away to escape their wrath.

Despite my encouragement from inside the house, the tree rat gave up before reaching his goal and scampered off full-throttle with two nattering kingbirds literally on his tail. I hope he keeps trying.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719619563025.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINRegular readers know we love our yard’s inhabitants. Our robins, orioles, finches, sparrows, and kingbirds both western and eastern fascinate us. Like proud grandparents, we ooh and aah over nesting parents and their fledglings. This year, we’ve enjoyed western kingbirds raising young in our mulberry tree. Unfortunately, a young squirrel who’s made our seed stations, bird baths, and shady ash tree his restaurant, libation source, and climbing gym finds them aggravating.Living at the edge of town, we don’t encourage coyotes, foxes, deer, or other wildlife to roam through the yard. However, we do welcome a cottontail who lives under our shed, a frisky teenage squirrel, and birds both local and passers-through to stop at feeders and waterers. That frisky tree-climber tickles our funny bones with his silly antics and photogenic poses.Our before supper ritual requires sitting on the deck watching critters and laughing at their antics. No one takes a splashy bath better than a robin. As much as I wish grackles chose other yards to call home, their attitudinal chest puffing grows on me--like watching a bird version of WWE wrestling. House finches delight us with polite feeding and gentle social graces. Orioles can’t help but brighten anyone’s day when males show up in brilliant orange and black tuxedos accompanied by mates wearing drab browns and pale yellows to feast on garden insects. But the ones that make you catch your breath and squeal at acrobatic dives and swift in-air snagging and eating of flying insects are king birds. Making life more exciting, these territorial wonders attack anything that dares come within 20 feet of their nest. Our little squirrel could tell more than one story about their dastardly dives on trespassers.We had no idea the king birds would nest where they did nor did we know a squirrel would make itself welcome in our yard, so earlier in the spring my husband secured a corn feeder to our locust tree to tempt passing bushytails.Though we’ve watched both western and eastern kingbirds arrive in April, we didn’t observe nest building behavior. Each year, they feast on insects flying over the farm field behind us and over our garden, but they’ve never selected our tree as their nursery. This year we won the backyard fun lottery, getting a kingbird nest in the mulberry tree next to the locust that hosts our squirrel feeder.That poor squirrel. He’d love to dig into those golden kernels of tasty carbs, but the king birds ferociously attack before he ever arrives at the locust tree base. From the moment those tyrants of the sky spy him closing on his target, they put a bull’s-eye on him. Functioning like heat-seeking missiles, they dive close enough they mess up his fur. If he’s wily enough to make it to the trunk and start climbing, they quintuple their efforts.I stood at the kitchen window one morning, sipping my morning brew and cheering that squirrel on. If he could make it to the jar feeder, he could crawl in its hole, feast as long as he wanted out of those tenacious warriors’ reach, and then leap out and race away to escape their wrath.Despite my encouragement from inside the house, the tree rat gave up before reaching his goal and scampered off full-throttle with two nattering kingbirds literally on his tail. I hope he keeps trying.

MADORIN: Sky tyrants

By MICHAEL A. SMITH Insight Kansas

A month ago, I editorialized about the recent defeat of a proposed sales tax extension for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals stadiums in Jackson County, MO. Led by a group called KC Tenants, the “no” vote secured a 58% majority. Their message was, why subsidize venues for billionaire-owned, for-profit sports teams when Kansas Citians cannot find affordable housing? The message resonates on both sides of the state line. However, it did not resonate with the Kansas Legislature. In their recent special session, they passed a scaled-down tax cut bill at the request of the Governor, as well as a package of incentives meant to lure the Chiefs and/or Royals to Kansas. Nothing was done about affordable housing.

The housing problem is complicated, which may explain why legislators avoid it. They missed a great opportunity to form a bipartisan, intersession task force to research the issue and develop recommendations for the 2025 session. Here are some ideas they could have considered.

First, the Legislature could take a hard look at passing state laws limiting the ability of municipalities–particularly wealthier suburbs– to block the construction of new housing through zoning codes. Such codes have their place when it comes to managing traffic, not overloading water lines and sewers, being mindful of water runoff, and so forth. Yet there is a long history of suburbs and homeowners’ associations abusing these in order to zone out reasonable attempts to create needed, multifamily housing or even detached houses on smaller lots. The recent dustup in Prairie Village over Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) is a case in point. Among other places, ADUs can be constructed in one’s backyard. Thus, the groundswell of opposition literally embodies NIMBY (not in my backyard) politics.

It may also be time to consider statewide building codes rather than a patchwork of local regulations, which bottleneck the process of new construction with a torturous process of permit applications and slow-walked approvals. Permits to renovate existing housing must also be expedited since new construction alone cannot keep up with current demand.

A task force could also consider our massive glut of commercial real estate. Working at home and shopping online did not end with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the workforce itself is shrinking. Older, fully- or partially-empty commercial buildings with loads of deferred maintenance and no historic value could come down. With the right incentives and zoning changes, apartments, townhouses or other housing could take up these vacated spaces.

While new home construction is welcome, incentives for those who maintain older homes and apartment buildings must be part of the solution, too. It is particularly important to make a distinction between the positive contributions of local small businesspersons who invest in “flipping” houses by rehabilitating them, on the one hand, and out-of-state interests who simply buy houses and apartment buildings, then sell them for more without making any improvements– or worse, rent them out as absentee slumlords.

Finally, a low-interest bridge loan program could help those who want to move but cannot due to the current high interest rates. This includes empty nesters who want to downsize but cannot afford to give up the low interest rates on their pre-2021 mortgages, as well as potential new homebuyers who need a little extra boost.

This list is only brainstorming. Other, perhaps better ideas could emerge once policymakers decide to take housing seriously. Unfortunately, that will not be today. For now, legislators have once again chosen sports team owners over the will of the voters.

By MICHAEL A. SMITH Insight KansasA month ago, I editorialized about the recent defeat of a proposed sales tax extension for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals stadiums in Jackson County, MO. Led by a group called KC Tenants, the “no” vote secured a 58% majority. Their message was, why subsidize venues for billionaire-owned, for-profit sports teams when Kansas Citians cannot find affordable housing? The message resonates on both sides of the state line. However, it did not resonate with the Kansas Legislature. In their recent special session, they passed a scaled-down tax cut bill at the request of the Governor, as well as a package of incentives meant to lure the Chiefs and/or Royals to Kansas. Nothing was done about affordable housing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698326876404.png" alt="Michael Smith" />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith</figcaption>
 </figure>The housing problem is complicated, which may explain why legislators avoid it. They missed a great opportunity to form a bipartisan, intersession task force to research the issue and develop recommendations for the 2025 session. Here are some ideas they could have considered.First, the Legislature could take a hard look at passing state laws limiting the ability of municipalities–particularly wealthier suburbs– to block the construction of new housing through zoning codes. Such codes have their place when it comes to managing traffic, not overloading water lines and sewers, being mindful of water runoff, and so forth. Yet there is a long history of suburbs and homeowners’ associations abusing these in order to zone out reasonable attempts to create needed, multifamily housing or even detached houses on smaller lots. The recent dustup in Prairie Village over Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) is a case in point. Among other places, ADUs can be constructed in one’s backyard. Thus, the groundswell of opposition literally embodies NIMBY (not in my backyard) politics.It may also be time to consider statewide building codes rather than a patchwork of local regulations, which bottleneck the process of new construction with a torturous process of permit applications and slow-walked approvals. Permits to renovate existing housing must also be expedited since new construction alone cannot keep up with current demand.A task force could also consider our massive glut of commercial real estate. Working at home and shopping online did not end with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the workforce itself is shrinking. Older, fully- or partially-empty commercial buildings with loads of deferred maintenance and no historic value could come down. With the right incentives and zoning changes, apartments, townhouses or other housing could take up these vacated spaces.While new home construction is welcome, incentives for those who maintain older homes and apartment buildings must be part of the solution, too. It is particularly important to make a distinction between the positive contributions of local small businesspersons who invest in “flipping” houses by rehabilitating them, on the one hand, and out-of-state interests who simply buy houses and apartment buildings, then sell them for more without making any improvements– or worse, rent them out as absentee slumlords.Finally, a low-interest bridge loan program could help those who want to move but cannot due to the current high interest rates. This includes empty nesters who want to downsize but cannot afford to give up the low interest rates on their pre-2021 mortgages, as well as potential new homebuyers who need a little extra boost.This list is only brainstorming. Other, perhaps better ideas could emerge once policymakers decide to take housing seriously. Unfortunately, that will not be today. For now, legislators have once again chosen sports team owners over the will of the voters.

INSIGHT: Kansas Legislature dropped ball on affordable housing

Chinch bugs in Kansas are a perennial pest of just about any type of grass. They have caused problems in turf farms, golf courses, and lawns. In crops, they mainly affect sorghum but are occasionally problematic in corn and wheat, says Jeff Whitworth, K-State Extension Entomologist.

With all of the chinch bug activity in central and west central Kansas, this is a good time to discuss the differences between chinch bugs (Blissus leucopterus) and false chinch bugs (Nysius sp.). In order to make proper management decisions, knowing how to correctly identify these insects is critical, says Anthony Zukoff, K-State Extension Entomologist”.

Adult chinch bugs are 3-4mm (0.16”) long bugs with black bodies and white wings that are kept folded over their backs. Two dark, triangular markings are present near the center of the wings creating a distinctive “X” mark.

Adult false chinch bugs are very similar in appearance, but smaller. Instead of having black bodies, false chinch bugs are brownish-gray with clear wings that lack a distinct “X” mark, says Anthony.

Immature chinch bugs are bright red after hatching, darkening to black as they go through a series of 5 molts. A distinct white band will be visible across the nymphs’ bodies until the wing buds become large enough to obscure it.

Immature false chinch bugs are grayish-brown, never bright red, and lack the white band across their bodies.

Chinch bugs and false chinch bugs are true bugs in the order Hemiptera which means they both have piercing-sucking mouthparts that they use to puncture plant tissue to feed on plant juices. However, the symptoms of feeding appear differently for these two bugs. When chinch bugs feed, digestive enzymes are injected into the plant tissue causing it to break down and discolor. Reddish spots often are present at chinch bug feeding sites. Heavy chinch bug feeding can also cause stunting, wilting and necrotic lesions on plants. False chinch bug feeding, on the other hand, usually has little effect on plants, but extreme numbers of the bugs on a plant can cause wilting and death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719259730296.jpeg" alt="Adult chinch bug" />
 <figcaption>Adult chinch bug</figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictChinch bugs in Kansas are a perennial pest of just about any type of grass. They have caused problems in turf farms, golf courses, and lawns. In crops, they mainly affect sorghum but are occasionally problematic in corn and wheat, says Jeff Whitworth, K-State Extension Entomologist.With all of the chinch bug activity in central and west central Kansas, this is a good time to discuss the differences between chinch bugs (Blissus leucopterus) and false chinch bugs (Nysius sp.). In order to make proper management decisions, knowing how to correctly identify these insects is critical, says Anthony Zukoff, K-State Extension Entomologist”.Adult chinch bugs are 3-4mm (0.16”) long bugs with black bodies and white wings that are kept folded over their backs. Two dark, triangular markings are present near the center of the wings creating a distinctive “X” mark.Adult false chinch bugs are very similar in appearance, but smaller. Instead of having black bodies, false chinch bugs are brownish-gray with clear wings that lack a distinct “X” mark, says Anthony.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719259763914.jpeg" alt="Adult false chinch bug. Note the lack of a dark “X”" />
 <figcaption>Adult false chinch bug. Note the lack of a dark “X”</figcaption>
 </figure>Immature chinch bugs are bright red after hatching, darkening to black as they go through a series of 5 molts. A distinct white band will be visible across the nymphs’ bodies until the wing buds become large enough to obscure it.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719259796830.jpeg" alt="Immature chinch bugs" />
 <figcaption>Immature chinch bugs</figcaption>
 </figure>Immature false chinch bugs are grayish-brown, never bright red, and lack the white band across their bodies.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719259887539.jpeg" alt="Immature false chinch bugs" />
 <figcaption>Immature false chinch bugs</figcaption>
 </figure>Chinch bugs and false chinch bugs are true bugs in the order Hemiptera which means they both have piercing-sucking mouthparts that they use to puncture plant tissue to feed on plant juices. However, the symptoms of feeding appear differently for these two bugs. When chinch bugs feed, digestive enzymes are injected into the plant tissue causing it to break down and discolor. Reddish spots often are present at chinch bug feeding sites. Heavy chinch bug feeding can also cause stunting, wilting and necrotic lesions on plants. False chinch bug feeding, on the other hand, usually has little effect on plants, but extreme numbers of the bugs on a plant can cause wilting and death.

CAMPBELL: Identifying Chinch Bugs and False Chinch Bugs

Extreme heat occurs when temperatures exceed 90 degrees, and in Kansas, humidity adds to the health risks associated with such high temperatures. In fact, extreme heat is the leading cause of death among all weather-related disasters. So, it’s important to understand how high temperatures affect us and how to protect ourselves in extreme heat.

Jeff Goodell, environmental author, describes two types of stress caused by the heat. The first is called classic heat stress, and it’s the typical heat exhaustion most of us are familiar with. High temperatures affect small children, seniors, and those with chronic conditions the most. This type of heat stress can cascade into heat stroke and eventually death if left untreated.

Exertional heat exhaustion is another type of heat stress that can put even the most fit, young, and vibrant people in danger. The body aims to maintain homeostasis including an internal temperature around 98.6 degrees. When physical labor raises the core temperature, the body must compensate by sweating and increasing blood flow to the skin. However, extreme heat can make it even more challenging to cool down. Symptoms of exertional heat exhaustion can include low blood pressure, hyperventilation, altered mental status, vomiting, and seizures. Once again, if symptoms are not addressed, death can result. Those who work outdoors such as construction workers, farmers, and athletes are at a high risk for exertional heat exhaustion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictExtreme heat occurs when temperatures exceed 90 degrees, and in Kansas, humidity adds to the health risks associated with such high temperatures. In fact, extreme heat is the leading cause of death among all weather-related disasters. So, it’s important to understand how high temperatures affect us and how to protect ourselves in extreme heat.Jeff Goodell, environmental author, describes two types of stress caused by the heat. The first is called classic heat stress, and it’s the typical heat exhaustion most of us are familiar with. High temperatures affect small children, seniors, and those with chronic conditions the most. This type of heat stress can cascade into heat stroke and eventually death if left untreated.Exertional heat exhaustion is another type of heat stress that can put even the most fit, young, and vibrant people in danger. The body aims to maintain homeostasis including an internal temperature around 98.6 degrees. When physical labor raises the core temperature, the body must compensate by sweating and increasing blood flow to the skin. However, extreme heat can make it even more challenging to cool down. Symptoms of exertional heat exhaustion can include low blood pressure, hyperventilation, altered mental status, vomiting, and seizures. Once again, if symptoms are not addressed, death can result. Those who work outdoors such as construction workers, farmers, and athletes are at a high risk for exertional heat exhaustion.Now that summer has officially arrived and temperatures are reaching triple digits, here are a few tips from the American Red Cross Association concerning extreme heat:First, learn how to stay hydrated. An average person should drink about 3/4 of a gallon of water daily, but everyone’s needs vary. Avoid sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks that dehydrate the body. Also, if you sweat a lot, consider having a snack or a sports drink throughout the day to replenish electrolytes.Next, make a plan. Brainstorm places you can go to cool down in case of a power outage. If you have air conditioning, replace filters and perform regular maintenance to ensure it’s working properly. Another way to avoid overheating is to wear lightweight, loose clothing. Also, be sure to check in with loved ones who are at high risk for heat exhaustion.Finally, be prepared for the worst. You may not be able to prevent heat illness in others, so it’s imperative to recognize the signs. These can include excessive sweating, pale skin, altered mental status, and increased respiration. In severe cases, knowing CPR may be necessary. So, brush up on your First Aid skills or get trained.As temperatures continue to rise, keep these tips in mind. Create a plan to respond to the heat and take care of yourself and your loved ones. Most of all, stay cool!Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu. K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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