HaysMed proudly joins the nation in recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This month serves as a critical reminder of our collective responsibility to raise awareness about relationship abuse and support those impacted by it. President Joseph Biden's proclamation of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month underscores the importance of this issue, emphasizing that everyone deserves a healthy relationship and there are people who can help.

At HaysMed, we believe in the power of education and specialized care to combat the effects of domestic violence. 

To this end, we are pleased to highlight our team of specially trained forensic nurses who play a vital role in addressing this pressing issue. These dedicated professionals possess the knowledge and expertise necessary to decrease the healthcare consequences of violence, improve patient recovery, and lower healthcare costs.

The Forensic Program at HaysMed is a resource for individuals and families impacted by violence in Ellis County and surrounding communities. By offering specialized care and support, our team ensures that survivors receive the compassionate and comprehensive attention they deserve. This commitment to quality care sets HaysMed apart as a trusted resource in the fight against domestic violence.

One of the key advantages of HaysMed is the accessibility of our specially trained forensic nurses. They provide critical care without the need for survivors to travel long distances for the services they require. This accessibility ensures that individuals affected by domestic violence can access the help they need right here in our community.

HaysMed recognizes that prevention through coordinated response and accountability is essential in our communities. We are firmly committed to supporting survivors and fostering an environment where everyone feels safe. In line with our dedication to education, we encourage individuals to learn more about domestic violence by visiting <a href="https://www.thehotline.org/">https://www.thehotline.org/</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696348920180.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedHaysMed proudly joins the nation in recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This month serves as a critical reminder of our collective responsibility to raise awareness about relationship abuse and support those impacted by it. President Joseph Biden's proclamation of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month underscores the importance of this issue, emphasizing that everyone deserves a healthy relationship and there are people who can help.At HaysMed, we believe in the power of education and specialized care to combat the effects of domestic violence. To this end, we are pleased to highlight our team of specially trained forensic nurses who play a vital role in addressing this pressing issue. These dedicated professionals possess the knowledge and expertise necessary to decrease the healthcare consequences of violence, improve patient recovery, and lower healthcare costs.The Forensic Program at HaysMed is a resource for individuals and families impacted by violence in Ellis County and surrounding communities. By offering specialized care and support, our team ensures that survivors receive the compassionate and comprehensive attention they deserve. This commitment to quality care sets HaysMed apart as a trusted resource in the fight against domestic violence.One of the key advantages of HaysMed is the accessibility of our specially trained forensic nurses. They provide critical care without the need for survivors to travel long distances for the services they require. This accessibility ensures that individuals affected by domestic violence can access the help they need right here in our community.HaysMed recognizes that prevention through coordinated response and accountability is essential in our communities. We are firmly committed to supporting survivors and fostering an environment where everyone feels safe. In line with our dedication to education, we encourage individuals to learn more about domestic violence by visiting <a href="https://www.thehotline.org/">https://www.thehotline.org/</a>.

HaysMed recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness, Prevention Month

As the calendar turns over to October it reminds me of Breast Cancer Awareness month and cooler weather. 

It is very likely that you or someone you know has been affected by breast cancer. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. Cancer is also one of the leading causes of death in the United States, ranking second only after heart disease. One in every four deaths is due to cancer. While there are a lot of risks for cancer that are outside of our control, such as our genetics, gender, and age, there are many lifestyle choices we can make to reduce risk.

First, achieve and maintain a healthy weight. I know! Easier said than done. This is especially important as we get older. Two other choices that can help lower risk for breast cancer, as well as achieve a healthy weight, is to eat a diet rich in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and get plenty of exercise. Avoiding alcohol or consuming one drink or less per day will also lower your risk of breast cancer. Sometimes making healthy choices can seem overwhelming, especially when life gets stressful. Start small and build on what you are able to accomplish. Perhaps just pick one thing you would like to change and work on that for a few weeks or months.

While breast cancer risk increases as we age and those over age 50 are at increased risk, there are some things that younger women can do in addition to healthy lifestyle choices listed above. Having children and breastfeeding can help protect yourself from breast cancer. When women are pregnant and breastfeeding their hormone levels are different which can reduce risk of breast cancer later on in life. There is a dose response effect as well, the longer you breastfeed, the lower your risk of breast cancer. This may be a real motivation for some women to breastfeed their children or maybe the motivation to keep going when the baby wakes up again in the middle of the night. Remembering that there are benefits for you, mom, that may help you stay strong and not give up.

Here at the Cottonwood Extension District we want to give you the education and tools to help you lead a better, healthier life. We have resources and tools to share with you. We are your partner to a healthier lifestyle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension , Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension , Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>As the calendar turns over to October it reminds me of Breast Cancer Awareness month and cooler weather. It is very likely that you or someone you know has been affected by breast cancer. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. Cancer is also one of the leading causes of death in the United States, ranking second only after heart disease. One in every four deaths is due to cancer. While there are a lot of risks for cancer that are outside of our control, such as our genetics, gender, and age, there are many lifestyle choices we can make to reduce risk.First, achieve and maintain a healthy weight. I know! Easier said than done. This is especially important as we get older. Two other choices that can help lower risk for breast cancer, as well as achieve a healthy weight, is to eat a diet rich in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and get plenty of exercise. Avoiding alcohol or consuming one drink or less per day will also lower your risk of breast cancer. Sometimes making healthy choices can seem overwhelming, especially when life gets stressful. Start small and build on what you are able to accomplish. Perhaps just pick one thing you would like to change and work on that for a few weeks or months.While breast cancer risk increases as we age and those over age 50 are at increased risk, there are some things that younger women can do in addition to healthy lifestyle choices listed above. Having children and breastfeeding can help protect yourself from breast cancer. When women are pregnant and breastfeeding their hormone levels are different which can reduce risk of breast cancer later on in life. There is a dose response effect as well, the longer you breastfeed, the lower your risk of breast cancer. This may be a real motivation for some women to breastfeed their children or maybe the motivation to keep going when the baby wakes up again in the middle of the night. Remembering that there are benefits for you, mom, that may help you stay strong and not give up.Here at the Cottonwood Extension District we want to give you the education and tools to help you lead a better, healthier life. We have resources and tools to share with you. We are your partner to a healthier lifestyle.

KOERNER: Breast cancer and how to lower your risk

Unless you have spent all this summer under a rock somewhere, you are aware of how dry this part of the country has been. Ponds I have never seen dry look like parking lots, and some stream and river beds could easily double now as roads. 

Drought affects all living creatures, animals included. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that fall turkey season has been suspended this year because of declining turkey populations over a large swath of the country, not just Kansas. “Declining production” is cited as the reason for that decision. Drought affects this too, as lack of green cover offers less concealment for young chicks and fewer insects for their sustenance. 

Drought is just bad news all around, but dry years can help hunters, fishermen and trappers.

Drought will obviously affect waterfowl hunting. Most of the McPherson Valley Wetlands near McPherson are dry, and the wetlands just outside Inman have water in perhaps only one-half the pools. There are several ponds along the Kansas 61 four-lane highway that are completely dry, as are many other ponds in this part of the state. 

Many of these ponds and water impoundments are favored by ducks and geese over the next couple months, so now all those birds will have to find other water in farm ponds, stock ponds and sand pits, for example. There is just as much feed around for them this year as any year, so that will probably mean just as many ducks and geese will stop here for a spell as on any year. 

Putting two-and-two together means if you can get permission to hunt some of those otherwise overlooked and out-of-sight spots, the waterfowl hunting for you this year may be tremendous.

Whether big game, small game, winged or four-footed, furbearers or predators, all critters need water, and even though dry spells don’t affect critter movement patterns much, it’s a no-brainer that more wildlife will be watering at the ponds, creeks and rivers that still hold water. 

Deer stands placed near water are good bets near dawn and dusk on any year, but this season hunting near a water source may be especially productive as more deer will be drinking from those spots. 

If your hunting property doesn’t have water on it, try hanging a stand or putting up a blind as close as you can get to the nearest water. Stock tanks and windmill tanks will probably be more popular watering spots this season for wildlife too, so, if possible, find some cover within shooting range of them. 

In short, this year water sources may be as big a draw as anything, so place you deer stands and blinds accordingly.

Although the properties I trap rarely have ponds on them, most predator trappers agree that pond dams are good spots to set traps for bobcats and coyotes, as they also need water and like to nose around on the dams. All pasture ponds will have cattle trails leading to and around them, and predators use those same trails too. 

Following the same thinking, since some of those ponds are dry this year, the ones still holding water might be better trap sites this year than usual, as more predators and furbearers will be traveling there to drink. Deep holes in creeks and rivers that still have water will also see more wildlife traffic than normal.

 I always wonder where all the beavers and muskrats go when ponds and drainage ditches go dry, and this year water sources still with water could see an influx of them, too.

Fishing is affected by extended dry spells also as water levels drop in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams and fish become more concentrated around cover in the available water. I questioned a friend about&nbsp;this who is a tremendous fisherman and he confirmed my assessment. He also added that ice fishing is often great on years when water levels are low, as fish are easier to locate beneath the ice.

Jacques Cousteau once said “We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.” Leonardo da Vinci saw that “Water is the driving force of all Nature.” 

Yes, it’s dry again and we need good soaking rains. It seems that all the native Kansans I know have long ago made peace with our state's propensity to stay dry, but as a Kansas transplant, I still struggle with that. 

Nelson Mandela said “Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.” I guess we can furnish the work, bread and salt, but only God can send the water. 

Even though it’s dry, use some of the above tips to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp; Gilliland&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp; Gilliland&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Unless you have spent all this summer under a rock somewhere, you are aware of how dry this part of the country has been. Ponds I have never seen dry look like parking lots, and some stream and river beds could easily double now as roads. Drought affects all living creatures, animals included. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that fall turkey season has been suspended this year because of declining turkey populations over a large swath of the country, not just Kansas. “Declining production” is cited as the reason for that decision. Drought affects this too, as lack of green cover offers less concealment for young chicks and fewer insects for their sustenance. Drought is just bad news all around, but dry years can help hunters, fishermen and trappers.Drought will obviously affect waterfowl hunting. Most of the McPherson Valley Wetlands near McPherson are dry, and the wetlands just outside Inman have water in perhaps only one-half the pools. There are several ponds along the Kansas 61 four-lane highway that are completely dry, as are many other ponds in this part of the state. Many of these ponds and water impoundments are favored by ducks and geese over the next couple months, so now all those birds will have to find other water in farm ponds, stock ponds and sand pits, for example. There is just as much feed around for them this year as any year, so that will probably mean just as many ducks and geese will stop here for a spell as on any year. Putting two-and-two together means if you can get permission to hunt some of those otherwise overlooked and out-of-sight spots, the waterfowl hunting for you this year may be tremendous.Whether big game, small game, winged or four-footed, furbearers or predators, all critters need water, and even though dry spells don’t affect critter movement patterns much, it’s a no-brainer that more wildlife will be watering at the ponds, creeks and rivers that still hold water. Deer stands placed near water are good bets near dawn and dusk on any year, but this season hunting near a water source may be especially productive as more deer will be drinking from those spots. If your hunting property doesn’t have water on it, try hanging a stand or putting up a blind as close as you can get to the nearest water. Stock tanks and windmill tanks will probably be more popular watering spots this season for wildlife too, so, if possible, find some cover within shooting range of them. In short, this year water sources may be as big a draw as anything, so place you deer stands and blinds accordingly.Although the properties I trap rarely have ponds on them, most predator trappers agree that pond dams are good spots to set traps for bobcats and coyotes, as they also need water and like to nose around on the dams. All pasture ponds will have cattle trails leading to and around them, and predators use those same trails too. Following the same thinking, since some of those ponds are dry this year, the ones still holding water might be better trap sites this year than usual, as more predators and furbearers will be traveling there to drink. Deep holes in creeks and rivers that still have water will also see more wildlife traffic than normal. I always wonder where all the beavers and muskrats go when ponds and drainage ditches go dry, and this year water sources still with water could see an influx of them, too.Fishing is affected by extended dry spells also as water levels drop in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams and fish become more concentrated around cover in the available water. I questioned a friend about&nbsp;this who is a tremendous fisherman and he confirmed my assessment. He also added that ice fishing is often great on years when water levels are low, as fish are easier to locate beneath the ice.Jacques Cousteau once said “We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.” Leonardo da Vinci saw that “Water is the driving force of all Nature.” Yes, it’s dry again and we need good soaking rains. It seems that all the native Kansans I know have long ago made peace with our state's propensity to stay dry, but as a Kansas transplant, I still struggle with that. Nelson Mandela said “Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.” I guess we can furnish the work, bread and salt, but only God can send the water. Even though it’s dry, use some of the above tips to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at&nbsp;stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Some like it dry

The issue of foreign investment and land purchases in Kansas is once again in the news. 

Last week, Attorney General Kris Kobach called on the Kansas Legislature to restrict the ability of foreign individuals and corporations to purchase or lease large parcels of land in Kansas. Kobach warned that failure to address this issue posed a threat to national security and the food supply chain.

This issue is not new to Kansas, nor to other states. Last year, the Kansas Legislature considered, but did not act on, multiple bills that contained language limiting foreign control of Kansas land, joining more than 30 other states that considered similar legislation. This phenomenon raises significant questions about property rights, national security, and the real estate market.

A number of factors are driving the growing interest among state governments in regulating foreign investment and land ownership.

One of the primary reasons cited in support of these restrictions is national security. Some government officials have expressed concerns that allowing foreign citizens and corporations to buy large parcels of land gives them an undue influence over our politics and economy.

Geopolitical tensions between China and the United States have also certainly played a role in the recent implementation of land purchase and lease restrictions. 

For example, proponents of these policies argue that real estate holdings provide a strategic footprint in a country or state, which may pose a national security threat. This argument often involves concerns over potential spying. These heightened political disputes, including the Chinese balloon incident earlier this year, have led to limiting Chinese investment in the name of protecting national interest.

Another factor contributing to support for these restrictions is worry over how foreign investment will impact local property markets.

Foreign investors have the ability to invest heavily in real estate, driving up property prices. This could lead to a scarcity of affordable land for local residents. Kobach echoed these concerns arguing that farmers would have to compete in local markets where foreign investment has distorted land value.

While restricting land purchases by foreign interests may address concerns related to national security and rising property prices, it also raises important questions about property rights and fairness.

The American Civil Liberties Union has already promised to fight state restrictions on the ability of foreign nationals living and working in the states to purchase land. They have argued that these bills are a discriminatory overreach by state governments.

Further, other groups, including those tied to agricultural interests, have cautioned state lawmakers about growing government involvement in the free market.

Opponents of these restrictions also caution that they play into unfounded, xenophobic fears, which divide our already fractured political landscape. This may be particularly true when considered with the fact that Chinese land ownership in Kansas is actually very limited.

Moving forward, Kansas must carefully consider the implications of such restrictions, weighing the potential benefits against the risks they pose to economic growth and property rights.

Brianne Heidbreder, PhD, is an associate professor of political science at Kansas State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678375743023.jpeg" alt="Brianne Heidbreder, PhD, is an associate professor of political science at Kansas State University. " />
 <figcaption>Brianne Heidbreder, PhD, is an associate professor of political science at Kansas State University. </figcaption>
 </figure>The issue of foreign investment and land purchases in Kansas is once again in the news. Last week, Attorney General Kris Kobach called on the Kansas Legislature to restrict the ability of foreign individuals and corporations to purchase or lease large parcels of land in Kansas. Kobach warned that failure to address this issue posed a threat to national security and the food supply chain.This issue is not new to Kansas, nor to other states. Last year, the Kansas Legislature considered, but did not act on, multiple bills that contained language limiting foreign control of Kansas land, joining more than 30 other states that considered similar legislation. This phenomenon raises significant questions about property rights, national security, and the real estate market.A number of factors are driving the growing interest among state governments in regulating foreign investment and land ownership.One of the primary reasons cited in support of these restrictions is national security. Some government officials have expressed concerns that allowing foreign citizens and corporations to buy large parcels of land gives them an undue influence over our politics and economy.Geopolitical tensions between China and the United States have also certainly played a role in the recent implementation of land purchase and lease restrictions. For example, proponents of these policies argue that real estate holdings provide a strategic footprint in a country or state, which may pose a national security threat. This argument often involves concerns over potential spying. These heightened political disputes, including the Chinese balloon incident earlier this year, have led to limiting Chinese investment in the name of protecting national interest.Another factor contributing to support for these restrictions is worry over how foreign investment will impact local property markets.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Foreign investors have the ability to invest heavily in real estate, driving up property prices. This could lead to a scarcity of affordable land for local residents. Kobach echoed these concerns arguing that farmers would have to compete in local markets where foreign investment has distorted land value.While restricting land purchases by foreign interests may address concerns related to national security and rising property prices, it also raises important questions about property rights and fairness.The American Civil Liberties Union has already promised to fight state restrictions on the ability of foreign nationals living and working in the states to purchase land. They have argued that these bills are a discriminatory overreach by state governments.Further, other groups, including those tied to agricultural interests, have cautioned state lawmakers about growing government involvement in the free market.Opponents of these restrictions also caution that they play into unfounded, xenophobic fears, which divide our already fractured political landscape. This may be particularly true when considered with the fact that Chinese land ownership in Kansas is actually very limited.Moving forward, Kansas must carefully consider the implications of such restrictions, weighing the potential benefits against the risks they pose to economic growth and property rights.Brianne Heidbreder, PhD, is an associate professor of political science at Kansas State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Foreign investment and land control in Kansas

It is well understood that weather patterns can have a significant impact on grasshopper populations year to year. Warm, dry weather increases the survival of nymphs and adult grasshoppers, leading to increased egg production during the growing season, while cool, wet weather promotes fungal pathogens that can reduce egg and nymph survival. 

Another factor influencing grasshopper populations is an abundance of food, especially broadleaf weeds. A diet high in these forbs leads to greater nymph survival, faster growth, larger adult grasshoppers, and increased egg production. The abundance of weeds therefore can likely contribute to the noticeable number and diversity of grasshoppers currently being observed. As these weedy sources of food are exhausted or controlled, grasshoppers may shift their grazing over to anything still growing in the landscape. 

In areas with greater grasshopper pressure, seedling alfalfa and wheat could be at risk.

Before planting alfalfa, treatment should be considered if there are 15 or more grasshoppers per square yard around the planting area. Once planted and growing, consider treatment if 3-5 grasshoppers per square yard are found in the seedling alfalfa stand.

Vegetated borders around areas where wheat will be planted should be scouted ten days before planting. Consider treating those borders if there are 7 to 12 grasshoppers per square yard. Once growing, three or more grasshoppers per square yard within the field can destroy seedling wheat stands. If grasshopper populations are low to moderate, seed treatments can protect emerging wheat plants for several weeks if products are applied at the highest registered rate. Seed treatments will be less effective under severe grasshopper pressure. Avoid planting too early, as this will help reduce the time that wheat must be protected.

Please refer to the most recent Alfalfa and Wheat Insect Management Guides for specific control information. Simply type into your internet browser Alfalfa Insect Management Guide KSU or Wheat Insect Management Guide KSU.

Stacy Campbell is a crop production extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="Stacy Campbell is a crop production extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell is a crop production extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>It is well understood that weather patterns can have a significant impact on grasshopper populations year to year. Warm, dry weather increases the survival of nymphs and adult grasshoppers, leading to increased egg production during the growing season, while cool, wet weather promotes fungal pathogens that can reduce egg and nymph survival. Another factor influencing grasshopper populations is an abundance of food, especially broadleaf weeds. A diet high in these forbs leads to greater nymph survival, faster growth, larger adult grasshoppers, and increased egg production. The abundance of weeds therefore can likely contribute to the noticeable number and diversity of grasshoppers currently being observed. As these weedy sources of food are exhausted or controlled, grasshoppers may shift their grazing over to anything still growing in the landscape. In areas with greater grasshopper pressure, seedling alfalfa and wheat could be at risk.Before planting alfalfa, treatment should be considered if there are 15 or more grasshoppers per square yard around the planting area. Once planted and growing, consider treatment if 3-5 grasshoppers per square yard are found in the seedling alfalfa stand.Vegetated borders around areas where wheat will be planted should be scouted ten days before planting. Consider treating those borders if there are 7 to 12 grasshoppers per square yard. Once growing, three or more grasshoppers per square yard within the field can destroy seedling wheat stands. If grasshopper populations are low to moderate, seed treatments can protect emerging wheat plants for several weeks if products are applied at the highest registered rate. Seed treatments will be less effective under severe grasshopper pressure. Avoid planting too early, as this will help reduce the time that wheat must be protected.Please refer to the most recent Alfalfa and Wheat Insect Management Guides for specific control information. Simply type into your internet browser Alfalfa Insect Management Guide KSU or Wheat Insect Management Guide KSU.Stacy Campbell is a crop production extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension.&nbsp;

CAMPBELL: Grasshoppers abundant in many areas of Kansas

October 1-7 is an exciting time as 4-H families across the nation celebrate National 4-H Week. 

According to the National 4-H website, 4-H was established as Youth Clubs in 1902 with agricultural after-school clubs focused on particular ag products such as tomatoes or corn. The passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914 created the Cooperative Extension System at USDA and nationalized 4-H. By 1914, 4-H Clubs were formed and the clover emblem was adopted. 

The Cooperative Extension System is a partnership of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the USDA, more than 100 land-grant universities and more than 3,000 county offices across the nation, including all 105 counties in Kansas. Cooperative Extension combines the expertise and resources of federal, state, and local governments to meet the need for research, knowledge, and educational programs. 

In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us.

On September 26, I was joined by 4-H Ambassador Ailey Williams to address the Barton County Commission. 

We were delighted with Proclamation 2023-13 which states, in part, “4-H, as delivered by Cooperative Extension – a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people have taken on critical societal issues, such as addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourse, and advocating for equity and inclusion for all; and whereas, National 4-H Week showcases the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people, and highlights the remarkable 4-H youth in Kansas and throughout America who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Barton County, Kansas, that October 1-7, 2023 is hereby known as National 4-H Week throughout Barton County; and further, that the Commission recognizes the importance of using the Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, the four core values of the 4-H mission, to make the best better….”

If you know of a young person who would benefit from the opportunities of 4-H, enrollment for the new year began October 1. The Cottonwood Extension District offers eight community clubs in Barton County and over 40 project areas from art&nbsp;to woodworking for youth to explore, learn, and grow. 

More information can be found at our website cottonwood.k-state.edu or by calling one of our offices.

If you happen to be in our Ellis County area, 4-H members will have several displays around the county.

Community service and citizenship are hallmarks of the 4-H program. "48 Hours of 4-H" is a state-wide service challenge. 

Cottonwood-Barton 4-H families will meet at the 4-H Educational Buildings on Sunday, Oct. 8 to clean up and work on a variety of projects. 

Previous projects have included cleanup at Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo and the making cookies for county-wide emergency service personnel. Many individual clubs will take on separate projects in their town. Teaching youth the value of giving back to their communities helps all communities be stronger and to develop the leaders needed to not just survive but to thrive.

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.

Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District, Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179445671.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>October 1-7 is an exciting time as 4-H families across the nation celebrate National 4-H Week. According to the National 4-H website, 4-H was established as Youth Clubs in 1902 with agricultural after-school clubs focused on particular ag products such as tomatoes or corn. The passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914 created the Cooperative Extension System at USDA and nationalized 4-H. By 1914, 4-H Clubs were formed and the clover emblem was adopted. The Cooperative Extension System is a partnership of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the USDA, more than 100 land-grant universities and more than 3,000 county offices across the nation, including all 105 counties in Kansas. Cooperative Extension combines the expertise and resources of federal, state, and local governments to meet the need for research, knowledge, and educational programs. In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us.On September 26, I was joined by 4-H Ambassador Ailey Williams to address the Barton County Commission. We were delighted with Proclamation 2023-13 which states, in part, “4-H, as delivered by Cooperative Extension – a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people have taken on critical societal issues, such as addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourse, and advocating for equity and inclusion for all; and whereas, National 4-H Week showcases the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people, and highlights the remarkable 4-H youth in Kansas and throughout America who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Barton County, Kansas, that October 1-7, 2023 is hereby known as National 4-H Week throughout Barton County; and further, that the Commission recognizes the importance of using the Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, the four core values of the 4-H mission, to make the best better….”If you know of a young person who would benefit from the opportunities of 4-H, enrollment for the new year began October 1. The Cottonwood Extension District offers eight community clubs in Barton County and over 40 project areas from art&nbsp;to woodworking for youth to explore, learn, and grow. More information can be found at our website cottonwood.k-state.edu or by calling one of our offices.If you happen to be in our Ellis County area, 4-H members will have several displays around the county.Community service and citizenship are hallmarks of the 4-H program. "48 Hours of 4-H" is a state-wide service challenge. Cottonwood-Barton 4-H families will meet at the 4-H Educational Buildings on Sunday, Oct. 8 to clean up and work on a variety of projects. Previous projects have included cleanup at Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo and the making cookies for county-wide emergency service personnel. Many individual clubs will take on separate projects in their town. Teaching youth the value of giving back to their communities helps all communities be stronger and to develop the leaders needed to not just survive but to thrive.Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District, Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: It's 4-H enrollment time

I was raised in upstate New York, the child of two veterinarians. After graduating from Kansas State in 2010, I became a first-generation farmer near Palco. Today, my wife Codi is on the farm full-time with me, and in July, we welcomed our baby daughter, Lynn.

I’ve always tried to get involved in organizations, whether professional or personal. However, I think farmers in general are often happy to let someone else speak for them. While there are times I’d prefer that as well, I realize it’s very important for our voices to be heard, particularly when our livelihoods are at stake. 

As a cattle producer, I decided to get involved with the beef checkoff and learn more about how producer dollars are spent. 

In 2022, Kansas Farm Bureau nominated me to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, the governing body of the national beef checkoff program, and over the past year, I’ve learned about the opportunities and challenges facing the beef industry.

While you may know that the beef checkoff’s primary goal is to drive demand, you may not realize the checkoff is constantly addressing misinformation about beef. 

You’ve probably seen and heard a lot of chatter about beef recently, from dietary guidelines and sustainability claims to meat substitutes and animal welfare and everything in between. 

Of course, much of that chatter is not factual. 

However, it still has the potential to affect beef purchases at grocery stores or restaurants, which impacts not just my livelihood, but that of the nearly 800,000 other beef producers in the United States today.

During my short time on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, I’ve learned how the beef checkoff actively monitors television, online and social media to discover emerging issues that could threaten consumer confidence in beef. By knowing what issues are out there, the checkoff can fund research that will help the beef industry uncover and share the facts about our product’s sustainability, nutrition, safety and quality.

Those efforts come to life through checkoff-funded initiatives like middle and high school curriculums about greenhouse gases and cattle, attendance at New York City’s Climate Week conference and immersion events that bring inner city teachers to real farms to learn about how much we producers care for our land and cattle.

There are partnerships with the American Heart Association to educate consumers about beef’s role in a healthy diet, as well as programs providing health care providers with educational content through webinars, in-office visits and at professional conferences. 

By sharing information through both consumer and professional outreach, the checkoff can also respond to questions about how beef compares with other proteins, including the plant-based, alterative proteins that have emerged in recent years.

I’m proud to be on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. It’s given me an opportunity to share cattle producers’ perspectives from right here in northern Kansas with the rest of the country. And I know the beef checkoff continues to fund projects that have a tremendously positive impact on the American beef industry.

Not everyone understands how the checkoff works, but I encourage my fellow producers with questions to get involved. Go to the meetings – they’re open to all producers. Come chat with me as a Cattlemen’s Beef Board representative from here in Kansas. It’s by making our voices heard that we get the most value from this program we help fund.

Evan Lesser, Palco Cattle producer and member, Cattlemen’s Beef Board

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695846679946.jpeg" alt="Even Lesser of Palco is a cattle producer and member of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Even Lesser of Palco is a cattle producer and member of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>I was raised in upstate New York, the child of two veterinarians. After graduating from Kansas State in 2010, I became a first-generation farmer near Palco. Today, my wife Codi is on the farm full-time with me, and in July, we welcomed our baby daughter, Lynn.I’ve always tried to get involved in organizations, whether professional or personal. However, I think farmers in general are often happy to let someone else speak for them. While there are times I’d prefer that as well, I realize it’s very important for our voices to be heard, particularly when our livelihoods are at stake. As a cattle producer, I decided to get involved with the beef checkoff and learn more about how producer dollars are spent. In 2022, Kansas Farm Bureau nominated me to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, the governing body of the national beef checkoff program, and over the past year, I’ve learned about the opportunities and challenges facing the beef industry.While you may know that the beef checkoff’s primary goal is to drive demand, you may not realize the checkoff is constantly addressing misinformation about beef. You’ve probably seen and heard a lot of chatter about beef recently, from dietary guidelines and sustainability claims to meat substitutes and animal welfare and everything in between. Of course, much of that chatter is not factual. However, it still has the potential to affect beef purchases at grocery stores or restaurants, which impacts not just my livelihood, but that of the nearly 800,000 other beef producers in the United States today.During my short time on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, I’ve learned how the beef checkoff actively monitors television, online and social media to discover emerging issues that could threaten consumer confidence in beef. By knowing what issues are out there, the checkoff can fund research that will help the beef industry uncover and share the facts about our product’s sustainability, nutrition, safety and quality.Those efforts come to life through checkoff-funded initiatives like middle and high school curriculums about greenhouse gases and cattle, attendance at New York City’s Climate Week conference and immersion events that bring inner city teachers to real farms to learn about how much we producers care for our land and cattle.There are partnerships with the American Heart Association to educate consumers about beef’s role in a healthy diet, as well as programs providing health care providers with educational content through webinars, in-office visits and at professional conferences. By sharing information through both consumer and professional outreach, the checkoff can also respond to questions about how beef compares with other proteins, including the plant-based, alterative proteins that have emerged in recent years.I’m proud to be on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. It’s given me an opportunity to share cattle producers’ perspectives from right here in northern Kansas with the rest of the country. And I know the beef checkoff continues to fund projects that have a tremendously positive impact on the American beef industry.Not everyone understands how the checkoff works, but I encourage my fellow producers with questions to get involved. Go to the meetings – they’re open to all producers. Come chat with me as a Cattlemen’s Beef Board representative from here in Kansas. It’s by making our voices heard that we get the most value from this program we help fund.Evan Lesser, Palco Cattle producer and member, Cattlemen’s Beef Board

LETTER: Kansas beef producers must get involved in the larger beef industry

September is National Food Safety Education month. Every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 6 people get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die from eating contaminated food. Getting sick is never fun and is usually quite an inconvenience. 

What can you do at home to help prevent getting sick? The Partnership for Food Safety Education breaks it down into four easy steps: clean, separate, cook, and chill.

The first step is clean. Wash hands and surfaces often. We have heard it so many times but washing hands really does cut down on all types of illnesses including foodborne illnesses. Keep counter tops and other kitchen surfaces clean. How often do you clean out your refrigerator? Yep, that needs to be cleaned regularly also! After wiping the dirt off countertops, surfaces should be sanitized with a solution of one tablespoon bleach and one gallon of water. Cutting boards should also be washed in between preparing each food. Also remember to wash your produce under running water before eating or peeling them to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Step two is to separate. Be careful not to cross-contaminate. Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs from other foods in your grocery cart, grocery bags, and refrigerator. Use different cutting boards and utensils for each type of food and never place cooked food on a plate that had raw meat on it. If you marinate foods be sure and boil the marinade before using it on cooked foods.

Step three is to cook meats to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees and 160 degrees for ground meat where contamination is more likely. Poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees. Color is not a reliable indicator. Use a food thermometer that has been properly calibrated. Check the thickest part of the meat. Raw eggs can be a source of contamination. When using a microwave to heat up foods again use your food thermometer to check the temperature.

Finally, step four is to chill leftovers as quickly as possible to prevent the growth of bacteria. Keep the refrigerator at 40 degrees or less. Do not let foods set at room temperature for more than two hours. Do not thaw food at room temperature. To thaw foods, use one of three methods: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. Cook food immediately when defrosting in water or the microwave.

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/2022/11/1668522176561.png" alt="Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension , Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension , Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>September is National Food Safety Education month. Every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 6 people get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die from eating contaminated food. Getting sick is never fun and is usually quite an inconvenience. What can you do at home to help prevent getting sick? The Partnership for Food Safety Education breaks it down into four easy steps: clean, separate, cook, and chill.The first step is clean. Wash hands and surfaces often. We have heard it so many times but washing hands really does cut down on all types of illnesses including foodborne illnesses. Keep counter tops and other kitchen surfaces clean. How often do you clean out your refrigerator? Yep, that needs to be cleaned regularly also! After wiping the dirt off countertops, surfaces should be sanitized with a solution of one tablespoon bleach and one gallon of water. Cutting boards should also be washed in between preparing each food. Also remember to wash your produce under running water before eating or peeling them to prevent the spread of bacteria.Step two is to separate. Be careful not to cross-contaminate. Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs from other foods in your grocery cart, grocery bags, and refrigerator. Use different cutting boards and utensils for each type of food and never place cooked food on a plate that had raw meat on it. If you marinate foods be sure and boil the marinade before using it on cooked foods.Step three is to cook meats to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees and 160 degrees for ground meat where contamination is more likely. Poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees. Color is not a reliable indicator. Use a food thermometer that has been properly calibrated. Check the thickest part of the meat. Raw eggs can be a source of contamination. When using a microwave to heat up foods again use your food thermometer to check the temperature.Finally, step four is to chill leftovers as quickly as possible to prevent the growth of bacteria. Keep the refrigerator at 40 degrees or less. Do not let foods set at room temperature for more than two hours. Do not thaw food at room temperature. To thaw foods, use one of three methods: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. Cook food immediately when defrosting in water or the microwave.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: September is National Food Safety Education Month

Every year, more than 25% of Americans age 65+ fall down. 

One fall can drastically alter quality of life and reduce independence. In fact, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among seniors each year. The good news is that falls are not a natural part of aging and steps can be taken to reduce your risk of falling!

Look for an exercise program in your community that focuses on strength, balance, and flexibility. Reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging or K-State Research and Extension to find a class.

You spend most of your time at home, so make sure it’s a safe space. Increase lighting, remove floor clutter, rearrange furniture to open up the flow of traffic, and install grab bars.

Consult your healthcare provider to assess your fall risk, discuss recent falls, and review medications that may affect balance and coordination.

4. Go for regular vision and hearing checkups.

The eyes and ears provide us with vital senses that affect balance, so it’s important to strive for good vision and hearing health.

Fall prevention is a group effort, and family members can help you spot fall risks, and be a team to call on for help. To check your risk of falling, visit <a href="https://www.ncoa.org/age-well-planner/assessment/falls-free-checkup">https://www.ncoa.org/age-well-planner/assessment/falls-free-checkup</a> to take a short quiz.

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.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687379885179.png" alt="Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District" />
 <figcaption>Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District</figcaption>
 </figure>Every year, more than 25% of Americans age 65+ fall down. One fall can drastically alter quality of life and reduce independence. In fact, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among seniors each year. The good news is that falls are not a natural part of aging and steps can be taken to reduce your risk of falling!1. Stay active.Look for an exercise program in your community that focuses on strength, balance, and flexibility. Reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging or K-State Research and Extension to find a class.2. Assess your home.You spend most of your time at home, so make sure it’s a safe space. Increase lighting, remove floor clutter, rearrange furniture to open up the flow of traffic, and install grab bars.3. Talk to your doctor.Consult your healthcare provider to assess your fall risk, discuss recent falls, and review medications that may affect balance and coordination.4. Go for regular vision and hearing checkups.The eyes and ears provide us with vital senses that affect balance, so it’s important to strive for good vision and hearing health.5. Find support.Fall prevention is a group effort, and family members can help you spot fall risks, and be a team to call on for help. To check your risk of falling, visit <a href="https://www.ncoa.org/age-well-planner/assessment/falls-free-checkup">https://www.ncoa.org/age-well-planner/assessment/falls-free-checkup</a> to take a short quiz.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.&nbsp;

WINKEL: Fall prevention: Reduce your risk

Ages ago when I wore a much younger man's clothes, I heated my home with wood. Cutting firewood is hard on the back but was always enjoyable to me, and I’ve had some interesting experiences whilst collecting my winter’s fuel, to include smashing the rear windshield out of my dad’s pickup with an errantly tossed chunk of hard hedge wood.

When I was still in my late twenties, my dad and I got permission to cut dead trees from a patch of Ohio woods that sat well off the road at the end of a long, hilly, winding tractor path. We spent a day cutting and dragging several trees into the alfalfa field that bordered the woods. The following Saturday we again wound our way up the rutted tractor path, looking forward to a rewarding day of simply cutting-up and hauling the now easily-accessible wood. All that greeted us as we entered the field were dozens of neat little rows of sawdust, the only evidence left after someone had cut up and made-off with all our firewood.

A few years later, I found a good-sized uprooted tree in the small woodlot I owned. The hole left in the ground beneath the roots was the size of a Volkswagen and three feet deep. With the tree already flat on the ground, I cut all the limbs and dragged them out of my way, then with the main trunk ready to chunk-up, I started cutting at the upper end and worked my way toward the giant root ball. 

I hadn’t made it very far when something happened to the saw, requiring a tool that was still at the house. I started to set the saw in the crater beneath the roots, but for some reason changed my mind and placed it on the ground a few feet away. When I returned with the tool, I thought I had stepped through a worm-hole into another dimension or something, cause the downed-tree and the saw were both gone. 

I wandered around in circles and finally stumbled onto the saw on the ground, but where was the uprooted tree? It took me awhile to realize that removing all the limbs and cutting off the upper part of the tree had allowed the weight of the root ball to stand the remaining trunk of the tree back upright into the crater. Good thing I decided against putting my saw there; even better that I hadn’t sat down in there for a nap!

The granddaddy of all firewood mishaps took place on a dreary fall Saturday while cutting down a huge dead wild cherry tree that stood just across the driveway from our house. My firewood cutting skills were the stuff of legends….once I got&nbsp;a tree on the ground, but putting it there without catastrophe often eluded me. 

I clambered as high into the behemoth as I could get and encircled the trunk with a log chain, then attached an old hay rope salvaged from the barn and ran it yards out into the open field where dad sat waiting on the trusty Farmall H. 

Cutting was a slow process with a chainsaw barely half the length of the tree’s diameter, but a notch was soon cut toward the open field. As I cut on the other side, I motioned for dad to put tension on the rope and chain. The tree began to list slightly, so I cut a bit further then stepped back, figuring to watch our prize topple into the open field. However, the sound of cracking wood was drowned out by the sound of snapping rope fibers as the old hay rope gave up the ghost. 

Half a year’s firewood teetered and wobbled for a few seconds before crashing the opposite direction across the drive and onto the power lines, putting the whole neighborhood out of power, during an Ohio State football game no less, which was akin to losing power at the nursing home during Wheel of Fortune. The neighbor’s anger was matched only by the power company guys who had to come out on a Saturday. It seems our firewood heated the entire neighborhood that day…continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Ages ago when I wore a much younger man's clothes, I heated my home with wood. Cutting firewood is hard on the back but was always enjoyable to me, and I’ve had some interesting experiences whilst collecting my winter’s fuel, to include smashing the rear windshield out of my dad’s pickup with an errantly tossed chunk of hard hedge wood.When I was still in my late twenties, my dad and I got permission to cut dead trees from a patch of Ohio woods that sat well off the road at the end of a long, hilly, winding tractor path. We spent a day cutting and dragging several trees into the alfalfa field that bordered the woods. The following Saturday we again wound our way up the rutted tractor path, looking forward to a rewarding day of simply cutting-up and hauling the now easily-accessible wood. All that greeted us as we entered the field were dozens of neat little rows of sawdust, the only evidence left after someone had cut up and made-off with all our firewood.A few years later, I found a good-sized uprooted tree in the small woodlot I owned. The hole left in the ground beneath the roots was the size of a Volkswagen and three feet deep. With the tree already flat on the ground, I cut all the limbs and dragged them out of my way, then with the main trunk ready to chunk-up, I started cutting at the upper end and worked my way toward the giant root ball. I hadn’t made it very far when something happened to the saw, requiring a tool that was still at the house. I started to set the saw in the crater beneath the roots, but for some reason changed my mind and placed it on the ground a few feet away. When I returned with the tool, I thought I had stepped through a worm-hole into another dimension or something, cause the downed-tree and the saw were both gone. I wandered around in circles and finally stumbled onto the saw on the ground, but where was the uprooted tree? It took me awhile to realize that removing all the limbs and cutting off the upper part of the tree had allowed the weight of the root ball to stand the remaining trunk of the tree back upright into the crater. Good thing I decided against putting my saw there; even better that I hadn’t sat down in there for a nap!The granddaddy of all firewood mishaps took place on a dreary fall Saturday while cutting down a huge dead wild cherry tree that stood just across the driveway from our house. My firewood cutting skills were the stuff of legends….once I got&nbsp;a tree on the ground, but putting it there without catastrophe often eluded me. I clambered as high into the behemoth as I could get and encircled the trunk with a log chain, then attached an old hay rope salvaged from the barn and ran it yards out into the open field where dad sat waiting on the trusty Farmall H. Cutting was a slow process with a chainsaw barely half the length of the tree’s diameter, but a notch was soon cut toward the open field. As I cut on the other side, I motioned for dad to put tension on the rope and chain. The tree began to list slightly, so I cut a bit further then stepped back, figuring to watch our prize topple into the open field. However, the sound of cracking wood was drowned out by the sound of snapping rope fibers as the old hay rope gave up the ghost. Half a year’s firewood teetered and wobbled for a few seconds before crashing the opposite direction across the drive and onto the power lines, putting the whole neighborhood out of power, during an Ohio State football game no less, which was akin to losing power at the nursing home during Wheel of Fortune. The neighbor’s anger was matched only by the power company guys who had to come out on a Saturday. It seems our firewood heated the entire neighborhood that day…continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at&nbsp;stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoor Kansas: Firewood follies

A few years after relocating here from Pennsylvania, a friend of mine dove into home ownership. Being extremely knowledgeable and passionate about birding and gardening, she decided to convert part of her front yard into a native plant pollinator garden. She had no problem with the plantings, but the city codes are giving her fits.

There are numerous advantages to cultivating pollinator gardens instead of non-native grass and other decorative plantings. Plants like Black-Eyed Susans, Western Yarrow, Wild Bergamot (beebalm), Milkweed, and Kansas’ state flower–the sunflower– have deeper root networks, which help prevent soil erosion and reduce water runoff. They do not need to be mowed, saving energy and pollution. They are natural parts of Kansas’ ecosystem and do not spread invasively. Natives grow well without artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Many grow beautiful flowers. They also adapt better to our climate, requiring less watering.

Pollinator gardens supply food to native birds and insects including hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, and native bees. In recent years, the population of monarchs has declined alarmingly, which many experts attribute to agricultural pesticides and herbicides. All told, one third of our food requires pollination by insects.

Unfortunately, native pollinator gardens violate many communities’ local ordinances.

 These old laws reflect the 1950s ideal of a suburban lawn. They incentivize the planting of nonnative grass which is mowed short and often treated with fertilizers. They also encourage or condone ornamental shrubs, trees, and other plants which are an invasive threat to our native Kansas plants. Such scourges include the Bradford Pear, the Eastern Red Cedar, the Tree of Heaven, and wintercreeper. I join legions of other homeowners spending countless weekends trying to remove these noxious pests. Farmers and ranchers do not like them, either.

As for my friend, she won her dispute with the city, but only after cutting part of her beloved pocket prairie and compiling a thick packet of information for her hearing.

She is now working with Emporia officials to update the local ordinances. Fortunately, she has a template. Active in Kansas and western Missouri, the Metro Area Regional Council (MARC) has prepared model legislation to encourage native plants and pollinator gardens while still allowing communities to clean up true noxious weeds, abandoned lots, and unkempt yards.

This past April, a Kansas family got caught between the city of Overland Park–which discourages such plantings, Johnson County–which encourages them, and their own neighbors. Many neighborhoods in Overland Park feature neatly-manicured lawns in tidy housing subdivisions along cul-de-sac streets. Neighbors must adjust their expectations of what looks beautiful. Lawns should be property maintained, but they need not resemble golf courses.

These codes also reflect the needs of agriculture. For example, milkweed is a beneficial, beautiful, easy to grow native plant that pollinators love, but it is poisonous to cattle and horses. This is fine for farmers and ranchers, but the average suburban homeowner is not going to have cattle and horses in their yard! Some local codes still classify milkweed as a “noxious weed” even when planted in town. Fortunately, some Kansas local governments have started targeting actual noxious weeds such as Bradford Pears, which are highly invasive. Wichita is one of many communities expanding native plantings on public land including parks.

New codes will allow beautiful, native, pollinator-friendly yards while still requiring that yards and lots be properly maintained. MARC’s model legislation is just what you need to start working on this in your own community– and your yard.

Michael A. Smith is a professor of political science and chair of social sciences at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639601062071.jpeg" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>A few years after relocating here from Pennsylvania, a friend of mine dove into home ownership. Being extremely knowledgeable and passionate about birding and gardening, she decided to convert part of her front yard into a native plant pollinator garden. She had no problem with the plantings, but the city codes are giving her fits.There are numerous advantages to cultivating pollinator gardens instead of non-native grass and other decorative plantings. Plants like Black-Eyed Susans, Western Yarrow, Wild Bergamot (beebalm), Milkweed, and Kansas’ state flower–the sunflower– have deeper root networks, which help prevent soil erosion and reduce water runoff. They do not need to be mowed, saving energy and pollution. They are natural parts of Kansas’ ecosystem and do not spread invasively. Natives grow well without artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Many grow beautiful flowers. They also adapt better to our climate, requiring less watering.Pollinator gardens supply food to native birds and insects including hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, and native bees. In recent years, the population of monarchs has declined alarmingly, which many experts attribute to agricultural pesticides and herbicides. All told, one third of our food requires pollination by insects.Unfortunately, native pollinator gardens violate many communities’ local ordinances.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582312931775.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> These old laws reflect the 1950s ideal of a suburban lawn. They incentivize the planting of nonnative grass which is mowed short and often treated with fertilizers. They also encourage or condone ornamental shrubs, trees, and other plants which are an invasive threat to our native Kansas plants. Such scourges include the Bradford Pear, the Eastern Red Cedar, the Tree of Heaven, and wintercreeper. I join legions of other homeowners spending countless weekends trying to remove these noxious pests. Farmers and ranchers do not like them, either.As for my friend, she won her dispute with the city, but only after cutting part of her beloved pocket prairie and compiling a thick packet of information for her hearing.She is now working with Emporia officials to update the local ordinances. Fortunately, she has a template. Active in Kansas and western Missouri, the Metro Area Regional Council (MARC) has prepared model legislation to encourage native plants and pollinator gardens while still allowing communities to clean up true noxious weeds, abandoned lots, and unkempt yards.Our sensibilities need to change, too. This past April, a Kansas family got caught between the city of Overland Park–which discourages such plantings, Johnson County–which encourages them, and their own neighbors. Many neighborhoods in Overland Park feature neatly-manicured lawns in tidy housing subdivisions along cul-de-sac streets. Neighbors must adjust their expectations of what looks beautiful. Lawns should be property maintained, but they need not resemble golf courses.These codes also reflect the needs of agriculture. For example, milkweed is a beneficial, beautiful, easy to grow native plant that pollinators love, but it is poisonous to cattle and horses. This is fine for farmers and ranchers, but the average suburban homeowner is not going to have cattle and horses in their yard! Some local codes still classify milkweed as a “noxious weed” even when planted in town. Fortunately, some Kansas local governments have started targeting actual noxious weeds such as Bradford Pears, which are highly invasive. Wichita is one of many communities expanding native plantings on public land including parks.New codes will allow beautiful, native, pollinator-friendly yards while still requiring that yards and lots be properly maintained. MARC’s model legislation is just what you need to start working on this in your own community– and your yard.Michael A. Smith is a professor of political science and chair of social sciences at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Zoning codes should allow native plants and pollinator gardens 

Meteorological fall began on September 1. It was warm early in the month, with highs over 100 degrees in many locations during Labor Day weekend. It has since turned more seasonable, with pleasant daytime temperatures, cool mornings, and, so far, no threat of cold air. 

Nowhere in Kansas has there been any frost yet, but it was 39°F in Tribune and 40°F in Colby on the morning of the 12th, a harbinger of colder weather yet to come. The autumnal equinox, which marks the beginning of astronomical fall, was on Saturday, September 23, at 1:50 a.m. central time. 

We will eventually experience a first frost and, in time, a first freeze, which can end the growing season, depending on how far below freezing the temperature gets and how many hours sub-freezing conditions persist. 

Exactly when do the first frost and freeze typically occur in Kansas? In this report, we look at the average dates for those two significant cold weather events.

Data for 20 sites in Kansas were examined using the full period of record at each location. For this study, the first frost date is defined as the first occurrence of a temperature at or below 36°, and the first freeze is defined as the first occurrence of 32°F or colder. The dates that the first frost occurred each year were sorted from earliest to latest, and then the dates on which 10%, 20%, 30%, etc., of the first frost occurred on or before were identified (Table 1). This methodology was repeated for the first freeze data (Table 2). To see the data tables, go to <a href="https://cottonwood.k-state.edu/">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu.</a>

Looking at the first frost date, the median date is in October, except for the far west and northwest areas of Kansas, where it occurs in late September. The median date is when there is a 50% chance of the first frost having already occurred. The earliest median date is in Oberlin (September 26), and the latest is in Wichita (October 18). Except for Wichita, there is a 10% probability of the first frost occurring before the first of October at all locations and a 90% probability that the first frost has occurred by the end of October.

There is a 60% or greater chance that the first freeze will occur by the end of October at all locations (Table 2), but the probabilities are higher for earlier dates in the west and north. As with the first frost date, Oberlin has the earliest median date (October 3), and Wichita has the latest date (October 28). September freezes happen occasionally, and occasionally, it’s November before the first freeze, but October is typically the month when the growing season ends. October is also when the normal lows each day decrease the fastest (Table 3); the daily normals drop by 11 to 14 degrees. By month’s end, Goodland, Oberlin, and Tribune all have&nbsp;normal lows below freezing. Only eastern and southern locations have normal lows in the 40s by October 31; all other locations have normal lows in the 30s.

Last year, the first freeze was in mid-October across the entire state, thanks to a cold air mass that invaded the state and brought widespread lows in the 20s, with a few upper teens. The first freeze in 2022 was on the 16th in Goodland, the 17th in Garden City and Hutchinson, and the 18th in Wichita and Parsons. For the northwest, this freeze was later than normal, but in the southeast, it was earlier than normal. 

What about this year? It’s too soon to know, but the outlooks for the next two weeks favor above-normal temperatures, so it doesn’t appear that an early freeze will occur in September. As for October, we’ll have to wait and see. Until then, enjoy the pleasant fall weather!

Information and article provided by Matthew Sittel, Assistant State Climatologist, msittel@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="Stacy Campbell is a crop production extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell is a crop production extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Meteorological fall began on September 1. It was warm early in the month, with highs over 100 degrees in many locations during Labor Day weekend. It has since turned more seasonable, with pleasant daytime temperatures, cool mornings, and, so far, no threat of cold air. Nowhere in Kansas has there been any frost yet, but it was 39°F in Tribune and 40°F in Colby on the morning of the 12th, a harbinger of colder weather yet to come. The autumnal equinox, which marks the beginning of astronomical fall, was on Saturday, September 23, at 1:50 a.m. central time. We will eventually experience a first frost and, in time, a first freeze, which can end the growing season, depending on how far below freezing the temperature gets and how many hours sub-freezing conditions persist. Exactly when do the first frost and freeze typically occur in Kansas? In this report, we look at the average dates for those two significant cold weather events.Data for 20 sites in Kansas were examined using the full period of record at each location. For this study, the first frost date is defined as the first occurrence of a temperature at or below 36°, and the first freeze is defined as the first occurrence of 32°F or colder. The dates that the first frost occurred each year were sorted from earliest to latest, and then the dates on which 10%, 20%, 30%, etc., of the first frost occurred on or before were identified (Table 1). This methodology was repeated for the first freeze data (Table 2). To see the data tables, go to <a href="https://cottonwood.k-state.edu/">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu.</a>Looking at the first frost date, the median date is in October, except for the far west and northwest areas of Kansas, where it occurs in late September. The median date is when there is a 50% chance of the first frost having already occurred. The earliest median date is in Oberlin (September 26), and the latest is in Wichita (October 18). Except for Wichita, there is a 10% probability of the first frost occurring before the first of October at all locations and a 90% probability that the first frost has occurred by the end of October.There is a 60% or greater chance that the first freeze will occur by the end of October at all locations (Table 2), but the probabilities are higher for earlier dates in the west and north. As with the first frost date, Oberlin has the earliest median date (October 3), and Wichita has the latest date (October 28). September freezes happen occasionally, and occasionally, it’s November before the first freeze, but October is typically the month when the growing season ends. October is also when the normal lows each day decrease the fastest (Table 3); the daily normals drop by 11 to 14 degrees. By month’s end, Goodland, Oberlin, and Tribune all have&nbsp;normal lows below freezing. Only eastern and southern locations have normal lows in the 40s by October 31; all other locations have normal lows in the 30s.Last year, the first freeze was in mid-October across the entire state, thanks to a cold air mass that invaded the state and brought widespread lows in the 20s, with a few upper teens. The first freeze in 2022 was on the 16th in Goodland, the 17th in Garden City and Hutchinson, and the 18th in Wichita and Parsons. For the northwest, this freeze was later than normal, but in the southeast, it was earlier than normal. What about this year? It’s too soon to know, but the outlooks for the next two weeks favor above-normal temperatures, so it doesn’t appear that an early freeze will occur in September. As for October, we’ll have to wait and see. Until then, enjoy the pleasant fall weather!Information and article provided by Matthew Sittel, Assistant State Climatologist, msittel@ksu.edu.Stacy Campbell is a crop production extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension.&nbsp;

CAMPBELL: Looking ahead to the first frost, freeze dates for Kansas

At Fort Hays State University, our resolve to outlast and achieve is as firm and steady as our century-old limestone buildings. A great example of this resolve is our history department. Our history program is innovative, student-centered, and growing.

History students delve into the depths of time, grappling with the complexities of the human experience while surrounded by faculty who are always willing to go the extra mile to see students learn, grow, and succeed. With an unwavering dedication to research, critical analysis, and interdisciplinary approaches, our history faculty cultivate a vibrant academic experience.

I know this because I am a collector of student stories. I am often amazed at how frequently I hear from students about how their history classes have positively impacted their lives. At the center of all of these stories are the faculty – their support, encouragement, innovation, and especially how faculty challenge students to work hard and dig deeper.

One of those professors is Hollie Marquess. Hollie, a first-generation college student, grew up in Plainville, Kansas. As a kid, she loved to talk about history with her dad. He taught her to question everything, which turned out to be a very beneficial skill for a future historian.

After high school, she enrolled at FHSU, but not initially as a history major. She was hooked by a lecture on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in her “U.S. History Since 1877” class. Hollie changed her major to history and completed both a bachelor's and master’s degree. After she completed her master’s degree, she started teaching online and returned to teach on campus in 2016.

“Rarick and the history program feel like home to me. In one capacity or another, I have been in Rarick for over 20 years,” Hollie shared.

Hollie is also the host of the Victor E. History podcast. The podcast series features about eight episodes per semester. On the podcast, she talks with students about their original research. Students need to have written an excellent research paper to be considered for the podcast, and this experience helps them to think about research in a way that is publicly accessible outside of academia. This is an essential skill for them to learn.

The topics are all fascinating, and the students do a great job. There are also episodes featuring notable alums. For example, this season, season four, Chris Dinkel, the 2023 recipient of the Young Alumni Award, is featured. Chris discusses his experience in our history program, studying for the LSAT, Columbia law, and his case that recently went to the Supreme Court. Season four will also include episodes on women in aviation, childless women in the 19th century, famine and disease in Ireland, and more!

Anyone can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music or go to <a href="https://victorehistory.com/">https://victorehistory.com/</a> to subscribe and to get notifications when new episodes are available. Season four features attacks planned on women in aviation, childless women in the 19th century, famine and disease in Ireland, and more!

The Victor E. History podcast began as a conversation between Professor Marquess and FHSU students in the History Club/Phi Alpha Theta. They talked about how she uses podcasts in the classroom, and this sparked her idea to create her own. After some searching, Hollie learned that history departments don’t tend to host podcasts; if they do, the content typically focuses on&nbsp;professors talking about their historical interests. The student-centered Hollie had a different vision.

“I wanted Victor E. History to highlight student research and our alumni doing incredible work,” Hollie said. “One of the things that my department does best is that we are very involved with our students both online and on-campus. The popular perception of historians is that we are dusty curmudgeons who are only interested in our research. That couldn’t be further from the truth in our department.”

Hollie shared that she and her faculty colleagues love getting to know the students and helping them reach their goals. She is proud of the fact that everyone in the department mentors the students throughout their time at FHSU and that mentorship doesn’t stop at graduation. They stay in contact with recent alumni and continue to mentor them as they begin new careers.

FHSU history faculty are also engaged in the larger community. They believe it is essential to expand public knowledge about historical topics.

“One of my proudest moments at FHSU, aside from pride in my students’ work, was bringing Holocaust survivor Gene Klein to campus in 2017. Now, we have Holocaust Remembrance and Education programming every April on campus and in the Hays community,” Hollie said.

Last spring, Hollie joined her colleague Dr. Amber Nickell on a faculty-led study abroad trip to Poland. While in Poland, the students learned about Jewish life before, during, and after the Holocaust. Hollie believes that it was an incredible experience for all of them.

“Watching our students explore places they’ve only ever read about and sharing profound learning experiences with them is worth all the work that goes into a study abroad class,” Hollie said.

This dynamic duo is making plans now to lead study-abroad classes in France, Germany, and Denmark over the next few years.

Hollie and Amber are currently working with senior history major Sarah Keiss on an exciting project.

“Sarah is someone whom I met when she came to do a college visit, and I have seen so much growth in her confidence since she’s been in our program,” Hollie said. “Last year, during our Holocaust Remembrance and Education Events, Stephen Naron of Yale University’s Fortunoff Archives visited Forsyth and was blown away by the exhibit that Sarah had created at her student job. That night, she and Stephen were chatting with Dr. Amber Nickell about how amazing Sarah is and how our trip to Poland with students, including Sarah, helped shape their future careers.”

The three colleagues decided to embark on a project that utilizes the Fortunoff Archives since Forsyth is an access site for them. They decided to focus on using 46 oral history testimonies of Holocaust survivors who settled in the Kansas City area. They are now mapping the movements of these survivors from birth to death and exploring geographic questions that they hope will reveal new knowledge on the Midwest as a place Holocaust survivors settled post-war. They plan to present this work in the spring and will publish the project and a co-written article. They hope the project will be helpful for area teachers in their classrooms.

Professor Hollie Marquess has so many beautiful stories to share about her students. And as I can attest, her students have many stories about Hollie's impact on them. She is an exceptional educator who authentically embraces our culture of care, cultivates intentional relationships, encourages student empowerment, builds self-confidence, fosters critical thinking, creates a nurturing learning environment, and provides an abundance of opportunities to maximize student growth and learning, and by&nbsp;doing so, develops generations primed for success.

Tisa Mason is president of Fort Hays State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Tisa Mason (Photo courtesy of&nbsp; FHSU)" />
 <figcaption>Tisa Mason (Photo courtesy of&nbsp; FHSU)</figcaption>
 </figure>At Fort Hays State University, our resolve to outlast and achieve is as firm and steady as our century-old limestone buildings. A great example of this resolve is our history department. Our history program is innovative, student-centered, and growing.History students delve into the depths of time, grappling with the complexities of the human experience while surrounded by faculty who are always willing to go the extra mile to see students learn, grow, and succeed. With an unwavering dedication to research, critical analysis, and interdisciplinary approaches, our history faculty cultivate a vibrant academic experience.I know this because I am a collector of student stories. I am often amazed at how frequently I hear from students about how their history classes have positively impacted their lives. At the center of all of these stories are the faculty – their support, encouragement, innovation, and especially how faculty challenge students to work hard and dig deeper.One of those professors is Hollie Marquess. Hollie, a first-generation college student, grew up in Plainville, Kansas. As a kid, she loved to talk about history with her dad. He taught her to question everything, which turned out to be a very beneficial skill for a future historian.After high school, she enrolled at FHSU, but not initially as a history major. She was hooked by a lecture on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in her “U.S. History Since 1877” class. Hollie changed her major to history and completed both a bachelor's and master’s degree. After she completed her master’s degree, she started teaching online and returned to teach on campus in 2016.“Rarick and the history program feel like home to me. In one capacity or another, I have been in Rarick for over 20 years,” Hollie shared.Hollie is also the host of the Victor E. History podcast. The podcast series features about eight episodes per semester. On the podcast, she talks with students about their original research. Students need to have written an excellent research paper to be considered for the podcast, and this experience helps them to think about research in a way that is publicly accessible outside of academia. This is an essential skill for them to learn.The topics are all fascinating, and the students do a great job. There are also episodes featuring notable alums. For example, this season, season four, Chris Dinkel, the 2023 recipient of the Young Alumni Award, is featured. Chris discusses his experience in our history program, studying for the LSAT, Columbia law, and his case that recently went to the Supreme Court. Season four will also include episodes on women in aviation, childless women in the 19th century, famine and disease in Ireland, and more!Anyone can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music or go to <a href="https://victorehistory.com/">https://victorehistory.com/</a> to subscribe and to get notifications when new episodes are available. Season four features attacks planned on women in aviation, childless women in the 19th century, famine and disease in Ireland, and more!The Victor E. History podcast began as a conversation between Professor Marquess and FHSU students in the History Club/Phi Alpha Theta. They talked about how she uses podcasts in the classroom, and this sparked her idea to create her own. After some searching, Hollie learned that history departments don’t tend to host podcasts; if they do, the content typically focuses on&nbsp;professors talking about their historical interests. The student-centered Hollie had a different vision.“I wanted Victor E. History to highlight student research and our alumni doing incredible work,” Hollie said. “One of the things that my department does best is that we are very involved with our students both online and on-campus. The popular perception of historians is that we are dusty curmudgeons who are only interested in our research. That couldn’t be further from the truth in our department.”Hollie shared that she and her faculty colleagues love getting to know the students and helping them reach their goals. She is proud of the fact that everyone in the department mentors the students throughout their time at FHSU and that mentorship doesn’t stop at graduation. They stay in contact with recent alumni and continue to mentor them as they begin new careers.FHSU history faculty are also engaged in the larger community. They believe it is essential to expand public knowledge about historical topics.“One of my proudest moments at FHSU, aside from pride in my students’ work, was bringing Holocaust survivor Gene Klein to campus in 2017. Now, we have Holocaust Remembrance and Education programming every April on campus and in the Hays community,” Hollie said.Last spring, Hollie joined her colleague Dr. Amber Nickell on a faculty-led study abroad trip to Poland. While in Poland, the students learned about Jewish life before, during, and after the Holocaust. Hollie believes that it was an incredible experience for all of them.“Watching our students explore places they’ve only ever read about and sharing profound learning experiences with them is worth all the work that goes into a study abroad class,” Hollie said.This dynamic duo is making plans now to lead study-abroad classes in France, Germany, and Denmark over the next few years.Hollie and Amber are currently working with senior history major Sarah Keiss on an exciting project.“Sarah is someone whom I met when she came to do a college visit, and I have seen so much growth in her confidence since she’s been in our program,” Hollie said. “Last year, during our Holocaust Remembrance and Education Events, Stephen Naron of Yale University’s Fortunoff Archives visited Forsyth and was blown away by the exhibit that Sarah had created at her student job. That night, she and Stephen were chatting with Dr. Amber Nickell about how amazing Sarah is and how our trip to Poland with students, including Sarah, helped shape their future careers.”The three colleagues decided to embark on a project that utilizes the Fortunoff Archives since Forsyth is an access site for them. They decided to focus on using 46 oral history testimonies of Holocaust survivors who settled in the Kansas City area. They are now mapping the movements of these survivors from birth to death and exploring geographic questions that they hope will reveal new knowledge on the Midwest as a place Holocaust survivors settled post-war. They plan to present this work in the spring and will publish the project and a co-written article. They hope the project will be helpful for area teachers in their classrooms.Professor Hollie Marquess has so many beautiful stories to share about her students. And as I can attest, her students have many stories about Hollie's impact on them. She is an exceptional educator who authentically embraces our culture of care, cultivates intentional relationships, encourages student empowerment, builds self-confidence, fosters critical thinking, creates a nurturing learning environment, and provides an abundance of opportunities to maximize student growth and learning, and by&nbsp;doing so, develops generations primed for success.Tisa Mason is president of Fort Hays State University.

Heart of a Tiger: Bringing history to life

Besides checking for ripeness, how much time do you spend thinking about garden tomatoes or those for sale at the market? If you’re like me, not much.

Years back, I learned colonial Americans considered tomatoes poisonous so though gardeners grew them ornamentally, they didn’t eat them. Recently, this factoid drove me down a tomato rabbit hole after my daughter and I disagreed on when Americans first welcomed tomatoes as food rather than décor.

Once I started reading, I couldn’t quit, and here you’ll find some of my discoveries.

Tomatoes are a New World plant in the nightshade family that scientists think first started in the Andes about 80,000 years ago. Since no one now alive actually saw those vines and fruits, they can only speculate. 

Researchers suggest those ancient orbs grew to about cherry tomato size and may have been yellow or orange in color. Somehow (it’s disputed), some seeds found their way to Meso America somewhere between northern Costa Rica and Mexico. Ancient gardeners then cultivated what they called tomatl in their Nahuatl language. 

Additionally, they grew peppers, also in the nightshade family. Apparently, eating either one didn’t harm the population, which I’m guessing contributed to the development of salsa.

When conquistador Cortes returned to the Old World following his foray into Aztec-controlled Mexico, he introduced tomato seeds to a climate where they thrived. Southern Europeans enjoyed this new flavor sensation. 

Unfortunately, once tomatoes made their way to England, they gained a bad rap as a poison.

While some blamed the plant’s nightshade connection, modern scientists attribute resulting illness to the use of pewter plates, once popular in Great Britain. Acidic tomatoes leached lead from them, triggering toxic levels in those who ate from them regularly. As a result, southern Europeans developed plenty of tomato dishes while, in general, the English didn’t.

Brits transferred their food prejudice across the Atlantic via adventuresome settlers.

 Ironically or maybe expectedly, folks who settled the South happily consumed tomato-based recipes. 

New Englanders continued to reject what they called poison apples til the mid-1800s when savvy seed and food salesmen publicly demonstrated they could devour quantities of this questionable ingredient without ill effect.

The Civil War accelerated acceptance. Canneries boomed during those difficult years, and tomatoes canned well. Interestingly, that led to a tomato-generated Supreme Court decision two decades later.

The 1883 Tariff Act imposed duties on imported veggies but not on fruits. Clever entrepreneurs responsible for canning those plump orbs focused on the fact they were botanically fruits, not veggies, depriving the government of taxable income.

In response, tax collectors argued they functioned as vegetables and thus should be taxed. 

In 1893, the Supreme Court settled the argument. In a 9-0 decision, the Bench determined that though they classified botanically as fruits, people ate them with meals and not as dessert. As a result, local economies taxed them as vegetables based on the Nix vs. Hedden decision.

No wonder people still fuss over the fruit vs. veggie classification.

Next time you water your tomatoes or pick them for salad or salsa, keep in mind this popular produce’s complicated history. 

It started in the New World, established itself in the Old World, returned to the New World with a wonky reputation, and then forced a Supreme Court Decision in 1893 that still stands. Oh, and savvy entrepreneur Joseph Campbell popularized canned condensed tomato soup in 1897. 

How many cans do you have in your pantry?

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692979189231.jpeg" alt="Photo by Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINBesides checking for ripeness, how much time do you spend thinking about garden tomatoes or those for sale at the market? If you’re like me, not much.Years back, I learned colonial Americans considered tomatoes poisonous so though gardeners grew them ornamentally, they didn’t eat them. Recently, this factoid drove me down a tomato rabbit hole after my daughter and I disagreed on when Americans first welcomed tomatoes as food rather than décor.Once I started reading, I couldn’t quit, and here you’ll find some of my discoveries.Tomatoes are a New World plant in the nightshade family that scientists think first started in the Andes about 80,000 years ago. Since no one now alive actually saw those vines and fruits, they can only speculate. Researchers suggest those ancient orbs grew to about cherry tomato size and may have been yellow or orange in color. Somehow (it’s disputed), some seeds found their way to Meso America somewhere between northern Costa Rica and Mexico. Ancient gardeners then cultivated what they called tomatl in their Nahuatl language. Additionally, they grew peppers, also in the nightshade family. Apparently, eating either one didn’t harm the population, which I’m guessing contributed to the development of salsa.When conquistador Cortes returned to the Old World following his foray into Aztec-controlled Mexico, he introduced tomato seeds to a climate where they thrived. Southern Europeans enjoyed this new flavor sensation. Unfortunately, once tomatoes made their way to England, they gained a bad rap as a poison.While some blamed the plant’s nightshade connection, modern scientists attribute resulting illness to the use of pewter plates, once popular in Great Britain. Acidic tomatoes leached lead from them, triggering toxic levels in those who ate from them regularly. As a result, southern Europeans developed plenty of tomato dishes while, in general, the English didn’t.Brits transferred their food prejudice across the Atlantic via adventuresome settlers. Ironically or maybe expectedly, folks who settled the South happily consumed tomato-based recipes. New Englanders continued to reject what they called poison apples til the mid-1800s when savvy seed and food salesmen publicly demonstrated they could devour quantities of this questionable ingredient without ill effect.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158626307.png" alt="Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>The Civil War accelerated acceptance. Canneries boomed during those difficult years, and tomatoes canned well. Interestingly, that led to a tomato-generated Supreme Court decision two decades later.The 1883 Tariff Act imposed duties on imported veggies but not on fruits. Clever entrepreneurs responsible for canning those plump orbs focused on the fact they were botanically fruits, not veggies, depriving the government of taxable income.In response, tax collectors argued they functioned as vegetables and thus should be taxed. In 1893, the Supreme Court settled the argument. In a 9-0 decision, the Bench determined that though they classified botanically as fruits, people ate them with meals and not as dessert. As a result, local economies taxed them as vegetables based on the Nix vs. Hedden decision. No wonder people still fuss over the fruit vs. veggie classification. Next time you water your tomatoes or pick them for salad or salsa, keep in mind this popular produce’s complicated history. It started in the New World, established itself in the Old World, returned to the New World with a wonky reputation, and then forced a Supreme Court Decision in 1893 that still stands. Oh, and savvy entrepreneur Joseph Campbell popularized canned condensed tomato soup in 1897. How many cans do you have in your pantry?Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.&nbsp;

MADORIN: The complicated history of tomatoes

By John P. Tretbar Eagle Communications

U.S. crude prices hovered near $90 per barrel on Monday, after settling above that mark on Friday. By midday Monday, WTI for November delivery was fetching $89.94 per barrel. London Brent was trading over $93 by lunchtime. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $80.25 per barrel after gaining 25 cents on Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684775008059.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By John P. Tretbar Eagle Communications U.S. crude prices hovered near $90 per barrel on Monday, after settling above that mark on Friday. By midday Monday, WTI for November delivery was fetching $89.94 per barrel. London Brent was trading over $93 by lunchtime. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $80.25 per barrel after gaining 25 cents on Friday.Baker Hughes reported a big drop in drilling activity. The Rotary Rig Count dropped by eleven rigs last week, eight oil rigs and three gas. Texas was down five; New Mexico and Oklahoma were each down two.The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service was unchanged from a week ago, down five percent from a month ago, and down 39% from a year ago. Drilling was underway Friday on leases in Barton and Ellis counties, and operators were about to spud a new well in Russell County. State regulators okayed ten new drilling permits last week, all of them in western Kansas including one in Ellis County.&nbsp; Operators completed 34 wells last week according to Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service. There was one in Barton County and one in Stafford County.The government said U.S. crude-oil inventories dropped by more than two million barrels from the ten-month low reported last week. The current tally from the Energy Information Administration is 418.5 million barrels, not including the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. That's about three percent below the five-year average for stockpiles at this time of year. U.S. production dropped slightly last week but remains in record territory, over 12.9 million barrels per day for the second week in a row.Energy Information Administration said U.S. refiners imported an average of 6.5 million barrels per day last week. That's down 1.1 million barrels per day from the week before. Over the last four weeks, imports averaged nearly eight percent more than in the same four-week period last year. California officials are touting their new gasoline-marketplace oversight with the discovery of a questionable transaction in the gasoline-futures market two weeks ago. Officials say one transaction spiked gasoline prices by half a dollar, at a time when they were already rising. The state's Division of Petroleum Market Oversight also places some of the blame on refiners' planning failures during maintenance, as well as rising crude prices.The United States is setting export records for propane. The government reported record U.S. exports of petroleum products during the first half of this year. The Energy Information Administration said propane and other hydro-carbon gas liquids set the pace, driving a two-percent increase in total product exports. Exports of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel were all down compared to a year ago.The government said U.S. crude-oil inventories dropped by more than two million barrels from the ten-month low reported last week. The current tally from the Energy Information Administration is 418.5 million barrels, not including the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. That's about three percent below the five year average for stockpiles at this time of year. U.S. production dropped slightly last week but remains in record territory, over 12.9 million barrels per day for the second week in a row.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Opinion