In a report published earlier this month by the Kansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee, the state’s maternal outcomes have worsened in recent years. Both pregnancy-related deaths and illnesses increased between 2016 and 2020.&nbsp;

According to the report, about two-thirds of pregnancy-related deaths were among women of color.&nbsp;

Just over a year ago, Kansas passed an expansion to postpartum coverage under KanCare, allowing mothers to be covered by the state’s Medicaid program for up to a year after giving birth. While it is too early to see the impact of this expansion on maternal outcomes in Kansas, a study of Texas’ expansion suggests there will be many benefits — women take advantage of mental health and substance abuse programs in addition to postpartum care under the state’s one year extension.&nbsp;

However, the reality is that expanding postpartum coverage will have significantly less impact on Kansas mothers who live in maternity deserts.&nbsp;

A maternity desert is defined as a county with no hospital obstetrics care and no obstetricians or gynecologists (OBGYNs).&nbsp;

According to a 2022 March of Dimes report, 48% of Kansas’ counties are maternity deserts and 24% of counties have low access to maternity care.&nbsp;

Concerningly, Kansas’ maternity deserts are expected to grow.&nbsp;

In an investigation by Wichita’s KWCH Factfinder 12 team earlier this year, over half of the state’s rural hospitals are at risk of closing. These hospitals provide critical care and services for people in their communities, including maternity care.&nbsp;

Of 104 rural hospitals, 60 are at risk of closing, including 29 facing immediate risk.&nbsp;

Rural hospitals are more vulnerable to financial pressures due to low occupancy rates, high levels of uncompensated care, competition from other hospitals, and weak local economies.&nbsp;

But without these hospitals, there are very limited options for care in the state’s rural areas. Most patients would be forced to travel long distances to more populated counties, which is less than ideal in most circumstances and incredibly dangerous in emergency situations.&nbsp;

According to the KMMRC report, two-thirds of pregnancy-related deaths are among women on Medicaid or without insurance.&nbsp;

Full Medicaid expansion would go a long way in keeping hospitals open and expanding maternity care across rural Kansas.&nbsp;

The good news is Medicaid expansion is popular in Kansas.&nbsp;

According to the 2022 Kansas Speaks public opinion survey distributed by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, nearly 76% of Kansans support KanCare — Kansas’ Medicaid program — expansion. Support has increased about 11 points since 2015.&nbsp;

The bad news is there’s long been a lack of political will to pass full KanCare expansion in the state legislature, despite public support and federal funds to subsidize the expansion.&nbsp;

But legislators can be swayed by loud and participatory groups of citizens. In fact, it was grassroots advocacy that led to the expansion of postpartum coverage during the 2022 legislative session.&nbsp;

If citizens decide to advocate for Medicaid expansion it would go a long way towards keeping rural hospitals open to provide care to their communities, including care to expecting and postpartum mothers.&nbsp;

Alexandra Middlewood, Ph.D., is the interim department chair and Model United Nations Advisor in the Dept. of Political Science at Wichita State University.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692868290471.jpeg" alt="Alexandra Middlewood" />
 <figcaption>Alexandra Middlewood</figcaption>
 </figure>In a report published earlier this month by the Kansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee, the state’s maternal outcomes have worsened in recent years. Both pregnancy-related deaths and illnesses increased between 2016 and 2020.&nbsp;According to the report, about two-thirds of pregnancy-related deaths were among women of color.&nbsp;Just over a year ago, Kansas passed an expansion to postpartum coverage under KanCare, allowing mothers to be covered by the state’s Medicaid program for up to a year after giving birth. While it is too early to see the impact of this expansion on maternal outcomes in Kansas, a study of Texas’ expansion suggests there will be many benefits — women take advantage of mental health and substance abuse programs in addition to postpartum care under the state’s one year extension.&nbsp;However, the reality is that expanding postpartum coverage will have significantly less impact on Kansas mothers who live in maternity deserts.&nbsp;A maternity desert is defined as a county with no hospital obstetrics care and no obstetricians or gynecologists (OBGYNs).&nbsp;According to a 2022 March of Dimes report, 48% of Kansas’ counties are maternity deserts and 24% of counties have low access to maternity care.&nbsp;Concerningly, Kansas’ maternity deserts are expected to grow.&nbsp;In an investigation by Wichita’s KWCH Factfinder 12 team earlier this year, over half of the state’s rural hospitals are at risk of closing. These hospitals provide critical care and services for people in their communities, including maternity care.&nbsp;Of 104 rural hospitals, 60 are at risk of closing, including 29 facing immediate risk.&nbsp;Rural hospitals are more vulnerable to financial pressures due to low occupancy rates, high levels of uncompensated care, competition from other hospitals, and weak local economies.&nbsp;But without these hospitals, there are very limited options for care in the state’s rural areas. Most patients would be forced to travel long distances to more populated counties, which is less than ideal in most circumstances and incredibly dangerous in emergency situations.&nbsp;According to the KMMRC report, two-thirds of pregnancy-related deaths are among women on Medicaid or without insurance.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582312931775.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Full Medicaid expansion would go a long way in keeping hospitals open and expanding maternity care across rural Kansas.&nbsp;The good news is Medicaid expansion is popular in Kansas.&nbsp;According to the 2022 Kansas Speaks public opinion survey distributed by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, nearly 76% of Kansans support KanCare — Kansas’ Medicaid program — expansion. Support has increased about 11 points since 2015.&nbsp;The bad news is there’s long been a lack of political will to pass full KanCare expansion in the state legislature, despite public support and federal funds to subsidize the expansion.&nbsp;But legislators can be swayed by loud and participatory groups of citizens. In fact, it was grassroots advocacy that led to the expansion of postpartum coverage during the 2022 legislative session.&nbsp;If citizens decide to advocate for Medicaid expansion it would go a long way towards keeping rural hospitals open to provide care to their communities, including care to expecting and postpartum mothers.&nbsp;Alexandra Middlewood, Ph.D., is the interim department chair and Model United Nations Advisor in the Dept. of Political Science at Wichita State University.&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Rural hospitals at-risk of closing threaten women’s lives, Medicaid expansion would help 

Wheat planting is just around the corner in Kansas, so now is the time to get your soil sampling done to have good information on which to base your fertilizer inputs. This is particularly important after drought and lower-than-expected yields for the previous crops in parts of the state.

The most important tests and nutrients to focus on this year depend in part on where you are located, the choices you make when applying nitrogen, and your tillage system.

The nutrients for which wheat is most likely to show responses statewide are nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Wheat is the most P-responsive crop we grow in Kansas, and while P removal with wheat may be less than with corn or soybeans, the relative yield response is often the highest. Therefore, knowledge of P soil test levels and fertilizer needs will be valuable

A standard 0-6 inch surface sample is normally used to test for pH and the non-mobile nutrients such as P and potassium (K). Growers might also want to check for the micronutrient of zinc (Zn). Zinc is not a nutrient commonly found deficient in wheat production. However, it is important for corn and grain sorghum. Thus including it in your sample package would be helpful for planning for these rotation crops.

Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important source of nutrients such as N and sulfur (S). When calculating the fertilizer needs for both these nutrients, SOM is taken into consideration. For wheat production, 10 pounds of available N and 2.5 pounds of S are credited for every 1% SOM in the soil.

In addition to pH, SOM, P, K, and Zn -- all of which are non-mobile in soils and accumulate in the surface – the mobile nutrients N, S, and chloride can provide significant yield responses when deficient in soils. Since all three of these nutrients are mobile in soils and tend to accumulate in the subsoil, it is strongly recommended to use a 24-inch profile soil sample prior to growing wheat, corn, or grain sorghum.

In summary, wheat producers in Kansas should consider soil testing to help in making accurate fertilizer decisions. 

Accurate decisions are especially important during years with falling grain prices and tight budgets. Furthermore, after variable conditions and yield levels across the state, fertilizer needs may require adjustments based on soil tests. 

Wheat producers specifically, should use surface 0-6 inch samples to determine the need for lime on low pH soils, P, K, Zn, and soil organic matter. They also should be using 24-inch profile soil tests for N, S, and Cl. 

Now is the time to get those samples taken, to ensure there will be enough time to consider those test results when planning your fall fertilizer programs.

For more information on soil sampling and submitting samples to the K-State Soil Testing Laboratory, visit their website at <a href="https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/outreach-and-services/soil-testing-lab/">http://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/services/soiltesting/ </a>or stop into the Cottonwood District offices in Great Bend and Hays. We have soil sample probes to loan out and can mail off your soil samples and help you with interpreting the results and recommendations.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="Stacy Campbell is a crop production extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell is a crop production extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Wheat planting is just around the corner in Kansas, so now is the time to get your soil sampling done to have good information on which to base your fertilizer inputs. This is particularly important after drought and lower-than-expected yields for the previous crops in parts of the state.The most important tests and nutrients to focus on this year depend in part on where you are located, the choices you make when applying nitrogen, and your tillage system.The nutrients for which wheat is most likely to show responses statewide are nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Wheat is the most P-responsive crop we grow in Kansas, and while P removal with wheat may be less than with corn or soybeans, the relative yield response is often the highest. Therefore, knowledge of P soil test levels and fertilizer needs will be valuableA standard 0-6 inch surface sample is normally used to test for pH and the non-mobile nutrients such as P and potassium (K). Growers might also want to check for the micronutrient of zinc (Zn). Zinc is not a nutrient commonly found deficient in wheat production. However, it is important for corn and grain sorghum. Thus including it in your sample package would be helpful for planning for these rotation crops.Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important source of nutrients such as N and sulfur (S). When calculating the fertilizer needs for both these nutrients, SOM is taken into consideration. For wheat production, 10 pounds of available N and 2.5 pounds of S are credited for every 1% SOM in the soil.In addition to pH, SOM, P, K, and Zn -- all of which are non-mobile in soils and accumulate in the surface – the mobile nutrients N, S, and chloride can provide significant yield responses when deficient in soils. Since all three of these nutrients are mobile in soils and tend to accumulate in the subsoil, it is strongly recommended to use a 24-inch profile soil sample prior to growing wheat, corn, or grain sorghum.In summary, wheat producers in Kansas should consider soil testing to help in making accurate fertilizer decisions. Accurate decisions are especially important during years with falling grain prices and tight budgets. Furthermore, after variable conditions and yield levels across the state, fertilizer needs may require adjustments based on soil tests. Wheat producers specifically, should use surface 0-6 inch samples to determine the need for lime on low pH soils, P, K, Zn, and soil organic matter. They also should be using 24-inch profile soil tests for N, S, and Cl. Now is the time to get those samples taken, to ensure there will be enough time to consider those test results when planning your fall fertilizer programs.For more information on soil sampling and submitting samples to the K-State Soil Testing Laboratory, visit their website at <a href="https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/outreach-and-services/soil-testing-lab/">http://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/services/soiltesting/ </a>or stop into the Cottonwood District offices in Great Bend and Hays. We have soil sample probes to loan out and can mail off your soil samples and help you with interpreting the results and recommendations.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Planning your wheat fertility program: Start now by soil testing

After the landmark graduation ceremony held in the spring of 1892, area teachers continued to improve their skills through participation in the county teacher organization. Because of its strong educational practices, Ellis played a central role in area-wide educational development.

The 1893, the county organization once again held their meeting in Ellis. Visiting teachers and lecturers lodged in the Union Pacific Railroad Y.M.C.A. building. Inservice topics included pressing matters such as “Language in the primary grades,” “Educational value of the World’s Fair,” “To What extent may current events and literature be introduced in our schools?”, “Teacher’s means of self culture,” The teacher’s opinion of himself. What should it be?” and “The difficulties of grading country schools and how to overcome them.” It’s clear that world or at least national educational standards influenced teacher training in Ellis County.

By 1894, the state superintendent mandated that all teachers must have certificates before they districts could employ them. That year Ellis hired five certified teachers: Professor Jackson, Mrs. Jackson, Miss Gaylord, Miss Stearns, and Miss Kingsley to teach 241 scholars. The board voted to provide an 8-month school funded by a 16 mill levy to pay the bills.

A year later, the mill levy increased to 17 mills and time in class increased to 9 months. In addition, the board voted to “debar” children under six years of age from attendance due to overcrowded conditions. Enrollment in the primary room was 92 students. That teacher clearly had her hands full.

I found no explanation for it, but in 1896 the board voted to lower the tax levy to 9 ½ mills. Staff members included one returning teacher Miss Kingsley and newcomers Miss Andreas, Miss McLeod, Miss Campbell, with J.W. Thompson serving as principal.

The newspaper printed little info regarding schools for the next few years. The high school continued graduating small classes while the town continued to grow. By 1900, citizens circulated a petition to call for an election “for the purpose of voting bonds to the amount of $4,000 with which to build an addition to the school house.” The school had become so overcrowded that one teacher taught 75 -80 pupils. Local citizenry recognized such an atmosphere didn’t benefit the pupil or the teacher.

Unfortunately, a period of political sectionalism that involved original settlers and later arriving European immigrants dominated Ellis elections at that time. The differences became the issue rather than the need for a new school. Due to factional quarreling, the bond issue failed and the school “worried along” for a few more years. The editor of the Review-Headlight called the quarreling parties to task with the statement, “A little less sectionalism and a little more common sense is what Ellis needs.” He then encouraged citizens to reorganize and vote on the bonds again.

Nothing remains the same, and this eight-year time frame certainly supports that life truth. Ellis, like every nearby prairie town, continued changing. Their school reflected the town’s evolution.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692797017875.jpeg" alt="Ellis High School limestone building (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Ellis High School limestone building (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINAfter the landmark graduation ceremony held in the spring of 1892, area teachers continued to improve their skills through participation in the county teacher organization. Because of its strong educational practices, Ellis played a central role in area-wide educational development.The 1893, the county organization once again held their meeting in Ellis. Visiting teachers and lecturers lodged in the Union Pacific Railroad Y.M.C.A. building. Inservice topics included pressing matters such as “Language in the primary grades,” “Educational value of the World’s Fair,” “To What extent may current events and literature be introduced in our schools?”, “Teacher’s means of self culture,” The teacher’s opinion of himself. What should it be?” and “The difficulties of grading country schools and how to overcome them.” It’s clear that world or at least national educational standards influenced teacher training in Ellis County.By 1894, the state superintendent mandated that all teachers must have certificates before they districts could employ them. That year Ellis hired five certified teachers: Professor Jackson, Mrs. Jackson, Miss Gaylord, Miss Stearns, and Miss Kingsley to teach 241 scholars. The board voted to provide an 8-month school funded by a 16 mill levy to pay the bills.A year later, the mill levy increased to 17 mills and time in class increased to 9 months. In addition, the board voted to “debar” children under six years of age from attendance due to overcrowded conditions. Enrollment in the primary room was 92 students. That teacher clearly had her hands full.I found no explanation for it, but in 1896 the board voted to lower the tax levy to 9 ½ mills. Staff members included one returning teacher Miss Kingsley and newcomers Miss Andreas, Miss McLeod, Miss Campbell, with J.W. Thompson serving as principal.The newspaper printed little info regarding schools for the next few years. The high school continued graduating small classes while the town continued to grow. By 1900, citizens circulated a petition to call for an election “for the purpose of voting bonds to the amount of $4,000 with which to build an addition to the school house.” The school had become so overcrowded that one teacher taught 75 -80 pupils. Local citizenry recognized such an atmosphere didn’t benefit the pupil or the teacher.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158626307.png" alt="Karen Madorin&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Unfortunately, a period of political sectionalism that involved original settlers and later arriving European immigrants dominated Ellis elections at that time. The differences became the issue rather than the need for a new school. Due to factional quarreling, the bond issue failed and the school “worried along” for a few more years. The editor of the Review-Headlight called the quarreling parties to task with the statement, “A little less sectionalism and a little more common sense is what Ellis needs.” He then encouraged citizens to reorganize and vote on the bonds again.Nothing remains the same, and this eight-year time frame certainly supports that life truth. Ellis, like every nearby prairie town, continued changing. Their school reflected the town’s evolution.Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.&nbsp;

MADORIN: History of Ellis schools, Part 6

It has been a very challenging summer when it comes to controlling weeds in fallow and wheat stubble fields. With may wheat fields this year having short and thin stands and having very little crop canopy the weeds had very little competition to keep them at bay.

Combine that with a growing list of weeds that are now resistant to several different types of herbicides it makes you wonder if we’ll ever get a handle on effective weed control in these fallow cropping systems.

One weed control strategy that many times gets overlooked, and certainly underutilized, is planting cover crops during the fallow periods of the rotation.

Cover crops provide weed management benefits in several different ways. 

Many small, seeded weed species, like kochia, palmer amaranth and other pigweed species have better germination results when exposed to light. Living cover crops, or the residue that is left after it is terminated, reduces the sunlight reaching the soil surface thus reducing the number of weeds that come up. Cover crops also compete with weeds for moisture, nutrients and sunlight keeping the weeds in a weak, easier to kill condition if they do emerge. Some cover crop species, like rye and some brassicas, control weeds through a process called allelopathy. This is where decaying residue release chemicals that inhibit the germination of weed seeds.

Here are a few strategies to consider when utilizing cover crops for weed suppression in dryland cropping systems.

1. Know what your problem weeds are and get the cover crops well established before those weeds emerge. 

For western Kansas most of the time those weeds are going to be kochia and palmer amaranth. Kochia comes up early in the spring, so to get ahead of it a cover crop needs to be planted as soon as possible after the fall crops are harvested. If there is adequate moisture and enough time to get some decent growth I would plant in the fall. If soil moisture is short and it is getting late in the season, I would delay the planting to early spring.

2. Select species that grow aggressively and shade the ground quickly that provides a mat of biomass on the soil surface once the cover crop is terminated. 

For a late fall or early spring planting cereal grains like rye, triticale, barley, oats, and wheat work well. For a summer mix that is planted after wheat harvest, forage sorghums, sorghum sudans and millets are good species to use. Brassicas like turnips and radishes can also provide a fair amount of biomass before freezing out.

3. Take advantage of the allelopathy effect some species. This process works like using a preemergent herbicide. Once the cover crop is terminated, chemicals are released from the decomposing plant residue that inhibit weeds seeds from germinating. This works well in controlling palmer amaranth when terminating a cereal grain cover crop right around the time it is heading in early to mid-May.

4. Terminate the cover crop early if there is a persistent dry period and the long-term weather forecast is not favorable for adequate moisture to replenish the soil profile. 

The key to making cover crops work in these dryland fallow systems is for the cover crop to utilize the moisture we would lose any way through evaporation, runoff, and transpiration through weeds, but still leave adequate soil moisture for the next cash crop.

5. Always look at the economic side of things and compare your current weed control cost and what it will cost to incorporate cover crops into your system. Herbicide applications can get pricey, and many times don’t work well. Multiple tillage operations can also add up to a substantial amount of money.

Cover crops can help with weed suppression, but they are not a “silver bullet.” They are just another tool in the toolbox, that along with other weed control measures, can help in controlling weeds more effectively.

For more information about this or other soil health practices you can contact me at dale.younker@ks.usda.gov or any local NRCS office.

Dale Younker, is a soil health specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Jetmore.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628525048992.jpeg" alt="Dale Younker,&nbsp;is a soil health specialist with the&nbsp;Natural Resources Conservation Service in Jetmore. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dale Younker,&nbsp;is a soil health specialist with the&nbsp;Natural Resources Conservation Service in Jetmore. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>It has been a very challenging summer when it comes to controlling weeds in fallow and wheat stubble fields. With may wheat fields this year having short and thin stands and having very little crop canopy the weeds had very little competition to keep them at bay.Combine that with a growing list of weeds that are now resistant to several different types of herbicides it makes you wonder if we’ll ever get a handle on effective weed control in these fallow cropping systems.One weed control strategy that many times gets overlooked, and certainly underutilized, is planting cover crops during the fallow periods of the rotation.Cover crops provide weed management benefits in several different ways. Many small, seeded weed species, like kochia, palmer amaranth and other pigweed species have better germination results when exposed to light. Living cover crops, or the residue that is left after it is terminated, reduces the sunlight reaching the soil surface thus reducing the number of weeds that come up. Cover crops also compete with weeds for moisture, nutrients and sunlight keeping the weeds in a weak, easier to kill condition if they do emerge. Some cover crop species, like rye and some brassicas, control weeds through a process called allelopathy. This is where decaying residue release chemicals that inhibit the germination of weed seeds.Here are a few strategies to consider when utilizing cover crops for weed suppression in dryland cropping systems.1. Know what your problem weeds are and get the cover crops well established before those weeds emerge. For western Kansas most of the time those weeds are going to be kochia and palmer amaranth. Kochia comes up early in the spring, so to get ahead of it a cover crop needs to be planted as soon as possible after the fall crops are harvested. If there is adequate moisture and enough time to get some decent growth I would plant in the fall. If soil moisture is short and it is getting late in the season, I would delay the planting to early spring.2. Select species that grow aggressively and shade the ground quickly that provides a mat of biomass on the soil surface once the cover crop is terminated. For a late fall or early spring planting cereal grains like rye, triticale, barley, oats, and wheat work well. For a summer mix that is planted after wheat harvest, forage sorghums, sorghum sudans and millets are good species to use. Brassicas like turnips and radishes can also provide a fair amount of biomass before freezing out.3. Take advantage of the allelopathy effect some species. This process works like using a preemergent herbicide. Once the cover crop is terminated, chemicals are released from the decomposing plant residue that inhibit weeds seeds from germinating. This works well in controlling palmer amaranth when terminating a cereal grain cover crop right around the time it is heading in early to mid-May.4. Terminate the cover crop early if there is a persistent dry period and the long-term weather forecast is not favorable for adequate moisture to replenish the soil profile. The key to making cover crops work in these dryland fallow systems is for the cover crop to utilize the moisture we would lose any way through evaporation, runoff, and transpiration through weeds, but still leave adequate soil moisture for the next cash crop.5. Always look at the economic side of things and compare your current weed control cost and what it will cost to incorporate cover crops into your system. Herbicide applications can get pricey, and many times don’t work well. Multiple tillage operations can also add up to a substantial amount of money.Cover crops can help with weed suppression, but they are not a “silver bullet.” They are just another tool in the toolbox, that along with other weed control measures, can help in controlling weeds more effectively.For more information about this or other soil health practices you can contact me at dale.younker@ks.usda.gov or any local NRCS office.Dale Younker, is a soil health specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Jetmore.&nbsp;

YOUNKER: Using cover crops to manage weeds

As most of you are aware, over the past few years, most small towns around this part of Kansas have become summer homes to magnificent raptors called Mississippi Kites. They arrive in late April to nest and raise young, then in late October they head to South America for the winter. 

They are marvelous aerialists, and are mesmerizing to watch as they effortlessly glide and navigate the Kansas winds. They feed mostly on insects, and find a real bonanza here when cicadas first appear. Their call is a high-pitched whistle that is very disguisable and common now during mid to late summer.

On Saturday morning two weeks ago, there seemed to be more “kite whistling” going on than usual, and as I walked around the front of our house in preparation for mowing the lawn, I saw why - a very immature Mississippi Kite chick was standing in the lawn along the house. Evidently having tumbled from a hidden nest we were not aware of, the youngster stood there whistling desperately for its parents. I managed to pick it up without getting pecked or clawed and deposited the youngster in the flower bed out-of-the way. A later check found a half-eaten cicada at its feet, telling us its parents were aware of its plight. Later in the day, as the sun became scorching, we moved it again to a corner in front of the house where the sun never directly shines. A small stack of large clay flower pots was laid on their side and turned around and pushed towards the corner, pretty much hiding the little guy from marauding neighborhood cats and a red fox that hunts our end of town, and giving it a place to crawl into at night and out of the weather, which it made good use of. 

Having no idea of its gender, we named it “Kyle the Kite.” 

We spoke to the wildlife rehab people at the Hutchinson Zoo, who told us we were handling the situation correctly by not intervening and by allowing the parents to care for it. They also assured us the chick would indeed be able to fledge from there and fly from the ground, but also warned us that kites are notoriously slow learners and it could take two weeks or more for the chick to figure things out.

A big picture window in the front of our home faces west, overlooking two big oak trees in the front lawn. Kyle’s temporary “digs” were just around the corner out-of-sight, but we could see its parents constantly coming and going all day, every day, continuously bring snacks. We put a trail camera on one tree and got some&nbsp;nice pictures of an adult bringing food, and of Kyle strutting and exercising its wings. Joyce checked on Kyle most evenings at dusk, always finding it snoozing in its flower pot shelter.

Fast forward to last Thursday morning. Joyce left early to swim at the YMCA, and when I checked on Kyle a little later, it was nowhere to be found. When Joyce got home, she told me Kyle was standing at the edge of the flower garden when she left, looking all proud and grownup, with lots of new feathers and all, and she just had the feeling today was the day Kyle would take to the air and we would never see it again. Later that day, we observed a mature kite coming and going from one tree in the front yard, and sure enough, there sat Kyle peering down from the branches above, now being cared for where he belonged.

We recently lost a good church friend to cancer; Kyle was his name also. Kyle spent his entire life in a wheelchair, in a body with numerous problems, but when our Savior Jesus took him home, just like Kyle the Kite, he flew away in a new body that finally worked. 

Steve can be contacted by email at 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>As most of you are aware, over the past few years, most small towns around this part of Kansas have become summer homes to magnificent raptors called Mississippi Kites. They arrive in late April to nest and raise young, then in late October they head to South America for the winter. They are marvelous aerialists, and are mesmerizing to watch as they effortlessly glide and navigate the Kansas winds. They feed mostly on insects, and find a real bonanza here when cicadas first appear. Their call is a high-pitched whistle that is very disguisable and common now during mid to late summer.On Saturday morning two weeks ago, there seemed to be more “kite whistling” going on than usual, and as I walked around the front of our house in preparation for mowing the lawn, I saw why - a very immature Mississippi Kite chick was standing in the lawn along the house. Evidently having tumbled from a hidden nest we were not aware of, the youngster stood there whistling desperately for its parents. I managed to pick it up without getting pecked or clawed and deposited the youngster in the flower bed out-of-the way. A later check found a half-eaten cicada at its feet, telling us its parents were aware of its plight. Later in the day, as the sun became scorching, we moved it again to a corner in front of the house where the sun never directly shines. A small stack of large clay flower pots was laid on their side and turned around and pushed towards the corner, pretty much hiding the little guy from marauding neighborhood cats and a red fox that hunts our end of town, and giving it a place to crawl into at night and out of the weather, which it made good use of. Having no idea of its gender, we named it “Kyle the Kite.” We spoke to the wildlife rehab people at the Hutchinson Zoo, who told us we were handling the situation correctly by not intervening and by allowing the parents to care for it. They also assured us the chick would indeed be able to fledge from there and fly from the ground, but also warned us that kites are notoriously slow learners and it could take two weeks or more for the chick to figure things out.A big picture window in the front of our home faces west, overlooking two big oak trees in the front lawn. Kyle’s temporary “digs” were just around the corner out-of-sight, but we could see its parents constantly coming and going all day, every day, continuously bring snacks. We put a trail camera on one tree and got some&nbsp;nice pictures of an adult bringing food, and of Kyle strutting and exercising its wings. Joyce checked on Kyle most evenings at dusk, always finding it snoozing in its flower pot shelter.Fast forward to last Thursday morning. Joyce left early to swim at the YMCA, and when I checked on Kyle a little later, it was nowhere to be found. When Joyce got home, she told me Kyle was standing at the edge of the flower garden when she left, looking all proud and grownup, with lots of new feathers and all, and she just had the feeling today was the day Kyle would take to the air and we would never see it again. Later that day, we observed a mature kite coming and going from one tree in the front yard, and sure enough, there sat Kyle peering down from the branches above, now being cared for where he belonged.We recently lost a good church friend to cancer; Kyle was his name also. Kyle spent his entire life in a wheelchair, in a body with numerous problems, but when our Savior Jesus took him home, just like Kyle the Kite, he flew away in a new body that finally worked. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Kyle the Kite

Pre-emergence herbicides with residual activity are an important component of high-yielding cropping systems. They are used less frequently in wheat production compared to other cropping systems in Kansas, but residual herbicides applied prior to wheat emergence can be part of a good weed management system in wheat production.

Most residual herbicides labeled for pre-emergence application in wheat are Group 2 (ALS-inhibiting) herbicides, which are associated with herbicide-resistant populations of kochia, marestail (horseweed), bushy wallflower, flixweed, henbit, and brome species in Kansas. Products in Groups 14 (the PPO-inhibiting herbicides) and 15 (the long-chain fatty acid-inhibiting herbicides) are also labeled; however, they are generally more dependent on rainfall for activation than the Group 2 herbicides.

Herbicides without residual activity may be applied with or without residual herbicides in the weeks prior to planting wheat. Older products include the Group 2 herbicides Amber, Olympus, and Pre-Pare, as well as Group 4 (plant growth regulating) herbicides like 2,4-D, dicamba, or fluroxypyr. It is especially important to know planting interval restrictions for Group 4 herbicides, which range from 10 to 45 days.

When selecting pre-emergence herbicides for use in wheat production, keep in mind that many of these products are also labeled for use in emerged wheat. Unless using a planned split application, avoid repeated use of products from the same herbicide group to slow the development of herbicide-resistant weed populations in your fields.

To see a handy table that list the selected herbicides for pre-emergence or pre-plant applications in winter wheat. Which shows the herbicide group, application timing and comments/tips on application, go to our web site&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu/" target="_blank">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;click onto the Crops and Livestock tab and look under hot topics.

Field bindweed can be difficult to control

Field bindweed is a particularly troublesome weed to control. 

In a 12-year experiment conducted at the Agricultural Research Center - Hays, field bindweed reduced wheat yield by 2 to 50%. Management of this weed during wheat establishment is important because field bindweed continues to grow until temperatures drop below 20°F.

The herbicides most commonly recommended for field bindweed control include various formulations of 2,4-D, dicamba, and glyphosate. Dicamba tends to provide greater control for fall applications compared to 2,4-D or glyphosate, especially if plants are drought-stressed. 

Another commonly used product is Facet (quinclorac). It is most effective when applied just before the first killing frost. Other herbicides that are labeled for fall application to control or suppress field bindweed in wheat include Affinity, Aim, and Cimarron.

A single herbicide application will not achieve satisfactory control of field bindweed. It will take multiple years of herbicide applications to deplete the energy stored in the root system and control an established infestation.

For additional information, see the “<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/Item.aspx?catId=236&amp;pubId=19360">2023 Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, and Noncropland</a>” guide available online, or check with your local K-State Research and Extension office for a paper copy.

The use of trade names is for clarity to readers and does not imply endorsement of a particular product, nor does exclusion imply non-approval. 

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

Stacy Campbell is a crop production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension.&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>Pre-emergence herbicides with residual activity are an important component of high-yielding cropping systems. They are used less frequently in wheat production compared to other cropping systems in Kansas, but residual herbicides applied prior to wheat emergence can be part of a good weed management system in wheat production.Most residual herbicides labeled for pre-emergence application in wheat are Group 2 (ALS-inhibiting) herbicides, which are associated with herbicide-resistant populations of kochia, marestail (horseweed), bushy wallflower, flixweed, henbit, and brome species in Kansas. Products in Groups 14 (the PPO-inhibiting herbicides) and 15 (the long-chain fatty acid-inhibiting herbicides) are also labeled; however, they are generally more dependent on rainfall for activation than the Group 2 herbicides.Herbicides without residual activity may be applied with or without residual herbicides in the weeks prior to planting wheat. Older products include the Group 2 herbicides Amber, Olympus, and Pre-Pare, as well as Group 4 (plant growth regulating) herbicides like 2,4-D, dicamba, or fluroxypyr. It is especially important to know planting interval restrictions for Group 4 herbicides, which range from 10 to 45 days.When selecting pre-emergence herbicides for use in wheat production, keep in mind that many of these products are also labeled for use in emerged wheat. Unless using a planned split application, avoid repeated use of products from the same herbicide group to slow the development of herbicide-resistant weed populations in your fields.To see a handy table that list the selected herbicides for pre-emergence or pre-plant applications in winter wheat. Which shows the herbicide group, application timing and comments/tips on application, go to our web site&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu/" target="_blank">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;click onto the Crops and Livestock tab and look under hot topics.Field bindweed can be difficult to controlField bindweed is a particularly troublesome weed to control. In a 12-year experiment conducted at the Agricultural Research Center - Hays, field bindweed reduced wheat yield by 2 to 50%. Management of this weed during wheat establishment is important because field bindweed continues to grow until temperatures drop below 20°F.The herbicides most commonly recommended for field bindweed control include various formulations of 2,4-D, dicamba, and glyphosate. Dicamba tends to provide greater control for fall applications compared to 2,4-D or glyphosate, especially if plants are drought-stressed. Another commonly used product is Facet (quinclorac). It is most effective when applied just before the first killing frost. Other herbicides that are labeled for fall application to control or suppress field bindweed in wheat include Affinity, Aim, and Cimarron.A single herbicide application will not achieve satisfactory control of field bindweed. It will take multiple years of herbicide applications to deplete the energy stored in the root system and control an established infestation.For additional information, see the “<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/Item.aspx?catId=236&amp;pubId=19360">2023 Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, and Noncropland</a>” guide available online, or check with your local K-State Research and Extension office for a paper copy.The use of trade names is for clarity to readers and does not imply endorsement of a particular product, nor does exclusion imply non-approval. Always consult the herbicide label for the most current use requirements.Stacy Campbell is a crop production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension.&nbsp;

CAMPBELL: Pre-emergence herbicides in wheat

The body and mind are connected in ways we don’t even realize. Neural transmitters and hormones are just a couple of examples of how the brain and body communicate with each other. 

What we do with our physical bodies such as exercise impacts our mental state. On the other hand, our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes can affect our biological functioning! It is amazing how the mind and body work together, and the connection between physical and mental health is intertwined closer than we realize.

We all know that a sedentary lifestyle is bad for physical health, but mental health also suffers when we don’t get as much movement as needed. In fact, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem are more prevalent in those who have sedentary lifestyles. 

Movement and muscle-strengthening activities release endorphins that boost energy levels and mood for immediate results. In the long term, exercise habits build strong bones and muscles, but it also builds neural pathways that allow for a strong mind. This improved connection boosts our functionality, positivity, and sense of happiness.

One of the most overlooked forms of exercise, dancing, enhances the brain-body connection and improves emotional awareness. When we dance, rigid emotional patterns are broken, allowing us to find new thought processes. This helps creative juices to get flowing, and it breaks negative thought cycles in our minds. So, this is your cue to take a dance break! You might just be surprised by how refreshing it is.

Whatever your choice of movement is, be encouraged knowing that it has the opportunity to improve your physical well-being, and boost your mental state in return!

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. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The body and mind are connected in ways we don’t even realize. Neural transmitters and hormones are just a couple of examples of how the brain and body communicate with each other. What we do with our physical bodies such as exercise impacts our mental state. On the other hand, our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes can affect our biological functioning! It is amazing how the mind and body work together, and the connection between physical and mental health is intertwined closer than we realize.We all know that a sedentary lifestyle is bad for physical health, but mental health also suffers when we don’t get as much movement as needed. In fact, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem are more prevalent in those who have sedentary lifestyles. Movement and muscle-strengthening activities release endorphins that boost energy levels and mood for immediate results. In the long term, exercise habits build strong bones and muscles, but it also builds neural pathways that allow for a strong mind. This improved connection boosts our functionality, positivity, and sense of happiness.One of the most overlooked forms of exercise, dancing, enhances the brain-body connection and improves emotional awareness. When we dance, rigid emotional patterns are broken, allowing us to find new thought processes. This helps creative juices to get flowing, and it breaks negative thought cycles in our minds. So, this is your cue to take a dance break! You might just be surprised by how refreshing it is.Whatever your choice of movement is, be encouraged knowing that it has the opportunity to improve your physical well-being, and boost your mental state in return!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: The mind and movement connection

Leading the student government this year is a remarkable student with deep family roots at Fort Hays State University – Ella Burrows. Ella hails from Satanta, a quaint town in southwest Kansas with a population of 1,000.

Ella is a fourth-generation Tiger, with her great Aunt Mabel Lacey being an esteemed faculty member at FHSU in the 1920s. Her grandfather, Bob Meier, also taught at FHSU for more than four decades, and her parents and grandparents graduated from FHSU. Ella’s family has a long-standing connection with FHSU, with her grandparents and parents meeting at the university. It’s a special place for Ella and her family.

The students on our campus hail from diverse backgrounds, each with unique stories, hopes, and dreams. From the very first day, our faculty and staff invest in each student, taking the time to make individual connections, instill confidence, and nurture them toward success. For Ella, that person is a political science faculty member, Wendy Rohleder-Sook.

“Professor Rohleder-Sook and I share similar backgrounds. She has been an exemplary role model for me at FHSU,” Ella said. “Thanks to FHSU’s small class sizes, I have enjoyed getting to know Professor Rohleder-Sook and several other faculty members with whom I share a close bond.”

When asked why she chose Fort Hays State, Ella speaks of her family tradition and the university’s affordability. She felt at home when she stepped on campus and knew this was where she wanted to be. She was also impressed by the incredible scholarships provided by the university, allowing her to graduate debt-free before taking on law school loans.

Ella dreams of a future where she can do educational policy work as a university general counsel or lobbyist. She is beginning her junior year as a political science major. She has also included certificates in legal studies and community development as elements in her academic experience. Ella’s studies in community development have been helpful as she leads the Student Government Association, empowering FHSU students to use their voices and be active and engaged members of their community.

Ella’s SGA presidential goals for 23-24 center on empowering students under a theme of sustainability and campus projects like recycling and The Green Event. The latter is an event that is organized in an environmentally friendly manner, taking into consideration the impact on the environment and minimizing waste. She also plans to make programming on campus more accessible and student-centered by reaching out to diverse groups, addressing student concerns, and engaging the entire community.

“I ran for SGA president to empower FHSU students to use their voices and be active and engaged community members,” Ella said. “I am incredibly passionate about FHSU and higher education. I saw this role as an opportunity to give back to the university that means so much to me and my family!”

Reflecting on the past year, Ella expresses that a moment of pride was ensuring there would be no increase to student fees for the current academic year.

“As a strong advocate for affordability, it was a moment of immense pride to navigate the fee process and present the proposal to the Fiscal Affairs Committee of the Kansas Board of Regents.”

In addition, she had the privilege to join the Fort Hays State University Government Relations team in Washington, D.C., where our delegation had the opportunity to meet with legislators and share the remarkable impact of our beloved university.

Ella is very engaged on campus. She is a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority, the Honors College, VIP Ambassadors, Young Democrats, and Pi Sigma Alpha. Pi Sigma Alpha is a national political science honor society that recognizes outstanding academic achievement in political science.

This past spring, Ella was selected as a Newman Fellow. This program recognizes and supports community-committed students who are changemakers and public problem-solvers at Campus Compact member institutions. The fellowship provides training and resources that nurture students’ talents and passions to help them develop strategies to achieve social change.

To become a Newman Civic Fellow, a student must be nominated by their college or university president or chancellor. The nomination process typically occurs in the fall, and selected fellows are announced in the spring. The fellowship is open to students from Campus Compact member institutions committed to civic engagement, social justice, and solving community problems. 

Key areas of Ella’s focus as SGA President and a Newman Fellow include developing voter registration drives, student voting initiatives, and civic engagement surveys.

Ella will travel to Boston for a Campus Compact conference in October. She plans to bring back civic engagement opportunities and ideas for Tiger Nation.

I have enjoyed getting to know Ella this past year. She brings a lot of Tiger pride, compassion, and energy to this vital leadership role. I look forward to an outstanding year as Ella and I work alongside our faculty, staff, and students to create memories, prepare students for their futures, and improve their lives.

Tisa Mason is president of Fort Hays State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Tisa Mason, FHSU president. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Tisa Mason, FHSU president. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Leading the student government this year is a remarkable student with deep family roots at Fort Hays State University – Ella Burrows. Ella hails from Satanta, a quaint town in southwest Kansas with a population of 1,000.Ella is a fourth-generation Tiger, with her great Aunt Mabel Lacey being an esteemed faculty member at FHSU in the 1920s. Her grandfather, Bob Meier, also taught at FHSU for more than four decades, and her parents and grandparents graduated from FHSU. Ella’s family has a long-standing connection with FHSU, with her grandparents and parents meeting at the university. It’s a special place for Ella and her family.The students on our campus hail from diverse backgrounds, each with unique stories, hopes, and dreams. From the very first day, our faculty and staff invest in each student, taking the time to make individual connections, instill confidence, and nurture them toward success. For Ella, that person is a political science faculty member, Wendy Rohleder-Sook.“Professor Rohleder-Sook and I share similar backgrounds. She has been an exemplary role model for me at FHSU,” Ella said. “Thanks to FHSU’s small class sizes, I have enjoyed getting to know Professor Rohleder-Sook and several other faculty members with whom I share a close bond.”When asked why she chose Fort Hays State, Ella speaks of her family tradition and the university’s affordability. She felt at home when she stepped on campus and knew this was where she wanted to be. She was also impressed by the incredible scholarships provided by the university, allowing her to graduate debt-free before taking on law school loans.Ella dreams of a future where she can do educational policy work as a university general counsel or lobbyist. She is beginning her junior year as a political science major. She has also included certificates in legal studies and community development as elements in her academic experience. Ella’s studies in community development have been helpful as she leads the Student Government Association, empowering FHSU students to use their voices and be active and engaged members of their community.Ella’s SGA presidential goals for 23-24 center on empowering students under a theme of sustainability and campus projects like recycling and The Green Event. The latter is an event that is organized in an environmentally friendly manner, taking into consideration the impact on the environment and minimizing waste. She also plans to make programming on campus more accessible and student-centered by reaching out to diverse groups, addressing student concerns, and engaging the entire community.“I ran for SGA president to empower FHSU students to use their voices and be active and engaged community members,” Ella said. “I am incredibly passionate about FHSU and higher education. I saw this role as an opportunity to give back to the university that means so much to me and my family!”Reflecting on the past year, Ella expresses that a moment of pride was ensuring there would be no increase to student fees for the current academic year.“As a strong advocate for affordability, it was a moment of immense pride to navigate the fee process and present the proposal to the Fiscal Affairs Committee of the Kansas Board of Regents.”In addition, she had the privilege to join the Fort Hays State University Government Relations team in Washington, D.C., where our delegation had the opportunity to meet with legislators and share the remarkable impact of our beloved university.Ella is very engaged on campus. She is a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority, the Honors College, VIP Ambassadors, Young Democrats, and Pi Sigma Alpha. Pi Sigma Alpha is a national political science honor society that recognizes outstanding academic achievement in political science.This past spring, Ella was selected as a Newman Fellow. This program recognizes and supports community-committed students who are changemakers and public problem-solvers at Campus Compact member institutions. The fellowship provides training and resources that nurture students’ talents and passions to help them develop strategies to achieve social change.To become a Newman Civic Fellow, a student must be nominated by their college or university president or chancellor. The nomination process typically occurs in the fall, and selected fellows are announced in the spring. The fellowship is open to students from Campus Compact member institutions committed to civic engagement, social justice, and solving community problems. Key areas of Ella’s focus as SGA President and a Newman Fellow include developing voter registration drives, student voting initiatives, and civic engagement surveys.Ella will travel to Boston for a Campus Compact conference in October. She plans to bring back civic engagement opportunities and ideas for Tiger Nation.I have enjoyed getting to know Ella this past year. She brings a lot of Tiger pride, compassion, and energy to this vital leadership role. I look forward to an outstanding year as Ella and I work alongside our faculty, staff, and students to create memories, prepare students for their futures, and improve their lives.Tisa Mason is president of Fort Hays State University.

Heart of a Tiger: Family ties to FHSU run deep in rural Kansas

Various tensions—urban vs. rural, national vs. local—haunt almost every discussion about environmental policy in the United States. Recent efforts by some Kansas educational institutions reflect a path beyond those tensions, efforts that are long overdue.

To start, environmental concerns—extreme weather, soil depletion, oil extraction costs, and more—affect the lives of country people far more immediately than they do those of city-dwellers. Farmers and ranchers worried about the shrinking Ogallala Aquifer, rural Kansans hoping solar power can free them from urban-centered electric grids: these and others confront the need for better environmental policies every day.

Yet resistance to environmental policies is strongest in the mostly conservative, emptier parts of the country, with hardly a week going by without&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dion-lefler/article278134417.html" target="_blank">another story of rural folk responding with frustration</a>&nbsp;to even small-scale efforts to create more sustainable food or work or energy alternatives.

This is partly because the political push for sustainability in America often begins in urban centers far away from the de-populating heartland. “Environmentalism” thus becomes associated with national government programs promoted by Democratic voters in big, diverse cities far from the country, when in practice the most effective environmental policies have always been those that can be adapted to regional natural conditions by long-time, on-the-ground residents.

Nationally, the harms caused by invasive species, climate change, oil dependency, and more are so large that many believe better environmental approaches must be forced down the throats of rural residents. And many conservative leaders have scare-mongered this prospect for decades, treating efforts to make the American way of life more sustainable as evil conspiracies, winning votes from rural America even as they suffer the most from these problems.

What is needed is for civic institutions and political bodies in the “middle” to connect the more homogenous residents of America’s least crowded places with environmentally-attuned resources and expertise, enabling them move towards policy adaptations on a scale that reflects both local priorities and the global seriousness of the problem.

For example, local groundwater districts in Kansas have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/2023-04-04/with-the-ogallala-aquifer-drying-up-kansas-ponders-limits-to-irrigation" target="_blank">recently been legally empowered</a>&nbsp;to incentivize farmers to develop on their own more aggressive water conservation plans.

This is what “middling” organizations can do—directly engage with local communities, and thereby build bridges between broader perspectives on environment imperatives on the one hand, and local factions which have specific, practical interests in it on the other.

In Salina, Kansas Wesleyan has launched a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwu.edu/crh/" target="_blank">Community Resilience Hub</a>, joining with the Kansas Rural Center to focus on regenerative agricultural practices and work with local farmers along I-135 to build a more climate-resilient food corridor.

In Wichita, both Friends and Newman Universities have launched programs—in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.friends.edu/undergraduate/science-technology-engineering-mathematics/conservation-science/" target="_blank">Conservation Science</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://newmanu.edu/academics/undergraduate/agribusiness" target="_blank">Agribusiness</a>, respectively—which include the aim of linking environmental ethics and sustainability with the business of tending to and working on the natural world, teaching students more about the local ecosystems they are part of.

And Wichita State University has established a&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandej.org/" target="_blank">Heartland Environmental Justice Center</a>, dedicated to helping poorer communities (particularly Black and Native ones) throughout the region make use of sustainable development practices, and seek compensation for how past national efforts to address environmental problems often passed them by. Since many of these communities have long seen “environmentalism” as reflecting of the interests of White tourists rather than the needs of local residents, this is necessary, restorative work.

Overcoming resistance to better environmental policies throughout Kansas will not be an easy effort. But building upon these local and regional connecting initiatives will likely go farther in resolving tensions than most.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586443443315.jpeg" alt="Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.&nbsp;Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.&nbsp;Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Various tensions—urban vs. rural, national vs. local—haunt almost every discussion about environmental policy in the United States. Recent efforts by some Kansas educational institutions reflect a path beyond those tensions, efforts that are long overdue.To start, environmental concerns—extreme weather, soil depletion, oil extraction costs, and more—affect the lives of country people far more immediately than they do those of city-dwellers. Farmers and ranchers worried about the shrinking Ogallala Aquifer, rural Kansans hoping solar power can free them from urban-centered electric grids: these and others confront the need for better environmental policies every day.Yet resistance to environmental policies is strongest in the mostly conservative, emptier parts of the country, with hardly a week going by without&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dion-lefler/article278134417.html" target="_blank">another story of rural folk responding with frustration</a>&nbsp;to even small-scale efforts to create more sustainable food or work or energy alternatives.This is partly because the political push for sustainability in America often begins in urban centers far away from the de-populating heartland. “Environmentalism” thus becomes associated with national government programs promoted by Democratic voters in big, diverse cities far from the country, when in practice the most effective environmental policies have always been those that can be adapted to regional natural conditions by long-time, on-the-ground residents.Nationally, the harms caused by invasive species, climate change, oil dependency, and more are so large that many believe better environmental approaches must be forced down the throats of rural residents. And many conservative leaders have scare-mongered this prospect for decades, treating efforts to make the American way of life more sustainable as evil conspiracies, winning votes from rural America even as they suffer the most from these problems.What is needed is for civic institutions and political bodies in the “middle” to connect the more homogenous residents of America’s least crowded places with environmentally-attuned resources and expertise, enabling them move towards policy adaptations on a scale that reflects both local priorities and the global seriousness of the problem.For example, local groundwater districts in Kansas have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/2023-04-04/with-the-ogallala-aquifer-drying-up-kansas-ponders-limits-to-irrigation" target="_blank">recently been legally empowered</a>&nbsp;to incentivize farmers to develop on their own more aggressive water conservation plans. This is what “middling” organizations can do—directly engage with local communities, and thereby build bridges between broader perspectives on environment imperatives on the one hand, and local factions which have specific, practical interests in it on the other.In Salina, Kansas Wesleyan has launched a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwu.edu/crh/" target="_blank">Community Resilience Hub</a>, joining with the Kansas Rural Center to focus on regenerative agricultural practices and work with local farmers along I-135 to build a more climate-resilient food corridor. In Wichita, both Friends and Newman Universities have launched programs—in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.friends.edu/undergraduate/science-technology-engineering-mathematics/conservation-science/" target="_blank">Conservation Science</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://newmanu.edu/academics/undergraduate/agribusiness" target="_blank">Agribusiness</a>, respectively—which include the aim of linking environmental ethics and sustainability with the business of tending to and working on the natural world, teaching students more about the local ecosystems they are part of.And Wichita State University has established a&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandej.org/" target="_blank">Heartland Environmental Justice Center</a>, dedicated to helping poorer communities (particularly Black and Native ones) throughout the region make use of sustainable development practices, and seek compensation for how past national efforts to address environmental problems often passed them by. Since many of these communities have long seen “environmentalism” as reflecting of the interests of White tourists rather than the needs of local residents, this is necessary, restorative work.Overcoming resistance to better environmental policies throughout Kansas will not be an easy effort. But building upon these local and regional connecting initiatives will likely go farther in resolving tensions than most.Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.

INSIGHT KANSAS: A 'middling' approach to better environmental policies in Kansas

More than 37 million adults in the United States have diabetes, and those who suffer from the disease know that it can be difficult to manage. If you’re one who battles diabetes, you have probably run into multiple roadblocks along the way. Maybe you consistently monitor your glucose, eat correctly, and exercise, yet still struggle with blood sugar control. 

Experiencing these frequent problems can interfere with daily living, impact mental health, and even lead to hospitalization or death. Learning how to manage diabetes is a continual process and unexpected barriers will arise on the journey. 

So, what do you do when doing all the right things doesn’t work?

Examine your daily routine. Keeping a journal of your habits may reveal the source of many blood sugar issues. A journal allows you to see patterns among the variables of your daily life such as blood sugar levels, types of foods, meal timing, mood, medications, and exercise.

Understanding the patterns of your glucose levels is a key reason to keep a diabetes journal. Being consistent is necessary, difficult, yet rewarding. For example, if you realize that nighttime episodes of hypoglycemia regularly occur when you are more active throughout the day, you might need to increase your intake to refuel and reduce the risk of your blood sugar plummeting at night.

A healthy diet is an essential part of diabetes management, but it can be difficult to remember what foods you eat. By consistently tracking your meals and snacks, you can identify foods that may spike your glucose levels. Over time, you may be surprised to see that certain foods have a greater (or less) impact on your blood sugar than you thought!

Mental health can be greatly affected by diabetes, and your mood may seem to be on a constant rollercoaster due to rapid blood sugar changes. Since mood can be an indication of glucose spikes and drops, it’s a good idea to take note of how you feel. This awareness can help you build a stronger connection between your mind, body, and diabetes management strategy.

When diagnosed with diabetes, medications are often prescribed. This addition can make a big impact on your daily routine. By keeping a record of medication, doses, and timing, you may be able to control glucose levels better. This also allows you to be aware of side effects or changes in symptoms so you can work with your doctor to make any necessary changes.

Regular exercise can play a major role in fluctuating glucose levels, and it has the ability to help you keep your diabetes in check. Keeping a log of your exercise routine can help you find the types of physical activity that help you feel your best and stay motivated to meet your fitness goals!

The recurring theme of a diabetes journal is awareness. Writing down your lifestyle habits gives you the opportunity to reflect on your daily routine with diabetes. It gives insight into your symptoms, and it allows you to identify habits that improve well-being and others that have a negative impact on health. 

Keeping a diabetes journal may be a big commitment, but it can help you solve many problems related to managing the disease.

Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District.

<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. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>More than 37 million adults in the United States have diabetes, and those who suffer from the disease know that it can be difficult to manage. If you’re one who battles diabetes, you have probably run into multiple roadblocks along the way. Maybe you consistently monitor your glucose, eat correctly, and exercise, yet still struggle with blood sugar control. Experiencing these frequent problems can interfere with daily living, impact mental health, and even lead to hospitalization or death. Learning how to manage diabetes is a continual process and unexpected barriers will arise on the journey. So, what do you do when doing all the right things doesn’t work?Examine your daily routine. Keeping a journal of your habits may reveal the source of many blood sugar issues. A journal allows you to see patterns among the variables of your daily life such as blood sugar levels, types of foods, meal timing, mood, medications, and exercise.Blood SugarUnderstanding the patterns of your glucose levels is a key reason to keep a diabetes journal. Being consistent is necessary, difficult, yet rewarding. For example, if you realize that nighttime episodes of hypoglycemia regularly occur when you are more active throughout the day, you might need to increase your intake to refuel and reduce the risk of your blood sugar plummeting at night.Types of FoodsA healthy diet is an essential part of diabetes management, but it can be difficult to remember what foods you eat. By consistently tracking your meals and snacks, you can identify foods that may spike your glucose levels. Over time, you may be surprised to see that certain foods have a greater (or less) impact on your blood sugar than you thought!MoodMental health can be greatly affected by diabetes, and your mood may seem to be on a constant rollercoaster due to rapid blood sugar changes. Since mood can be an indication of glucose spikes and drops, it’s a good idea to take note of how you feel. This awareness can help you build a stronger connection between your mind, body, and diabetes management strategy.MedicationsWhen diagnosed with diabetes, medications are often prescribed. This addition can make a big impact on your daily routine. By keeping a record of medication, doses, and timing, you may be able to control glucose levels better. This also allows you to be aware of side effects or changes in symptoms so you can work with your doctor to make any necessary changes.ExerciseRegular exercise can play a major role in fluctuating glucose levels, and it has the ability to help you keep your diabetes in check. Keeping a log of your exercise routine can help you find the types of physical activity that help you feel your best and stay motivated to meet your fitness goals!The recurring theme of a diabetes journal is awareness. Writing down your lifestyle habits gives you the opportunity to reflect on your daily routine with diabetes. It gives insight into your symptoms, and it allows you to identify habits that improve well-being and others that have a negative impact on health. Keeping a diabetes journal may be a big commitment, but it can help you solve many problems related to managing the disease.Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District.

WINKEL: How to problem solve diabetes management

Canning produce correctly is essential to safe food preservation, and according to Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee, two key ingredients to make many canned or pickled foods safe are bottled lemon juice and vinegar.

“Bottled lemon juice is standardized, or uniformly acidified, per U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations,” Blakeslee said. “Therefore, it is consistent, which provides a known level of safety for food preservation.”

The acidity of the product is important to prevent the growth of microorganisms that can cause spoilage or foodborne illness. 

Fresh lemons have an inconsistent acid, or pH, level. This can vary within the same variety of lemons but also vary due to maturity, growing conditions, soil, fertilizer, rootstock, and storage conditions.

Researched and tested recipes have been created and evaluated to achieve the safest food product in the end.

“Taking shortcuts in food preservation can lead to spoiled food, foodborne illness, and in rare cases, death,” Blakeslee warned.

If using vinegar, the first step is to read the label. Look for vinegar that is 5% acidity, but not all vinegar is the same. They range from 2.5% to more than 6% acidity. If it is not 5%, it could lead to improperly acidified foods and unsafe foods after processing.

“Do not use any vinegar labeled for cleaning purposes as they may contain other ingredients that are not safe to consume,” Blakeslee said.

Blakeslee publishes a monthly newsletter called You Asked It! that provides numerous tips on food safety. More information is also available from the Cottonwood Extension offices in Great Bend and Hays.

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

<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.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Canning produce correctly is essential to safe food preservation, and according to Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee, two key ingredients to make many canned or pickled foods safe are bottled lemon juice and vinegar.“Bottled lemon juice is standardized, or uniformly acidified, per U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations,” Blakeslee said. “Therefore, it is consistent, which provides a known level of safety for food preservation.”The acidity of the product is important to prevent the growth of microorganisms that can cause spoilage or foodborne illness. Fresh lemons have an inconsistent acid, or pH, level. This can vary within the same variety of lemons but also vary due to maturity, growing conditions, soil, fertilizer, rootstock, and storage conditions.Researched and tested recipes have been created and evaluated to achieve the safest food product in the end.“Taking shortcuts in food preservation can lead to spoiled food, foodborne illness, and in rare cases, death,” Blakeslee warned.If using vinegar, the first step is to read the label. Look for vinegar that is 5% acidity, but not all vinegar is the same. They range from 2.5% to more than 6% acidity. If it is not 5%, it could lead to improperly acidified foods and unsafe foods after processing.“Do not use any vinegar labeled for cleaning purposes as they may contain other ingredients that are not safe to consume,” Blakeslee said.Blakeslee publishes a monthly newsletter called You Asked It! that provides numerous tips on food safety. More information is also available from the Cottonwood Extension offices in Great Bend and Hays.Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu. K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

WINKEL: Canning safety tips: Lemon juice and vinegar

Today I drove through the McPherson Valley Wetlands to see if the waterlilies were blooming, or if there was even any water to support them. Evidently there is just enough water for a few of them to grow and bloom, because some of their large yellow flowers dotted what otherwise appeared to be a sea of green weeds.

 I remember several years ago clambering up over the dike of one pond to be greeted by what looked like something from an exotic Chinese water garden. I’ve always called them water lilies, but the Public Lands Manager for the Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks who manages the entire McPherson Valley Wetlands system tells me their proper name is American Lotus, and says they are, in fact, native to Kansas. 

That reminded me of Pepé Le Pew the skunk from cartoons of my generation. Pepé fancied himself a ladies’ man, and his famous pickup line was “Ah, my little lotus flower.”

The year I first discovered them was a wet year, and they filled the shallow waters in the corners of the pond like a mat of immense green leaves dotted with bold, pale, yellowish-white flowers the size of cereal bowls. Most of the time these plants are shown with their enormous leaves floating on the water, but here where the water was shallow they actually rise above the water’s surface. Most of the leaves on these plants were about a foot wide, give or take, and the flowers that were fully opened measured six inches across. Leaves on older American Lotus plants can reach 24 inches in diameter. 

An interesting phenomenon is that American Lotus leaves never get wet; water forms a droplet on them and just runs off.

Each flower has a bright, yellow, round center resembling a little double-layer cake. When the flower dies, that center swells into a seed pod three or four inches wide resembling a wasp nest with several individual seed compartments that each contain a single marble-sized seed. As it further dries the seed pod droops toward the water and the seeds eventually spill out and lay on the bottom of the pond. The seeds can lay dormant in the mud for several years before germinating, which occurs when the hard outer shell softens. The plants grow from tuberous roots called rhizomes which can become up to 50-feet long and can have dozens of plants growing from them. 

American Lotus plants will grow in the still water of any pond, lake or stream that is shallower than three feet.

Waterfowl and other wildlife will eat the seeds and tubers if they can get to them. Native Americans peeled and cooked the tubers to eat as vegetables, or dried and stored them for winter food. They ate the seeds in soups and other dishes or roasted them like chestnuts. 

Many Great Plains tribes attributed mystic powers to the American Lotus plants. A poultice made from the pulp of the root was thought to relieve the pain of inflammatory ailments such as arthritis, and a mash made from the blossoms and leaves was said to have anti-fungal properties. Although little sound research exists concerning the medicinal properties of the American Lotus, a close cousin, the Indian or Sacred Lotus which is native to Asia and Australia has been used medicinally for generations. It is known to relieve asthma, inflammation, headache and fatigue, and is said to promote good digestion.

When I first visited Kansas over 30 years ago, I either bought or was given a decorative seed pod of some sort that was brown and hard with numerous round compartments in it, each containing a round hard seed of some sort. I was told they were called “lake nuts.” That decorative object has long since disappeared, but at the time I remember no one seemed to know what the heck it really was.

 Guess what - after writing this column I now know it was an American Lotus seed pod! 

I never cease to be amazed at the wildlife and plants which flourish here in Kansas that common sense tells me shouldn’t be here in our prairie state at all. For instance, beavers and bobcats here in Kansas, really; and now waterlilies!!! 

Of the American Lotus, someone has said, “Whenever you doubt your self-worth, remember the lotus flower. Even though it plunges to life beneath the mud, it does not allow the dirt that surrounds it to affect its growth or beauty. 

Boy, howdy, can we use a heapin’ portion of that today! 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Today I drove through the McPherson Valley Wetlands to see if the waterlilies were blooming, or if there was even any water to support them. Evidently there is just enough water for a few of them to grow and bloom, because some of their large yellow flowers dotted what otherwise appeared to be a sea of green weeds. I remember several years ago clambering up over the dike of one pond to be greeted by what looked like something from an exotic Chinese water garden. I’ve always called them water lilies, but the Public Lands Manager for the Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks who manages the entire McPherson Valley Wetlands system tells me their proper name is American Lotus, and says they are, in fact, native to Kansas. That reminded me of Pepé Le Pew the skunk from cartoons of my generation. Pepé fancied himself a ladies’ man, and his famous pickup line was “Ah, my little lotus flower.”The year I first discovered them was a wet year, and they filled the shallow waters in the corners of the pond like a mat of immense green leaves dotted with bold, pale, yellowish-white flowers the size of cereal bowls. Most of the time these plants are shown with their enormous leaves floating on the water, but here where the water was shallow they actually rise above the water’s surface. Most of the leaves on these plants were about a foot wide, give or take, and the flowers that were fully opened measured six inches across. Leaves on older American Lotus plants can reach 24 inches in diameter. An interesting phenomenon is that American Lotus leaves never get wet; water forms a droplet on them and just runs off.Each flower has a bright, yellow, round center resembling a little double-layer cake. When the flower dies, that center swells into a seed pod three or four inches wide resembling a wasp nest with several individual seed compartments that each contain a single marble-sized seed. As it further dries the seed pod droops toward the water and the seeds eventually spill out and lay on the bottom of the pond. The seeds can lay dormant in the mud for several years before germinating, which occurs when the hard outer shell softens. The plants grow from tuberous roots called rhizomes which can become up to 50-feet long and can have dozens of plants growing from them. American Lotus plants will grow in the still water of any pond, lake or stream that is shallower than three feet.Waterfowl and other wildlife will eat the seeds and tubers if they can get to them. Native Americans peeled and cooked the tubers to eat as vegetables, or dried and stored them for winter food. They ate the seeds in soups and other dishes or roasted them like chestnuts. Many Great Plains tribes attributed mystic powers to the American Lotus plants. A poultice made from the pulp of the root was thought to relieve the pain of inflammatory ailments such as arthritis, and a mash made from the blossoms and leaves was said to have anti-fungal properties. Although little sound research exists concerning the medicinal properties of the American Lotus, a close cousin, the Indian or Sacred Lotus which is native to Asia and Australia has been used medicinally for generations. It is known to relieve asthma, inflammation, headache and fatigue, and is said to promote good digestion.When I first visited Kansas over 30 years ago, I either bought or was given a decorative seed pod of some sort that was brown and hard with numerous round compartments in it, each containing a round hard seed of some sort. I was told they were called “lake nuts.” That decorative object has long since disappeared, but at the time I remember no one seemed to know what the heck it really was. Guess what - after writing this column I now know it was an American Lotus seed pod! I never cease to be amazed at the wildlife and plants which flourish here in Kansas that common sense tells me shouldn’t be here in our prairie state at all. For instance, beavers and bobcats here in Kansas, really; and now waterlilies!!! Of the American Lotus, someone has said, “Whenever you doubt your self-worth, remember the lotus flower. Even though it plunges to life beneath the mud, it does not allow the dirt that surrounds it to affect its growth or beauty. Boy, howdy, can we use a heapin’ portion of that today! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: 'Ah, my little lotus flower!'

After decades of decline, fatal traffic crashes increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp; 

Today’s traffic deaths are falling harder and harder on bicyclists and pedestrians.&nbsp; In Kansas, pedestrian deaths&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2023-06/GHSA%20-%20Pedestrian%20Traffic%20Fatalities%20by%20State%2C%202022%20Preliminary%20Data%20%28January-December%29.pdf" target="_blank">increased 261%, from 18 in 2019 to 47 in 2021</a>, according to the National Governors’ Association.&nbsp; Nationally, those numbers increased 77% during the same time period, from 6272 to 7274.&nbsp;

The 2020 infrastructure bill passed by the Kansas Legislature includes safety along with economic growth as priorities, and U.S. Rep. Sharice Davis recently announced a $1.28 million grant coming to the state’s Third District to improve roadway safety.

This differs remarkably from previous crackdowns on auto safety.&nbsp; U.S. traffic fatalities hit a high in 1972 and began dropping.&nbsp; Just before that, a host of federal laws had mandated safety features including seatbelts, high backed seats, and collapsible steering columns.&nbsp; Also, consumer safety advocate Ralph Nader and his team of lawyers targeted auto companies marketing cars with known safety flaws, including the Chevrolet Corvair and Ford Pinto.

&nbsp;In the 1980s, the focus shifted to drivers.&nbsp; Candace Lightner founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in 1980, after her daughter was killed by a repeat drunk driver. MADD and its allies successfully advocated a host of federal and state laws targeting this behavior, and they are still at it today.&nbsp; 

The 80s also saw seatbelt laws and changing social norms regarding buckling up– earlier, seatbelts were required, but few drivers or passengers used them.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cars have also continued getting safer for the occupants, with energy-absorbing materials and crumple zones becoming universal.&nbsp; Yet these features do nothing to protect those&nbsp;outside&nbsp;the car– pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.&nbsp; They may even make drivers become overconfident, more likely to speed and drive inattentively, and more dangerous to those outside the car.

A host of new safety ideas have been circulated, including renewed crackdowns on DUIs and reckless driving, both of which increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside these proposals, today’s safety advocates propose a host of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/6-road-design-changes-can-save-lives" target="_blank">changes to make roads themselves safer</a>.&nbsp; All of us who truly enjoy driving should warmly welcome these ideas.

Today’s pedestrian-unfriendly roadways consist largely of suburban streets that have been turned into straight, flat speedways where drivers race along at speeds approaching those on the freeway, often distracted by their phones.&nbsp;This mix of high speeds, heavier vehicles, and distracted driving terrorizes pedestrians and bicyclists.   

<a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/6-road-design-changes-can-save-lives" target="_blank">Proposed ideas</a>&nbsp;include shorter blocks, pedestrian refuge areas, increased use of traffic circles, narrower roads, dedicated bicycle lanes, and&nbsp;chicanes– those s-shaped curves also used on racetracks.&nbsp; Money from the bipartisan 2021 Infrastructure and Jobs Act is available to help fund these improvements.

I have appreciated cars and driving since childhood.&nbsp; My grandfather ran one of those old-fashioned gas stations in downtown Lawrence–the ones where you could get your car fixed.&nbsp; I grew up hearing car stories, reading car magazines, and attending car races with my dad. &nbsp; Every chance I get, I still exit the interstate and seek out the back roads– a “blue highway” driver.&nbsp;

Mindlessly, distractedly operating a vehicle on a flat, straight, suburban superspeedway is the antithesis of real driving.&nbsp; Real drivers open our windows, sunroofs, and convertible tops on nice days and shift our own gears.&nbsp; We speed up, slow down, and negotiate curves, all the while staying connected to our surroundings.

For the true driving enthusiast, better roadways cannot come fast enough. No more mindless driving– we need roads that keep us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/12365/zen-driving-by-kt-berger/" target="_blank">wide awake and firmly connected to our car, road, and surroundings</a>.&nbsp; No matter what you drive, better roads can help us do that.&nbsp; Let’s get to work.

Michael Smith is a professor of Political Science and chair of Social Sciences&nbsp;at Emporia State University.&nbsp;

<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>After decades of decline, fatal traffic crashes increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp; Today’s traffic deaths are falling harder and harder on bicyclists and pedestrians.&nbsp; In Kansas, pedestrian deaths&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2023-06/GHSA%20-%20Pedestrian%20Traffic%20Fatalities%20by%20State%2C%202022%20Preliminary%20Data%20%28January-December%29.pdf" target="_blank">increased 261%, from 18 in 2019 to 47 in 2021</a>, according to the National Governors’ Association.&nbsp; Nationally, those numbers increased 77% during the same time period, from 6272 to 7274.&nbsp; The 2020 infrastructure bill passed by the Kansas Legislature includes safety along with economic growth as priorities, and U.S. Rep. Sharice Davis recently announced a $1.28 million grant coming to the state’s Third District to improve roadway safety.This differs remarkably from previous crackdowns on auto safety.&nbsp; U.S. traffic fatalities hit a high in 1972 and began dropping.&nbsp; Just before that, a host of federal laws had mandated safety features including seatbelts, high backed seats, and collapsible steering columns.&nbsp; Also, consumer safety advocate Ralph Nader and his team of lawyers targeted auto companies marketing cars with known safety flaws, including the Chevrolet Corvair and Ford Pinto.&nbsp;In the 1980s, the focus shifted to drivers.&nbsp; Candace Lightner founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in 1980, after her daughter was killed by a repeat drunk driver. MADD and its allies successfully advocated a host of federal and state laws targeting this behavior, and they are still at it today.&nbsp; The 80s also saw seatbelt laws and changing social norms regarding buckling up– earlier, seatbelts were required, but few drivers or passengers used them.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cars have also continued getting safer for the occupants, with energy-absorbing materials and crumple zones becoming universal.&nbsp; Yet these features do nothing to protect those&nbsp;outside&nbsp;the car– pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.&nbsp; They may even make drivers become overconfident, more likely to speed and drive inattentively, and more dangerous to those outside the car.A host of new safety ideas have been circulated, including renewed crackdowns on DUIs and reckless driving, both of which increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside these proposals, today’s safety advocates propose a host of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/6-road-design-changes-can-save-lives" target="_blank">changes to make roads themselves safer</a>.&nbsp; All of us who truly enjoy driving should warmly welcome these ideas.Today’s pedestrian-unfriendly roadways consist largely of suburban streets that have been turned into straight, flat speedways where drivers race along at speeds approaching those on the freeway, often distracted by their phones.&nbsp;This mix of high speeds, heavier vehicles, and distracted driving terrorizes pedestrians and bicyclists. <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/6-road-design-changes-can-save-lives" target="_blank">Proposed ideas</a>&nbsp;include shorter blocks, pedestrian refuge areas, increased use of traffic circles, narrower roads, dedicated bicycle lanes, and&nbsp;chicanes– those s-shaped curves also used on racetracks.&nbsp; Money from the bipartisan 2021 Infrastructure and Jobs Act is available to help fund these improvements.I have appreciated cars and driving since childhood.&nbsp; My grandfather ran one of those old-fashioned gas stations in downtown Lawrence–the ones where you could get your car fixed.&nbsp; I grew up hearing car stories, reading car magazines, and attending car races with my dad. &nbsp; Every chance I get, I still exit the interstate and seek out the back roads– a “blue highway” driver.&nbsp;Mindlessly, distractedly operating a vehicle on a flat, straight, suburban superspeedway is the antithesis of real driving.&nbsp; Real drivers open our windows, sunroofs, and convertible tops on nice days and shift our own gears.&nbsp; We speed up, slow down, and negotiate curves, all the while staying connected to our surroundings.For the true driving enthusiast, better roadways cannot come fast enough. No more mindless driving– we need roads that keep us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/12365/zen-driving-by-kt-berger/" target="_blank">wide awake and firmly connected to our car, road, and surroundings</a>.&nbsp; No matter what you drive, better roads can help us do that.&nbsp; Let’s get to work.Michael Smith is a professor of Political Science and chair of Social Sciences&nbsp;at Emporia State University.&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Kansans need safer, more fun roads

One of the best ways to keep your mind and body functioning at its best is to exercise. 

When I worked with small children we always used to say, “the best exercise for the brain is exercise!” The same holds true as we age. 

Exercise produces a wide range of benefits for not only our physical health, but also mental health. Regular participation in strengthening exercises can help you build muscle and increase bone density. It can also help relieve stress and reduce depression symptoms. 

The Stay Strong, Stay Healthy program focuses on improving the health and well being of older adults. The goal of the program is to provide safe, structured and effective strength training for older adults. 

Strength training promotes quality of life and independence, especially for adults over age 60.

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is an evidence-based program that has been shown to increase strength, balance, and flexibility.

<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>One of the best ways to keep your mind and body functioning at its best is to exercise. When I worked with small children we always used to say, “the best exercise for the brain is exercise!” The same holds true as we age. Exercise produces a wide range of benefits for not only our physical health, but also mental health. Regular participation in strengthening exercises can help you build muscle and increase bone density. It can also help relieve stress and reduce depression symptoms. The Stay Strong, Stay Healthy program focuses on improving the health and well being of older adults. The goal of the program is to provide safe, structured and effective strength training for older adults. No one is too inactive to participate. Strength training promotes quality of life and independence, especially for adults over age 60.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691425639307.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is an evidence-based program that has been shown to increase strength, balance, and flexibility.You might be asking yourself, “I wonder what we’ll do?” It is an eight-week program that meets twice a week for one-hour. We will do warm up exercises, easy strengthening exercises, with or without weights, based on your preference, and finish with cool-down stretches and breathing exercises. The best part is there is no membership fees like at a gym and no special clothes or equipment are needed. We will have weights available if you want to use them. You will work at your own pace and progress as you are able. There are modifications to the exercises based on your own fitness level.If you would like more information before signing up, I will hold an orientation class which will introduce the program and exercises. The orientation class will be Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at our office in Hays, located at 601 Main Street, in the back meeting room.Regular classes will begin August 29, 2023 and will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. for eight weeks. All classes will be held at our office in Hays. There will be a one-time fee of $20 to participate in the eight-week program. Please call the office if you have any questions or email Monique at moniquek@ksu.eduCottonwood Extension District would like to extend a huge thank you to Heartland Community Foundation. This project was funded in part by a grant from the Ellis County Legacy Fund and the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund-Heartland of the Heartland Community Foundation. Their funding allowed us to purchase our own weight set for our district so we will be able to offer classes more often.Come join me for some fun and get healthier and stronger!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.

Opinion