	During the next few weeks, our Cottonwood District team members are gearing up for the Barton and Ellis County Fairs. Our days are filled with scheduling consultation judging and making sure volunteers are recruited to help things run smoothly. Since last year’s virtual Fair didn’t provide as much interaction with the youngsters, I am really looking forward to our 2021 version. It is always rewarding to help a young 4-H’er who is preparing to visit with the judge about their exhibit.&nbsp;

	June 15th is an important date for 4-H families in Barton County. Pre-entry forms are due in all project areas so that judging schedules and other details can be worked out. &nbsp;

	The Barton County Fair dates are July 7th – 11th and the Ellis County Fair spans the week of July 10th – 17th. Several of our fair events overlap this year which is unfortunate, but unavoidable. I hope you are making plans to visit one or both of our Fairs this year. You will be impressed with the way volunteers transform the exhibit buildings into a fun place to showcase the work of 4-H’ers during the past year.&nbsp;

	Along with our 4-H and Youth Agents, Michelle Beran and Susan Schlicting, we are enjoying energetic help from Tamara Robertson and Mattie Rossi, our summer interns. Of course you will see all agents and our office professionals working to help make each Fair a success. Both of our Extension Offices will have limited hours during Fair week but you can leave phone messages and we’ll get back with you.&nbsp;

One event I was asked to help coordinate for this year’s Barton County Fair, is a Family Fun Bicycle Ride that is set for Saturday, July 10th, from 8-9 AM at the Expo grounds. Several folks have volunteered to make this a fun event. We’ll have 25 bicycle helmets for kids to give out on a first come-first served basis. The helmets will be fitted by Pilot club members and are sponsored by the Barton County Fair Association and Cottonwood Extension District. We will also be providing the opportunity to register your families bicycles with the Great Bend Police Department. Todd VanSkike, from Golden Belt Bicycles, will have a repair station set up at our event to take care of simple adjustments and pump up tires.

I’ll be sharing more of the scheduled Fair activities in a couple of weeks. We will see you at the Fair!

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a> K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>	During the next few weeks, our Cottonwood District team members are gearing up for the Barton and Ellis County Fairs. Our days are filled with scheduling consultation judging and making sure volunteers are recruited to help things run smoothly. Since last year’s virtual Fair didn’t provide as much interaction with the youngsters, I am really looking forward to our 2021 version. It is always rewarding to help a young 4-H’er who is preparing to visit with the judge about their exhibit.&nbsp;	June 15th is an important date for 4-H families in Barton County. Pre-entry forms are due in all project areas so that judging schedules and other details can be worked out. &nbsp;	The Barton County Fair dates are July 7th – 11th and the Ellis County Fair spans the week of July 10th – 17th. Several of our fair events overlap this year which is unfortunate, but unavoidable. I hope you are making plans to visit one or both of our Fairs this year. You will be impressed with the way volunteers transform the exhibit buildings into a fun place to showcase the work of 4-H’ers during the past year.&nbsp;	Along with our 4-H and Youth Agents, Michelle Beran and Susan Schlicting, we are enjoying energetic help from Tamara Robertson and Mattie Rossi, our summer interns. Of course you will see all agents and our office professionals working to help make each Fair a success. Both of our Extension Offices will have limited hours during Fair week but you can leave phone messages and we’ll get back with you.&nbsp;One event I was asked to help coordinate for this year’s Barton County Fair, is a Family Fun Bicycle Ride that is set for Saturday, July 10th, from 8-9 AM at the Expo grounds. Several folks have volunteered to make this a fun event. We’ll have 25 bicycle helmets for kids to give out on a first come-first served basis. The helmets will be fitted by Pilot club members and are sponsored by the Barton County Fair Association and Cottonwood Extension District. We will also be providing the opportunity to register your families bicycles with the Great Bend Police Department. Todd VanSkike, from Golden Belt Bicycles, will have a repair station set up at our event to take care of simple adjustments and pump up tires.I’ll be sharing more of the scheduled Fair activities in a couple of weeks. We will see you at the Fair!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a> K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623439207843.png" alt="Screenshots_2021-06-10-09-29-35 (003).png" />
 <figcaption>Screenshots_2021-06-10-09-29-35 (003).png</figcaption>
 </figure>

KRUG: County fair activities are coming soon

One of our end-of-the-year rituals at Fort Hays State University is to thank the leadership of our faculty, staff, and student senates and welcome the new leaders “to the table.”

I am so grateful to my Presidents’ Roundtable colleagues (presidents of the university, faculty senate, staff senate, and student government) for their time and effort in helping me lead the university through a challenging year. Together, we discussed the work of our individual groups, expanded our perspectives as an integrated team, created opportunities for further collaboration, and enhanced campus communication.

Joining me as members of the 2020-2021 FHSU Presidents’ Roundtable were Dr. Kevin Splichal, associate professor of Advanced Education Programs, who served with excellence as the faculty senate president; Jennifer Whitmer, senior administrative assistant for the Department of Social Work, who did such a great job that she was re-elected to serve a second term; and Haley Reiter, our outstanding student body president.&nbsp;

Haley, by the way, is off to New Mexico for a summer internship at the Vermejo Park Ranch and will begin her senior year this fall in Belgium. A tourism and hospitality management major, Haley is taking advantage of internships, co-curricular experiences, and study abroad to build her college portfolio.

As much as I will miss Kevin and Haley, I am very excited to work with our new governance leaders. Together, we will not only lead our campus, but we will each chair the Kansas Board of Regents Councils: the Council of Presidents, the Council of Faculty Senate Presidents, the Students’ Advisory Committee, and the Staff Senate.

I want to share a bit about the members of the 2021-2022 Fort Hays State Presidents’ Roundtable:

New Student Body President Mark Faber just completed his undergraduate degree with a bachelor’s in biology (pre-med) and a double minor in chemistry and psychology. In addition to the Student Government Association, Mark has been involved with the American Healthy Heart Association and the Fort Hays State Honor Society. He is an accomplished pole vaulter for our track and field team. This next year, he will begin work on a master’s degree in biology and complete a second bachelor’s degree in psychology before heading off to medical school. Through all of these endeavors, Mark has earned many awards.

He is excited about serving as our student body president. His main focus is to increase student engagement – particularly following an academic year stifled by COVID-19 challenges. Mark’s overarching goal is for all students to experience the close-knit community at FHSU that he has.

Mark is the third youngest of four boys. Mark shared: “Living with all boys meant that everything was a competition, and we love competing in everything that we do. My family and I love to play board and card games. My friends and I recently have started playing spike ball and hackeysack and absolutely love those two games. Often, my friends and I will go long boarding to relax and spend quality time with each other. I also love helping younger kids develop a passion for school and doing well. The Fort Hays State Honor Society does a program called honor pals, where members go to a local elementary school and play or tutor kids.”

Dr. Janet Stramel, professor of Teacher Education, is the Edna Shutts Williams Endowed Chair in the College of Education. She teaches mathematics teaching methods courses for pre-service teachers. As an endowed chair, she receives funding to conduct research regarding how best to train elementary teachers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She just finished her 12th year at FHSU. Her quality efforts have resulted in several recognitions: the University Service Award; the College of Education Teaching Award, Scholarship Award, and Service Award; and as a nominee and finalist for the Pilot Award.

Dr. Stramel has served on the faculty senate for many years. She started as a senator representing Teacher Education, then was elected secretary for three years (2011-2013 and 2014-2015). She began her service on faculty senate simply because someone asked her to consider the position. Janet shared “if we are to grow any organization or group, we must ask people to take leadership roles.” I agree wholeheartedly.

Dr. Stramel also shared with me that she loves attending meetings.

“I always learn something and feel like I can contribute to the conversation as well,” she said. “I am looking forward to meeting in person this next year, as we have lost some personal connections through Zoom meetings.”&nbsp;

Dr. Stramel is married to Dean Stramel, an adjunct instructor in Chemistry. They have four children and three granddaughters. She also serves as the pianist for Trinity Lutheran Church.&nbsp;

Jennifer Whitmer returns for a second year as our staff senate president and has worked for FHSU for 11 years. She currently serves as the administrative assistant in the Department of Social Work. She has also worked in Career Services and for Learning Technologies.&nbsp;

Jennifer has been a member of our staff senate for four years. The first two years we had two separate staff governance groups, and Jennifer helped merge the two groups. After the senate combined, she became vice president, and then was elected as president the following year. &nbsp;

Jennifer has worked hard to ensure an increase in communication and staff awareness. She was “rewarded” with a second term as president. Jennifer is a recipient of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Outstanding Staff Award and the My Go-To Mentoring award.

Jennifer is a Hays native, who married her high school sweetheart, John. They have four children: Jason, who is 8 years old; Jade, 6; Jacob, 4; and Jana, 2 – all sharing the initials J.W.

Other members of our excellent Fort Hays State leadership teams will also take on KBOR responsibilities. Mike Barnett, vice president for Administration and Finance, will chair the Council of Business Officers; Dr. Jill Arensdorf, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs,&nbsp; will lead the Council of Chief Academic Officers; Dr. Joey Linn, vice president for Student Affairs, will preside over the Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers; Jennie Rose, legislative liaison, and Joe Bain, general counsel, will co-lead the Council of Government Relations Officers; and Dr. Teresa Clounch, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and Compliance, will convene the Council of Diversity Officers.

I am confident in the progress we will make together in bringing the collective voices of our state-wide colleagues to the Kansas Board of Regents. Together, we will advance the board’s strategic plan to help Kansas families, support Kansas businesses, and promote economic prosperity.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575302014229.png" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>One of our end-of-the-year rituals at Fort Hays State University is to thank the leadership of our faculty, staff, and student senates and welcome the new leaders “to the table.”I am so grateful to my Presidents’ Roundtable colleagues (presidents of the university, faculty senate, staff senate, and student government) for their time and effort in helping me lead the university through a challenging year. Together, we discussed the work of our individual groups, expanded our perspectives as an integrated team, created opportunities for further collaboration, and enhanced campus communication.Joining me as members of the 2020-2021 FHSU Presidents’ Roundtable were Dr. Kevin Splichal, associate professor of Advanced Education Programs, who served with excellence as the faculty senate president; Jennifer Whitmer, senior administrative assistant for the Department of Social Work, who did such a great job that she was re-elected to serve a second term; and Haley Reiter, our outstanding student body president.&nbsp;Haley, by the way, is off to New Mexico for a summer internship at the Vermejo Park Ranch and will begin her senior year this fall in Belgium. A tourism and hospitality management major, Haley is taking advantage of internships, co-curricular experiences, and study abroad to build her college portfolio.As much as I will miss Kevin and Haley, I am very excited to work with our new governance leaders. Together, we will not only lead our campus, but we will each chair the Kansas Board of Regents Councils: the Council of Presidents, the Council of Faculty Senate Presidents, the Students’ Advisory Committee, and the Staff Senate.I want to share a bit about the members of the 2021-2022 Fort Hays State Presidents’ Roundtable:New Student Body President Mark Faber just completed his undergraduate degree with a bachelor’s in biology (pre-med) and a double minor in chemistry and psychology. In addition to the Student Government Association, Mark has been involved with the American Healthy Heart Association and the Fort Hays State Honor Society. He is an accomplished pole vaulter for our track and field team. This next year, he will begin work on a master’s degree in biology and complete a second bachelor’s degree in psychology before heading off to medical school. Through all of these endeavors, Mark has earned many awards.He is excited about serving as our student body president. His main focus is to increase student engagement – particularly following an academic year stifled by COVID-19 challenges. Mark’s overarching goal is for all students to experience the close-knit community at FHSU that he has.Mark is the third youngest of four boys. Mark shared: “Living with all boys meant that everything was a competition, and we love competing in everything that we do. My family and I love to play board and card games. My friends and I recently have started playing spike ball and hackeysack and absolutely love those two games. Often, my friends and I will go long boarding to relax and spend quality time with each other. I also love helping younger kids develop a passion for school and doing well. The Fort Hays State Honor Society does a program called honor pals, where members go to a local elementary school and play or tutor kids.”Dr. Janet Stramel, professor of Teacher Education, is the Edna Shutts Williams Endowed Chair in the College of Education. She teaches mathematics teaching methods courses for pre-service teachers. As an endowed chair, she receives funding to conduct research regarding how best to train elementary teachers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She just finished her 12th year at FHSU. Her quality efforts have resulted in several recognitions: the University Service Award; the College of Education Teaching Award, Scholarship Award, and Service Award; and as a nominee and finalist for the Pilot Award.Dr. Stramel has served on the faculty senate for many years. She started as a senator representing Teacher Education, then was elected secretary for three years (2011-2013 and 2014-2015). She began her service on faculty senate simply because someone asked her to consider the position. Janet shared “if we are to grow any organization or group, we must ask people to take leadership roles.” I agree wholeheartedly.Dr. Stramel also shared with me that she loves attending meetings.“I always learn something and feel like I can contribute to the conversation as well,” she said. “I am looking forward to meeting in person this next year, as we have lost some personal connections through Zoom meetings.”&nbsp;Dr. Stramel is married to Dean Stramel, an adjunct instructor in Chemistry. They have four children and three granddaughters. She also serves as the pianist for Trinity Lutheran Church.&nbsp;Jennifer Whitmer returns for a second year as our staff senate president and has worked for FHSU for 11 years. She currently serves as the administrative assistant in the Department of Social Work. She has also worked in Career Services and for Learning Technologies.&nbsp;Jennifer has been a member of our staff senate for four years. The first two years we had two separate staff governance groups, and Jennifer helped merge the two groups. After the senate combined, she became vice president, and then was elected as president the following year. &nbsp;Jennifer has worked hard to ensure an increase in communication and staff awareness. She was “rewarded” with a second term as president. Jennifer is a recipient of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Outstanding Staff Award and the My Go-To Mentoring award.Jennifer is a Hays native, who married her high school sweetheart, John. They have four children: Jason, who is 8 years old; Jade, 6; Jacob, 4; and Jana, 2 – all sharing the initials J.W.Other members of our excellent Fort Hays State leadership teams will also take on KBOR responsibilities. Mike Barnett, vice president for Administration and Finance, will chair the Council of Business Officers; Dr. Jill Arensdorf, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs,&nbsp; will lead the Council of Chief Academic Officers; Dr. Joey Linn, vice president for Student Affairs, will preside over the Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers; Jennie Rose, legislative liaison, and Joe Bain, general counsel, will co-lead the Council of Government Relations Officers; and Dr. Teresa Clounch, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and Compliance, will convene the Council of Diversity Officers.I am confident in the progress we will make together in bringing the collective voices of our state-wide colleagues to the Kansas Board of Regents. Together, we will advance the board’s strategic plan to help Kansas families, support Kansas businesses, and promote economic prosperity.

MASON: FHSU leaders continually strive for excellence

By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher “It is a truth universally accepted that a farmer in want of good conversation must remark on the weather.” For anyone who is not a fan of Jane Austen, I should explain that the previous statement is a bit of a play on the opening of her famous novel “Pride &amp; Prejudice.” The statement is true. Good conversation for farmers must include remarks about precipitation, heat, wind or the lack of any of these things. It will touch on their opinions about the past, present and future weather patterns. They are delighted to talk to someone from outside the county to fill their curiosity about weather in other places. In the case of severe weather, they have a deep need to be informed about the effects of the storm. Austen’s opening line, like my altered version, also had an air of mockery of others in society. It is easy to dismiss a farmer’s appreciation for weather as a necessity for not having anything else to say. I am a little chagrined to admit that I used to be a person who thought that way. In my early adulthood, at a time when it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re superior to older generations, I held a particular distain for talking about the weather. I thought myself so interesting that I could conduct a conversation without ever having to fall back on weather as a topic. Over the last decade, as I have matured and lived more of life, I have come to realize just how important it is to talk about the weather. The weather is a universally acceptable topic; a failproof way to start conversation, fill a lull or even a way to break the tension of awkward situations. This universal language is a way to welcome and extend community to anyone you cross paths with. There is little chance of offending, excluding or burning a bridge while talking about the weather. Talking about the weather is a farmer’s way of extending a hand of friendship. Weather conversation is also entertaining in the same way as someone’s fish story. You’ve heard of raining cats and dog, a bit of a frog strangler or gulley-washer, egg-frying or sweltering hot, colder than a penguin’s bottom or as dry as a dust bowl. I am sure you have had a dozen saying pop into your head just reading this. Good weather anecdotes and the colorful language used to describe weather can be shared and retold all the way across the county, state and country. Sharing the weather is one way farmers tell their story. Most importantly, the weather is a farmer’s biggest threat. Farmers have spent generations improving techniques, tools and inputs to increase their crop yields. They have found ways to engineer plants to grow with less water and some have irrigation. However, they are almost all still at the mercy of weather. The amount of heat or water brought determines if their crop will grow. Severe weather events have the ability to rob them of an entire year’s work in a matter of minutes. Farmers talk about the weather because it is constantly on their mind. This week as you start to hear phrases like, “Hot enough for you lately?” or “It is gonna be a scorcher.” I hope you can learn the lesson that my young self was too naive to catch — talking about the weather is so much more than small talk. It is a unique, universal language that has the ability to convey friendship, entertainment and people’s dreams in a brief exchange. And that is exactly the kind of conversation we need more of in our world.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575406519723.jpeg" alt="Jackie Mundt" />
 <figcaption>Jackie Mundt</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher “It is a truth universally accepted that a farmer in want of good conversation must remark on the weather.” For anyone who is not a fan of Jane Austen, I should explain that the previous statement is a bit of a play on the opening of her famous novel “Pride &amp; Prejudice.” The statement is true. Good conversation for farmers must include remarks about precipitation, heat, wind or the lack of any of these things. It will touch on their opinions about the past, present and future weather patterns. They are delighted to talk to someone from outside the county to fill their curiosity about weather in other places. In the case of severe weather, they have a deep need to be informed about the effects of the storm. Austen’s opening line, like my altered version, also had an air of mockery of others in society. It is easy to dismiss a farmer’s appreciation for weather as a necessity for not having anything else to say. I am a little chagrined to admit that I used to be a person who thought that way. In my early adulthood, at a time when it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re superior to older generations, I held a particular distain for talking about the weather. I thought myself so interesting that I could conduct a conversation without ever having to fall back on weather as a topic. Over the last decade, as I have matured and lived more of life, I have come to realize just how important it is to talk about the weather. The weather is a universally acceptable topic; a failproof way to start conversation, fill a lull or even a way to break the tension of awkward situations. This universal language is a way to welcome and extend community to anyone you cross paths with. There is little chance of offending, excluding or burning a bridge while talking about the weather. Talking about the weather is a farmer’s way of extending a hand of friendship. Weather conversation is also entertaining in the same way as someone’s fish story. You’ve heard of raining cats and dog, a bit of a frog strangler or gulley-washer, egg-frying or sweltering hot, colder than a penguin’s bottom or as dry as a dust bowl. I am sure you have had a dozen saying pop into your head just reading this. Good weather anecdotes and the colorful language used to describe weather can be shared and retold all the way across the county, state and country. Sharing the weather is one way farmers tell their story. Most importantly, the weather is a farmer’s biggest threat. Farmers have spent generations improving techniques, tools and inputs to increase their crop yields. They have found ways to engineer plants to grow with less water and some have irrigation. However, they are almost all still at the mercy of weather. The amount of heat or water brought determines if their crop will grow. Severe weather events have the ability to rob them of an entire year’s work in a matter of minutes. Farmers talk about the weather because it is constantly on their mind. This week as you start to hear phrases like, “Hot enough for you lately?” or “It is gonna be a scorcher.” I hope you can learn the lesson that my young self was too naive to catch — talking about the weather is so much more than small talk. It is a unique, universal language that has the ability to convey friendship, entertainment and people’s dreams in a brief exchange. And that is exactly the kind of conversation we need more of in our world."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Talking about weather

My name is Samuel Allen, and I am announcing my candidacy for the Hays City Commission.&nbsp;

My family have been active members of our community since my ancestors settled in Catherine in 1875. I want to continue that tradition, and be an active participant in maintaining and improving our community. I am Thomas More Prep-Marian alumnus,and am planning to attend NCK-Tech in the fall. I work at DSNWK and am an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.&nbsp;

You may notice that I am much younger than the other candidates for city commission. While I may not have quite as much experience as others, I do have a sense of responsibility and accountability to the community we serve. I believe that we must honor our past, but sometimes we have to be willing to make changes if we are to build a better future.&nbsp;

I also was the recipient of a heart transplant in 2017. I feel it is important for voters to know that, because I have dealt with challenges that others have not faced, regardless of my age. I have worked hard to try to do my best and make a difference, despite the health struggles I have faced.&nbsp;

I am adamant about protecting our community, but, also, making sure that we are all working together to create and ensure that we realize it’s potential. Because of my age, I am blessed to be able to see each opportunity from an objective, non-partisan perspective. My loyalties will always lie with what it best for the Hays community and its residents.&nbsp;

As a part of the Hays City Commission, I hope to work with businesses and citizens to provide appropriate, affordable housing for everyone, strive to create jobs and, hopefully, leave Hays a better place than when I started. It takes a village, and I am ready to do my part.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582312931775.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>My name is Samuel Allen, and I am announcing my candidacy for the Hays City Commission.&nbsp;My family have been active members of our community since my ancestors settled in Catherine in 1875. I want to continue that tradition, and be an active participant in maintaining and improving our community. I am Thomas More Prep-Marian alumnus,and am planning to attend NCK-Tech in the fall. I work at DSNWK and am an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.&nbsp;You may notice that I am much younger than the other candidates for city commission. While I may not have quite as much experience as others, I do have a sense of responsibility and accountability to the community we serve. I believe that we must honor our past, but sometimes we have to be willing to make changes if we are to build a better future.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623691381208.jpeg" alt="Samuel Allen" />
 <figcaption>Samuel Allen</figcaption>
 </figure>I also was the recipient of a heart transplant in 2017. I feel it is important for voters to know that, because I have dealt with challenges that others have not faced, regardless of my age. I have worked hard to try to do my best and make a difference, despite the health struggles I have faced.&nbsp;I am adamant about protecting our community, but, also, making sure that we are all working together to create and ensure that we realize it’s potential. Because of my age, I am blessed to be able to see each opportunity from an objective, non-partisan perspective. My loyalties will always lie with what it best for the Hays community and its residents.&nbsp;As a part of the Hays City Commission, I hope to work with businesses and citizens to provide appropriate, affordable housing for everyone, strive to create jobs and, hopefully, leave Hays a better place than when I started. It takes a village, and I am ready to do my part.&nbsp;

LETTER: Allen announces candidacy for Hays City Commission

Just this week, I was talking with a local pastor about his decision to retire a few years sooner than he had planned. Moving nearer his grandkids is his main motivation, but we both agreed that once we reach retirement age, our future health is on our mind oftener than it used to be. I’ll be 70 this summer and my health is at least average, but I just seem to feel a little older each day. With that and fishing season both in mind, here are some thoughts on becoming an “Old Fisherman.”&nbsp;

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

If you waste countless hours of prime fishing time reeling and casting, reeling and casting, because you can’t remember whether or not you just re-baited your hook, you’re probably an old fisherman.

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

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

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

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

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

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

You’re probably an old fisherman if your favorite fishing chair is now one of those fancy walkers with a seat on it, and you are relegated to fishing from the boat dock because that’s the only place level enough to park it, or if you recently removed a seat from your boat to make room for your walker.&nbsp;

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

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

And finally, I’m sure you’re an old fisherman if your eyesight has gotten so dim that you now haul home all the carp you catch because you mistake them for trophy bass…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

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

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>Just this week, I was talking with a local pastor about his decision to retire a few years sooner than he had planned. Moving nearer his grandkids is his main motivation, but we both agreed that once we reach retirement age, our future health is on our mind oftener than it used to be. I’ll be 70 this summer and my health is at least average, but I just seem to feel a little older each day. With that and fishing season both in mind, here are some thoughts on becoming an “Old Fisherman.”&nbsp;You’re probably an old fisherman if you still smell like Ben Gay even after you’ve cleaned your fish.If you waste countless hours of prime fishing time reeling and casting, reeling and casting, because you can’t remember whether or not you just re-baited your hook, you’re probably an old fisherman.If, after reaching quickly under the boat seat for the dip net, you’ve found yourself holding your cane instead, you’re probably an old fisherman.If you have ever started to hold the line between your teeth only to discover you’ve left your teeth at home at home, you’re probably an old fisherman.If removing that occasional fishbone from your teeth can now be accomplished by removing your teeth and tapping them on the table, you just might be an old fisherman.If you’re shore lunch now includes a tall, cool thermos of Metamucil and a box of prunes, you’re probably an old fisherman.If your fishing buddies are now more than happy to take you along to their secret “honey holes” because they are confident you’ll never remember where you were anyway, you’re probably an old fisherman.You’re probably an old fisherman if your wife now begs to go fishing with you because she’s afraid you’ll forget your way back home (you should feel lucky she wants you back home).You’re probably an old fisherman if your favorite fishing chair is now one of those fancy walkers with a seat on it, and you are relegated to fishing from the boat dock because that’s the only place level enough to park it, or if you recently removed a seat from your boat to make room for your walker.&nbsp;You just might be an old fisherman, if to you, the letters GPS mean Gotta’ Pee Soon&nbsp;It’s easy for anyone to drive off with their coffee cup sitting on the roof or the bumper of the pickup, but if you have gotten to the lake and turned around to back your boat down the boat ramp only to discover the boat was still parked in the driveway at home, you’re an old fisherman.And finally, I’m sure you’re an old fisherman if your eyesight has gotten so dim that you now haul home all the carp you catch because you mistake them for trophy bass…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Are you an old fisherman? Take the test

I heard a statement a few months ago that has really stuck with me and it describes my work in Extension, and especially 4-H, very well.

“It is important to balance the Jetsons and the Flintstones” – to me, this is about continuing to learn and provide up-to-date research-based information while being respectful of the foundations and history of 4-H. This can be complicated when I hear from community members or 4-H alumni who say “that isn’t the way we did 4-H when I was a kid”.&nbsp;

The fair is often an event that I hear “just isn’t the same” and that can come from many perspectives. I grew up with a small, county fair and I’ve worked with small, county fairs as well as larger fairs with many activities. Both have merit as community events but my focus will always be providing opportunities for 4-H members to share project learning with the community (that is really what a fair exhibit is!), receive feedback from a judge, and practice communication skills. These skills along with community service, leadership, and teamwork are truly the foundations of 4-H.&nbsp;

Yes – some of the projects and activities may look different as 4-H continues to look for avenues to provide youth with life skills as well career and job preparation and opportunities.

One of the neat opportunities that some 4-H Alumni have is to look at a career in Extension. We are fortunate to have a summer intern, Tamara Robertson, who grew up in 4-H in Ford County. She served as a camp counselor for several years, worked at Rock Springs Ranch for 4-H Camp a couple of years ago and will graduate from FHSU this year with aspirations of working in Extension. When you see Tamara at events and the fair, be sure to give her a warm Barton County welcome!

We invite the community to come out to the fair July 7-11 to check out 4-H members’ work and the other events and activities that the Barton County Fair Association have put together to celebrate our heritage in agriculture and our Barton County Communities!

&nbsp;The theme for the fair this year is “A New Beginning” which is a nod to the history of our area and celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail while looking forward as the fair adjusts and adds a fresh perspective to the events. Sounds like a balance of the Flintstones and Jetsons to me!

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579114162620.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>I heard a statement a few months ago that has really stuck with me and it describes my work in Extension, and especially 4-H, very well.“It is important to balance the Jetsons and the Flintstones” – to me, this is about continuing to learn and provide up-to-date research-based information while being respectful of the foundations and history of 4-H. This can be complicated when I hear from community members or 4-H alumni who say “that isn’t the way we did 4-H when I was a kid”.&nbsp;The fair is often an event that I hear “just isn’t the same” and that can come from many perspectives. I grew up with a small, county fair and I’ve worked with small, county fairs as well as larger fairs with many activities. Both have merit as community events but my focus will always be providing opportunities for 4-H members to share project learning with the community (that is really what a fair exhibit is!), receive feedback from a judge, and practice communication skills. These skills along with community service, leadership, and teamwork are truly the foundations of 4-H.&nbsp;Yes – some of the projects and activities may look different as 4-H continues to look for avenues to provide youth with life skills as well career and job preparation and opportunities.One of the neat opportunities that some 4-H Alumni have is to look at a career in Extension. We are fortunate to have a summer intern, Tamara Robertson, who grew up in 4-H in Ford County. She served as a camp counselor for several years, worked at Rock Springs Ranch for 4-H Camp a couple of years ago and will graduate from FHSU this year with aspirations of working in Extension. When you see Tamara at events and the fair, be sure to give her a warm Barton County welcome!We invite the community to come out to the fair July 7-11 to check out 4-H members’ work and the other events and activities that the Barton County Fair Association have put together to celebrate our heritage in agriculture and our Barton County Communities!&nbsp;The theme for the fair this year is “A New Beginning” which is a nod to the history of our area and celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail while looking forward as the fair adjusts and adds a fresh perspective to the events. Sounds like a balance of the Flintstones and Jetsons to me!Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H and Youth Development related questions, email Michelle at <a href="mailto:mberan@ksu.edu">mberan@ksu.edu</a> or call 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Balancing the Jetsons and the Flintstones

Kansas is in crisis. An affordability crisis that threatens our ability to recruit new business and grow our economy.&nbsp;

Kansas taxes are out of control. Our sales tax on food is highest in the country. Our electric rates threaten rural prosperity and growth. Simply put our state is not looking towards future growth but rather more ways to take money out of your wallets.&nbsp;

The good news is there are leaders in Topeka who believe that your money belongs to you not to the state government. These leaders have put forward common sense ideas to return money to your wallet. At the same time our governor has taken the opposite approach and wants to take more money from your wallet.&nbsp;

Our leaders need to address the fundamental aspects to this affordability crisis and one of the keys is proper government management to deliver efficiency to state government to reduce our budget. By reducing our budget and making government more efficient, we can reduce taxes and return money to you.&nbsp;

When I ran for lieutenant governor in 2018, one of the most common things I heard was, what can we do to reduce our taxes and reduce bureaucracy in Kansas. People want to see an efficient state government that work. They want to be able to interact with state government to get their business and move on. They want lower taxes and know efficient state government is a key.&nbsp;

With President Biden and his congressional allies looking to deliver another tax hike in Washington we need lower state now more than ever.&nbsp;

Our sales tax on food makes no sense. We need to reduce these taxes because food is a basic need. This is a key part of the affordability crisis that plagues our state.&nbsp;

The crisis caused by the sales tax on food is more compounded in Kansas’ border communities. What incentive do Kansas residents in border towns have to buy their groceries in Kansas when they can spend less money in Missouri or Colorado? They have none!&nbsp;

This harms businesses in our border towns and costs jobs for Kansans.&nbsp;

Our electricity rates need to be addressed. The high electric rates in Kansas hurts people across our state but has an acute harm on our rural communities. Rural Kansans are paying some of the highest electric rates in the country with no end in sight.&nbsp;

These high electric rates are part of the things that are holding back growth of Kansas’ rural economy. Our farmers, ranchers and rural businesses need lower electric rates to grow business. Coupled with rural broadband investments, lower taxes and more promotion of rural Kansas, and we can grow this part of the state.&nbsp;

Kansas can be more affordable. We can be the envy of the nation for being a well-run and efficient state with low taxes. We can be the destination state for businesses across our country. This is the vision we need in our state.&nbsp;

Wink Hartman is the CEO of the Hartman Group of Companies in Wichita and was the 2018 Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601426697857.jpeg" alt="Wink Hartman" />
 <figcaption>Wink Hartman</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas is in crisis. An affordability crisis that threatens our ability to recruit new business and grow our economy.&nbsp;Kansas taxes are out of control. Our sales tax on food is highest in the country. Our electric rates threaten rural prosperity and growth. Simply put our state is not looking towards future growth but rather more ways to take money out of your wallets.&nbsp;The good news is there are leaders in Topeka who believe that your money belongs to you not to the state government. These leaders have put forward common sense ideas to return money to your wallet. At the same time our governor has taken the opposite approach and wants to take more money from your wallet.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Our leaders need to address the fundamental aspects to this affordability crisis and one of the keys is proper government management to deliver efficiency to state government to reduce our budget. By reducing our budget and making government more efficient, we can reduce taxes and return money to you.&nbsp;When I ran for lieutenant governor in 2018, one of the most common things I heard was, what can we do to reduce our taxes and reduce bureaucracy in Kansas. People want to see an efficient state government that work. They want to be able to interact with state government to get their business and move on. They want lower taxes and know efficient state government is a key.&nbsp;With President Biden and his congressional allies looking to deliver another tax hike in Washington we need lower state now more than ever.&nbsp;Our sales tax on food makes no sense. We need to reduce these taxes because food is a basic need. This is a key part of the affordability crisis that plagues our state.&nbsp;The crisis caused by the sales tax on food is more compounded in Kansas’ border communities. What incentive do Kansas residents in border towns have to buy their groceries in Kansas when they can spend less money in Missouri or Colorado? They have none!&nbsp;This harms businesses in our border towns and costs jobs for Kansans.&nbsp;Our electricity rates need to be addressed. The high electric rates in Kansas hurts people across our state but has an acute harm on our rural communities. Rural Kansans are paying some of the highest electric rates in the country with no end in sight.&nbsp;These high electric rates are part of the things that are holding back growth of Kansas’ rural economy. Our farmers, ranchers and rural businesses need lower electric rates to grow business. Coupled with rural broadband investments, lower taxes and more promotion of rural Kansas, and we can grow this part of the state.&nbsp;Kansas can be more affordable. We can be the envy of the nation for being a well-run and efficient state with low taxes. We can be the destination state for businesses across our country. This is the vision we need in our state.&nbsp;Wink Hartman is the CEO of the Hartman Group of Companies in Wichita and was the 2018 Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.&nbsp;

HARTMAN: Kansas in the midst of 'affordability crisis'

Kansans have learned that culture wars don’t stop at the state line. They invade most every aspect of our daily life.&nbsp; Lately the teaching of American history has come under fire.&nbsp; Whether the battle is political (Republican vs Democrat) or ideological (critical race theory vs traditional explanations of history), this media-fed assault is taking aim at public schools.

Our schools should be a place where students learn about our democratic system and their place in it, not a battleground for opposing viewpoints.

The culture war now raging reaches far beyond arguments over what view of America history should be taught.&nbsp; It’s a struggle that encompasses the core of democracy, because American democracy transcends the organization and functioning of government to embrace wider responsibilities of citizenship—respect, decency, civic obligation and love of liberty.&nbsp;

To fulfill the fore founders’ original purpose of public education to create an informed electorate, what should we teach our K-12 students today about history and our way of life?&nbsp;

For the current year, Kansas teachers are required to teach civics embedded in the curriculum of students in grades K-four.&nbsp; Social studies classes or embedded instruction in the intermediate grades are determined by individual school districts. For high school students, study of&nbsp;world history, American history and government including concepts of Kansas history and government and the U.S. constitution are required for graduation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Virtually all of us can agree that this is a strong curricula.&nbsp; The furor, however, is not about “what” is required in our schools. It’s about “how” it’s taught.

Chairman of the Kansas House Education Committee Steve Huebert wants to require high school students to pass a citizenship test to graduate.&nbsp; The test would be similar to that given to immigrants applying for U. S. citizenship.&nbsp; Introduced in the last legislative session, the bill did not pass.&nbsp;

According to the Kansas law what is required in Kansas public schools is the purview of local school boards based on state policy and federal law.&nbsp; Currently state standards present a centrist approach.&nbsp; Both the unfair, unjust events in American history as well as the nation’s rise to become a beacon for liberty and the strongest economic and military force in the world are taught by presenting comprehensive, accurate accounts of the past.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Critical race theory—the current center of contention—illuminates institutional and personal racism that continues to this day.&nbsp; Other accounts describe American history as a march of slow progress.&nbsp; Neither is fully accurate.&nbsp; From the thinking of early Greeks to the present, humankind has been unable to produce any one theory that connects the full sweep of history to explain why the past happened the way it did.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansans must not allow piecemeal legislation or full-blown curriculum coming from any political or ideological group to overtake school curricula.&nbsp;&nbsp;Historical theories are the work of university-level studies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Directionless yet significant public contention over the teaching of American history should be met with local school-district examination of social studies and history curriculum by teachers and administrators, involve community input and culminate in elected school board review.&nbsp; Democracy put into practice will either identify areas of needed improvement or reassure parents and students that their school is on the right track.&nbsp;

Respect for diversity and patriotism are not mutually exclusive concepts, except in culture wars.&nbsp;

Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansans have learned that culture wars don’t stop at the state line. They invade most every aspect of our daily life.&nbsp; Lately the teaching of American history has come under fire.&nbsp; Whether the battle is political (Republican vs Democrat) or ideological (critical race theory vs traditional explanations of history), this media-fed assault is taking aim at public schools.Our schools should be a place where students learn about our democratic system and their place in it, not a battleground for opposing viewpoints.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The culture war now raging reaches far beyond arguments over what view of America history should be taught.&nbsp; It’s a struggle that encompasses the core of democracy, because American democracy transcends the organization and functioning of government to embrace wider responsibilities of citizenship—respect, decency, civic obligation and love of liberty.&nbsp;To fulfill the fore founders’ original purpose of public education to create an informed electorate, what should we teach our K-12 students today about history and our way of life?&nbsp;For the current year, Kansas teachers are required to teach civics embedded in the curriculum of students in grades K-four.&nbsp; Social studies classes or embedded instruction in the intermediate grades are determined by individual school districts. For high school students, study of&nbsp;world history, American history and government including concepts of Kansas history and government and the U.S. constitution are required for graduation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Virtually all of us can agree that this is a strong curricula.&nbsp; The furor, however, is not about “what” is required in our schools. It’s about “how” it’s taught.Chairman of the Kansas House Education Committee Steve Huebert wants to require high school students to pass a citizenship test to graduate.&nbsp; The test would be similar to that given to immigrants applying for U. S. citizenship.&nbsp; Introduced in the last legislative session, the bill did not pass.&nbsp;According to the Kansas law what is required in Kansas public schools is the purview of local school boards based on state policy and federal law.&nbsp; Currently state standards present a centrist approach.&nbsp; Both the unfair, unjust events in American history as well as the nation’s rise to become a beacon for liberty and the strongest economic and military force in the world are taught by presenting comprehensive, accurate accounts of the past.&nbsp;&nbsp;Critical race theory—the current center of contention—illuminates institutional and personal racism that continues to this day.&nbsp; Other accounts describe American history as a march of slow progress.&nbsp; Neither is fully accurate.&nbsp; From the thinking of early Greeks to the present, humankind has been unable to produce any one theory that connects the full sweep of history to explain why the past happened the way it did.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansans must not allow piecemeal legislation or full-blown curriculum coming from any political or ideological group to overtake school curricula.&nbsp;&nbsp;Historical theories are the work of university-level studies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Directionless yet significant public contention over the teaching of American history should be met with local school-district examination of social studies and history curriculum by teachers and administrators, involve community input and culminate in elected school board review.&nbsp; Democracy put into practice will either identify areas of needed improvement or reassure parents and students that their school is on the right track.&nbsp;Respect for diversity and patriotism are not mutually exclusive concepts, except in culture wars.&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Despite culture wars, U.S. history can be taught

On a hot summer day, people often dress in light clothing, drink more water than normal and seek shade to minimize the impacts on the body from heat and humidity. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute experts said cattle need many of those same strategies for maximum performance over the summer. Talking on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2021/05/28/feed-efficiency-feet-and-leg-scores-heat-stress/" target="_blank">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast, veterinarians Bob Larson, Brian Lubbers and Brad White; and nutritionist Phillip Lancaster agreed that providing plenty of water and shade are two keys to success in keeping cattle comfortable. &nbsp;&nbsp;

But first it is important to recognize the signs of stress, Lubbers said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Cattle that are experiencing heat stress will have decreased production, so it is important to know the signs, which often mimic respiratory disease,” he said. Cattle that are breathing rapidly might be experiencing heat stress.&nbsp;&nbsp;

White said sometimes it is difficult to detect: “If you see one animal breathing hard in the heat often there is another set of calves that are also experiencing heat stress but not showing the signs to the same degree as the one you noticed.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Larson added that oftentimes it is the young calves that are most impacted by the heat.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Very young calves seem to be more sensitive to the heat when compared to their older herd mates,” he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Along with noting the daytime high temperatures, Lubbers said producers need to monitor the nighttime low temperatures as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“If it doesn’t cool down overnight, the cattle can’t dissipate the heat like they would otherwise, so those are the days that you need to be extra vigilant in watching for signs of heat stress,” Lubbers said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Relating to cattle performance, Jennifer Bormann, beef cattle geneticist with the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at K-State, said research has shown cattle that readily shed their haircoat in hot temperatures perform better. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“One study scored the cattle at the same time each spring and then tracked their performance. Cattle that shed their haircoats early produced calves with higher weaning weights than the cows that took longer to shed their winter haircoats,” Bormann said. “The theory is that those early shedding cows suffered less heat stress and greater performance in the summer months than the others in the study.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Along with a slick haircoat, Lancaster said it is important to offer cattle extra water on the hot days.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Check the watering systems often because on the really hot days they may not be able to keep up with the demands for water that the cattle are placing on them,” Lancaster said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

And regarding shade, Lancaster offered this advice: “Whether it is a tree in the pasture or an artificial shade, it is important to confirm it is big enough to allow good airflow moving underneath the shade.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

White added: “If there are 30 cows all grouped in close sitting under the shade tree, they will not be that much cooler than if they were all sitting out in the sun because of the lack of air movement.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aboor@ksu.edu">aboor@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or calling 620-793-1910&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>On a hot summer day, people often dress in light clothing, drink more water than normal and seek shade to minimize the impacts on the body from heat and humidity. &nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute experts said cattle need many of those same strategies for maximum performance over the summer. Talking on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2021/05/28/feed-efficiency-feet-and-leg-scores-heat-stress/" target="_blank">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast, veterinarians Bob Larson, Brian Lubbers and Brad White; and nutritionist Phillip Lancaster agreed that providing plenty of water and shade are two keys to success in keeping cattle comfortable. &nbsp;&nbsp;But first it is important to recognize the signs of stress, Lubbers said.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Cattle that are experiencing heat stress will have decreased production, so it is important to know the signs, which often mimic respiratory disease,” he said. Cattle that are breathing rapidly might be experiencing heat stress.&nbsp;&nbsp;White said sometimes it is difficult to detect: “If you see one animal breathing hard in the heat often there is another set of calves that are also experiencing heat stress but not showing the signs to the same degree as the one you noticed.” &nbsp;&nbsp;Larson added that oftentimes it is the young calves that are most impacted by the heat.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Very young calves seem to be more sensitive to the heat when compared to their older herd mates,” he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;Along with noting the daytime high temperatures, Lubbers said producers need to monitor the nighttime low temperatures as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;“If it doesn’t cool down overnight, the cattle can’t dissipate the heat like they would otherwise, so those are the days that you need to be extra vigilant in watching for signs of heat stress,” Lubbers said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Relating to cattle performance, Jennifer Bormann, beef cattle geneticist with the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at K-State, said research has shown cattle that readily shed their haircoat in hot temperatures perform better. &nbsp;&nbsp;“One study scored the cattle at the same time each spring and then tracked their performance. Cattle that shed their haircoats early produced calves with higher weaning weights than the cows that took longer to shed their winter haircoats,” Bormann said. “The theory is that those early shedding cows suffered less heat stress and greater performance in the summer months than the others in the study.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Along with a slick haircoat, Lancaster said it is important to offer cattle extra water on the hot days.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Check the watering systems often because on the really hot days they may not be able to keep up with the demands for water that the cattle are placing on them,” Lancaster said. &nbsp;&nbsp;And regarding shade, Lancaster offered this advice: “Whether it is a tree in the pasture or an artificial shade, it is important to confirm it is big enough to allow good airflow moving underneath the shade.”&nbsp;&nbsp;White added: “If there are 30 cows all grouped in close sitting under the shade tree, they will not be that much cooler than if they were all sitting out in the sun because of the lack of air movement.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aboor@ksu.edu">aboor@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or calling 620-793-1910&nbsp;

BOOR: Cattle need water, shade in extreme temperatures

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Stand out above the crowd – in fact, 14 feet above the crowd. What makes this possible? Pole vaulting. Today we will learn about an innovative rural Kansan who is coaching and mentoring young people in pole vaulting and in life.&nbsp;

Doctor Mark Breault (pronounced “bro”) is the founder and operator of Tailwind Pole Vault Club. Mark grew up at Concordia, attended Cloud County Community College and then chiropractic college in Iowa before returning to open a chiropractic practice in his hometown. As a doctor of chiropractic, he became known locally as Doc Bro. He retired in 2014.&nbsp;

“I had pole vaulted in high school,” Doc said. “When my son got into school, there was no coach for that event. My old coach was still the head track coach there, so I volunteered to coach the pole vaulters.”&nbsp;

His coaching responsibilities expanded. “In the first year I coached junior high, the second year I coached junior high and high school, and in the third year I coached junior high, high school, and college,” he said. As his pole vaulters’ success grew, students and families from other schools approached him about coaching them as well.&nbsp;

In 2007, Coach Breault started his own independent pole vault group. Because a good tailwind always helps a pole vaulter, he named it Tailwind Pole Vault Club.&nbsp;

But where could his club have an indoor facility? Pole vaulting is the type of activity which can’t be conducted in your typical storefront building. It requires a long space and high ceiling.&nbsp;

Doc looked around the region and found that the nearby community of Jamestown had a former high school building, including a gymnasium, that was available. “At first they just let me use it for free,” Doc said. “Eventually I bought the building and remodeled it.” Now the facility includes living space where Doc lives, plus a wrestling area and weight room in addition to the runway, box, crossbar and pit used for pole vaulting itself. More than 500 poles are also available for rent. The former school stage is now a little kids’ play area. “It’s very family friendly,” Doc said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pole vaulting camps are held in the summer. Those camps typically sell out well in advance.&nbsp;

The Tailwind Pole Vault Club has had tremendous success through the years. “Multiple Olympic vaulters, All-Americans and world-record holders have coached and jumped here,” Doc said. “We’ve had more than 200 state champions and multiple national champions from our club.”&nbsp;

But this isn’t only about pole vaulting. It is about positive life skills. “Pole vaulting is an excuse for me to interact with people,” Doc said with a smile. “Kids need a positive experience. My greatest reward is to see them learn and grow in self-confidence and succeed in life.”&nbsp;

One camp slogan is “Don’t get high, Jump high.”&nbsp;

“I tell kids that anyone can go out and drink or do drugs, but it takes a special person to commit to pole vaulting,” he said. “You can stand out above the crowd. Not many guys can jump 14 feet. Not many girls can jump 10 feet, but we can teach you to pole vault,” Doc said. “It takes hard work and focus, but we can do it.”&nbsp;

“We also teach kids to work with others. We don’t allow cocky attitudes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Everyone is taught to help the younger kids. We focus on having fun, being safe, and jumping high.”&nbsp;

Many kids who trained at Tailwind Pole Vault Club have gotten college scholarships at some level. Vaulters have come from as far away as California and Florida.&nbsp;

That’s a remarkable record for a program at the rural community of Jamestown, population 286 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tailwindpolevaultclub.com/">Tailwind Pole Vault Club online</a>.&nbsp;

Stand out above the crowd – even 14 feet above, if you become an excellent pole vaulter at Tailwind Pole Vault Club. We salute Dr. Mark Breault for making a difference by teaching life skills as well as pole vaulting. His approach stands out – and I think it’s outstanding.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623251545177.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural DevelopmentStand out above the crowd – in fact, 14 feet above the crowd. What makes this possible? Pole vaulting. Today we will learn about an innovative rural Kansan who is coaching and mentoring young people in pole vaulting and in life.&nbsp;Doctor Mark Breault (pronounced “bro”) is the founder and operator of Tailwind Pole Vault Club. Mark grew up at Concordia, attended Cloud County Community College and then chiropractic college in Iowa before returning to open a chiropractic practice in his hometown. As a doctor of chiropractic, he became known locally as Doc Bro. He retired in 2014.&nbsp;“I had pole vaulted in high school,” Doc said. “When my son got into school, there was no coach for that event. My old coach was still the head track coach there, so I volunteered to coach the pole vaulters.”&nbsp;His coaching responsibilities expanded. “In the first year I coached junior high, the second year I coached junior high and high school, and in the third year I coached junior high, high school, and college,” he said. As his pole vaulters’ success grew, students and families from other schools approached him about coaching them as well.&nbsp;In 2007, Coach Breault started his own independent pole vault group. Because a good tailwind always helps a pole vaulter, he named it Tailwind Pole Vault Club.&nbsp;But where could his club have an indoor facility? Pole vaulting is the type of activity which can’t be conducted in your typical storefront building. It requires a long space and high ceiling.&nbsp;Doc looked around the region and found that the nearby community of Jamestown had a former high school building, including a gymnasium, that was available. “At first they just let me use it for free,” Doc said. “Eventually I bought the building and remodeled it.” Now the facility includes living space where Doc lives, plus a wrestling area and weight room in addition to the runway, box, crossbar and pit used for pole vaulting itself. More than 500 poles are also available for rent. The former school stage is now a little kids’ play area. “It’s very family friendly,” Doc said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pole vaulting camps are held in the summer. Those camps typically sell out well in advance.&nbsp;The Tailwind Pole Vault Club has had tremendous success through the years. “Multiple Olympic vaulters, All-Americans and world-record holders have coached and jumped here,” Doc said. “We’ve had more than 200 state champions and multiple national champions from our club.”&nbsp;But this isn’t only about pole vaulting. It is about positive life skills. “Pole vaulting is an excuse for me to interact with people,” Doc said with a smile. “Kids need a positive experience. My greatest reward is to see them learn and grow in self-confidence and succeed in life.”&nbsp;One camp slogan is “Don’t get high, Jump high.”&nbsp;“I tell kids that anyone can go out and drink or do drugs, but it takes a special person to commit to pole vaulting,” he said. “You can stand out above the crowd. Not many guys can jump 14 feet. Not many girls can jump 10 feet, but we can teach you to pole vault,” Doc said. “It takes hard work and focus, but we can do it.”&nbsp;“We also teach kids to work with others. We don’t allow cocky attitudes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Everyone is taught to help the younger kids. We focus on having fun, being safe, and jumping high.”&nbsp;Many kids who trained at Tailwind Pole Vault Club have gotten college scholarships at some level. Vaulters have come from as far away as California and Florida.&nbsp;That’s a remarkable record for a program at the rural community of Jamestown, population 286 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tailwindpolevaultclub.com/">Tailwind Pole Vault Club online</a>.&nbsp;Stand out above the crowd – even 14 feet above, if you become an excellent pole vaulter at Tailwind Pole Vault Club. We salute Dr. Mark Breault for making a difference by teaching life skills as well as pole vaulting. His approach stands out – and I think it’s outstanding.

Now That’s Rural: Mark Breault, Tailwind Pole Vault Club 

BY GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau The deadline to file for local elections passed recently, and it’s worth thanking every school board hopeful and municipal candidate for their willingness to run. The past 15 months has proven what I’ve long believed — local elections have the biggest impact on the day-to-day lives of Kansans. Mask ordinances, business restrictions, how and where children attended school this past year ultimately weren’t dictated by officials in Washington and Topeka. Instead, local school boards made the call on what classrooms looked like. Your city commission or council also had the option to impose their own measures to fight the pandemic. Some did while others didn’t. I won’t say the system worked perfectly because no human endeavor ever will, but it generally worked as designed. The people making those decisions not only had to live with the effects of their decisions, but they also answered to their neighbors, friends and family members. That offers a pretty good dose of accountability. This fall, incumbents and newcomers alike will answer to voters in either the August primary or November’s general. July 13 is the deadline to register to vote for the Aug. 3 primary, and Oct. 12 is the last day to register for the election on Nov. 2. All of the contests are nonpartisan, but the lack of party affiliation doesn’t mean there’s a lack of politics. But even the fiercest debates seem cordial when compared to partisan counterparts. Bond issues to build new schools or sales tax initiatives for municipal projects are likely to be on the ballot as well. With more than 300 school districts and 600-plus cities in Kansas, there’s always demand for good candidates. The job description is essentially full-time work with little to no pay, little thanks and a good number of people with opinions on the job you are doing, even if those thoughts are belatedly relayed. While I’ve never served in elected office, I’ve been in the room for hundreds of school board meetings or city council sessions over the years. Occasionally members of the public crowd into those meetings if there’s a big issue, but more often there’s little engagement outside of staff. For a variety of reasons, there’s an inverse relationship between the power local officials have over the public’s everyday lives and the amount of time we as citizens spend sorting through the issues. This lack of civic engagement starts at the ballot box, where voters will turnout in fewer numbers than statewide or national elections. It’s the reason why the most important quality local leaders can have is the ability to tap into their social networks and get feedback. Meetings may be where votes are counted, but the decision making process has to begin by getting input from outside the room. I’m hopeful there won’t be another year as difficult as 2020 was, but even under the best of circumstances officials often have to make decisions based on incomplete information. I’m always amazed and appreciate there are people who volunteer to serve in these roles. &nbsp; Those who step forward to fill these positions, you’ll always have my respect. I wish you well in your campaign. Should you win, your prize is weeknight meetings going to midnight or later where decisions will be second guessed by neighbors, friends and even family members. But we all owe you a debt of gratitude for your willingness to share your time, talent and perspective to make your community, and by extension the rest of the state, a better place to live.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="Greg Doering&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Greg Doering&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BY GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau The deadline to file for local elections passed recently, and it’s worth thanking every school board hopeful and municipal candidate for their willingness to run. The past 15 months has proven what I’ve long believed — local elections have the biggest impact on the day-to-day lives of Kansans. Mask ordinances, business restrictions, how and where children attended school this past year ultimately weren’t dictated by officials in Washington and Topeka. Instead, local school boards made the call on what classrooms looked like. Your city commission or council also had the option to impose their own measures to fight the pandemic. Some did while others didn’t. I won’t say the system worked perfectly because no human endeavor ever will, but it generally worked as designed. The people making those decisions not only had to live with the effects of their decisions, but they also answered to their neighbors, friends and family members. That offers a pretty good dose of accountability. This fall, incumbents and newcomers alike will answer to voters in either the August primary or November’s general. July 13 is the deadline to register to vote for the Aug. 3 primary, and Oct. 12 is the last day to register for the election on Nov. 2. All of the contests are nonpartisan, but the lack of party affiliation doesn’t mean there’s a lack of politics. But even the fiercest debates seem cordial when compared to partisan counterparts. Bond issues to build new schools or sales tax initiatives for municipal projects are likely to be on the ballot as well. With more than 300 school districts and 600-plus cities in Kansas, there’s always demand for good candidates. The job description is essentially full-time work with little to no pay, little thanks and a good number of people with opinions on the job you are doing, even if those thoughts are belatedly relayed. While I’ve never served in elected office, I’ve been in the room for hundreds of school board meetings or city council sessions over the years. Occasionally members of the public crowd into those meetings if there’s a big issue, but more often there’s little engagement outside of staff. For a variety of reasons, there’s an inverse relationship between the power local officials have over the public’s everyday lives and the amount of time we as citizens spend sorting through the issues. This lack of civic engagement starts at the ballot box, where voters will turnout in fewer numbers than statewide or national elections. It’s the reason why the most important quality local leaders can have is the ability to tap into their social networks and get feedback. Meetings may be where votes are counted, but the decision making process has to begin by getting input from outside the room. I’m hopeful there won’t be another year as difficult as 2020 was, but even under the best of circumstances officials often have to make decisions based on incomplete information. I’m always amazed and appreciate there are people who volunteer to serve in these roles. &nbsp; Those who step forward to fill these positions, you’ll always have my respect. I wish you well in your campaign. Should you win, your prize is weeknight meetings going to midnight or later where decisions will be second guessed by neighbors, friends and even family members. But we all owe you a debt of gratitude for your willingness to share your time, talent and perspective to make your community, and by extension the rest of the state, a better place to live."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Debts of gratitude

Kansas Common crude at CHS starts the week at $59.75 per barrel, the best price in McPherson since October 2018.&nbsp; That's up nearly two dollars from the first of the month and $21 higher than at the first of the year. By midday, Monday the Nymex benchmark futures contract was down 16 cents from Friday's settlement, to $69.46 per barrel. London Brent reached $72.17 a barrel in intraday trading Friday, the highest price for the international benchmark since 2019. Brent prices remained above $71 Monday. Kansas crude-oil production rose 15% in March from the month before, according to a government report. But state output remained more than 11% behind March of last year. The Energy Information Administration said Kansas production reached 2.3 million barrels in March. That's about 77,000 barrels per day, compared to 67,000 barrels a day the month before and 87,000 barrels per day a year earlier. EIA reports U.S. output in March reached 11.2 million barrels per day, up 14% on the month, but down 12 percent from March 2020. After a big drop in February, crude output in Texas jumped 26% in March to 4.4 million barrels per day. The government's weekly petroleum report shows production, inventories and imports all dropped last week. U.S. operators produced 10.88 million barrels per day during the week ending May 28. That's down 168,000 barrels per day from the week before and about 300,000 barrels per day less than the same week last year. EIA said inventories dropped more than half a million barrels. Stockpiles are about three percent below the five-year seasonal average. Imports were down more than half a million barrels per day last week at 5.6 million barrels per day. EIA said over the last four weeks, average imports are slightly lower than the same four weeks last year. The Rig Count in Kansas from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service was down one rig in the eastern half of the state and unchanged out west. Drilling was underway on one lease in Ellis County Friday. Baker Hughes reports 456 active drilling rigs across the U.S., which is down one gas rig from last week. The count in Texas was down two while New Mexico was up two. There are 18 new drilling permits in Kansas this week, including 11 in Western Kansas, to bring the total so far this year to 369 new drilling permits. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 21 newly-completed wells across Kansas, 11 of them west of Wichita. That's 321 well completions so far this year. Weekly oil-by-rail totals posted a 27% increase over last year at this time. The Association of American Railroads reports 11,163 tanker cars moving petroleum products for the week ending May 29. That's up 363 tankers from the week before. AAR says total U.S. rail traffic in May was up 28% over May of 2020. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 21 weeks of the year was up nearly 14% compared to last year. The auto club AAA says gasoline demand has jumped steadily since the end of April, dropping supply levels around the country.&nbsp; That means pump prices are likely to see fluctuation this month. The average price across the country was just over $3.04, or more than a dollar a gallon higher than a year ago. The average across Kansas was just under $2.83 per gallon.&nbsp; Filling up a 15-gallon tank locally will cost you about a dollar more than last week, a dollar less than last month, and about $17 more than a year ago at this time.&nbsp; The government says U.S. energy consumption last year dropped by a record seven percent from the year before. The Energy Information Administration sways energy use decreased for all fuels except renewable energy, which increased by two percent. Petroleum consumption last year dropped by 13%, and natural gas was down two percent. Authorities braced for protests in northern Minnesota in the final construction push to replace a crude oil pipeline. Environmental and tribal groups oppose Enbridge Energy’s ongoing effort to replace its aging Line 3, which carries Canadian crude from Alberta. It clips a corner of North Dakota on its way across northern Minnesota to Enbridge’s terminal in Superior, Wisconsin. The Canadian and Wisconsin replacement segments are already carrying oil. The Minnesota segment is about 60% complete.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARKansas Common crude at CHS starts the week at $59.75 per barrel, the best price in McPherson since October 2018.&nbsp; That's up nearly two dollars from the first of the month and $21 higher than at the first of the year. By midday, Monday the Nymex benchmark futures contract was down 16 cents from Friday's settlement, to $69.46 per barrel. London Brent reached $72.17 a barrel in intraday trading Friday, the highest price for the international benchmark since 2019. Brent prices remained above $71 Monday. Kansas crude-oil production rose 15% in March from the month before, according to a government report. But state output remained more than 11% behind March of last year. The Energy Information Administration said Kansas production reached 2.3 million barrels in March. That's about 77,000 barrels per day, compared to 67,000 barrels a day the month before and 87,000 barrels per day a year earlier. EIA reports U.S. output in March reached 11.2 million barrels per day, up 14% on the month, but down 12 percent from March 2020. After a big drop in February, crude output in Texas jumped 26% in March to 4.4 million barrels per day. The government's weekly petroleum report shows production, inventories and imports all dropped last week. U.S. operators produced 10.88 million barrels per day during the week ending May 28. That's down 168,000 barrels per day from the week before and about 300,000 barrels per day less than the same week last year. EIA said inventories dropped more than half a million barrels. Stockpiles are about three percent below the five-year seasonal average. Imports were down more than half a million barrels per day last week at 5.6 million barrels per day. EIA said over the last four weeks, average imports are slightly lower than the same four weeks last year. The Rig Count in Kansas from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service was down one rig in the eastern half of the state and unchanged out west. Drilling was underway on one lease in Ellis County Friday. Baker Hughes reports 456 active drilling rigs across the U.S., which is down one gas rig from last week. The count in Texas was down two while New Mexico was up two. There are 18 new drilling permits in Kansas this week, including 11 in Western Kansas, to bring the total so far this year to 369 new drilling permits. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 21 newly-completed wells across Kansas, 11 of them west of Wichita. That's 321 well completions so far this year. Weekly oil-by-rail totals posted a 27% increase over last year at this time. The Association of American Railroads reports 11,163 tanker cars moving petroleum products for the week ending May 29. That's up 363 tankers from the week before. AAR says total U.S. rail traffic in May was up 28% over May of 2020. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 21 weeks of the year was up nearly 14% compared to last year. The auto club AAA says gasoline demand has jumped steadily since the end of April, dropping supply levels around the country.&nbsp; That means pump prices are likely to see fluctuation this month. The average price across the country was just over $3.04, or more than a dollar a gallon higher than a year ago. The average across Kansas was just under $2.83 per gallon.&nbsp; Filling up a 15-gallon tank locally will cost you about a dollar more than last week, a dollar less than last month, and about $17 more than a year ago at this time.&nbsp; The government says U.S. energy consumption last year dropped by a record seven percent from the year before. The Energy Information Administration sways energy use decreased for all fuels except renewable energy, which increased by two percent. Petroleum consumption last year dropped by 13%, and natural gas was down two percent. Authorities braced for protests in northern Minnesota in the final construction push to replace a crude oil pipeline. Environmental and tribal groups oppose Enbridge Energy’s ongoing effort to replace its aging Line 3, which carries Canadian crude from Alberta. It clips a corner of North Dakota on its way across northern Minnesota to Enbridge’s terminal in Superior, Wisconsin. The Canadian and Wisconsin replacement segments are already carrying oil. The Minnesota segment is about 60% complete.

News From the Oil Patch: Best Kan. crude prices since October 2018

By DAN GLICKMAN Former congressman and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

Now that all adults are 
eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, we should inject our political 
leaders with a healthy dose of authentic, self-deprecating humor, so 
they can make themselves the butt of their jokes instead of using them 
to add more poison to the American body politic. Seriously, when was the
 last time you heard a politician in Congress making fun of him or 
herself?

According to Thomas Ford, a psychologist at Western Carolina University and editor-in-chief of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.humorstudies.org/JournalCenter.htm">HUMOR: The International Journal of Humor Research</a>, “Non-aggressive forms of humor have a real bonding effect. There’s a&nbsp;<a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_laughter_brings_us_together">special connection</a>&nbsp;we make with one another when we laugh with one another.”

Throughout American history, we’ve seen our leaders use humor to appease “warring” parties and bring people together — to get things done
 and make America a better, more humane country.&nbsp;Many of our impactful 
leaders of the past, from Lincoln to FDR to Kennedy and Reagan, were 
able to use the power of humor, especially at their own expense, to 
persuade, persevere and ultimately make valuable progress for everyone.

If you can laugh at 
yourself and encourage others to do the same, people will like you, 
which means you can more easily inspire others to follow. A friendly 
sense of humor can make people feel closer to each other, a first step 
toward compromise — and getting things done.

Positive humor relieves 
stress while negative humor increases it. Jokes at someone’s expense 
tend to keep those people entrenched in their polarizing views, 
especially when they think they are being attacked for their values or 
policy positions. Tacit approval of negative humor on both sides of the 
political spectrum makes people less willing to embrace compromise.

<a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/profile/jill_suttie">Jill Suttie</a>, a doctor of psychology and staff writer at <a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/">Greater Good</a>,
 says that “humor could be used to heal our political divide rather than
 encourage it.” This is true for conservatives and liberals, as both 
have a choice to make: Do they stay in their silos and use negative 
humor to take potshots at each other, or do they opt to look in the 
mirror, make fun of themselves for a change, and extend an olive branch 
to their “friends across the aisle” and get things done. Because isn’t that the point of being in Congress — to get things done?

Our current political leadership, at all levels of government, is missing an opportunity to bring people together and
 become more relatable to voters. Where is the spirit of Mark Twain and 
Will Rogers when we need them?&nbsp;We are living in an age of mean-spirited 
discourse (if you can call it that) and relentless vitriol, which may 
score points for TV pundits but does nothing to create progress. In 
fact, it’s getting us nowhere fast.

As a nine-term congressman
 from Kansas, secretary of agriculture under President Bill Clinton, and
 chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America, I faced thorny 
challenges on a regular basis. Humor, especially at my own expense, was 
often my best way to communicate and create mutual understanding and 
became my chosen method to get things done. If others could follow my example, it would benefit the country.

Of course, I am not so 
naïve to think that humor is a cure-all by itself, and I agree that 
hard-charging rhetoric is sometimes justified during political battles. 
But humor can keep these conflicts from becoming endless wars, which 
just might save our democracy in the process.

I’m not suggesting that 
politicians become stand-up comedians. God help us. But folks could 
surely lighten up. Humor can puncture pomposity, defuse tense 
situations, attract allies, and bring focus to serious issues. It is 
essential to disarming colleagues and to get things done.

Incidentally, “<a href="https://kansaspress.ku.edu/978-0-7006-3213-8.html">Laughing at Myself</a>” is the title of my new memoir, out this month from the University Press of Kansas.

Life is about building 
bridges between rivals, not making permanent enemies, and if we are ever
 going to achieve fairness and equality, humor can help us get there.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of Kansas’s favorite sons, expressed this best.

“A sense of humor is part of leadership,” he said, “of getting along with people; of getting things done.”

Dan Glickman celebrates his book release at two virtual events this month: 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8, at Wichita’s <a href="https://www.watermarkbooks.com/event/dan-glickman">Watermark Books &amp; Café</a>, and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16 at Lawrence’s <a href="https://www.ravenbookstore.com/event/dan-glickman-conversation-burdett-loomis">Raven Book Store</a>.

Dan Glickman is a senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center; adjunct professor of agriculture and nutrition, Tufts University; board member of the World Food Program USA; and recently retired as vice president and executive director of the Aspen Institute Congressional Program. He served for eighteen years in the U.S. House of Representatives representing the 4th Congressional District of Kansas, as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1995 to 2001, and as chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc., from 2004 to 2010.

Republished courtesy the Kansas Reflector.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623093655021.jpeg" alt="Dan Glickman" />
 <figcaption>Dan Glickman</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAN GLICKMAN Former congressman and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Now that all adults are 
eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, we should inject our political 
leaders with a healthy dose of authentic, self-deprecating humor, so 
they can make themselves the butt of their jokes instead of using them 
to add more poison to the American body politic. Seriously, when was the
 last time you heard a politician in Congress making fun of him or 
herself?According to Thomas Ford, a psychologist at Western Carolina University and editor-in-chief of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.humorstudies.org/JournalCenter.htm">HUMOR: The International Journal of Humor Research</a>, “Non-aggressive forms of humor have a real bonding effect. There’s a&nbsp;<a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_laughter_brings_us_together">special connection</a>&nbsp;we make with one another when we laugh with one another.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Throughout American history, we’ve seen our leaders use humor to appease “warring” parties and bring people together — to get things done
 and make America a better, more humane country.&nbsp;Many of our impactful 
leaders of the past, from Lincoln to FDR to Kennedy and Reagan, were 
able to use the power of humor, especially at their own expense, to 
persuade, persevere and ultimately make valuable progress for everyone.If you can laugh at 
yourself and encourage others to do the same, people will like you, 
which means you can more easily inspire others to follow. A friendly 
sense of humor can make people feel closer to each other, a first step 
toward compromise — and getting things done.Positive humor relieves 
stress while negative humor increases it. Jokes at someone’s expense 
tend to keep those people entrenched in their polarizing views, 
especially when they think they are being attacked for their values or 
policy positions. Tacit approval of negative humor on both sides of the 
political spectrum makes people less willing to embrace compromise.<a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/profile/jill_suttie">Jill Suttie</a>, a doctor of psychology and staff writer at <a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/">Greater Good</a>,
 says that “humor could be used to heal our political divide rather than
 encourage it.” This is true for conservatives and liberals, as both 
have a choice to make: Do they stay in their silos and use negative 
humor to take potshots at each other, or do they opt to look in the 
mirror, make fun of themselves for a change, and extend an olive branch 
to their “friends across the aisle” and get things done. Because isn’t that the point of being in Congress — to get things done?Our current political leadership, at all levels of government, is missing an opportunity to bring people together and
 become more relatable to voters. Where is the spirit of Mark Twain and 
Will Rogers when we need them?&nbsp;We are living in an age of mean-spirited 
discourse (if you can call it that) and relentless vitriol, which may 
score points for TV pundits but does nothing to create progress. In 
fact, it’s getting us nowhere fast.As a nine-term congressman
 from Kansas, secretary of agriculture under President Bill Clinton, and
 chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America, I faced thorny 
challenges on a regular basis. Humor, especially at my own expense, was 
often my best way to communicate and create mutual understanding and 
became my chosen method to get things done. If others could follow my example, it would benefit the country.Of course, I am not so 
naïve to think that humor is a cure-all by itself, and I agree that 
hard-charging rhetoric is sometimes justified during political battles. 
But humor can keep these conflicts from becoming endless wars, which 
just might save our democracy in the process.I’m not suggesting that 
politicians become stand-up comedians. God help us. But folks could 
surely lighten up. Humor can puncture pomposity, defuse tense 
situations, attract allies, and bring focus to serious issues. It is 
essential to disarming colleagues and to get things done.Incidentally, “<a href="https://kansaspress.ku.edu/978-0-7006-3213-8.html">Laughing at Myself</a>” is the title of my new memoir, out this month from the University Press of Kansas.Life is about building 
bridges between rivals, not making permanent enemies, and if we are ever
 going to achieve fairness and equality, humor can help us get there.President Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of Kansas’s favorite sons, expressed this best.“A sense of humor is part of leadership,” he said, “of getting along with people; of getting things done.”Dan Glickman celebrates his book release at two virtual events this month: 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8, at Wichita’s <a href="https://www.watermarkbooks.com/event/dan-glickman">Watermark Books &amp; Café</a>, and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16 at Lawrence’s <a href="https://www.ravenbookstore.com/event/dan-glickman-conversation-burdett-loomis">Raven Book Store</a>.Dan Glickman is a senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center; adjunct professor of agriculture and nutrition, Tufts University; board member of the World Food Program USA; and recently retired as vice president and executive director of the Aspen Institute Congressional Program. He served for eighteen years in the U.S. House of Representatives representing the 4th Congressional District of Kansas, as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1995 to 2001, and as chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc., from 2004 to 2010.Republished courtesy the Kansas Reflector.

GLICKMAN: What the world needs now is humor

Senate Scene 2021 Wrap-up - Legislature Adjourns Sine Die on May 26

On May 26, the Senate wrapped up the 2021 legislative session. Known in the legislature as Sine Die, it officially marks the final adjournment for the 2021 Legislative Session and ended on Day 86. The House sent 70 bills to the governor with the Senate sending 46 bills for a total of 116 bills for the 2021 Legislature. The governor vetoed five bills with no over-rides attempted in the Senate or the House. There was a total of 315 Senate bills introduced in 2021.

In a Senate Republican caucus following adjournment on the Senate floor, Larry Alley from Winfield was elected as the new Senate Majority Leader. Barring a special session, the full legislature will return on January 10, 2022.

STATE GRANTS – SENATE DISTRICT #36

The Kansas Historical Society awarded $499,645 in Kansas Rural Preservation Grants to 15 projects in 13 counties. These funds will be used toward structural repairs, roof replacement, window restoration and masonry repointing. The Belrhost Bros. Hardware building in Sylvan Grove in Lincoln County was awarded $36,000 and the Post Office Block building in Marysville was awarded $38,700 and the historic Frankfort School in Frankfort (both in Marshall County) was awarded $50,000. The Kansas Historic Preservation Fund Grant through the National Park Service awarded nearly $230,000 in grants for 10 projects including the city of Lincoln for an ADA improvement plan for city hall for $17,500.

The Department of Transportation announced $42 million in infrastructure projects for 30 construction projects across Kansas for the KDOT Cost Share Program for 2021. Cost Share is a component of the 10-year Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE). Two of these projects are in Senate District 36 – the City of Miltonvale for the Miltonvale City Street Improvements for Safety and the City of Phillipsburg for a runway extension.

Every ten years, the Kansas Legislature looks at the U.S. census numbers and assigns committees to review and redraw the legislative boundaries for the state-both state offices and federal offices. The United States Constitution and federal statutes require a federal census to be conducted every ten years and congressional districts adjusted to the new numbers. The Kansas Constitution and state law also requires the reapportionment of the state senate districts, the state house of representative districts, and the school board districts in the state based on the census information.

In March, the U.S. Census Bureau announced delays in the collection and distribution of information due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Previously, census data had been delivered to each state by April 1 the year after the census was completed. The new deadline for states to receive 2020 data is now September 30, 2021. Expect rural districts in both the Senate and the House to grow in geographical size and urban districts to shrink due to population decline and shift. House and Senate Committees will begin to meet soon and use the data when available to build the new state and federal district maps. The Kansas Legislative Research Department has a page dedicated to redistricting and has posted data the state has a received to date –<a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Redistricting.html"> http://www.kslegislature.org/</a> use Research Department tab under the Legislative Resources tab then to Policy Areas and then&nbsp;Redistricting tab. You will find a listing of all counties since April 2010 to April 2019 with populations and percentage changes.

The State of Kansas has over $400 million dollars in unclaimed property waiting for the rightful owner to find and claim. Unclaimed property stats from the first of the year include 437,320 searches, $8,065,732.67 returned with the average claim paid at $1999.47. These holdings at the Treasurer’s office include bank accounts, cash, stocks, bonds, refunds (utilities), royalties, insurance proceeds and even safe deposit box contents. To search for your name, visit <a href="https://www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/up_search.php">www.kansasastatetreasurer.com</a> and enter your name or business name to see if your name is on this list. Senate District #36 has over 4,000 entries in the 13 counties it covers. If you would like more personal assistance, call 800-432-0386 or 785-296-4165.

The Secretary of State is one of four state offices authorized by the Kansas Constitution. Although created by the state constitution, the duties of the office are defined by almost 1,000 state laws. Among the many duties of the Office of the Kansas Secretary of State is maintaining primary responsibility for administering elections, collecting certain records of Kansas businesses and publishing the official publications for the state of Kansas. The agency oversees cemeteries, Kansas notaries and even trademarks. As a result, hundreds of thousands of documents are kept by the Secretary of State. Generally, they fall into four categories – executive, legislative, elections and business. Several YouTube Videos highlighting the agency and brief clips on processes can be found on their website at <a href="https://www.sos.ks.gov/">www.sos.ks.gov</a>.

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF APPOINTMENTS

The Office of Appointments assists the Governor with the appointment of over 1,000 individuals to serve on Kansas’ boards and commissions. All qualified and service-minded Kansans are encouraged to participate in our state's government by offering to serve on a board or commission or by recommending qualified candidates. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/serving-kansans/office-of-appointments/">https://governor.ks.gov/</a>. Find the Serving Kansans tab where you will find a screen to apply for service. If you are interested in the opportunity to serve or would like to nominate someone, please call the office at 785 368-8500 or apply online.

The 2022 Kansas Legislative Session will begin January 10, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. when we will be back in our offices at the capitol in Topeka. Over the summer and fall, I can be reached at my legislative email at elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov or my work email elaine@concordiaautomart.com. My work address in Concordia is 212 E. 6th St., Concordia, KS 66901 and if you are in Concordia, drop by. My daytime work number is 785-243-3325x2 or email me questions, concerns or ideas for legislative bills for the next session. Visit the Kansas Legislature website in the office session at <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a> which has extensive information on legislators, committees, bills, past sessions, historical data, internships, and pages for next year. It is an honor to serve you in the 36th Kansas Senate District and please feel free to contact me anytime.

Senator Elaine Bowers Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E 300 SW 10th St. Topeka, KS 66612 elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov elaine@concordiaautomart.com <a href="https://elainebowers.com/">www.elainebowers.com</a> 785-243-3325 x2 or 785-296-7389 <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>

Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is the 36th Kansas District senator.&nbsp;The 36th District includes&nbsp;Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580853658061.jpeg" alt="Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Senate Scene 2021 Wrap-up - Legislature Adjourns Sine Die on May 26On May 26, the Senate wrapped up the 2021 legislative session. Known in the legislature as Sine Die, it officially marks the final adjournment for the 2021 Legislative Session and ended on Day 86. The House sent 70 bills to the governor with the Senate sending 46 bills for a total of 116 bills for the 2021 Legislature. The governor vetoed five bills with no over-rides attempted in the Senate or the House. There was a total of 315 Senate bills introduced in 2021.In a Senate Republican caucus following adjournment on the Senate floor, Larry Alley from Winfield was elected as the new Senate Majority Leader. Barring a special session, the full legislature will return on January 10, 2022.STATE GRANTS – SENATE DISTRICT #36The Kansas Historical Society awarded $499,645 in Kansas Rural Preservation Grants to 15 projects in 13 counties. These funds will be used toward structural repairs, roof replacement, window restoration and masonry repointing. The Belrhost Bros. Hardware building in Sylvan Grove in Lincoln County was awarded $36,000 and the Post Office Block building in Marysville was awarded $38,700 and the historic Frankfort School in Frankfort (both in Marshall County) was awarded $50,000. The Kansas Historic Preservation Fund Grant through the National Park Service awarded nearly $230,000 in grants for 10 projects including the city of Lincoln for an ADA improvement plan for city hall for $17,500.The Department of Transportation announced $42 million in infrastructure projects for 30 construction projects across Kansas for the KDOT Cost Share Program for 2021. Cost Share is a component of the 10-year Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE). Two of these projects are in Senate District 36 – the City of Miltonvale for the Miltonvale City Street Improvements for Safety and the City of Phillipsburg for a runway extension.REDISTRICTING IN 2021-2022Every ten years, the Kansas Legislature looks at the U.S. census numbers and assigns committees to review and redraw the legislative boundaries for the state-both state offices and federal offices. The United States Constitution and federal statutes require a federal census to be conducted every ten years and congressional districts adjusted to the new numbers. The Kansas Constitution and state law also requires the reapportionment of the state senate districts, the state house of representative districts, and the school board districts in the state based on the census information.In March, the U.S. Census Bureau announced delays in the collection and distribution of information due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Previously, census data had been delivered to each state by April 1 the year after the census was completed. The new deadline for states to receive 2020 data is now September 30, 2021. Expect rural districts in both the Senate and the House to grow in geographical size and urban districts to shrink due to population decline and shift. House and Senate Committees will begin to meet soon and use the data when available to build the new state and federal district maps. The Kansas Legislative Research Department has a page dedicated to redistricting and has posted data the state has a received to date –<a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Redistricting.html"> http://www.kslegislature.org/</a> use Research Department tab under the Legislative Resources tab then to Policy Areas and then&nbsp;Redistricting tab. You will find a listing of all counties since April 2010 to April 2019 with populations and percentage changes.UNCLAIMED PROPERTY IN KANSASThe State of Kansas has over $400 million dollars in unclaimed property waiting for the rightful owner to find and claim. Unclaimed property stats from the first of the year include 437,320 searches, $8,065,732.67 returned with the average claim paid at $1999.47. These holdings at the Treasurer’s office include bank accounts, cash, stocks, bonds, refunds (utilities), royalties, insurance proceeds and even safe deposit box contents. To search for your name, visit <a href="https://www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/up_search.php">www.kansasastatetreasurer.com</a> and enter your name or business name to see if your name is on this list. Senate District #36 has over 4,000 entries in the 13 counties it covers. If you would like more personal assistance, call 800-432-0386 or 785-296-4165.KANSAS SECRETARY OF STATEThe Secretary of State is one of four state offices authorized by the Kansas Constitution. Although created by the state constitution, the duties of the office are defined by almost 1,000 state laws. Among the many duties of the Office of the Kansas Secretary of State is maintaining primary responsibility for administering elections, collecting certain records of Kansas businesses and publishing the official publications for the state of Kansas. The agency oversees cemeteries, Kansas notaries and even trademarks. As a result, hundreds of thousands of documents are kept by the Secretary of State. Generally, they fall into four categories – executive, legislative, elections and business. Several YouTube Videos highlighting the agency and brief clips on processes can be found on their website at <a href="https://www.sos.ks.gov/">www.sos.ks.gov</a>.GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF APPOINTMENTSThe Office of Appointments assists the Governor with the appointment of over 1,000 individuals to serve on Kansas’ boards and commissions. All qualified and service-minded Kansans are encouraged to participate in our state's government by offering to serve on a board or commission or by recommending qualified candidates. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/serving-kansans/office-of-appointments/">https://governor.ks.gov/</a>. Find the Serving Kansans tab where you will find a screen to apply for service. If you are interested in the opportunity to serve or would like to nominate someone, please call the office at 785 368-8500 or apply online.OFF-SESSION CONTACT INFORMATIONThe 2022 Kansas Legislative Session will begin January 10, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. when we will be back in our offices at the capitol in Topeka. Over the summer and fall, I can be reached at my legislative email at elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov or my work email elaine@concordiaautomart.com. My work address in Concordia is 212 E. 6th St., Concordia, KS 66901 and if you are in Concordia, drop by. My daytime work number is 785-243-3325x2 or email me questions, concerns or ideas for legislative bills for the next session. Visit the Kansas Legislature website in the office session at <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a> which has extensive information on legislators, committees, bills, past sessions, historical data, internships, and pages for next year. It is an honor to serve you in the 36th Kansas Senate District and please feel free to contact me anytime.Senator Elaine Bowers Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E 300 SW 10th St. Topeka, KS 66612 elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov elaine@concordiaautomart.com <a href="https://elainebowers.com/">www.elainebowers.com</a> 785-243-3325 x2 or 785-296-7389 <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is the 36th Kansas District senator.&nbsp;The 36th District includes&nbsp;Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties.

BOWERS: Senate Scene 2021 Wrap up

I’ll never forget the look on Fritz Berger’s face as he spun around in the bow of the boat and exclaimed “Flathead; big flathead” with his hands spread wide apart to show us the length of the fish. The boat rocked wildly back-and-forth as he stabbed the long-handled dip net into a raft of floating debris trying to capture the big fish that had escaped his first attempt. 

“Got him,” he hollered as the net came up bulging with the beast. “Now I don’t know how to get him in the boat.” After a time, Fritz was able to drag the fish around to the side of the boat to get around the tall railing that wrapped around the front and unceremoniously dump it into the tank in the middle of the boat. Welcome to electro-fishing, the method used by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) to sample Kansas lakes, reservoirs and ponds to show them everything they need to know about fish populations in a given water impoundment, so they can better manage the fish populations therein. It helps them determine how many of what fish species are in the water, and shows them the condition of sport fish there. Today, a friend and I got to hang out with our District Fisheries Biologist Bryan Sowards and his summer intern Fritz Berger as they electro-shocked the small pond just east of Inman on property owned by the city of Inman affectionately known as “the city pasture.” The city has contracted with KDWPT to manage this pond for fishing.&nbsp;

Here’s how the electro fishing process works. A compartment near the center of the flat bottom aluminum boat houses a generator, and controls allow the operator to start and stop the unit plus adjust voltage and amperage. Two 36-inch diameter round steel wheels with numerous small metal rods dangling from them are lowered into the water and electrify a portion of water 6 to 8 feet deep and 6 to 8 feet in diameter around each wheel with 220 volts and 5 to 7 amps of electricity when the generator is started. These wheels hang from arms on each side of the bow of the boat, and can be adjusted for length and from side to side. The plan is usually to work around the edge of the lake or pond as near the bank as possible to capture fish that are lurking under the bank for protection. The fish are stunned long enough for “netters” working in the front of the boat to scoop them from the water and deposit them into a water tank for weighing and measuring.

The first challenge when electro-shocking a small pond like this became apparent immediately; there was no boat ramp. The boat trailer was driven to a spot with the most room to navigate and backed as near the water as possible. Equipment was loaded onto the boat, then after a fair tussle, the 4 of us managed to rock and shove the boat from the trailer onto the pond. We all piled aboard, Bryan at the controls, Fritz in the front manning the net and my friend and I off to the side, out of the way. The generator was started and Bryan steered the boat toward the nearest bank. The pond is odd-shaped with overhanging trees and lots of floating debris around its edge, so the next challenge became getting the hanging wheels dispensing the electricity close enough to the bank to do their job without tearing everything up. Fish of all species and sizes began floating to the surface where Fritz netted them and dumped them into the tank. Some shallow little coves littered with downed limbs and trash took a couple tries to properly sample. After making a loop completely around the pond, Bryan ran the boat ashore and we stopped to count and weigh the collection.

There were a couple nice largemouth bass of 2 to 3 pounds, several smaller largemouths, a couple small channel catfish, a few smaller crappies, both black and white, some rough fish like carp and buffalo that were immediately removed and the big flathead that was around 30 inches long and probably weighed 25 pounds. Also seen were numerous shad, the main baitfish found in our large Kansas lakes and reservoirs, and Bryan had no answer for how they came to be there.&nbsp;

The boat was much easier to load back onto the trailer that it was to get into the pond, and they were on there way. Sowards was amazed at the diversity of fish found in that small pond, but was not impressed with the mix of fish present when looking at things from the viewpoint of managing it for fishing. He will put together a report to present to the city with recommendations on how best to proceed. Our KDWPT wildlife and fisheries biologists and conservation officers do a crack job of managing God’s creation here in Kansas as far as I’m concerned. The next time you see one of them out-and-about, give them a “Thank You” for helping you be able to Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>I’ll never forget the look on Fritz Berger’s face as he spun around in the bow of the boat and exclaimed “Flathead; big flathead” with his hands spread wide apart to show us the length of the fish. The boat rocked wildly back-and-forth as he stabbed the long-handled dip net into a raft of floating debris trying to capture the big fish that had escaped his first attempt. “Got him,” he hollered as the net came up bulging with the beast. “Now I don’t know how to get him in the boat.” After a time, Fritz was able to drag the fish around to the side of the boat to get around the tall railing that wrapped around the front and unceremoniously dump it into the tank in the middle of the boat. Welcome to electro-fishing, the method used by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) to sample Kansas lakes, reservoirs and ponds to show them everything they need to know about fish populations in a given water impoundment, so they can better manage the fish populations therein. It helps them determine how many of what fish species are in the water, and shows them the condition of sport fish there. Today, a friend and I got to hang out with our District Fisheries Biologist Bryan Sowards and his summer intern Fritz Berger as they electro-shocked the small pond just east of Inman on property owned by the city of Inman affectionately known as “the city pasture.” The city has contracted with KDWPT to manage this pond for fishing.&nbsp;Here’s how the electro fishing process works. A compartment near the center of the flat bottom aluminum boat houses a generator, and controls allow the operator to start and stop the unit plus adjust voltage and amperage. Two 36-inch diameter round steel wheels with numerous small metal rods dangling from them are lowered into the water and electrify a portion of water 6 to 8 feet deep and 6 to 8 feet in diameter around each wheel with 220 volts and 5 to 7 amps of electricity when the generator is started. These wheels hang from arms on each side of the bow of the boat, and can be adjusted for length and from side to side. The plan is usually to work around the edge of the lake or pond as near the bank as possible to capture fish that are lurking under the bank for protection. The fish are stunned long enough for “netters” working in the front of the boat to scoop them from the water and deposit them into a water tank for weighing and measuring.The first challenge when electro-shocking a small pond like this became apparent immediately; there was no boat ramp. The boat trailer was driven to a spot with the most room to navigate and backed as near the water as possible. Equipment was loaded onto the boat, then after a fair tussle, the 4 of us managed to rock and shove the boat from the trailer onto the pond. We all piled aboard, Bryan at the controls, Fritz in the front manning the net and my friend and I off to the side, out of the way. The generator was started and Bryan steered the boat toward the nearest bank. The pond is odd-shaped with overhanging trees and lots of floating debris around its edge, so the next challenge became getting the hanging wheels dispensing the electricity close enough to the bank to do their job without tearing everything up. Fish of all species and sizes began floating to the surface where Fritz netted them and dumped them into the tank. Some shallow little coves littered with downed limbs and trash took a couple tries to properly sample. After making a loop completely around the pond, Bryan ran the boat ashore and we stopped to count and weigh the collection.There were a couple nice largemouth bass of 2 to 3 pounds, several smaller largemouths, a couple small channel catfish, a few smaller crappies, both black and white, some rough fish like carp and buffalo that were immediately removed and the big flathead that was around 30 inches long and probably weighed 25 pounds. Also seen were numerous shad, the main baitfish found in our large Kansas lakes and reservoirs, and Bryan had no answer for how they came to be there.&nbsp;The boat was much easier to load back onto the trailer that it was to get into the pond, and they were on there way. Sowards was amazed at the diversity of fish found in that small pond, but was not impressed with the mix of fish present when looking at things from the viewpoint of managing it for fishing. He will put together a report to present to the city with recommendations on how best to proceed. Our KDWPT wildlife and fisheries biologists and conservation officers do a crack job of managing God’s creation here in Kansas as far as I’m concerned. The next time you see one of them out-and-about, give them a “Thank You” for helping you be able to Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Well, that was shocking!

Another school year has come to an end but that does not mean that a family schedule is impossible. Yes, it will be important to give your kids some down time in between their ball practices or swimming lessons. But do make an effort to limit screen time either in front of the TV or any of the other electronic devices that many children are literally glued to.&nbsp;

A Facebook friend of mine posted a neat suggestion for families titled, “School Holiday Rules.” I have shared the information with parents who have appreciated having something that can be printed off and followed.&nbsp; While it does require a parent to help enforce the rules, I love the concept. So here goes with some suggested “School Holiday Rules.”

Children may have as much time on the iPad or TV as long as all of the following jobs have been completed BEFORE they turn on the screen.

The way I have it figured, a child who completes this list will have spent at least 3 and a half hours in productive and perhaps creative activity. They may find that the book they are reading is so enticing that they can’t put it down, or that their outdoor activity they have chosen is great fun.&nbsp;

It takes me back to my own childhood when our summer schedule looked quite similar. But it would have included at least one hour of work in the garden and when I was old enough a three-hour block to mow the grass when needed. Of course, there were 4-H projects to work on and occasionally driving the tractor to pick up hay bales.&nbsp;

I will post the rules on our Cottonwood Extension District website. I printed the “School Holiday Rules” on hot pink paper so they will really stand out on the refrigerator or bathroom mirror. If you decide to adopt these rules in your household let me know how it goes. And have a great summer!

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Another school year has come to an end but that does not mean that a family schedule is impossible. Yes, it will be important to give your kids some down time in between their ball practices or swimming lessons. But do make an effort to limit screen time either in front of the TV or any of the other electronic devices that many children are literally glued to.&nbsp;A Facebook friend of mine posted a neat suggestion for families titled, “School Holiday Rules.” I have shared the information with parents who have appreciated having something that can be printed off and followed.&nbsp; While it does require a parent to help enforce the rules, I love the concept. So here goes with some suggested “School Holiday Rules.”Children may have as much time on the iPad or TV as long as all of the following jobs have been completed BEFORE they turn on the screen.<ul>
 <li>Made your bed</li><li>Eaten breakfast (the most important meal of the day)</li><li>Gotten dressed</li><li>Brushed teeth</li><li>Brushed hair</li><li>20 minutes of reading</li><li>20 minutes of writing or coloring</li><li>Clean up 1 room (TV room or bedroom)</li><li>Played outside for 30 minutes</li><li>Made or built something creative (Lego, craft, sand, etc.….)</li><li>Helped someone in the family (Ask if there is a job you can do, if you cannot think of something yourself)</li>
 </ul>The way I have it figured, a child who completes this list will have spent at least 3 and a half hours in productive and perhaps creative activity. They may find that the book they are reading is so enticing that they can’t put it down, or that their outdoor activity they have chosen is great fun.&nbsp;It takes me back to my own childhood when our summer schedule looked quite similar. But it would have included at least one hour of work in the garden and when I was old enough a three-hour block to mow the grass when needed. Of course, there were 4-H projects to work on and occasionally driving the tractor to pick up hay bales.&nbsp;I will post the rules on our Cottonwood Extension District website. I printed the “School Holiday Rules” on hot pink paper so they will really stand out on the refrigerator or bathroom mirror. If you decide to adopt these rules in your household let me know how it goes. And have a great summer!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Summer rules for kids

From DC to Kansas, culture war issues are topping the conservative agenda. Many conservatives are advocating restricting speech in schools to ban something called “critical race theory” (CRT).&nbsp;

CRT isn’t a theory like, say, the theory of gravity that has clear rules and equations. Rather, it’s more like a perspective. Oversimplified, it means thinking about how race matters in law, society, and institutions, often in ways that promote racial inequality.&nbsp;

For example, Black families generally have less inherited wealth than White families. CRT might encourage considering how slavery and segregation limited economic opportunities for Blacks over generations, contributing to a racial wealth gap today.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575644168170.png" alt="Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas. " />
 <figcaption>Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas. </figcaption>
 </figure>From DC to Kansas, culture war issues are topping the conservative agenda. Many conservatives are advocating restricting speech in schools to ban something called “critical race theory” (CRT).&nbsp;CRT isn’t a theory like, say, the theory of gravity that has clear rules and equations. Rather, it’s more like a perspective. Oversimplified, it means thinking about how race matters in law, society, and institutions, often in ways that promote racial inequality.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>For example, Black families generally have less inherited wealth than White families. CRT might encourage considering how slavery and segregation limited economic opportunities for Blacks over generations, contributing to a racial wealth gap today.&nbsp;That’s it. You don’t need a fancy academic label like “CRT” to think about how race matters in America.&nbsp;CRT is not diversity or racial sensitivity training. It doesn’t regulate speech, require supporting reparations, or say that racism explains everything. Of course, like any idea, some people use CRT to voice controversial opinions, and that gets cherry picked for dramatic political arguments.&nbsp;&nbsp;Conservatives are using coordinated language to attack CRT as some big boogeyman, calling it anti-American, anti-White, socialist, unpatriotic, anti-individualism, divisive, etcetera.&nbsp;But conservatives have largely manufactured this CRT controversy as “outrage of the day” political fodder. Yes, schools teach and talk about race. But overwhelmingly, schools don’t teach CRT.&nbsp;The real impact of this controversy is on freedom of speech in schools—whether and how students are exposed to discussions of race. In some states, conservatives have outlawed or attempted to outlaw CRT in schools. The Kansas Attorney General has also joined a letter that some interpret as anti-CRT.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s harder for conservatives to ban CRT than you’d think. Since CRT is just a perspective, it’s often difficult to identify and censor.&nbsp;&nbsp;For example, under these proposed speech codes, schools can teach that slavery happened. But you can’t control reactions to that. Maybe a parent or politician feels that a lesson about slavery implied something imperfect about America. Or maybe that lesson included the opinion of a Black person about what slavery means to them, and that upset some folks. Under the varied regulations that conservatives are promoting in states to ban CRT, that lesson can be interpreted as breaking the law because of how it made someone feel. Hello, lawsuit.&nbsp;Critical thinking about race also gets dangerous. Under these new regulations, discussing race and criminal justice in a social studies class gets borderline criminal depending upon who expressed what opinion and how that conversation was interpreted.&nbsp;Teachers in some states are telling reporters that they would rather avoid discussing race than risk breaking new speech laws. Thus, in censoring how race gets discussed, conservatives are pressuring educators to just ignore the topic.&nbsp;If you’re wondering why the mass conniption about something that overwhelmingly isn’t in school curricula, politics is the answer. Some consultant probably distributed a memo on how to blow this issue up and agitate some chunk of voters.&nbsp;Especially with conservatives attacking how social media companies regulate speech on privately-owned platforms, it’s ironic that many of them advocate using government power to censor discussions about race in schools. If this manufactured crisis comes to Kansas and our 2022 elections, it will be to the detriment of not just free speech and schools, but the many issues that politicians will be neglecting.&nbsp;Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;

Opinion