
 Summer is almost here and that means kids will be eating more meals and
 snacks at home. Keeping those meals and snacks healthy over the summer 
can be easy with a little planning. Following the MyPlate food guide 
system for healthy eating reminds us that half of your plate should be 
filled with fruits and vegetables. A generous portion of whole grains 
and a small portion of lean protein, plus a calcium rich food choice, 
round out the healthy plate. 

 When my kids were growing up and 
now when we spend time with our grandkids, it makes me smile when I see 
their eagerness with eating fresh fruit and vegetables. I often hear 
mom’s say that their kids hate vegetables. My answer to them is “Do your
 kids really hate vegetables, or have you given them a chance to love 
them?”  In the curriculum, Food is Elementary, by Dr. Antonia Demas, 
students are allowed to first smell the food and then slowly taste new 
whole foods. When kids are involved in selecting and preparing 
vegetables they are more likely to eat them. Try preparing vegetables in
 a variety of ways, from raw, to lightly steamed, to stir fried. 
Children follow adult examples, so make sure they see you enjoying your 
veggies too. 

The task of eating more fresh vegetables and fruits 
is easier when you keep a good supply of choices on hand. Soon our 
farmers markets will be open with some great choices of locally grown 
produce. Late cold weather pushed back the planting of many gardens but 
hopefully now that it has warmed up you are still thinking about 
planting something. Research shows that when kids learn about vegetables
 and fruits by growing them, they are more likely to eat them. 

Take
 time now that school is winding down, to sit down with your kids and 
get them involved in meal planning. Make a deal with them to try one new
 vegetable every week of the summer and you will expand their healthy 
plate. As the kids get older you can offer age appropriate chores 
related to meal preparation and serving. Giving children choices when it
 comes to what is served gives them a sense of ownership. If a new food 
is not liked the first time it is offered, wait a couple of weeks and 
try again with the food prepared in a different way. 

If anyone 
reading this would like ideas on foods to prepare with youngsters, I 
hope you will take a few minutes and check out the following website:  
https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-kitchen  There are some excellent 
kid-friendly recipes, many that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. 
There is an option on the website to save your favorite recipes and 
create a cookbook that is saved in a file or printed off.  

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: 793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu

<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>
 Summer is almost here and that means kids will be eating more meals and
 snacks at home. Keeping those meals and snacks healthy over the summer 
can be easy with a little planning. Following the MyPlate food guide 
system for healthy eating reminds us that half of your plate should be 
filled with fruits and vegetables. A generous portion of whole grains 
and a small portion of lean protein, plus a calcium rich food choice, 
round out the healthy plate. When my kids were growing up and 
now when we spend time with our grandkids, it makes me smile when I see 
their eagerness with eating fresh fruit and vegetables. I often hear 
mom’s say that their kids hate vegetables. My answer to them is “Do your
 kids really hate vegetables, or have you given them a chance to love 
them?” In the curriculum, Food is Elementary, by Dr. Antonia Demas, 
students are allowed to first smell the food and then slowly taste new 
whole foods. When kids are involved in selecting and preparing 
vegetables they are more likely to eat them. Try preparing vegetables in
 a variety of ways, from raw, to lightly steamed, to stir fried. 
Children follow adult examples, so make sure they see you enjoying your 
veggies too. The task of eating more fresh vegetables and fruits 
is easier when you keep a good supply of choices on hand. Soon our 
farmers markets will be open with some great choices of locally grown 
produce. Late cold weather pushed back the planting of many gardens but 
hopefully now that it has warmed up you are still thinking about 
planting something. Research shows that when kids learn about vegetables
 and fruits by growing them, they are more likely to eat them. Take
 time now that school is winding down, to sit down with your kids and 
get them involved in meal planning. Make a deal with them to try one new
 vegetable every week of the summer and you will expand their healthy 
plate. As the kids get older you can offer age appropriate chores 
related to meal preparation and serving. Giving children choices when it
 comes to what is served gives them a sense of ownership. If a new food 
is not liked the first time it is offered, wait a couple of weeks and 
try again with the food prepared in a different way. If anyone 
reading this would like ideas on foods to prepare with youngsters, I 
hope you will take a few minutes and check out the following website: 
https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-kitchen There are some excellent 
kid-friendly recipes, many that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. 
There is an option on the website to save your favorite recipes and 
create a cookbook that is saved in a file or printed off. Have a fun summer in the kitchen! 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: 793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu

KRUG: Kids and vegetables

WASHINGTON, D.C. -&nbsp; The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a proposed rule to list two designated population segments (DPS) of the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered and threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

The northern DPS of the lesser prairie-chicken, whose habitat includes western Kansas, was listed at threatened, and will have tailored protections under the ESA.

“I am concerned to see the proposed rule to list the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act,” said First District Congressman Tracey Mann, R-Salina.

 “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service commended the voluntary efforts in Kansas, including 40,000 acres of habitat conservation, but ultimately decided that the federal government is better equipped to address these local areas. Over the last several years, our farmers, ranchers, energy sector, and other private landowners have enacted voluntary conservation efforts, and the lesser prairie-chicken’s population has risen in Kansas. 

"This is yet another federal overreach that will disrupt industries that are vital to our economy. I will remain vigilant as the rulemaking process begins and want to ensure all Kansas stakeholders are heard and not negatively impacted by any federal designation.”

FWS has sent a new proposed rule to the Federal Registrar for public comment. Public comments are open for 60 days at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0015g0k1dVRe_iE76q3T_uAkwxSAXbO3D0TcJc0HLro0YRrcpnpOS7ga-Us0ZNHZc9P30ieZdnCvRhtF4XwSg3rPWl58HJvVEns8BA4g25pRzErQzbbLOffLqQguTTlv3-_46Ho263A96eQursCynSWWg==&amp;c=be-P1a-tGSnuLe0p08nmpAX-_AaRO4QuTxRgVlNdodxG2o3BYmtHEQ==&amp;ch=54DQyO9MZ59M0PM0zmdhzdeDh1OXqv0obUb7gp5ISLUd1RwpWscEqw==" target="_blank">www.regulations.gov</a>under docket number FWS–R2–ES–2021–0015.

“I would encourage all stakeholders who are affected by the new proposed rule to comment so as FWS works through rulemaking all Kansas stakeholders are heard,”&nbsp;said Rep. Mann.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615523825324.png" alt="&nbsp;Lesser prairie chicken&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Lesser prairie chicken&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of Rep. MannWASHINGTON, D.C. -&nbsp; The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a proposed rule to list two designated population segments (DPS) of the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered and threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The northern DPS of the lesser prairie-chicken, whose habitat includes western Kansas, was listed at threatened, and will have tailored protections under the ESA.“I am concerned to see the proposed rule to list the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act,” said First District Congressman Tracey Mann, R-Salina. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service commended the voluntary efforts in Kansas, including 40,000 acres of habitat conservation, but ultimately decided that the federal government is better equipped to address these local areas. Over the last several years, our farmers, ranchers, energy sector, and other private landowners have enacted voluntary conservation efforts, and the lesser prairie-chicken’s population has risen in Kansas. "This is yet another federal overreach that will disrupt industries that are vital to our economy. I will remain vigilant as the rulemaking process begins and want to ensure all Kansas stakeholders are heard and not negatively impacted by any federal designation.”FWS has sent a new proposed rule to the Federal Registrar for public comment. Public comments are open for 60 days at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0015g0k1dVRe_iE76q3T_uAkwxSAXbO3D0TcJc0HLro0YRrcpnpOS7ga-Us0ZNHZc9P30ieZdnCvRhtF4XwSg3rPWl58HJvVEns8BA4g25pRzErQzbbLOffLqQguTTlv3-_46Ho263A96eQursCynSWWg==&amp;c=be-P1a-tGSnuLe0p08nmpAX-_AaRO4QuTxRgVlNdodxG2o3BYmtHEQ==&amp;ch=54DQyO9MZ59M0PM0zmdhzdeDh1OXqv0obUb7gp5ISLUd1RwpWscEqw==" target="_blank">www.regulations.gov</a>under docket number FWS–R2–ES–2021–0015. “I would encourage all stakeholders who are affected by the new proposed rule to comment so as FWS works through rulemaking all Kansas stakeholders are heard,”&nbsp;said Rep. Mann.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rep. Mann decries "federal overreach" on lesser prairie chicken designation

June is the time to fertilize warm-season lawn grasses such as bermudagrass, buffalograss, and zoysiagrass. These species all thrive in warmer summer weather, so this is the time they respond best to fertilization. The most important nutrient is nitrogen (N), and these three species need it in varying amounts. Bermudagrass requires the most nitrogen. High-quality Bermuda stands need about 4 lbs. nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. during the season (low maintenance areas can get by on 2 lbs.). Apply this as four separate applications, about 4 weeks apart, of 1 lb. N per 1,000 sq. ft. starting in early May. It is already too late for the May application, but the June application is just around the corner. The nitrogen can come from either a quick- or slow-release source. So any lawn fertilizer will work.

Plan the last application no later than August 15. This helps ensure the bermudagrass is not overstimulated, making it susceptible to winter kill. Zoysiagrass grows more slowly than bermudagrass and is prone to develop thatch. &nbsp;Consequently, it does not need as much nitrogen. In fact, too much is worse than too little. One and one-half to 2 pounds N per 1,000 sq. ft. during the season is sufficient. Split the total in two and apply once in early June and again around mid-July.

Slow-release nitrogen is preferable but quick-release is acceptable. Slow-release nitrogen is sometimes listed as “slowly available” or “water insoluble.”​Buffalograss requires the least nitrogen of all lawn species commonly grown in Kansas. It will survive and persist with no supplemental nitrogen but giving it one lb. N per 1,000 sq. ft. will improve color and density. 

This application should be made in early June. For a little darker color, fertilize it as described for zoysiagrass in the previous paragraph, but do not apply more than a total of 2 lb. N per 1,000 sq. ft. in one season. &nbsp;As with zoysia, slow-release nitrogen is preferable, but fast-release is also OK. As for all turfgrasses, phosphorus and potassium are best applied according to soil test results because many soils already have adequate amounts of these nutrients for turfgrass growth. If you need to apply phosphorus or potassium, it is best to core aerate beforehand to ensure the nutrients reach the roots. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>June is the time to fertilize warm-season lawn grasses such as bermudagrass, buffalograss, and zoysiagrass. These species all thrive in warmer summer weather, so this is the time they respond best to fertilization. The most important nutrient is nitrogen (N), and these three species need it in varying amounts. Bermudagrass requires the most nitrogen. High-quality Bermuda stands need about 4 lbs. nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. during the season (low maintenance areas can get by on 2 lbs.). Apply this as four separate applications, about 4 weeks apart, of 1 lb. N per 1,000 sq. ft. starting in early May. It is already too late for the May application, but the June application is just around the corner. The nitrogen can come from either a quick- or slow-release source. So any lawn fertilizer will work. Plan the last application no later than August 15. This helps ensure the bermudagrass is not overstimulated, making it susceptible to winter kill. Zoysiagrass grows more slowly than bermudagrass and is prone to develop thatch. &nbsp;Consequently, it does not need as much nitrogen. In fact, too much is worse than too little. One and one-half to 2 pounds N per 1,000 sq. ft. during the season is sufficient. Split the total in two and apply once in early June and again around mid-July. Slow-release nitrogen is preferable but quick-release is acceptable. Slow-release nitrogen is sometimes listed as “slowly available” or “water insoluble.”​Buffalograss requires the least nitrogen of all lawn species commonly grown in Kansas. It will survive and persist with no supplemental nitrogen but giving it one lb. N per 1,000 sq. ft. will improve color and density. This application should be made in early June. For a little darker color, fertilize it as described for zoysiagrass in the previous paragraph, but do not apply more than a total of 2 lb. N per 1,000 sq. ft. in one season. &nbsp;As with zoysia, slow-release nitrogen is preferable, but fast-release is also OK. As for all turfgrasses, phosphorus and potassium are best applied according to soil test results because many soils already have adequate amounts of these nutrients for turfgrass growth. If you need to apply phosphorus or potassium, it is best to core aerate beforehand to ensure the nutrients reach the roots. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

FICK: Time to fertilize warm-season grasses

They’re tiny and slow moving, and this spring’s cool, humid weather across the central Plains has been to their liking, so anyone spending time outdoors needs to be on the lookout for ticks.&nbsp;

The wingless parasites, which feed exclusively on human and animal blood, can carry dangerous microbial pathogens and are difficult to control for several reasons.&nbsp;

They make babies – a lot of them. After mating, the adult female American dog tick feeds on her human or animal host until engorged, then drops off and deposits eggs in the environment. She dies after she deposits her eggs, but those egg masses typically number in the thousands from just one female. Males feed sparingly and do not engorge. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

There are multiple tick species, and they can live up to two years, plus they can feed on numerous wildlife or human hosts.&nbsp;

Ticks are most commonly found just a few inches or feet off the ground on vegetation and typically ambush their human or animal “hosts,” as they look for a meal by crawling onto grass, weeds, or low bushes and waiting for a host to brush against the vegetation. They then move onto the host to look for a site to attach and feed. Ticks do not jump or drop from trees, Whitworth said.&nbsp;

If not engorged, American dog ticks are typically only about one-eighth of an inch long. If engorged, they increase in size up to three-quarters of an inch.&nbsp;

To protect against ticks, avoid going into tall grass, weeds and brushy areas, Whitworth said. For those who do go into such areas, light-colored clothing can help you see ticks before they reach the skin. Repellents based on DEET (N,N diethyl-meta-toluamide) and permethrin work well in keeping ticks and mosquitoes away. Permethrin-based repellents must not be applied directly to skin.&nbsp;

After coming home from potentially tick-infested areas, inspect your skin, and remove ticks immediately. Ticks removed within several hours after attachment are unlikely to transmit pathogens.&nbsp;

If a tick has already attached itself, remove it manually by grasping as close to the skin as possible with forceps or tweezers, and pull straight away from the skin, using slow, steady pressure. The tick should not be twisted or jerked out, as that increases the chance for its head to be left in the skin. Do not use a lighted match or cover the tick in petroleum jelly or nail polish.&nbsp;

Ticks removed from people should be saved in a vial with alcohol and labeled with the date. If flu-like symptoms, such as headache, skin rash and fever occur 10 to 14 days after the tick’s removal, see a physician immediately, and take the tick with you. If in Kansas, send it to the local K-State Research and Extension office.&nbsp;

Chemical pesticides targeting ticks and mites are called acaricides. They should be used only in areas with chronic tick problems.&nbsp;

More information about ticks in Kansas is available through a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/vhc/docs/ticks-in-kansas.pdf">Kansas State University publication available online</a>.&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>They’re tiny and slow moving, and this spring’s cool, humid weather across the central Plains has been to their liking, so anyone spending time outdoors needs to be on the lookout for ticks.&nbsp;The wingless parasites, which feed exclusively on human and animal blood, can carry dangerous microbial pathogens and are difficult to control for several reasons.&nbsp;They make babies – a lot of them. After mating, the adult female American dog tick feeds on her human or animal host until engorged, then drops off and deposits eggs in the environment. She dies after she deposits her eggs, but those egg masses typically number in the thousands from just one female. Males feed sparingly and do not engorge. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There are multiple tick species, and they can live up to two years, plus they can feed on numerous wildlife or human hosts.&nbsp;Ticks are most commonly found just a few inches or feet off the ground on vegetation and typically ambush their human or animal “hosts,” as they look for a meal by crawling onto grass, weeds, or low bushes and waiting for a host to brush against the vegetation. They then move onto the host to look for a site to attach and feed. Ticks do not jump or drop from trees, Whitworth said.&nbsp;If not engorged, American dog ticks are typically only about one-eighth of an inch long. If engorged, they increase in size up to three-quarters of an inch.&nbsp;To protect against ticks, avoid going into tall grass, weeds and brushy areas, Whitworth said. For those who do go into such areas, light-colored clothing can help you see ticks before they reach the skin. Repellents based on DEET (N,N diethyl-meta-toluamide) and permethrin work well in keeping ticks and mosquitoes away. Permethrin-based repellents must not be applied directly to skin.&nbsp;After coming home from potentially tick-infested areas, inspect your skin, and remove ticks immediately. Ticks removed within several hours after attachment are unlikely to transmit pathogens.&nbsp;If a tick has already attached itself, remove it manually by grasping as close to the skin as possible with forceps or tweezers, and pull straight away from the skin, using slow, steady pressure. The tick should not be twisted or jerked out, as that increases the chance for its head to be left in the skin. Do not use a lighted match or cover the tick in petroleum jelly or nail polish.&nbsp;Ticks removed from people should be saved in a vial with alcohol and labeled with the date. If flu-like symptoms, such as headache, skin rash and fever occur 10 to 14 days after the tick’s removal, see a physician immediately, and take the tick with you. If in Kansas, send it to the local K-State Research and Extension office.&nbsp;Chemical pesticides targeting ticks and mites are called acaricides. They should be used only in areas with chronic tick problems.&nbsp;More information about ticks in Kansas is available through a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/vhc/docs/ticks-in-kansas.pdf">Kansas State University publication available online</a>.&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: Be on the lookout for ticks

Supporting the healthy development of the young child’s brain is both a tremendous opportunity and an awesome responsibility. Children birth to age 3 and their parents are invited to Brainy Babies at the Hays Public Library on Tuesdays June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 6 pm each evening.&nbsp;

The interactive series encourages and stimulates learning while enhancing the relationship between adult and child. A very short program will include what adults can do to support brain development and how play builds connections in the brain. The remainder of the time is for interaction between children and parents.&nbsp;

	There are many things that can be done to support a child’s healthy brain development, beginning before birth and continuing until the child is an adult. Parents, grandparents and other adults play a very important role in helping ensure healthy brain development.

The developing brain needs two basics: safety and positive experiences. Parents who want to support their babies’ brain development should remember these two rules. Number one is to create a safe environment. It is the responsibility of the parent to make sure the baby is safe and not under stress. Consistency is key. If there is a predictable schedule, the baby will know there is someone there for them and they will feel safe.&nbsp;

The second basic need is positive, enriching experiences. The brain learns best when it is challenged with new information and then relates the new information to what the child already knows. Exposing your baby to new things helps the brain strengthen old connections and make new ones.

Simple things such as talking to your baby and interacting face-to-face builds the brain connections needed for both language skills and a healthy emotional bond. Read to your baby beginning at birth. Hearing adults read helps the brain develop language connections. It also gives parents and babies a chance to spend time together.&nbsp;

Please plan to join Amy Lucio, Hays Public Library Early Literacy Coordinator and me in the children’s section of the Hays Public Library on Tuesday, June 1 at 6 pm for our first session of Brainy Babies.&nbsp;

Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588274071306.jpeg" alt="Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Supporting the healthy development of the young child’s brain is both a tremendous opportunity and an awesome responsibility. Children birth to age 3 and their parents are invited to Brainy Babies at the Hays Public Library on Tuesdays June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 6 pm each evening.&nbsp;The interactive series encourages and stimulates learning while enhancing the relationship between adult and child. A very short program will include what adults can do to support brain development and how play builds connections in the brain. The remainder of the time is for interaction between children and parents.&nbsp;	There are many things that can be done to support a child’s healthy brain development, beginning before birth and continuing until the child is an adult. Parents, grandparents and other adults play a very important role in helping ensure healthy brain development.The developing brain needs two basics: safety and positive experiences. Parents who want to support their babies’ brain development should remember these two rules. Number one is to create a safe environment. It is the responsibility of the parent to make sure the baby is safe and not under stress. Consistency is key. If there is a predictable schedule, the baby will know there is someone there for them and they will feel safe.&nbsp;The second basic need is positive, enriching experiences. The brain learns best when it is challenged with new information and then relates the new information to what the child already knows. Exposing your baby to new things helps the brain strengthen old connections and make new ones.Simple things such as talking to your baby and interacting face-to-face builds the brain connections needed for both language skills and a healthy emotional bond. Read to your baby beginning at birth. Hearing adults read helps the brain develop language connections. It also gives parents and babies a chance to spend time together.&nbsp;Please plan to join Amy Lucio, Hays Public Library Early Literacy Coordinator and me in the children’s section of the Hays Public Library on Tuesday, June 1 at 6 pm for our first session of Brainy Babies.&nbsp;	Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

UNRUH: Brainy babies

By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie&nbsp;County farmer and rancher I traveled to Washington, D.C. this past week. It was really the first time I had traveled in more than a year, and it was the first time I had taken a plane since the pandemic hit us over a year ago. I have had both of my shots so I am fully vaccinated, but I must say I had a little trepidation about traveling. The mask mandate was still in full force in the airports and on the planes, and it was followed by nearly everyone at the airport and everyone on the plane. When we arrived in D.C., we could go without them outside, but they were required indoors. Was it like traveling before we were told to stay at home? No — it was different. But there was an air of the idea that things were getting more back to normal. Now you could argue about what normal is in terms of D.C., and I would probably not argue back, but it was good to get closer to life pre-pandemic. We are doing the same thing at Kansas Farm Bureau. Staff is back in the office in Manhattan, meetings are being planned and held in-person, and I think we are all very relieved about that. Zoom meetings are good in some instances, but they can never replace face-to-face meetings for effectiveness. I hope you saw the announcement about our Big Tent Reunion starting June 1 around the state, and I hope you plan on attending the one closest to you. The meetings are planned as a way for all of us to reconnect and enjoy just being in the presence of fellow farmers and ranchers. No strings, no business to conduct, just spending time with old friends. Word is also getting out about the Summer Summit and Young Farmers and Ranchers conferences in Manhattan the last week in July. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to those events and seeing even more friends from around the state, attending great workshops and, most importantly, getting back to normal. I have had that week highlighted on my calendar for a long time. There was a time I was afraid it would not happen, but I am here to tell you it is full-steam ahead. To register or learn more about all the events planned this summer, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kfb.org.s/">www.kfb.org.s</a>&nbsp;Or if you are technologically challenged like me, call your county office. Watch for the announcement of more meetings because they are coming as we start to ramp up and catch up from all we have missed over the last year. I know I cannot wait to get back to normal. Who thought we would miss shaking hands so much? It’s time to come out of the darkness that was the past year and enjoy a breath of fresh air, and that is literal because we will not have to breathe through a mask. Life is good, and it is about to get better.

"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/2019/12/1576508626397.png" alt="Glenn Brunkow" />
 <figcaption>Glenn Brunkow</figcaption>
 </figure>By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie&nbsp;County farmer and rancher I traveled to Washington, D.C. this past week. It was really the first time I had traveled in more than a year, and it was the first time I had taken a plane since the pandemic hit us over a year ago. I have had both of my shots so I am fully vaccinated, but I must say I had a little trepidation about traveling. The mask mandate was still in full force in the airports and on the planes, and it was followed by nearly everyone at the airport and everyone on the plane. When we arrived in D.C., we could go without them outside, but they were required indoors. Was it like traveling before we were told to stay at home? No — it was different. But there was an air of the idea that things were getting more back to normal. Now you could argue about what normal is in terms of D.C., and I would probably not argue back, but it was good to get closer to life pre-pandemic. We are doing the same thing at Kansas Farm Bureau. Staff is back in the office in Manhattan, meetings are being planned and held in-person, and I think we are all very relieved about that. Zoom meetings are good in some instances, but they can never replace face-to-face meetings for effectiveness. I hope you saw the announcement about our Big Tent Reunion starting June 1 around the state, and I hope you plan on attending the one closest to you. The meetings are planned as a way for all of us to reconnect and enjoy just being in the presence of fellow farmers and ranchers. No strings, no business to conduct, just spending time with old friends. Word is also getting out about the Summer Summit and Young Farmers and Ranchers conferences in Manhattan the last week in July. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to those events and seeing even more friends from around the state, attending great workshops and, most importantly, getting back to normal. I have had that week highlighted on my calendar for a long time. There was a time I was afraid it would not happen, but I am here to tell you it is full-steam ahead. To register or learn more about all the events planned this summer, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kfb.org.s/">www.kfb.org.s</a>&nbsp;Or if you are technologically challenged like me, call your county office. Watch for the announcement of more meetings because they are coming as we start to ramp up and catch up from all we have missed over the last year. I know I cannot wait to get back to normal. Who thought we would miss shaking hands so much? It’s time to come out of the darkness that was the past year and enjoy a breath of fresh air, and that is literal because we will not have to breathe through a mask. Life is good, and it is about to get better."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: Summer gatherings

I
 was pleased to read in the Hays Post the article: "Hays Masonic Lodge 
awards scholarships to NW Kan. students" (May 23). 

As a member
 of the Masons, myself, I know that our fraternal organization strives 
to help worthy students attend Fort Hays State University plus other 
colleges/ technical schools in order to make our communities stronger 
for the future. 

Many people do not realize that former U.S. Senator Bob 
Dole is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Russell, as well as the Hays 
York Rite Masonic Bodies, the Salina Scottish Rite Bodies, and the 
Shriners in Salina.&nbsp; Yes, the Shriners are a part of the Masonic-family 
of fraternal orders.&nbsp; &nbsp;My late dad, John William "Bill" Marples 
(1910-1997) grew up at Agra, Kansas, just 10 miles east of Phillipsburg 
(due north of Hays on U.S. Highway 183.&nbsp; 

Back in the 1930s, an old farmer 
offered to pay my dad's initiation fee into the Masons. Masons do not 
ask prospective members to join, but the farmer knew my dad really 
wanted to join. Unfortunately, my dad declined the offer. He feared he 
couldn't pay his annual "membership dues" during "The Dirty Thirties" of
 The Great Depression. Fortunately, my dad finally achieved his dream 
and joined the Sunflower Masonic Lodge #86 in Wichita in 1945 while he 
was working for BOEING during WWII. He also joined the York Rite and 
Scottish Rite that same year, culminating with joining the Shriners in 
1948. 

Ironically, I am a 5th-Generation Mason and 2nd-generation Shriner.&nbsp;
 If any good man has even an inkling of wanting to join; please don't 
wait to be asked. You won't be solicited for membership. Freemasons 
derive from the ancient stonemasons who built great Cathedrals.&nbsp; We want
 ALL candidates to fill-out a membership application of their own free 
will and accord.&nbsp; I joined at age 18 and I'm now age 57. I've been a 
Mason 39 years and it is one of the best things I have ever done.&nbsp; 


Again, I wish the new scholars well on their future endeavors in life.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>I
 was pleased to read in the Hays Post the article: "Hays Masonic Lodge 
awards scholarships to NW Kan. students" (May 23). As a member
 of the Masons, myself, I know that our fraternal organization strives 
to help worthy students attend Fort Hays State University plus other 
colleges/ technical schools in order to make our communities stronger 
for the future. Many people do not realize that former U.S. Senator Bob 
Dole is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Russell, as well as the Hays 
York Rite Masonic Bodies, the Salina Scottish Rite Bodies, and the 
Shriners in Salina.&nbsp; Yes, the Shriners are a part of the Masonic-family 
of fraternal orders.&nbsp; &nbsp;My late dad, John William "Bill" Marples 
(1910-1997) grew up at Agra, Kansas, just 10 miles east of Phillipsburg 
(due north of Hays on U.S. Highway 183.&nbsp; Back in the 1930s, an old farmer 
offered to pay my dad's initiation fee into the Masons. Masons do not 
ask prospective members to join, but the farmer knew my dad really 
wanted to join. Unfortunately, my dad declined the offer. He feared he 
couldn't pay his annual "membership dues" during "The Dirty Thirties" of
 The Great Depression. Fortunately, my dad finally achieved his dream 
and joined the Sunflower Masonic Lodge #86 in Wichita in 1945 while he 
was working for BOEING during WWII. He also joined the York Rite and 
Scottish Rite that same year, culminating with joining the Shriners in 
1948. Ironically, I am a 5th-Generation Mason and 2nd-generation Shriner.&nbsp;
 If any good man has even an inkling of wanting to join; please don't 
wait to be asked. You won't be solicited for membership. Freemasons 
derive from the ancient stonemasons who built great Cathedrals.&nbsp; We want
 ALL candidates to fill-out a membership application of their own free 
will and accord.&nbsp; I joined at age 18 and I'm now age 57. I've been a 
Mason 39 years and it is one of the best things I have ever done.&nbsp; 
Again, I wish the new scholars well on their future endeavors in life.James A. Marples, Esbon

LETTER: Masons' good work includes helping worthy students

U.S. crude futures prices were up 3 percent Monday. The Nymex near-month contract for light sweet crude settled Friday at $63.58 per barrel, and by lunchtime Monday was up nearly $2 at $65.46. London Brent rose to $68.14 per barrel, a gain of $1.70. The Kansas benchmark jumped a dollar and a half on Friday, matching the price posted May first. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $53.75 per barrel, which is still nearly $2 below the price a week ago. U.S. gasoline average prices were up 17 cents per gallon over a month ago, and up more than a dollar a gallon from a year ago. A gallon of regular was going for $2.74 at most stations in Hays and Great Bend, where your 15-gallon fill-up was a dime cheaper than a week ago.&nbsp; The average across Kansas was just over $2.84.&nbsp; AAA said prices have stabilized following the recent pipeline closure, but warned of fluctuating prices leading up to the holiday weekend. The auto club said motorists will be greeted with the most expensive Memorial Day Weekend gas prices since 2014.&nbsp; There are 30 new drilling permits across Kansas this week, 18 in the eastern half of the state and 12 west of Wichita, including one in Ellis County and two in Stafford County. That's 324 new drilling permits so far this year. Operators in Kansas have completed 12 new wells, four of them east of Wichita and eight in Western Kansas, including one well in Barton County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 277 well completions so far this year. The weekly rig counts are flat on the month but up 54% year-over-year. Enverus Rig Analytics reports the totals in North Dakota reached a one-year high, calling that the first sign that the Bakken shale play is recovering from the downturn. Baker Hughes on Friday reported 455 active rigs across the U.S., noting an increase of four oil rigs. The count in Oklahoma was up four rigs, which Texas was down two. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports six active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, up two for the week, and 19 west of Wichita, which is unchanged. Drilling was underway on leases in Ellis and Russell counties, and operators are about to spud a new well in Stafford County. The government on Wednesday said domestic crude inventories rose by more than a million barrels last week to 486 million barrels. That's about one percent below the five-year seasonal average. Total gasoline inventories dropped by two million barrels last week and are about two percent below the five year seasonal average.&nbsp; The Energy Information Administration reported a slight increase in U.S. crude-oil production last week. Output rose 5,000 barrels per day but was still just short of eleven million barrels per day. A year ago, production was over eleven-and-a-half million. EIA reported average imports of 6.4 million barrels per day last week, an increase of 900,000 barrels per day. The four-week average &nbsp;is nearly 11% higher than the same four-week period last year. Domestic oil-by-rail shipments were up nearly 15% over last year. The Association of American Railroads reported 11,230 tanker cars hauling petroleum for the week ending May 15, which is up by 1,107 tanker cars over the week before. Canadian oil-by-rail traffic was up more than 34% year-over-year. The state of New Mexico brought in a whopping $109 million in royalties from oil and gas production on State Trust Land. A news release from the State Land Office says the record haul goes into New Mexico's Land Grant Permanent Fund, to underwrite public schools, hospitals and universities. A report from Bloomberg shows a wide array of industries and political causes hoping to take advantage of the recent pipeline cyberattack. Many oil-industry groups called for bigger investment in fossil-fuel infrastructure, including refineries and the previously-canceled Keystone Pipeline. Environmentalists said the key is more electric vehicles on the road and solar panels on the grid. One conservative think tank called the outage a wake-up call for pipeline protests to stop. Even a coal advocacy group got into the act, pointing out that they don't use pipelines. A federal judge on Friday said he will not force the closure of the embattled Dakota Access pipeline while regulators conduct a new environmental analysis. U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg said &nbsp;the Native tribes fighting for closure had not shown irreparable harm based on the threat of an oil spill. That ruling could be appealed.&nbsp; Dakota Access has been shipping oil from North Dakota’s Bakken oil field to Illinois for four years. The frenzy of mergers and acquisitions in the oil patch continues following a sustained recovery in prices. Cabot Oil and Gas agreed to merge with Cimarex Energy in an all-stock deal valued at nearly seven and a half billion dollars. Cabot operates in the northeastern US, and Cimarex is a mid-tier driller in Texas and Oklahoma. Bloomberg reports the merger will lead to the elimination of about $100 million in annual costs. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday joined a chorus of diplomats disputing Iran's claims that oil sanctions could soon be lifted. Iran's president last week said the United States was ready to lift trade sanctions, although a senior Iranian official contradicted him and European diplomats said difficult issues remained. Blinken says he has not seen Iran's compliance with nuclear commitments needed to move forward with the Vienna deal. According to reporting by Reuters, refineries in India and at least one in Europe were re-evaluating purchases to make way for Iran's crude during the second half of this year.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY JOHN P. TRETBARU.S. crude futures prices were up 3 percent Monday. The Nymex near-month contract for light sweet crude settled Friday at $63.58 per barrel, and by lunchtime Monday was up nearly $2 at $65.46. London Brent rose to $68.14 per barrel, a gain of $1.70. The Kansas benchmark jumped a dollar and a half on Friday, matching the price posted May first. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $53.75 per barrel, which is still nearly $2 below the price a week ago. U.S. gasoline average prices were up 17 cents per gallon over a month ago, and up more than a dollar a gallon from a year ago. A gallon of regular was going for $2.74 at most stations in Hays and Great Bend, where your 15-gallon fill-up was a dime cheaper than a week ago.&nbsp; The average across Kansas was just over $2.84.&nbsp; AAA said prices have stabilized following the recent pipeline closure, but warned of fluctuating prices leading up to the holiday weekend. The auto club said motorists will be greeted with the most expensive Memorial Day Weekend gas prices since 2014.&nbsp; There are 30 new drilling permits across Kansas this week, 18 in the eastern half of the state and 12 west of Wichita, including one in Ellis County and two in Stafford County. That's 324 new drilling permits so far this year. Operators in Kansas have completed 12 new wells, four of them east of Wichita and eight in Western Kansas, including one well in Barton County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 277 well completions so far this year. The weekly rig counts are flat on the month but up 54% year-over-year. Enverus Rig Analytics reports the totals in North Dakota reached a one-year high, calling that the first sign that the Bakken shale play is recovering from the downturn. Baker Hughes on Friday reported 455 active rigs across the U.S., noting an increase of four oil rigs. The count in Oklahoma was up four rigs, which Texas was down two. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports six active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, up two for the week, and 19 west of Wichita, which is unchanged. Drilling was underway on leases in Ellis and Russell counties, and operators are about to spud a new well in Stafford County. The government on Wednesday said domestic crude inventories rose by more than a million barrels last week to 486 million barrels. That's about one percent below the five-year seasonal average. Total gasoline inventories dropped by two million barrels last week and are about two percent below the five year seasonal average.&nbsp; The Energy Information Administration reported a slight increase in U.S. crude-oil production last week. Output rose 5,000 barrels per day but was still just short of eleven million barrels per day. A year ago, production was over eleven-and-a-half million. EIA reported average imports of 6.4 million barrels per day last week, an increase of 900,000 barrels per day. The four-week average &nbsp;is nearly 11% higher than the same four-week period last year. Domestic oil-by-rail shipments were up nearly 15% over last year. The Association of American Railroads reported 11,230 tanker cars hauling petroleum for the week ending May 15, which is up by 1,107 tanker cars over the week before. Canadian oil-by-rail traffic was up more than 34% year-over-year. The state of New Mexico brought in a whopping $109 million in royalties from oil and gas production on State Trust Land. A news release from the State Land Office says the record haul goes into New Mexico's Land Grant Permanent Fund, to underwrite public schools, hospitals and universities. A report from Bloomberg shows a wide array of industries and political causes hoping to take advantage of the recent pipeline cyberattack. Many oil-industry groups called for bigger investment in fossil-fuel infrastructure, including refineries and the previously-canceled Keystone Pipeline. Environmentalists said the key is more electric vehicles on the road and solar panels on the grid. One conservative think tank called the outage a wake-up call for pipeline protests to stop. Even a coal advocacy group got into the act, pointing out that they don't use pipelines. A federal judge on Friday said he will not force the closure of the embattled Dakota Access pipeline while regulators conduct a new environmental analysis. U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg said &nbsp;the Native tribes fighting for closure had not shown irreparable harm based on the threat of an oil spill. That ruling could be appealed.&nbsp; Dakota Access has been shipping oil from North Dakota’s Bakken oil field to Illinois for four years. The frenzy of mergers and acquisitions in the oil patch continues following a sustained recovery in prices. Cabot Oil and Gas agreed to merge with Cimarex Energy in an all-stock deal valued at nearly seven and a half billion dollars. Cabot operates in the northeastern US, and Cimarex is a mid-tier driller in Texas and Oklahoma. Bloomberg reports the merger will lead to the elimination of about $100 million in annual costs. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday joined a chorus of diplomats disputing Iran's claims that oil sanctions could soon be lifted. Iran's president last week said the United States was ready to lift trade sanctions, although a senior Iranian official contradicted him and European diplomats said difficult issues remained. Blinken says he has not seen Iran's compliance with nuclear commitments needed to move forward with the Vienna deal. According to reporting by Reuters, refineries in India and at least one in Europe were re-evaluating purchases to make way for Iran's crude during the second half of this year.&nbsp;

News From the Oil Patch: Holiday pump prices head to 7-year highs

By C.J. JANOVY <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/05/17/after-finding-their-old-school-for-sale-on-ebay-a-kansas-community-goes-to-work-saving-its-stories/">Kansas Reflector</a>

I’m sorry to say, Kansas, that I’d never heard of the Frankfort Boys.

I now know these are 32 
soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from the small Marshall County 
town of Frankfort who were killed in World War II.

“This small rural town has
 the highest number of casualties compared to any town of similar size,”
 then-U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts said in 2006, <a href="https://www.cjonline.com/article/20120121/news/301219849">reading their names into the Congressional Record</a>.

In March 2012, then-Gov. 
Sam Brownback signed a bill designating a 10-mile stretch of K-99 
through Marshall County as the Frankfort Boys World War II Memorial 
Highway. The veteran who had petitioned the state to recognize his 
fallen brothers was Frank Benteman, whose sacrifices had earned him a 
Purple Heart and a Cross of Lorraine. He was 94 when he <a href="https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/wwii-veteran-frank-benteman-dies-his-legacy-honored-those-who-never-returned-to-kansas/">died last December</a>.

If the people still living
 in Frankfort are successful, there will someday be a courtyard in honor
 of these hometown boys at the flagpole in front of the place where they
 went to grade school.

Built in 1902-03 in the Renaissance style of architecture familiar on the prairie, <a href="http://www.frankfortdevelopmenttrust.com/home.html">Frankfort Grade School</a>
 was the educational home for nearly a century of Marshall County kids. 
And now, it’s a literal as well as symbolic example of what small towns 
around Kansas do to preserve their legacies.

“A lot of us have a very 
strong emotional connection to the building — it’s iconic for our 
community,” says Gayla Randel, who grew up in Frankfort and graduated 
from the school, as did her husband and their youngest child.

Frankfort’s official 
population is around 750, but Randel counts another 200 from the 
surrounding countryside as part of the community.

The school closed in 1997,
 then it went up for sale. A local family bought it and turned it into a
 bed and breakfast for hunters. That did well for a while, Randel says, 
and then a couple from Florida bought it but health concerns prevented 
them from doing anything with it.

“Somewhere around 2013, an
 alumni from the school district found this old grade school which was 
privately owned, and the owner had put the property up on eBay,” Randel 
says.

“So several of us started 
visiting, and we put a call out to the community,” she says. “We said, 
‘We don’t want to lose this building.’ ”

The owner was asking 
$24,000, but by then the building was so dilapidated it wasn’t really 
worth much. So the owner essentially gave it to the nonprofit started by
 about 20 people in Frankfort who began the arduous task of raising 
money and slowly repairing the damage.

They had no idea what they would use it for and still don’t.

“But it was too much of an icon to let it fall in,” Randel says.

Early support came from <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/07/heres-something-all-kansans-can-agree-on-a-few-of-the-best-things-about-our-state/">Marci Penner</a> with the <a href="https://kansassampler.org/">Kansas Sampler Foundation</a>,
 who raised funds to help fix the front porch so they’d have a visible 
sign of progress. Preservation grants from the Kansas Historical Society
 have helped, too. Last week, Frankfort School was among 15 projects 
around the state receiving <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-laura-kelly-announces-15-historic-properties-recommended-for-nearly-500000-in-kansas-rural-preservation-grants/">a new round of those grants</a>.

Raising money for this 
kind of project is hard in a small community, Randel says, because there
 aren’t the kind of matching grants available in larger towns with 
higher sales taxes or fully staffed economic development offices.

“We don’t have any of that here,” she says. “Our fundraisers are breakfasts, dinners on Sundays, match day once a year.”

But people have been 
generous. Even people who don’t live there anymore will send $10 or $20,
 saying they wish they could send more. And Randel estimates volunteers 
have contributed thousands of hours by now.

Randel remembers how it 
was a rite of passage when you finally got old enough to attend classes 
on the second floor. She can still hear the echo of footsteps on the 
wooden stairways.

“What I really enjoyed was
 having my own children go there,” she says. “I do remember going to 
kindergarten and how cool that was.”

Both of her children went to kindergarten in same room she did.

“In a small community, a 
school really creates a lot of emotion,” Randel says. “That’s where you 
first start to have relationships outside of your family.”

They’re still a long way 
from opening the place to the public, even for people to just roam 
around and hear the real echoes. There’s still too much to repair. Right
 now, they’re raising money to replace the windows. That’ll cost 
$365,000. They’d welcome help from anyone.

“My dad told me — he 
passed away this last year due to covid — and he always told me: There 
are people in the world who see their role is to be a steward and to 
pass things off to the next generation in the same shape or better than 
when you got there,” she says. “Then there are others who see things as&nbsp;
 a method of making money — they’re not necessarily looking at a 
legacy.”

The people of Frankfort look at their stately old grade school as a legacy.

“When children’s children come back,” Randel says, “they’ll still have the building and the stories will still be told.”

C.J. Janovy is a veteran journalist with deep roots in the Midwest. Before joining the Kansas Reflector, she was an editor and reporter at Kansas City’s NPR affiliate, KCUR. Before that, she edited the city’s alt-weekly newspaper, The Pitch.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621274903351.png" alt="The Frankfort School's class of 1913, in a photograph taken in 1910. (Courtesy of Butch Ewing, Derby, Kansas)" />
 <figcaption>The Frankfort School's class of 1913, in a photograph taken in 1910. (Courtesy of Butch Ewing, Derby, Kansas)</figcaption>
 </figure>By C.J. JANOVY <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/05/17/after-finding-their-old-school-for-sale-on-ebay-a-kansas-community-goes-to-work-saving-its-stories/">Kansas Reflector</a>I’m sorry to say, Kansas, that I’d never heard of the Frankfort Boys.I now know these are 32 
soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from the small Marshall County 
town of Frankfort who were killed in World War II.“This small rural town has
 the highest number of casualties compared to any town of similar size,”
 then-U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts said in 2006, <a href="https://www.cjonline.com/article/20120121/news/301219849">reading their names into the Congressional Record</a>.In March 2012, then-Gov. 
Sam Brownback signed a bill designating a 10-mile stretch of K-99 
through Marshall County as the Frankfort Boys World War II Memorial 
Highway. The veteran who had petitioned the state to recognize his 
fallen brothers was Frank Benteman, whose sacrifices had earned him a 
Purple Heart and a Cross of Lorraine. He was 94 when he <a href="https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/wwii-veteran-frank-benteman-dies-his-legacy-honored-those-who-never-returned-to-kansas/">died last December</a>.If the people still living
 in Frankfort are successful, there will someday be a courtyard in honor
 of these hometown boys at the flagpole in front of the place where they
 went to grade school.Built in 1902-03 in the Renaissance style of architecture familiar on the prairie, <a href="http://www.frankfortdevelopmenttrust.com/home.html">Frankfort Grade School</a>
 was the educational home for nearly a century of Marshall County kids. 
And now, it’s a literal as well as symbolic example of what small towns 
around Kansas do to preserve their legacies.“A lot of us have a very 
strong emotional connection to the building — it’s iconic for our 
community,” says Gayla Randel, who grew up in Frankfort and graduated 
from the school, as did her husband and their youngest child.Frankfort’s official 
population is around 750, but Randel counts another 200 from the 
surrounding countryside as part of the community.The school closed in 1997,
 then it went up for sale. A local family bought it and turned it into a
 bed and breakfast for hunters. That did well for a while, Randel says, 
and then a couple from Florida bought it but health concerns prevented 
them from doing anything with it.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621274976307.png" alt="A postcard depicts the Frankfort Grade School in Marshall County, Kansas. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>A postcard depicts the Frankfort Grade School in Marshall County, Kansas. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>“Somewhere around 2013, an
 alumni from the school district found this old grade school which was 
privately owned, and the owner had put the property up on eBay,” Randel 
says.“So several of us started 
visiting, and we put a call out to the community,” she says. “We said, 
‘We don’t want to lose this building.’ ”The owner was asking 
$24,000, but by then the building was so dilapidated it wasn’t really 
worth much. So the owner essentially gave it to the nonprofit started by
 about 20 people in Frankfort who began the arduous task of raising 
money and slowly repairing the damage.They had no idea what they would use it for and still don’t.“But it was too much of an icon to let it fall in,” Randel says.Early support came from <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/07/heres-something-all-kansans-can-agree-on-a-few-of-the-best-things-about-our-state/">Marci Penner</a> with the <a href="https://kansassampler.org/">Kansas Sampler Foundation</a>,
 who raised funds to help fix the front porch so they’d have a visible 
sign of progress. Preservation grants from the Kansas Historical Society
 have helped, too. Last week, Frankfort School was among 15 projects 
around the state receiving <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-laura-kelly-announces-15-historic-properties-recommended-for-nearly-500000-in-kansas-rural-preservation-grants/">a new round of those grants</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621275004962.png" alt="The Frankfort School as it appears on the Frankfort Development Trust’s website. (Frankfort Development Trust)" />
 <figcaption>The Frankfort School as it appears on the Frankfort Development Trust’s website. (Frankfort Development Trust)</figcaption>
 </figure>Raising money for this 
kind of project is hard in a small community, Randel says, because there
 aren’t the kind of matching grants available in larger towns with 
higher sales taxes or fully staffed economic development offices.“We don’t have any of that here,” she says. “Our fundraisers are breakfasts, dinners on Sundays, match day once a year.”But people have been 
generous. Even people who don’t live there anymore will send $10 or $20,
 saying they wish they could send more. And Randel estimates volunteers 
have contributed thousands of hours by now.Randel remembers how it 
was a rite of passage when you finally got old enough to attend classes 
on the second floor. She can still hear the echo of footsteps on the 
wooden stairways.“What I really enjoyed was
 having my own children go there,” she says. “I do remember going to 
kindergarten and how cool that was.”Both of her children went to kindergarten in same room she did.“In a small community, a 
school really creates a lot of emotion,” Randel says. “That’s where you 
first start to have relationships outside of your family.”They’re still a long way 
from opening the place to the public, even for people to just roam 
around and hear the real echoes. There’s still too much to repair. Right
 now, they’re raising money to replace the windows. That’ll cost 
$365,000. They’d welcome help from anyone.“My dad told me — he 
passed away this last year due to covid — and he always told me: There 
are people in the world who see their role is to be a steward and to 
pass things off to the next generation in the same shape or better than 
when you got there,” she says. “Then there are others who see things as&nbsp;
 a method of making money — they’re not necessarily looking at a 
legacy.”The people of Frankfort look at their stately old grade school as a legacy.“When children’s children come back,” Randel says, “they’ll still have the building and the stories will still be told.”C.J. Janovy is a veteran journalist with deep roots in the Midwest. Before joining the Kansas Reflector, she was an editor and reporter at Kansas City’s NPR affiliate, KCUR. Before that, she edited the city’s alt-weekly newspaper, The Pitch.

After finding their old school on eBay, Kan. community works to save its stories

Even in today’s bitterly divided politics, certain trends still get bipartisan support. A case in point is&nbsp; “2+2” college education.&nbsp; Advocates believe that most students should enter the university having already completed the first two years at high school or community college, speeding the path to graduation and work.&nbsp; The trend is already well underway.

President Biden referenced the approach in his recent national address, proposing to make community college free.&nbsp; Here in Kansas, the Board of Regents is made up of appointees by both Republican and Democratic governors.&nbsp; For years, the Regents have enthusiastically embraced this move with little, if any dissent. It not only makes college education available to more people, it also boosts the percentage of the population with college degrees, filling needs in our increasingly service-based economy.

I have done my part, and then some. I co-chair the political science task force of the Regents’ Transfer and Articulation Council (TAAC), where we hash out shared outcomes for general education courses to facilitate smooth (and mandated) transfer between all schools in the system.&nbsp; At Emporia State, I have led or co-led the creation of two graduate certificate programs, certifying high-school teachers to teach “dual enrollment” courses for college credit.&nbsp; I reassure entering transfer students that ESU will take their credits and then follow up.&nbsp; I have also been teaching some courses online for a decade, and I helped create several all-online degree programs.

Still, I have my doubts, and so do many of my colleagues.

Two such colleagues have sons starting school here this fall. They will be roommates.&nbsp; This is because even though they live in town, both professors insisted that their kids live on campus so as to have the full, immersive college experience.&nbsp; They will also be going all four years here.&nbsp; I realize that not everyone can afford this or has the time, but for those who are able, this is a good call.

College is so much more than coursework and transfer credits.&nbsp; It is late-night talking sessions at the coffeehouse, poetry readings at the bookstore, and live music.&nbsp; It is lifelong friendships and stumbling upon a book or lecture that looks interesting.&nbsp; It is taking a class just because.&nbsp; Apple founder Steve Jobs never graduated from Reed College (also my alma mater), but he found the time he spent attending classes there to be transformative, for example crediting his calligraphy course for inspiring Apple’s creative, high-resolution fonts that transformed the user’s computing experience.

Sadly, the technology Jobs helped develop is now part of the problem.&nbsp; Lost in their screens, many of our community college transfers come to ESU without having made a single new, in-person friendship since high school.&nbsp; Too many would drive to school, park, attend class, then drive home.&nbsp; This is commuting, not college.&nbsp; At home, those from less-than-functional families easily get sucked into family drama, further distracting them from building their futures.&nbsp;

High school students and their parents tell me harrowing stories about loads of homework, bringing stress, sleep deprivation, and a sacrifice of the life-changing extracurricular activities like sports, drama, and debate which shaped the high school and college experiences for so many of us.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Two plus two is here to stay.&nbsp; Yet as the pandemic wanes, we must bring back the biggest benefits of college — the face-to-face friendships, the creativity and exploration, the opportunity to discover oneself.&nbsp; Community colleges need to make these experiences available too, and four-year college should not become a rare privilege.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576785940426.png" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University." />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>Even in today’s bitterly divided politics, certain trends still get bipartisan support. A case in point is&nbsp; “2+2” college education.&nbsp; Advocates believe that most students should enter the university having already completed the first two years at high school or community college, speeding the path to graduation and work.&nbsp; The trend is already well underway.President Biden referenced the approach in his recent national address, proposing to make community college free.&nbsp; Here in Kansas, the Board of Regents is made up of appointees by both Republican and Democratic governors.&nbsp; For years, the Regents have enthusiastically embraced this move with little, if any dissent. It not only makes college education available to more people, it also boosts the percentage of the population with college degrees, filling needs in our increasingly service-based economy.I have done my part, and then some. I co-chair the political science task force of the Regents’ Transfer and Articulation Council (TAAC), where we hash out shared outcomes for general education courses to facilitate smooth (and mandated) transfer between all schools in the system.&nbsp; At Emporia State, I have led or co-led the creation of two graduate certificate programs, certifying high-school teachers to teach “dual enrollment” courses for college credit.&nbsp; I reassure entering transfer students that ESU will take their credits and then follow up.&nbsp; I have also been teaching some courses online for a decade, and I helped create several all-online degree programs.Still, I have my doubts, and so do many of my colleagues.Two such colleagues have sons starting school here this fall. They will be roommates.&nbsp; This is because even though they live in town, both professors insisted that their kids live on campus so as to have the full, immersive college experience.&nbsp; They will also be going all four years here.&nbsp; I realize that not everyone can afford this or has the time, but for those who are able, this is a good call.College is so much more than coursework and transfer credits.&nbsp; It is late-night talking sessions at the coffeehouse, poetry readings at the bookstore, and live music.&nbsp; It is lifelong friendships and stumbling upon a book or lecture that looks interesting.&nbsp; It is taking a class just because.&nbsp; Apple founder Steve Jobs never graduated from Reed College (also my alma mater), but he found the time he spent attending classes there to be transformative, for example crediting his calligraphy course for inspiring Apple’s creative, high-resolution fonts that transformed the user’s computing experience.Sadly, the technology Jobs helped develop is now part of the problem.&nbsp; Lost in their screens, many of our community college transfers come to ESU without having made a single new, in-person friendship since high school.&nbsp; Too many would drive to school, park, attend class, then drive home.&nbsp; This is commuting, not college.&nbsp; At home, those from less-than-functional families easily get sucked into family drama, further distracting them from building their futures.&nbsp;High school students and their parents tell me harrowing stories about loads of homework, bringing stress, sleep deprivation, and a sacrifice of the life-changing extracurricular activities like sports, drama, and debate which shaped the high school and college experiences for so many of us.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Two plus two is here to stay.&nbsp; Yet as the pandemic wanes, we must bring back the biggest benefits of college — the face-to-face friendships, the creativity and exploration, the opportunity to discover oneself.&nbsp; Community colleges need to make these experiences available too, and four-year college should not become a rare privilege.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Commuting is not the same as college

Outside today, the Baltimore orioles are slurping my grape jelly so fast I may have to get a part-time job to keep them supplied. Our local House Wrens are checking out an old teapot Joyce hung from the deck roof, but evidently haven’t yet decide to relocate there. And the Gilliland kitchen smells like the scrumptious batch of new tomato soup we spent the day manufacturing, following my mom’s recipe Joyce has tweaked over the years. Nothing satisfies on cold winter days quite like a bowl of steaming homemade tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. &nbsp;

Every outdoorsman I know grows a few tomato plants each year, even if they have to sneak them in with the snapdragons or hide them amongst the hibiscus. After all, nothing goes better with a freshly grilled venison burger than a juicy slice of fresh tomato. Though my thumb is only mildly green, I have become pretty successful at growing dandy tomatoes and I’m always experimenting with something new, so here are a few tips I find to work well for me most years.

Tomatoes today come in literally dozens of varieties, sizes and shapes. I find it prudent to know a little about the varieties I choose and what they are best used for, and I like to get plants that are resistant to most common tomato ailments. Tomato plants come in 2 different types, determinate and indeterminate. Determinate plants are bred to grow only about 3 feet tall, to set and ripen their fruit all at once and then they are basically done. Indeterminate plants will keep growing and producing fruit the entire season, (so they’ll need to be well staked and supported) and as long as they are kept alive and healthy through the hot summer, they will begin setting and ripening fruit again when temperatures cool off.&nbsp; So if you want to take advantage of cooler weather to keep the tomatoes coming again in fall, you’ll need indeterminate plants.

Tomato plants will not set fruit from their blossoms when daytime temperatures exceed 90 degrees and nighttime temps exceed 75 to 80, so I plant early to get a start on production before the hot summer arrives like we know it will. I usually plant in early to mid April and surround my plants with structures called Walls of Water. They are round flexible plastic tubes with numerous small compartments that you fill with water. When erected, they form a pyramid about 18’’ tall around and over the plant, open at the top, and the water absorbs heat and sunlight to basically create a tiny greenhouse for each plant. Simply remove them when temperatures stabilize.&nbsp;

When actually setting my plants in the ground, I go a little above-and-beyond also. I dig a hole about the width and depth of a one gallon milk jug. In the hole I put a shovel full of fresh compost or good composted manure. Then I add one-quarter cup of Epson salts, which adds magnesium, and sulfur to help grow good sturdy healthy plants. Throw in a small amount of the dirt dug from the hole and mix it up a little with your hands. Set the plant in the hole at least 6 inches deep, pruning off bottom branches if necessary to allow that. This gets the roots down deep immediately to begin feeding and helps the plant develop deep roots sooner to make for a sturdy plant. Water with Miracle Grow tomato fertilizer or sprinkle a little of the dry crystals in the hole with the Epson salt. An overabundance of nitrogen will cause the plant to grow like gangbusters, but tomato fertilizer is low in nitrogen and high in Phosphate and Potash which the plant needs to produce blossoms and to set fruit. As the season progresses, if your vines are growing well but have few blossoms, feed them with fertilizer high in both Phosphate and Potash. If the vines don’t seem to be growing, feed them a little nitrogen. Tomatoes also grow well using slow-release fertilizer merely sprinkled around the plant, allowing water to wash it in.

I like to water each individual tomato plant at its base which puts the water where it needs to be rather than all over the garden or all over the plant’s foliage. To help accomplish this, I get empty one-gallon cans from the local nursing home kitchen, cut both ends from them and place them around each plant, pushing them a couple inches into the ground. To water, I’d simply put a couple inches of water into each can once a week. That’s fine and puts the water at the base of the plant, but on top of the ground, still requiring it to soak down to the roots. &nbsp;

Well there you have a few tips I use to grow tomatoes each year. We eat some fresh during the season, but most of our tomatoes are frozen as we get them and used to make the homemade soup. I imagine lots of you readers also have “tomato tips” you have developed over the years, and if you’d like to share them, send them to me and if I get enough, I’ll make an entire column out of them. Yet another way to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>Outside today, the Baltimore orioles are slurping my grape jelly so fast I may have to get a part-time job to keep them supplied. Our local House Wrens are checking out an old teapot Joyce hung from the deck roof, but evidently haven’t yet decide to relocate there. And the Gilliland kitchen smells like the scrumptious batch of new tomato soup we spent the day manufacturing, following my mom’s recipe Joyce has tweaked over the years. Nothing satisfies on cold winter days quite like a bowl of steaming homemade tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. &nbsp;Every outdoorsman I know grows a few tomato plants each year, even if they have to sneak them in with the snapdragons or hide them amongst the hibiscus. After all, nothing goes better with a freshly grilled venison burger than a juicy slice of fresh tomato. Though my thumb is only mildly green, I have become pretty successful at growing dandy tomatoes and I’m always experimenting with something new, so here are a few tips I find to work well for me most years.Tomatoes today come in literally dozens of varieties, sizes and shapes. I find it prudent to know a little about the varieties I choose and what they are best used for, and I like to get plants that are resistant to most common tomato ailments. Tomato plants come in 2 different types, determinate and indeterminate. Determinate plants are bred to grow only about 3 feet tall, to set and ripen their fruit all at once and then they are basically done. Indeterminate plants will keep growing and producing fruit the entire season, (so they’ll need to be well staked and supported) and as long as they are kept alive and healthy through the hot summer, they will begin setting and ripening fruit again when temperatures cool off.&nbsp; So if you want to take advantage of cooler weather to keep the tomatoes coming again in fall, you’ll need indeterminate plants.Tomato plants will not set fruit from their blossoms when daytime temperatures exceed 90 degrees and nighttime temps exceed 75 to 80, so I plant early to get a start on production before the hot summer arrives like we know it will. I usually plant in early to mid April and surround my plants with structures called Walls of Water. They are round flexible plastic tubes with numerous small compartments that you fill with water. When erected, they form a pyramid about 18’’ tall around and over the plant, open at the top, and the water absorbs heat and sunlight to basically create a tiny greenhouse for each plant. Simply remove them when temperatures stabilize.&nbsp;When actually setting my plants in the ground, I go a little above-and-beyond also. I dig a hole about the width and depth of a one gallon milk jug. In the hole I put a shovel full of fresh compost or good composted manure. Then I add one-quarter cup of Epson salts, which adds magnesium, and sulfur to help grow good sturdy healthy plants. Throw in a small amount of the dirt dug from the hole and mix it up a little with your hands. Set the plant in the hole at least 6 inches deep, pruning off bottom branches if necessary to allow that. This gets the roots down deep immediately to begin feeding and helps the plant develop deep roots sooner to make for a sturdy plant. Water with Miracle Grow tomato fertilizer or sprinkle a little of the dry crystals in the hole with the Epson salt. An overabundance of nitrogen will cause the plant to grow like gangbusters, but tomato fertilizer is low in nitrogen and high in Phosphate and Potash which the plant needs to produce blossoms and to set fruit. As the season progresses, if your vines are growing well but have few blossoms, feed them with fertilizer high in both Phosphate and Potash. If the vines don’t seem to be growing, feed them a little nitrogen. Tomatoes also grow well using slow-release fertilizer merely sprinkled around the plant, allowing water to wash it in.I like to water each individual tomato plant at its base which puts the water where it needs to be rather than all over the garden or all over the plant’s foliage. To help accomplish this, I get empty one-gallon cans from the local nursing home kitchen, cut both ends from them and place them around each plant, pushing them a couple inches into the ground. To water, I’d simply put a couple inches of water into each can once a week. That’s fine and puts the water at the base of the plant, but on top of the ground, still requiring it to soak down to the roots. &nbsp;Well there you have a few tips I use to grow tomatoes each year. We eat some fresh during the season, but most of our tomatoes are frozen as we get them and used to make the homemade soup. I imagine lots of you readers also have “tomato tips” you have developed over the years, and if you’d like to share them, send them to me and if I get enough, I’ll make an entire column out of them. Yet another way to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.&nbsp;

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Tried and true tomato tips

By MARK TALLMAN Kansas Association of School Boards

The Kansas Legislature approved funding for the final two years of Gannon
 school finance plan which will boost general operating budgets by over 
$900 million over six years. Lawmakers also added funding to higher 
education to help ensure schools will receive over $1.3 billion in 
one-time federal COVID-19 aid spread over four years, although a federal
 waiver will still be needed.

These funds will be used to restore 
positions, programs and salaries eroded when funding fell behind 
inflation from 2009 to 2017, address lagging academic success, and help 
students recover from the COVID pandemic. Even with these increases, 
K-12 funding is still not increasing as fast as the total income of 
Kansans.

Long term trends: increased funding and higher educational attainment

Prior to 2010, Kansas school funding 
usually increased more than the rate of inflation every year. Some 
reasons included increasing student enrollment and the cost of salaries 
and benefits and building construction, which tend to increase faster 
than inflation. But the largest spending increases were for staff and 
facilities to help improve student success, such as expanding all-day 
kindergarten and preschool, special education services, extra help for 
at-risk students, more counselors and social workers, and educational 
technology.

As funding increased, long-term 
educational attainment also rose. Since 1990, adults Kansans graduating 
high school increased from 81 to 92 percent, completing any 
postsecondary education from 48 to 65 percent and completing a four-year
 degree or more from 21 to 34 percent.

Despite this progress, in the 2005 Montoy school
 finance decision, the Kansas Supreme Court held that school funding was
 not constitutionally suitable due to large achievement disparities 
among students based on income, race, English-speaking status and 
disability.

In response, the Legislature directed its 
Post Audit division to conduct an education cost study. It concluded 
that additional funding was strongly correlated with higher achievement 
and recommended additional funding to bring lower performing student 
groups to higher standards. Although the Legislature did not fully fund 
those recommendations, the Supreme Court approved a plan that phased-in 
about $1 billion additional funding between 2005 and 2009.

The Gannon school finance plan: recovery after eight years of funding decline

However, following the Great Recession of 
2008-09 and subsequent income tax cuts that reduced state revenue, the 
Legislature did not maintain funding at court approved levels. 
Inflation-adjusted total funding declined by almost $400 million from 
2009 to 2017 and general operating budgets (school district general 
fund, local option budgets and special education state aid) fell over 
$500 million.

As funding declined, school districts cut 
almost 2,000 positions, reduced programs and fell behind other states in
 teacher salaries. Within a few years, Kansas test scores and other 
indicators begin to decline, and the Kansas Supreme Court ruled in the Gannon case that funding was again unconstitutional.

The Legislature commissioned another cost 
study from an independent researcher that found it would require 
approximately $2 billion more to achieve state educational outcomes.&nbsp; 
Instead, the Legislature reached agreement with the court on a plan to 
restore operating funds to inflation adjusted 2009 levels over a 
six-year period. That would require approximately $500 million in 
funding lost between 2009 and 2017, plus an inflationary adjustment for 
the phase-in period.

The Gannon plan is a series of annual 
increases in base state aid per pupil, which increases general state 
aid, plus increased local option budget funding (because the LOB is tied
 to base aid) and increased special education aid. These funds are 
estimated to increase $930 million in actual dollars from 2017 to 2023. 
However, when adjusted to 2020 dollars, this increase drops to $378 
million, and 2023 and the total is projected to still be about $200 
million below 2009 levels, partly because inflation is projected to 
increase more than previously expected.

School districts have used Gannon funding 
to restore position, increase funding targeted at lower achieving 
students and improve Kansas teacher salary ranking – steps that improved
 results in the past.

Total Funding: COVID Recovery Aid and KPERS

Total school funding, which includes the amount above plus all other 
funding (capital costs, federal aid, KPERS pension contributions and 
fees) is projected to increase by $1.9 billion in actual dollars between
 2017 and 2023, but when adjusted 2020 dollars, the increase drops to 
$1.1 billion.

While general fund, LOB and special education funding is expected to 
be about $200 million lower in 2023 than inflation-adjusted 2009 levels,
 total funding is expected to be about $850 million higher. However, 
most of this increase is either temporary federal aid or increased KPERS
 funding.

Approximately $430 million of that increase is federal COVID aid that
 expires in 2024, and nearly $300 million is for higher state payments 
to the underfunded Kansas public employees retirement system. The 
balance – about $130 million – is mostly due to construction costs and 
capital outlay spending.

Districts are expected to receive a total of $1.3 billion in COVID-19
 federal aid to meet the unprecedented impact of the pandemic. This aid 
will be spread over four years (2021 through 2024).

This money is being used per federal guidelines for costs 
specifically linked to the pandemic, such as extended summer, after 
school and other services to make up for lost learning time, additional 
support for student and family social and emotional needs, helping 
affected graduates with postsecondary education plans, and mitigating 
the health risks of COVID-19.

As a result, schools cannot use these funds for on-going expenses 
after the pandemic ends and federal funding expires, unless they can 
find replacement funding.

Districts are also receiving nearly $300 million more in annual 
payments to KPERS retirement system, due to past underfunding. Although 
part of school district budgets, these funds are simply passed through 
to the KPERS system to pay for future benefits already promised, and do 
not provide any change in current school salaries and services.

Although total school funding has been rising more than inflation 
since 2018, it is not rising faster than the income of Kansans. Kansas 
personal income is the total income of all state residents from all 
sources. Total school district expenditures rose increased gradually 
from about 4.5 percent of personal income in 1990 to just over 5.0 
percent in 2009, then declined to 4.3 percent in 2020.

Total school funding is expected to increase just under $1 billion 
from 2020 to 2023, but the latest consensus revenue estimate projects 
that Kansas personal income will increase more than $30 billion over 
that period, and total school funding will fall to about 4.1 percent of 
personal income – the lowest level since at least 1990.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582221969260.jpeg" alt="Mark Tallman, Kansas Association of School Boards" />
 <figcaption>Mark Tallman, Kansas Association of School Boards</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARK TALLMAN Kansas Association of School BoardsThe Kansas Legislature approved funding for the final two years of Gannon
 school finance plan which will boost general operating budgets by over 
$900 million over six years. Lawmakers also added funding to higher 
education to help ensure schools will receive over $1.3 billion in 
one-time federal COVID-19 aid spread over four years, although a federal
 waiver will still be needed.These funds will be used to restore 
positions, programs and salaries eroded when funding fell behind 
inflation from 2009 to 2017, address lagging academic success, and help 
students recover from the COVID pandemic. Even with these increases, 
K-12 funding is still not increasing as fast as the total income of 
Kansans.<h2>Long term trends: increased funding and higher educational attainment</h2>Prior to 2010, Kansas school funding 
usually increased more than the rate of inflation every year. Some 
reasons included increasing student enrollment and the cost of salaries 
and benefits and building construction, which tend to increase faster 
than inflation. But the largest spending increases were for staff and 
facilities to help improve student success, such as expanding all-day 
kindergarten and preschool, special education services, extra help for 
at-risk students, more counselors and social workers, and educational 
technology.As funding increased, long-term 
educational attainment also rose. Since 1990, adults Kansans graduating 
high school increased from 81 to 92 percent, completing any 
postsecondary education from 48 to 65 percent and completing a four-year
 degree or more from 21 to 34 percent.Despite this progress, in the 2005 Montoy school
 finance decision, the Kansas Supreme Court held that school funding was
 not constitutionally suitable due to large achievement disparities 
among students based on income, race, English-speaking status and 
disability.In response, the Legislature directed its 
Post Audit division to conduct an education cost study. It concluded 
that additional funding was strongly correlated with higher achievement 
and recommended additional funding to bring lower performing student 
groups to higher standards. Although the Legislature did not fully fund 
those recommendations, the Supreme Court approved a plan that phased-in 
about $1 billion additional funding between 2005 and 2009.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621431345581.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The Gannon school finance plan: recovery after eight years of funding decline</h2>However, following the Great Recession of 
2008-09 and subsequent income tax cuts that reduced state revenue, the 
Legislature did not maintain funding at court approved levels. 
Inflation-adjusted total funding declined by almost $400 million from 
2009 to 2017 and general operating budgets (school district general 
fund, local option budgets and special education state aid) fell over 
$500 million.As funding declined, school districts cut 
almost 2,000 positions, reduced programs and fell behind other states in
 teacher salaries. Within a few years, Kansas test scores and other 
indicators begin to decline, and the Kansas Supreme Court ruled in the Gannon case that funding was again unconstitutional.The Legislature commissioned another cost 
study from an independent researcher that found it would require 
approximately $2 billion more to achieve state educational outcomes.&nbsp; 
Instead, the Legislature reached agreement with the court on a plan to 
restore operating funds to inflation adjusted 2009 levels over a 
six-year period. That would require approximately $500 million in 
funding lost between 2009 and 2017, plus an inflationary adjustment for 
the phase-in period.The Gannon plan is a series of annual 
increases in base state aid per pupil, which increases general state 
aid, plus increased local option budget funding (because the LOB is tied
 to base aid) and increased special education aid. These funds are 
estimated to increase $930 million in actual dollars from 2017 to 2023. 
However, when adjusted to 2020 dollars, this increase drops to $378 
million, and 2023 and the total is projected to still be about $200 
million below 2009 levels, partly because inflation is projected to 
increase more than previously expected.School districts have used Gannon funding 
to restore position, increase funding targeted at lower achieving 
students and improve Kansas teacher salary ranking – steps that improved
 results in the past.<h2>Total Funding: COVID Recovery Aid and KPERS</h2>Total school funding, which includes the amount above plus all other 
funding (capital costs, federal aid, KPERS pension contributions and 
fees) is projected to increase by $1.9 billion in actual dollars between
 2017 and 2023, but when adjusted 2020 dollars, the increase drops to 
$1.1 billion.While general fund, LOB and special education funding is expected to 
be about $200 million lower in 2023 than inflation-adjusted 2009 levels,
 total funding is expected to be about $850 million higher. However, 
most of this increase is either temporary federal aid or increased KPERS
 funding.Approximately $430 million of that increase is federal COVID aid that
 expires in 2024, and nearly $300 million is for higher state payments 
to the underfunded Kansas public employees retirement system. The 
balance – about $130 million – is mostly due to construction costs and 
capital outlay spending.Districts are expected to receive a total of $1.3 billion in COVID-19
 federal aid to meet the unprecedented impact of the pandemic. This aid 
will be spread over four years (2021 through 2024).This money is being used per federal guidelines for costs 
specifically linked to the pandemic, such as extended summer, after 
school and other services to make up for lost learning time, additional 
support for student and family social and emotional needs, helping 
affected graduates with postsecondary education plans, and mitigating 
the health risks of COVID-19.As a result, schools cannot use these funds for on-going expenses 
after the pandemic ends and federal funding expires, unless they can 
find replacement funding.Districts are also receiving nearly $300 million more in annual 
payments to KPERS retirement system, due to past underfunding. Although 
part of school district budgets, these funds are simply passed through 
to the KPERS system to pay for future benefits already promised, and do 
not provide any change in current school salaries and services.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621431377681.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>School Funding and State Personal Income</h2>Although total school funding has been rising more than inflation 
since 2018, it is not rising faster than the income of Kansans. Kansas 
personal income is the total income of all state residents from all 
sources. Total school district expenditures rose increased gradually 
from about 4.5 percent of personal income in 1990 to just over 5.0 
percent in 2009, then declined to 4.3 percent in 2020.Total school funding is expected to increase just under $1 billion 
from 2020 to 2023, but the latest consensus revenue estimate projects 
that Kansas personal income will increase more than $30 billion over 
that period, and total school funding will fall to about 4.1 percent of 
personal income – the lowest level since at least 1990.

TALLMAN: What increased K-12 funding means for Kan. students, schools 

We conclude not just another academic year – but a year when Fort Hays State University not only survived the pandemic, but thrived. That is resilience in action.

I am deeply grateful to the entire campus and local community who came together to ensure our students, colleagues, and neighbors were well cared for as we blazed our path together. The challenges of the past year did not deter our community from our relentless student-centered and learning-focused priorities.&nbsp;

I think I might have been standing a little taller as our graduates celebrated their sweet victories last week. I know my smile was bigger. What a year!

In addition to commencement ceremonies, we also had the opportunity to say thank you to our retirees. This year, we honored both our 2020 and 2021 retirees –57 colleagues who provided a total of 1,443 years of service to FHSU. We also congratulated our faculty who earned tenure and promotions.&nbsp;

While there were several other accomplishments celebrated in the past few weeks, I would like to take the opportunity to highlight a small sample of accolades earned by our faculty and staff this spring.&nbsp;

Laura Wilson, associate professor of geosciences, was featured on the Paleo Nerds podcast. I have become a big fan of podcasts and was so proud of Laura to have been chosen for this interview. Intrigued? Download the podcast and listen to episode 30: Diving into Hell’s Aquarium with Laura Wilson.

Kim Chappell, assistant professor of advanced education programs, received a grant to enhance our partnership with Seward County Community College to develop a team-teaching model to improve student learning in career and technical education.

Our counseling program earned accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs. This rigorous self-study and peer evaluation process entails an assessment of the program’s resources, objectives, strengths, and limitations with the ultimate purpose of improving the educational effectiveness of the program. Accreditation signifies that the content and quality of the program was evaluated and meets standards set by the profession. Students can be assured that appropriate knowledge and skill areas are taught and that the program is stable – professionally and financially.&nbsp;

Paul Adams, dean of the College of Education, received two Kansas NASA Spacegrant awards to conduct teacher workshops on engineering for middle school teachers and high altitude balloon launch system to support teacher and student research. Yes, I cannot resist it: Dr. Adams is far out!

Matthew Clay, assistant professor in teacher education, and Scott Gregory, director of Field Experiences, were awarded the Teacher Education Competitive Grant from the Kansas Board of Regents. This grant was established to increase the number of licensed teachers in hard-to-fill disciplines and/or underserved geographic areas of the state. This has always been a priority of Fort Hays State. Did you know that in 1911 our faculty voted to offer correspondence courses free so that one-room school teachers across western Kansas could afford to gain the education required to teach? That in a nutshell describes our passion for access and affordability and why we are the best value in higher education – anywhere.

Eric Deneault, associate professor of applied technology, was listed among the 2021 leaders to watch by the journal, Technology and Engineering Teacher. This annual list recognizes those who have contributed to the technology and engineering education field for many years and are known for their teaching, written work, presentations, research, and recognition received from professional groups.&nbsp;

Edie McCracken, director of the Memorial Union, was awarded the Founders Award by the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA). The Founders Award is the association’s highest honor, given to those individuals who, during the years, have given their time and talents to contribute significantly to NACA. Edie has exemplified the standards of professional integrity and conduct, achieved stature in her profession, holds the esteem of colleagues and peers, and has worked to further the field of campus activities programming. This is not only a proud moment for all of us to share with Edie but another signal that Tiger Nation excels in the classroom as well as in the delivery of student services and student life.

Leslie Paige, research and scholarship coordinator, won the Presidential Award from the National Association of School Psychologists. This award recognizes excellence in the provision of school psychological services by a field-based practitioner and serves to recognize an outstanding practicing school psychologist. Leslie has earned this award four times! &nbsp;

Three faculty in the Department of Geosciences – Todd Moore, associate professor; Rich Lisichenko, professor; and Tom Schafer, associate professor – were awarded research funding from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to collect samples of drinking water from domestic water wells in the alluvial plains of Prairie Dog, Sappa, and Beaver Creeks in northwest Kansas. Once KDHE tests these samples for commonly occurring contaminants, the Department of Geosciences will map and spatially analyze the results. What a great service to our region.

Teresa Clounch, assistant vice president for student affairs, was elected to serve on the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) board of directors. The NASPA board establishes the association’s strategic goals and ensures that they are being achieved. NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. The association provides high-quality professional development, advocacy, and research for 15,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries, and eight U.S. territories. As part of her service to the national board, Teresa will also serve as the IV-West regional director. The IV-West encompasses the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming, as well as the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Christy Craig, associate professor of sociology, was featured in the Washington Post for her research on women’s book clubs: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/03/27/womens-book-clubs-history-oprah-reese/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/03/27/womens-book-clubs-history-oprah-reese/</a>. Great read!

Also featured in the Washington Post was the very interesting research on Tornado Alley by Grady Dixon, dean of the Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics. His work was also featured in Forbes: <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2021/03/30/why-using-dixie-alley-to-describe-tornadoes-in-the-south-is-a-problem/?sh=500a67905259">https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2021/03/30/why-using-dixie-alley-to-describe-tornadoes-in-the-south-is-a-problem/?sh=500a67905259</a>. Another article I enjoyed. I’ll bet you will, too.

Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” This is exactly how I feel about Tiger Nation – a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens making our university, communities, and the world better every day.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>We conclude not just another academic year – but a year when Fort Hays State University not only survived the pandemic, but thrived. That is resilience in action.I am deeply grateful to the entire campus and local community who came together to ensure our students, colleagues, and neighbors were well cared for as we blazed our path together. The challenges of the past year did not deter our community from our relentless student-centered and learning-focused priorities.&nbsp;I think I might have been standing a little taller as our graduates celebrated their sweet victories last week. I know my smile was bigger. What a year!In addition to commencement ceremonies, we also had the opportunity to say thank you to our retirees. This year, we honored both our 2020 and 2021 retirees –57 colleagues who provided a total of 1,443 years of service to FHSU. We also congratulated our faculty who earned tenure and promotions.&nbsp;While there were several other accomplishments celebrated in the past few weeks, I would like to take the opportunity to highlight a small sample of accolades earned by our faculty and staff this spring.&nbsp;Laura Wilson, associate professor of geosciences, was featured on the Paleo Nerds podcast. I have become a big fan of podcasts and was so proud of Laura to have been chosen for this interview. Intrigued? Download the podcast and listen to episode 30: Diving into Hell’s Aquarium with Laura Wilson.Kim Chappell, assistant professor of advanced education programs, received a grant to enhance our partnership with Seward County Community College to develop a team-teaching model to improve student learning in career and technical education.Our counseling program earned accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs. This rigorous self-study and peer evaluation process entails an assessment of the program’s resources, objectives, strengths, and limitations with the ultimate purpose of improving the educational effectiveness of the program. Accreditation signifies that the content and quality of the program was evaluated and meets standards set by the profession. Students can be assured that appropriate knowledge and skill areas are taught and that the program is stable – professionally and financially.&nbsp;Paul Adams, dean of the College of Education, received two Kansas NASA Spacegrant awards to conduct teacher workshops on engineering for middle school teachers and high altitude balloon launch system to support teacher and student research. Yes, I cannot resist it: Dr. Adams is far out!Matthew Clay, assistant professor in teacher education, and Scott Gregory, director of Field Experiences, were awarded the Teacher Education Competitive Grant from the Kansas Board of Regents. This grant was established to increase the number of licensed teachers in hard-to-fill disciplines and/or underserved geographic areas of the state. This has always been a priority of Fort Hays State. Did you know that in 1911 our faculty voted to offer correspondence courses free so that one-room school teachers across western Kansas could afford to gain the education required to teach? That in a nutshell describes our passion for access and affordability and why we are the best value in higher education – anywhere.Eric Deneault, associate professor of applied technology, was listed among the 2021 leaders to watch by the journal, Technology and Engineering Teacher. This annual list recognizes those who have contributed to the technology and engineering education field for many years and are known for their teaching, written work, presentations, research, and recognition received from professional groups.&nbsp;Edie McCracken, director of the Memorial Union, was awarded the Founders Award by the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA). The Founders Award is the association’s highest honor, given to those individuals who, during the years, have given their time and talents to contribute significantly to NACA. Edie has exemplified the standards of professional integrity and conduct, achieved stature in her profession, holds the esteem of colleagues and peers, and has worked to further the field of campus activities programming. This is not only a proud moment for all of us to share with Edie but another signal that Tiger Nation excels in the classroom as well as in the delivery of student services and student life.Leslie Paige, research and scholarship coordinator, won the Presidential Award from the National Association of School Psychologists. This award recognizes excellence in the provision of school psychological services by a field-based practitioner and serves to recognize an outstanding practicing school psychologist. Leslie has earned this award four times! &nbsp;Three faculty in the Department of Geosciences – Todd Moore, associate professor; Rich Lisichenko, professor; and Tom Schafer, associate professor – were awarded research funding from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to collect samples of drinking water from domestic water wells in the alluvial plains of Prairie Dog, Sappa, and Beaver Creeks in northwest Kansas. Once KDHE tests these samples for commonly occurring contaminants, the Department of Geosciences will map and spatially analyze the results. What a great service to our region.Teresa Clounch, assistant vice president for student affairs, was elected to serve on the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) board of directors. The NASPA board establishes the association’s strategic goals and ensures that they are being achieved. NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. The association provides high-quality professional development, advocacy, and research for 15,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries, and eight U.S. territories. As part of her service to the national board, Teresa will also serve as the IV-West regional director. The IV-West encompasses the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming, as well as the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.Christy Craig, associate professor of sociology, was featured in the Washington Post for her research on women’s book clubs: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/03/27/womens-book-clubs-history-oprah-reese/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/03/27/womens-book-clubs-history-oprah-reese/</a>. Great read!Also featured in the Washington Post was the very interesting research on Tornado Alley by Grady Dixon, dean of the Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics. His work was also featured in Forbes: <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2021/03/30/why-using-dixie-alley-to-describe-tornadoes-in-the-south-is-a-problem/?sh=500a67905259">https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2021/03/30/why-using-dixie-alley-to-describe-tornadoes-in-the-south-is-a-problem/?sh=500a67905259</a>. Another article I enjoyed. I’ll bet you will, too.Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” This is exactly how I feel about Tiger Nation – a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens making our university, communities, and the world better every day.

MASON: FHSU thriving through resilience

By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher You can tell a lot about people by the types of philosophical questions they like to debate. Many people ponder sports greats, classic cars, blockbuster movies or which superpowers are the best. In my house, these debates usually center on farming practices. We discuss which bull will be the best investment for our herd or the most effective timing to apply micronutrients to increases crop yields. Farmers are perfectly happy to skip many of the rest of the world’s interesting topics to endlessly ponder how to be better at their life’s work. Farmers are constantly curious, driven to learn new things and have a knack for using all that knowledge to make improvements to the world around them. It is one of the hallmarks of farmers; they never stop learning and growing. Sadly, Hollywood stereotypes often get farmers completely wrong. They are made out to be simple, uneducated and witless when reality could not be further from the truth. Farmers are well versed in more subjects than most professionals are because they have to be. They are hardwired to grow not just crops or animals but also themselves. I was reminded recently of just how committed farmers are to continuous improvement. On a beautiful spring night a few days before rain when most farmers had long lists of projects to accomplish, a group of farmers from across our county quit early (or at least took a long break) to attend our county’s wheat test plot tour. Test plots, for those not familiar with them, are hundreds of trials with a selection of varieties of the same crop. These plots allow them to observe how varieties perform against each other in real-world conditions. Plot organizers typically host a tour during the growing season as an educational opportunity for local farmers. During the 90-minute tour, I found myself thinking about how people outside of agriculture would probably be surprised to hear the highly technical presentations and lively discussions in the plot. Farmers switching from discussions of soil pH to disease tolerance to length of maturity all with the goal of understanding which varieties will be the right fit on their farm. Farmers know the pH, soil type and amount of organic matter in every field they farm. Farmers use their understanding of chemistry to select nutrients to neutralize soil pH for healthier plants. They utilize knowledge of soil types to adjust tillage practices, which can increase organic matter and prevent erosion. They use their understanding of genetics and plant physiology to match varieties to their needs. All of that technical knowledge is just for the decision of what, when and how to plant. Farmers still have to grow, harvest and sell their crops using their extensive knowledge of mechanics, marketing, technology, accounting and various other disciplines. In addition, some of them have livestock too, which adds a completely different category of biology to the mix. Most farmers don’t talk much about what they do. Some may be too busy, and others don’t think they are doing anything special, but I disagree. Our local farmers are growing crops and livestock to feed you, me, and people all over the world. The next time you sit down for a meal, I hope you will stop and take a minute to appreciate the all the growth that went into your meal.

<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 You can tell a lot about people by the types of philosophical questions they like to debate. Many people ponder sports greats, classic cars, blockbuster movies or which superpowers are the best. In my house, these debates usually center on farming practices. We discuss which bull will be the best investment for our herd or the most effective timing to apply micronutrients to increases crop yields. Farmers are perfectly happy to skip many of the rest of the world’s interesting topics to endlessly ponder how to be better at their life’s work. Farmers are constantly curious, driven to learn new things and have a knack for using all that knowledge to make improvements to the world around them. It is one of the hallmarks of farmers; they never stop learning and growing. Sadly, Hollywood stereotypes often get farmers completely wrong. They are made out to be simple, uneducated and witless when reality could not be further from the truth. Farmers are well versed in more subjects than most professionals are because they have to be. They are hardwired to grow not just crops or animals but also themselves. I was reminded recently of just how committed farmers are to continuous improvement. On a beautiful spring night a few days before rain when most farmers had long lists of projects to accomplish, a group of farmers from across our county quit early (or at least took a long break) to attend our county’s wheat test plot tour. Test plots, for those not familiar with them, are hundreds of trials with a selection of varieties of the same crop. These plots allow them to observe how varieties perform against each other in real-world conditions. Plot organizers typically host a tour during the growing season as an educational opportunity for local farmers. During the 90-minute tour, I found myself thinking about how people outside of agriculture would probably be surprised to hear the highly technical presentations and lively discussions in the plot. Farmers switching from discussions of soil pH to disease tolerance to length of maturity all with the goal of understanding which varieties will be the right fit on their farm. Farmers know the pH, soil type and amount of organic matter in every field they farm. Farmers use their understanding of chemistry to select nutrients to neutralize soil pH for healthier plants. They utilize knowledge of soil types to adjust tillage practices, which can increase organic matter and prevent erosion. They use their understanding of genetics and plant physiology to match varieties to their needs. All of that technical knowledge is just for the decision of what, when and how to plant. Farmers still have to grow, harvest and sell their crops using their extensive knowledge of mechanics, marketing, technology, accounting and various other disciplines. In addition, some of them have livestock too, which adds a completely different category of biology to the mix. Most farmers don’t talk much about what they do. Some may be too busy, and others don’t think they are doing anything special, but I disagree. Our local farmers are growing crops and livestock to feed you, me, and people all over the world. The next time you sit down for a meal, I hope you will stop and take a minute to appreciate the all the growth that went into your meal."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: Growing crops, cattle and curiosity

Monday's gasoline prices are the highest in six years at over $3.04 per gallon. The auto club AAA says analysts expected three-dollar gas leading up to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, but the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline brought a spike weeks ahead of the holiday. The average across Kansas was up seven cents a gallon from a week ago. In Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, where supplies were strained due to the pipeline shutdown, prices jumped as much as 21 cents in matter of days. With the pipeline back in operation, Triple-A says prices in these states and the national average have stabilized since the end of last week.&nbsp; Crude futures were rising on Monday with the international benchmark closing in on its best settlement in two and a half years. In afternoon trading Monday, London Brent was up 84 cents to $69.55 per barrel.&nbsp;Brent crude has only reached $70 a barrel once in the last two and a half years (on March 15, 2021).&nbsp;The Nymex near-month contract for light sweet crude settled Friday at $65.37 and by Monday afternoon was up to $66.33 per barrel.

CORRECTED 12 p.m. Tuesday to clarify that Brent crude reached $70 once in the last two and a half years. Kansas crude prices are up a quarter per barrel on the week and nearly two dollars higher than at the first of the month. Kansas Common at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $55.50 per barrel.&nbsp; Drilling activity in Kansas is up slightly. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports the rig count in eastern Kansas was up one at four active drilling rigs. The count west of Wichita was unchanged at 19 rigs. Drilling was underway on leases in Barton and Russell counties, and they're about to spud a new well in Stafford County. Operators reached total depth at three wells in Barton County and one each in Ellis and Stafford counties. Baker Hughes reported 453 active drilling rigs across the US. Friday, noting an increase of eight oil rigs. According to Enverus Rig Analytics, this week's rig count is up three percent on the month and up 52% year-over-year.&nbsp; Kansas regulators approved ten new drilling permits last week, 294 so far this year. There are five new permits east of Wichita and five in Western Kansas, with one of those in Ellis County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports added 30 new completed wells last week to the annual total of 265. Operators completed 14 wells in eastern Kansas and 16 west of Wichita, including one in Barton County. The government reported a slight uptick in U.S. crude production last week to just over 10.9 million barrels per day, up 94,000 barrels per day from the week before. Average domestic crude inventories dropped by nearly half a million barrels last week. The Energy Information Administration reports stockpiles are about two percent below the five-year seasonal average. U.S. imports averaged five and a half million barrels per day, up 37,000 barrels per day from the week before. The four-week average is up 7.6% over the same four weeks last year. Oil-by-rail shipments were down for the week but up six percent higher than the same week last year. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,123 tanker cars hauling petroleum for the week ending May 8th, down 848 tankers from the week before. Lawmakers in Texas are playing hardball with companies that cut ties with the fossil fuel industry. New legislation would require state entities including pension funds and the state's huge school endowment to divest from companies that refuse to invest in or do business with fossil fuel-based energy companies.&nbsp;The bill awaits conference committee approval to send it to the governor. One of the long-term effects of last year's slowdown in production was a slowdown pipeline speeds because of reduced volumes. Now comes word that nearly half of all oil pipelines out of the biggest oilfield in the country could be empty by the end of the year, and the operators began offering discounts to keep the crude flowing. Reuters reports new pipelines are coming online, driving total pipeline usage in the Permian basin down, despite increased production there. Utilization is expected to drop to 57% in the fourth quarter, much lower than the low point of 70% during the last market bust in 2016. The top three Permian pipeline companies are offering discounts to entice shippers and stem the fall in volumes. An issue playing out in state after state is heating up in North Dakota, where one landowner group is calling it the single largest issue in energy in the world. Lawmakers in North Dakota have passed another "pore space" law, and are once again bracing for a legal challenge. Such laws essentially regulate huge, empty spaces underground, where energy producers can store natural gas. Industry groups say landowners are blowing the issue out of proportion. They argue the new regulations would actually pay windfalls to the landowners who own property atop those big holes. The laws allow storage projects to proceed if as few as 60% of the affected landowners give their consent. The landowner groups are fighting for the other 40%. Regulators in North Dakota say the number-two crude-producing state pumped over 1.1 million barrels per day in March, up 25,000 barrels per day from the month before. The March gas-capture rate of 94% is the best ever reported by the Department of Mineral Resources. That means they flared or vented only about six percent. This marks a dramatic improvement over the last ten years. In September of 2011, operators in the state flared 36% of the natural gas produced at oil wells, the historic high. At the time, flaring activity was visible from space.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARMonday's gasoline prices are the highest in six years at over $3.04 per gallon. The auto club AAA says analysts expected three-dollar gas leading up to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, but the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline brought a spike weeks ahead of the holiday. The average across Kansas was up seven cents a gallon from a week ago. In Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, where supplies were strained due to the pipeline shutdown, prices jumped as much as 21 cents in matter of days. With the pipeline back in operation, Triple-A says prices in these states and the national average have stabilized since the end of last week.&nbsp; Crude futures were rising on Monday with the international benchmark closing in on its best settlement in two and a half years. In afternoon trading Monday, London Brent was up 84 cents to $69.55 per barrel.&nbsp;Brent crude has only reached $70 a barrel once in the last two and a half years (on March 15, 2021).&nbsp;The Nymex near-month contract for light sweet crude settled Friday at $65.37 and by Monday afternoon was up to $66.33 per barrel.CORRECTED 12 p.m. Tuesday to clarify that Brent crude reached $70 once in the last two and a half years. Kansas crude prices are up a quarter per barrel on the week and nearly two dollars higher than at the first of the month. Kansas Common at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $55.50 per barrel.&nbsp; Drilling activity in Kansas is up slightly. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports the rig count in eastern Kansas was up one at four active drilling rigs. The count west of Wichita was unchanged at 19 rigs. Drilling was underway on leases in Barton and Russell counties, and they're about to spud a new well in Stafford County. Operators reached total depth at three wells in Barton County and one each in Ellis and Stafford counties. Baker Hughes reported 453 active drilling rigs across the US. Friday, noting an increase of eight oil rigs. According to Enverus Rig Analytics, this week's rig count is up three percent on the month and up 52% year-over-year.&nbsp; Kansas regulators approved ten new drilling permits last week, 294 so far this year. There are five new permits east of Wichita and five in Western Kansas, with one of those in Ellis County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports added 30 new completed wells last week to the annual total of 265. Operators completed 14 wells in eastern Kansas and 16 west of Wichita, including one in Barton County. The government reported a slight uptick in U.S. crude production last week to just over 10.9 million barrels per day, up 94,000 barrels per day from the week before. Average domestic crude inventories dropped by nearly half a million barrels last week. The Energy Information Administration reports stockpiles are about two percent below the five-year seasonal average. U.S. imports averaged five and a half million barrels per day, up 37,000 barrels per day from the week before. The four-week average is up 7.6% over the same four weeks last year. Oil-by-rail shipments were down for the week but up six percent higher than the same week last year. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,123 tanker cars hauling petroleum for the week ending May 8th, down 848 tankers from the week before. Lawmakers in Texas are playing hardball with companies that cut ties with the fossil fuel industry. New legislation would require state entities including pension funds and the state's huge school endowment to divest from companies that refuse to invest in or do business with fossil fuel-based energy companies.&nbsp;The bill awaits conference committee approval to send it to the governor. One of the long-term effects of last year's slowdown in production was a slowdown pipeline speeds because of reduced volumes. Now comes word that nearly half of all oil pipelines out of the biggest oilfield in the country could be empty by the end of the year, and the operators began offering discounts to keep the crude flowing. Reuters reports new pipelines are coming online, driving total pipeline usage in the Permian basin down, despite increased production there. Utilization is expected to drop to 57% in the fourth quarter, much lower than the low point of 70% during the last market bust in 2016. The top three Permian pipeline companies are offering discounts to entice shippers and stem the fall in volumes. An issue playing out in state after state is heating up in North Dakota, where one landowner group is calling it the single largest issue in energy in the world. Lawmakers in North Dakota have passed another "pore space" law, and are once again bracing for a legal challenge. Such laws essentially regulate huge, empty spaces underground, where energy producers can store natural gas. Industry groups say landowners are blowing the issue out of proportion. They argue the new regulations would actually pay windfalls to the landowners who own property atop those big holes. The laws allow storage projects to proceed if as few as 60% of the affected landowners give their consent. The landowner groups are fighting for the other 40%. Regulators in North Dakota say the number-two crude-producing state pumped over 1.1 million barrels per day in March, up 25,000 barrels per day from the month before. The March gas-capture rate of 94% is the best ever reported by the Department of Mineral Resources. That means they flared or vented only about six percent. This marks a dramatic improvement over the last ten years. In September of 2011, operators in the state flared 36% of the natural gas produced at oil wells, the historic high. At the time, flaring activity was visible from space.

News From the Oil Patch: Gasoline prices highest in six years

Fluctuating commodity prices, weather challenges and other factors mean farmers are used to a certain amount of stress. But the pandemic in the past year added that much more, according to a Kansas State University behavioral health specialist.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Farming is difficult in the best of circumstances, and to add a layer of stress such as the pandemic makes it more difficult to do the work and to recover from a mental health perspective,” said Bradley Dirks, K-State Research and Extension Behavioral Health Specialist.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“There are so many things impacting our mental health in rural areas. It’s almost like a perfect storm,” said Dirks, who noted that everyone has a different response to stress. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Dirks noted that in rural communities and particularly in farming operations, people often work in solitary situations. Those stretches of time spent alone are typically balanced with church, school, community or other social gatherings. The pandemic made it difficult if not impossible to have that social balance, which further isolated many people.&nbsp;&nbsp;

That isolation plus mental health resources that are few and far between can magnify the problem for those seeking help. Even telehealth sessions with a counselor are difficult or non-existent for those lacking good broadband internet. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Dirks said some indications of stress include a lack of sleep, resulting in fatigue which magnifies everyday problems. Too many days like that result in a lack of concentration, irritability, anxiety, and changes in appetite which can cause further isolation. Some people turn to alcohol or other substances as a means to cope, which can further negatively impact our relationships. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“One of the things that makes us successful is our ability to power through. One of the things that impairs our ability to be healthy is our unwillingness to say we need help,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Part of the solution is to educate people, Dirks said. More than 50% of us will feel depressed or anxious at some point in our lives so we are not alone or unique in our struggles.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To help connect rural Kansans with resources, the K-State Research and Extension Stress and Resiliency Transdisciplinary Team was assembled. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“We’re in a great position with our extension agents and our extension system as a whole, to be able to identify the problem as well as be part of the solution,” Dirks said. The team works in both rural and urban areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Any group across the state – bank group, church group, or farm related organization -- can contact team members Rebecca McFarland at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rmcfarla@ksu.edu" target="_blank">rmcfarla@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or Rachael Clews at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rclews@ksu.edu" target="_blank">rclews@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;to request a one- to two-hour program on the topic of mental health. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Numerous people on the team have been trained in QPR (Question, Persuade and Respond), Dirks said. That program is focused on people who are potentially suicidal – those who see no way out. Some team members are also trained in what he called mental health first aid, not as therapists but to recognize what to do when they know someone is struggling. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Dirks encourages anyone who is struggling with mental health challenges or who knows someone who may be, to seek help.&nbsp;&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>Fluctuating commodity prices, weather challenges and other factors mean farmers are used to a certain amount of stress. But the pandemic in the past year added that much more, according to a Kansas State University behavioral health specialist.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Farming is difficult in the best of circumstances, and to add a layer of stress such as the pandemic makes it more difficult to do the work and to recover from a mental health perspective,” said Bradley Dirks, K-State Research and Extension Behavioral Health Specialist.&nbsp;&nbsp;“There are so many things impacting our mental health in rural areas. It’s almost like a perfect storm,” said Dirks, who noted that everyone has a different response to stress. &nbsp;&nbsp;Dirks noted that in rural communities and particularly in farming operations, people often work in solitary situations. Those stretches of time spent alone are typically balanced with church, school, community or other social gatherings. The pandemic made it difficult if not impossible to have that social balance, which further isolated many people.&nbsp;&nbsp;That isolation plus mental health resources that are few and far between can magnify the problem for those seeking help. Even telehealth sessions with a counselor are difficult or non-existent for those lacking good broadband internet. &nbsp;&nbsp;Dirks said some indications of stress include a lack of sleep, resulting in fatigue which magnifies everyday problems. Too many days like that result in a lack of concentration, irritability, anxiety, and changes in appetite which can cause further isolation. Some people turn to alcohol or other substances as a means to cope, which can further negatively impact our relationships. &nbsp;&nbsp;“One of the things that makes us successful is our ability to power through. One of the things that impairs our ability to be healthy is our unwillingness to say we need help,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Part of the solution is to educate people, Dirks said. More than 50% of us will feel depressed or anxious at some point in our lives so we are not alone or unique in our struggles.&nbsp;&nbsp;To help connect rural Kansans with resources, the K-State Research and Extension Stress and Resiliency Transdisciplinary Team was assembled. &nbsp;&nbsp;“We’re in a great position with our extension agents and our extension system as a whole, to be able to identify the problem as well as be part of the solution,” Dirks said. The team works in both rural and urban areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Any group across the state – bank group, church group, or farm related organization -- can contact team members Rebecca McFarland at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rmcfarla@ksu.edu" target="_blank">rmcfarla@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or Rachael Clews at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rclews@ksu.edu" target="_blank">rclews@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;to request a one- to two-hour program on the topic of mental health. &nbsp;&nbsp;Numerous people on the team have been trained in QPR (Question, Persuade and Respond), Dirks said. That program is focused on people who are potentially suicidal – those who see no way out. Some team members are also trained in what he called mental health first aid, not as therapists but to recognize what to do when they know someone is struggling. &nbsp;&nbsp;Dirks encourages anyone who is struggling with mental health challenges or who knows someone who may be, to seek help.&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: Mental health in rural Kansas

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Let’s sign up for a subscription – not just for your local newspaper, or for Netflix, or for groceries, but for flowers. Today we’ll meet an entrepreneurial Kansan who is growing beautiful flowers and then distributing them by subscription.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Glennys Doane is the founder of this innovative business known as Prairie Field Flowers. Glennys and her husband Gary live west of Downs. Gary farms and Glennys is a longtime volunteer in local schools.&nbsp;

Glennys’ mother came from the rural community of Alden, population 148 people. Now, that’s rural. Glennys attended Sterling College and then got a master’s at Kansas State University, where she met Gary.&nbsp;

“My mom always had flowers,” Glennys said. “Gary’s mom always had flowers.” For years, the Doanes sold their own sweet corn direct to consumers from the farmstead west of Downs, so they were used to retail customers. “We enjoy working with the public,” Glennys said.&nbsp;

“We had a couple of acres unutilized,” Glennys said. “One winter, I was looking through seed catalogs and thought, ‘Maybe I could plant flowers in there,’” she said. Glennys did research and reached out online to flower producers across the nation. “One of my online mentors is in Virginia Beach, Virginia,” Glennys said. “She is so limited in the space she has in which to operate. Urban farmers told me that if they can get a quarter acre, they are ecstatic. I realized I have the land resource right here,” she said.&nbsp;

No one at the local farmers markets was vending flowers, so Glennys decided to try it. Then she came up with the innovative idea to sell subscriptions to those who would want flowers regularly.&nbsp;

She named her business Prairie Field Flowers. The growing process begins with seeds planted in tiny three-quarter inch soil blocks. “This is a very efficient use of space,” Glennys said. “We can do this on a countertop in the basement.” Once the seedlings sprout, they are transplanted into her flower field. “Gary’s a big help on all this,” she said.&nbsp;

Glennys practices succession planting – not succession planning, succession planting.&nbsp;&nbsp;She plans and plants different types and varieties of flowers to mature at different stages through the growing season.&nbsp;

In addition to farmers markets, the flowers are marketed in two ways: One is individual bouquets, arranged and delivered on demand; and the other is through the subscription service.&nbsp;

“The subscription can be for the workplace or the home,” Glennys said. Subscribers will receive farm fresh, local flowers arranged in small or large bouquets that can be delivered once or twice per month from April through September.&nbsp;

“A business might subscribe because they always want fresh local flowers on the receptionist’s counter,” Glennys said. One subscriber regularly gets flowers for her desk at a bank in Beloit, for example.&nbsp;

Many buyers are millennials. Their daughter Amy, a young professional who lives nearby, is case in point. “My generation is used to subscribing to things,” Amy said.&nbsp;

Glennys delivers the flowers and can exchange and recycle vases for the next delivery.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We provide whatever is in season or blooming,” Glennys said. That means she gets to plant lots of different flowers, such as sunflowers, zinnias, daffodils, cosmos, daisies, tulips, iris, peonies and more. She also grows supplementary foliage such as lemon and cinnamon basil, bells of Ireland, dianthus, sweet rocket, larkspur, ageratum and others.&nbsp;

Glennys has found that flowers bring joy to both the giver and the recipient. “That’s the beauty of it,” Glennys said. “I love delivering flowers and seeing people’s eyes light up,” she said. “You need beauty in your life. You need art in your life,” she said.&nbsp;

As one subscriber wrote: “The flowers are beautiful. I’ve had so much fun with this.&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanks for making my days brighter with beautiful flowers.”&nbsp;

For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.prairiefieldflowers.com/">www.prairiefieldflowers.com</a>.&nbsp;

Let’s sign up for a subscription – not just for newspapers, but for flowers. We commend Glennys and Gary Doane for making a difference with this innovative way to market flowers and beautify the world around them. I hope their business continues to blossom.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620826907927.png" alt="Glennys Doane" />
 <figcaption>Glennys Doane</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development Let’s sign up for a subscription – not just for your local newspaper, or for Netflix, or for groceries, but for flowers. Today we’ll meet an entrepreneurial Kansan who is growing beautiful flowers and then distributing them by subscription.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Glennys Doane is the founder of this innovative business known as Prairie Field Flowers. Glennys and her husband Gary live west of Downs. Gary farms and Glennys is a longtime volunteer in local schools.&nbsp;Glennys’ mother came from the rural community of Alden, population 148 people. Now, that’s rural. Glennys attended Sterling College and then got a master’s at Kansas State University, where she met Gary.&nbsp;“My mom always had flowers,” Glennys said. “Gary’s mom always had flowers.” For years, the Doanes sold their own sweet corn direct to consumers from the farmstead west of Downs, so they were used to retail customers. “We enjoy working with the public,” Glennys said.&nbsp;“We had a couple of acres unutilized,” Glennys said. “One winter, I was looking through seed catalogs and thought, ‘Maybe I could plant flowers in there,’” she said. Glennys did research and reached out online to flower producers across the nation. “One of my online mentors is in Virginia Beach, Virginia,” Glennys said. “She is so limited in the space she has in which to operate. Urban farmers told me that if they can get a quarter acre, they are ecstatic. I realized I have the land resource right here,” she said.&nbsp;No one at the local farmers markets was vending flowers, so Glennys decided to try it. Then she came up with the innovative idea to sell subscriptions to those who would want flowers regularly.&nbsp;She named her business Prairie Field Flowers. The growing process begins with seeds planted in tiny three-quarter inch soil blocks. “This is a very efficient use of space,” Glennys said. “We can do this on a countertop in the basement.” Once the seedlings sprout, they are transplanted into her flower field. “Gary’s a big help on all this,” she said.&nbsp;Glennys practices succession planting – not succession planning, succession planting.&nbsp;&nbsp;She plans and plants different types and varieties of flowers to mature at different stages through the growing season.&nbsp;In addition to farmers markets, the flowers are marketed in two ways: One is individual bouquets, arranged and delivered on demand; and the other is through the subscription service.&nbsp;“The subscription can be for the workplace or the home,” Glennys said. Subscribers will receive farm fresh, local flowers arranged in small or large bouquets that can be delivered once or twice per month from April through September.&nbsp;“A business might subscribe because they always want fresh local flowers on the receptionist’s counter,” Glennys said. One subscriber regularly gets flowers for her desk at a bank in Beloit, for example.&nbsp;Many buyers are millennials. Their daughter Amy, a young professional who lives nearby, is case in point. “My generation is used to subscribing to things,” Amy said.&nbsp;Glennys delivers the flowers and can exchange and recycle vases for the next delivery.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We provide whatever is in season or blooming,” Glennys said. That means she gets to plant lots of different flowers, such as sunflowers, zinnias, daffodils, cosmos, daisies, tulips, iris, peonies and more. She also grows supplementary foliage such as lemon and cinnamon basil, bells of Ireland, dianthus, sweet rocket, larkspur, ageratum and others.&nbsp;Glennys has found that flowers bring joy to both the giver and the recipient. “That’s the beauty of it,” Glennys said. “I love delivering flowers and seeing people’s eyes light up,” she said. “You need beauty in your life. You need art in your life,” she said.&nbsp;As one subscriber wrote: “The flowers are beautiful. I’ve had so much fun with this.&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanks for making my days brighter with beautiful flowers.”&nbsp;For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.prairiefieldflowers.com/">www.prairiefieldflowers.com</a>.&nbsp;Let’s sign up for a subscription – not just for newspapers, but for flowers. We commend Glennys and Gary Doane for making a difference with this innovative way to market flowers and beautify the world around them. I hope their business continues to blossom.&nbsp;There is more about Downs. We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;

Opinion