Looks like a couple weeks when the Statehouse is going to be virtually empty as Democrats, then Republicans, hold national conventions online; no crowds, social distancing can be done by zip codes, and there aren’t going to be any free-drink receptions for reporters covering the events.

And at the Statehouse, it’s going to be quiet, with lots of issues to be considered, planned, schemed, but nothing really major in the way of events and only one or two interim legislative committees considering legislation for the upcoming session.

The under-the-sheets action will be, of course, considering just what the pandemic has done and will do to the state’s revenues which are predicted to be about $600 million or more below estimates that lawmakers are comfortable working with, and nobody wanting to talk out loud about how to make that revenue stretch to cover the needs and wants of Kansans.

So, what’s being quietly discussed—or specifically not discussed out loud where it might show up in the news?

The budget, of course, and whether there’s enough money to keep basic services for most Kansans, and especially the poor, the ill, and their children, in place, along with the standard law enforcement and education funding for elementary and secondary schools…and higher education in an era when there is growing legislative interest in short-term, job-skills post high school.

But the focus is most strong in the next couple weeks on the national political conventions, where former Vice President Joe Biden has chosen Sen. Kamala&nbsp; Harris as his running-mate, and there is still some insider wondering whether President Donald Trump will keep Mike Pence as his vice president, or maybe…not.

For Kansans, that national ticket for both parties will undoubtedly trickle down to votes for Kansas House and Senate candidates…and later this week we ought to know just who those legislative candidates are going to be after the state canvass board checks and rechecks votes from border to border to see who will be on the November ballot.&nbsp; That’s not all settled yet, but soon we ought to know who survived that handful of close legislative primary elections.

And there’s going to be more politics springing up when we learn just where the counties have spent about $400 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act money that the state’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Task Force has handed them. Look for every dime to be examined not only for recovery benefits, but to see just what groups got the federal money—and their political leanings if they can be discerned.

Oh, yes, and there’s the reopening of schools in many districts and colleges and universities and whether they trigger a new increase in COVID-19 cases which will ripple from the schoolhouses and campuses into the state as a whole, with the now predictable economic damage to the economy—and yes, again—state revenues.

Lots of low-key activity that might grow to become major import to the state and the remaining two years of Gov. Laura Kelly’s term as governor and the tilt of the Legislature next session.&nbsp;

The national political conventions? Essentially a diversion for most Kansans, who already know who gets their vote. But in a strong Republican state, that pandemic and the administration’s response to it may move votes, especially in the U.S. Senate race.

And while all that’s going on, we still need Kansans to take fill out the Census forms so they get counted.

Lots of activity, and strangely, most of it to be observed from home on the TV in the next couple weeks…when some of us who have had their loafers on the ground for 16 national political conventions&nbsp; just try to get comfortable on the sofa…and pay for our own drinks…

(Note: The At The Rail column will be on hiatus the next two weeks while Statehouse activity is expected to be minimal; in non-pandemic presidential election years, The Rail column at this time provided coverage of Kansas delegates at their Republican and Democratic conventions.)

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592848178110.png" alt="Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report." />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report.</figcaption>
 </figure>Looks like a couple weeks when the Statehouse is going to be virtually empty as Democrats, then Republicans, hold national conventions online; no crowds, social distancing can be done by zip codes, and there aren’t going to be any free-drink receptions for reporters covering the events.And at the Statehouse, it’s going to be quiet, with lots of issues to be considered, planned, schemed, but nothing really major in the way of events and only one or two interim legislative committees considering legislation for the upcoming session.The under-the-sheets action will be, of course, considering just what the pandemic has done and will do to the state’s revenues which are predicted to be about $600 million or more below estimates that lawmakers are comfortable working with, and nobody wanting to talk out loud about how to make that revenue stretch to cover the needs and wants of Kansans.So, what’s being quietly discussed—or specifically not discussed out loud where it might show up in the news?The budget, of course, and whether there’s enough money to keep basic services for most Kansans, and especially the poor, the ill, and their children, in place, along with the standard law enforcement and education funding for elementary and secondary schools…and higher education in an era when there is growing legislative interest in short-term, job-skills post high school.But the focus is most strong in the next couple weeks on the national political conventions, where former Vice President Joe Biden has chosen Sen. Kamala&nbsp; Harris as his running-mate, and there is still some insider wondering whether President Donald Trump will keep Mike Pence as his vice president, or maybe…not.For Kansans, that national ticket for both parties will undoubtedly trickle down to votes for Kansas House and Senate candidates…and later this week we ought to know just who those legislative candidates are going to be after the state canvass board checks and rechecks votes from border to border to see who will be on the November ballot.&nbsp; That’s not all settled yet, but soon we ought to know who survived that handful of close legislative primary elections.And there’s going to be more politics springing up when we learn just where the counties have spent about $400 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act money that the state’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Task Force has handed them. Look for every dime to be examined not only for recovery benefits, but to see just what groups got the federal money—and their political leanings if they can be discerned.Oh, yes, and there’s the reopening of schools in many districts and colleges and universities and whether they trigger a new increase in COVID-19 cases which will ripple from the schoolhouses and campuses into the state as a whole, with the now predictable economic damage to the economy—and yes, again—state revenues.Lots of low-key activity that might grow to become major import to the state and the remaining two years of Gov. Laura Kelly’s term as governor and the tilt of the Legislature next session.&nbsp;The national political conventions? Essentially a diversion for most Kansans, who already know who gets their vote. But in a strong Republican state, that pandemic and the administration’s response to it may move votes, especially in the U.S. Senate race.And while all that’s going on, we still need Kansans to take fill out the Census forms so they get counted.***Lots of activity, and strangely, most of it to be observed from home on the TV in the next couple weeks…when some of us who have had their loafers on the ground for 16 national political conventions&nbsp; just try to get comfortable on the sofa…and pay for our own drinks…(Note: The At The Rail column will be on hiatus the next two weeks while Statehouse activity is expected to be minimal; in non-pandemic presidential election years, The Rail column at this time provided coverage of Kansas delegates at their Republican and Democratic conventions.)Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

HAWVER: Statehouse 'mostly' quiet during national conventions 

There are many different reasons that producers look at adding different crops to their rotation. Weed control issues and the ability to spray certain chemicals to help with weeds is one reason. Also, some may be looking for a product that may be more profitable in the coming years. Some just want to try something new in their rotation to see if it fits their production model better than what they are currently doing. Whatever the reason, it’s a good idea to research the new possibilities before venturing out into the unknown.

On August 26th at 5:30 pm, KSRE Cottonwood District and Pawnee County will be hosting our regular woman’s group to discuss Alternative crops. Now, just because it originally was formed as a group of women that does not mean than men are not welcome. Anyone who has an interest is encouraged to attend. This program’s topic is going to be Alternative Crops. Lucas Hagg, Northwest area agronomist will be on our zoom to discuss the different crops you can grow instead of your normal rotation. Lucas will cover canola, cotton, sunflowers, hemp, dry beans, and forages in addition to any questions that you may have.&nbsp;

The program will be held over Zoom. You can contact Jen Webster from the Pawnee County Extension office at <a href="mailto:jlwebster@ksu.edu">jlwebster@ksu.edu</a> or by calling 620-285-6901 by 5 pm on August 26th for the zoom link.&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 aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592579538317.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>There are many different reasons that producers look at adding different crops to their rotation. Weed control issues and the ability to spray certain chemicals to help with weeds is one reason. Also, some may be looking for a product that may be more profitable in the coming years. Some just want to try something new in their rotation to see if it fits their production model better than what they are currently doing. Whatever the reason, it’s a good idea to research the new possibilities before venturing out into the unknown.On August 26th at 5:30 pm, KSRE Cottonwood District and Pawnee County will be hosting our regular woman’s group to discuss Alternative crops. Now, just because it originally was formed as a group of women that does not mean than men are not welcome. Anyone who has an interest is encouraged to attend. This program’s topic is going to be Alternative Crops. Lucas Hagg, Northwest area agronomist will be on our zoom to discuss the different crops you can grow instead of your normal rotation. Lucas will cover canola, cotton, sunflowers, hemp, dry beans, and forages in addition to any questions that you may have.&nbsp;The program will be held over Zoom. You can contact Jen Webster from the Pawnee County Extension office at <a href="mailto:jlwebster@ksu.edu">jlwebster@ksu.edu</a> or by calling 620-285-6901 by 5 pm on August 26th for the zoom link.&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 aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Zoom session on alternative crops scheduled

RE: Application of KSA 25-213 to write in Candidacy of Laura Allen in Ellis County, KS


Please be advised that I represent Laura Allen. She is a write-in candidate for County Clerk in Ellis County, Kansas. 


Although the County Clerk of Ellis County has refused to release the results of the most recent election to us, despite my repeated requests for that information, she orally stated during the canvass last evening that Laura Allen received in excess of 5% of the total votes cast in the Democratic primary, and in excess of 5% of the total Democratic voter registration in Ellis County, at the last count, during the August 2020 election. 


The Board of Canvassers. after receiving my input regarding the matter, instructed the County Clerk to convey to you the information that I had conveyed to them for your input. 


Interestingly, Clerk Maskus did not solicit from me, nor did it appear that she took notes, regarding the extensive research which I did regarding the legislative history of KSA 25-213. The purpose of this letter is to convey to you the essence of that research, because I believe that the interpretation of that statute apparently being given to it by Clerk Maskus, and, apparently, based upon her oral statements. by you, is erroneous. The statute reads, in its essence, that when no nominating declaration has been filed, unless a person receives votes equal in number to not less than 5% of the total of the current voter registration designated (emphasis added) in the County in which the office is sought, the person's name shall not be printed on the general election ballot. That language was inserted in the statute via chapter 196 of the 2007 Session Laws of Kansas as a result of two House Bills introduced that year by the House Elections Committee. The House Bills were House Bill 2094 and House Bill 2332, both of which amended KSA 25-213 to include language that said. "5% of the total of the current voter registration of the party designated in the County in which the office is sought," in replacement of a 1995 amendment which had eliminated a prior reference to 
party affiliation. That 1995 amendment had read that a successful write-in had to be equal in number to not less than 10% of the electors who voted for the office of Secretary of State at the last preceding general election for such office in the county in which the office is sought. In the 2007 Legislative session, the Senate passed legislation that differed from the House legislation in regards to other sections that had nothing to do with the metric regarding the write-in issue and so a Conference Committee was appointed. The ultimate Conference Committee report approved, using the well-known tactic of "gut and go" via House Bill number 2128, which had dealt with recall issues before it was usurped for the purpose of amending 25-213. dropped the words "of the party", but retained the word "designated."

There was no reason for the Legislature to have retained that word, other than an intent for it to modify the language "5% of the voter registration." If the intent of the Legislature were, as propounded by the County Clerk, that the metric was all of the registered voters in Ellis County, the word designated would not have been used. The rules of logic leave no other conclusion. Read the sentence without the word "designated" and that is exactly what it would mean. With the word "designated," it is at best, latently ambiguous, and one should turn to the legislative history to clarify it. The legislative history leads one to the inescapable conclusion that the intent of the Legislature was that the designation was the election(party) selected by the write-in voters. Kansas has a closed primary system. In other words, Democrats and Republicans cannot cross party lines on election day. They have to vote in the election they are branded in. To count the Republican registration towards the metric by which Democrats have to qualify to become general election candidates via the write-in process is ludicrous. In Ellis County, for instance, with 18,000 registered voters, a write-in candidate, under Clerk Maskus's theory would have to receive 900 votes, or 24% of the Democratic registration. On the other hand, a Republican write-in candidate would have to receive only 9.9% of the Republican registration. Ignoring the fact that there is a clear Equal Protection violation, that simply docs not make any logical sense. 

The purpose of this letter is to ask that you turn to the legislative history of this statute and the same research that has been done as set out above and inform the Ellis County Clerk that in order to qualify os o write-in candidate, it is necessary that a person receive votes equal in number to not less than 5% of the total of the voter registration designated for the election, either Democratic or Republican, where the office is sought. In the case of the County Clerk position in Ellis County, the calculation is simple, as the clerk has stated that the total Democratic registration was 3,873, ergo the total write-in votes necessary to qualify for the general election ballot should be 194. Again, although the Clerk has not complied with my request for release of that information, it is my belief that Laura Allen received far in excess of that number. 

It would be appreciated if you would verify your receipt of this letter and confirm your response in writing. 

The Board of Canvassers is meeting at 5:00 PM on Monday, and it would be appreciated if you would copy them on your response. also. 

John T. Bird Glassman Bird Powell LLP

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582312931775.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>RE: Application of KSA 25-213 to write in Candidacy of Laura Allen in Ellis County, KS 
Dear Secretary of State Schwab: 
Please be advised that I represent Laura Allen. She is a write-in candidate for County Clerk in Ellis County, Kansas. 
Although the County Clerk of Ellis County has refused to release the results of the most recent election to us, despite my repeated requests for that information, she orally stated during the canvass last evening that Laura Allen received in excess of 5% of the total votes cast in the Democratic primary, and in excess of 5% of the total Democratic voter registration in Ellis County, at the last count, during the August 2020 election. 
The Board of Canvassers. after receiving my input regarding the matter, instructed the County Clerk to convey to you the information that I had conveyed to them for your input. 
Interestingly, Clerk Maskus did not solicit from me, nor did it appear that she took notes, regarding the extensive research which I did regarding the legislative history of KSA 25-213. The purpose of this letter is to convey to you the essence of that research, because I believe that the interpretation of that statute apparently being given to it by Clerk Maskus, and, apparently, based upon her oral statements. by you, is erroneous. The statute reads, in its essence, that when no nominating declaration has been filed, unless a person receives votes equal in number to not less than 5% of the total of the current voter registration designated (emphasis added) in the County in which the office is sought, the person's name shall not be printed on the general election ballot. That language was inserted in the statute via chapter 196 of the 2007 Session Laws of Kansas as a result of two House Bills introduced that year by the House Elections Committee. The House Bills were House Bill 2094 and House Bill 2332, both of which amended KSA 25-213 to include language that said. "5% of the total of the current voter registration of the party designated in the County in which the office is sought," in replacement of a 1995 amendment which had eliminated a prior reference to 
party affiliation. That 1995 amendment had read that a successful write-in had to be equal in number to not less than 10% of the electors who voted for the office of Secretary of State at the last preceding general election for such office in the county in which the office is sought. In the 2007 Legislative session, the Senate passed legislation that differed from the House legislation in regards to other sections that had nothing to do with the metric regarding the write-in issue and so a Conference Committee was appointed. The ultimate Conference Committee report approved, using the well-known tactic of "gut and go" via House Bill number 2128, which had dealt with recall issues before it was usurped for the purpose of amending 25-213. dropped the words "of the party", but retained the word "designated."There was no reason for the Legislature to have retained that word, other than an intent for it to modify the language "5% of the voter registration." If the intent of the Legislature were, as propounded by the County Clerk, that the metric was all of the registered voters in Ellis County, the word designated would not have been used. The rules of logic leave no other conclusion. Read the sentence without the word "designated" and that is exactly what it would mean. With the word "designated," it is at best, latently ambiguous, and one should turn to the legislative history to clarify it. The legislative history leads one to the inescapable conclusion that the intent of the Legislature was that the designation was the election(party) selected by the write-in voters. Kansas has a closed primary system. In other words, Democrats and Republicans cannot cross party lines on election day. They have to vote in the election they are branded in. To count the Republican registration towards the metric by which Democrats have to qualify to become general election candidates via the write-in process is ludicrous. In Ellis County, for instance, with 18,000 registered voters, a write-in candidate, under Clerk Maskus's theory would have to receive 900 votes, or 24% of the Democratic registration. On the other hand, a Republican write-in candidate would have to receive only 9.9% of the Republican registration. Ignoring the fact that there is a clear Equal Protection violation, that simply docs not make any logical sense. The purpose of this letter is to ask that you turn to the legislative history of this statute and the same research that has been done as set out above and inform the Ellis County Clerk that in order to qualify os o write-in candidate, it is necessary that a person receive votes equal in number to not less than 5% of the total of the voter registration designated for the election, either Democratic or Republican, where the office is sought. In the case of the County Clerk position in Ellis County, the calculation is simple, as the clerk has stated that the total Democratic registration was 3,873, ergo the total write-in votes necessary to qualify for the general election ballot should be 194. Again, although the Clerk has not complied with my request for release of that information, it is my belief that Laura Allen received far in excess of that number. It would be appreciated if you would verify your receipt of this letter and confirm your response in writing. The Board of Canvassers is meeting at 5:00 PM on Monday, and it would be appreciated if you would copy them on your response. also. 
Thank you for your attention to this.Very truly yours,John T. Bird Glassman Bird Powell LLP

BIRD: Open letter to the secretary of state over write-in candidacy

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Davenport, Florida: A specialty package of Fresh Seven Coffee arrives to a customer. This coffee was carefully selected and roasted by a family halfway across the continent in rural Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Last week we met Heidi Plumb and Kale Dankenbring, who made a trip around the globe as newlyweds. They had met in Arizona. Kale worked in information technology and ran a motorcycle shop on the side.&nbsp;

Heidi worked at a roastery in Phoenix and learned the science of coffee production and roasting. “We just love coffee,” she said.&nbsp;

While traveling, Kale and Heidi were at a community coffee shop in India and got to talking about having a coffee shop of their own back in the United States. Kale suggested his hometown of St. Francis where there was an abandoned building for sale. Through Kale’s dad, they bought the building sight unseen, thinking this could serve as a place for their coffee roastery and motorcycle shop.&nbsp;

In 2012, they made their way back to St. Francis. “When Kale first stepped into that building, I think he almost cried,” Heidi said. “The building was an absolute mess, needing a new roof and much, much more.”&nbsp;

Over several months, they cleaned up the building and built an apartment in the back.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Maybe our trip overseas prepared us for living in an abandoned building, because we had stayed in some pretty tough places (overseas),” Heidi said.&nbsp;

After cleaning out the building and constructing their apartment and motorcycle shop, they fixed up a trailer where they could serve coffee. The trailer would later be moved into another abandoned building which they purchased and repaired.&nbsp;

Based on Heidi’s experience, Kale and Heidi committed to high-quality coffee that would be produced, harvested, roasted and served in a special way.&nbsp;

They wanted coffee which was harvested by hand while in season, as opposed to mass quantities and mixed quality of coffee that are harvested mechanically. Kale and Heidi worked with a buyer who sources such high-quality coffee around the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Every country of origin has a season. We could geek out about coffee, it’s almost like wine,” Heidi said with a smile. Bean lots are assigned cupping scores, and Fresh Seven Coffee buys only beans with a high cupping score. Only subtropical climates and high elevations are suitable for producing coffee. Fresh Seven Coffee sources its beans from carefully selected sites in Ethiopia, Brazil, Guatemala, Peru and India.&nbsp;

Once the coffee beans reach Kale and Heidi, they hand-roast the coffee in small batches each day and commit to serve it within seven days of roasting. That was why they named their shop Fresh Seven Coffee.&nbsp;

“Our coffee is very fresh, and people can tell the difference,” Heidi said. “Our customers say, ‘Oh, this isn’t bitter.’ It makes a world of difference in the taste.”&nbsp;

Fresh Seven Coffee has branched out over time. The company sells its roasted coffee wholesale in addition to retail service. A recent batch went to Florida, for example.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In response to consumer demand, Fresh Seven Coffee has evolved into a hand-crafted espresso and cocktail bar, café and community center. Breakfast and lunch are offered Monday through Friday. “We get everything we can locally, like beef, bacon, eggs and some vegetables,” Heidi said.&nbsp;

During the pandemic, the store provided curbside service, carryout and free delivery.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Our customers were so supportive,” Heidi said. “That’s one of the cool things about being in a small community.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

St. Francis is a northwestern Kansas community of 1,329 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

Customer reviews include comments such as: “The atmosphere of the establishment is a standalone masterpiece of the plains,” and “I may have had the best iced coffee of my life here.”&nbsp;

For more information, go to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freshsevencoffee.com/">Fresh Seven Coffee website</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It’s time to leave Florida, where a package of hand-selected and hand-roasted coffee was recently delivered. We commend Kale Dankenbring and Heidi Plumb for having such a strong commitment to quality in their coffee. It can make a world of difference.&nbsp;

And there’s more. What about Kale’s motorcycle shop? We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597244800938.png" alt="Screen Shot 2020-08-12 at 10.06.26 AM.png" />
 <figcaption>Screen Shot 2020-08-12 at 10.06.26 AM.png</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural DevelopmentDavenport, Florida: A specialty package of Fresh Seven Coffee arrives to a customer. This coffee was carefully selected and roasted by a family halfway across the continent in rural Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Last week we met Heidi Plumb and Kale Dankenbring, who made a trip around the globe as newlyweds. They had met in Arizona. Kale worked in information technology and ran a motorcycle shop on the side.&nbsp;Heidi worked at a roastery in Phoenix and learned the science of coffee production and roasting. “We just love coffee,” she said.&nbsp;While traveling, Kale and Heidi were at a community coffee shop in India and got to talking about having a coffee shop of their own back in the United States. Kale suggested his hometown of St. Francis where there was an abandoned building for sale. Through Kale’s dad, they bought the building sight unseen, thinking this could serve as a place for their coffee roastery and motorcycle shop.&nbsp;In 2012, they made their way back to St. Francis. “When Kale first stepped into that building, I think he almost cried,” Heidi said. “The building was an absolute mess, needing a new roof and much, much more.”&nbsp;Over several months, they cleaned up the building and built an apartment in the back.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Maybe our trip overseas prepared us for living in an abandoned building, because we had stayed in some pretty tough places (overseas),” Heidi said.&nbsp;After cleaning out the building and constructing their apartment and motorcycle shop, they fixed up a trailer where they could serve coffee. The trailer would later be moved into another abandoned building which they purchased and repaired.&nbsp;Based on Heidi’s experience, Kale and Heidi committed to high-quality coffee that would be produced, harvested, roasted and served in a special way.&nbsp;They wanted coffee which was harvested by hand while in season, as opposed to mass quantities and mixed quality of coffee that are harvested mechanically. Kale and Heidi worked with a buyer who sources such high-quality coffee around the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Every country of origin has a season. We could geek out about coffee, it’s almost like wine,” Heidi said with a smile. Bean lots are assigned cupping scores, and Fresh Seven Coffee buys only beans with a high cupping score. Only subtropical climates and high elevations are suitable for producing coffee. Fresh Seven Coffee sources its beans from carefully selected sites in Ethiopia, Brazil, Guatemala, Peru and India.&nbsp;Once the coffee beans reach Kale and Heidi, they hand-roast the coffee in small batches each day and commit to serve it within seven days of roasting. That was why they named their shop Fresh Seven Coffee.&nbsp;“Our coffee is very fresh, and people can tell the difference,” Heidi said. “Our customers say, ‘Oh, this isn’t bitter.’ It makes a world of difference in the taste.”&nbsp;Fresh Seven Coffee has branched out over time. The company sells its roasted coffee wholesale in addition to retail service. A recent batch went to Florida, for example.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In response to consumer demand, Fresh Seven Coffee has evolved into a hand-crafted espresso and cocktail bar, café and community center. Breakfast and lunch are offered Monday through Friday. “We get everything we can locally, like beef, bacon, eggs and some vegetables,” Heidi said.&nbsp;During the pandemic, the store provided curbside service, carryout and free delivery.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Our customers were so supportive,” Heidi said. “That’s one of the cool things about being in a small community.”&nbsp;&nbsp;St. Francis is a northwestern Kansas community of 1,329 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;Customer reviews include comments such as: “The atmosphere of the establishment is a standalone masterpiece of the plains,” and “I may have had the best iced coffee of my life here.”&nbsp;For more information, go to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freshsevencoffee.com/">Fresh Seven Coffee website</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s time to leave Florida, where a package of hand-selected and hand-roasted coffee was recently delivered. We commend Kale Dankenbring and Heidi Plumb for having such a strong commitment to quality in their coffee. It can make a world of difference.&nbsp;And there’s more. What about Kale’s motorcycle shop? We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Fresh Seven Coffee, St. Francis

For First Amendment freedoms in recent weeks, it has been one step 
forward, two steps back and at best a draw — and we should be praising 
the progress and mad as hell about the setbacks.

The ink was not yet dry on U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon’s
 July 23 temporary restraining order in Portland, Ore., protecting the 
free press covering demonstrations when in Seattle, a state judge told 
five local news operations to turn over to police unpublished news 
photos and video.

Simon’s temporary restraining order banned federal officers deployed 
in Portland from targeting journalists (and legal observers) and 
excluded reporters from police orders to demonstrators to disperse.

On that same day, King County Superior Court Judge Nelson Lee
 in Seattle ordered reporters there to turn over unpublished materials, 
citing a “compelling public interest” in searching for several stolen 
weapons. Lee’s order effectively would turn journalists at those five 
outlets into unwilling police investigators and sources.

Such a transformation harms the First Amendment’s free press 
protection by making a shambles of reporters’ real-time ability to fully
 gather the news on behalf of the public and to serve as a public 
witness to the actions of police. Not incidentally, in violent 
situations it may well paint a target on the backs of reporters, 
photographers and television video crews if they are seen by some as 
just another extension of law enforcement.

No word yet if those news operations targeted by Lee’s order will 
appeal — but yet another danger in allowing it to stand unchallenged is 
that it may embolden other jurists to chip away at the First Amendment’s
 free press shield, as if there is no “compelling public interest” in 
protecting the watchdogs on government from being turned into government
 lapdogs.

Just a few days later, we learned from ProPublica that at least a 
dozen protesters arrested in recent weeks were released from jail only 
if they agreed not to join demonstrations — some within city or state 
limits, and anywhere for others — while they await trials on federal 
misdemeanor charges.

The ProPublica report noted that many of those arrested had been 
jailed for more than 10 days before being presented with the option of 
“voluntarily” signing away their First Amendment right to assembly. 
Critics contend the requirement violates the First Amendment in any 
number of ways, including not limiting the ban to a specific place (such
 as the federal courthouse, which has been the scene of several violent 
incidents) or for failing to specify a limited period of time.

And to cap it all, we now know via news reports, beginning with The Washington Post,
 that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had been covertly 
compiling intelligence reports on journalists reporting on the protests 
in Portland and had intercepted some internet communications between 
demonstrators.

Late last week, DHS announced that as a result of the reports, it has reassigned Brian Murphy,
 its top intelligence official. Murphy had previously denied (to 
Congress) that his office had access to protesters’ devices and 
messages, according to the Post. 

“In no way does the acting secretary (Chad Wolf) 
condone this practice and he has immediately ordered an inquiry,” a 
department spokesman said Friday in a&nbsp;statement. “The acting secretary 
is committed to ensuring that all DHS personnel uphold the principles of
 professionalism, impartiality and respect for civil rights and civil 
liberties, particularly as it relates to the exercise of First Amendment
 rights.”

Given DHS’ announced steps, the DHS flap is neither a win nor loss, 
but a draw if an isolated overreach by one official, and not a covert 
and wider department practice — which, by the way, will be the focus of a
 new U.S. House committee investigation.

Government faces the uphill burden of proving that any limit or 
intrusion on our freedoms is justified by facts, not mere suspicion or 
political gain, and any such limit must be the narrowest possible 
intrusion on those rights, for the shortest period of time.

Our core freedoms ought not be viewed as just one option to be voided
 to help police, nor as government favors to be placed on a negotiating 
table, particularly when citizens are compelled to choose to surrender 
them to obtain some beneficial government action, such as pre-trial 
release.

Regardless of how any of us view the purpose and impact of ongoing 
demonstrations by various groups nationwide, First Amendment rights 
ought to be a non-partisan rallying point in defense of those freedoms.

And one out of three and a draw should not be a satisfying constitutional outcome for any of us.

Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the
 Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom
 Forum Institute. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:gpolicinski@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">gpolicinski@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow him on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/@genefac" target="_blank">@genefac</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593729871227.png" alt="Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. " />
 <figcaption>Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. </figcaption>
 </figure>For First Amendment freedoms in recent weeks, it has been one step 
forward, two steps back and at best a draw — and we should be praising 
the progress and mad as hell about the setbacks.The ink was not yet dry on U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon’s
 July 23 temporary restraining order in Portland, Ore., protecting the 
free press covering demonstrations when in Seattle, a state judge told 
five local news operations to turn over to police unpublished news 
photos and video.Simon’s temporary restraining order banned federal officers deployed 
in Portland from targeting journalists (and legal observers) and 
excluded reporters from police orders to demonstrators to disperse.On that same day, King County Superior Court Judge Nelson Lee
 in Seattle ordered reporters there to turn over unpublished materials, 
citing a “compelling public interest” in searching for several stolen 
weapons. Lee’s order effectively would turn journalists at those five 
outlets into unwilling police investigators and sources.Such a transformation harms the First Amendment’s free press 
protection by making a shambles of reporters’ real-time ability to fully
 gather the news on behalf of the public and to serve as a public 
witness to the actions of police. Not incidentally, in violent 
situations it may well paint a target on the backs of reporters, 
photographers and television video crews if they are seen by some as 
just another extension of law enforcement.No word yet if those news operations targeted by Lee’s order will 
appeal — but yet another danger in allowing it to stand unchallenged is 
that it may embolden other jurists to chip away at the First Amendment’s
 free press shield, as if there is no “compelling public interest” in 
protecting the watchdogs on government from being turned into government
 lapdogs.Just a few days later, we learned from ProPublica that at least a 
dozen protesters arrested in recent weeks were released from jail only 
if they agreed not to join demonstrations — some within city or state 
limits, and anywhere for others — while they await trials on federal 
misdemeanor charges.The ProPublica report noted that many of those arrested had been 
jailed for more than 10 days before being presented with the option of 
“voluntarily” signing away their First Amendment right to assembly. 
Critics contend the requirement violates the First Amendment in any 
number of ways, including not limiting the ban to a specific place (such
 as the federal courthouse, which has been the scene of several violent 
incidents) or for failing to specify a limited period of time.And to cap it all, we now know via news reports, beginning with The Washington Post,
 that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had been covertly 
compiling intelligence reports on journalists reporting on the protests 
in Portland and had intercepted some internet communications between 
demonstrators.Late last week, DHS announced that as a result of the reports, it has reassigned Brian Murphy,
 its top intelligence official. Murphy had previously denied (to 
Congress) that his office had access to protesters’ devices and 
messages, according to the Post. “In no way does the acting secretary (Chad Wolf) 
condone this practice and he has immediately ordered an inquiry,” a 
department spokesman said Friday in a&nbsp;statement. “The acting secretary 
is committed to ensuring that all DHS personnel uphold the principles of
 professionalism, impartiality and respect for civil rights and civil 
liberties, particularly as it relates to the exercise of First Amendment
 rights.”Given DHS’ announced steps, the DHS flap is neither a win nor loss, 
but a draw if an isolated overreach by one official, and not a covert 
and wider department practice — which, by the way, will be the focus of a
 new U.S. House committee investigation.Government faces the uphill burden of proving that any limit or 
intrusion on our freedoms is justified by facts, not mere suspicion or 
political gain, and any such limit must be the narrowest possible 
intrusion on those rights, for the shortest period of time.Our core freedoms ought not be viewed as just one option to be voided
 to help police, nor as government favors to be placed on a negotiating 
table, particularly when citizens are compelled to choose to surrender 
them to obtain some beneficial government action, such as pre-trial 
release.Regardless of how any of us view the purpose and impact of ongoing 
demonstrations by various groups nationwide, First Amendment rights 
ought to be a non-partisan rallying point in defense of those freedoms.And one out of three and a draw should not be a satisfying constitutional outcome for any of us.Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the
 Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom
 Forum Institute. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:gpolicinski@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">gpolicinski@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow him on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/@genefac" target="_blank">@genefac</a>.

FIRST FIVE: Freedom watch — one step forward, two back and a draw

It has been a very challenging summer when it comes to controlling weeds in fallow and wheat stubble fields.  While timely rains have been great for fall crops, they have made staying ahead of the weeds very difficult. About the time you get ready to do an herbicide application it rains again keeping the sprayer out of the field for a few more days. 

For producers using tillage to control weeds its even been worse.  In many parts of the state there has been very few days where field conditions have been dry enough to do any sort of tillage operation.  If a rain occurred shortly after the field was worked the weeds just re-rooted and kept growing.

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

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

Cover crops provide weed management benefits in several different ways.  Many small seeded weed species, like kochia, palmer amaranth and other pigweed species need sunlight for seedlings to emerge. Living cover crops, or the residue that is left after it is terminated, reduces the sunlight reaching the soil surface thus reducing the number of weeds that come up.  Cover crops also compete with weeds for moisture, nutrients and sunlight keeping the weeds in a weak, easy to kill condition, or preventing them from coming up at all.  Some cover crop species, like rye and some brassicas, control weeds through a process called allelopathy.  This is where decaying residue release chemicals that inhibit the germination of weed seeds.  

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

* Know what your problem weeds are and get the cover crops well established before those weeds emerge.  For western Kansas most of the time those weeds are going to be kochia and palmer amaranth.  Kochia comes up early in the spring, so to get ahead of this weed a cover crop needs to be planted as soon as possible after the fall crops are harvested or very early in the spring.  If time allows a fall seeding is the preferred method, but once it gets to about October 25th, I would delay the planting to early spring in mid to late February.  

* Select species that grow aggressively and shade the ground quickly and provide a mat  biomass on the soil surface once the cover crop is terminated.  For a late fall or early spring planting cereal grains like rye, triticale, barley, oats and wheat work well.  For a summer mix that is planted after wheat harvest, forage sorghums, sorghum sudans and millets are good species to use.  Brassicas like turnips and radishes can also provide a fair amount of biomass before freezing out.  

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

* Terminate the cover crop early if there is a persistent dry period and the long-term weather forecast is not favorable for adequate moisture to replenish the soil profile.  The key to making cover crops work in these dryland fallow systems is for the cover crop to utilize the moisture we would lose anyway through evaporation, runoff and transpiration through weeds, but still leave adequate soil moisture for the next cash crop.  

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

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

Dale Younker is a Soil Health Specialist at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services office in Jetmore.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593956642758.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>It has been a very challenging summer when it comes to controlling weeds in fallow and wheat stubble fields. While timely rains have been great for fall crops, they have made staying ahead of the weeds very difficult. About the time you get ready to do an herbicide application it rains again keeping the sprayer out of the field for a few more days. For producers using tillage to control weeds its even been worse. In many parts of the state there has been very few days where field conditions have been dry enough to do any sort of tillage operation. If a rain occurred shortly after the field was worked the weeds just re-rooted and kept growing.Combine that with a growing list of weeds that are now resistant to several different types of herbicides it makes you wonder if we’ll ever get a handle on effective weed control in these fallow cropping systems. One weed control strategy that many times gets overlooked, and certainly underutilized, is planting cover crops during the fallow periods of the rotation. Cover crops provide weed management benefits in several different ways. Many small seeded weed species, like kochia, palmer amaranth and other pigweed species need sunlight for seedlings to emerge. Living cover crops, or the residue that is left after it is terminated, reduces the sunlight reaching the soil surface thus reducing the number of weeds that come up. Cover crops also compete with weeds for moisture, nutrients and sunlight keeping the weeds in a weak, easy to kill condition, or preventing them from coming up at all. Some cover crop species, like rye and some brassicas, control weeds through a process called allelopathy. This is where decaying residue release chemicals that inhibit the germination of weed seeds. Here are a few strategies to consider when utilizing cover crops for weed suppression in dryland cropping systems.* Know what your problem weeds are and get the cover crops well established before those weeds emerge. For western Kansas most of the time those weeds are going to be kochia and palmer amaranth. Kochia comes up early in the spring, so to get ahead of this weed a cover crop needs to be planted as soon as possible after the fall crops are harvested or very early in the spring. If time allows a fall seeding is the preferred method, but once it gets to about October 25th, I would delay the planting to early spring in mid to late February. * Select species that grow aggressively and shade the ground quickly and provide a mat biomass on the soil surface once the cover crop is terminated. For a late fall or early spring planting cereal grains like rye, triticale, barley, oats and wheat work well. For a summer mix that is planted after wheat harvest, forage sorghums, sorghum sudans and millets are good species to use. Brassicas like turnips and radishes can also provide a fair amount of biomass before freezing out. * Take advantage of the allelopathy effect some species, like rye provide. This process works like using a preemergent herbicide. Once the cover crop is terminated, chemicals are released from the decomposing plant residue that inhibit weeds seeds from germinating. This works well in controlling palmer amaranth when terminating a cereal grain cover crop right around the time it is heading in early to mid-May. * Terminate the cover crop early if there is a persistent dry period and the long-term weather forecast is not favorable for adequate moisture to replenish the soil profile. The key to making cover crops work in these dryland fallow systems is for the cover crop to utilize the moisture we would lose anyway through evaporation, runoff and transpiration through weeds, but still leave adequate soil moisture for the next cash crop. * Always look at the economic side of things and compare your current weed control cost and what it will cost to incorporate cover crops into your system. Herbicide applications can get pricey and many times don’t work well. Multiple tillage operations can also add up to a substantial amount of money. Cover crops can help with weed suppression, but they are not a “silver bullet.” They are just another tool in the toolbox, that along with other weed control measures, can help in controlling weeds more effectively. Dale Younker is a Soil Health Specialist at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services office in Jetmore.&nbsp;

YOUNKER: Using cover crops for weed suppression

Kansas has another neighbor expanding Medicaid—and this time, it is different.

Last Tuesday, Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment expanding Medicaid by a vote of 53% to 47%. Nebraska voters passed expansion in 2018 and Oklahoma voters did so earlier this year. Colorado passed it in 2013.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas is now surrounded by expansion states, but this one is different, because Kansas’ most-populated border lies on the Missouri state line, while the borders with those other states are largely rural.

About one in three Kansans live in the bi-state Kansas City area. People, jobs and commerce flow freely across the border, old rivalries notwithstanding. No one sees that more acutely than KC’s hospitals, which all treat their share of patients from both states. In fact, the massive KU Medical Center complex is right on the state line.

Assuming Missouri’s Republican leaders do not find a way to derail the voter-approved amendment, these hospitals and doctors’ offices will now see a big gap in coverage depending on which state a patient calls home.

Will this increase pressure on Kansas to pass expansion too? Not necessarily. The Kansas Legislature passed expansion in 2017 with solid majorities, but it was vetoed by then-Governor Brownback on the grounds of being too expensive, and there were not enough votes in the senate to override. Polls show that a slim majority of Kansans do favor the policy, but many also believe that those who are able should pay some type of premium or co-pay or be subject to a work requirement. In 2020, before COVID, a likely passage of expansion was derailed by abortion politics—bad timing, since care for many who suffer complications from COVID, as well as coverage for those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic would both have been accessible to more people had it passed, up to 138% above the poverty line. It may not be a coincidence that Missouri and Oklahoma both passed expansion during the pandemic.

Some of those Kansas legislators who voted for expansion in 2017 were defeated this time.&nbsp;&nbsp;In fact, the near-rout of moderate Republican legislators by conservatives last week probably means fewer votes for expansion, even if Democrats seize on the opportunity to beat the conservative nominees in November.&nbsp;&nbsp;With only a few exceptions, this opportunity for Democrats appears most likely in Johnson County.

Politically, this will only deepen the split between the KC area and the rest of Kansas. The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce backed Missouri’s Medicaid expansion and would likely do the same in Kansas, while the Wichita-based Kansas Chamber—in which Koch Industries plays an outsized role—opposed it. The irony here is that the KC area will drive the push for expansion while the biggest beneficiaries would be rural hospitals, which are particularly at risk if expansion does not pass, and soon. It is also notable that Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma are all Republican-leaning states which passed expansion via petition-initiated ballot initiative, a provision which Kansas does not have.&nbsp;

In sum, last week’s election results promise to further pull Kansas in opposite directions on this critical issue. The next chapter will be written in November.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579108824567.jpeg" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University." />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas has another neighbor expanding Medicaid—and this time, it is different.Last Tuesday, Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment expanding Medicaid by a vote of 53% to 47%. Nebraska voters passed expansion in 2018 and Oklahoma voters did so earlier this year. Colorado passed it in 2013.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas is now surrounded by expansion states, but this one is different, because Kansas’ most-populated border lies on the Missouri state line, while the borders with those other states are largely rural.About one in three Kansans live in the bi-state Kansas City area. People, jobs and commerce flow freely across the border, old rivalries notwithstanding. No one sees that more acutely than KC’s hospitals, which all treat their share of patients from both states. In fact, the massive KU Medical Center complex is right on the state line.Assuming Missouri’s Republican leaders do not find a way to derail the voter-approved amendment, these hospitals and doctors’ offices will now see a big gap in coverage depending on which state a patient calls home.Will this increase pressure on Kansas to pass expansion too? Not necessarily. The Kansas Legislature passed expansion in 2017 with solid majorities, but it was vetoed by then-Governor Brownback on the grounds of being too expensive, and there were not enough votes in the senate to override. Polls show that a slim majority of Kansans do favor the policy, but many also believe that those who are able should pay some type of premium or co-pay or be subject to a work requirement. In 2020, before COVID, a likely passage of expansion was derailed by abortion politics—bad timing, since care for many who suffer complications from COVID, as well as coverage for those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic would both have been accessible to more people had it passed, up to 138% above the poverty line. It may not be a coincidence that Missouri and Oklahoma both passed expansion during the pandemic.Some of those Kansas legislators who voted for expansion in 2017 were defeated this time.&nbsp;&nbsp;In fact, the near-rout of moderate Republican legislators by conservatives last week probably means fewer votes for expansion, even if Democrats seize on the opportunity to beat the conservative nominees in November.&nbsp;&nbsp;With only a few exceptions, this opportunity for Democrats appears most likely in Johnson County.Politically, this will only deepen the split between the KC area and the rest of Kansas. The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce backed Missouri’s Medicaid expansion and would likely do the same in Kansas, while the Wichita-based Kansas Chamber—in which Koch Industries plays an outsized role—opposed it. The irony here is that the KC area will drive the push for expansion while the biggest beneficiaries would be rural hospitals, which are particularly at risk if expansion does not pass, and soon. It is also notable that Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma are all Republican-leaning states which passed expansion via petition-initiated ballot initiative, a provision which Kansas does not have.&nbsp;In sum, last week’s election results promise to further pull Kansas in opposite directions on this critical issue. The next chapter will be written in November.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Medicaid expansion pulls state in opposite directions

	School is getting ready to start in some format, so kids from pre-school to graduate school will be adjusting to a new routine. But what about you? Are you a life-long learner? Moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas are never too old to learn something new. I don’t mean you have to enroll in a formal class, complete with a syllabus and a final exam. I’m talking about the many classes offered in our community through our Extension offices, 4-H and Youth programs, or recreation centers.

	I received word earlier this week that K-State Research &amp; Extension Administration has approved a protocol for offering the Stay Strong Stay Healthy program in our community. I am so excited to be able to offer this 8-week program at the Great Bend Activity Center beginning September 1st.&nbsp; The natural aging process offers challenges to many people. While we know from listening to the news and our personal experiences, staying active is a key component in maintaining or regaining health. But if you have noticed that your strength, flexibility or balance isn’t what it used to be you may want to consider signing up for Stay Strong, Stay Healthy.&nbsp; SSSH is designed to increase an aging adult’s access to a safe, structured, and effective strength training program. Over 8 weeks, participants learn exercises to improve their strength, flexibility, and balance. During each session, a prescribed set of 8 upper and lower body strengthening exercises are done along with warm-ups and cool-down stretches. Participants are made to feel comfortable regardless of their current fitness level so they can safely participate and gradually build the strength beneficial to health.

The 8-week program is set to begin Tuesday, September 1st and ends Thursday, October 22nd. It meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 – 11 am at the Great Bend Activity Center, 2715 18th Street. The registration fee is $20 and may be paid at the Cottonwood Extension District – Great Bend office, 1800 12th Street, by August 25th. The class size is limited and we will pay close attention to disinfecting chairs that are used in the class. When you register we will schedule a time for a short pre-assessment to be completed.

Call me if you have any questions about the “Stay Strong, Stay Healthy” workshop.&nbsp;

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593016082485.png" alt="Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director for K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director for K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>	School is getting ready to start in some format, so kids from pre-school to graduate school will be adjusting to a new routine. But what about you? Are you a life-long learner? Moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas are never too old to learn something new. I don’t mean you have to enroll in a formal class, complete with a syllabus and a final exam. I’m talking about the many classes offered in our community through our Extension offices, 4-H and Youth programs, or recreation centers.	I received word earlier this week that K-State Research &amp; Extension Administration has approved a protocol for offering the Stay Strong Stay Healthy program in our community. I am so excited to be able to offer this 8-week program at the Great Bend Activity Center beginning September 1st.&nbsp; The natural aging process offers challenges to many people. While we know from listening to the news and our personal experiences, staying active is a key component in maintaining or regaining health. But if you have noticed that your strength, flexibility or balance isn’t what it used to be you may want to consider signing up for Stay Strong, Stay Healthy.&nbsp; SSSH is designed to increase an aging adult’s access to a safe, structured, and effective strength training program. Over 8 weeks, participants learn exercises to improve their strength, flexibility, and balance. During each session, a prescribed set of 8 upper and lower body strengthening exercises are done along with warm-ups and cool-down stretches. Participants are made to feel comfortable regardless of their current fitness level so they can safely participate and gradually build the strength beneficial to health.The 8-week program is set to begin Tuesday, September 1st and ends Thursday, October 22nd. It meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 – 11 am at the Great Bend Activity Center, 2715 18th Street. The registration fee is $20 and may be paid at the Cottonwood Extension District – Great Bend office, 1800 12th Street, by August 25th. The class size is limited and we will pay close attention to disinfecting chairs that are used in the class. When you register we will schedule a time for a short pre-assessment to be completed.Call me if you have any questions about the “Stay Strong, Stay Healthy” workshop.&nbsp;Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director for K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District.&nbsp; You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Kicking off new Stay Strong Stay Healthy program

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

I have been getting some calls from farmers asking if their grain sorghum has sugarcane aphids in it? After going and looking I am glad to report that they are not sugarcane aphids. It is an aphid.

The corn leaf aphid,&nbsp;frequently infests sorghum at the whorl stage. This aphid ranges in color primarily from dark-green or bluish. Key identifying features are the dark legs and cornicles, relatively short antennae, and feeding on the upper leaf surfaces almost exclusively, preferring the upper parts of the plant.&nbsp;

Sugarcane aphids (SCA) on the other hand feed on the underside of leaves. They can be confused with other aphids especially when the aphids are young. They are pale yellow and have light colored legs with dark feet. They have dark colored, short cornicles (tail pipes) with no shading at the base of them as on the corn leaf aphid. &nbsp;

Both aphids do produce a sticky honeydew substance, for that matter any aphid or greenbug does, because they all have piercing-sucking mouth parts and are sucking the plant juices for nourishment. Corn leaf aphids do not have such a high reproductive rate as sugarcane aphids and therefore are not considered an economic treat to sorghum. Any aphid will attract beneficial species that will feed on them. The corn leaf aphid is rarely a cause for concern on sorghum unless larger numbers persist into heading and migrate up into about 50% or more of the heads to continue feeding.&nbsp;

Corn leaf aphids do attract beneficial insects, such as the lady beetle that will feed on them and currently I am seeing significant numbers of lady beetles and other aphid natural enemies that contribute to their control!&nbsp;

A good resource to have or refer to is the “Sorghum Insect Management Guide” by K-State Research &amp; Extension, it can be found on our web site at <a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a> or simply type into your internet browser - sorghum insect management guide, ksu.&nbsp;

If you have any questions, please give me a call or email me.&nbsp;

Stacy Campbell 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 him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597164324186.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictI have been getting some calls from farmers asking if their grain sorghum has sugarcane aphids in it? After going and looking I am glad to report that they are not sugarcane aphids. It is an aphid.The corn leaf aphid,&nbsp;frequently infests sorghum at the whorl stage. This aphid ranges in color primarily from dark-green or bluish. Key identifying features are the dark legs and cornicles, relatively short antennae, and feeding on the upper leaf surfaces almost exclusively, preferring the upper parts of the plant.&nbsp;Sugarcane aphids (SCA) on the other hand feed on the underside of leaves. They can be confused with other aphids especially when the aphids are young. They are pale yellow and have light colored legs with dark feet. They have dark colored, short cornicles (tail pipes) with no shading at the base of them as on the corn leaf aphid. &nbsp;Both aphids do produce a sticky honeydew substance, for that matter any aphid or greenbug does, because they all have piercing-sucking mouth parts and are sucking the plant juices for nourishment. Corn leaf aphids do not have such a high reproductive rate as sugarcane aphids and therefore are not considered an economic treat to sorghum. Any aphid will attract beneficial species that will feed on them. The corn leaf aphid is rarely a cause for concern on sorghum unless larger numbers persist into heading and migrate up into about 50% or more of the heads to continue feeding.&nbsp;Corn leaf aphids do attract beneficial insects, such as the lady beetle that will feed on them and currently I am seeing significant numbers of lady beetles and other aphid natural enemies that contribute to their control!&nbsp;A good resource to have or refer to is the “Sorghum Insect Management Guide” by K-State Research &amp; Extension, it can be found on our web site at <a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a> or simply type into your internet browser - sorghum insect management guide, ksu.&nbsp;If you have any questions, please give me a call or email me.&nbsp;Stacy Campbell 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 him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Corn leaf aphids in sorghum 

By DOROTHY BARNETT <a href="http://www.climateandenergy.org/">Climate + Energy Project</a>

With 110,000 jobless 
Kansans, it’s more important than ever for policymakers and Gov. Laura 
Kelly to address rising electricity costs while also protecting our 
health and environment.

Technology has enabled 
homeowners and businesses to improve the efficiency of their electric 
systems to lower their utility costs and energy usage, but Kansas 
policies prevent too many people from taking advantage of these 
opportunities.

While our neighbors in 
other states enjoy a menu of options related to energy efficiency 
programs, solar panel installations on homes and businesses, and 
electric vehicle integration, Kansas has failed to advance policies that
 enable these choices. This hurts everyone who pays for electricity.

That’s why the Climate + Energy Project has long advocated for a state energy plan, ideally facilitated from the <a href="https://kcc.ks.gov/kansas-energy-office">State Energy Office</a>.

In more than 40 states, 
state energy plans have been created to capitalize on energy as a key 
resource and area of strategic importance to these states’ economies and
 economic development efforts. The rapidly changing energy sector is, 
and will continue to be, a challenge for policymakers if we don’t plan 
for its future now.

How is Kansas preparing to
 use our state’s sunshine resource? We have more sunny days here than in
 Florida, yet less than 1% of our energy is produced by the sun. We’ve 
made significant strides in integrating wind in our energy mix — what’s 
next?

What role does energy 
efficiency play in our energy future, especially as our Missouri 
neighbors capitalize on energy efficiency programs supported by their 
regulatory agency, while in Kansas, Evergy has not filed a new <a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S20160406164954.pdf?Id=eb9da91f-0a53-4a50-b894-f549ba3929ae">portfolio of efficiency programs</a> for more than four years?

How can we expect to 
recruit and retain businesses when electricity prices have increased by 
more than 70% over a decade in some parts of the state?

There are definitely things we can do. The first step is to craft a plan.

A plan that prioritizes 
advanced energy and conservation would address energy supply and demand 
challenges, ensure more reliable and affordable energy, determine 
potential ways to minimize costs and maximize production benefits, while
 also supporting economic development.

Further, it would identify
 and design a pathway for a prosperous and resilient future using Kansas
 resources, infrastructure and workforce talent to promote economic 
competitiveness and a healthy environment. Simply put, this leads to job
 creation.

Energy use and generation 
are profoundly changing, and if we’re going to give Kansans the 
opportunity to take advantage of emerging technologies, have greater 
control over the cost of their electricity, and ensure we’re providing 
competitive energy options to schools, hospitals and businesses, we must
 embrace the rapidly changing energy transition.

Failure to plan for this 
change only weakens our economic competitiveness. Kansas can’t afford to
 keep playing defense on energy.

Earlier this year, in <a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S20200108144309.pdf?Id=1a3a31e5-e38d-4445-aada-1cd0170a7b85">a study commissioned by the legislature</a>,
 London Economics Inc. included the establishment of a state energy plan
 as one of the top priorities the state should embark on to help achieve
 regionally competitive electricity rates over time.

Over the past two years, the <a href="http://www.climateandenergy.org/">Climate + Energy Project</a>
 has gathered information about state energy plans from national 
experts, including the Building Performance Association, Midwest Energy 
Efficiency Alliance and the National Association of State Energy 
Officials.

We have met with experts 
who’ve created different plans to learn from their pitfalls and 
successes. We’ve shared information and received input from our 
environmental, clean energy, conservation, agriculture and faith 
partners, along with the <a href="http://curb.kansas.gov/">Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board</a>, to discuss and gather support for a Kansas energy plan.

We support a plan because 
we think it’s essential to review the studies commissioned by the 
Legislature to understand how our bills came to be the highest in the 
region over a decade.

There is broad interest in
 a state energy plan for Kansas and potentially widespread divergence in
 the plan’s shape. That’s why the Legislature needs to commit to a 
robust stakeholder engagement process, including public comment. Ongoing
 engagement around implementation and measurements of success annually 
are necessary.

There’s no question that a wide-ranging collaboration among stakeholders to plan for our energy future is important. <a href="http://www.climateandenergy.org/">Sign up for our mailing list</a>&nbsp;to stay up to date on opportunities to support a state energy plan.

We urge policymakers and the governor to waste no time convening stakeholders to begin the planning process.

Dorothy Barnett is executive director of the <a href="http://www.climateandenergy.org/">Climate + Energy Project</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597343830225.jpeg" alt="Kansans held a climate rally on WEALTH (Water, Energy, Air, Land, Transportation and Health) Day at the Kansas Capitol in February 2020. (Submitted by the Climate + Energy Project to Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansans held a climate rally on WEALTH (Water, Energy, Air, Land, Transportation and Health) Day at the Kansas Capitol in February 2020. (Submitted by the Climate + Energy Project to Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DOROTHY BARNETT <a href="http://www.climateandenergy.org/">Climate + Energy Project</a>With 110,000 jobless 
Kansans, it’s more important than ever for policymakers and Gov. Laura 
Kelly to address rising electricity costs while also protecting our 
health and environment.Technology has enabled 
homeowners and businesses to improve the efficiency of their electric 
systems to lower their utility costs and energy usage, but Kansas 
policies prevent too many people from taking advantage of these 
opportunities.While our neighbors in 
other states enjoy a menu of options related to energy efficiency 
programs, solar panel installations on homes and businesses, and 
electric vehicle integration, Kansas has failed to advance policies that
 enable these choices. This hurts everyone who pays for electricity.That’s why the Climate + Energy Project has long advocated for a state energy plan, ideally facilitated from the <a href="https://kcc.ks.gov/kansas-energy-office">State Energy Office</a>.In more than 40 states, 
state energy plans have been created to capitalize on energy as a key 
resource and area of strategic importance to these states’ economies and
 economic development efforts. The rapidly changing energy sector is, 
and will continue to be, a challenge for policymakers if we don’t plan 
for its future now.How is Kansas preparing to
 use our state’s sunshine resource? We have more sunny days here than in
 Florida, yet less than 1% of our energy is produced by the sun. We’ve 
made significant strides in integrating wind in our energy mix — what’s 
next?What role does energy 
efficiency play in our energy future, especially as our Missouri 
neighbors capitalize on energy efficiency programs supported by their 
regulatory agency, while in Kansas, Evergy has not filed a new <a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S20160406164954.pdf?Id=eb9da91f-0a53-4a50-b894-f549ba3929ae">portfolio of efficiency programs</a> for more than four years?How can we expect to 
recruit and retain businesses when electricity prices have increased by 
more than 70% over a decade in some parts of the state?There are definitely things we can do. The first step is to craft a plan.A plan that prioritizes 
advanced energy and conservation would address energy supply and demand 
challenges, ensure more reliable and affordable energy, determine 
potential ways to minimize costs and maximize production benefits, while
 also supporting economic development.Further, it would identify
 and design a pathway for a prosperous and resilient future using Kansas
 resources, infrastructure and workforce talent to promote economic 
competitiveness and a healthy environment. Simply put, this leads to job
 creation.Energy use and generation 
are profoundly changing, and if we’re going to give Kansans the 
opportunity to take advantage of emerging technologies, have greater 
control over the cost of their electricity, and ensure we’re providing 
competitive energy options to schools, hospitals and businesses, we must
 embrace the rapidly changing energy transition.Failure to plan for this 
change only weakens our economic competitiveness. Kansas can’t afford to
 keep playing defense on energy.Earlier this year, in <a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S20200108144309.pdf?Id=1a3a31e5-e38d-4445-aada-1cd0170a7b85">a study commissioned by the legislature</a>,
 London Economics Inc. included the establishment of a state energy plan
 as one of the top priorities the state should embark on to help achieve
 regionally competitive electricity rates over time.Over the past two years, the <a href="http://www.climateandenergy.org/">Climate + Energy Project</a>
 has gathered information about state energy plans from national 
experts, including the Building Performance Association, Midwest Energy 
Efficiency Alliance and the National Association of State Energy 
Officials.We have met with experts 
who’ve created different plans to learn from their pitfalls and 
successes. We’ve shared information and received input from our 
environmental, clean energy, conservation, agriculture and faith 
partners, along with the <a href="http://curb.kansas.gov/">Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board</a>, to discuss and gather support for a Kansas energy plan.We support a plan because 
we think it’s essential to review the studies commissioned by the 
Legislature to understand how our bills came to be the highest in the 
region over a decade.And now it’s time to take action.There is broad interest in
 a state energy plan for Kansas and potentially widespread divergence in
 the plan’s shape. That’s why the Legislature needs to commit to a 
robust stakeholder engagement process, including public comment. Ongoing
 engagement around implementation and measurements of success annually 
are necessary.There’s no question that a wide-ranging collaboration among stakeholders to plan for our energy future is important. <a href="http://www.climateandenergy.org/">Sign up for our mailing list</a>&nbsp;to stay up to date on opportunities to support a state energy plan.We urge policymakers and the governor to waste no time convening stakeholders to begin the planning process.Dorothy Barnett is executive director of the <a href="http://www.climateandenergy.org/">Climate + Energy Project</a>.

OPINION: Kansas doesn’t have an energy plan. It needs one.

It goes without saying that this summer looks and feels different than those in the past. While we try to make health and safety decisions on behalf of our communities –&nbsp; in a swirl of constantly emerging expert information – one thing that has remained constant is the vitality of Fort Hays State University. Our purpose, people, and place continue to not only remain relevant, but to thrive. Here are just a few of the many success stories to celebrate from the past two months.

Driving forward our mission of creating engaged global citizen-leaders, and a cause for celebration, was the official accreditation approval this summer from the Council on Social Work Education for our online bachelor’s degree. Social work is one of the fastest-growing careers in the country, and Fort Hays State University continues to find ways to reach students studying for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Fort Hays State is one of only a handful of universities in the United States – and the only one in Kansas – to offer the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) online. FHSU also is the only university in the state to offer the MSW online.

Following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn., this spring, our Criminal Justice chair, Dr. Tamara Lynn, wanted to make a difference by creating a culture that emphasizes de-escalation to benefit students pursuing careers in corrections, probation and parole, juvenile services, and other positions where situations may escalate quickly. Toward that end, we recently signed a preliminary agreement for our Criminal Justice and University Police departments to explore the opportunity to establish a regional training center for the National De-escalation Training Center (NDTC) on the FHSU campus. The NDTC is located at Wayne State University in Detroit and facilitates innovation, research, and development of best practices in law enforcement de-escalation training.

These two powerful examples are some of the many ways we have been relentlessly pursuing our mission. We have also been focused on taking care of our place.&nbsp;

Have you been on campus lately? It is beautiful! Our grounds crew in particular has been nurturing and caring for our physical campus in Hays, America. I often walk the campus with my dog, Gracie, and bask in the beauty of the many flowers, plants, trees, and well-cared-for grounds. I hold deep admiration and gratitude for the many colleagues who work hard during the hot, muggy, and often windy, summer months to create such a beautiful environment for all us to enjoy.

While our grounds colleagues toil over the land, our facilities planning team has been equally busy “keeping our house in order.” In addition to the building of the new Fishli Wills Center for Student Success, progress this summer includes renovation to the Black and Gold Room in the Memorial Union, and a roof replacement, HVAC upgrades, and new carpeting for Martin Allen Hall.&nbsp;

Sheridan Hall got a bath, so to speak, with masonry cleaning and sealing. I love how well our team takes care of our beautiful campus limestone. Meanwhile, our team completed Phase 6 of our exterior lighting project: replacing street, pedestrian, and building lighting with LED fixtures. Gustad Bridge also got a “facelift” with repairs to concrete columns and the redesigning of metal guard rail attachments. Albertson Hall also received updates to its roof.

Saving the best – our people – for last, many of our colleagues received accolades over the summer. Fort Hays State University senior Anna Deal was awarded the prestigious American Advertising Federation of Kansas City Foundation scholarship. This is a big deal (pun intended). Anna, a communication studies major from Hutchinson, was one of only 17 students from universities across Kansas and Missouri to be selected as a recipient. We are so proud of her!

Faculty and staff have spent countless hours this summer working through the redevelopment of courses for new delivery methods,&nbsp;incorporating the use of existing and new technology, and overall preparation for the deployment of fall courses at FHSU.&nbsp;I am so thankful for their care for the students’ experiences in the classroom – whether that be online, on campus, or through our international partnerships.

Meanwhile, our alumni have been investing in their alma mater in partnership with the FHSU Foundation by establishing new scholarships. For example, alumni and retired faculty Gary and Ila Hulett established a scholarship in support of students studying chemistry. The scholarship is in honor of Ila, a long-time professor of chemistry, who was known for helping students no matter what time of day. In my book, Gary and Ila are a power couple as they continue to fuel the success of this university in so many ways.

Another power couple, Merrill Milham, retired research physicist, and Dr. Ann Davidoff, a retired professor, created the Milham-Wasinger-Davidoff Mathematics Scholarship and the Milham-Wasinger-Davidoff Physics Scholarship. They join so many others who have provided for the future of students and our world and demonstrate on a very personal level how every gift matters.

As we hunker down and reshape our plans in a COVID world, our Journey capital campaign is rapidly approaching the finish line and continues to push toward its goal of $100 million by Fall 2021. To date, the Foundation has received more than 65,000 campaign gifts from nearly 23,000 donors. That is called extraordinary generosity.&nbsp;

At Fort Hays State, resilience reigns and success endures. And even in these uncertain times, ones of a nature that none us of have experienced before, I can be certain of one thing – as a colleague of mine said recently, not everything is about COVID-19!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575302014229.png" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>It goes without saying that this summer looks and feels different than those in the past. While we try to make health and safety decisions on behalf of our communities –&nbsp; in a swirl of constantly emerging expert information – one thing that has remained constant is the vitality of Fort Hays State University. Our purpose, people, and place continue to not only remain relevant, but to thrive. Here are just a few of the many success stories to celebrate from the past two months.Driving forward our mission of creating engaged global citizen-leaders, and a cause for celebration, was the official accreditation approval this summer from the Council on Social Work Education for our online bachelor’s degree. Social work is one of the fastest-growing careers in the country, and Fort Hays State University continues to find ways to reach students studying for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Fort Hays State is one of only a handful of universities in the United States – and the only one in Kansas – to offer the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) online. FHSU also is the only university in the state to offer the MSW online.Following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn., this spring, our Criminal Justice chair, Dr. Tamara Lynn, wanted to make a difference by creating a culture that emphasizes de-escalation to benefit students pursuing careers in corrections, probation and parole, juvenile services, and other positions where situations may escalate quickly. Toward that end, we recently signed a preliminary agreement for our Criminal Justice and University Police departments to explore the opportunity to establish a regional training center for the National De-escalation Training Center (NDTC) on the FHSU campus. The NDTC is located at Wayne State University in Detroit and facilitates innovation, research, and development of best practices in law enforcement de-escalation training.These two powerful examples are some of the many ways we have been relentlessly pursuing our mission. We have also been focused on taking care of our place.&nbsp;Have you been on campus lately? It is beautiful! Our grounds crew in particular has been nurturing and caring for our physical campus in Hays, America. I often walk the campus with my dog, Gracie, and bask in the beauty of the many flowers, plants, trees, and well-cared-for grounds. I hold deep admiration and gratitude for the many colleagues who work hard during the hot, muggy, and often windy, summer months to create such a beautiful environment for all us to enjoy.While our grounds colleagues toil over the land, our facilities planning team has been equally busy “keeping our house in order.” In addition to the building of the new Fishli Wills Center for Student Success, progress this summer includes renovation to the Black and Gold Room in the Memorial Union, and a roof replacement, HVAC upgrades, and new carpeting for Martin Allen Hall.&nbsp;Sheridan Hall got a bath, so to speak, with masonry cleaning and sealing. I love how well our team takes care of our beautiful campus limestone. Meanwhile, our team completed Phase 6 of our exterior lighting project: replacing street, pedestrian, and building lighting with LED fixtures. Gustad Bridge also got a “facelift” with repairs to concrete columns and the redesigning of metal guard rail attachments. Albertson Hall also received updates to its roof.Saving the best – our people – for last, many of our colleagues received accolades over the summer. Fort Hays State University senior Anna Deal was awarded the prestigious American Advertising Federation of Kansas City Foundation scholarship. This is a big deal (pun intended). Anna, a communication studies major from Hutchinson, was one of only 17 students from universities across Kansas and Missouri to be selected as a recipient. We are so proud of her!Faculty and staff have spent countless hours this summer working through the redevelopment of courses for new delivery methods,&nbsp;incorporating the use of existing and new technology, and overall preparation for the deployment of fall courses at FHSU.&nbsp;I am so thankful for their care for the students’ experiences in the classroom – whether that be online, on campus, or through our international partnerships.Meanwhile, our alumni have been investing in their alma mater in partnership with the FHSU Foundation by establishing new scholarships. For example, alumni and retired faculty Gary and Ila Hulett established a scholarship in support of students studying chemistry. The scholarship is in honor of Ila, a long-time professor of chemistry, who was known for helping students no matter what time of day. In my book, Gary and Ila are a power couple as they continue to fuel the success of this university in so many ways.Another power couple, Merrill Milham, retired research physicist, and Dr. Ann Davidoff, a retired professor, created the Milham-Wasinger-Davidoff Mathematics Scholarship and the Milham-Wasinger-Davidoff Physics Scholarship. They join so many others who have provided for the future of students and our world and demonstrate on a very personal level how every gift matters.As we hunker down and reshape our plans in a COVID world, our Journey capital campaign is rapidly approaching the finish line and continues to push toward its goal of $100 million by Fall 2021. To date, the Foundation has received more than 65,000 campaign gifts from nearly 23,000 donors. That is called extraordinary generosity.&nbsp;At Fort Hays State, resilience reigns and success endures. And even in these uncertain times, ones of a nature that none us of have experienced before, I can be certain of one thing – as a colleague of mine said recently, not everything is about COVID-19!

MASON: Not everything is about COVID-19!

We are sunflower fans and routinely have a few growing in our spring and summer flower gardens. We grow our tomatoes in raised garden beds, and this year when one rogue sunflower, (evidently compliments of the squirrels or birds) appeared at the end of one garden bed, we thought “What the heck, we’ll let it grow.” 

Now the crazy thing has a stalk the size of my arm, is at least 12 feet tall and when I tried counting the blooms, I lost count at 70. We have nicknamed it “Overachiever.” To help with drainage issues in our back yard along the alley, we have a water-retention pond that stays dry and ugly until after big rains. This year we bought a half-dozen packets of different sunflower seeds, mixed them together and planted them around the rim of the retention pond to add a little “wow” to the back yard. Now we have a crescent-shaped row of beautiful sunflowers from 3 to 6 feet tall with blooms from bright yellow to almost orange.&nbsp; &nbsp;

If your faith has taken a hit over the past 4 months and you need some assurance that there is still good in this world, take a drive along any back road going anywhere in Kansas right now and let God treat you to a spectacle only He can provide in the form of acre-after-acre of brightly shimmering wild sunflowers in the ditches and fencerows. As you drive along, thousands of luminescent yellow heads appear to guide your way and will offer a boost to your spirits. &nbsp;

Sunflowers were cultivated in North America as far back as 3000 BC and were introduced to the rest of the world by Spanish Conquistadors in 1500. Peter the Great fell in love with sunflowers he found in the Netherlands and took them back with him to Russia. They became popular there when people discovered sunflower oil was not banned during Lent by the Russian Orthodox Church like most other oils. By the 19th century, Russia was growing 2 million acres of sunflowers annually. Around that time, Russian immigrants brought with them to the US highly developed sunflower seeds capable of producing much bigger blooms. That sparked renewed interest in sunflowers as a commercial crop here in the states.&nbsp;

Sunflowers use a behavior called “heliotropism” that causes young, developing sunflower heads to face eastward in the morning, then follow the sun around to the west during the day. As the heads mature, become heavier and droop, they remain facing predominately east, possibly as a defense mechanism to protect the seeds from the hot afternoon sun. Each sunflower head is actually comprised of many smaller flowers called “florets.” Florets in the middle that produce the seeds are both male and female, so each floret self-pollinates to produce a seed.&nbsp;

In 2019, South Dakota farmers produced the most sunflower seeds in the US to the tune of 831.6 million pounds. They were followed by North Dakota, Minnesota, California, Colorado and Kansas. 2019 commercial production in the United States was about 2 billion pounds grown on 1.4 million acres; 2019 production in Kansas was just under 54 million pounds from 45, 000 acres.

The sunflower became the state flower of Kansas in 1903. As history has it, in 1901, George Morehouse, a state senator from Council Grove, attended a rodeo in Colorado Springs where all the Kansas folk in attendance wore sunflowers identifying them as Kansans. Morehouse was so moved and inspired by the Kansas spirit, that upon returning home, he drafted the bill naming the sunflower as our state flower. In this original bill, Morehouse stated “This flower has to all Kansans an historical symbolism which speaks of frontier days, winding trails, pathless prairie and is full of the life and glory of the past, the pride of the present and richly emblematic of the majesty of the golden future, and is a flower which has given Kansas the world-wide name “The Sunflower State.” Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>We are sunflower fans and routinely have a few growing in our spring and summer flower gardens. We grow our tomatoes in raised garden beds, and this year when one rogue sunflower, (evidently compliments of the squirrels or birds) appeared at the end of one garden bed, we thought “What the heck, we’ll let it grow.” Now the crazy thing has a stalk the size of my arm, is at least 12 feet tall and when I tried counting the blooms, I lost count at 70. We have nicknamed it “Overachiever.” To help with drainage issues in our back yard along the alley, we have a water-retention pond that stays dry and ugly until after big rains. This year we bought a half-dozen packets of different sunflower seeds, mixed them together and planted them around the rim of the retention pond to add a little “wow” to the back yard. Now we have a crescent-shaped row of beautiful sunflowers from 3 to 6 feet tall with blooms from bright yellow to almost orange.&nbsp; &nbsp;If your faith has taken a hit over the past 4 months and you need some assurance that there is still good in this world, take a drive along any back road going anywhere in Kansas right now and let God treat you to a spectacle only He can provide in the form of acre-after-acre of brightly shimmering wild sunflowers in the ditches and fencerows. As you drive along, thousands of luminescent yellow heads appear to guide your way and will offer a boost to your spirits. &nbsp;Sunflowers were cultivated in North America as far back as 3000 BC and were introduced to the rest of the world by Spanish Conquistadors in 1500. Peter the Great fell in love with sunflowers he found in the Netherlands and took them back with him to Russia. They became popular there when people discovered sunflower oil was not banned during Lent by the Russian Orthodox Church like most other oils. By the 19th century, Russia was growing 2 million acres of sunflowers annually. Around that time, Russian immigrants brought with them to the US highly developed sunflower seeds capable of producing much bigger blooms. That sparked renewed interest in sunflowers as a commercial crop here in the states.&nbsp;Sunflowers use a behavior called “heliotropism” that causes young, developing sunflower heads to face eastward in the morning, then follow the sun around to the west during the day. As the heads mature, become heavier and droop, they remain facing predominately east, possibly as a defense mechanism to protect the seeds from the hot afternoon sun. Each sunflower head is actually comprised of many smaller flowers called “florets.” Florets in the middle that produce the seeds are both male and female, so each floret self-pollinates to produce a seed.&nbsp;In 2019, South Dakota farmers produced the most sunflower seeds in the US to the tune of 831.6 million pounds. They were followed by North Dakota, Minnesota, California, Colorado and Kansas. 2019 commercial production in the United States was about 2 billion pounds grown on 1.4 million acres; 2019 production in Kansas was just under 54 million pounds from 45, 000 acres.The sunflower became the state flower of Kansas in 1903. As history has it, in 1901, George Morehouse, a state senator from Council Grove, attended a rodeo in Colorado Springs where all the Kansas folk in attendance wore sunflowers identifying them as Kansans. Morehouse was so moved and inspired by the Kansas spirit, that upon returning home, he drafted the bill naming the sunflower as our state flower. In this original bill, Morehouse stated “This flower has to all Kansans an historical symbolism which speaks of frontier days, winding trails, pathless prairie and is full of the life and glory of the past, the pride of the present and richly emblematic of the majesty of the golden future, and is a flower which has given Kansas the world-wide name “The Sunflower State.” Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Oh, those bloomin’ sunflowers

By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau

Voters Organized to Elect Farm Bureau Friends, also known as VOTE FBF, scored perfect marks in federal races during the primary earlier this month. Three endorsements, three wins, three candidates who understand agriculture moving on to November’s general election.

Dr. Roger Marshall came out on top of a competitive and crowded field to win the GOP nomination to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Pat Robert’s retirement.

Tracey Mann, who is the odds on favorite to take over Marshall’s seat in the U.S. House, secured the Republican nomination in the race to represent the Big First. And Jake LaTurner upset an incumbent in his bid for the second congressional district.

This hattrick of victories isn’t an aberration for VOTE FBF, which has seen a success rate topping 90 percent since its inception nearly three decades ago. The secret to the success? A grassroots process that ensures endorsements come from the bottom up, rather than the top down.

As a relatively new face at Kansas Farm Bureau, this was my first time seeing the process unfold up close. Each of the state’s 105 counties had the opportunity to hear from candidates and make recommendations to the VOTE FBF board, which pooled the feedback from counties to make its endorsements.

The decisions are political, but they’re not partisan. The goal isn’t to elect candidates our members will always agree with, its mission is simply to elect ones who understand and value the work Kansas farmers and ranchers do each and every day.

Of course, despite eschewing partisanship, it wouldn’t be politics without a few snide remarks as seen on KFB’s Facebook page. Throughout the primary process I learned Kansas Farm Bureau “doesn’t represent real farmers,” and our endorsed candidates “weren’t real conservatives,” “were too conservative” or some variation in the runup to the election.

At its core, VOTE FBF is successful because of its pragmatism. Counties and the VOTE FBF board don’t feel the need to make endorsements just for the heck of it. If no candidate in a race has earned the confidence of members or there’s more than one acceptable challenger, making no endorsement is an option.

In short, securing a Kansas Farm Bureau endorsement is similar to a candidate securing an individual’s vote. And the endorsement carries value beyond any possible monetary contribution VOTE FBF may decide to make.

Contrary to what some believe about Kansas Farm Bureau not representing “real farmers (and ranchers),” we’re the state’s largest general farm organization. The grassroots process employed by VOTE FBF has been part of the organization for more than 100 years, and it’s representative of not only our members, but the view of Kansans at large as the recent election results show.

While those results are still fresh, they’re also only the halfway point for this cycle. Advance voting in person and by mail begins Oct. 14 and Election Day is Nov. 3. If you turn 18 before then or sat out the primary because you weren’t registered, you have until Oct. 13 to do so.

Even if we don’t see eye-to-eye on every issue, I encourage you to cast an informed vote for the candidate of your choice. Because the leadership of our country, state and counties relies on the same grassroots support Kansas Farm Bureau uses in all its decision making.

"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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm BureauVoters Organized to Elect Farm Bureau Friends, also known as VOTE FBF, scored perfect marks in federal races during the primary earlier this month. Three endorsements, three wins, three candidates who understand agriculture moving on to November’s general election.Dr. Roger Marshall came out on top of a competitive and crowded field to win the GOP nomination to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Pat Robert’s retirement.Tracey Mann, who is the odds on favorite to take over Marshall’s seat in the U.S. House, secured the Republican nomination in the race to represent the Big First. And Jake LaTurner upset an incumbent in his bid for the second congressional district.This hattrick of victories isn’t an aberration for VOTE FBF, which has seen a success rate topping 90 percent since its inception nearly three decades ago. The secret to the success? A grassroots process that ensures endorsements come from the bottom up, rather than the top down.As a relatively new face at Kansas Farm Bureau, this was my first time seeing the process unfold up close. Each of the state’s 105 counties had the opportunity to hear from candidates and make recommendations to the VOTE FBF board, which pooled the feedback from counties to make its endorsements.The decisions are political, but they’re not partisan. The goal isn’t to elect candidates our members will always agree with, its mission is simply to elect ones who understand and value the work Kansas farmers and ranchers do each and every day.Of course, despite eschewing partisanship, it wouldn’t be politics without a few snide remarks as seen on KFB’s Facebook page. Throughout the primary process I learned Kansas Farm Bureau “doesn’t represent real farmers,” and our endorsed candidates “weren’t real conservatives,” “were too conservative” or some variation in the runup to the election.At its core, VOTE FBF is successful because of its pragmatism. Counties and the VOTE FBF board don’t feel the need to make endorsements just for the heck of it. If no candidate in a race has earned the confidence of members or there’s more than one acceptable challenger, making no endorsement is an option.In short, securing a Kansas Farm Bureau endorsement is similar to a candidate securing an individual’s vote. And the endorsement carries value beyond any possible monetary contribution VOTE FBF may decide to make.Contrary to what some believe about Kansas Farm Bureau not representing “real farmers (and ranchers),” we’re the state’s largest general farm organization. The grassroots process employed by VOTE FBF has been part of the organization for more than 100 years, and it’s representative of not only our members, but the view of Kansans at large as the recent election results show.While those results are still fresh, they’re also only the halfway point for this cycle. Advance voting in person and by mail begins Oct. 14 and Election Day is Nov. 3. If you turn 18 before then or sat out the primary because you weren’t registered, you have until Oct. 13 to do so.Even if we don’t see eye-to-eye on every issue, I encourage you to cast an informed vote for the candidate of your choice. Because the leadership of our country, state and counties relies on the same grassroots support Kansas Farm Bureau uses in all its decision making."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.

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Election perfection

OK, not all the primary election votes are counted yet, and there may be a surprise or two by the time everything is final, but the name that wasn’t on your ballot has clearly lost.

Gov. Laura Kelly, the Democrat who is mid-term and has two years of living in public housing at Cedar Crest, a nice home to be driven to by security agents every night after wrestling or at least negotiating with members of the Kansas Senate, which took a hard right turn based on yet uncertain primary votes.

What’s the deal? Well, it appears that at the primary election the State Senate is going from a 29-vote majority by party label to an actual 27-plus votes to override Kelly vetoes of bills.

That’s going from a theoretical “veto-proof” majority to an actual, read the votes, veto proof majority.

A handful of moderate Republicans lost their primary elections, and if their defeaters manage to make it through the general election, Kelly likely won’t see her vetoes sustained.

Kelly wasn’t overridden during the 2020 session—when she vetoed two tax-cut bills. She was overridden just once during the 2019 session, her first year in office after moving from the Senate to the governorship—a line-item veto that included $50 million to repay the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System money that was borrowed from it during the cash-crunched former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback administration.

At least three, maybe four or more relatively moderate Republicans have been defeated by more conservative candidates for the upcoming general election, which unless Democrats can pick up a significant number of seats above their current 11, the Senate will be veto-proof.

The House? It appears to be growing a little more conservative, but it is the Senate where the real partisan scrapping has been occurring in the past two years, which has been the “ground zero”&nbsp; for battles with the governor over such issues as expansion of Medicaid to more than 100,000 Kansans and paring the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision that abortion is a constitutionally protected right.

And the budget? That’s where the real fights are likely, and where the final veto-proof majority comes into play on less sensational issues for most Kansans.

Have you seen the campaign brochure touting hiring more public health nurses by the state? Didn’t think so. Or…do most voters base their decisions on small spending issues like staffing for the Department of Administration? Didn’t think so, either.&nbsp;

It appears no candidates are campaigning on the budget except the generic “conservative spending” or “downsize government.”&nbsp; Nobody talks “downsizing” to explain why you spend more time waiting for a driver’s license renewal, or trying to get through on the phone to the Labor department to check on unemployment insurance checks…

Of course, we’re not going to know until about 2 p.m. Jan. 11, when the 2021 legislative session officially opens—and when the first bills are introduced—just where the session is going to go with the confidence on the 3rd&nbsp;floor of the Statehouse that nearly anything it can pass can’t be vetoed by the 2nd&nbsp;floor.

And, how do Democrats campaign on the issue that the state’s elected governor will lose most of her authority to direct the state if voters in generally Republican Senate districts vote for whomever has the “R” behind their name on the ballot?

Yes, we’re wondering just what that brochure or 30-second TV ad is going to look like when it focuses on preserving the leadership authority of a governor who has a “D” behind her name?

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592848178110.png" alt="Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report." />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report.</figcaption>
 </figure>OK, not all the primary election votes are counted yet, and there may be a surprise or two by the time everything is final, but the name that wasn’t on your ballot has clearly lost.That name?Gov. Laura Kelly, the Democrat who is mid-term and has two years of living in public housing at Cedar Crest, a nice home to be driven to by security agents every night after wrestling or at least negotiating with members of the Kansas Senate, which took a hard right turn based on yet uncertain primary votes.What’s the deal? Well, it appears that at the primary election the State Senate is going from a 29-vote majority by party label to an actual 27-plus votes to override Kelly vetoes of bills.That’s going from a theoretical “veto-proof” majority to an actual, read the votes, veto proof majority.A handful of moderate Republicans lost their primary elections, and if their defeaters manage to make it through the general election, Kelly likely won’t see her vetoes sustained.Kelly wasn’t overridden during the 2020 session—when she vetoed two tax-cut bills. She was overridden just once during the 2019 session, her first year in office after moving from the Senate to the governorship—a line-item veto that included $50 million to repay the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System money that was borrowed from it during the cash-crunched former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback administration.At least three, maybe four or more relatively moderate Republicans have been defeated by more conservative candidates for the upcoming general election, which unless Democrats can pick up a significant number of seats above their current 11, the Senate will be veto-proof.The House? It appears to be growing a little more conservative, but it is the Senate where the real partisan scrapping has been occurring in the past two years, which has been the “ground zero”&nbsp; for battles with the governor over such issues as expansion of Medicaid to more than 100,000 Kansans and paring the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision that abortion is a constitutionally protected right.And the budget? That’s where the real fights are likely, and where the final veto-proof majority comes into play on less sensational issues for most Kansans.Have you seen the campaign brochure touting hiring more public health nurses by the state? Didn’t think so. Or…do most voters base their decisions on small spending issues like staffing for the Department of Administration? Didn’t think so, either.&nbsp;It appears no candidates are campaigning on the budget except the generic “conservative spending” or “downsize government.”&nbsp; Nobody talks “downsizing” to explain why you spend more time waiting for a driver’s license renewal, or trying to get through on the phone to the Labor department to check on unemployment insurance checks…Of course, we’re not going to know until about 2 p.m. Jan. 11, when the 2021 legislative session officially opens—and when the first bills are introduced—just where the session is going to go with the confidence on the 3rd&nbsp;floor of the Statehouse that nearly anything it can pass can’t be vetoed by the 2nd&nbsp;floor.And, how do Democrats campaign on the issue that the state’s elected governor will lose most of her authority to direct the state if voters in generally Republican Senate districts vote for whomever has the “R” behind their name on the ballot?Yes, we’re wondering just what that brochure or 30-second TV ad is going to look like when it focuses on preserving the leadership authority of a governor who has a “D” behind her name?Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

Opinion