With many areas of Kansas experiencing significant drought, plant 
triage may be in order. This may mean that you need to prioritize what 
plants are most important. 

Large, established trees should be first on 
your list as they are expensive to remove, expensive to replace and take
 years to become large enough to fulfill their purpose. Next would be 
trees planted in the last 2 to 3 years as their root systems are still 
not completely established. Normally, these trees would be first on our 
list as the larger, more mature trees are more drought resistant. 
However, sometimes a drought will be severe enough that even large trees
 may die or become so weakened that borers move in and take them out. 


Next would be shrubs, then perennial flowers and finally lawns, annual 
flowers and vegetables. You probably see the pattern here. Start with 
what is most expensive to replace and move down from there. &nbsp;

If 
you are planning on watering your trees, one of the more common means is
 the use of soaker hoses. Soaker hoses are notorious for non-uniform 
watering. In other words, you often receive too much water from one part
 of the hose and not enough from another. 

On small trees, circling the 
tree several times with the soaker hose will even out the amount of 
water applied but this isn’t practical for larger trees. On larger 
trees, hooking both the beginning and the end of the soaker hose to a 
Y-adapter helps equalize the pressure and therefore provide a more 
uniform watering. 

The soaker hose can circle the trunk at a distance 
within the dripline of the tree but at least ½ the distance to the 
dripline. The dripline of the tree is outermost reach of the branches. 
On smaller trees, you may circle the tree several times so that only 
soil which has tree roots will be watered. Soil should be wet at least 
12 inches deep as 80% of a trees roots are in the top foot of soil. Use a
 metal rod, wooden dowel, electric fence post or something similar to 
check depth. 

Dry soil is much harder to push through than wet and your 
probe will stop when it hits dry soil. How long it takes water to reach a
 12 inch depth varies depending on the rate of water flow and soil. 
Record the amount of time it takes to reach 12 inches the first time the
 tree is watered. After that, simply water for that same amount of time.

&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/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>With many areas of Kansas experiencing significant drought, plant 
triage may be in order. This may mean that you need to prioritize what 
plants are most important. Large, established trees should be first on 
your list as they are expensive to remove, expensive to replace and take
 years to become large enough to fulfill their purpose. Next would be 
trees planted in the last 2 to 3 years as their root systems are still 
not completely established. Normally, these trees would be first on our 
list as the larger, more mature trees are more drought resistant. 
However, sometimes a drought will be severe enough that even large trees
 may die or become so weakened that borers move in and take them out. 
Next would be shrubs, then perennial flowers and finally lawns, annual 
flowers and vegetables. You probably see the pattern here. Start with 
what is most expensive to replace and move down from there. &nbsp;If 
you are planning on watering your trees, one of the more common means is
 the use of soaker hoses. Soaker hoses are notorious for non-uniform 
watering. In other words, you often receive too much water from one part
 of the hose and not enough from another. On small trees, circling the 
tree several times with the soaker hose will even out the amount of 
water applied but this isn’t practical for larger trees. On larger 
trees, hooking both the beginning and the end of the soaker hose to a 
Y-adapter helps equalize the pressure and therefore provide a more 
uniform watering. The soaker hose can circle the trunk at a distance 
within the dripline of the tree but at least ½ the distance to the 
dripline. The dripline of the tree is outermost reach of the branches. 
On smaller trees, you may circle the tree several times so that only 
soil which has tree roots will be watered. Soil should be wet at least 
12 inches deep as 80% of a trees roots are in the top foot of soil. Use a
 metal rod, wooden dowel, electric fence post or something similar to 
check depth. Dry soil is much harder to push through than wet and your 
probe will stop when it hits dry soil. How long it takes water to reach a
 12 inch depth varies depending on the rate of water flow and soil. 
Record the amount of time it takes to reach 12 inches the first time the
 tree is watered. After that, simply water for that same amount of time.&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: Protecting your landscape from drought

I saw a funny post on a friend’s Facebook page a few years ago that said “If parenthood came with a GPS, it would mostly just say ‘recalculating’”. While I had to giggle, it resonated with me as a former 4-H parent and now 4-H agent.

We talk a lot in 4-H about Experiential Learning – Learning by Doing; and having good adults to help youth by setting examples and modeling behavior. This is also much of how we learn to parent!

It is tough to talk through a situation with your child and then, watch them make a mistake in handling it. Unless it has grave consequences, it is much better for them to stub their toe while they are under our direction and guidance than to face plant as a 25-or 30-year old because they have never been allowed to make their own decisions. Are they going to make good decisions all of the time – NOPE! But I would challenge that neither did you or I at that age.

One of my favorite youth development authors, Dr. Tim Elmore, noted in a 2019 article in “Growing Leaders” that parents can make a couple of critical mistakes when it comes to youth and responsibility.

In his opinion, the first occurs when parents take responsibility too often when we should let go. He bases this thought on a 2019 nationwide survey that noted “Parents help their kids in a variety of ways, and that includes financial support, even when their children grow older. Nearly half of millennials get some level of financial help from mom and dad on a monthly basis, according to a new survey released by Money Under 30.”

I agree with Dr. Elmore that sometimes our adult children need our help but does that continued dependence on parents delay a young adult’s ability to shoulder responsibility? He goes on to state that “millions of today’s young adults are forced to delay professional goals because we’ve failed to teach them how to do without luxuries: smartphones, eating out, big tv’s” – which means their life goals….IF they have set them…..are pushed further away.

The second part of Dr. Elmore’s article also notes that parents let go of responsibility too often when we should still be taking it on and modeling appropriate behaviors. Do we expect our schools to teach money management, time management, daily living tasks such as preparing a meal, laundry, or basic car maintenance? Or, are we modelling these behaviors for our kids? Even if we are not great money managers or fantastic cooks, are we looking for resources to improve our own skills knowing that those young people are watching?

Dr. Elmore wraps up his article with a couple of great thoughts about committing to long-term thinking. He states “Let’s delegate responsibility to our young adults for their sake, so they can learn what it means to experience self-efficacy and autonomy. Let’s assume responsibility for our young adults for their sake, so they can see what it looks like to act from honor and justice.”

I see parents who are frustrated that their teens/young adults don’t seem to be responsible but this is not a skill that suddenly appears. It takes practice and some failed attempts to get better. Starting out with small responsibilities as young children and seeing adults model responsibility, good decision-making, and acknowledging their own errors is the best way to help youth develop solid life-time skills. It is Experiential Learning for all of us!

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

Kansas State University is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. If you have special requirements due to a physical, vision, or hearing disability.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579114162620.jpeg" alt="written by: Michelle Beran - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Michelle Beran - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>I saw a funny post on a friend’s Facebook page a few years ago that said “If parenthood came with a GPS, it would mostly just say ‘recalculating’”. While I had to giggle, it resonated with me as a former 4-H parent and now 4-H agent.We talk a lot in 4-H about Experiential Learning – Learning by Doing; and having good adults to help youth by setting examples and modeling behavior. This is also much of how we learn to parent!It is tough to talk through a situation with your child and then, watch them make a mistake in handling it. Unless it has grave consequences, it is much better for them to stub their toe while they are under our direction and guidance than to face plant as a 25-or 30-year old because they have never been allowed to make their own decisions. Are they going to make good decisions all of the time – NOPE! But I would challenge that neither did you or I at that age.One of my favorite youth development authors, Dr. Tim Elmore, noted in a 2019 article in “Growing Leaders” that parents can make a couple of critical mistakes when it comes to youth and responsibility.In his opinion, the first occurs when parents take responsibility too often when we should let go. He bases this thought on a 2019 nationwide survey that noted “Parents help their kids in a variety of ways, and that includes financial support, even when their children grow older. Nearly half of millennials get some level of financial help from mom and dad on a monthly basis, according to a new survey released by Money Under 30.”I agree with Dr. Elmore that sometimes our adult children need our help but does that continued dependence on parents delay a young adult’s ability to shoulder responsibility? He goes on to state that “millions of today’s young adults are forced to delay professional goals because we’ve failed to teach them how to do without luxuries: smartphones, eating out, big tv’s” – which means their life goals….IF they have set them…..are pushed further away.The second part of Dr. Elmore’s article also notes that parents let go of responsibility too often when we should still be taking it on and modeling appropriate behaviors. Do we expect our schools to teach money management, time management, daily living tasks such as preparing a meal, laundry, or basic car maintenance? Or, are we modelling these behaviors for our kids? Even if we are not great money managers or fantastic cooks, are we looking for resources to improve our own skills knowing that those young people are watching?Dr. Elmore wraps up his article with a couple of great thoughts about committing to long-term thinking. He states “Let’s delegate responsibility to our young adults for their sake, so they can learn what it means to experience self-efficacy and autonomy. Let’s assume responsibility for our young adults for their sake, so they can see what it looks like to act from honor and justice.”I see parents who are frustrated that their teens/young adults don’t seem to be responsible but this is not a skill that suddenly appears. It takes practice and some failed attempts to get better. Starting out with small responsibilities as young children and seeing adults model responsibility, good decision-making, and acknowledging their own errors is the best way to help youth develop solid life-time skills. It is Experiential Learning for all of us!Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.Kansas State University is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. If you have special requirements due to a physical, vision, or hearing disability.

BERAN: Children becoming responsible

Area teens are invited to participate in the Ellis County 4-H Civil Discourse Workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Fort Hays State University's Memorial Union. 

The event will introduce teens to the importance of civil discourse through a keynote address from Dr. Lori Kniffin from the Fort Hays State University Leadership Studies department. Breakout sessions for both parents and their teens will allow each group to practice these vital communication skills. The event will conclude with a free concert for all in attendance by the Peterson Farm Brothers. Free commemorative T-shirts will be given to the first 100 teens who register, and refreshments will be served.

The event will be hosted by Ellis County 4-H Council and spearheaded by Hays High sophomores Elizabeth Noble, Marisa Wasinger and John Weisenborn. Teens who attend will be given training in how to have productive conversations about difficult topics that can lead to meaningful change.

Sponsors for the event include eyeSMILE Vision and Dental, Hays Optimist Club, Hays Kiwanis Club, Lang Diesel, the Midwest Energy Community Fund, Redeem Designs and private donors.&nbsp;

To learn more or to register, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/2fp3mk8u?fbclid=IwAR00aOPM60PndhhSuqVC1mI_6jGnb1M2B5oBwNrqEYBF9fFfnXKnxP9O674" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/2fp3mk8u</a>&nbsp;or contact the Cottonwood District office at 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660928754272.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseArea teens are invited to participate in the Ellis County 4-H Civil Discourse Workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Fort Hays State University's Memorial Union. The event will introduce teens to the importance of civil discourse through a keynote address from Dr. Lori Kniffin from the Fort Hays State University Leadership Studies department. Breakout sessions for both parents and their teens will allow each group to practice these vital communication skills. The event will conclude with a free concert for all in attendance by the Peterson Farm Brothers. Free commemorative T-shirts will be given to the first 100 teens who register, and refreshments will be served.The event will be hosted by Ellis County 4-H Council and spearheaded by Hays High sophomores Elizabeth Noble, Marisa Wasinger and John Weisenborn. Teens who attend will be given training in how to have productive conversations about difficult topics that can lead to meaningful change.Sponsors for the event include eyeSMILE Vision and Dental, Hays Optimist Club, Hays Kiwanis Club, Lang Diesel, the Midwest Energy Community Fund, Redeem Designs and private donors.&nbsp;To learn more or to register, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/2fp3mk8u?fbclid=IwAR00aOPM60PndhhSuqVC1mI_6jGnb1M2B5oBwNrqEYBF9fFfnXKnxP9O674" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/2fp3mk8u</a>&nbsp;or contact the Cottonwood District office at 785-628-9430.

Peterson Farm Brothers to headline free teen event in Hays

K-State Research and Extension - Cottonwood District

Event is next weekend it is FREE and open to all teens. 

Sign up now; the first 100 registrants will get a free t-shirt!To register for the event, use the following link:<a href="https://tinyurl.com/2fp3mk8u?fbclid=IwAR2S8SYAVNi6ZrYFGD30E0mDGvvghmAlC1g-aKWIF-mGnFVM_-s-CveDAh8" target="_blank"> https://tinyurl.com/2fp3mk8</a>u

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660922979443.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>K-State Research and Extension - Cottonwood DistrictEvent is next weekend it is FREE and open to all teens. Sign up now; the first 100 registrants will get a free t-shirt!To register for the event, use the following link:<a href="https://tinyurl.com/2fp3mk8u?fbclid=IwAR2S8SYAVNi6ZrYFGD30E0mDGvvghmAlC1g-aKWIF-mGnFVM_-s-CveDAh8" target="_blank"> https://tinyurl.com/2fp3mk8</a>u

Ellis Co. 4-H Civil Discourse Workshop free for Kansas high school students

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Good fences make good neighbors is the old saying we’ve all heard. The challenge is that there are many things that property owners need to be aware of when it comes to fences and fence laws.&nbsp;

Roger McEowen, Washburn University School of Law &amp;&nbsp;KSU Ag Economist, a&nbsp;noted agricultural law specialist, will present an informative program on Kansas fence law.&nbsp;It will be held on Tuesday, August 23rd&nbsp;at 7:00 pm at the Geary County 4-H/Senior Citizens Building, 1025 S. Spring Valley Road, Junction City, KS. The seminar will also be&nbsp;Livestreamed&nbsp;Online.&nbsp;To register for the&nbsp;Livestream&nbsp;go to&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3C6V2v3">https://bit.ly/3C6V2v3</a>

Topics to be addressed include basics of the Kansas fence law statutes; partition fences; locating, building and maintaining legal fences; handling fence disputes; highway fences; adverse possession and other regularly encountered fence law questions.&nbsp;

There is no charge to attend this seminar,&nbsp;it is open to the public&nbsp;but registration is required. A recording of the presentation will be available afterward. To find that information following the seminar go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.agmanager.info/">www.agmanager.info</a>

If you have any questions you can contact myself or Alicia Boor in either Cottonwood District Office or also contact Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension agent at 785-238-4161,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cotte@ksu.edu">cotte@ksu.edu</a>

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660758678943.jpg" alt="Image courtesy Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictGood fences make good neighbors is the old saying we’ve all heard. The challenge is that there are many things that property owners need to be aware of when it comes to fences and fence laws.&nbsp;Roger McEowen, Washburn University School of Law &amp;&nbsp;KSU Ag Economist, a&nbsp;noted agricultural law specialist, will present an informative program on Kansas fence law.&nbsp;It will be held on Tuesday, August 23rd&nbsp;at 7:00 pm at the Geary County 4-H/Senior Citizens Building, 1025 S. Spring Valley Road, Junction City, KS. The seminar will also be&nbsp;Livestreamed&nbsp;Online.&nbsp;To register for the&nbsp;Livestream&nbsp;go to&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3C6V2v3">https://bit.ly/3C6V2v3</a>Topics to be addressed include basics of the Kansas fence law statutes; partition fences; locating, building and maintaining legal fences; handling fence disputes; highway fences; adverse possession and other regularly encountered fence law questions.&nbsp;There is no charge to attend this seminar,&nbsp;it is open to the public&nbsp;but registration is required. A recording of the presentation will be available afterward. To find that information following the seminar go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.agmanager.info/">www.agmanager.info</a>If you have any questions you can contact myself or Alicia Boor in either Cottonwood District Office or also contact Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension agent at 785-238-4161,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cotte@ksu.edu">cotte@ksu.edu</a>Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

Kansas fence law seminar will be livestreamed

Extension Agent, Horticulture opportunity in Cottonwood District.

Primary office location is negotiable between GREAT BEND and HAYS, KS. See&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/jobs" target="_blank">www.ksre.ksu.edu/jobs</a>&nbsp;for responsibilities, qualifications, and application procedure.

Application deadline: 8/31/22. K-State Research and Extension is an EOE of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. Background check required.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659737809311.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Extension Agent, Horticulture opportunity in Cottonwood District.Primary office location is negotiable between GREAT BEND and HAYS, KS. See&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/jobs" target="_blank">www.ksre.ksu.edu/jobs</a>&nbsp;for responsibilities, qualifications, and application procedure.Application deadline: 8/31/22. K-State Research and Extension is an EOE of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. Background check required.

Beran: All ribbons count

When the calendar turns to August, I&nbsp;find myself saying the same four words, “Where did summer go?” Families with kids adapted to a summer schedule filled with&nbsp;ball games, camp, swimming lessons, and&nbsp;4-H activities and now the schedule is about to change again! With the start of school just a few short weeks away it is the perfect time to call a family meeting and get everyone on board with the new routine.

​Research shows that kids ages 3 to 6 need ten to twelve hours of sleep each day.&nbsp;As youngsters begin pre-school or the early grades it is important to have a set bedtime with a routine that encourages success. Perhaps you want to target 8 p.m. as bedtime. If so you will want to begin the wind down process around 7. Perhaps a warm bath and bed time story help your child to relax. Planning what will be worn the next day or eaten for breakfast also encourages a less hectic morning when the alarm goes off. Whatever you want to adopt as a routine, now is a good time to start working toward your final goal.&nbsp;If the summer schedule has been lax, start moving the bedtime up a few minutes each day until your target is reached. That should help make the first day of school a success.

​One of the most important messages I like to share at this time of year is to “Eat breakfast every day.” &nbsp;As kids start back to school they need to start each day with some nutritious food in their stomachs. &nbsp;It’s really brain food. &nbsp;Countless studies have shown that kids perform better in school, and are less irritable, when their day starts with breakfast.

​There is no doubt about it: our bodies need to refuel after not eating for 10-12 hours. &nbsp;So why is it that breakfast is the meal most often skipped? &nbsp;The most common answers I hear are that “there isn’t time” or “my kids aren’t hungry in the morning.”&nbsp;

As you plan to start each day with breakfast, keep in mind the following tips. &nbsp;Breakfast does not have to be a big meal. &nbsp;Try to include something from the grain group as well as a fruit. &nbsp;Breakfast does not have to be traditional. &nbsp;Be creative; nutritious foods are healthy any time of the day. Last night’s leftovers can be reheated in a hurry. &nbsp;Peanut butter can be spread on a piece of whole grain toast and served with a glass of 100% fruit juice. &nbsp;Equal amounts of juice, milk and yogurt can be combined for a smoothie like treat. Get your day off to a great start and be a breakfast eater!

​And finally, if you live close enough to school can your children safely walk or bike to school? Research shows that starting your day with some physical activity (i.e. walking to school) encourages better concentration and behavior in the classroom.&nbsp;If your schedule allows it, do a trial run with your child; either walking or biking on a safe route to the front door of the school.​

Here’s hoping your school year gets off to a great start!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. " />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. </figcaption>
 </figure>When the calendar turns to August, I&nbsp;find myself saying the same four words, “Where did summer go?” Families with kids adapted to a summer schedule filled with&nbsp;ball games, camp, swimming lessons, and&nbsp;4-H activities and now the schedule is about to change again! With the start of school just a few short weeks away it is the perfect time to call a family meeting and get everyone on board with the new routine.​Research shows that kids ages 3 to 6 need ten to twelve hours of sleep each day.&nbsp;As youngsters begin pre-school or the early grades it is important to have a set bedtime with a routine that encourages success. Perhaps you want to target 8 p.m. as bedtime. If so you will want to begin the wind down process around 7. Perhaps a warm bath and bed time story help your child to relax. Planning what will be worn the next day or eaten for breakfast also encourages a less hectic morning when the alarm goes off. Whatever you want to adopt as a routine, now is a good time to start working toward your final goal.&nbsp;If the summer schedule has been lax, start moving the bedtime up a few minutes each day until your target is reached. That should help make the first day of school a success.​One of the most important messages I like to share at this time of year is to “Eat breakfast every day.” &nbsp;As kids start back to school they need to start each day with some nutritious food in their stomachs. &nbsp;It’s really brain food. &nbsp;Countless studies have shown that kids perform better in school, and are less irritable, when their day starts with breakfast.​There is no doubt about it: our bodies need to refuel after not eating for 10-12 hours. &nbsp;So why is it that breakfast is the meal most often skipped? &nbsp;The most common answers I hear are that “there isn’t time” or “my kids aren’t hungry in the morning.”&nbsp;As you plan to start each day with breakfast, keep in mind the following tips. &nbsp;Breakfast does not have to be a big meal. &nbsp;Try to include something from the grain group as well as a fruit. &nbsp;Breakfast does not have to be traditional. &nbsp;Be creative; nutritious foods are healthy any time of the day. Last night’s leftovers can be reheated in a hurry. &nbsp;Peanut butter can be spread on a piece of whole grain toast and served with a glass of 100% fruit juice. &nbsp;Equal amounts of juice, milk and yogurt can be combined for a smoothie like treat. Get your day off to a great start and be a breakfast eater!​And finally, if you live close enough to school can your children safely walk or bike to school? Research shows that starting your day with some physical activity (i.e. walking to school) encourages better concentration and behavior in the classroom.&nbsp;If your schedule allows it, do a trial run with your child; either walking or biking on a safe route to the front door of the school.​Here’s hoping your school year gets off to a great start!Donna Krug is the&nbsp;District Director and&nbsp;Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension –&nbsp;Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Back to school tips

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call the new behavior health/suicide hotline at 988.

High Plains Mental Health Center's emergency after-hours telephone number is 1-800-432-0333.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Suicide rates among farmers in Kansas are up to seven times higher than state rates.

Members of a panel on Thursday said high stress among farmers combined with a reluctance of individuals to seek professional help has led to a mental health crisis.

Representatives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture were in Hays Thursday to talk to local farmers and listen to the panel, which was assembled by High Plains Mental Health Center. 

Attendees included Joseph Palm, regional director, HHS Intergovernmental and External Affairs; Kimberly Nelson, regional administrator of Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration; Nancy Rios, regional administrator of Health Resources and Services Administration; Nickolas Clasen, HHS Intergovernmental and External Affairs; and Christy Davis, Kansas state director of USDA Rural Development.

Kansas' suicide rate is higher than the national average. It increased 65 percent between 2001 and 2020, said Dania Zolk, section director of injury and violence prevention at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Kansans ages 10 to 34. Suicide in 2020 cost the state $5.7 billion in medical expenses and work loss.

The highest rates are among white males. The suicide rates for rural and frontier counties were 58 percent higher than the state rate.

Duane Keller grew up on a farm in Trego County. He and his wife lost their home and all of his belonging in the Four Counties Fire in December. 

Nine hundred acres of farm ground and 50,000 bushels of corn also burned while the couple was visiting Kansas City.

The couple had built the home 40 years ago with the help of their children. 

"We got a call from our daughter, and she said you're home's gone," Keller said with a crack in his voice. 

"On the way home, I told my wife, 'Look in the back seat of the pickup.' She said there is nothing back there except a couple of bags. I said, 'Well, that's all we got.'"

He said it is therapeutic to talk about the loss and each time he tells the story, it gets easier. 

"Out of tragedy, I think comes opportunities," he said. "I think our family's stronger. I think our son and daughter appreciate us a lot more, and we appreciate what we had. 

"I tell people, on a happy side, how many people at 74 years of age get to build a brand new home and put all new crap in it," he said with a smile, "and the insurance company is going to pay for it."

&nbsp;The damage from the fire lingered. Initially, the wind blew away much of the topsoil from the barren land.&nbsp; The ash from the fire damaged the fertility of the soil. Keller planted and lost two rounds of crops on the burnt ground. A third planting of milo is finally growing.

Keller said farming has always been stressful.

"How many of you would check the markets in the afternoon and you've lost $200,000, but you still eat supper that night? You still move on," he said. "Or you go in to buy fertilizer and it's up four times what it was the year before, but you still write the check."

Brenda Seaman is a licensed clinical social worker at High Plains Mental Center but also comes from a multi-generation farm family.

"As has been said, we deal with things that are not in our control — commodity prices, input prices, weather, government policies that change. We are used to that," she said.

"What I have seen in recent years is a dwindling of resources that help us be resilient. What I mean by that is our communities, our connectedness and our growing isolation."

Many farmers are working additional jobs off the farm and rural populations are shrinking as farms consolidate. 

"There's no time to gather in those informal settings that we used to do, drink a cup of coffee at the local elevator or co-op and talk about the mutual stressors and mutual joys," she said.

She added, "Isolation in my view together with the difficult financial time can create despair hopelessness and a loss of shared purpose. When you are doing a really tough job, that's a big deal."

Farms used to be operated by multiple generations of a family — grandfathers, uncles, fathers and children.

"The weight of this now can be on the farmer alone," Seaman said, "because it is no longer financially viable sometimes to hand that farm down, so kids are working off the farm."

&nbsp;Jessie Wyrill, who lives on a farm in Phillips County, said separating work from home life is impossible on a farm.

Wyrill, holding back tears, talked about the heartbreak of losing a cow and her calf during birthing.

"Imagine moments like that building up day after day," she said. "Tomorrow it might be a bolt that breaks on the bailor and keeps them from finishing before supper and they lose out on spending time with their family. Then the guilt comes."

Wyrill, who is on the Phillips County Hospital Board, said wait times for mental health care are a barrier to many rural Americans. These wait times can be anywhere from two weeks to eight months.

"How is someone who is struggling expected to wait that long to get help and how do they feel if they are just put on the back burner," she said.

Farmers, who are subject to the needs of their livestock or the whims of the weather, can't commit to appointments set far in advance, she said.

This coupled with a desire for privacy makes telehealth a more viable option for many farmers, Wyrill said.

Panel members said high-speed internet is still lacking for many rural families. If you happen to be next to a fiber optic line and can access service with that provider, access is good.

However, panel members gave examples of families who couldn't access internet access when the fiber optic cable was as close as across the road from their homes. One company wanted to lay fiber across a farmer's land but refused to give him internet access because the farmer was not in their coverage area.

The panel members said expanding broadband is essential in expanding telehealth services to rural communities, but business models and regulations are getting in the way of access.

Dr. Christine Fisher, medical director of First Care Clinic in Hays, promoted the use of the integrated health approach that is used at First Care. All First Care patients are screened for both physical and mental health needs when they are seen for appointments.

"People don't like to come back and talk about I'm depressed. I have suicidal thoughts," she said. "But if this is just part of the visit — it's included in your visit — they will stay for that. We can do those suicide interventions."

The clinic hired a psychiatric telehealth nurse practitioner for medication management.

"If there is a hole in medical school teaching and nurse practitioner teaching, it is revolving around behavioral health and behavioral health medication management. Very, very poor teaching, unfortunately," she said.

Lauren Mack, is a veterinarian with The Animal Hospital, which has locations in Plainville and Phillipsburg. She works daily with farmers and ranchers.

She talked about the "weight of legends" in farm families.

"When you stand chute side. The legend is grandpa. ... Sometimes it was great-grandpa or it was the neighbor down the road. You not only have an obligation to your family to keep farming but to the whole region and your children. The list becomes vast."

That weight is paired with a lack of secession planning and substance abuse, she said. She said she sees many psychiatric issues and damaged marriages.

Mack added later the ranchers she works with tend to be very isolated, which she said she thought also contributed to mental health issues.

"If you have ever spent all day working by yourself, you have a lot of time to convince yourself of all the things you have done wrong and all of the things that are going wrong and there is a lot of time to get to a place you shouldn't," she said.

She said she has had ranchers break down into tears with her, but she said it took asking questions and reaching out as a friend to get someone to talk about their struggles.

Addressing needs, looking for solutions

Alicia Boor, Cottonwood Extension District agent, said her agency is trying to get as many people as possible training in Question, Pursue and Refer, which is also known as QPR. This one-hour training helps lay people learn techniques to deal with mental health emergencies. 

"Most farmers don't want to admit that they are struggling, but they will move mountains to save their buddy," she said.

Andrew Brown, commissioner of Behavioral Health Services for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, said the governor dedicated $1.5 million in her budget this year for suicide prevention.

On July 16, the new 988 mental health/suicide hotline launched. It will work much like 911. The majority of the calls to the line will be answered by workers in Kansas.

Kansas is also working to open crisis centers, as well as mobile crisis units, Brown said.

KDHE has applied for a grant from the Centers for Disease Control for mental health programs among youth in agriculture in frontier communities in Kansas, Zolck with KDHE said.

Cover photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659120294939.jpeg" alt="Representatives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration and High Plains Mental Health Center talk with farmers on a farm southwest of Hays, which is owned by Dylan Bryant, center. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Representatives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration and High Plains Mental Health Center talk with farmers on a farm southwest of Hays, which is owned by Dylan Bryant, center. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call the new behavior health/suicide hotline at 988.High Plains Mental Health Center's emergency after-hours telephone number is 1-800-432-0333. By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostSuicide rates among farmers in Kansas are up to seven times higher than state rates.Members of a panel on Thursday said high stress among farmers combined with a reluctance of individuals to seek professional help has led to a mental health crisis.Representatives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture were in Hays Thursday to talk to local farmers and listen to the panel, which was assembled by High Plains Mental Health Center. Attendees included Joseph Palm, regional director, HHS Intergovernmental and External Affairs; Kimberly Nelson, regional administrator of Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration; Nancy Rios, regional administrator of Health Resources and Services Administration; Nickolas Clasen, HHS Intergovernmental and External Affairs; and Christy Davis, Kansas state director of USDA Rural Development.<h2>Suicide by the numbers in Kansas</h2>Kansas' suicide rate is higher than the national average. It increased 65 percent between 2001 and 2020, said Dania Zolk, section director of injury and violence prevention at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Kansans ages 10 to 34. Suicide in 2020 cost the state $5.7 billion in medical expenses and work loss.The highest rates are among white males. The suicide rates for rural and frontier counties were 58 percent higher than the state rate.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659121560317.jpeg" alt="Duane Keller, left, speaks will Walt Hill, director of High Plains Mental Health Center, during a panel Thursday on ag and mental health. Keller lost his home and his farm burned during the Four Counties Fire in December. Photo by Cristina Janney " />
 <figcaption>Duane Keller, left, speaks will Walt Hill, director of High Plains Mental Health Center, during a panel Thursday on ag and mental health. Keller lost his home and his farm burned during the Four Counties Fire in December. Photo by Cristina Janney </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Recovery after the 4-Counties Fire</h2>Duane Keller grew up on a farm in Trego County. He and his wife lost their home and all of his belonging in the Four Counties Fire in December. Nine hundred acres of farm ground and 50,000 bushels of corn also burned while the couple was visiting Kansas City.The couple had built the home 40 years ago with the help of their children. "We got a call from our daughter, and she said you're home's gone," Keller said with a crack in his voice. "On the way home, I told my wife, 'Look in the back seat of the pickup.' She said there is nothing back there except a couple of bags. I said, 'Well, that's all we got.'"He said it is therapeutic to talk about the loss and each time he tells the story, it gets easier. "Out of tragedy, I think comes opportunities," he said. "I think our family's stronger. I think our son and daughter appreciate us a lot more, and we appreciate what we had. "I tell people, on a happy side, how many people at 74 years of age get to build a brand new home and put all new crap in it," he said with a smile, "and the insurance company is going to pay for it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659122582012.jpeg" alt="Mental Health and agriculture panel presented Thursday in Hays. Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Mental Health and agriculture panel presented Thursday in Hays. Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;The damage from the fire lingered. Initially, the wind blew away much of the topsoil from the barren land.&nbsp; The ash from the fire damaged the fertility of the soil. Keller planted and lost two rounds of crops on the burnt ground. A third planting of milo is finally growing. Keller said farming has always been stressful."How many of you would check the markets in the afternoon and you've lost $200,000, but you still eat supper that night? You still move on," he said. "Or you go in to buy fertilizer and it's up four times what it was the year before, but you still write the check."<h2>Isolation pervasive for farm families</h2>Brenda Seaman is a licensed clinical social worker at High Plains Mental Center but also comes from a multi-generation farm family."As has been said, we deal with things that are not in our control — commodity prices, input prices, weather, government policies that change. We are used to that," she said."What I have seen in recent years is a dwindling of resources that help us be resilient. What I mean by that is our communities, our connectedness and our growing isolation."Many farmers are working additional jobs off the farm and rural populations are shrinking as farms consolidate. "There's no time to gather in those informal settings that we used to do, drink a cup of coffee at the local elevator or co-op and talk about the mutual stressors and mutual joys," she said. She added, "Isolation in my view together with the difficult financial time can create despair hopelessness and a loss of shared purpose. When you are doing a really tough job, that's a big deal."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659123479655.jpeg" alt="Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Farms used to be operated by multiple generations of a family — grandfathers, uncles, fathers and children."The weight of this now can be on the farmer alone," Seaman said, "because it is no longer financially viable sometimes to hand that farm down, so kids are working off the farm."<h2>Heartbreak of farm life</h2>&nbsp;Jessie Wyrill, who lives on a farm in Phillips County, said separating work from home life is impossible on a farm.Wyrill, holding back tears, talked about the heartbreak of losing a cow and her calf during birthing. "Imagine moments like that building up day after day," she said. "Tomorrow it might be a bolt that breaks on the bailor and keeps them from finishing before supper and they lose out on spending time with their family. Then the guilt comes."Wyrill, who is on the Phillips County Hospital Board, said wait times for mental health care are a barrier to many rural Americans. These wait times can be anywhere from two weeks to eight months."How is someone who is struggling expected to wait that long to get help and how do they feel if they are just put on the back burner," she said.<h2>Need for telehealth, broadband expansion</h2>Farmers, who are subject to the needs of their livestock or the whims of the weather, can't commit to appointments set far in advance, she said.This coupled with a desire for privacy makes telehealth a more viable option for many farmers, Wyrill said.Panel members said high-speed internet is still lacking for many rural families. If you happen to be next to a fiber optic line and can access service with that provider, access is good.However, panel members gave examples of families who couldn't access internet access when the fiber optic cable was as close as across the road from their homes. One company wanted to lay fiber across a farmer's land but refused to give him internet access because the farmer was not in their coverage area.The panel members said expanding broadband is essential in expanding telehealth services to rural communities, but business models and regulations are getting in the way of access. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659122876270.jpeg" alt="Dr. Christine Fisher, medical director of First Care Clinic, urges the expansion of integrated health care to include mental health care. She along with Angel Romero Jr, hemp farmer, left, and veterinarian Lauren Mack, right, sat on a panel on ag and mental health on Thursday in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Dr. Christine Fisher, medical director of First Care Clinic, urges the expansion of integrated health care to include mental health care. She along with Angel Romero Jr, hemp farmer, left, and veterinarian Lauren Mack, right, sat on a panel on ag and mental health on Thursday in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Christine Fisher, medical director of First Care Clinic in Hays, promoted the use of the integrated health approach that is used at First Care. All First Care patients are screened for both physical and mental health needs when they are seen for appointments."People don't like to come back and talk about I'm depressed. I have suicidal thoughts," she said. "But if this is just part of the visit — it's included in your visit — they will stay for that. We can do those suicide interventions."The clinic hired a psychiatric telehealth nurse practitioner for medication management."If there is a hole in medical school teaching and nurse practitioner teaching, it is revolving around behavioral health and behavioral health medication management. Very, very poor teaching, unfortunately," she said.<h2>'Weight of legends'</h2>Lauren Mack, is a veterinarian with The Animal Hospital, which has locations in Plainville and Phillipsburg. She works daily with farmers and ranchers.She talked about the "weight of legends" in farm families. "When you stand chute side. The legend is grandpa. ... Sometimes it was great-grandpa or it was the neighbor down the road. You not only have an obligation to your family to keep farming but to the whole region and your children. The list becomes vast."That weight is paired with a lack of secession planning and substance abuse, she said. She said she sees many psychiatric issues and damaged marriages.Mack added later the ranchers she works with tend to be very isolated, which she said she thought also contributed to mental health issues."If you have ever spent all day working by yourself, you have a lot of time to convince yourself of all the things you have done wrong and all of the things that are going wrong and there is a lot of time to get to a place you shouldn't," she said.She said she has had ranchers break down into tears with her, but she said it took asking questions and reaching out as a friend to get someone to talk about their struggles.<h2>Addressing needs, looking for solutions </h2>Alicia Boor, Cottonwood Extension District agent, said her agency is trying to get as many people as possible training in Question, Pursue and Refer, which is also known as QPR. This one-hour training helps lay people learn techniques to deal with mental health emergencies. "Most farmers don't want to admit that they are struggling, but they will move mountains to save their buddy," she said.Andrew Brown, commissioner of Behavioral Health Services for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, said the governor dedicated $1.5 million in her budget this year for suicide prevention.On July 16, the new 988 mental health/suicide hotline launched. It will work much like 911. The majority of the calls to the line will be answered by workers in Kansas.Kansas is also working to open crisis centers, as well as mobile crisis units, Brown said.KDHE has applied for a grant from the Centers for Disease Control for mental health programs among youth in agriculture in frontier communities in Kansas, Zolck with KDHE said. Cover photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post

Farm stress drives up suicide rates; Hays panel looks for solutions

In drier years I get this question.&nbsp;When the soil is dry, will it be able to hold anhydrous ammonia or will some or most of the ammonia be lost shortly after application?

There are three factors that come into play when applying anhydrous ammonia to dry soils.

Chemical&nbsp;- Ammonia (NH3) needs to react with water shortly after application in order to convert into ammonium (NH4+), which is the molecule that can adhere to clay and organic matter in the soil. Ammonia is very soluble in water. After it is placed in the soil, NH3&nbsp;reacts with water in the soil to form NH4+, which is retained on the soil cation exchange capacity sites. This process takes a little time – it does not occur immediately upon contact with the soil. The main controlling factors in the conversion of NH3&nbsp;to NH4+&nbsp;are soil temperature, soil moisture, and soil&nbsp;pH.&nbsp;The higher the soil temperature and the wetter the soil, the more rapid the conversion occurs. If the ammonia does not react with water, it will remain as a gas that could escape from the soil. Also, equilibrium between NH3&nbsp;and NH4+&nbsp;is affected by soil&nbsp;pH.&nbsp;More NH3&nbsp;will remain unconverted in the soil longer at higher application rates and at higher soil pH levels.

Physical&nbsp;- Dry soils may be cloddy, with large air spaces where the soil has cracked. This can allow the gas to physically escape into the air before it has a chance to be converted into ammonium. Getting the soil sealed properly above the injection slot can also be a problem in dry soils. Loss of the ammonium gas can begin immediately&nbsp;after application continuing for several days to weeks if there is no moisture. N losses can be greater than 50%.

Application depth&nbsp;- The deeper the ammonia is applied, the more likely the ammonia will have moisture to react with, and the easier the sealing.

So, can anhydrous ammonia be applied to dry soils?

The answer is&nbsp;yes&nbsp;- as long as the ammonia is applied deep enough to get it in some moisture and the soil is well sealed above the injection slot. If the soil is dry and cloddy, there may be considerable losses of ammonia within just a few days of application if the soil is not well sealed above the injection slot and/or the injection point is too shallow.

Producers should be able to tell if anhydrous is escaping from the soil during application or if the ammonia isn’t being applied deeply enough. If ammonia can be smelled, the producer should either change the equipment setup to get better sealing or deeper injection, or wait until the soil has better moisture conditions.

In short, producers can minimize this potential loss problem by applying the anhydrous ammonia at the proper depth (at least 6 to 8 inches in 30 to&nbsp;40 inch&nbsp;spacings), and using covering disks behind the knives or sealing wings ("beaver tails") on the knives.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658843503783.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy K-State Extension" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy K-State Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictIn drier years I get this question.&nbsp;When the soil is dry, will it be able to hold anhydrous ammonia or will some or most of the ammonia be lost shortly after application?There are three factors that come into play when applying anhydrous ammonia to dry soils.Chemical&nbsp;- Ammonia (NH3) needs to react with water shortly after application in order to convert into ammonium (NH4+), which is the molecule that can adhere to clay and organic matter in the soil. Ammonia is very soluble in water. After it is placed in the soil, NH3&nbsp;reacts with water in the soil to form NH4+, which is retained on the soil cation exchange capacity sites. This process takes a little time – it does not occur immediately upon contact with the soil. The main controlling factors in the conversion of NH3&nbsp;to NH4+&nbsp;are soil temperature, soil moisture, and soil&nbsp;pH.&nbsp;The higher the soil temperature and the wetter the soil, the more rapid the conversion occurs. If the ammonia does not react with water, it will remain as a gas that could escape from the soil. Also, equilibrium between NH3&nbsp;and NH4+&nbsp;is affected by soil&nbsp;pH.&nbsp;More NH3&nbsp;will remain unconverted in the soil longer at higher application rates and at higher soil pH levels.Physical&nbsp;- Dry soils may be cloddy, with large air spaces where the soil has cracked. This can allow the gas to physically escape into the air before it has a chance to be converted into ammonium. Getting the soil sealed properly above the injection slot can also be a problem in dry soils. Loss of the ammonium gas can begin immediately&nbsp;after application continuing for several days to weeks if there is no moisture. N losses can be greater than 50%.Application depth&nbsp;- The deeper the ammonia is applied, the more likely the ammonia will have moisture to react with, and the easier the sealing.So, can anhydrous ammonia be applied to dry soils?The answer is&nbsp;yes&nbsp;- as long as the ammonia is applied deep enough to get it in some moisture and the soil is well sealed above the injection slot. If the soil is dry and cloddy, there may be considerable losses of ammonia within just a few days of application if the soil is not well sealed above the injection slot and/or the injection point is too shallow.Producers should be able to tell if anhydrous is escaping from the soil during application or if the ammonia isn’t being applied deeply enough. If ammonia can be smelled, the producer should either change the equipment setup to get better sealing or deeper injection, or wait until the soil has better moisture conditions.In short, producers can minimize this potential loss problem by applying the anhydrous ammonia at the proper depth (at least 6 to 8 inches in 30 to&nbsp;40 inch&nbsp;spacings), and using covering disks behind the knives or sealing wings ("beaver tails") on the knives.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Can dry soils affect anhydrous applications?

Hi! My name is Monique Koerner. &nbsp;I’m the new Family and Community Wellness Extension Agent&nbsp;in the Cottonwood Extension District. I’m passionate about the community of Hays and the families and children that live here!

Hays&nbsp;is my hometown, and&nbsp;I&nbsp;graduated&nbsp;from Hays High School and Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;Most&nbsp;recently, I&nbsp;graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2019 with a Master's in Professional Studies with an emphasis in Public Health Administration. Before being hired as an Extension agent,&nbsp;I worked for Early Childhood Connections. I was a home visitor for Early Head Start and Parents as Teachers.&nbsp;

My family consists of my husband, Lance, five children ranging in age from 25-15, and two dogs — a long-haired Chihuahua named Bella,&nbsp;and a yellow lab named&nbsp;Phiobe — round out the family.

Advocating&nbsp;for and supporting&nbsp;families who breastfeed&nbsp;is&nbsp;also&nbsp;a passion of mine. &nbsp;I have been a La Leche League Leader for almost 23 years and an International&nbsp;Board Certified&nbsp;Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for 11 years. &nbsp;

I’m excited to begin my new position with K-State. I plan on being at the Backpack for Kids event on Aug. 4,&nbsp;at&nbsp;the&nbsp;Presbyterian Church from 7am-6pm, Go Truck Go on Sept. 22,&nbsp;at Early Childhood Connections&nbsp;5-7pm,&nbsp;and&nbsp;have&nbsp;<a></a>started&nbsp;planning the annual Family Dinner&nbsp;Night&nbsp;make and take pizza event the last Monday&nbsp;in&nbsp;September. Please come out and say “hi”! I look forward to seeing old friends and acquaintances as well as making new ones.

If you ever need anything, you can find me at our office located at 601 Main St. I can also be contacted at 785-628-9430 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:moniquek@ksu.edu">moniquek@ksu.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658934620122.png" alt="Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. " />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. </figcaption>
 </figure>Hi! My name is Monique Koerner. &nbsp;I’m the new Family and Community Wellness Extension Agent&nbsp;in the Cottonwood Extension District. I’m passionate about the community of Hays and the families and children that live here!Hays&nbsp;is my hometown, and&nbsp;I&nbsp;graduated&nbsp;from Hays High School and Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;Most&nbsp;recently, I&nbsp;graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2019 with a Master's in Professional Studies with an emphasis in Public Health Administration. Before being hired as an Extension agent,&nbsp;I worked for Early Childhood Connections. I was a home visitor for Early Head Start and Parents as Teachers.&nbsp;My family consists of my husband, Lance, five children ranging in age from 25-15, and two dogs — a long-haired Chihuahua named Bella,&nbsp;and a yellow lab named&nbsp;Phiobe — round out the family.Advocating&nbsp;for and supporting&nbsp;families who breastfeed&nbsp;is&nbsp;also&nbsp;a passion of mine. &nbsp;I have been a La Leche League Leader for almost 23 years and an International&nbsp;Board Certified&nbsp;Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for 11 years. &nbsp;I’m excited to begin my new position with K-State. I plan on being at the Backpack for Kids event on Aug. 4,&nbsp;at&nbsp;the&nbsp;Presbyterian Church from 7am-6pm, Go Truck Go on Sept. 22,&nbsp;at Early Childhood Connections&nbsp;5-7pm,&nbsp;and&nbsp;have&nbsp;<a></a>started&nbsp;planning the annual Family Dinner&nbsp;Night&nbsp;make and take pizza event the last Monday&nbsp;in&nbsp;September. Please come out and say “hi”! I look forward to seeing old friends and acquaintances as well as making new ones.If you ever need anything, you can find me at our office located at 601 Main St. I can also be contacted at 785-628-9430 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:moniquek@ksu.edu">moniquek@ksu.edu</a>.

Extension welcomes new family, community wellness agent

August signals the beginning of another school year. Kids of all ages will be learning new skills in the classroom.&nbsp;My hope is that you will find something that you want to learn more about andsign up for a class or two. I have loved my years in Extension because it has encouraged me to be a life-long learner. When I prepare to teach others in a workshop setting,&nbsp;I always find that&nbsp;the time&nbsp;I spend&nbsp;researching the subject&nbsp;teaches me as much as the&nbsp;participants.

Our August Cottonwood Connection e-newsletter will be posted soon on our Cottonwood website. I hope you will take a few minutes and see what opportunities are offered during the month ahead in the Cottonwood District.&nbsp;Agriculture, 4-H and youth development and Family and Consumer Science programming is making a difference in the lives of our families.

Consider signing up for the fermentation workshop I am offering in Great Bend on August 29th.&nbsp;Participants will learn how to make Kimchi which is a tasty Korean condiment. There is a registration fee of $25 that covers the ingredients and equipment needed to ferment a quart of Kimchi.&nbsp;

It is also time to think about registering for the Stay Strong Stay Healthy workshop that begins in September.&nbsp;I will be leading this popular workshop which focuses on improving strength, flexibility, and balance. A $20 registration fee will hold a spot for you and class size is limited. Classes run from September 29th&nbsp;through November 29th, from 10 – 11 AM at the Great Bend Activity Center.&nbsp;

Before I close&nbsp;today,&nbsp;I want to&nbsp;extend&nbsp;a warm welcome&nbsp;to&nbsp;our newest team member, Monique Koerner. Monique is bringing her professional experience to the Cottonwood District as the Family and Community Wellness agent&nbsp;in the Hays office.

Early in August the Cottonwood District Horticulture position will open for applicants and later in the fall the 4-H and youth development position in the Hays office will be filled. Watch for these announcements in the weeks ahead and encourage people you may know&nbsp;who have the qualifications&nbsp;to apply.&nbsp;

Exciting times lie ahead&nbsp;in the Cottonwood District. I hope you will be&nbsp;part of the life-long learning that is happening!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>August signals the beginning of another school year. Kids of all ages will be learning new skills in the classroom.&nbsp;My hope is that you will find something that you want to learn more about andsign up for a class or two. I have loved my years in Extension because it has encouraged me to be a life-long learner. When I prepare to teach others in a workshop setting,&nbsp;I always find that&nbsp;the time&nbsp;I spend&nbsp;researching the subject&nbsp;teaches me as much as the&nbsp;participants.Our August Cottonwood Connection e-newsletter will be posted soon on our Cottonwood website. I hope you will take a few minutes and see what opportunities are offered during the month ahead in the Cottonwood District.&nbsp;Agriculture, 4-H and youth development and Family and Consumer Science programming is making a difference in the lives of our families.Consider signing up for the fermentation workshop I am offering in Great Bend on August 29th.&nbsp;Participants will learn how to make Kimchi which is a tasty Korean condiment. There is a registration fee of $25 that covers the ingredients and equipment needed to ferment a quart of Kimchi.&nbsp;It is also time to think about registering for the Stay Strong Stay Healthy workshop that begins in September.&nbsp;I will be leading this popular workshop which focuses on improving strength, flexibility, and balance. A $20 registration fee will hold a spot for you and class size is limited. Classes run from September 29th&nbsp;through November 29th, from 10 – 11 AM at the Great Bend Activity Center.&nbsp;Before I close&nbsp;today,&nbsp;I want to&nbsp;extend&nbsp;a warm welcome&nbsp;to&nbsp;our newest team member, Monique Koerner. Monique is bringing her professional experience to the Cottonwood District as the Family and Community Wellness agent&nbsp;in the Hays office.Early in August the Cottonwood District Horticulture position will open for applicants and later in the fall the 4-H and youth development position in the Hays office will be filled. Watch for these announcements in the weeks ahead and encourage people you may know&nbsp;who have the qualifications&nbsp;to apply.&nbsp;Exciting times lie ahead&nbsp;in the Cottonwood District. I hope you will be&nbsp;part of the life-long learning that is happening!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District – Great Bend office. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>

KRUG: Are you a lifelong learner?

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Cottonwood Extension District agent Stacy Campbell shares updates from the district.&nbsp;

<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Extension district wheat test plot results released" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=yxim2-128592d-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Cottonwood Extension District agent Stacy Campbell shares updates from the district.&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a>

🎙Post Podcast: Extension district wheat test plot results released

As we prepared for the fair, I had the opportunity to work with both 4-H and Open Class superintendents to review Youth Program Quality Principles&nbsp;from the Kansas 4-H Club Corner. There are eight critical principles for youth program quality as defined by 4-H. I do believe that these apply to any youth program!

1)Physical and psychological safety – Youth need to feel safe in 4-H programs and be able to interact positively with others.Volunteers for Kansas 4-H go through background checks and have access to trainings to provide an appropriate environment for youth to develop.

2)Appropriate structure – Whether it is a club meeting or leadership camp, 4-H programs must have clear and consistent rules and expectations, with clear boundaries and age-appropriate monitoring.

3)Supportive relationships – All youth need to feel warmth from and closeness to others in 4-H. Youth need to feel others care about and support them. They also need to receive clear guidance and communication from 4-H volunteers and staff.

4)Opportunities to belong – All youth need to feel included in a meaningful way in 4-H, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or ability. Youth have opportunities to share their culture and heritage with others and to forge a positive identity.For myself, at the end of the day, did I help a youth feel valued and that they have a support system?

5)Positive social norms – Youth should experience clear rules and expectations for participating in 4-H, including the values, morals, and ethical expectations of being a 4-H member.Opportunities bring responsibility and that is a life skill which includes abiding by deadlines and a Code of Conduct for appropriate behavior, especially when you are representing your family, club, county, and state at events.

6)Support for efficacy and mattering – Youth in 4-H should be taken seriously and respected for their ideas and contributions. Youth should be given opportunities to develop responsibility and be challenged to set and achieve new goals.Representing their club at 4-H Council, serving in Junior Leaders, and being selected to a 4-H Ambassador role, and serving as club officers are all great examples of providing opportunities for developing responsibility. Each new 4-H year brings the opportunity to set new project goals for learning. These are all important life skills!

7)Opportunities for skill building – Youth need to develop physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional, and social skills as they grow and develop. 4-H provides opportunities for youth to develop these skills, skills that support a young person into adulthood and the workplace.One of the hallmarks of 4-H is the nearly forty project areas offered to learn about everything from Arts and Crafts to Woodworking. While youth explore the specific project material, they are also learning communication skills, responsibility, time management, and a sense of belonging.

8)Integration of family, school, and community – Youth in 4-H do best when there is a connection to their 4-H experience with their family, school, and community. This is why 4-H programs begin at the local level, in the community where youth can practice their emerging leadership skills as they grow and develop. As a teacher, do you have a 4-H member in your class? Invite them to share about a project! Are you part of a civic organization that would like to know more about what 4-H members are learning? Reach out to them and ask them to present! Your engagement and support help to enrich their 4-H experience and learning opportunities.

If you want to have an active part in developing the next generation of community leaders, business owners, and work&nbsp;force&nbsp;– consider volunteering with a youth organization! If often means checking your own attitude and agenda at the door but the results are incredible!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579114162620.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>As we prepared for the fair, I had the opportunity to work with both 4-H and Open Class superintendents to review Youth Program Quality Principles&nbsp;from the Kansas 4-H Club Corner. There are eight critical principles for youth program quality as defined by 4-H. I do believe that these apply to any youth program!1)Physical and psychological safety – Youth need to feel safe in 4-H programs and be able to interact positively with others.Volunteers for Kansas 4-H go through background checks and have access to trainings to provide an appropriate environment for youth to develop.2)Appropriate structure – Whether it is a club meeting or leadership camp, 4-H programs must have clear and consistent rules and expectations, with clear boundaries and age-appropriate monitoring.3)Supportive relationships – All youth need to feel warmth from and closeness to others in 4-H. Youth need to feel others care about and support them. They also need to receive clear guidance and communication from 4-H volunteers and staff.4)Opportunities to belong – All youth need to feel included in a meaningful way in 4-H, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or ability. Youth have opportunities to share their culture and heritage with others and to forge a positive identity.For myself, at the end of the day, did I help a youth feel valued and that they have a support system?5)Positive social norms – Youth should experience clear rules and expectations for participating in 4-H, including the values, morals, and ethical expectations of being a 4-H member.Opportunities bring responsibility and that is a life skill which includes abiding by deadlines and a Code of Conduct for appropriate behavior, especially when you are representing your family, club, county, and state at events.6)Support for efficacy and mattering – Youth in 4-H should be taken seriously and respected for their ideas and contributions. Youth should be given opportunities to develop responsibility and be challenged to set and achieve new goals.Representing their club at 4-H Council, serving in Junior Leaders, and being selected to a 4-H Ambassador role, and serving as club officers are all great examples of providing opportunities for developing responsibility. Each new 4-H year brings the opportunity to set new project goals for learning. These are all important life skills!7)Opportunities for skill building – Youth need to develop physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional, and social skills as they grow and develop. 4-H provides opportunities for youth to develop these skills, skills that support a young person into adulthood and the workplace.One of the hallmarks of 4-H is the nearly forty project areas offered to learn about everything from Arts and Crafts to Woodworking. While youth explore the specific project material, they are also learning communication skills, responsibility, time management, and a sense of belonging.8)Integration of family, school, and community – Youth in 4-H do best when there is a connection to their 4-H experience with their family, school, and community. This is why 4-H programs begin at the local level, in the community where youth can practice their emerging leadership skills as they grow and develop. As a teacher, do you have a 4-H member in your class? Invite them to share about a project! Are you part of a civic organization that would like to know more about what 4-H members are learning? Reach out to them and ask them to present! Your engagement and support help to enrich their 4-H experience and learning opportunities.If you want to have an active part in developing the next generation of community leaders, business owners, and work&nbsp;force&nbsp;– consider volunteering with a youth organization! If often means checking your own attitude and agenda at the door but the results are incredible!Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H and Youth Development related questions, email Michelle at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mberan@ksu.edu">mberan@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or call 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Youth development

I guess you could say “The Heat is on!” &nbsp;But after all it is July and&nbsp;County Fairs&nbsp;are in&nbsp;full swing, so what else could we expect? &nbsp;During&nbsp;this hot stretch it is a good idea to check on elderly family&nbsp;members&nbsp;or neighbors who may have&nbsp;other&nbsp;health issues&nbsp;besides dealing with the heat.&nbsp;

As we&nbsp;look ahead to a forecast of&nbsp;triple digit&nbsp;temperatures&nbsp;it seems like the perfect time to remind everyone about the importance of staying hydrated.&nbsp;A good rule of thumb for the amount of water you&nbsp;need is to divide your body weight by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you should be drinking under normal circumstances&nbsp;and more is needed as summer temperatures and humidity rise.&nbsp;So for an example, a 150-pound individual should&nbsp;have at least 75 ounces, but more during this heat wave.&nbsp;Sometimes we forget that 55-75 percent of our body’s weight is water; the brain is 70 percent water; blood is 82 percent water, and the lungs are nearly 90 percent water. Water is also responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells; cushions organs, tissue, bones and joints; removes&nbsp;waste; and regulates body temperature.

Exposure to the sun or getting sunburned&nbsp;will speed fluid loss, and so will drinking beverages containing caffeine or alcohol, which both act as diuretics. Fluid replacement is essential, but it is best to not wait until you are thirsty. Excessive water loss or dehydration can impair body function and lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke and can be life threatening.&nbsp;It is a&nbsp;good idea to become familiar with the signs of heat exhaustion. They include: dizziness, weakness, feeling thirsty, uncoordinated or nauseated. Most people sweat a lot during heat exhaustion. The signs of a heat stroke are different. They include: a body temperature of 104 or above, confusion, staggering, possible fainting, either a rapid pulse or&nbsp;a slow weak pulse, and not sweating, despite the heat. It is important to get medical help right away if you suspect&nbsp;a heat stroke.

Cool water is recommended for&nbsp;the majority of fluid replacement because it is easily absorbed. Many foods&nbsp;also&nbsp;have a high&nbsp;water content and should be included in a healthy summer diet. Melons and most other fruits, along with tomatoes, vegetables, soups, smoothies, puddings and gelatin salads should not be overlooked. Sports beverages may be helpful for athletes who are exercising more than one hour and are in need of electrolytes and quick energy, but consider diluting&nbsp;them with water in order to reduce&nbsp;sugar consumption.&nbsp;

The bottom&nbsp;line on staying hydrated is to drink fluids before you become thirsty. As we age our ability&nbsp;to sense thirst declines, leaving older people unable to rely on their thirst to prompt them to drink enough fluids. Infants and small children also need to be monitored closely to assure that dehydration does not occur. Little ones lose more fluids because they have a greater proportion of skin surface in relation to their size. Offer water frequently, each time a child passes through the kitchen and before, during&nbsp;and after play.

Let’s hope that the heat breaks soon before the&nbsp;2022&nbsp;summer goes into the record books!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. " />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. </figcaption>
 </figure>I guess you could say “The Heat is on!” &nbsp;But after all it is July and&nbsp;County Fairs&nbsp;are in&nbsp;full swing, so what else could we expect? &nbsp;During&nbsp;this hot stretch it is a good idea to check on elderly family&nbsp;members&nbsp;or neighbors who may have&nbsp;other&nbsp;health issues&nbsp;besides dealing with the heat.&nbsp;As we&nbsp;look ahead to a forecast of&nbsp;triple digit&nbsp;temperatures&nbsp;it seems like the perfect time to remind everyone about the importance of staying hydrated.&nbsp;A good rule of thumb for the amount of water you&nbsp;need is to divide your body weight by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you should be drinking under normal circumstances&nbsp;and more is needed as summer temperatures and humidity rise.&nbsp;So for an example, a 150-pound individual should&nbsp;have at least 75 ounces, but more during this heat wave.&nbsp;Sometimes we forget that 55-75 percent of our body’s weight is water; the brain is 70 percent water; blood is 82 percent water, and the lungs are nearly 90 percent water. Water is also responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells; cushions organs, tissue, bones and joints; removes&nbsp;waste; and regulates body temperature.Exposure to the sun or getting sunburned&nbsp;will speed fluid loss, and so will drinking beverages containing caffeine or alcohol, which both act as diuretics. Fluid replacement is essential, but it is best to not wait until you are thirsty. Excessive water loss or dehydration can impair body function and lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke and can be life threatening.&nbsp;It is a&nbsp;good idea to become familiar with the signs of heat exhaustion. They include: dizziness, weakness, feeling thirsty, uncoordinated or nauseated. Most people sweat a lot during heat exhaustion. The signs of a heat stroke are different. They include: a body temperature of 104 or above, confusion, staggering, possible fainting, either a rapid pulse or&nbsp;a slow weak pulse, and not sweating, despite the heat. It is important to get medical help right away if you suspect&nbsp;a heat stroke.Cool water is recommended for&nbsp;the majority of fluid replacement because it is easily absorbed. Many foods&nbsp;also&nbsp;have a high&nbsp;water content and should be included in a healthy summer diet. Melons and most other fruits, along with tomatoes, vegetables, soups, smoothies, puddings and gelatin salads should not be overlooked. Sports beverages may be helpful for athletes who are exercising more than one hour and are in need of electrolytes and quick energy, but consider diluting&nbsp;them with water in order to reduce&nbsp;sugar consumption.&nbsp;The bottom&nbsp;line on staying hydrated is to drink fluids before you become thirsty. As we age our ability&nbsp;to sense thirst declines, leaving older people unable to rely on their thirst to prompt them to drink enough fluids. Infants and small children also need to be monitored closely to assure that dehydration does not occur. Little ones lose more fluids because they have a greater proportion of skin surface in relation to their size. Offer water frequently, each time a child passes through the kitchen and before, during&nbsp;and after play.Let’s hope that the heat breaks soon before the&nbsp;2022&nbsp;summer goes into the record books!Donna Krug is the&nbsp;District Director and&nbsp;Family&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Consumer Science Agent with&nbsp;K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;–&nbsp;Cottonwood District. She may be reached at (620)793-1910 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

KRUG: Fluids important to manage heat, humidity safely

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District&nbsp;

Farmers are&nbsp;preparing&nbsp;for planting their next wheat crop this coming Fall. And some of you may be considering choosing a new variety to plant. If so KSRE has several resources available to help you&nbsp;out.&nbsp;

You can go to our Cottonwood Extension District web site at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu/">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;that’s cottonwood.ksu.edu&nbsp;click onto the Crops and Livestock tab and then look under Hot Topics for the Barton and&nbsp;Ellis&nbsp;County&nbsp;wheat demonstration plot results as a starting place.&nbsp;The Barton&nbsp;County&nbsp;results are not posted yet, because I do not have the results&nbsp;back&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;K-State Extension&nbsp;Agronomy/Wheat team&nbsp;who put the test in and harvested it.&nbsp;However, I would not base my decisions on the results of&nbsp;un-replicated Count&nbsp;agent&nbsp;demonstration plots.&nbsp;They are&nbsp;used more as a platform to hold a field day each year and discuss the varieties strengths and weaknesses.&nbsp;

Instead,&nbsp;I would highly encourage growers to make your variety selection decisions based&nbsp;more&nbsp;on K-State Agricultural&nbsp;Research Centers&nbsp;replicated wheat performance tests, and&nbsp;any&nbsp;companies replicated tests as well.&nbsp;

These results from the Agricultural&nbsp;Research Centers&nbsp;can also be found on our web site, under Hot Topics&nbsp;section.&nbsp;Another resource under Hot Topics is the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Wheat Variety&nbsp;Guide 2022. It has been renamed, it was formerly called the Wheat Variety Disease &amp; Insect Ratings.&nbsp;&nbsp;And lastly Colorado State University has a wheat variety database that provides complete access to variety trial&nbsp;results&nbsp;in Colorado and several other Great Plains states&nbsp;including Kansas. The database also includes private company trial data. You can look at single location trial data, multiple location trial data&nbsp;and do Head-to-Head Comparisons&nbsp;of varieties. The link to the Colorado&nbsp;Wheat Variety Decision tool is also under the Hot Topics section on our web site.&nbsp;

So,&nbsp;farmers&nbsp;to find all of those useful decision&nbsp;aid tools in helping you to choose a possible new wheat variety to plant this Fall. Go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu/">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or simply type into your internet browser, Cottonwood Extension,&nbsp;then click onto the Crops and Livestock tab and look under Hot Topics.&nbsp;

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District&nbsp;Farmers are&nbsp;preparing&nbsp;for planting their next wheat crop this coming Fall. And some of you may be considering choosing a new variety to plant. If so KSRE has several resources available to help you&nbsp;out.&nbsp;You can go to our Cottonwood Extension District web site at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu/">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;that’s cottonwood.ksu.edu&nbsp;click onto the Crops and Livestock tab and then look under Hot Topics for the Barton and&nbsp;Ellis&nbsp;County&nbsp;wheat demonstration plot results as a starting place.&nbsp;The Barton&nbsp;County&nbsp;results are not posted yet, because I do not have the results&nbsp;back&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;K-State Extension&nbsp;Agronomy/Wheat team&nbsp;who put the test in and harvested it.&nbsp;However, I would not base my decisions on the results of&nbsp;un-replicated Count&nbsp;agent&nbsp;demonstration plots.&nbsp;They are&nbsp;used more as a platform to hold a field day each year and discuss the varieties strengths and weaknesses.&nbsp;Instead,&nbsp;I would highly encourage growers to make your variety selection decisions based&nbsp;more&nbsp;on K-State Agricultural&nbsp;Research Centers&nbsp;replicated wheat performance tests, and&nbsp;any&nbsp;companies replicated tests as well.&nbsp;These results from the Agricultural&nbsp;Research Centers&nbsp;can also be found on our web site, under Hot Topics&nbsp;section.&nbsp;Another resource under Hot Topics is the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Wheat Variety&nbsp;Guide 2022. It has been renamed, it was formerly called the Wheat Variety Disease &amp; Insect Ratings.&nbsp;&nbsp;And lastly Colorado State University has a wheat variety database that provides complete access to variety trial&nbsp;results&nbsp;in Colorado and several other Great Plains states&nbsp;including Kansas. The database also includes private company trial data. You can look at single location trial data, multiple location trial data&nbsp;and do Head-to-Head Comparisons&nbsp;of varieties. The link to the Colorado&nbsp;Wheat Variety Decision tool is also under the Hot Topics section on our web site.&nbsp;So,&nbsp;farmers&nbsp;to find all of those useful decision&nbsp;aid tools in helping you to choose a possible new wheat variety to plant this Fall. Go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu/">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or simply type into your internet browser, Cottonwood Extension,&nbsp;then click onto the Crops and Livestock tab and look under Hot Topics.&nbsp;Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Wheat variety selection resources  

Typically, wheat growers will keep back enough of their wheat seed to plant again, but also they may be looking to replace a variety in an effort to reduce seed borne diseases, and to improve genetics for&nbsp;various factors including but not limited to&nbsp;yield and disease prevention.&nbsp;

Each year many county agents put out wheat variety demonstration plots and conduct field days to view and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of varieties and wheat production issues. Most demonstration plots are also harvested. &nbsp;

To see the full yield results and&nbsp;details of the cultural practices go to our web site at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu/">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;This demonstration wheat plot&nbsp;should not be used&nbsp;solely&nbsp;for making your variety selection decisions, it is more for showing and talking about the varieties each year at the field day. &nbsp;

Instead I would highly encourage growers to make your variety selection decisions based on the K-State Agricultural Experiment Stations replicated wheat performance tests. They are randomized replicated trials,&nbsp;meaning each variety is randomly planted in 4 different spots in the field, all seed is either foundation or registered. Replicated field trials will account for or smooth out the variability within a field, and thus are more accurate. These results from the&nbsp;K-State&nbsp;Agricultural Experiment Stations can also be found on our web site. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657739999131.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictTypically, wheat growers will keep back enough of their wheat seed to plant again, but also they may be looking to replace a variety in an effort to reduce seed borne diseases, and to improve genetics for&nbsp;various factors including but not limited to&nbsp;yield and disease prevention.&nbsp;Each year many county agents put out wheat variety demonstration plots and conduct field days to view and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of varieties and wheat production issues. Most demonstration plots are also harvested. &nbsp;To see the full yield results and&nbsp;details of the cultural practices go to our web site at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu/">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;This demonstration wheat plot&nbsp;should not be used&nbsp;solely&nbsp;for making your variety selection decisions, it is more for showing and talking about the varieties each year at the field day. &nbsp;Instead I would highly encourage growers to make your variety selection decisions based on the K-State Agricultural Experiment Stations replicated wheat performance tests. They are randomized replicated trials,&nbsp;meaning each variety is randomly planted in 4 different spots in the field, all seed is either foundation or registered. Replicated field trials will account for or smooth out the variability within a field, and thus are more accurate. These results from the&nbsp;K-State&nbsp;Agricultural Experiment Stations can also be found on our web site. &nbsp;Yield should not be the only consideration in your selection, and multiple years of data should be considered.&nbsp;Some other important considerations are stripe &amp; leaf rust resistance, drought tolerance, winter hardiness, straw strength, shattering reputation, maturity and test weight. Each grower may differ some in what is most important to them and may add other considerations not mentioned. &nbsp;A good resource is “Wheat Variety Disease and Insect Ratings– MF991” publication that is updated yearly,&nbsp;it will be&nbsp;posted on our web site as well, click onto Crops and Livestock, and look under Hot Topics.&nbsp;Many thanks to&nbsp;Neil Gottschalk &amp; Brandon Riedel for putting out the wheat demonstration plot. And to the&nbsp;following businesses for sponsoring the field day meal – Bank of Hays,&nbsp;Bieker Insurance&nbsp;Agency,&nbsp;Carrico&nbsp;Implement, Commerce Bank, Emprise Bank,&nbsp;Farm Bureau Financial Services, Danny Dinkel, First Kansas Bank,&nbsp;Golden Belt Bank, Golden Belt Coop, Gorham State Bank, High Plains Farm Credit,&nbsp;Kippes&nbsp;Insurance Agency,&nbsp;LDI, Midland Marketing,&nbsp;Nutrien&nbsp;Ag Solutions, Radke Implement,&nbsp;Sunflower Bank, United Ag and A &amp; A Coors. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657740018752.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>