By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission approved an agreement for replacing a bridge over the Saline River on 125th Avenue during its meeting on Tuesday.

The design agreement is with Penco Engineering for a county bridge about 12 miles north and half a mile east of the city of Ellis.

The project is funded through a program that awarded the county’s Public Works Department about $4.36 million for construction and inspection. The grant also includes plans for replacing another bridge on Saline River Road and one on County Line Road.

The financial impact to the county is $110,000 for design and preliminary engineering.

The commission approved an agreement granting AMP Rentals access to a county-owned water well in the northern part of the county, allowing for the well's use until a rural water meter is obtained from the Trego County Rural Water District.

Darin Myers, county administrator, emphasized the agreement does not tap into Trego County rural water and will give Adam Pray, with Platinum Builders, temporary access for an undetermined amount of time.

Commissioner Neal Younger asked for clarification on the duration of AMP Rentals' access. Pray said it could be years, but usage will be less than that of an average household.&nbsp;

"It should be a minimal amount of water," Pray said.

Pray is number 31 on the waiting list to get a water meter from the district. The property is on the north side of the land purchased for the new public works facility and yard.

The water will be used for limited business and personal purposes, with all expenses and compliance obligations covered by Pray or the future landowner.

Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling provided the oath of office to re-elected County Treasurer Vern Ruder, officially swearing him in for his next term. Ruder was re-elected in November 2024.

Commissioners approved a request to allow trailer, RV, and boat storage on a property along Toulon Avenue. The permit was recommended for approval by the Ellis County Planning and Zoning Commission.

High Plains Mental Health Executive Director Craig Poe provided an update to the commission on the status of construction of the Crisis Intervention Center project, which remains on schedule.

Ellis County Historical Society Director Amanda Rupp provided an update on the organization’s ongoing projects, including progress on its buildings in Hays and Victoria, and preparations for the 150th anniversary of Volga German settlement in the county.

Monique Koerner and Karissa Frasier with the Cottonwood Extension District also updated the commission on recent and upcoming health and wellness programs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684183971486.png" alt="Ellis County" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Ellis County Commission approved an agreement for replacing a bridge over the Saline River on 125th Avenue during its meeting on Tuesday.The design agreement is with Penco Engineering for a county bridge about 12 miles north and half a mile east of the city of Ellis.The project is funded through a program that awarded the county’s Public Works Department about $4.36 million for construction and inspection. The grant also includes plans for replacing another bridge on Saline River Road and one on County Line Road.The financial impact to the county is $110,000 for design and preliminary engineering.<h2>Water well agreement</h2>The commission approved an agreement granting AMP Rentals access to a county-owned water well in the northern part of the county, allowing for the well's use until a rural water meter is obtained from the Trego County Rural Water District.Darin Myers, county administrator, emphasized the agreement does not tap into Trego County rural water and will give Adam Pray, with Platinum Builders, temporary access for an undetermined amount of time.Commissioner Neal Younger asked for clarification on the duration of AMP Rentals' access. Pray said it could be years, but usage will be less than that of an average household.&nbsp;"It should be a minimal amount of water," Pray said.Pray is number 31 on the waiting list to get a water meter from the district. The property is on the north side of the land purchased for the new public works facility and yard.The water will be used for limited business and personal purposes, with all expenses and compliance obligations covered by Pray or the future landowner.<h2>Other business</h2>Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling provided the oath of office to re-elected County Treasurer Vern Ruder, officially swearing him in for his next term. Ruder was re-elected in November 2024.Commissioners approved a request to allow trailer, RV, and boat storage on a property along Toulon Avenue. The permit was recommended for approval by the Ellis County Planning and Zoning Commission.High Plains Mental Health Executive Director Craig Poe provided an update to the commission on the status of construction of the Crisis Intervention Center project, which remains on schedule.Ellis County Historical Society Director Amanda Rupp provided an update on the organization’s ongoing projects, including progress on its buildings in Hays and Victoria, and preparations for the 150th anniversary of Volga German settlement in the county.Monique Koerner and Karissa Frasier with the Cottonwood Extension District also updated the commission on recent and upcoming health and wellness programs.

Ellis County Commission approves bridge replacement agreement

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

What’s not to like about walking? It’s free. It’s easy to do, and it’s not just easy on joints but it also keeps them lubricated and flexible.

 There’s no question that walking is good for you. A University of Tennessee study found that women who walked had less body fat than those who didn’t walk. It also lowers the risk of blood clots, since the calf acts as a venous pump, contracting and pumping blood from the feet and legs back to the heart, reducing the load on the heart. In addition to being aerobic exercise, walking is good for you in many other ways.

1. Improve Circulation - Walking wards off heart disease, brings up the heart rate, lowers blood pressure and strengthens the heart. Post-menopausal women who walk just one to two miles a day can lower their blood pressure by nearly 11 points in 24 weeks. Women who walk 30 minutes a day can reduce their risk of stroke by 20%, and by 40% when they stepped up the pace, according to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.

2. Shore Up Your Bones - Walking can stop the loss of bone mass for those with osteoporosis, according to Michael A. Schwartz, MD, of Plancher Orthopedics &amp; Sports Medicine in New York. In fact, one study of post-menopausal women found that 30 minutes of walking each day reduced their risk of hip fractures by 40%.

3. Enjoy a Longer Life&nbsp;- Research finds that people who exercise regularly in their fifties and sixties are 35% less likely to die over the next eight years than their non-walking counterparts. That number shoots up to 45% less likely for those who have underlying health conditions.

4. Lighten Your Mood -&nbsp;Walking releases natural painkilling endorphins to the body – one of the emotional benefits of exercise. A California State University, Long Beach, study showed that the more steps people took during the day, the better their moods were.

5. Lose Weight - A brisk 30-minute walk burns 200 calories. Over time, calories burned can lead to pounds dropped.

6. Strengthen Muscles&nbsp;- Walking tones your leg and abdominal muscles – and even arm muscles if you pump them as you walk. This increases your range of motion, shifting the pressure and weight from your joints to your muscles.

7. Improve Sleep -&nbsp;Studies found that women ages 50 to 75 who took one-hour morning walks were more likely to have less insomnia than women who didn’t walk.

8. Support Your Joints -The majority of joint cartilage has no direct blood supply. It gets its nutrition from joint fluid that circulates as we move. Movement and compression from walking “squishes” the cartilage, bringing oxygen and nutrients into the area.

9. Improve Your Breath - When you are walking, your breathing rate increases, causing oxygen to travel faster through bloodstream, helping to eliminate waste products and improve your energy level and the ability to heal.

10. Slow Down Mental Decline - A study of 6,000 women ages 65 and older found that age-related memory decline was lower in those who walked more. According to the University of California, San Francisco, study, women walking 2.5 miles per day had a 17% decline in memory compared to a 25% decline in women who walked less than a half-mile per week.

11. Lower Alzheimer's Risk&nbsp;- A study from the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville found that men between the ages of 71 and 93 who walked more than a quarter of a mile per day had half the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease than those who walked less.

12. Do More for Longer - Aerobic walking and resistance exercise programs may reduce the incidence of disability in the activities of daily living for people who are older than 65 and have symptomatic osteoarthritis, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management found.

I’m going to add another benefit that I have found over the years. 

Sometimes we think we are too tired to take a walk, but guess what? Our bodies usually reward us in a positive way by giving us more energy if we just get up and move our bodies. In our exercise classes we always comment on how much better we feel after we move our bodies. It’s so true. I hope that is motivation for you to get up move your body today. Try it!

Source: Arthritis Foundation

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758636212424.png" alt="Photo by Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictWhat’s not to like about walking? It’s free. It’s easy to do, and it’s not just easy on joints but it also keeps them lubricated and flexible. There’s no question that walking is good for you. A University of Tennessee study found that women who walked had less body fat than those who didn’t walk. It also lowers the risk of blood clots, since the calf acts as a venous pump, contracting and pumping blood from the feet and legs back to the heart, reducing the load on the heart. In addition to being aerobic exercise, walking is good for you in many other ways.1. Improve Circulation - Walking wards off heart disease, brings up the heart rate, lowers blood pressure and strengthens the heart. Post-menopausal women who walk just one to two miles a day can lower their blood pressure by nearly 11 points in 24 weeks. Women who walk 30 minutes a day can reduce their risk of stroke by 20%, and by 40% when they stepped up the pace, according to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.2. Shore Up Your Bones - Walking can stop the loss of bone mass for those with osteoporosis, according to Michael A. Schwartz, MD, of Plancher Orthopedics &amp; Sports Medicine in New York. In fact, one study of post-menopausal women found that 30 minutes of walking each day reduced their risk of hip fractures by 40%.3. Enjoy a Longer Life&nbsp;- Research finds that people who exercise regularly in their fifties and sixties are 35% less likely to die over the next eight years than their non-walking counterparts. That number shoots up to 45% less likely for those who have underlying health conditions.4. Lighten Your Mood -&nbsp;Walking releases natural painkilling endorphins to the body – one of the emotional benefits of exercise. A California State University, Long Beach, study showed that the more steps people took during the day, the better their moods were.5. Lose Weight - A brisk 30-minute walk burns 200 calories. Over time, calories burned can lead to pounds dropped.6. Strengthen Muscles&nbsp;- Walking tones your leg and abdominal muscles – and even arm muscles if you pump them as you walk. This increases your range of motion, shifting the pressure and weight from your joints to your muscles.7. Improve Sleep -&nbsp;Studies found that women ages 50 to 75 who took one-hour morning walks were more likely to have less insomnia than women who didn’t walk.8. Support Your Joints -The majority of joint cartilage has no direct blood supply. It gets its nutrition from joint fluid that circulates as we move. Movement and compression from walking “squishes” the cartilage, bringing oxygen and nutrients into the area.9. Improve Your Breath - When you are walking, your breathing rate increases, causing oxygen to travel faster through bloodstream, helping to eliminate waste products and improve your energy level and the ability to heal.10. Slow Down Mental Decline - A study of 6,000 women ages 65 and older found that age-related memory decline was lower in those who walked more. According to the University of California, San Francisco, study, women walking 2.5 miles per day had a 17% decline in memory compared to a 25% decline in women who walked less than a half-mile per week.11. Lower Alzheimer's Risk&nbsp;- A study from the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville found that men between the ages of 71 and 93 who walked more than a quarter of a mile per day had half the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease than those who walked less.12. Do More for Longer - Aerobic walking and resistance exercise programs may reduce the incidence of disability in the activities of daily living for people who are older than 65 and have symptomatic osteoarthritis, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management found.I’m going to add another benefit that I have found over the years. Sometimes we think we are too tired to take a walk, but guess what? Our bodies usually reward us in a positive way by giving us more energy if we just get up and move our bodies. In our exercise classes we always comment on how much better we feel after we move our bodies. It’s so true. I hope that is motivation for you to get up move your body today. Try it!Source: Arthritis FoundationMonique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

KOERNER: 12 benefits of walking

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Monique Koerner and Karissa Frasier of the Cottonwood Extension District about the health benefits of walking, eating a Mediterranean diet, and free help available during the Part D Open Enrollment period.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650389030295.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Programs for your health, financial wellness from Cottonwood Extension District" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=3n7t5-1989f5a-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Monique Koerner and Karissa Frasier of the Cottonwood Extension District about the health benefits of walking, eating a Mediterranean diet, and free help available during the Part D Open Enrollment period.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 Post Podcast: Programs for your health, financial wellness from Cottonwood Extension District

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Field bindweed, a perennial vine in the morning glory family, infests millions of acres in the Great Plains. This weed significantly reduces crop yield and quality, reduces land value, interferes with harvest by entangling crop plants, and increases production costs associated with control practices. Earlier research in Hays, KS, over the span of 12 years, indicated that dense stands of field bindweed induced 20% to 50% cereal crop yield loss and 50% to 80% row crop yield reduction.

In North America, field bindweed was first reported in Virginia in 1739. It was possibly brought to Kansas in infested wheat seed from the Ukrainian region of Russia between 1870 and 1875. In 1877 and 1888, it was reported near Topeka and Nebraska, respectively.

Growth and development Seeds near the soil surface will germinate throughout the growing season following rainfall. Seedling emergence primarily occurs in the spring, usually in early to mid-April in Kansas, and continues growing until November or until temperatures drop to 20°F or lower; at these temperatures, its growth may be retarded, but the vines do not die.

Seedlings quickly develop a deep taproot and numerous lateral roots about six weeks after emergence. Once lateral roots grow, the plant has a perennial growth habit. Growth ceases during severe drought, but new top growth appears after adequate rainfall. 

May 15 to June 15 is the heaviest bloom period in west-central Kansas, with the seed usually maturing from June 15 to July 15. However, field bindweed can continue to bloom under favorable conditions and produce seed during July and August.

Roots and food reserves Field bindweed stores a large quantity of carbohydrates deep into its root system, which provides energy for below- and above-ground growth. Roots can have a lateral spread of approximately 10 feet in one season and may penetrate 18 to 20 feet. In two or three growing seasons, roots may extend to a diameter of 17 to 18 feet. In areas with average annual precipitations of 30 inches or more, field bindweed roots have been found 30 feet below the surface.

However, on upland soils near Hays, where annual precipitation averages 23 inches, few roots were found below 6 feet. Also, more than 60% of the total weight of roots is reported to be in the top two feet of soil. Buds formed along lateral roots can develop into shoots, which become new plants when they surface.

Dispersal mode Field bindweed spreads by root segments and seeds, both of which can be spread by road maintenance and equipment. Root segments with buds are dispersed by tillage implements and are capable of starting new plants when the soil has adequate moisture.

· Vines, wrapped around tools and those that pass through harvesting equipment, drop field bindweed seeds.

· Seeds are collected with harvested grain and often planted with crop seed.

· Seeds in grain or hay fed to livestock pass through animals undigested and spread with manure.

· Seed is transported by drainage water, birds, animals, machinery, and vehicles.

Management Because field bindweed has long seed viability and tremendous food reserves stored in roots, a long-term management program is required for its successful control. A single application of an herbicide will not eradicate established stands.

Information provided by K-State Weed Management Specialist.

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/2025/10/1759849520617.jpeg" alt="Field Bindweed. Photo by Kansas State Research and Extension" />
 <figcaption>Field Bindweed. Photo by Kansas State Research and Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictField bindweed, a perennial vine in the morning glory family, infests millions of acres in the Great Plains. This weed significantly reduces crop yield and quality, reduces land value, interferes with harvest by entangling crop plants, and increases production costs associated with control practices. Earlier research in Hays, KS, over the span of 12 years, indicated that dense stands of field bindweed induced 20% to 50% cereal crop yield loss and 50% to 80% row crop yield reduction.In North America, field bindweed was first reported in Virginia in 1739. It was possibly brought to Kansas in infested wheat seed from the Ukrainian region of Russia between 1870 and 1875. In 1877 and 1888, it was reported near Topeka and Nebraska, respectively.Growth and development Seeds near the soil surface will germinate throughout the growing season following rainfall. Seedling emergence primarily occurs in the spring, usually in early to mid-April in Kansas, and continues growing until November or until temperatures drop to 20°F or lower; at these temperatures, its growth may be retarded, but the vines do not die. Seedlings quickly develop a deep taproot and numerous lateral roots about six weeks after emergence. Once lateral roots grow, the plant has a perennial growth habit. Growth ceases during severe drought, but new top growth appears after adequate rainfall. May 15 to June 15 is the heaviest bloom period in west-central Kansas, with the seed usually maturing from June 15 to July 15. However, field bindweed can continue to bloom under favorable conditions and produce seed during July and August.Roots and food reserves Field bindweed stores a large quantity of carbohydrates deep into its root system, which provides energy for below- and above-ground growth. Roots can have a lateral spread of approximately 10 feet in one season and may penetrate 18 to 20 feet. In two or three growing seasons, roots may extend to a diameter of 17 to 18 feet. In areas with average annual precipitations of 30 inches or more, field bindweed roots have been found 30 feet below the surface. However, on upland soils near Hays, where annual precipitation averages 23 inches, few roots were found below 6 feet. Also, more than 60% of the total weight of roots is reported to be in the top two feet of soil. Buds formed along lateral roots can develop into shoots, which become new plants when they surface.Dispersal mode Field bindweed spreads by root segments and seeds, both of which can be spread by road maintenance and equipment. Root segments with buds are dispersed by tillage implements and are capable of starting new plants when the soil has adequate moisture.Spreading by seed occurs when:· Vines, wrapped around tools and those that pass through harvesting equipment, drop field bindweed seeds.· Seeds are collected with harvested grain and often planted with crop seed.· Seeds in grain or hay fed to livestock pass through animals undigested and spread with manure.· Seed is transported by drainage water, birds, animals, machinery, and vehicles.Management Because field bindweed has long seed viability and tremendous food reserves stored in roots, a long-term management program is required for its successful control. A single application of an herbicide will not eradicate established stands.Information provided by K-State Weed Management Specialist.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: World of Weeds

By KENDRA FRASIER Cottonwood Extension District

Medicare can be challenging to navigate. 

If you are eligible, you know that enrolling in hospital insurance, Part B, supplemental coverage, and a drug plan can be overwhelming. 

The good news is that if you aren’t pleased with your current coverage, open enrollment allows you to make some changes. For example, you can review your current drug plan and see if it will be your best option next year. Since Part D plans tend to change yearly, it’s smart to see what that means for your coverage and costs.

The Cottonwood Extension District is here to help. Certified Senior Health Insurance Counselors in Kansas (SHICK) offer free, unbiased, and confidential Part D assistance to help you find the best drug plan. If you want to compare drug plans, switch plans, or shop around, we are available to visit with you and see what works best for your situation. Open Enrollment is from October 15 – December 7, and you can schedule an appointment today in Hays or Ellis with a certified counselor.

When you schedule an appointment with the Cottonwood District, you will receive a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug -Coverage Worksheet. Medicare beneficiaries need to list all prescription drugs taken, dosage, and 30-day quantity on the worksheet. Bring the worksheet, your Medicare card, and recent letters from Social Security or Medicare to your appointment. 

To schedule your appointment in Hays or Ellis, please call 785-628-9430.

Or if you are in surrounding areas such as Great Bend, Hoisington, Ellinwood, or Claflin, please call 620-793-1910 to schedule an appointment with Michelle Beran.

Karissa Frasier, M.S., is a Certified Community Health Worker for Cottonwood Extension District in Hays. You may reach her at 785-628-9430 or by email at&nbsp;krfrasier@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="Karissa Frasier,&nbsp;Certified Community Health Worker, Cottonwood Extension District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karissa Frasier,&nbsp;Certified Community Health Worker, Cottonwood Extension District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By KENDRA FRASIER Cottonwood Extension DistrictMedicare can be challenging to navigate. If you are eligible, you know that enrolling in hospital insurance, Part B, supplemental coverage, and a drug plan can be overwhelming. The good news is that if you aren’t pleased with your current coverage, open enrollment allows you to make some changes. For example, you can review your current drug plan and see if it will be your best option next year. Since Part D plans tend to change yearly, it’s smart to see what that means for your coverage and costs.The Cottonwood Extension District is here to help. Certified Senior Health Insurance Counselors in Kansas (SHICK) offer free, unbiased, and confidential Part D assistance to help you find the best drug plan. If you want to compare drug plans, switch plans, or shop around, we are available to visit with you and see what works best for your situation. Open Enrollment is from October 15 – December 7, and you can schedule an appointment today in Hays or Ellis with a certified counselor.When you schedule an appointment with the Cottonwood District, you will receive a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug -Coverage Worksheet. Medicare beneficiaries need to list all prescription drugs taken, dosage, and 30-day quantity on the worksheet. Bring the worksheet, your Medicare card, and recent letters from Social Security or Medicare to your appointment. To schedule your appointment in Hays or Ellis, please call 785-628-9430.Or if you are in surrounding areas such as Great Bend, Hoisington, Ellinwood, or Claflin, please call 620-793-1910 to schedule an appointment with Michelle Beran.Karissa Frasier, M.S., is a Certified Community Health Worker for Cottonwood Extension District in Hays. You may reach her at 785-628-9430 or by email at&nbsp;krfrasier@ksu.edu.

FRASIER: Medicare Part D Open Enrollment

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

Fall is an excellent time to plant a tree. The soils are still warm, allowing the root system to begin to spread out. It also gives the roots time to settle and grow before the stress of the summer heat comes along. 

Homeowners should plan to do a little research in order to pick the right tree for their particular yard. Choose trees that are adapted to your location. Consider whether the tree produces nuisance fruit, or if there are disease-resistant varieties available. And consider the mature size of the tree to make sure you have enough room.

Here are ten rules for planting trees in a home landscape.

1. Select the right tree for the site. K-State has a list of<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/horticulture-resource-center/recommended-plants//">&nbsp;trees recommended for Kansas</a> available online. 2. Keep the tree well-watered and in a shady location until planting. When moving the tree, lift it by the root ball or pot – not by the trunk. 3. Before planting, remove all wires, labels, cords or anything else tied to the plant. Plant the tree on solid ground, not in fill dirt. 4. Dig a hole deep enough so that the tree sits slightly above nursery level. The width should be three times the width of the root ball.&nbsp; 5. Remove all containers from the root ball, including plastic and peat pots. Roll burlap and wire baskets back into the hole, cutting as much of the excess as possible. 6. Backfill the hole with soil that was removed. Make sure the soil is loosened, without clods or clumps. 7. Don’t cut back branches of the tree after planting except those that are rubbing or damaged. 8. Water the tree thoroughly, then once a week for the first season if there is insufficient rainfall. 9. Place mulch 2-4 inches deep around the tree, and cover an area 2-3 times the diameter of the root ball. 10. Stake only when necessary; trees will establish more quickly and grow faster if they are not staked.&nbsp;

By following these steps when planting your new tree, you are giving it the best start to be able to thrive in the years to come.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598057604221.jpeg" alt="File photo/Kansas photo service" />
 <figcaption>File photo/Kansas photo service</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension DistrictFall is an excellent time to plant a tree. The soils are still warm, allowing the root system to begin to spread out. It also gives the roots time to settle and grow before the stress of the summer heat comes along. Homeowners should plan to do a little research in order to pick the right tree for their particular yard. Choose trees that are adapted to your location. Consider whether the tree produces nuisance fruit, or if there are disease-resistant varieties available. And consider the mature size of the tree to make sure you have enough room.Here are ten rules for planting trees in a home landscape.1. Select the right tree for the site. K-State has a list of<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/horticulture-resource-center/recommended-plants//">&nbsp;trees recommended for Kansas</a> available online. 2. Keep the tree well-watered and in a shady location until planting. When moving the tree, lift it by the root ball or pot – not by the trunk. 3. Before planting, remove all wires, labels, cords or anything else tied to the plant. Plant the tree on solid ground, not in fill dirt. 4. Dig a hole deep enough so that the tree sits slightly above nursery level. The width should be three times the width of the root ball.&nbsp; 5. Remove all containers from the root ball, including plastic and peat pots. Roll burlap and wire baskets back into the hole, cutting as much of the excess as possible. 6. Backfill the hole with soil that was removed. Make sure the soil is loosened, without clods or clumps. 7. Don’t cut back branches of the tree after planting except those that are rubbing or damaged. 8. Water the tree thoroughly, then once a week for the first season if there is insufficient rainfall. 9. Place mulch 2-4 inches deep around the tree, and cover an area 2-3 times the diameter of the root ball. 10. Stake only when necessary; trees will establish more quickly and grow faster if they are not staked.&nbsp;By following these steps when planting your new tree, you are giving it the best start to be able to thrive in the years to come.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: Fall is an excellent time to plant a tree

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

I often hear adults complain about the lack of financial skills with young people. 

While there are times that I certainly understand the frustration as I learned to make change at my first job at age 13. There are other times that I remind myself, and others, that if someone doesn’t teach them, they can’t know what they don’t know.

In my new role as a Family and Community Wellness agent, I get to lean into twenty years of banking experience and utilize great financial resources from K-State Extension.

I have had an opportunity to begin work with a small group of college students. In our initial session, we worked through wants versus needs and that can sure be a tough conversation! 

This is followed up by setting SMART financial goals with the students looking at goals between now and the end of the school year, intermediate goals of 3-5 years, and long-term goals of 8-10 years. As a reminder, SMART refers to Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. 

I was very impressed by several whose intermediate and long-term goals included where they wanted to be in their career and the tools they would need to saving for a house.

The next step was identifying sources of income and categorizing expenses. We pulled all of those pieces together into a basic budget! One of my favorite questions – from more than one student – was “if I have money left, how much should I be putting into savings?”

I am looking forward to working with this group over the next few months as we take a hard look at how to be an efficient grocery store shopper, work on basic cooking skills, and other skills that can help them be more effective adults and employees.

We have several great publications and tools if you need to take a look at your financial goals and move your household toward financial stability and security.

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is a Family and Community Wellness Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other K-State Extension resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668177490614.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran is a Family and Community Wellness Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District, Great Bend. Courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran is a Family and Community Wellness Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District, Great Bend. Courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension DistrictI often hear adults complain about the lack of financial skills with young people. While there are times that I certainly understand the frustration as I learned to make change at my first job at age 13. There are other times that I remind myself, and others, that if someone doesn’t teach them, they can’t know what they don’t know.In my new role as a Family and Community Wellness agent, I get to lean into twenty years of banking experience and utilize great financial resources from K-State Extension.I have had an opportunity to begin work with a small group of college students. In our initial session, we worked through wants versus needs and that can sure be a tough conversation! This is followed up by setting SMART financial goals with the students looking at goals between now and the end of the school year, intermediate goals of 3-5 years, and long-term goals of 8-10 years. As a reminder, SMART refers to Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. I was very impressed by several whose intermediate and long-term goals included where they wanted to be in their career and the tools they would need to saving for a house.The next step was identifying sources of income and categorizing expenses. We pulled all of those pieces together into a basic budget! One of my favorite questions – from more than one student – was “if I have money left, how much should I be putting into savings?”I am looking forward to working with this group over the next few months as we take a hard look at how to be an efficient grocery store shopper, work on basic cooking skills, and other skills that can help them be more effective adults and employees.We have several great publications and tools if you need to take a look at your financial goals and move your household toward financial stability and security.Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!Michelle Beran is a Family and Community Wellness Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other K-State Extension resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Financial goals for young people 

By&nbsp;TAMARA ROBERTSON Cottonwood Extension District

October marks the start of a new 4-H year, and with it comes National 4-H Week, which will be observed October 5–11. 4-H is the largest youth organization in the country, empowering young people to grow as leaders and active community members. 

In Ellis County, 4-H is thriving with seven clubs and more than 200 members actively participating in community and educational events.

4-H is for youth ages 7–18 and helps foster essential life skills. Children ages 5–6 can also get involved through the Cloverbud program, which introduces them to 4-H through fun, hands-on activities. With more than 45 projects to choose from, members can develop skills in areas ranging from traditional livestock showing to STEM, photography, and much more.

4-H members and leaders live across Kansas, in all 50 states, and in 82 other countries worldwide. In Kansas alone, there are more than 17,000 4-H members participating in community clubs, and Ellis County is excited to welcome new members and families to this dynamic program.

During National 4-H Week, members are encouraged to wear their club shirts, share information about their 4-H projects, and participate in “48 Hours of 4-H,” a state-wide community service initiative that encourages hands-on service in all communities. We invite everyone to join us in wearing green on Monday, October 6.

Some of the major community events hosted or supported by 4-H in Ellis County include the 4-H Food Challenge, 4-H Day, Ellis County Fair and various community service projects. 

During the 2025 4-H Day, over 30 entries were presented, featuring talent, music, demonstrations, project talks, poems, speeches, and the Cloverbud Show and Tell. 

At the 2025 Ellis County Fair, 862 entries were submitted by 4-H members. Many of these outstanding projects were also entered at the Kansas State Fair and will be on display in the Hays Arts Council Main Street window from October 1st through the 23rd.

The 4-H motto, “To Make the Best Better,” is reflected in the organization’s continued efforts to grow and reach more youth. This year, the 4-H Promotional Committee sent flyers to all K–5th grade students in Ellis County to encourage new members to join—over 1,900 flyers in total. 

Beyond recruitment, Ellis County 4-H stays connected with the community through presentations to local clubs and outreach with students across the county.

4-H would not be possible without the support of the community. At its roots, 4-H is a family program where parents and family members help youth with project work and other activities. Volunteer leaders are also vital to the program. Each club needs two or more&nbsp;adult leaders who teach, organize, assist club officers, support meetings, and guide new families. Ellis County is fortunate to have more than 50 screened volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise, and the organization is always recruiting additional volunteers to help continue its mission.

Enroll in your child’s future today, with Ellis County 4-H!

Tamara Robertson is the 4-H Youth Development Agent with K-State Research and Extension, in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Tamara at tarobertson@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Ellis County Office at 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741105651681.jpeg" alt="Tamara Robertson is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Tamara Robertson is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;TAMARA ROBERTSON Cottonwood Extension DistrictOctober marks the start of a new 4-H year, and with it comes National 4-H Week, which will be observed October 5–11. 4-H is the largest youth organization in the country, empowering young people to grow as leaders and active community members. In Ellis County, 4-H is thriving with seven clubs and more than 200 members actively participating in community and educational events.4-H is for youth ages 7–18 and helps foster essential life skills. Children ages 5–6 can also get involved through the Cloverbud program, which introduces them to 4-H through fun, hands-on activities. With more than 45 projects to choose from, members can develop skills in areas ranging from traditional livestock showing to STEM, photography, and much more.4-H members and leaders live across Kansas, in all 50 states, and in 82 other countries worldwide. In Kansas alone, there are more than 17,000 4-H members participating in community clubs, and Ellis County is excited to welcome new members and families to this dynamic program.During National 4-H Week, members are encouraged to wear their club shirts, share information about their 4-H projects, and participate in “48 Hours of 4-H,” a state-wide community service initiative that encourages hands-on service in all communities. We invite everyone to join us in wearing green on Monday, October 6.Some of the major community events hosted or supported by 4-H in Ellis County include the 4-H Food Challenge, 4-H Day, Ellis County Fair and various community service projects. During the 2025 4-H Day, over 30 entries were presented, featuring talent, music, demonstrations, project talks, poems, speeches, and the Cloverbud Show and Tell. At the 2025 Ellis County Fair, 862 entries were submitted by 4-H members. Many of these outstanding projects were also entered at the Kansas State Fair and will be on display in the Hays Arts Council Main Street window from October 1st through the 23rd.The 4-H motto, “To Make the Best Better,” is reflected in the organization’s continued efforts to grow and reach more youth. This year, the 4-H Promotional Committee sent flyers to all K–5th grade students in Ellis County to encourage new members to join—over 1,900 flyers in total. Beyond recruitment, Ellis County 4-H stays connected with the community through presentations to local clubs and outreach with students across the county.4-H would not be possible without the support of the community. At its roots, 4-H is a family program where parents and family members help youth with project work and other activities. Volunteer leaders are also vital to the program. Each club needs two or more&nbsp;adult leaders who teach, organize, assist club officers, support meetings, and guide new families. Ellis County is fortunate to have more than 50 screened volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise, and the organization is always recruiting additional volunteers to help continue its mission.Enroll in your child’s future today, with Ellis County 4-H!Tamara Robertson is the 4-H Youth Development Agent with K-State Research and Extension, in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Tamara at tarobertson@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Ellis County Office at 785-628-9430.

ROBERTSON: Celebrating National 4-H Week Oct. 5-11

The Hays Area Children’s Center hosted a Back-to-School Bash on September 18 for their friends, families, and staff. Donations from local sponsors meant a night of free food and fun for all! 

They are still running a set of raffles that are available for viewing on their Facebook page (Hays Area Children’s Center, Inc.). The online donation link is <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/hays-area-childrens-center-back-to-school-bash-raffle--2025">https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/hays-area-childrens-center-back-to-school-bash-raffle--2025</a> .

Each classroom had a basket theme and families donated toward filling the baskets. The classroom teachers will get the proceeds from their basket to apply toward their classroom budgets for the year. The themes were Game Day, Movie Night, Family Discovery Time, Family Game Night, and Gardening. The raffle also includes a Charcuterie Class valued at $500 donated by Grater Whey, a $50 Sonic gift card, and a girl's bike!

Thanks to K-State Extension, Cottonwood Extension District (Monique Koerner) for bringing the Blender Bike to do Spin-Art. Thanks to FHSU Union Catering (Phil Kuhn) for hot dogs and drink coolers. Thanks to Pepsi (Mandy Giess) for water and soda! Thanks to Nex-Tech for use of the train. Thanks to Taco Riendo for use of their bounce house and the time to set-up and tear-down! A great time was had by all!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759344550409.jpeg" alt="Hays Area Children's Center Back-to-School Bash was held Sept. 18. Photos courtesy HACC" />
 <figcaption>Hays Area Children's Center Back-to-School Bash was held Sept. 18. Photos courtesy HACC</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Area Children’s CenterThe Hays Area Children’s Center hosted a Back-to-School Bash on September 18 for their friends, families, and staff. Donations from local sponsors meant a night of free food and fun for all! They are still running a set of raffles that are available for viewing on their Facebook page (Hays Area Children’s Center, Inc.). The online donation link is <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/hays-area-childrens-center-back-to-school-bash-raffle--2025">https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/hays-area-childrens-center-back-to-school-bash-raffle--2025</a> .Each classroom had a basket theme and families donated toward filling the baskets. The classroom teachers will get the proceeds from their basket to apply toward their classroom budgets for the year. The themes were Game Day, Movie Night, Family Discovery Time, Family Game Night, and Gardening. The raffle also includes a Charcuterie Class valued at $500 donated by Grater Whey, a $50 Sonic gift card, and a girl's bike!Thanks to K-State Extension, Cottonwood Extension District (Monique Koerner) for bringing the Blender Bike to do Spin-Art. Thanks to FHSU Union Catering (Phil Kuhn) for hot dogs and drink coolers. Thanks to Pepsi (Mandy Giess) for water and soda! Thanks to Nex-Tech for use of the train. Thanks to Taco Riendo for use of their bounce house and the time to set-up and tear-down! A great time was had by all!

Hays Area Children’s Center celebrates Back to School Bash

Venice mallow (Hibiscus trionum). This attractive annual species is also called “flower-of-an-hour” because each flower remains open for just a few hours before being shed. Venice mallow is in the Malvaceae family, and is related to velvetleaf and common mallow, as well as cotton. The species name trionum refers to the normally three-lobed appearance of the leaves.

Ecology Venice mallow is an introduced plant that has become naturalized in much of the United States. A native of southern Europe, the plant was introduced as an ornamental before escaping cultivation to become a weed. The species is most prevalent in the eastern part of Kansas, but can occur anywhere within the state. It can be found in gardens, cultivated fields, waste areas, pastures, and roadways.

Identification Venice mallow is an annual species reproducing by seeds. It normally grows 0.5 to 2 feet tall, with its many branches often spreading out from the base prior to curving upward. The stems are covered with stiff, short hairs. Leaves are alternate and borne on stalks (petioles), with hairs on the lower surfaces but generally smooth on the top surfaces. The cotyledon (seed) leaves are heart-shaped, and the first true leaves are rounded with gently lobed edges. Subsequent true leaves are normally deeply divided into three lobes, but may have as many as seven lobes (Figure 1). The center lobe is longer than the side lobes, but all are gently lobed to toothed along the edges.

Flowers are up to 2.5 inches wide, are short-lived, and originate from petioles arising from the junction of the stem and leaf petioles. The flowers have five petals, are white to pale yellow, and have a reddish to dark purple center. Seeds are produced in a globe-shaped capsule surrounded by a papery husk called a calyx (Figure 1). At maturity, the calyx and capsule dry and rupture, exposing the small (0.1 inch) seeds, which are kidney-shaped, dark brown, and rough.

Because Venice mallow is an indeterminate plant, flowers and seeds are produced throughout the growing season until a killing frost in the fall. Like its close relative, velvetleaf, Venice mallow seeds have an extremely hard seed coat. Consequently, seeds may lie dormant for many years, even decades, before emerging.

Management Historically, it was most often problematic in soybean production areas in Kansas. In recent years, newer herbicides and herbicide-resistant soybean varieties have reduced its prevalence in the crop. Herbicides which effectively control Venice mallow in soybean&nbsp;include 2,4-D (Group 4), glyphosate (Group 9), and glufosinate (Group 10) in herbicide-resistant varieties, as well as Group 14 herbicides (sulfentrazone, saflufenacil, flumioxazin) and Group 15 herbicides (pyroxasulfone) in conventional soybean. Group 4 herbicides (2,4-D, dicamba, fluroxypyr) can be used if Venice mallow occurs in corn or sorghum.

Integrated weed management techniques should be the first line of defense when dealing with any weed situation, and this is particularly true in crops such as sunflowers, cotton, or dry beans. 

With fewer herbicides available to control Venice mallow and other weeds in these crops, prevention as well as mechanical and cultural control practices are even more important. With the longevity of Venice mallow seed viability, attention should be given to the prevention of seedset and movement of seed from infested fields to clean fields.

Information provided by Patrick Geier and Sarah Lancaster, K-State Extension Weed Management Specialists.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759338335963.png" alt="Figure 1. Venice mallow plant growing in a soybean field. Note the papery calyx near the center of the photo. Photo by Sarah Lancaster, K-State Research and Extension." />
 <figcaption>Figure 1. Venice mallow plant growing in a soybean field. Note the papery calyx near the center of the photo. Photo by Sarah Lancaster, K-State Research and Extension.</figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictVenice mallow (Hibiscus trionum). This attractive annual species is also called “flower-of-an-hour” because each flower remains open for just a few hours before being shed. Venice mallow is in the Malvaceae family, and is related to velvetleaf and common mallow, as well as cotton. The species name trionum refers to the normally three-lobed appearance of the leaves.Ecology Venice mallow is an introduced plant that has become naturalized in much of the United States. A native of southern Europe, the plant was introduced as an ornamental before escaping cultivation to become a weed. The species is most prevalent in the eastern part of Kansas, but can occur anywhere within the state. It can be found in gardens, cultivated fields, waste areas, pastures, and roadways.Identification Venice mallow is an annual species reproducing by seeds. It normally grows 0.5 to 2 feet tall, with its many branches often spreading out from the base prior to curving upward. The stems are covered with stiff, short hairs. Leaves are alternate and borne on stalks (petioles), with hairs on the lower surfaces but generally smooth on the top surfaces. The cotyledon (seed) leaves are heart-shaped, and the first true leaves are rounded with gently lobed edges. Subsequent true leaves are normally deeply divided into three lobes, but may have as many as seven lobes (Figure 1). The center lobe is longer than the side lobes, but all are gently lobed to toothed along the edges.Flowers are up to 2.5 inches wide, are short-lived, and originate from petioles arising from the junction of the stem and leaf petioles. The flowers have five petals, are white to pale yellow, and have a reddish to dark purple center. Seeds are produced in a globe-shaped capsule surrounded by a papery husk called a calyx (Figure 1). At maturity, the calyx and capsule dry and rupture, exposing the small (0.1 inch) seeds, which are kidney-shaped, dark brown, and rough.Because Venice mallow is an indeterminate plant, flowers and seeds are produced throughout the growing season until a killing frost in the fall. Like its close relative, velvetleaf, Venice mallow seeds have an extremely hard seed coat. Consequently, seeds may lie dormant for many years, even decades, before emerging.Management Historically, it was most often problematic in soybean production areas in Kansas. In recent years, newer herbicides and herbicide-resistant soybean varieties have reduced its prevalence in the crop. Herbicides which effectively control Venice mallow in soybean&nbsp;include 2,4-D (Group 4), glyphosate (Group 9), and glufosinate (Group 10) in herbicide-resistant varieties, as well as Group 14 herbicides (sulfentrazone, saflufenacil, flumioxazin) and Group 15 herbicides (pyroxasulfone) in conventional soybean. Group 4 herbicides (2,4-D, dicamba, fluroxypyr) can be used if Venice mallow occurs in corn or sorghum.Integrated weed management techniques should be the first line of defense when dealing with any weed situation, and this is particularly true in crops such as sunflowers, cotton, or dry beans. With fewer herbicides available to control Venice mallow and other weeds in these crops, prevention as well as mechanical and cultural control practices are even more important. With the longevity of Venice mallow seed viability, attention should be given to the prevention of seedset and movement of seed from infested fields to clean fields.Information provided by Patrick Geier and Sarah Lancaster, K-State Extension Weed Management Specialists.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: 'Flower of an Hour' 

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension Agent

As an Ag agent for KSRE over these past ten years, I have made countless home visits for individuals with tree issues. There are many reasons a tree can have problems. 

The drought we lived through these past few years has taken its toll on our trees, to the other extreme the heavy rains and flooding that occurred in Barton County around 2019 also caused significant damage to our trees. These environmental conditions are unpreventable but, giving your tree a little extra TLC for some time after can help your tree stay healthy for a long time after such events.

If your tree falters and dies what should you do? What type of tree should be the replacement? Here are some observations I have seen over time to help you find the right tree for the area you want to plant.

First of all, take a look at the site you wish to plant and observe the surroundings. How close to buildings are you? Are there powerlines above that area? What other obstacles will the tree encounter as it grows?

 One example is powerlines. If you have some in the area you wish to plant, you will want to chose a tree that won’t grow as tall as to interfere with them.

Soil type is also important. Most trees prefer moist, well drained soils. Knowing your soil type and how your landscape is in various conditions will help you find a tree that will thrive in your yard.

Another question you need to address: what types of diseases and what insects are prone to the type of tree you are looking to plant? 

The Red Maple for example is a popular choice for a landscape tree with its vibrant fall color but, the tree has several issues in our area. 

The soil pH in our region tends to be high causing iron to be tied up chemically. As maples need more iron than other trees, they become chlorotic. This hinders chlorophyll production and causes the leaves to turn yellow. This in turn causes the tree to be unable to make its own nutrients and eventually it causes the tree to decline and die. 

If you want a maple tree, be prepared to treat the tree with an iron supplement as it ages and shows symptoms. Maples also tend to have poor branching, so early pruning and extra care as its ages is very important to have a tree that will be around for years to come.

The Kansas Forest Service has a publication for each region of Kansas that rates trees for environmental and landscape attributes to help you select the right tree for the place you want to plant. 

To access the one for Northwest Kansas, including Barton and Ellis Counties got to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasforests.org/community_forestry/community_docs/NW%20Preferred%20Trees122016.pdf">https://www.kansasforests.org/community_forestry/community_docs/NW%20Preferred%20Trees122016.pdf</a>&nbsp;or call our offices and we can get a copy to you.

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/2025/9/1758635654210.png" alt="Photo by Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension AgentAs an Ag agent for KSRE over these past ten years, I have made countless home visits for individuals with tree issues. There are many reasons a tree can have problems. The drought we lived through these past few years has taken its toll on our trees, to the other extreme the heavy rains and flooding that occurred in Barton County around 2019 also caused significant damage to our trees. These environmental conditions are unpreventable but, giving your tree a little extra TLC for some time after can help your tree stay healthy for a long time after such events.If your tree falters and dies what should you do? What type of tree should be the replacement? Here are some observations I have seen over time to help you find the right tree for the area you want to plant.First of all, take a look at the site you wish to plant and observe the surroundings. How close to buildings are you? Are there powerlines above that area? What other obstacles will the tree encounter as it grows? One example is powerlines. If you have some in the area you wish to plant, you will want to chose a tree that won’t grow as tall as to interfere with them.Soil type is also important. Most trees prefer moist, well drained soils. Knowing your soil type and how your landscape is in various conditions will help you find a tree that will thrive in your yard.Another question you need to address: what types of diseases and what insects are prone to the type of tree you are looking to plant? The Red Maple for example is a popular choice for a landscape tree with its vibrant fall color but, the tree has several issues in our area. The soil pH in our region tends to be high causing iron to be tied up chemically. As maples need more iron than other trees, they become chlorotic. This hinders chlorophyll production and causes the leaves to turn yellow. This in turn causes the tree to be unable to make its own nutrients and eventually it causes the tree to decline and die. If you want a maple tree, be prepared to treat the tree with an iron supplement as it ages and shows symptoms. Maples also tend to have poor branching, so early pruning and extra care as its ages is very important to have a tree that will be around for years to come.The Kansas Forest Service has a publication for each region of Kansas that rates trees for environmental and landscape attributes to help you select the right tree for the place you want to plant. To access the one for Northwest Kansas, including Barton and Ellis Counties got to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasforests.org/community_forestry/community_docs/NW%20Preferred%20Trees122016.pdf">https://www.kansasforests.org/community_forestry/community_docs/NW%20Preferred%20Trees122016.pdf</a>&nbsp;or call our offices and we can get a copy to you.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: Picking a tree to plant

As people grow older, maintaining physical health becomes increasingly vital and not just for longevity, but for quality of life. One often-overlooked aspect of health in the aging population or even younger populations that are sedentary due to lifestyle or injury is balance. 

Experts are now emphasizing the importance of balance exercises as a key part of healthy aging, helping prevent falls, preserve independence and improve overall well-being.

According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury deaths worldwide. Among older adults, the risk is especially high. In the United States alone, one in four adults over age 65 falls each year, resulting in over three million emergency room visits.

Balance naturally declines with age due to changes in vision, muscle strength, joint flexibility, and even cognitive function. But the good news is balance can be trained, just like strength or endurance.

Maintaining good balance isn’t just about avoiding falls. It’s essential for everyday tasks like walking, bending, climbing stairs, or even reaching into a cabinet. When balance begins to deteriorate, so does confidence. Many older adults start to restrict their activities for fear of falling, which can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, muscle atrophy, and social isolation.

Loss of balance reduces mobility and independence, which then impacts mental health. 

Simple exercises such as standing on one leg, walking heel-to-toe, or practicing tai chi can dramatically improve stability over time. Physical therapists often recommend incorporating balance practice into daily routines. An example would be brushing your teeth while standing on one leg or putting on socks or shoes while standing on one leg.

This topic discussion would not be complete without touching on other factors such as nutrition, seeing your healthcare provider, and proper footwear.

 Eating healthy foods and including many nutrient rich foods in your diet can affect mental and physical health. Prioritize whole foods, foods with no food labels, or foods with only a few ingredients. A visit to your healthcare provider can manage changes in your eyes, medications, and balance assessments. Finally, wearing proper footwear can help with any foot conditions or prevent future problems.

Prevention can be the key to not just longevity but longevity with quality of life. Balance training is a small investment that pays enormous dividends to help preserve independence and dignity.

K-State is committed to the well-being of our communities by offering programs around nutrition and health topics. Some of our most popular programs include Stay Strong, Stay&nbsp;Health, Walk with Ease, Walk Kansas, and Med Instead of Meds. Contact our office for more information.

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758636088895.png" alt="Photo by Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictAs people grow older, maintaining physical health becomes increasingly vital and not just for longevity, but for quality of life. One often-overlooked aspect of health in the aging population or even younger populations that are sedentary due to lifestyle or injury is balance. Experts are now emphasizing the importance of balance exercises as a key part of healthy aging, helping prevent falls, preserve independence and improve overall well-being.According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury deaths worldwide. Among older adults, the risk is especially high. In the United States alone, one in four adults over age 65 falls each year, resulting in over three million emergency room visits.Balance naturally declines with age due to changes in vision, muscle strength, joint flexibility, and even cognitive function. But the good news is balance can be trained, just like strength or endurance.Maintaining good balance isn’t just about avoiding falls. It’s essential for everyday tasks like walking, bending, climbing stairs, or even reaching into a cabinet. When balance begins to deteriorate, so does confidence. Many older adults start to restrict their activities for fear of falling, which can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, muscle atrophy, and social isolation.Loss of balance reduces mobility and independence, which then impacts mental health. Simple exercises such as standing on one leg, walking heel-to-toe, or practicing tai chi can dramatically improve stability over time. Physical therapists often recommend incorporating balance practice into daily routines. An example would be brushing your teeth while standing on one leg or putting on socks or shoes while standing on one leg.This topic discussion would not be complete without touching on other factors such as nutrition, seeing your healthcare provider, and proper footwear. Eating healthy foods and including many nutrient rich foods in your diet can affect mental and physical health. Prioritize whole foods, foods with no food labels, or foods with only a few ingredients. A visit to your healthcare provider can manage changes in your eyes, medications, and balance assessments. Finally, wearing proper footwear can help with any foot conditions or prevent future problems.Prevention can be the key to not just longevity but longevity with quality of life. Balance training is a small investment that pays enormous dividends to help preserve independence and dignity.K-State is committed to the well-being of our communities by offering programs around nutrition and health topics. Some of our most popular programs include Stay Strong, Stay&nbsp;Health, Walk with Ease, Walk Kansas, and Med Instead of Meds. Contact our office for more information.Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

KOERNER: Why practicing balance is important

Modern-day precision agriculture relies heavily on sensor technology, and among these, remote sensing is the most widely used tool. The term remote sensing consists of two words, “remote”, which means from a distance, and “sensing”, which means the collection of information or data. Therefore, remote sensing refers to studying or collecting information about objects such as crops, soil, water, or the surrounding environment from a distance, without direct contact.

Common examples of remote sensing are drone and satellite imagery, as well as handheld devices or sensors mounted on any of our farm equipment, such as tractors. These technologies use sensors to measure sunlight reflected by the crops and soil to create a map that can be used to understand the crop health, soil condition, and water stress, which our eyes usually cannot see.

Application of Remote Sensing in Agriculture

Understanding field variability: Each field is unique and consists of different soil types, soil nutrients, moisture levels, disease, and pest pressure. Due to these reasons, crop growth is not uniform throughout the same field. Therefore, remote sensing can help farmers to understand such variability of crop growth by creating maps of the fields (Figure 2).

For example, a drone was flown to collect field variability information at the Flickner Innovation farm in McPherson County. In such collected drone imagery, green areas represent higher canopy cover, healthier crops, and better growth. Yellow areas indicate moderate crop vigor, while red areas show little to no canopy cover, corresponding to reduced growth, bare soil, and equipment tracks, particularly caused by pivot irrigation. Such maps provide valuable insights for monitoring and managing field variability using drone-based remote sensing.

Crop stress detection: Remote sensing can help farmers by detecting the early signs of crop stresses such as nutrient deficiency, moisture issues, disease, and pests that may not be seen early enough with the naked eye. Such information can be used as a guide for site-specific nitrogen, irrigation, or pesticide applications by applying inputs only in the areas where it is needed.

Weed identification: High-resolution remote sensing images, especially using drones, can help identify the weeds in the fields. As the weeds have different colors, leaf structure, shape, or growth patterns compared to the crops, using remote sensing, we can identify them to create a weed map of the field. These weed maps can be used for site-specific herbicide application using spray drones or any other farm applicators.

Different types of remote sensing tools

Satellite: Satellite images are now used for various on-farm decisions, including variable-rate technology. Satellites provide large-scale imagery that can cover an entire farm, county, state, or even the whole earth. Many satellite datasets, such as Sentinel-2 and Landsat, are freely available at no cost, which can be used by growers for various on-farm decisions. However, weather conditions, especially cloud cover, can affect the availability and quality of these images. Drones: Drones provide high-resolution images and can capture crop and soil information at the centimeter level. They can also be flown as needed, offering greater flexibility. Drone imagery is commonly used for early-

season scouting, detecting crop stress, and identifying weeds.

Handheld sensors: Some sensors can be handheld or mounted on farm equipment to collect information about soil and crops. Common handheld sensors used in agriculture include CropScan, GreenSeeker, fluorometers, and chlorophyll meters.

Conclusion - Remote sensing has become very popular and is accessible to farmers to make more informed and smarter decisions. This technology can help farmers to “see” crops and soil conditions that are not visible to the naked eye, thus allowing for more timely and precise decisions on their farms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725282080974.jpeg" alt="K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictModern-day precision agriculture relies heavily on sensor technology, and among these, remote sensing is the most widely used tool. The term remote sensing consists of two words, “remote”, which means from a distance, and “sensing”, which means the collection of information or data. Therefore, remote sensing refers to studying or collecting information about objects such as crops, soil, water, or the surrounding environment from a distance, without direct contact.Common examples of remote sensing are drone and satellite imagery, as well as handheld devices or sensors mounted on any of our farm equipment, such as tractors. These technologies use sensors to measure sunlight reflected by the crops and soil to create a map that can be used to understand the crop health, soil condition, and water stress, which our eyes usually cannot see.Application of Remote Sensing in AgricultureUnderstanding field variability: Each field is unique and consists of different soil types, soil nutrients, moisture levels, disease, and pest pressure. Due to these reasons, crop growth is not uniform throughout the same field. Therefore, remote sensing can help farmers to understand such variability of crop growth by creating maps of the fields (Figure 2).<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758722637679.png" alt="Figure 2. Crop growth variability within the same field based on NDVI derived from drone imagery. Image credit: Deepak Joshi/Flickner Innovation Farm." />
 <figcaption>Figure 2. Crop growth variability within the same field based on NDVI derived from drone imagery. Image credit: Deepak Joshi/Flickner Innovation Farm.</figcaption>
 </figure>For example, a drone was flown to collect field variability information at the Flickner Innovation farm in McPherson County. In such collected drone imagery, green areas represent higher canopy cover, healthier crops, and better growth. Yellow areas indicate moderate crop vigor, while red areas show little to no canopy cover, corresponding to reduced growth, bare soil, and equipment tracks, particularly caused by pivot irrigation. Such maps provide valuable insights for monitoring and managing field variability using drone-based remote sensing.Crop stress detection: Remote sensing can help farmers by detecting the early signs of crop stresses such as nutrient deficiency, moisture issues, disease, and pests that may not be seen early enough with the naked eye. Such information can be used as a guide for site-specific nitrogen, irrigation, or pesticide applications by applying inputs only in the areas where it is needed.Weed identification: High-resolution remote sensing images, especially using drones, can help identify the weeds in the fields. As the weeds have different colors, leaf structure, shape, or growth patterns compared to the crops, using remote sensing, we can identify them to create a weed map of the field. These weed maps can be used for site-specific herbicide application using spray drones or any other farm applicators.Different types of remote sensing toolsSatellite: Satellite images are now used for various on-farm decisions, including variable-rate technology. Satellites provide large-scale imagery that can cover an entire farm, county, state, or even the whole earth. Many satellite datasets, such as Sentinel-2 and Landsat, are freely available at no cost, which can be used by growers for various on-farm decisions. However, weather conditions, especially cloud cover, can affect the availability and quality of these images. Drones: Drones provide high-resolution images and can capture crop and soil information at the centimeter level. They can also be flown as needed, offering greater flexibility. Drone imagery is commonly used for early-

season scouting, detecting crop stress, and identifying weeds. Handheld sensors: Some sensors can be handheld or mounted on farm equipment to collect information about soil and crops. Common handheld sensors used in agriculture include CropScan, GreenSeeker, fluorometers, and chlorophyll meters. Conclusion - Remote sensing has become very popular and is accessible to farmers to make more informed and smarter decisions. This technology can help farmers to “see” crops and soil conditions that are not visible to the naked eye, thus allowing for more timely and precise decisions on their farms.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: Basics of remote sensing in precision agriculture

Coldwater school district mired in conflict amid suspension of superintendent

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Comanche County law enforcement officials Monday asked for the public’s help investigating an incident in which 10 bullets were fired into the unoccupied, parked vehicle of the local school board president.

President Kelly Herd, and other members of the school board in southwest Kansas, have been embroiled in controversy that led to the suspension of superintendent Ty Theurer pending an&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/02/a-kansas-student-reported-her-coach-for-harassment-and-touching-school-leaders-kept-it-quiet/">inquiry into allegations he sexually harassed and inappropriately touched a student</a>.

The student’s family filed a sexual harassment complaint and police report in the spring, but Herd worked for months to downplay substance of the allegations and to preserve Theurer’s administrative position.

The school board voted Sept. 3 to suspend Theurer with pay after&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/04/outraged-parents-demand-action-as-kansas-school-board-places-superintendent-on-administrative-leave/">more than 100 community members packed a school board meeting to demand disciplinary action</a>. Many in the audience loudly criticized the board’s handling of the students’ complaint. There was a law enforcement presence at that meeting, but outrage was confined to a series of outbursts by people in the crowd and by Herd.

At 8:30 p.m. Sunday night, the sheriff’s department said, a vehicle parked at a residence in the 500 block of East Cottonwood in Coldwater was struck by gunfire approximately 10 times. Herd has resided at a house in that block for decades.

Sheriff Jacob Bruckner confirmed the vehicle was owned by a USD 300 school board member. He said the Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to help process the crime scene and assist with the investigation.

“The vehicle was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported,” Bruckner said. “The investigation is ongoing.”

In a social media post, the sheriff urged Coldwater residents to check home security systems for video of vehicles or people in the neighborhood around the time of the shooting.

Steve Prusa, a member of Comanche County’s school board, said he was notified of the incident at the board president’s home shortly after it occurred.

The reality of someone turning to firearms to make a point about leadership of a public school district was alarming, he said.

“It’s not just a vandalism,” Prusa said. “It’s definitely to a different level.”

He said members of the school board, who don’t receive a salary, had stepped forward to serve because they sought to be of benefit to the community and assume a role in the education of students. The Comanche County district enrolls about 300 students.

“I am devastated and heartbroken for our community. Violence cannot be an answer to anything,” Prusa said.

Comanche County school board member Dean Yoder said it was wrong to interject violence into debate about education.

“So glad her and her family are OK,” Yoder said. “There is never a need for violence. Ever.”

The Comanche County district serves a rural population that includes the communities of Protection, Wilmore, Buttermilk and Coldwater. The district’s South Center High School is located in Coldwater. The district’s middle school and elementary school are in Protection.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758650204627.png" alt="Comanche County law enforcement officials Monday confirmed the unoccupied vehicle of a local school board member in Coldwater was peppered with gunshots on Sunday evening. The vehicle owner is Comanche County school board president Kelly Herd, a member of the board since 2016. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Comanche County law enforcement officials Monday confirmed the unoccupied vehicle of a local school board member in Coldwater was peppered with gunshots on Sunday evening. The vehicle owner is Comanche County school board president Kelly Herd, a member of the board since 2016. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Coldwater school district mired in conflict amid suspension of superintendent</h2>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Comanche County law enforcement officials Monday asked for the public’s help investigating an incident in which 10 bullets were fired into the unoccupied, parked vehicle of the local school board president.President Kelly Herd, and other members of the school board in southwest Kansas, have been embroiled in controversy that led to the suspension of superintendent Ty Theurer pending an&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/02/a-kansas-student-reported-her-coach-for-harassment-and-touching-school-leaders-kept-it-quiet/">inquiry into allegations he sexually harassed and inappropriately touched a student</a>.The student’s family filed a sexual harassment complaint and police report in the spring, but Herd worked for months to downplay substance of the allegations and to preserve Theurer’s administrative position.The school board voted Sept. 3 to suspend Theurer with pay after&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/04/outraged-parents-demand-action-as-kansas-school-board-places-superintendent-on-administrative-leave/">more than 100 community members packed a school board meeting to demand disciplinary action</a>. Many in the audience loudly criticized the board’s handling of the students’ complaint. There was a law enforcement presence at that meeting, but outrage was confined to a series of outbursts by people in the crowd and by Herd.At 8:30 p.m. Sunday night, the sheriff’s department said, a vehicle parked at a residence in the 500 block of East Cottonwood in Coldwater was struck by gunfire approximately 10 times. Herd has resided at a house in that block for decades.Sheriff Jacob Bruckner confirmed the vehicle was owned by a USD 300 school board member. He said the Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to help process the crime scene and assist with the investigation.“The vehicle was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported,” Bruckner said. “The investigation is ongoing.”In a social media post, the sheriff urged Coldwater residents to check home security systems for video of vehicles or people in the neighborhood around the time of the shooting.Steve Prusa, a member of Comanche County’s school board, said he was notified of the incident at the board president’s home shortly after it occurred.The reality of someone turning to firearms to make a point about leadership of a public school district was alarming, he said.“It’s not just a vandalism,” Prusa said. “It’s definitely to a different level.”He said members of the school board, who don’t receive a salary, had stepped forward to serve because they sought to be of benefit to the community and assume a role in the education of students. The Comanche County district enrolls about 300 students.“I am devastated and heartbroken for our community. Violence cannot be an answer to anything,” Prusa said.Comanche County school board member Dean Yoder said it was wrong to interject violence into debate about education.“So glad her and her family are OK,” Yoder said. “There is never a need for violence. Ever.”Herd declined to comment.The Comanche County district serves a rural population that includes the communities of Protection, Wilmore, Buttermilk and Coldwater. The district’s South Center High School is located in Coldwater. The district’s middle school and elementary school are in Protection.

SW Kan. school board president’s unoccupied vehicle struck by 10 gunshots

There has been an increase of insect infestations this growing season around the state. 

Two of the more widespread pests have been lepidoptera larvae (worms): the fall armyworm and the armyworm. These pests have become problematic for our fall planted alfalfa, bromegrass, tritcale planted early for haying, etc. and have the potential to be problematic in our fall-planted wheat. It is advised to not get in any hurry to plant wheat.

Fall armyworm (FAW) – Larvae when mature are 1-1.5 inches long and have a variable color (green to black) with three prominent white lines down their back and a distinctive white, inverted ”Y” pattern on their face between the eyes. These larvae feed on just about anything green and are currently very active in our area and probably all of Kansas.

This moth does not overwinter in the Great Plains but migrates northward annually from southern states. It usually arrives in Kansas in July where it deposits eggs on corn, sorghum and other summer crops. Several generations occur and reproduction may continue through August and into September, putting early-planted wheat at greatest risk. Early-planted fields should be inspected frequently during the first few weeks following emergence. 

The first sign of damage is “window-pane” injury caused by tiny larvae chewing on seedling leaves. The larvae, which are usually too small to be easily observed at this time, hide in or around the base of seedlings. Within a few days the larvae become large enough to destroy entire leaves.

Fields with 25 to 30 percent of plants with windowpane injury should be re-examined daily and treated immediately if stand establishment appears threatened. Larvae increase in size at an exponential rate, and so do their food requirements. Later instars, larger larvae do the most damage, sometimes destroying entire stands, and are the least susceptible to insecticides. Without treatment, problems can continue until larvae reach maturity or until a killing freeze.

In our area there are significant populations of FAW feeding in seedling and established alfalfa, bromegrass, early planted triticale for haying or grazing, etc. Scouting is important because they can destroy seedling crops quickly.

Armyworms (ARW) - Larvae are darker with several conspicuous light-colored stripes on both sides of their bodies, and they present a somewhat different problem than the FAW, because they do overwinter in Kansas.

Therefore, the larvae may be around when the 2025 planted wheat crop germinates. Thus, planting as late as possible is important, as is destroying all volunteer wheat well before wheat planting begins. 

This is also important because it is the female moth that initiates the infestation by where she deposits her eggs, and she won't deposit any eggs unless she detects some greenery for a potential food source for the developing larvae. From past&nbsp;experience with armyworm infestations, they may continue to feed until temperatures dip into the mid-20s °F for a couple of hours, says Jeff Whitworth, K-State Extension Entomologist.

Army cutworms - One other worm to consider is the Army cutworm. These moths migrate back into Kansas in the fall, looking for any greenery on which to deposit their eggs. So, they will not be the same problem as armyworms, as their feeding will be ending this fall, but the army cutworms will just be starting their feeding and culminate in the common "Miller moths" in the spring.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756828429419.jpeg" alt="Fall Armyworm. Courtesy K-State Research and Extension" />
 <figcaption>Fall Armyworm. Courtesy K-State Research and Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictThere has been an increase of insect infestations this growing season around the state. Two of the more widespread pests have been lepidoptera larvae (worms): the fall armyworm and the armyworm. These pests have become problematic for our fall planted alfalfa, bromegrass, tritcale planted early for haying, etc. and have the potential to be problematic in our fall-planted wheat. It is advised to not get in any hurry to plant wheat.Fall armyworm (FAW) – Larvae when mature are 1-1.5 inches long and have a variable color (green to black) with three prominent white lines down their back and a distinctive white, inverted ”Y” pattern on their face between the eyes. These larvae feed on just about anything green and are currently very active in our area and probably all of Kansas.This moth does not overwinter in the Great Plains but migrates northward annually from southern states. It usually arrives in Kansas in July where it deposits eggs on corn, sorghum and other summer crops. Several generations occur and reproduction may continue through August and into September, putting early-planted wheat at greatest risk. Early-planted fields should be inspected frequently during the first few weeks following emergence. The first sign of damage is “window-pane” injury caused by tiny larvae chewing on seedling leaves. The larvae, which are usually too small to be easily observed at this time, hide in or around the base of seedlings. Within a few days the larvae become large enough to destroy entire leaves.Fields with 25 to 30 percent of plants with windowpane injury should be re-examined daily and treated immediately if stand establishment appears threatened. Larvae increase in size at an exponential rate, and so do their food requirements. Later instars, larger larvae do the most damage, sometimes destroying entire stands, and are the least susceptible to insecticides. Without treatment, problems can continue until larvae reach maturity or until a killing freeze.In our area there are significant populations of FAW feeding in seedling and established alfalfa, bromegrass, early planted triticale for haying or grazing, etc. Scouting is important because they can destroy seedling crops quickly.Armyworms (ARW) - Larvae are darker with several conspicuous light-colored stripes on both sides of their bodies, and they present a somewhat different problem than the FAW, because they do overwinter in Kansas. Therefore, the larvae may be around when the 2025 planted wheat crop germinates. Thus, planting as late as possible is important, as is destroying all volunteer wheat well before wheat planting begins. This is also important because it is the female moth that initiates the infestation by where she deposits her eggs, and she won't deposit any eggs unless she detects some greenery for a potential food source for the developing larvae. From past&nbsp;experience with armyworm infestations, they may continue to feed until temperatures dip into the mid-20s °F for a couple of hours, says Jeff Whitworth, K-State Extension Entomologist.Army cutworms - One other worm to consider is the Army cutworm. These moths migrate back into Kansas in the fall, looking for any greenery on which to deposit their eggs. So, they will not be the same problem as armyworms, as their feeding will be ending this fall, but the army cutworms will just be starting their feeding and culminate in the common "Miller moths" in the spring.The best ways to help mitigate an infestation in fall-planted wheat from any of these worms are to plant as late as possible and destroy all volunteer wheat well before any wheat is planted in your area.Information provided by Jeff Whitworth, K-State Extension Entomology Specialist.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.