I have had several calls lately with producers asking questions about cutting their wheat for hay or silage. Below is an article from K-State Research and Extension’s eUpdate that discusses the forage quality and pricing if you decide to go that route. As always, if you have a question, you can always contact us by calling the office at 620-793-1910 or emailing at aboor@ksu.edu.

Freezing conditions during April over some parts of Kansas potentially caused some damage in winter wheat, and with the passage of time, the level of damage is becoming more clear.&nbsp; As a result, producers facing reduced grain yields must soon decide whether to keep the wheat crop for grain or make a forage such as wheat hay or silage.

Comparing net returns to grain versus forage at this stage, however, requires market prices for wheat hay and silage, which aren’t always readily available.&nbsp; So how do you put a value on these forage products?&nbsp; This article updates a 2018 eUpdate article to provide some current estimates of wheat forage values as producers consider their options moving forward.&nbsp; The earlier article has more details on harvest concerns and relative feedstuff values.

It must also be mentioned that insured wheat growers should check first with their crop insurance agent before harvesting a forage crop to determine insurance requirements and document potential grain yield losses.&nbsp; Sometimes producers may be required to leave small areas of uncut wheat to provide a way to estimate grain yields.&nbsp; Insurance agents can also inform producers of any other restrictions which may apply. &nbsp;

The approach for pricing these wheat forage products will be to derive a silage or hay price using feed value comparisons to a feedstuff for which more reliable price information exists.&nbsp; A good candidate for a proxy feedstuff in Kansas is alfalfa hay, with prices reported weekly across the entire state and for a range of quality levels.&nbsp;

Alfalfa hay rated as “good” quality will have 58-60 percent total digestible nutrients (TDN) and 18-20 percent crude protein. According to USDA Ag Marketing Service reports, “fair/good” grinding alfalfa in southwest Kansas is currently selling for around $150-170 / ton, as a reference point.&nbsp; Wheat silage made from wheat at “early-head stage” maturity contains just over 15% Crude Protein and 73% TDN, on a dry matter basis.

Using an alfalfa hay price of $160/ton and the value of energy in alfalfa hay, a comparable wheat silage price based solely on energy would figure out to about $70 per ton as fed ($199/ton dry matter basis, assuming the silage is 35 percent dry matter.&nbsp; A similar calculation based solely on protein content would suggest a wheat silage price of about $50/ton as fed (about $143/ton dry matter basis). These results, based on rather simplistic calculations, might be viewed as upper and lower bounds on wheat silage prices, from a feed value perspective.&nbsp;

For wheat hay, Watson, indicated that wheat hay harvested at the dough stage would have 56-62 percent TDN and 8-10 percent crude protein, on a dry matter basis.&nbsp; So, wheat hay has almost as high an energy content as alfalfa hay, but significantly lower protein.&nbsp; Wheat hay priced solely on energy, relative to alfalfa, would figure out to about $155 per ton as fed.&nbsp; However, a similar calculation based solely on protein content would suggest a wheat hay price of only about $69/ton as fed.&nbsp; This is a rather wide range and could be considered as upper and lower bounds on the wheat hay value.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Given this wide range, this same approach based on relative feeding values is also estimated with a comparison to forage sorghum hay, which is closer in nutrient content to wheat hay and may provide a more meaningful range of price estimates. Using a TDN value of 57% and a crude protein value of 8% for forage sorghum hay, along with an edge-of-the-field price of $110 ton, we get suggested wheat hay prices in the range of $110 to $124 per ton.

Ultimately, of course, market prices are determined by buyers and sellers.&nbsp; However, the discussion above provides a couple of perspectives on how interested parties might approach the problem.&nbsp;

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District for K-State Research and Extension." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District for K-State Research and Extension.</figcaption>
 </figure>I have had several calls lately with producers asking questions about cutting their wheat for hay or silage. Below is an article from K-State Research and Extension’s eUpdate that discusses the forage quality and pricing if you decide to go that route. As always, if you have a question, you can always contact us by calling the office at 620-793-1910 or emailing at aboor@ksu.edu.Freezing conditions during April over some parts of Kansas potentially caused some damage in winter wheat, and with the passage of time, the level of damage is becoming more clear.&nbsp; As a result, producers facing reduced grain yields must soon decide whether to keep the wheat crop for grain or make a forage such as wheat hay or silage.Comparing net returns to grain versus forage at this stage, however, requires market prices for wheat hay and silage, which aren’t always readily available.&nbsp; So how do you put a value on these forage products?&nbsp; This article updates a 2018 eUpdate article to provide some current estimates of wheat forage values as producers consider their options moving forward.&nbsp; The earlier article has more details on harvest concerns and relative feedstuff values.It must also be mentioned that insured wheat growers should check first with their crop insurance agent before harvesting a forage crop to determine insurance requirements and document potential grain yield losses.&nbsp; Sometimes producers may be required to leave small areas of uncut wheat to provide a way to estimate grain yields.&nbsp; Insurance agents can also inform producers of any other restrictions which may apply. &nbsp;Pricing wheat silage and wheat hayThe approach for pricing these wheat forage products will be to derive a silage or hay price using feed value comparisons to a feedstuff for which more reliable price information exists.&nbsp; A good candidate for a proxy feedstuff in Kansas is alfalfa hay, with prices reported weekly across the entire state and for a range of quality levels.&nbsp;Alfalfa hay rated as “good” quality will have 58-60 percent total digestible nutrients (TDN) and 18-20 percent crude protein. According to USDA Ag Marketing Service reports, “fair/good” grinding alfalfa in southwest Kansas is currently selling for around $150-170 / ton, as a reference point.&nbsp; Wheat silage made from wheat at “early-head stage” maturity contains just over 15% Crude Protein and 73% TDN, on a dry matter basis.Using an alfalfa hay price of $160/ton and the value of energy in alfalfa hay, a comparable wheat silage price based solely on energy would figure out to about $70 per ton as fed ($199/ton dry matter basis, assuming the silage is 35 percent dry matter.&nbsp; A similar calculation based solely on protein content would suggest a wheat silage price of about $50/ton as fed (about $143/ton dry matter basis). These results, based on rather simplistic calculations, might be viewed as upper and lower bounds on wheat silage prices, from a feed value perspective.&nbsp;For wheat hay, Watson, indicated that wheat hay harvested at the dough stage would have 56-62 percent TDN and 8-10 percent crude protein, on a dry matter basis.&nbsp; So, wheat hay has almost as high an energy content as alfalfa hay, but significantly lower protein.&nbsp; Wheat hay priced solely on energy, relative to alfalfa, would figure out to about $155 per ton as fed.&nbsp; However, a similar calculation based solely on protein content would suggest a wheat hay price of only about $69/ton as fed.&nbsp; This is a rather wide range and could be considered as upper and lower bounds on the wheat hay value.&nbsp; &nbsp;Given this wide range, this same approach based on relative feeding values is also estimated with a comparison to forage sorghum hay, which is closer in nutrient content to wheat hay and may provide a more meaningful range of price estimates. Using a TDN value of 57% and a crude protein value of 8% for forage sorghum hay, along with an edge-of-the-field price of $110 ton, we get suggested wheat hay prices in the range of $110 to $124 per ton.Ultimately, of course, market prices are determined by buyers and sellers.&nbsp; However, the discussion above provides a couple of perspectives on how interested parties might approach the problem.&nbsp;Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Grain versus silage

By BERNY UNRUH Cottonwood Extension District Agent

The date to enroll for the free online ServSafe Food Safety Handler training has been extended to May 31. The National Restaurant Association Education Foundation stepped up to offer the free training as a response to the crisis that restaurants are faced with concerning COVID-19. 

The ServSafe program is a national certification program designed to teach safe handling practices to foodservice employees and others who handle and serve food to the public. Because everyone is concerned about the safety of our family and friends, anyone preparing and serving food in the public setting (restaurants, caterers, health care centers or nursing homes) is encouraged to enroll now. 

More information can be found here: <a href="https://www.servsafe.com/Landing-Pages/Free-Courses?fbclid=IwAR18oyZg32iwsY_4UBeRf0tOG2_G6XYlF-mpvVoE0YLIui8RMys_d3JaQkc">https://www.servsafe.com/Landing-Pages/Free-Courses</a>

The free offer includes ServSafe Food Handler training and assessment. It does not include food manager training courses. A profile must be set up if the employee does not already have one and then the course “ServSafe Food Handler online course and exam” must be selected and added to the cart. The course is available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Employees will have one year to launch and complete the course and test.&nbsp;

&nbsp;ServSafe provides training for the food service and restaurant industry to ensure that guests are provided a safe food dining experience. Family and Consumer Science Extension Agents normally offer the class for a charge each year but those classes have been cancelled. If you do have questions about the food managers course or proctor testing you may contact the Extension Office or ServSafe online.&nbsp;

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

By BERNY UNRUH Cottonwood Extension District AgentThe date to enroll for the free online ServSafe Food Safety Handler training has been extended to May 31. The National Restaurant Association Education Foundation stepped up to offer the free training as a response to the crisis that restaurants are faced with concerning COVID-19. The ServSafe program is a national certification program designed to teach safe handling practices to foodservice employees and others who handle and serve food to the public. Because everyone is concerned about the safety of our family and friends, anyone preparing and serving food in the public setting (restaurants, caterers, health care centers or nursing homes) is encouraged to enroll now. More information can be found here: <a href="https://www.servsafe.com/Landing-Pages/Free-Courses?fbclid=IwAR18oyZg32iwsY_4UBeRf0tOG2_G6XYlF-mpvVoE0YLIui8RMys_d3JaQkc">https://www.servsafe.com/Landing-Pages/Free-Courses</a>The free offer includes ServSafe Food Handler training and assessment. It does not include food manager training courses. A profile must be set up if the employee does not already have one and then the course “ServSafe Food Handler online course and exam” must be selected and added to the cart. The course is available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Employees will have one year to launch and complete the course and test.&nbsp;&nbsp;ServSafe provides training for the food service and restaurant industry to ensure that guests are provided a safe food dining experience. Family and Consumer Science Extension Agents normally offer the class for a charge each year but those classes have been cancelled. If you do have questions about the food managers course or proctor testing you may contact the Extension Office or ServSafe online.&nbsp;	Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

Extension's free food safety training date extended

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Let’s go to a farm show. We’ll see lots of vendors, hear speakers with the latest information, and learn about various products. But wait, we can’t do that. There’s a pandemic and a stay-at-home order in place.

What if we could participate in a farm show and do so virtually and safely, from the comfort of our homes? Today we’ll learn about a community which accomplished exactly that.&nbsp;

Alicia Boor is one of the agriculture and natural resources agents for the K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District, serving Barton and Ellis counties. She grew up in Dodge City, earned an animal science degree, and got a job as a zookeeper for rare breeds of livestock at the Sedgwick County Zoo before joining extension. Her extension position enabled Alicia and her husband to move to her husband’s hometown of Hoisington in Barton County. Hoisington is a rural community of 2,706 people. Now, that’s rural.

Alicia’s duties included lining up speakers for the annual Great Bend farm and ranch show which attracts thousands of people to Great Bend each spring. She was assisted by Jared Petersilie, the agriculture extension agent in the neighboring Walnut Creek District. Because of the interest in growing industrial hemp, the name of the 2020 show was changed to the Great Bend Farm, Ranch &amp; Hemp Expo.

Then came the coronavirus, followed by stay-at-home orders. Alicia and Jared had already lined up the speakers but reluctantly notified the planners that they could no longer participate.

In March, two weeks before the scheduled beginning of the expo in early April, Alicia got another request. The expo organizers wanted to make this a virtual expo. Could the speakers present their programs after all? Alicia decided to give it a try.

How in the world does someone conduct a virtual expo? The planners in Great Bend worked with a company with the domain name,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.virtualfarmexpo.com/">www.virtualfarmexpo.com</a>. In a matter of a couple of weeks, they managed to organize the event so that it could function online.

Alicia contacted her K-State speakers and found that they were willing. The original idea was that they would pre-record presentations to be presented during the expo, but it turned out that live Zoom presentations worked even better. This allowed for real-time interaction with the participants.

On April 8, 9 and 10 – the originally scheduled dates – the Great Bend Farm, Ranch &amp; Hemp Expo was conducted virtually. Participants got online, viewed the exhibits, and interacted with the speakers through their electronic devices.

The K-State speakers included Jason Griffin, an industrial hemp researcher at the John C. Pair Horticulture Center near Haysville; wheat specialist Romulo Lollato in Manhattan; and grain marketing economist Dan O’Brien in Colby. All were able to present their research results, share their screens with viewers, and respond to questions.

The presentations were live and also recorded. “We broke these into segments by crop,” Alicia said. “That way if a producer was interested specifically in grain sorghum, for example, they didn’t have to listen to an hour on other crops to get the 10 minutes that they wanted.”

What about the exhibits? The organizers created a screen image which looked like a booth one would see at the farm show. Exhibitors were able to populate that screen with their own pictures, information and videos, which rotated online during the show. It was an ingenious way to share the information while doing so safely and remotely. The K-State booth, for example, included links to extension publications and generated more than 1,000 views.

This was accomplished in a remarkably short time frame. “It was stressful, but it was fun,” Alicia said.

“At last year’s state extension conference, we were asked to innovate. I didn’t realize we would be forced to do it so quickly," she said with a smile. “We do have to find new ways to reach the public.”

It’s time to leave this virtual farm show. We commend Alicia Boor and all those who made a difference by using technology in this way. They were able to make “virtual” a reality.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588772194734.png" alt="Screen Shot 2020-05-06 at 8.36.17 AM.png" />
 <figcaption>Screen Shot 2020-05-06 at 8.36.17 AM.png</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural DevelopmentLet’s go to a farm show. We’ll see lots of vendors, hear speakers with the latest information, and learn about various products. But wait, we can’t do that. There’s a pandemic and a stay-at-home order in place.What if we could participate in a farm show and do so virtually and safely, from the comfort of our homes? Today we’ll learn about a community which accomplished exactly that.&nbsp;Alicia Boor is one of the agriculture and natural resources agents for the K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District, serving Barton and Ellis counties. She grew up in Dodge City, earned an animal science degree, and got a job as a zookeeper for rare breeds of livestock at the Sedgwick County Zoo before joining extension. Her extension position enabled Alicia and her husband to move to her husband’s hometown of Hoisington in Barton County. Hoisington is a rural community of 2,706 people. Now, that’s rural.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="Alicia Boor" />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor</figcaption>
 </figure>Alicia’s duties included lining up speakers for the annual Great Bend farm and ranch show which attracts thousands of people to Great Bend each spring. She was assisted by Jared Petersilie, the agriculture extension agent in the neighboring Walnut Creek District. Because of the interest in growing industrial hemp, the name of the 2020 show was changed to the Great Bend Farm, Ranch &amp; Hemp Expo.Then came the coronavirus, followed by stay-at-home orders. Alicia and Jared had already lined up the speakers but reluctantly notified the planners that they could no longer participate.In March, two weeks before the scheduled beginning of the expo in early April, Alicia got another request. The expo organizers wanted to make this a virtual expo. Could the speakers present their programs after all? Alicia decided to give it a try.How in the world does someone conduct a virtual expo? The planners in Great Bend worked with a company with the domain name,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.virtualfarmexpo.com/">www.virtualfarmexpo.com</a>. In a matter of a couple of weeks, they managed to organize the event so that it could function online.Alicia contacted her K-State speakers and found that they were willing. The original idea was that they would pre-record presentations to be presented during the expo, but it turned out that live Zoom presentations worked even better. This allowed for real-time interaction with the participants.On April 8, 9 and 10 – the originally scheduled dates – the Great Bend Farm, Ranch &amp; Hemp Expo was conducted virtually. Participants got online, viewed the exhibits, and interacted with the speakers through their electronic devices.The K-State speakers included Jason Griffin, an industrial hemp researcher at the John C. Pair Horticulture Center near Haysville; wheat specialist Romulo Lollato in Manhattan; and grain marketing economist Dan O’Brien in Colby. All were able to present their research results, share their screens with viewers, and respond to questions.The presentations were live and also recorded. “We broke these into segments by crop,” Alicia said. “That way if a producer was interested specifically in grain sorghum, for example, they didn’t have to listen to an hour on other crops to get the 10 minutes that they wanted.”What about the exhibits? The organizers created a screen image which looked like a booth one would see at the farm show. Exhibitors were able to populate that screen with their own pictures, information and videos, which rotated online during the show. It was an ingenious way to share the information while doing so safely and remotely. The K-State booth, for example, included links to extension publications and generated more than 1,000 views.This was accomplished in a remarkably short time frame. “It was stressful, but it was fun,” Alicia said.“At last year’s state extension conference, we were asked to innovate. I didn’t realize we would be forced to do it so quickly," she said with a smile. “We do have to find new ways to reach the public.”It’s time to leave this virtual farm show. We commend Alicia Boor and all those who made a difference by using technology in this way. They were able to make “virtual” a reality.

Now That’s Rural: Alicia Boor, Great Bend virtual farm show

Since we are still limiting our contact with larger groups I am postponing our Healthy Community Potluck that should have been scheduled this month. But I can still bring you the message that I was planning to share and that is “Med instead of Meds.” I had the opportunity to participate in a professional development class on the K-State campus back in February by the same title. A vivacious instructor from North Carolina, shared her passion for healthy cooking in our hands on lab.&nbsp;

So what exactly is “Med Instead of Meds”? The first Med stands for the Mediterranean Diet and lifestyle. With an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, legumes, beans, whole grains, nuts and unsaturated fat, you can imagine consuming a plate of food that is both colorful and full of fiber. Lifestyle choices related to the Mediterranean way of life include: eating a light breakfast, long extended lunch including a nap, daily physical exercise, and consuming fresh plant based foods that are grown locally.

Combining this approach to a healthy diet with lifestyle choices that also support health is our goal. By consuming more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts, we are providing the nutrients our bodies need to maintain and even regain health. That is where the word “Meds” comes into play. Meds, short for medicine, can save our lives in some cases. However, if the underlying cause of a health concern is related to consuming a diet high in fat or added sugar, perhaps we need to take a closer look at what we put on our plates.&nbsp;

Are we consuming five to nine servings of vegetables and fruits every day? Are we choosing to eat at least three ounces of whole grains and is our source of protein lean? An easy way to follow the Mediterranean diet is to shop the perimeter of the grocery store where all of the fresh foods are found. Less time spent in the aisles that have highly processed food choices is another good rule to follow.

Consider preparing this Mushroom Brown Rice Pilaf as a nutritious dish to complement your healthy menu. Ingredients:

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and brown onion and mushrooms for about five minutes. Add one cup brown rice and stir to coat grains in the oil. Add two cups broth, bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Simmer for about 45 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Cooking time for whole grain rice varies according to the variety of rice; check package directions. You can make a pilaf like this with any grain – not just rice. Simply vary the amount of broth and the cooking time according to the different grain. In a hurry? Try bulgur or quinoa, which both cook in under 15 minutes.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574802720194.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Since we are still limiting our contact with larger groups I am postponing our Healthy Community Potluck that should have been scheduled this month. But I can still bring you the message that I was planning to share and that is “Med instead of Meds.” I had the opportunity to participate in a professional development class on the K-State campus back in February by the same title. A vivacious instructor from North Carolina, shared her passion for healthy cooking in our hands on lab.&nbsp;So what exactly is “Med Instead of Meds”? The first Med stands for the Mediterranean Diet and lifestyle. With an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, legumes, beans, whole grains, nuts and unsaturated fat, you can imagine consuming a plate of food that is both colorful and full of fiber. Lifestyle choices related to the Mediterranean way of life include: eating a light breakfast, long extended lunch including a nap, daily physical exercise, and consuming fresh plant based foods that are grown locally.Combining this approach to a healthy diet with lifestyle choices that also support health is our goal. By consuming more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts, we are providing the nutrients our bodies need to maintain and even regain health. That is where the word “Meds” comes into play. Meds, short for medicine, can save our lives in some cases. However, if the underlying cause of a health concern is related to consuming a diet high in fat or added sugar, perhaps we need to take a closer look at what we put on our plates.&nbsp;Are we consuming five to nine servings of vegetables and fruits every day? Are we choosing to eat at least three ounces of whole grains and is our source of protein lean? An easy way to follow the Mediterranean diet is to shop the perimeter of the grocery store where all of the fresh foods are found. Less time spent in the aisles that have highly processed food choices is another good rule to follow.Consider preparing this Mushroom Brown Rice Pilaf as a nutritious dish to complement your healthy menu. Ingredients:<ol>
 <li>½ large onion, chopped</li><li>1 cup sliced mushrooms (4-5 mushrooms)</li><li>1 Tablespoon olive oil</li><li>1 cup brown rice</li><li>2 cups vegetable broth</li>
 </ol>Heat the oil in a large saucepan and brown onion and mushrooms for about five minutes. Add one cup brown rice and stir to coat grains in the oil. Add two cups broth, bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Simmer for about 45 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Cooking time for whole grain rice varies according to the variety of rice; check package directions. You can make a pilaf like this with any grain – not just rice. Simply vary the amount of broth and the cooking time according to the different grain. In a hurry? Try bulgur or quinoa, which both cook in under 15 minutes.Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp; K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

KRUG: Med instead of meds

Have you wondered how much rain or snow has fallen? Have you noticed that what was reported at the official National Weather Service Cooperative site does not match what you observed at your location? There is a volunteer organization that is working to answer both questions: <a href="https://cocorahs.org/">CoCoRaHS</a>. Now is a great time to join this network as Kansans are spending more time at home due to COVID-19.

CoCoRaHS is an acronym for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a unique, nonprofit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail, and snow). By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive website, the aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education, and research applications. CoCoRaHS has been active in Kansas since 2004. More observers are always very welcome.

Each time a storm — rain, hail, or snow — crosses your area, volunteers take measurements of precipitation from as many locations as possible. These precipitation reports are recorded on the website, <a href="https://cocorahs.org/">https://cocorahs.org/</a>. The data are then displayed and organized for the end users to analyze and apply to daily situations ranging from water resource analysis and severe storm warnings to neighbors comparing how much rain fell in their backyards. For example, Manhattan was able to document the highest rainfall amount during the Labor Day 2018 flood, thanks to a CoCoRaHS observer.

No rain is still an important observation

Volunteers also report when it DOES NOT rain. Documenting the fact that a part of the county missed a precipitation event helps improve our understanding of drought conditions. That information is also useful in improving radar and satellite rainfall estimates.

CoCoRaHS is used by a wide variety of organizations and individuals. The National Weather Service, other meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, city utilities (water supply, water conservation, storm water, insurance adjusters, USDA, engineers, mosquito control, ranchers and farmers, outdoor &amp; recreation interests, teachers, students, and neighbors in the community are just some examples of those who visit the website and use the data.

One of the neat things about participating in this network is coming away with the feeling that you have made an important contribution that helps others. By providing your daily observation, you help to fill in a piece of the weather puzzle that affects many across your area in one way or another.

To join CoCoRaHS, just go to the website CoCoRaHS.org and click “Join Now."

If you have questions about the program, contact Mary Knapp at Kansas State University by email at mknapp@ksu.edu or phone at 785-313-1562.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District" />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District</figcaption>
 </figure>Have you wondered how much rain or snow has fallen? Have you noticed that what was reported at the official National Weather Service Cooperative site does not match what you observed at your location? There is a volunteer organization that is working to answer both questions: <a href="https://cocorahs.org/">CoCoRaHS</a>. Now is a great time to join this network as Kansans are spending more time at home due to COVID-19.<h2>What is CoCoRaHS?</h2>CoCoRaHS is an acronym for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a unique, nonprofit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail, and snow). By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive website, the aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education, and research applications. CoCoRaHS has been active in Kansas since 2004. More observers are always very welcome.Each time a storm — rain, hail, or snow — crosses your area, volunteers take measurements of precipitation from as many locations as possible. These precipitation reports are recorded on the website, <a href="https://cocorahs.org/">https://cocorahs.org/</a>. The data are then displayed and organized for the end users to analyze and apply to daily situations ranging from water resource analysis and severe storm warnings to neighbors comparing how much rain fell in their backyards. For example, Manhattan was able to document the highest rainfall amount during the Labor Day 2018 flood, thanks to a CoCoRaHS observer.<h2>No rain is still an important observation</h2>Volunteers also report when it DOES NOT rain. Documenting the fact that a part of the county missed a precipitation event helps improve our understanding of drought conditions. That information is also useful in improving radar and satellite rainfall estimates.<h2>Who uses the CoCoRaHS data?</h2>CoCoRaHS is used by a wide variety of organizations and individuals. The National Weather Service, other meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, city utilities (water supply, water conservation, storm water, insurance adjusters, USDA, engineers, mosquito control, ranchers and farmers, outdoor &amp; recreation interests, teachers, students, and neighbors in the community are just some examples of those who visit the website and use the data.One of the neat things about participating in this network is coming away with the feeling that you have made an important contribution that helps others. By providing your daily observation, you help to fill in a piece of the weather puzzle that affects many across your area in one way or another.To join CoCoRaHS, just go to the website CoCoRaHS.org and click “Join Now."If you have questions about the program, contact Mary Knapp at Kansas State University by email at mknapp@ksu.edu or phone at 785-313-1562.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: CoCoRaHS helps gauge local weather

Is there a difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing?&nbsp; Yes, there is! The following information is just the basics, so please visit the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website for more detailed information.&nbsp;

Whether at home or at work, a surface must first be cleaned. When we teach the Employee Food Handlers Class through ServSafe and the National Restaurant Association, the students are taught that “cleaning” removes food and other types of soil from a surface such as a countertop or plate. Then, sanitizing reduces the number of pathogens on the clean surface to a safe level. The cleaning and sanitizing process is a five-step process: 1. Scrape or remove food from the surface 2. Wash the surface with soap and water 3. Rinse the surface 4. Sanitize the surface 5. Allow the surface to air dry.&nbsp;

Sanitizing and disinfecting are different things. Disinfection uses a higher concentration of bleach than sanitizing.

For general kitchen sanitizing, a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented chlorine bleach per gallon of lukewarm (not hot) water is the usual recommendation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Only use bleach when it is appropriate for the surface. It is very important to read the label on the bottle you are using. Some bleach is used only for laundry and not for disinfecting. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.

Disinfecting refers to using chemicals, for example, EPA-registered disinfectants, to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. For disinfecting, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite) can be used if appropriate for the surface. Disinfectant sprays or wipes are intended for use on hard, non-porous surfaces. To prepare a bleach solution for disinfecting mix 5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water OR if you need a smaller amount, 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. Homemade cleaning solutions made with bleach&nbsp;should&nbsp;be remade&nbsp;after&nbsp;24 hours.

&nbsp;Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least 5 minutes on the surfaces where it is appropriate to use bleach. Some disinfectant wipes say on the label to leave the area wet until dry. Please read the label! Wear gloves when working with bleach and other disinfectants. It is also important to allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Always keep chemicals and cleaning products out of the reach of children and in a locked cupboard.

For additional information visit the cdc.gov website or call the Extension office.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588274071306.jpeg" alt="Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Is there a difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing?&nbsp; Yes, there is! The following information is just the basics, so please visit the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website for more detailed information.&nbsp;Whether at home or at work, a surface must first be cleaned. When we teach the Employee Food Handlers Class through ServSafe and the National Restaurant Association, the students are taught that “cleaning” removes food and other types of soil from a surface such as a countertop or plate. Then, sanitizing reduces the number of pathogens on the clean surface to a safe level. The cleaning and sanitizing process is a five-step process: 1. Scrape or remove food from the surface 2. Wash the surface with soap and water 3. Rinse the surface 4. Sanitize the surface 5. Allow the surface to air dry.&nbsp;Sanitizing and disinfecting are different things. Disinfection uses a higher concentration of bleach than sanitizing.For general kitchen sanitizing, a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented chlorine bleach per gallon of lukewarm (not hot) water is the usual recommendation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Only use bleach when it is appropriate for the surface. It is very important to read the label on the bottle you are using. Some bleach is used only for laundry and not for disinfecting. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.Disinfecting refers to using chemicals, for example, EPA-registered disinfectants, to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. For disinfecting, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite) can be used if appropriate for the surface. Disinfectant sprays or wipes are intended for use on hard, non-porous surfaces. To prepare a bleach solution for disinfecting mix 5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water OR if you need a smaller amount, 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. Homemade cleaning solutions made with bleach&nbsp;should&nbsp;be remade&nbsp;after&nbsp;24 hours.&nbsp;Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least 5 minutes on the surfaces where it is appropriate to use bleach. Some disinfectant wipes say on the label to leave the area wet until dry. Please read the label! Wear gloves when working with bleach and other disinfectants. It is also important to allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Always keep chemicals and cleaning products out of the reach of children and in a locked cupboard.For additional information visit the cdc.gov website or call the Extension office.&nbsp;	Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

UNRUH: Cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing

As we turn the calendar to May I was reminded that Pilot Club members were going to join me in visiting each elementary school in Barton County. Pilot Club had bicycle helmets to present at every school as part of their brain injury awareness project. During our visit I would share the rules of riding a bicycle complete with hand signals and safe riding practices. I hope that since the school year was cut short that we will be able to make a visit to the schools next fall to share our message.&nbsp;

The beautiful spring weather we have had lately has been great for bicycling. I have bike commuted to the office for many years and try to run our close-to-home errands by bike whenever possible. It only takes five minutes longer to ride to work and there are several benefits. The health benefits of exercise and savings at the pump are the main ones that come to mind.

As you and your family members dust off your bicycles for another season, do not forget to purchase a helmet to wear when riding. More than 60 percent of deaths attributed to bicycle accidents are caused by head injuries. Safety experts suggest that as many as 75 percent of the bicycle related fatalities involving children could be prevented with a bicycle helmet.

Consider a helmet a necessity, rather than an extra. Without a helmet, riders who sustain an injury are 14 times more likely to become a fatality. Choose a helmet that is specifically designed for bicycling, rather and a multi-sports helmet. Choose one that meets or exceeds safety standards established by the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission. Make sure the helmet fits, rather than one a child will grow into. Replace the helmet if an accident occurs or if the helmet is badly jarred or cracked.

While we are on the subject of safe bicycling, please remind the riders in your family of the following rules of the road:

Many parents ask at what age a child is old enough to ride in the street rather than on the sidewalk. There is not a one-size-fits-all age. A child’s maturity and riding ability are factors. Other factors to consider are the size of the community, traffic patterns and congestion, and whether it is a residential area or a business district. a smaller community can seem peaceful and safe, but may have periods when safety is compromised – for example, after a ball game, during a community festival, or at harvest time.

Last but not least, make sure that you perform periodic bicycle maintenance on the families’ bikes. Checking tire pressure and condition, lubricating key places, checking brakes, pedals, lights or reflectors is also recommended.

I hope you will celebrate National Bike Month by riding as much as you can!

Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583253738760.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District. " />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District. </figcaption>
 </figure>As we turn the calendar to May I was reminded that Pilot Club members were going to join me in visiting each elementary school in Barton County. Pilot Club had bicycle helmets to present at every school as part of their brain injury awareness project. During our visit I would share the rules of riding a bicycle complete with hand signals and safe riding practices. I hope that since the school year was cut short that we will be able to make a visit to the schools next fall to share our message.&nbsp;The beautiful spring weather we have had lately has been great for bicycling. I have bike commuted to the office for many years and try to run our close-to-home errands by bike whenever possible. It only takes five minutes longer to ride to work and there are several benefits. The health benefits of exercise and savings at the pump are the main ones that come to mind.As you and your family members dust off your bicycles for another season, do not forget to purchase a helmet to wear when riding. More than 60 percent of deaths attributed to bicycle accidents are caused by head injuries. Safety experts suggest that as many as 75 percent of the bicycle related fatalities involving children could be prevented with a bicycle helmet.Consider a helmet a necessity, rather than an extra. Without a helmet, riders who sustain an injury are 14 times more likely to become a fatality. Choose a helmet that is specifically designed for bicycling, rather and a multi-sports helmet. Choose one that meets or exceeds safety standards established by the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission. Make sure the helmet fits, rather than one a child will grow into. Replace the helmet if an accident occurs or if the helmet is badly jarred or cracked.While we are on the subject of safe bicycling, please remind the riders in your family of the following rules of the road:<ol>
 <li>Ride with the traffic, rather than facing traffic.</li><li>Use the bicycle lane or ride next to the curb.</li><li>Obey traffic signals.</li><li>Stay alert and keep your mind on your riding.</li>
 </ol>Many parents ask at what age a child is old enough to ride in the street rather than on the sidewalk. There is not a one-size-fits-all age. A child’s maturity and riding ability are factors. Other factors to consider are the size of the community, traffic patterns and congestion, and whether it is a residential area or a business district. a smaller community can seem peaceful and safe, but may have periods when safety is compromised – for example, after a ball game, during a community festival, or at harvest time.Last but not least, make sure that you perform periodic bicycle maintenance on the families’ bikes. Checking tire pressure and condition, lubricating key places, checking brakes, pedals, lights or reflectors is also recommended.I hope you will celebrate National Bike Month by riding as much as you can!Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;

KRUG: May is bike month

Learning to identify poison ivy is vital if you wish to avoid the rash that accompanies exposure.&nbsp; Unfortunately, poison ivy can make identification difficult because it occurs in three forms: an erect woody shrub, a groundcover that creeps along the ground, and a woody vine that will climb trees.&nbsp;



When poison ivy climbs, it forms numerous aerial roots that give the vine the appearance of a fuzzy rope. The leaves of poison ivy also vary. Though the compound leaf always has three leaflets, the leaf margins may be toothed, incised, lobed or smooth. 

The size of the leaves also can vary, although usually the middle leaflet is larger than the other two. Also, the middle leaflet is the only one with a long stalk; the other two are closely attached to the petiole (leaf stem). 

The number of leaves gives rise to the saying: "Leaves of three, let it be!" Poison ivy is often confused with Virginia creeper or Woodbine. Each of these vines, however, has five leaflets rather than three.

There are three methods commonly used to eradicate poison ivy. These include pulling or grubbing out the plants by hand, cutting off the vine, and then treating the cut stump or the regrowth, and spraying the plants directly. 

The method used depends somewhat on the plant's growth form.&nbsp;

If the plant is growing as a groundcover, direct spray or grubbing the plant out is often used. If grubbing, wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. The soil must be moist for grubbing to work well. Wash the clothes and yourself immediately after you finish. It might also be a good idea to rinse the washing machine.&nbsp;



If the plant is in the shrub form, direct spray is the most common control method. If the plant is a woody vine that has climbed a tree, the preferred method is to cut the plant off at the base and treat the sprouts after they emerge. 

Some triclopyr herbicides also have instructions on treating a freshly cut stump directly. Triclopyr (Brush-B-Gon Poison Ivy Killer, Brush Killer Stump Killer) is most often used for poison ivy control. Other herbicides that can be used include glyphosate (Roundup; Killzall Weed and Grass Killer; Nutgrass, Poison Ivy and Vine Killer) or dicamba. Poison ivy is tough. Repeat applications may be necessary.&nbsp;

Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions she can be contacted by e-mail at lfick@k-state.edu or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588003925233.png" alt="Poison Ivy has three large, distinctive leaves. Most people use a saying “leaves of three, let it be” to help identify poison ivy." />
 <figcaption>Poison Ivy has three large, distinctive leaves. Most people use a saying “leaves of three, let it be” to help identify poison ivy.</figcaption>
 </figure>Learning to identify poison ivy is vital if you wish to avoid the rash that accompanies exposure.&nbsp; Unfortunately, poison ivy can make identification difficult because it occurs in three forms: an erect woody shrub, a groundcover that creeps along the ground, and a woody vine that will climb trees.&nbsp;
<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>
When poison ivy climbs, it forms numerous aerial roots that give the vine the appearance of a fuzzy rope. The leaves of poison ivy also vary. Though the compound leaf always has three leaflets, the leaf margins may be toothed, incised, lobed or smooth. The size of the leaves also can vary, although usually the middle leaflet is larger than the other two. Also, the middle leaflet is the only one with a long stalk; the other two are closely attached to the petiole (leaf stem). The number of leaves gives rise to the saying: "Leaves of three, let it be!" Poison ivy is often confused with Virginia creeper or Woodbine. Each of these vines, however, has five leaflets rather than three.

There are three methods commonly used to eradicate poison ivy. These include pulling or grubbing out the plants by hand, cutting off the vine, and then treating the cut stump or the regrowth, and spraying the plants directly. The method used depends somewhat on the plant's growth form.&nbsp;

If the plant is growing as a groundcover, direct spray or grubbing the plant out is often used. If grubbing, wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. The soil must be moist for grubbing to work well. Wash the clothes and yourself immediately after you finish. It might also be a good idea to rinse the washing machine.&nbsp;

If the plant is in the shrub form, direct spray is the most common control method. If the plant is a woody vine that has climbed a tree, the preferred method is to cut the plant off at the base and treat the sprouts after they emerge. Some triclopyr herbicides also have instructions on treating a freshly cut stump directly. Triclopyr (Brush-B-Gon Poison Ivy Killer, Brush Killer Stump Killer) is most often used for poison ivy control. Other herbicides that can be used include glyphosate (Roundup; Killzall Weed and Grass Killer; Nutgrass, Poison Ivy and Vine Killer) or dicamba. Poison ivy is tough. Repeat applications may be necessary.&nbsp;Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions she can be contacted by e-mail at lfick@k-state.edu or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

FICK: Poison ivy identification and control

TOPEKA - Governor Laura Kelly appointed Allen Roth, Hays, to the Kansas Water Authority.

The water authority advises the governor, the Legislature and the director of the Kansas Water Office (KWO) on water policy issues
 — including the approval of the Kansas Water Plan and revisions, federal contracts, administration regulations and legislation proposed by the KWO.

“The Kansas Water Authority is comprised of such an important and knowledgeable group of individuals,” Kelly said. “Allen has demonstrated
 a commitment to our state’s natural resources as a producer and with his service to conservation and extension districts, and is an ideal candidate to join this board.”

Roth farms full-time near Hays and has a bachelor’s and master’s in computer science from Kansas State University. 

He has served 18 years on the Ellis County&nbsp;Conservation
 District Board of Supervisors, six years on the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts Board of Directors as well as the Smoky Hill – Saline Regional Advisory Committee since its inception, and on the Cottonwood Extension District Board of Directors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588089531234.jpeg" alt="Allen P. Roth (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Allen P. Roth (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of Gov.TOPEKA - Governor Laura Kelly appointed Allen Roth, Hays, to the Kansas Water Authority.The water authority advises the governor, the Legislature and the director of the Kansas Water Office (KWO) on water policy issues
 — including the approval of the Kansas Water Plan and revisions, federal contracts, administration regulations and legislation proposed by the KWO.“The Kansas Water Authority is comprised of such an important and knowledgeable group of individuals,” Kelly said. “Allen has demonstrated
 a commitment to our state’s natural resources as a producer and with his service to conservation and extension districts, and is an ideal candidate to join this board.”Roth farms full-time near Hays and has a bachelor’s and master’s in computer science from Kansas State University. He has served 18 years on the Ellis County&nbsp;Conservation
 District Board of Supervisors, six years on the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts Board of Directors as well as the Smoky Hill – Saline Regional Advisory Committee since its inception, and on the Cottonwood Extension District Board of Directors.

Hays man appointed to Kansas Water Authority

Three years ago, I enjoyed piloting a series of programs targeting our senior population titled, Keys to Embracing Aging. Each month for a year I brought a new topic complete with a well written fact sheet to a consistent audience of around twenty seniors. It is time to bring out those fact sheets again but this time, instead of just focusing on seniors, I’m calling it “Keys to Embracing Life.”

Today I’m sharing information from the Positive Attitude fact sheet. It’s no secret that the connection between mind and body is strong. An overall positive attitude, including an upbeat outlook on life, can affect overall happiness, health, and well-being. Similar to good health practices such as eating well and getting plenty of exercise, a positive attitude should be a habit that starts early in life.

A positive attitude can impact mental health and physical functioning, including the ability to fight disease and infection. Attitude can also affect relationships, social networks, and help make success in life more likely. The bottom line, being more positive across the lifespan causes less stress and enables people to live healthier, happy lives.

Dr. Martin Seligman, the creator of positive psychology, believes that happiness helps provide a sense of purpose in life because it is something that you can create and nurture. He identified seven habits of happy people. Happy people:

We all know people who are positive and almost always have a smile on their face. Our five-year-old grandson, Bo, is one happy kid. If the weather is nice, Bo and his mom will be practicing hitting or catching a baseball, or shooting baskets at their driveway basketball goal. After a recent rainy day, Bo and his two sisters, went on a worm hunt. It was such a success that a weekend fishing trip is planned. Our daughter, Kristen, sent a picture of three smiling kids with their gallon pail almost half full of worms.

Everyone has an occasional bad day, but in general, a positive attitude and happy outlook can help pull you through life’s challenges. Having an upbeat and proactive outlook on life over time can also contribute to better health and optimal aging, including longevity.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583253738760.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Three years ago, I enjoyed piloting a series of programs targeting our senior population titled, Keys to Embracing Aging. Each month for a year I brought a new topic complete with a well written fact sheet to a consistent audience of around twenty seniors. It is time to bring out those fact sheets again but this time, instead of just focusing on seniors, I’m calling it “Keys to Embracing Life.”Today I’m sharing information from the Positive Attitude fact sheet. It’s no secret that the connection between mind and body is strong. An overall positive attitude, including an upbeat outlook on life, can affect overall happiness, health, and well-being. Similar to good health practices such as eating well and getting plenty of exercise, a positive attitude should be a habit that starts early in life.A positive attitude can impact mental health and physical functioning, including the ability to fight disease and infection. Attitude can also affect relationships, social networks, and help make success in life more likely. The bottom line, being more positive across the lifespan causes less stress and enables people to live healthier, happy lives.Dr. Martin Seligman, the creator of positive psychology, believes that happiness helps provide a sense of purpose in life because it is something that you can create and nurture. He identified seven habits of happy people. Happy people:<ol>
 <li>Build close relationships</li><li>Care for others</li><li>Engage in healthy, active lifestyles</li><li>Embrace spirituality</li><li>Practice positive thinking</li><li>Embrace a hobby or activity</li><li>Identify strengths</li>
 </ol>We all know people who are positive and almost always have a smile on their face. Our five-year-old grandson, Bo, is one happy kid. If the weather is nice, Bo and his mom will be practicing hitting or catching a baseball, or shooting baskets at their driveway basketball goal. After a recent rainy day, Bo and his two sisters, went on a worm hunt. It was such a success that a weekend fishing trip is planned. Our daughter, Kristen, sent a picture of three smiling kids with their gallon pail almost half full of worms.Everyone has an occasional bad day, but in general, a positive attitude and happy outlook can help pull you through life’s challenges. Having an upbeat and proactive outlook on life over time can also contribute to better health and optimal aging, including longevity.Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Keys to embracing life

If you have had problems with canes or stems of lilac and privet suddenly wilting, or ash trees that show borer holes in the trunk and larger branches, the ash/lilac borer may be to blame. 

This insect causes the base of infested lilac stems to swell and the bark to separate from the wood. A fine sawdust-like material is present around holes in the canes. Ash and mountain ash also are affected. The borer attacks the trunk, which may cause bark to swell and crack if there are repeated infestations.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;


Ash/lilac borers overwinter as larvae in infested trees and shrubs. Moths generally begin to emerge in mid to late April. Emergence peaks in May, dwindles by mid to late June and ends by the first week of July. However, this varies by year. The moth has clear wings and resembles a wasp. There is one generation per year.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;


Public and commercially managed properties often use pheromone traps to determine the presence of adults. Spray treatments are started seven to 10 days after capture of the first moths.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;


Sprays also can be timed using phenology, the practice of timing one event by another. The first spray for ash/lilac borer should be applied when the Vanhoutte spirea is in full to late bloom. This is often about the third week in April but can be as early as late March and as late as mid-May. Apply a second spray four weeks after the first. 

To see a photo of Vanhoutte spirea, go to:&nbsp;<a href="http://plantsci.missouri.edu/ps2210/list9/spix_van.htm">http://plantsci.missouri.edu/ps2210/list9/spix_van.htm</a>&nbsp;.
&nbsp;
Thoroughly treat the trunk and larger limbs of ash or the lower portion of the stems of lilac or privet. Heavily infested ash should be cut and burned during the fall and winter. Infested stems of lilac or privet should be removed as well.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Bifenthrin or permethrin (Hi-Yield Garden, Pet, and Livestock Insect Control and 38 Plus Turf, Termite and Ornamental Insect Control) are labeled for control. Though there are a number of homeowner products that contain one or the other of these two active ingredients, the permethrin products listed above are the only ones I've found that specifically lists the ash/lilac borer on the label with directions for control.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>If you have had problems with canes or stems of lilac and privet suddenly wilting, or ash trees that show borer holes in the trunk and larger branches, the ash/lilac borer may be to blame. This insect causes the base of infested lilac stems to swell and the bark to separate from the wood. A fine sawdust-like material is present around holes in the canes. Ash and mountain ash also are affected. The borer attacks the trunk, which may cause bark to swell and crack if there are repeated infestations.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Ash/lilac borers overwinter as larvae in infested trees and shrubs. Moths generally begin to emerge in mid to late April. Emergence peaks in May, dwindles by mid to late June and ends by the first week of July. However, this varies by year. The moth has clear wings and resembles a wasp. There is one generation per year.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Public and commercially managed properties often use pheromone traps to determine the presence of adults. Spray treatments are started seven to 10 days after capture of the first moths.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Sprays also can be timed using phenology, the practice of timing one event by another. The first spray for ash/lilac borer should be applied when the Vanhoutte spirea is in full to late bloom. This is often about the third week in April but can be as early as late March and as late as mid-May. Apply a second spray four weeks after the first. To see a photo of Vanhoutte spirea, go to:&nbsp;<a href="http://plantsci.missouri.edu/ps2210/list9/spix_van.htm">http://plantsci.missouri.edu/ps2210/list9/spix_van.htm</a>&nbsp;.
&nbsp;
Thoroughly treat the trunk and larger limbs of ash or the lower portion of the stems of lilac or privet. Heavily infested ash should be cut and burned during the fall and winter. Infested stems of lilac or privet should be removed as well.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Bifenthrin or permethrin (Hi-Yield Garden, Pet, and Livestock Insect Control and 38 Plus Turf, Termite and Ornamental Insect Control) are labeled for control. Though there are a number of homeowner products that contain one or the other of these two active ingredients, the permethrin products listed above are the only ones I've found that specifically lists the ash/lilac borer on the label with directions for control.&nbsp;Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions she can be contacted by e-mail at lfick@k-state.edu or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

FICK: Protecting your lilacs from ash/lilac borer

Will a facemask really help keep me from getting sick? There is evidence that shows that some people with coronavirus do not have symptoms and they could pass the virus to others. To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends that we do cover our face before we go out in public.&nbsp;

Very early in this event, I saw a video of a young lady from I think Romania and her story was “I wear a mask to protect you from me and you wear a mask to protect me from you”. This is not normal for America but we may have to change our ways. Wearing a mask is definitely better than no protection at all.&nbsp;

Even if you do wear a mask, you must also continue to practice social distancing, wash your hands and stay at home. These are still the best ways to slow the spread of the virus. If you are looking for the best information about facemasks, start at KDHE and CDC.gov and there is also a very good article on Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics website about Children and Masks.&nbsp;

When choosing or making a homemade mask follow these guidelines that spell M-A-S-K. M is Multi-layered tightly woven 100% cotton fabric with a thread count of 180+. Sheets and pillowcases are rated with a thread count. A is Avoid your face.&nbsp; Never touch the front of the mask. Always remove it from the back of your head. S is for Scrap it if it is damaged, soiled or doesn’t fit. Your mask should be breathable and fit snug against your face. Do not use damp, wet or dirty masks. K is for Keep it Clean. The mask and your hands! Wash your hands before putting your mask on and after you take it off. Use a clean mask each time you wear one. Masks can be washed in the washing machine and dried in the dryer or placed in the sun to dry.&nbsp;

I have tried out seven patterns that I have found on the internet. There are so many different versions and some believe that elastic loops around the ears are great and others say to use a shoestring or another kind of tie to pull to the back of your head. If you have questions, feel free to email me at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a> and I’ll be glad to share what I have learned about making homemade masks. <a href="https://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/Kansas_Homemade_Mask_Guidance.pdf">https://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/Kansas_Homemade_Mask_Guidance.pdf</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576703168607.png" alt="Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Will a facemask really help keep me from getting sick? There is evidence that shows that some people with coronavirus do not have symptoms and they could pass the virus to others. To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends that we do cover our face before we go out in public.&nbsp;Very early in this event, I saw a video of a young lady from I think Romania and her story was “I wear a mask to protect you from me and you wear a mask to protect me from you”. This is not normal for America but we may have to change our ways. Wearing a mask is definitely better than no protection at all.&nbsp;Even if you do wear a mask, you must also continue to practice social distancing, wash your hands and stay at home. These are still the best ways to slow the spread of the virus. If you are looking for the best information about facemasks, start at KDHE and CDC.gov and there is also a very good article on Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics website about Children and Masks.&nbsp;When choosing or making a homemade mask follow these guidelines that spell M-A-S-K. M is Multi-layered tightly woven 100% cotton fabric with a thread count of 180+. Sheets and pillowcases are rated with a thread count. A is Avoid your face.&nbsp; Never touch the front of the mask. Always remove it from the back of your head. S is for Scrap it if it is damaged, soiled or doesn’t fit. Your mask should be breathable and fit snug against your face. Do not use damp, wet or dirty masks. K is for Keep it Clean. The mask and your hands! Wash your hands before putting your mask on and after you take it off. Use a clean mask each time you wear one. Masks can be washed in the washing machine and dried in the dryer or placed in the sun to dry.&nbsp;I have tried out seven patterns that I have found on the internet. There are so many different versions and some believe that elastic loops around the ears are great and others say to use a shoestring or another kind of tie to pull to the back of your head. If you have questions, feel free to email me at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a> and I’ll be glad to share what I have learned about making homemade masks. <a href="https://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/Kansas_Homemade_Mask_Guidance.pdf">https://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/Kansas_Homemade_Mask_Guidance.pdf</a>	Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

UNRUH: Some guidance for facemasks

As another week passes, my hope is that you are staying well and finding things to smile about each day. It is easy to get overloaded with news accounts that we really have no control over. Taking time each day for what I call “self-care” is more important than ever. Carving out time for whatever brings you peace of mind may look different for you than it does for me. Those of you who know me, can guess my self-care includes a bike ride somewhere every chance I get.

The “Mindful Meditation and Do-In” class that was set to begin next week through the Great Bend Recreation Commission can’t be held due to the stay at home order. But for those who were signed up and for anyone who has access to a computer, a recorded version is available. While I am disappointed that we can’t meet in person, taking advantage of the video format allows you to participate in the comfort of your own home. Our Cottonwood Extension District website has a link to Everyday Mindfulness in the middle of the front page. This was a recording I was asked to do at one of our agent updates. Extension colleagues, Charlotte Shoup-Olsen and Debra Bolton, join me as we share the benefits of taking deep breaths and clearing the many thoughts racing through our minds. About 31 minutes into the recording, my husband, John, leads a short meditation and Do-In (pronounced doe-een) exercises.

As I surveyed additional mindful meditation resources that are on-line I found literally hundreds of links to well-done videos. There are many websites with research based information as well. Mindfulness was a hot topic before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more than ever, people are hoping to find a way to cope with the feelings of anxiousness and uncertainty.&nbsp;

The “Everyday Mindfulness” fact sheet I helped write a couple of years ago offers the following benefits that come from a regular meditation practice:

If you are interested in checking out the fact sheet and leaders guide, it can be found on the KSRE web site. You can search by the publication title, “Everyday Mindfulness” or publication numbers MF3424 and MF3425.

If the Mindful Meditation and Do-In classes sound like something you would like to participate in, please give me a call to register for the sessions we are hoping to teach in July at the Great Bend Activity Center.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574802720194.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>As another week passes, my hope is that you are staying well and finding things to smile about each day. It is easy to get overloaded with news accounts that we really have no control over. Taking time each day for what I call “self-care” is more important than ever. Carving out time for whatever brings you peace of mind may look different for you than it does for me. Those of you who know me, can guess my self-care includes a bike ride somewhere every chance I get.The “Mindful Meditation and Do-In” class that was set to begin next week through the Great Bend Recreation Commission can’t be held due to the stay at home order. But for those who were signed up and for anyone who has access to a computer, a recorded version is available. While I am disappointed that we can’t meet in person, taking advantage of the video format allows you to participate in the comfort of your own home. Our Cottonwood Extension District website has a link to Everyday Mindfulness in the middle of the front page. This was a recording I was asked to do at one of our agent updates. Extension colleagues, Charlotte Shoup-Olsen and Debra Bolton, join me as we share the benefits of taking deep breaths and clearing the many thoughts racing through our minds. About 31 minutes into the recording, my husband, John, leads a short meditation and Do-In (pronounced doe-een) exercises.As I surveyed additional mindful meditation resources that are on-line I found literally hundreds of links to well-done videos. There are many websites with research based information as well. Mindfulness was a hot topic before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more than ever, people are hoping to find a way to cope with the feelings of anxiousness and uncertainty.&nbsp;The “Everyday Mindfulness” fact sheet I helped write a couple of years ago offers the following benefits that come from a regular meditation practice:<ol>
 <li>Increased ability to relax</li><li>Improved concentration</li><li>Increased energy and enthusiasm for life</li><li>Increased creativity</li><li>Increased self-awareness</li><li>Improved self-esteem</li><li>Improved work/school performance</li>
 </ol>If you are interested in checking out the fact sheet and leaders guide, it can be found on the KSRE web site. You can search by the publication title, “Everyday Mindfulness” or publication numbers MF3424 and MF3425.If the Mindful Meditation and Do-In classes sound like something you would like to participate in, please give me a call to register for the sessions we are hoping to teach in July at the Great Bend Activity Center.Donna Krug is the District Director and the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

KRUG: Self-care more important than ever before

The plant with the little purple flowers that have been showing up in home lawns is called henbit. If you are not sure this is what you have, check the stems. If they are square rather than round, you have henbit. A plant that also is low growing but has round stems and tiny white flowers is chickweed.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp; Both these plants are winter annuals and start to grow in the fall. They spend the winter as small plants and so most people do not pay much attention to them until they start to flower in the spring. Trying to kill either one at this late stage with a herbicide usually is a waste of time and money. Though plants may be burned back, they will rarely be killed. So what should you do? Remember, these are winter annuals that will die as soon as the weather turns hot. &nbsp; Keep the lawn mowed until nature takes its course.

However, you can do something next fall that will help next spring. Henbit and chickweed usually germinate about mid-October. Spraying with 2,4-D, Weed-B-Gon, Weed Free Zone, Weed Out, or Trimec in late October to early November can go a long way toward eliminating these plants as they are small and relatively easy to control. Choose a day that is at least 50 degrees F.&nbsp; These herbicides will work at temperatures below 50 degrees but the weeds are killed at a slower rate.&nbsp; You may also use a preemergent herbicide for lawns in late September as long as have not recently put down grass seed.&nbsp; Spraying with the postemergence herbicides mentioned earlier will also catch dandelions which the preemergent herbicides will miss.

&nbsp;&nbsp; Spot treating will probably be needed in the spring (March) whichever method of control you use but is more likely with the use of preemergent herbicides. Use Weed Free Zone, Speed Zone, Weed Out, Weed-B-Gon, Trimec, or one of the special henbit herbicides early in the spring before they have put on much growth.

Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions she can be contacted by e-mail at lfick@k-state.edu or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The plant with the little purple flowers that have been showing up in home lawns is called henbit. If you are not sure this is what you have, check the stems. If they are square rather than round, you have henbit. A plant that also is low growing but has round stems and tiny white flowers is chickweed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Both these plants are winter annuals and start to grow in the fall. They spend the winter as small plants and so most people do not pay much attention to them until they start to flower in the spring. Trying to kill either one at this late stage with a herbicide usually is a waste of time and money. Though plants may be burned back, they will rarely be killed. So what should you do? Remember, these are winter annuals that will die as soon as the weather turns hot. &nbsp; Keep the lawn mowed until nature takes its course.However, you can do something next fall that will help next spring. Henbit and chickweed usually germinate about mid-October. Spraying with 2,4-D, Weed-B-Gon, Weed Free Zone, Weed Out, or Trimec in late October to early November can go a long way toward eliminating these plants as they are small and relatively easy to control. Choose a day that is at least 50 degrees F.&nbsp; These herbicides will work at temperatures below 50 degrees but the weeds are killed at a slower rate.&nbsp; You may also use a preemergent herbicide for lawns in late September as long as have not recently put down grass seed.&nbsp; Spraying with the postemergence herbicides mentioned earlier will also catch dandelions which the preemergent herbicides will miss.&nbsp;&nbsp; Spot treating will probably be needed in the spring (March) whichever method of control you use but is more likely with the use of preemergent herbicides. Use Weed Free Zone, Speed Zone, Weed Out, Weed-B-Gon, Trimec, or one of the special henbit herbicides early in the spring before they have put on much growth.Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions she can be contacted by e-mail at lfick@k-state.edu or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

FICK: Henbit and chickweed in lawns   

My head is spinning from all of the information that has come to me in the past week via Zoom meetings, e-mails and webinars. In fact, three days this past week I had the opportunity to join with Extension faculty from across the country for some serious networking. Since I am serving my state professional association as president this year, I was registered to attend the Leadership Conference in Washington DC. With the current shut down of events, the committee worked quickly to take us to Washington DC virtually.&nbsp;

The speakers at the conference were great and their message consistently was, “We can come out of this challenging time in our lives, stronger than we were before.”&nbsp; I know for many people, that statement may be a hard sell. A self-employed business owner doesn’t get a pay check when they can’t be open for business. Medical staff and all other essential workers have to be feeling tired and stressed from the long hours and strict protocols that have to be enforced.

K-State Research and Extension Administrators made some difficult decisions this week as they pushed the date forward to July 4th for no face to face meetings or events. This is a busy time of year for agents in the Cottonwood District with many youth events, crop tours, and educational meetings that would normally be scheduled. While cancelling these events is disappointing, it is the right thing to do. &nbsp;

In a letter from Wade Weber sent to our 4-H families, our State 4-H Leader he states, “We did not take this decision lightly. We are doing this because the health and well-being of our participants, employees and volunteers must be our top priority. In order to ensure quality programs for late spring/early summer, we need to shift from preparation and planning for face-to-face activities to alternative activities.”

You can be sure that our Cottonwood Extension District Team is working hard to create those alternative activities; turning these challenging times into opportunities. Our staff meets weekly to discuss ways to utilize technology to better meet the needs of our families. For those who don’t have access to on-line resources we are happy to visit via phone calls and send information to you in the mail.

Please reach out to us at the Cottonwood Extension Offices and let us know “How can we help you?”

Donna Krug is the District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her by calling either the Great Bend office (620)793-1910 or the Hays office (785)628-9430. Or send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583253738760.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>My head is spinning from all of the information that has come to me in the past week via Zoom meetings, e-mails and webinars. In fact, three days this past week I had the opportunity to join with Extension faculty from across the country for some serious networking. Since I am serving my state professional association as president this year, I was registered to attend the Leadership Conference in Washington DC. With the current shut down of events, the committee worked quickly to take us to Washington DC virtually.&nbsp;The speakers at the conference were great and their message consistently was, “We can come out of this challenging time in our lives, stronger than we were before.”&nbsp; I know for many people, that statement may be a hard sell. A self-employed business owner doesn’t get a pay check when they can’t be open for business. Medical staff and all other essential workers have to be feeling tired and stressed from the long hours and strict protocols that have to be enforced.K-State Research and Extension Administrators made some difficult decisions this week as they pushed the date forward to July 4th for no face to face meetings or events. This is a busy time of year for agents in the Cottonwood District with many youth events, crop tours, and educational meetings that would normally be scheduled. While cancelling these events is disappointing, it is the right thing to do. &nbsp;In a letter from Wade Weber sent to our 4-H families, our State 4-H Leader he states, “We did not take this decision lightly. We are doing this because the health and well-being of our participants, employees and volunteers must be our top priority. In order to ensure quality programs for late spring/early summer, we need to shift from preparation and planning for face-to-face activities to alternative activities.”You can be sure that our Cottonwood Extension District Team is working hard to create those alternative activities; turning these challenging times into opportunities. Our staff meets weekly to discuss ways to utilize technology to better meet the needs of our families. For those who don’t have access to on-line resources we are happy to visit via phone calls and send information to you in the mail.Please reach out to us at the Cottonwood Extension Offices and let us know “How can we help you?”Donna Krug is the District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her by calling either the Great Bend office (620)793-1910 or the Hays office (785)628-9430. Or send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Turning challenges into opportunities

Foods from farm animals also are considered safe from the virus

The director of a Kansas State University veterinary laboratory that responds to animal health issues across the state says that while coronavirus is a disease familiar to livestock producers, it is not the same strain of the virus that is grabbing headlines across the globe.

The novel strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, is transmitted through humans. There is no evidence that livestock can transmit the disease to humans, and the food products from livestock cannot carry COVID-19 to humans.

“Producers are well aware that there is a (different strain of) coronavirus that is associated with neo-natal diarrhea, and there’s another one that we think is now associated with&nbsp;cattle&nbsp;respiratory disease,” said Gregg Hanzlicek, director of the production animal field investigations unit in K-State’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

“But I want to make it perfectly clear that our&nbsp;cattle&nbsp;coronavirus has no relationship to the coronavirus that is currently circulating in humans. These coronaviruses are very species-specific. There is absolutely no indication that livestock can be carriers of COVID-19 and be a source of infection to humans, either through carrying it on their skin or their hair or anywhere else.”

He added: “Milk, eggs, beef pork…whatever proteins that are produced by livestock are absolutely safe to eat. People do not have to worry about those products carrying COVID-19 to the population.”

Hanzlicek said that producers are safe to go about the business of taking care of animals: “They need to minimize the amount of exposure they have to humans. At this point, they should keep on doing what they do every day with their livestock.”

Livestock producers who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should see their medical professional. If their livestock begin showing signs of illness, as well, Hanzlicek said they should contact their local veterinarian.

“The local vet will call the state or federal veterinarian and then a decision will be made whether to test those animals for COVID-19,” Hanzlicek said. “We don’t want to just start blanket sampling all animals. Again, with this virus, we do not believe that livestock are associated with spreading the disease.”

Hanzlicek said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has relaxed its rules just a bit to allow producers to consult with a veterinarian through ‘tele-medicine’ – that is, communicating sickness to a veterinarian by phone or online technology.

“The veterinarian is not necessarily required to make a trip to actually look at the animals,” thus maintain ‘social distance’ guidelines for humans, Hanzlicek said.

The K-State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which tests samples for suspected livestock disease, remains open during the university’s limited operations status. Hanzlicek said the lab is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Hanzlicek and others also are still available to travel throughout Kansas to help local veterinarians diagnose suspected livestock disease. The staff can be contacted by calling 785-532-5650, or through its web site,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksvdl.org/">www.ksvdl.org</a>.

Hanzlicek said the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fda.gov/coronavirus">FDA also maintains a useful site</a>&nbsp;with information for livestock owners regarding COVID-19.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Foods from farm animals also are considered safe from the virus</h2>The director of a Kansas State University veterinary laboratory that responds to animal health issues across the state says that while coronavirus is a disease familiar to livestock producers, it is not the same strain of the virus that is grabbing headlines across the globe.The novel strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, is transmitted through humans. There is no evidence that livestock can transmit the disease to humans, and the food products from livestock cannot carry COVID-19 to humans.“Producers are well aware that there is a (different strain of) coronavirus that is associated with neo-natal diarrhea, and there’s another one that we think is now associated with&nbsp;cattle&nbsp;respiratory disease,” said Gregg Hanzlicek, director of the production animal field investigations unit in K-State’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.“But I want to make it perfectly clear that our&nbsp;cattle&nbsp;coronavirus has no relationship to the coronavirus that is currently circulating in humans. These coronaviruses are very species-specific. There is absolutely no indication that livestock can be carriers of COVID-19 and be a source of infection to humans, either through carrying it on their skin or their hair or anywhere else.”He added: “Milk, eggs, beef pork…whatever proteins that are produced by livestock are absolutely safe to eat. People do not have to worry about those products carrying COVID-19 to the population.”Hanzlicek said that producers are safe to go about the business of taking care of animals: “They need to minimize the amount of exposure they have to humans. At this point, they should keep on doing what they do every day with their livestock.”Livestock producers who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should see their medical professional. If their livestock begin showing signs of illness, as well, Hanzlicek said they should contact their local veterinarian.“The local vet will call the state or federal veterinarian and then a decision will be made whether to test those animals for COVID-19,” Hanzlicek said. “We don’t want to just start blanket sampling all animals. Again, with this virus, we do not believe that livestock are associated with spreading the disease.”Hanzlicek said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has relaxed its rules just a bit to allow producers to consult with a veterinarian through ‘tele-medicine’ – that is, communicating sickness to a veterinarian by phone or online technology.“The veterinarian is not necessarily required to make a trip to actually look at the animals,” thus maintain ‘social distance’ guidelines for humans, Hanzlicek said.The K-State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which tests samples for suspected livestock disease, remains open during the university’s limited operations status. Hanzlicek said the lab is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.Hanzlicek and others also are still available to travel throughout Kansas to help local veterinarians diagnose suspected livestock disease. The staff can be contacted by calling 785-532-5650, or through its web site,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksvdl.org/">www.ksvdl.org</a>.Hanzlicek said the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fda.gov/coronavirus">FDA also maintains a useful site</a>&nbsp;with information for livestock owners regarding COVID-19.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: No evidence livestock transmits COVID-19 to humans

Since families are spending more time at home there is a good chance the food bill is on the rise. If you are noticing that many of the items being purchased are being consumed as between-meal-snacks, you will want to keep reading for some healthier, low-cost alternatives.&nbsp;

Whenever I visit with young families about snacking I like to remind them that young children have a smaller stomach than an older child or adult. There is a good reason they are hungry between meals. My advice is that “Snacking is fine – Just make sure it is a healthy snack.”

So what types of food constitute a healthy snack? Basically any fresh fruit or vegetable can provide a wide array of nutrients and an added bonus of fiber to give a feeling of fullness. Fruits and vegetables have been touted as natures fast food, because often times you just have to wash, peel and enjoy! If fresh produce isn’t available, look for frozen fruits and vegetables. Canned items can work too, but be aware they may have added salt and sugar, so look for fruit packed in water or fruit juice.

Grains, especially whole grains, provide energy and fiber for your growing family. Look for cereals where the sugar content is below 7 grams per serving. Avoid choosing cereals that list sugar as the first ingredient. Preparing your own snack mix with a whole grain cereal, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit can be less expensive and a healthier alternative than the highly processed prepared snacks.

A popular snack, Peanut Butter Balls, is easy to make and combines two food groups: grains and protein. If you have someone in your family with a peanut allergy you may substitute sunbutter, which is made from sunflower seeds. The recipe for Peanut Butter Balls follows:

Directions: Wash hands with warm water and soap. Mash the beans with a fork in a bowl until smooth. Add the sweetener and vanilla and stir. Add peanut butter. Stir until blended. Stir in the oatmeal. Shape the mixture into balls. (makes about 50 balls) Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

You can use a blender or food processor to mix ingredients before shaping into balls. You can store peanut butter balls in the freezer. Lay them out on a cookie sheet and freeze. Then store in a freezer bag. Thaw for 5 minutes before serving.

Involve your kids in the planning and preparation of their healthy snack. This time spent together will provide some special memories. I have a handout titled, Snack Strategies For Kids, that I am happy to share if you send me an e-mail.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583253738760.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Since families are spending more time at home there is a good chance the food bill is on the rise. If you are noticing that many of the items being purchased are being consumed as between-meal-snacks, you will want to keep reading for some healthier, low-cost alternatives.&nbsp;Whenever I visit with young families about snacking I like to remind them that young children have a smaller stomach than an older child or adult. There is a good reason they are hungry between meals. My advice is that “Snacking is fine – Just make sure it is a healthy snack.”So what types of food constitute a healthy snack? Basically any fresh fruit or vegetable can provide a wide array of nutrients and an added bonus of fiber to give a feeling of fullness. Fruits and vegetables have been touted as natures fast food, because often times you just have to wash, peel and enjoy! If fresh produce isn’t available, look for frozen fruits and vegetables. Canned items can work too, but be aware they may have added salt and sugar, so look for fruit packed in water or fruit juice.Grains, especially whole grains, provide energy and fiber for your growing family. Look for cereals where the sugar content is below 7 grams per serving. Avoid choosing cereals that list sugar as the first ingredient. Preparing your own snack mix with a whole grain cereal, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit can be less expensive and a healthier alternative than the highly processed prepared snacks.A popular snack, Peanut Butter Balls, is easy to make and combines two food groups: grains and protein. If you have someone in your family with a peanut allergy you may substitute sunbutter, which is made from sunflower seeds. The recipe for Peanut Butter Balls follows:<ol>
 <li>1 can (15 ounces) great norther beans, drained and rinsed</li><li>2 tablespoons liquid sweetener of choice, (honey, maple syrup, brown rice syrup or agave)&nbsp;</li><li>1 tablespoon vanilla</li><li>1 ¼ cups peanut butter or other nut butter</li><li>1 ½ cups quick cooking oats</li>
 </ol>Directions: Wash hands with warm water and soap. Mash the beans with a fork in a bowl until smooth. Add the sweetener and vanilla and stir. Add peanut butter. Stir until blended. Stir in the oatmeal. Shape the mixture into balls. (makes about 50 balls) Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.You can use a blender or food processor to mix ingredients before shaping into balls. You can store peanut butter balls in the freezer. Lay them out on a cookie sheet and freeze. Then store in a freezer bag. Thaw for 5 minutes before serving.Involve your kids in the planning and preparation of their healthy snack. This time spent together will provide some special memories. I have a handout titled, Snack Strategies For Kids, that I am happy to share if you send me an e-mail.Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp; K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.&nbsp;

KRUG: Healthy snacking ideas

K-State Research and Extension will be offering a Hazardous Occupation Safety Training for Agriculture or Tractor and Farm Safety Course sponsored by NW Area 4-H Day Camps provided by Dane G. Hansen Foundation. This course has always been held in-person at Hill City by Twin Creeks, Golden Prairie, Cottonwood, and Phillips/Rooks Extension Districts. However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, all in-person trainings will not be available this year. Only online or mail correspondence is now available for 2020.

The United States Department of Labor requires youth 14 – 15 years of age attend this safety training in order to work on a farm for someone other than their parents. However, there are several cases where youth may be required to take the training even though they are working on the “family farm.”&nbsp; For instance, if the parent is a partner or member of a farm corporation or if the youth is legally employed by grandparents, the law requires youth participate in the course.&nbsp; Any employer who plans to hire youth under 16 years of age must make sure they complete this tractor safety course.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you wish to take this course and be certified, please contact your local Extension District Office mentioned above or the Cottonwood Extension District in Hays at 785-628-9430 or email Stacy – <a href="mailto:scampbel@ksu.edu">scampbel@ksu.edu</a> to register by April 15, 2020. Extension Staff will be accepting coursework until May 15, 2020. After May 15, please attend the 2021 Tractor/Farm Safety Course that will be offered.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585922215357.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578070283981.png" alt="Stacy Campbell&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>K-State Research and Extension will be offering a Hazardous Occupation Safety Training for Agriculture or Tractor and Farm Safety Course sponsored by NW Area 4-H Day Camps provided by Dane G. Hansen Foundation. This course has always been held in-person at Hill City by Twin Creeks, Golden Prairie, Cottonwood, and Phillips/Rooks Extension Districts. However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, all in-person trainings will not be available this year. Only online or mail correspondence is now available for 2020.The United States Department of Labor requires youth 14 – 15 years of age attend this safety training in order to work on a farm for someone other than their parents. However, there are several cases where youth may be required to take the training even though they are working on the “family farm.”&nbsp; For instance, if the parent is a partner or member of a farm corporation or if the youth is legally employed by grandparents, the law requires youth participate in the course.&nbsp; Any employer who plans to hire youth under 16 years of age must make sure they complete this tractor safety course.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you wish to take this course and be certified, please contact your local Extension District Office mentioned above or the Cottonwood Extension District in Hays at 785-628-9430 or email Stacy – <a href="mailto:scampbel@ksu.edu">scampbel@ksu.edu</a> to register by April 15, 2020. Extension Staff will be accepting coursework until May 15, 2020. After May 15, please attend the 2021 Tractor/Farm Safety Course that will be offered.

CAMPBELL: Tractor/farm safety course moved online, mail 

The ServSafe program is a national certification program designed to teach safe handling practices to foodservice employees and others who handle and serve food to the public. 

Because everyone is concerned about the safety of our family and friends, ServSafe and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation is offering ServSafe Food Safety Handler and ServSafe for Covid-19 training free through April 30.&nbsp; More information can be found here <a href="https://www.servsafe.com/Landing-Pages/Free-Courses?fbclid=IwAR18oyZg32iwsY_4UBeRf0tOG2_G6XYlF-mpvVoE0YLIui8RMys_d3JaQkc">https://www.servsafe.com/Landing-Pages/Free-Courses</a>

The free trainings include Takeout and ServSafe Delivery Covid-19 Precautions. These are short videos and a certificate of completion can be printed after viewing the videos. The other free offer includes ServSafe Food Handler training and assessment. It does not include food manager training courses. ServSafe provides training for the food service and restaurant industry to ensure that guests are provided a safe food dining experience. All those in the food service industry are encouraged to take advantage of this free offer.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576703253818.png" alt="Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The ServSafe program is a national certification program designed to teach safe handling practices to foodservice employees and others who handle and serve food to the public. Because everyone is concerned about the safety of our family and friends, ServSafe and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation is offering ServSafe Food Safety Handler and ServSafe for Covid-19 training free through April 30.&nbsp; More information can be found here <a href="https://www.servsafe.com/Landing-Pages/Free-Courses?fbclid=IwAR18oyZg32iwsY_4UBeRf0tOG2_G6XYlF-mpvVoE0YLIui8RMys_d3JaQkc">https://www.servsafe.com/Landing-Pages/Free-Courses</a>The free trainings include Takeout and ServSafe Delivery Covid-19 Precautions. These are short videos and a certificate of completion can be printed after viewing the videos. The other free offer includes ServSafe Food Handler training and assessment. It does not include food manager training courses. ServSafe provides training for the food service and restaurant industry to ensure that guests are provided a safe food dining experience. All those in the food service industry are encouraged to take advantage of this free offer.&nbsp;	Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

UNRUH: Free food safety training offered for food service workers

Let’s go to a city council meeting. City council members are listening to a presentation about perceptions of their community. Is this presentation being made by an expensive consultant from halfway across the country? No, this presentation is being made by a local group whose average age is 17 – and they might be thinking about their senior prom. This was part of an innovative program called Youth Community Perceptions which is designed to gain input from youth and engage them with their community.&nbsp;

Susan Schlichting is a 4-H youth development agent for the K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District, serving Ellis and Barton Counties. Susan helped pilot this new program called Youth Community Perceptions.

The program originated from Kansas PRIDE Program discussions about how to get youth more engaged in their hometowns. The PRIDE Program is celebrating its 50th&nbsp;anniversary in 2020, so this is another in our series of profiles highlighting PRIDE communities.

PRIDE program participants have often wanted to involve more youth in their communities. In 2018, the K-State Research and Extension Community Vitality team (of which Kansas PRIDE is a part) engaged in discussions with Kansas 4-H about launching an initiative to help.

With grant support from Epsilon Sigma Phi, the extension professional organization, the Youth Community Perceptions program was developed. It was designed as a community evaluation and assessment program that would allow youth to discover the assets and needs of their communities and engage in community conversations.

An educational curriculum was created. The Ellis PRIDE program was approached about hosting a pilot test of the program in their community. Extension agent Susan Schlichting made inquiries around town. Ultimately, the Kansas Association for Youth organization at Ellis High School chose to participate.

The students learned about the community capitals model. Then they were provided a form which guided them in their assessment of the community. A team of youth drove around town and recorded their impressions of the signage, downtown, shopping, industrial areas, housing, health care, schools, child care, recreation and more.

Then they presented the results to the city council. “The kids developed a PowerPoint of things they thought were really good and things that could be improved upon,” Susan said. In April 2019, the youth made their presentation to the Ellis city council.

The presentation highlighted lots of things which the youth appreciated, such as the big painted sunflowers on Main Street, the medical offices, grocery store, walking trails, dock at the campground, the children’s train, and the annual fish fry. “They had some good thoughts,” Susan said. The young people also identified needs and suggested improvements.

Dave McDaniel is the long-time mayor of Ellis. He was impressed with the students who made the presentation. “They did a very good job, and I didn’t want to let these ideas drop,” he said.

“For example, they said that our signs needed to be improved, and we’ve done that with the street signs and museum signs,” Dave said. “They wanted a place for youth to go, and some people who are opening up a downtown restaurant are going to open up the other half of their building for the youth.” There was a need for more trash cans in Memorial Park where students congregate, and that is being addressed also.

“They pointed out there were no bike racks at the swimming pool,” Susan said. Ellis PRIDE applied to Kansas PRIDE Inc., and got a grant to install bike racks at the pool and other parks.

“This (program) is a good way to get the young people involved, and they’re seeing results,” Dave said.

For more information or to participate in the program, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksre.k-state.edu/community/civic-engagement/youth-community-perceptions">www.ksre.k-state.edu/community/civic-engagement/youth-community-perceptions</a>.

It’s time to leave this meeting of the city council, where community perceptions have been presented – not by an outside consultant, but by a team of local youth. We commend Susan Schlichting, Mayor Dave McDaniel, the volunteers of the Ellis PRIDE program, and the youth who are making a difference by engaging with their hometown in this way. It’s a better community when youth and adults can come together in unity.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585748329018.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural DevelopmentLet’s go to a city council meeting. City council members are listening to a presentation about perceptions of their community. Is this presentation being made by an expensive consultant from halfway across the country? No, this presentation is being made by a local group whose average age is 17 – and they might be thinking about their senior prom. This was part of an innovative program called Youth Community Perceptions which is designed to gain input from youth and engage them with their community.&nbsp;Susan Schlichting is a 4-H youth development agent for the K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District, serving Ellis and Barton Counties. Susan helped pilot this new program called Youth Community Perceptions.The program originated from Kansas PRIDE Program discussions about how to get youth more engaged in their hometowns. The PRIDE Program is celebrating its 50th&nbsp;anniversary in 2020, so this is another in our series of profiles highlighting PRIDE communities.PRIDE program participants have often wanted to involve more youth in their communities. In 2018, the K-State Research and Extension Community Vitality team (of which Kansas PRIDE is a part) engaged in discussions with Kansas 4-H about launching an initiative to help.With grant support from Epsilon Sigma Phi, the extension professional organization, the Youth Community Perceptions program was developed. It was designed as a community evaluation and assessment program that would allow youth to discover the assets and needs of their communities and engage in community conversations.An educational curriculum was created. The Ellis PRIDE program was approached about hosting a pilot test of the program in their community. Extension agent Susan Schlichting made inquiries around town. Ultimately, the Kansas Association for Youth organization at Ellis High School chose to participate.The students learned about the community capitals model. Then they were provided a form which guided them in their assessment of the community. A team of youth drove around town and recorded their impressions of the signage, downtown, shopping, industrial areas, housing, health care, schools, child care, recreation and more.Then they presented the results to the city council. “The kids developed a PowerPoint of things they thought were really good and things that could be improved upon,” Susan said. In April 2019, the youth made their presentation to the Ellis city council.The presentation highlighted lots of things which the youth appreciated, such as the big painted sunflowers on Main Street, the medical offices, grocery store, walking trails, dock at the campground, the children’s train, and the annual fish fry. “They had some good thoughts,” Susan said. The young people also identified needs and suggested improvements.Dave McDaniel is the long-time mayor of Ellis. He was impressed with the students who made the presentation. “They did a very good job, and I didn’t want to let these ideas drop,” he said.“For example, they said that our signs needed to be improved, and we’ve done that with the street signs and museum signs,” Dave said. “They wanted a place for youth to go, and some people who are opening up a downtown restaurant are going to open up the other half of their building for the youth.” There was a need for more trash cans in Memorial Park where students congregate, and that is being addressed also.“They pointed out there were no bike racks at the swimming pool,” Susan said. Ellis PRIDE applied to Kansas PRIDE Inc., and got a grant to install bike racks at the pool and other parks.“This (program) is a good way to get the young people involved, and they’re seeing results,” Dave said.For more information or to participate in the program, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksre.k-state.edu/community/civic-engagement/youth-community-perceptions">www.ksre.k-state.edu/community/civic-engagement/youth-community-perceptions</a>.It’s time to leave this meeting of the city council, where community perceptions have been presented – not by an outside consultant, but by a team of local youth. We commend Susan Schlichting, Mayor Dave McDaniel, the volunteers of the Ellis PRIDE program, and the youth who are making a difference by engaging with their hometown in this way. It’s a better community when youth and adults can come together in unity.