Ellis County

K-State Research & Extension News

Spring Edition

2017

Ellis County Extension Office 601 Main Street, Suite A Hays, KS 67601 Phone: 785-628-9430 Fax: 785-621-2002 el@listserv.ksu.edu

Stacy Campbell Agriculture

Susan Schlichting 4-H Youth Development

Holly Dickman Horticulture

Linda Beech Family & Consumer Science

Theresa Meis Office Professional

www.ellis.ksu.edu

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Last "Ellis County Extension" NewsletterIf you follow the local news, you may be aware that changes are coming to

Ellis County Extension. As of July 1, 2017, Ellis County and Barton County Extension Councils will officially combine to form the Cottonwood Extension District #17, pending final approval from the Kansas Attorney General expected in late April.

As a result, county lines (and titles) will disappear, but the great offerings of K-State Research and Extension in our two counties will not! Expanded territory, as a result of districting, will also bring expanded programs, resources, personnel, and expertise.

Extension Districts are not new – this is a growing trend in K-State Research and Extension. Currently in Kansas there are 45 counties operating in 16 Extension districts across the state. Ellis and Barton Counties will benefit from the experience and success of others before us that have successfully gone through the process to merge their Extension programs.

The attached fact sheet gives more information about the new Cottonwood Extension District. We are excited for this new chapter in our local K-State Research and Extension programming and we hope you will be too. Look for your next newsletter to come from the “Cottonwood Extension District” this summer!

Annual Ellis County Wheat Plot

Field Day Wheat growers make plans to

attend the Ellis County Wheat

Variety Plot Field Day on

Wednesday, May 31st beginning

at 6:00 p.m.

This year’s demonstration plot has 15 varieties planted

side by side. Come hear what Extension specialist have

to say about each variety. There is always something in

the plot to see and learn from, whether it is about the

individual varieties, insects or diseases that are some-

times spotted in the plot.

Directions from I-70 take the Victoria exit 168 go 2.5

miles N. on Cathedral Ave./HWY. 255, turn W. onto

Fairground Rd. go 1 mile, turn S. onto 330 Ave. go

½ mile. From Catharine go ½ E. turn S. onto 310, go 1

mile and turn E. onto Fairground Rd., go 2 miles and

turn S. onto 330th Ave and go ½ mile.

As always thanks to the sponsorship of businesses. A

tasty free meal will immediately follow the field day in

Victoria at the city park, beside the swimming pool on

Iron Street. All interested people are invited to attend.

No RSVP necessary.

In case of inclement weather, it will be held @ the

VFW Hall in Victoria, 204 E Main Street.

Tractor/Farm Safety Course

on May 6th

K-State Research and Extension will

be offering a Hazardous Occupation

Safety Training (HOSTA) or Tractor

and Farm Safety Course. This will be held May 6th in

the 4-H Building at the Graham County Fairgrounds in

Hill City, Kansas. Class will start at 8:00 a.m. and

conclude at 5:00 p.m.

This is a very basic course that will cover farm and

machinery safety. It is required by the United States

Department of Labor to allow youth 14-15 years of age

the opportunity to work on farms, for pay, for someone

other than their parents. There are several instances

where youth may be required to take the training even

though they are working on the “family farm.” If the

parent is a partner or member of a farm corporation or

if the youth is legally employed by grandparents, the

law requires the youth to participate in the tractor safe-

ty course. Employers who plan to hire youth must

realize that they cannot hire youth under 16 years of

age without those youth taking this safety course.

A fee of $15 is due at the time of the training. This

includes refreshments, lunch and check-out of the stu-

dent manual.

If you are going to work for someone, if you are a par-

ent of a working child, or an employer, contact your

county’s Extension Office as soon as possible to get

registered and pick up the H.O.S.T.A Student Manual.

Ellis County youth interested should call 785-628-9430

or stop by the Ellis County Extension Office, 601 Main

Street, Hays.

MCCC Cover Crop Decision Tools The Midwest Cover Crop Council (MCCC) Cover

Crop Decision Tools are web-based systems to assist

farmers in selecting cover crops to include in field crop

and vegetable rotations.

About the Cover Crop Decision Tools

The Cover Crop Decision Tools are an initiative by the

MCCC to consolidate cover crop information by state

to help farmers make cover crop selections at the coun-

ty level. Information for each state/province is devel-

oped by a team of cover crop experts including univer-

sity researchers, Extension educators, NRCS personnel,

agriculture department personnel, crop advisors, seed

suppliers and farmers. The team reviewed and refined

information from the Sustainable Agriculture Research

and Education (SARE) publication Managing Cover

Crops Profitably, 3rd edition to refine application with-

in their state/province. The information and ratings

contained in the Cover Crop Decision Tool is the team

consensus based on literature, research results, on-farm

experience and practical knowledge.

Web Soil Survey Web Soil Survey (WSS) go to http://

websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov provides soil data and in-

formation produced by the National Cooperative Soil

Survey.

It is operated by the USDA Natural Resources Conser-

vation Service (NRCS) and provides access to the larg-

est natural resource information system in the world.

NRCS has soil maps and data available online for more

than 95 percent of the nation’s counties and anticipates

having 100 percent in the near future. The site is updat-

ed and maintained online as the single authoritative

source of soil survey information.

Soil surveys can be used for general farm, local, and

wider area planning. Onsite investigation is needed in

some cases, such as soil quality assessments and cer-

tain conservation and engineering applications. For

more detailed information, contact your local NRCS

office.

Stacy Campbell– Agriculture-scampbel@ksu.edu

Don’t buy trouble “Biosecurity” is a term that was used extensively after

9-11. Outbreaks of foot and mouth disease and B.S.E.

in Europe had everyone in the livestock industries in

America cautious..

“Biosecurity” is actually just a fancy way of saying

“common sense” as it refers to preventing disease in-

troduction into a herd. Calf diarrhea or calf scours is a

disease entity that can transported onto a cow calf

ranch when common sense should intervene and help

prevent the introduction of new calf scour pathogens.

South Dakota State University researchers (W. B. Ep-

person. 2003 South Dakota Beef Report) examined the

cause of a scours epidemic in one spring calving herd

back in 2000. Results of the retrospective, record-

based investigation suggested that introduction of fos-

ter calves was associated with the calf scours out-

break. Prior to April 5, no scours cases had been ob-

served, despite 39 calves being born. The calf scours

epidemic was clearly in swing by the 45th day of the

spring calving season and first cases of the epidemic

were observed between the 31st and 40th days (April 5,

through April 14, 2000). Following April 5, records

indicated there was the introduction of at least 2 foster

calves. The outbreak commenced shortly after the in-

troduction of foster calves. Foster calves can introduce

pathogens to a herd, and can shed calf scours patho-

gens in their feces even when feces appear nor-

mal. Because of this risk, the introduction of foster

calves is not usually recommended. If introduced into

a herd, foster calves (with their foster dam) should be

isolated from the remainder of the herd until all calves

are at least 4 weeks old. At that time, it is generally

regarded as safe to commingle foster calf pairs with the

remainder of the herd.

Anytime new cattle are purchased and brought onto the

ranch, biosecurity guidelines (aka: common sense)

need to apply. Isolate the new animals for a period of

about one month before turning them into pastures with

other cattle. Visit with your local large animal veteri-

narian about recommended tests as well as vaccina-

tions or parasite controls that can be implemented on

the new arrivals before exposing them to the remainder

of the herd.Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University

Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist

Soil Sampling for Summer Crops The optimum time to take soil

samples for grain sorghum, sun-

flowers, corn and soybeans is in

the fall after crop harvest. How-

ever if you didn’t get that done,

soil sampling in the spring will

work as well.

The Ellis County Extension Office has a soil probe for

check-out to help farmers with soil sampling, the

samples can be sent in to our KSU soils lab or you are

welcome to send them to a commercial lab. Bottom

line is “don’t guess and soil test” which can help

reduce your input costs. Especially after such good

yields last year, more fertilizer may be needed?

Trichomoniasis is Still Out There The Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Lab has far fewer

positive cases of Trichomoniasis, than in the past. But

cattlemen still need to be cautious and aware. Only a

few counties in the state had a positive/confirmed

Trich case in 2016. Unfortunately Ellis County was on

that short list.

Prevention: Biosecurity

Bring in only virgin bulls that have been tested

Test all bulls before turnout

Recommended to not purchase used cows

Do not purchase used bulls

Prevention: Management

Shorten breeding season (as season increases, the

risk of infection increases)

Reduce bull: cow ratio (as the number of bulls in-

crease, the risk of infection also increases)

Reduce age of bull battery: older bulls have a higher

risk of being a carrier

Stacy Campbell– Agriculture-scampbel@ksu.edu

Reducing stocking rates is advisable for

grasslands that burned

The recent precipitation will obviously help grasslands

that burned to recover. But caution is advised as to

when to begin grazing and stocking rates, on those

burned grasslands.

“A lot of grasslands’ recovery is going to depend on

subsequent moisture”, says Walt Fick, range manage-

ment specialist with K-State Research & Extension.

Grass species in heavier textured soils – such as buffa-

lograss, blue grama and western wheat grass – can be

susceptible to damage from fire this time of year. Fick

said studies have indicated that these types of grasses

can suffer a 65 percent reduction of forage the first

year, and 39 percent the following year.

After a previous year’s fire, “it took most of 2-3 years

for grasses to recover on that type of soil,” he said.

Rhizome species such as sand bluestem, Indiangrass

and switchgrass tend not to be harmed much by fire.

“At this point in time, the rhizome is well below

ground,” Fick said. “Assuming we have some soil

moisture and rain to get them growing again, I think

they’ll recover quite nicely.”

In areas where little bluestem is found, Fick said he has

some concern because it’s a bunchgrass, which has its

growing point at the crown (the soil surface), where

fire can do more damage.

Once grasses begin growing back, Fick said he would

suggest holding off on putting cattle out to graze, “to

give those plants a chance to recover a little and start

growing.”

“In those heavier soils, I would suspect some reduction

of stocking rate may be necessary, maybe 25 percent or

more the first year,” he said. “Because grass in sandy

soils is a different plant community, it may not be hurt

as much. I suspect they’ll recover quicker because of

the types of grass species that are on them.

“Taking a conservative approach is always a good idea.

I think a lot depends on how it has been managed prior

(to the fire). If it had been abused and grazed heavily

for a number of years, well they’re going to be slower

to recover. If the pastures have been managed well and

you have a good composition, I think they’ll bounce

back quickly.”

Another thing to consider is when only part of a pas-

ture has burned, how to manage it. Cattle will graze the

burned area first because the new grass is more desira-

ble. So watching and managing those areas differently,

may be necessary. Strategically locating mineral and

salt away from those areas might help in more even

grazing distribution. Or it may even be necessary to put

up a hot wire fence to limit or restrict grazing in the

burned part of the pasture for a while.

Fick noted that the early part of the growing season is

critical.

“We are going to have some critical dates that we need

to watch and make decisions,” he said. “If the grass-

land is not recovering like we think it should, then

maybe we ought to cut back or do some de-stocking.”

Stacy Campbell– Agriculture-scampbel@ksu.edu

Holly Dickman-Horticulture-hmwerth@ksu.edu

Xeriscaping – It’s Not about Rocks Xeriscaping…it’s a word that is thrown around quite often these

days with local water restrictions and continued concerns over water

shortages. With conversations I have been a part of, and in listening

to the conversations of others, it is obvious that this word – xeri-

scaping – or the concept of it can be a source of confusion in some

instances. I will try my best to explain what xeriscaping truly

means and hopefully eliminate some of the confusion.

Xeriscaping is a word originally coined by the Denver Water De-

partment several decades ago to describe landscaping with water

conservation as a major objective. The word is derived from the

Greek “xeros” meaning dry, and landscaping – thus, xeriscaping.

Xeriscaping is not a specific “look” or a particular group of plants; it is actually a combination of seven gardening

principles that maximizes water efficiency while creating an attractive landscape at the same time. Here are the

steps required to create a true xeriscape:

Step #1: Planning and Design

Planning is essential in creating a sustainable, attractive xeriscape. Take into consideration site characteristics that

affect water use (i.e. slopes, exposures, micro-climates) and then design the area with these things in mind. Put it

on paper. A scale drawing or diagram can go a long way in helping you to visualize what your xeriscape might

look like. Group plants according to water use and take into account mature plant size.

Step #2: Soil Preparation

“Take care of the roots and the tops will grow themselves”…this is a phrase that has been used to describe soil’s

importance in plant growth. A healthy soil will result in healthier root systems which, in turn, create a more

drought tolerant landscape. Amending entire garden beds (not just planting holes) with organic matter such as

compost can help loosen heavy, clay soils allowing moisture and nutrients to infiltrate more readily to the roots vs.

running off. On the other hand, adding organic matter to sandy soils will help increase the soil’s water holding ca-

pacity vs. water loss due to leaching below the root zone.

Step #3: Efficient Irrigation

Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep, more drought tolerant roots. Only water when absolutely neces-

sary! Turfgrass should be watered to a depth of at least 6-8” while flowers and gardens should be watered to a

depth of at least 8-12”. Trees and shrubs need to be watered to a depth of 12-18” as that is where the bulk of their

roots are located. Watering much deeper than these depths is a waste of water. Check watering depth by using a

probe of some sort (i.e. long screwdriver, piece of rebar, strong wire, etc.). When the probe hits resistance you

have likely hit dry soil and this is the depth to which the moisture has reached.

Drip or sub-surface irrigation is the most efficient method as it places the water exactly where you need it. If wa-

tering with sprinkler systems or by hand, irrigate early in the morning to take advantage of lower wind speeds

(hopefully), less evaporation, and higher humidity levels. Watering at this time of day also allows plant leaves to

dry off quickly, lessening the threat of potential disease problems

Step #4: Mulch

The need for supplemental irrigation is reduced when organic mulches are properly applied around plants. Exam-

ples of organic mulches include wood chips, cedar mulch, straw, leaves, cottonseed hulls, etc. These types of

mulches decrease soil temperatures in the heat of summer while limiting evaporation from the soil surface. Organ-

ic mulch also discourages weed growth and breaks down over time helping to improve the condition of the soil

(See Step #2). Generally, a 2-4” layer of organic mulch is ideal in most situations.

Inorganic mulches such as gravel are generally not recommended for use around plants as they can create a hotter,

harsher environment for plant roots. Organic mulches are preferred for use around plants in our area.

Holly Dickman-Horticulture-hmwerth@ksu.edu

Step #5: Right Plant, Right Place – Plant zones

An extremely important step of xeriscaping is to plant the right plant in the right place. Plants vary in the amount

of moisture they require so it is critical to know what those requirements are. Additionally, different areas of the

yard may receive different amounts of moisture, sunlight, and wind. Take this into consideration when choosing

plants for the xeriscape. Group or zone plants with similar water requirements together. For example, group a

crabapple tree with shrub roses in a planting bed vs. planting the trees and shrubs sporadically throughout a

turfgrass area. Since trees and shrubs need to be watered differently than turf, planting them in separate zones will

allow for more efficient watering and healthier plants.

Select low water use or drought tolerant plants if possible. Remember all plants require additional moisture to get

established. Drought tolerant does not mean “plant it and forget it”.

Step #6: Practical Turf Areas

Cool-season turfgrass such as Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass typically require the most water and maintenance in

the landscape. Limit cool-season turf areas. Consider using mulches, groundcovers, ornamental or native grasses,

shrub beds, decks or patios instead. Avoid odd shaped or narrow strips of turfgrass as these can be difficult to irri-

gate and may result in wasted water.

If you have full sun, consider planting warm-season turfgrasses such as Buffalo and Bermudagrass. These warm-

season grasses are well suited to our area and, once established, will require very little supplemental irrigation (if

any) in comparison to the cool-season grasses.

Keep areas designated to turfgrass practical for your use. Do you really need that vast expanse of green grass in the

front yard?

Step #7: Proper Maintenance

While xeric landscapes can be low maintenance, they will still require some degree of care throughout the year. At

appropriate times, proper pruning, mowing, weeding, fertilizing, watering, and insect/disease control are important

to maintain the health of your xeriscape.

Overall, these seven steps create a true xeriscape. As you can see, it is not just about rocks! Reducing outdoor wa-

ter use does not have to mean replacing lawns and trees with plastic and gravel, or turning flower gardens into cac-

tus gardens. Xeriscaping is not Zero-scaping! Water conserving landscapes, as I prefer to call them, can look just

as beautiful - if not more so - than water wasting ones.

For more information on water conserving landscapes or if you have questions regarding water conservation in

general please contact the Ellis County Extension Office at (785) 628-9430 or check out our website:

www.ellis.ksu.edu for more information. You can also find us on Facebook under K-State Research and Extension

– Ellis County.

Holly Dickman-Horticulture-hmwerth@ksu.edu

Tips for Planting Trees While fall may hold some advantages for getting newly

planted trees established, spring can also be a suitable

time to plant. Here are a few tips to help ensure the

success of any newly planted trees in your landscape:

Select the right tree for the right site! (Certain

trees do not do well in our area. Contact your local

extension office if you have questions about what

tree to plant.)

Dig the planting hole two-three times as wide as

the container/rootball.

Dig the planting hole only as deep as the distance

from the bottom of the container/rootball to the

root flare. (The root flare is the area at the base of

the trunk that naturally “flares” out slightly. This

area of the tree is very critical in oxygen exchange.

Many times soil will initially have to be removed

from the top of the container/rootball find the root

flare.)

Always remove as much of the string, wire and

burlap as possible on a balled and burlapped tree

after placing it in the planting hole! Always re-

move the container from a containerized tree be-

fore planting!

Backfill the planting hole

with the same soil you took

out.

Mulch the tree with organic

mulch (i.e. wood chips, ce-

dar, cypress, etc. NOT

ROCK!)

For more detailed information on

planting trees and shrubs, contact

your local extension office for

the publication entitled: Planting

Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

Setting Out Tomatoes Gardeners often try to get a jump on the season by

planting tomatoes as early as possible. Though this can

be successful, there are certain precautions that should

be observed.

Harden off plants: Plants moved directly from a

warm, moist greenhouse to the more exposed and cool-

er conditions outside may undergo transplant shock.

Transplant shock causes plants to stop growing for a

time. Plants can be acclimated to outside conditions by

placing them outdoors in a location protected from

wind and full sunlight for a few days before transplant-

ing. Another way to harden off plants is to transplant

them and place a cardboard tent or wooden shingle to

protect them from wind and sun for 2 to 3 days. The

best conditions for transplanting is an overcast, still

day.

Protection from frost: Tomatoes cannot tolerate frost.

Though we are past the average date of the last frost in

most of Kansas, watch the weather and cover the plants

if frost threatens. A floating row cover or light sheets

can be used for protection. Actually a floating row cov-

er can be left on the plants for two to three weeks to

increase the rate of growth and establishment.

Adequate soil temperature: Tomato roots do not do

well until soil temperatures reach a fairly consistent 55

degrees F. Check the temperature at 2 inches deep dur-

ing the late morning to get a good average temperature

for the day. Plastic mulch can be used to warm soil

more quickly than bare ground. Purple leaves are a sign

of phosphorus deficiency due to too cool soils.

Other tips for getting tomato plants off to a fast start

include:

Use small, stocky, dark green plants rather than

tall, spindly ones. Smaller plants form roots rapidly

and become established more quickly than those

that are overgrown.

Though tomatoes can be planted slightly deeper

than the cell-pack, do not bury plant deeply or lay

the stem sideways. Though roots will form on the

stems of tomatoes, this requires energy that would

be better used for establishment and growth.

Use a transplant solution (starter solution) when

transplanting to make sure roots are moist and nu-

trients are readily available.

Do not mulch until the plant is growing well.

Mulching too early prevents soil from warming up.

Linda Beech-Family & Consumer Science-lbeech@ksu.edu

Servsafe Food Handlers Short Course Tuesday, April 11 1:30 to 4:30 pm,

Extension Office Meeting Room, 601 Main, Hays

Instructor- Linda Beech, Extension FCS Agent

This training covers

basic food safety, personal

hygiene, food allergens, prevent-

ing cross-contamination, time

and temperature controls, and

cleaning and sanitation. This course is appropriate for

commercial food service employees, non-profits and

volunteers.

The cost for the course is $10 per person and

includes the Servsafe Food Handlers manual, training

materials and refreshments. This class has no formal

exam and does not provide national certification, how-

ever, a certificate of attendance will be provided to

each participant.

Register and pay fees at the Ellis County Exten-

sion Office to ensure adequate training materials and

class supplies. Drop-ins cannot be accommodated for

this class. Enrollment is considered complete when

fees are paid.

For questions or to register, contact the Ellis

County Extension Office, 785-628-9430.

Freezer Meals from the Meat Case Tuesday, April 25

5:30-7:30 pm

Messiah Lutheran Church (20th and Main), Hays

Instructors: Erin Petersilie and Jamie Rathbun,

Extension FCS agents

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of

choices offered in the grocer's meat

case with the different cuts, packaging

types, weights, and prices. Then we are

faced with all the marketing claims:

natural, organic, grass-fed, without

added hormones, and the list goes on.

Join this Extension workshop to

learn what the meat labels, cuts and claims mean and

to feel confident that you are choosing the safest and

most economical meat choices for your family.

After the presentation, you will rotate among stations to assemble 4 main dish freezer meals

featuring different types of meat. Each meal will serve

4-6 servings. Bring a cooler to take your meals home.

The cost for this workshop is $40 per person

and includes a light supper, all training materials, meal

ingredients, recipes and instructions.

Please register and pay fee no later than Tuesday, April 18 at the Ellis County Extension Office, 601

Main in Hays, 785-628-9430. There is a minimum

and maximum enrollment allowed for this class, so

early registration is advised; your registration is

considered complete when the fee is paid. Contact

Linda Beech, Ellis County Extension Agent, for

questions or more information.

Real World 101 Tuesday, April 11, 7:00- 8:00 pm

Cody Commons, FHSU Student UnionThe Ellis County Extension

Community Development program

committee is partnering with Hays

Area Young Professionals and Alpha

Kappa Psi business fraternity at

FHSU to present "Real World 101," a

presentation for students to help ease their transition into

the "real world."

Recent graduates will talk about taxes and

building credit. Students are encouraged to check with

instructors about the possibility of extra credit for

attending.

This free program is informative for anyone

entering the "real world" soon-- because growing up

isn't easy!

Selling Food and Agricultural Products

at Kansas Farmers Markets

Farmers markets provide a valuable outlet for

farmers and local entrepreneurs to sell their items and

for consumers to purchase healthy local produce and

other food and agricultural products.

Retail direct-to-consumer food sales in Kansas–

including farmers markets, festivals, bazaars, craft

shows and similar events– are regulated by the Kansas

Department of Agriculture. Their regulations govern

what food and agricultural products may be sold with-

out a license, and what food/ag products must be li-

censed and inspected for safety standards.

Helpful information for farmers market vendors

is available in the publication “Food Safety For Kansas

Farmers Market Vendors: Regulations and Best Prac-

tices” co-sponsored by K-State Research and Extension

and the KS Department of Agriculture. Ask for a

printed copy at the Ellis County Extension Office, or

find it online at

http://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3138.pdf.

Linda Beech-Family & Consumer Science-lbeech@ksu.edu

Walk Kansas Begins with 36 Teams! There are 36 teams– 216

people– participating in Walk

Kansas 2017 in Ellis County. The

statewide team-based health chal-

lenge is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension

and involves over 10,000 people each year in the 8-

week event. Watch for Walk Kansas selfies on our Facebook page at “K-State Research and Extension-

Ellis County.”

Walk Kansas Half-Way Event: Family StoryWalk Tuesday, April 18, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Massey Park, 17th and Allen Street, Hays Celebrate the halfway point of the 8-week Walk

Kansas program! Bring the children and participate in

the Walk Kansas Family StoryWalk. StoryWalk com-

bines literacy and physical activity when the pages of a

children's book are posted along a walking path for

families to read and enjoy together. Come and go, 4:00 -6:00 pm, starting and ending at the shelter house in Massey Park at 17th and Allen Street. This event is free to Walk Kansas team members. Enjoy the story and share a healthy treat at the end of your family Story-

Walk. This activity is also open to the public, those who are not on a Walk Kansas team may pay $3 per family to help cover the cost of supplies. RSVP to the Ellis County Extension Office is appreciated,

785-628-9430. Check our Facebook page for information in case of rain or bad weather.

Drug Take-Back Day- April 29 The Ellis County Drug Enforce-

ment Unit will sponsor two collection

sites for unused or unwanted prescrip-

tion and over-the-counter drugs on Sat-

urday, April 29, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The two sites are the parking lots of the Hays

Visitors Center, 27th and Vine Street, and the Good Samaritan Center, 27th and Canal Blvd.

All tablets, capsules, caplets and patches are

accepted. Liquids will be accepted if in spill-proof

containers. No needles or aerosols can be collected.

Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem

and this is the perfect opportunity to help reduce the

threat. Consumers are encouraged to clean out medi-

cine cabinets, closets, bedside tables and vehicles to

reduce the incidence of drug theft, accidental consump-

tion and abuse.

Smart Uses for your Tax Refund Receiving a tax refund? Use the 30-40-30 plan

to pay for your past, present and future:

PAST: Designate 30% of your refund for paying off

debt and catching up on outstanding bills.

PRESENT: Earmark 40% of the refund for current use.

FUTURE: Use the remaining 30% to jumpstart an

emergency fund or other long term savings.

Need more motivation or ideas to save or

manage your money? Visit www.kansassaves.org for helpful information.

Food Safety Tips for the Slow Cooker

Slow cookers are a convenient

way to whip up a delicious meal with

minimal effort. Make-ahead slow cooker

recipes are a popular trend on social media,

too. Just be sure to follow these tips to

ensure the food you leave cooking all day on

your counter will not become a food safety

nightmare when you get home.

1. Be sure your slow cooker is working properly. It is

critical that your slow cooker reaches the right

temperature quickly enough to avoid food safe-

ty problems. Here’s how to test it. Just fill your

slow cooker halfway with water, put on the lid

and turn it on. It needs to heat to at least 170

degrees within two hours. You can test it with

a food thermometer. If after two hours, the

water is cooler than 170 degrees, your slow

cooker is likely not heating your food fast

enough and should not be used.

2. Always defrost meat or poultry before putting itin the slow cooker. Defrosting will ensure

your food cooks evenly all the way through to

the safe internal temperature. Defrost in the

refrigerator, never at room temperature.

3. Make sure your foods fit. The slow cooker shouldbe no more than half to two-thirds full to ensure

even cooking. Don’t overfill it!

4. Keep the lid on. Heat escapes every time you liftthe slow cooker lid. To retain heat, avoid lifting

the lid any more often than necessary to stir or

check for doneness.

5. Use a food thermometer. The only way to know forsure your food is safe to eat is to check the in-

ternal temperature with a food thermometer.

Beef or pork roasts should cook to 145º with a

3-minute rest period, ground meats need to

reach 160º and all poultry products must reach

165º, whether whole, pieces or ground.

Submitted by: Susan Schlichting County Extension Agent – 4-H Youth Development April 2017

APRIL IS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH! Thank a Volunteer!!!

Each year, thousands of volunteers across Kansas donate their time and energy to make their communities a better place to live. These volunteers are among the millions across the country who will be spotlighted during National Volunteer Week, April 23-29, 2017. A volunteer gives time and expertise without expecting monetary compensation. The half of the U.S. population who volunteers makes many educational, health, cultural, and human service programs work.

An estimated 62.6 million people volunteered 7.9 billion hours at a value of $184 billion of service contributed.

One group that relies heavily on volunteers is the Ellis County 4-H program. This year, several hundred volunteers, both young and old, have served as club leaders and project leaders for the 8 4-H clubs in Ellis County.

Volunteers are the backbone of the 4-H program. They spend numerous hours working on tasks, such as helping organize an event at the county fair, helping a child with a 4-H project or leading a community service project.

Donna Maskus, Ellis Co. Master 4-H Volunteer says “I have been rewarded in watching 4-Hers grow as they are involved in community service projects like Relay for Life, Frost Fest, and Trick or Treat so Others Can Eat. I see this developing the life skill of caring for their community and hopefully they will continue to volunteer as they become adults. Volunteering is a rewarding involvement in your community, through 4-H, church and many other opportunities.”

Club volunteers are only one group of leaders across the state who are instrumental in carrying out the mission of the Kansas Cooperative Extension Service. They are involved in every aspect of the county extension program, including determining the needs of the residents, planning programs, securing resources and evaluating programs.

An example of this is the Ellis County Extension Council. The Nine-member board, which consists of elected citizens, works with the county Extension staff to plan and oversee Extension activities.

The work of Extension volunteers is continuous. Every day a volunteer is lending a helping hand to make Extension programs beneficial to the residents of Ellis County. Hats Off to Ellis County volunteers this month & every month!

To Our Volunteers

V is for the Very special people that you are O is for the Overwhelming support & compassion you offer others during their time of need L is for the Little things you do that make such a difference in someone's life U is for the Unspoken words that sometimes mean just as much N is for the Need you fill when others aren't able T is for the Time you give of yourselves on top of your own busy schedules E is for the Emotional support you continually give E is also for the Endless energy you all seem to possess R is for the Responsibility you have taken on & never once complained S is for the Smiles you bring to youth & families by just being you

Author - Lisa Ellinwood

Extension in the Future Cottonwood Extension District

The Extension Council Executive Boards in

Barton and Ellis Counties have agreed to

proceed with forming an Extension district. The

Executive board members and Extension staff

feel this will allow us to more effectively serve

the needs of our citizens into the future.

This fact sheet contains information related to

districting and how it will affect Extension

programs in Barton and Ellis Counties.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate

to contact Extension staff or board members in

your county.

What is an Extension District?

A local unit of government

Must consist of two or more counties

Publically elected board – four members

from each county

A growing Extension trend – currently 45

counties in 16 districts statewide

How is a District Established?

Extension executive boards indicate the

intent to form an Extension district

County commissioners pass a resolution to

form an Extension district

Sixty-day waiting period

Operational agreement submitted to the

Kansas Attorney General for approval

July 1 – District operation begins

What are the Benefits of a District?

Expanded educational program

opportunities – Programs and activities in

the district will be offered to constituents in

both counties.

More in-depth subject knowledge –

Extension agents have reduced duplication

of responsibilities which allows for

specialization and greater focus and depth of

expertise.

Efficiency in program delivery – The

largest portion of time needed to develop

and deliver a program is in planning and

preparation. It is more efficient to deliver

the program to multiple groups.

Expanded youth experiences – Youth will

have access to 4-H activities offered in both

counties.

Maintain local offices / retain staff at

current sites – All current KS Extension

districts have kept an office in each county

and have retained all current staff positions.

Increased operational efficiency –

Districting reduces the duplication of

administrative tasks.

Added value – Each county has a similar

number of staff and county tax dollars in

their budgets. With districting, both

counties will have the expertise of seven

professional staff to address local needs.

Who Can I Contact for More Information?

Barton Co. Extension Office (620) 793-1910 bt@listserv.ksu.edu

Ellis Co. Extension Office (785) 628-9430 el@listserv.ksu.edu

Barton and Ellis

County Extension Staff

are here to serve you!

Answers to Questions about Districting. . .

Why Barton and Ellis Counties? Currently, each county has a similar population, similar county valuation, similar Extension budget and

similar number of Extension Agents. These two counties are the most economically equitable partners in

the region.

In a District, will I still have access to “my” Extension agents? Current staff will continue to office in their local counties, and will provide educational programming in

both counties. You will also have access to additional agents for more specialized service.

Will local county citizens lose control of Extension programming? In a district, local governance remains extremely important. Each county is represented by four district

governing board members, all of whom are elected by county residents. Each County within the District

has at least 24 representatives serving on Program Development Committees (PDC) who meet with, assist

and advise District Extension Agents in the development of programs to address local and statewide

needs.

How is an Extension District different from the way Extension works now? Currently, County Extension budgets are approved by the County Commissioners and funded through the

general fund. In an Extension District, the Extension budget would be determined by the District

governing board--elected in a county-wide municipal election--and funded through the taxing entity.

Similar to County Commissioners, the board must be responsible to the taxpayers.

Will taxes increase if a District is formed? Members of the Extension District governing board are elected by county citizens. They, too, are

taxpayers and good stewards of taxpayer money. The District governing board meets annually with

K-State Research and Extension’s representative to develop a budget that meets the satisfactory funding

of programming needs of the District. The trend of Extension districts in Kansas has been to maintain

relatively stable tax levels. This is not a new tax. Prior to this, Extension Council budgets were under the

County Commission’s general fund and not listed separately.

Will creating a District cause us to lose our local county fair? While K-State Research and Extension is highly involved in county fairs, these generally are run by local

fair boards. These events will continue as in the past.

Who can benefit from Extension programs? As an equal opportunity provider and employer, Extension has a rich history of providing services to all

citizens. Through tax dollars, grant funding, private contributions and volunteer support, Extension

provides high-quality educational opportunities to all county residents.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.