Category Archives: K-State Extension

Get Kids in the Kitchen This Summer!

 

By Clara Wicoff

Southwind Extension District

 

The month of June has been a blur as we have been hosting youth cooking classes throughout the Southwind Extension District (which covers Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson Counties). These classes provide an excellent hands-on opportunity for youth to build their confidence in the kitchen. The summer is a great time for you to invite kids into the kitchen to cook healthy meals together at home!

 

The benefits of cooking together include building children’s self-esteem, helping them develop small muscle skills as they complete kitchen tasks, and creating time for bonding with your children. Cooking together also helps children practice math and reading skills as they read and interpret recipes, work with fractions, and measure ingredients. Research also suggests that youth who cook have healthier dietary habits.

 

So, how can you get your kids in the kitchen this summer to experience some of these same benefits? Keep these tips in mind:

  • Remember that meals will likely take longer to prepare. Do not try to cook together when you are in a hurry.
  • Teach children about handwashing. Before cooking, you should always wash your hands with clean water and soap for at least 20 seconds. This is roughly the same amount of time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
  • Have children complete age-appropriate tasks. For example, tasks for 2-4 year old children could include using measuring spoons or pouring liquids, while tasks for 8-11 year old children could include using a vegetable peeler or whisking. To find a more complete list of age-appropriate tasks from Illinois Extension, visit bit.ly/Cooking-With-Children.

 

For more information, please contact me at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.

 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

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

Save Some, Spend Some, Share Some

Cassidy Lutz
K-State Research and Extension 
Family and Consumer Science Agent 
Southwind District 
211 W. Butler 
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620

 

Set aside at least 10% of each paycheck to savings, spend no more than 25% of your income on housing, contribute at least 10% of your income to a cause.

Although these traditional thoughts on money might work for some, they are outdated and no longer attainable for many. With costs of living continuing to rise, many Americans are struggling to cover living expenses and rarely have leftover income to put towards savings.

If you find yourself in this situation, it might be time to rethink those guidelines or expectations and realign them.

The first step to gaining control over your finances is to know where your money goes. The idea of a budget often brings up ideas of sacrifice or doing without but it doesn’t have to be that way. At its most basic, a budget is a guide for how you will use your money over a specific period of time to meet your goals. The main key to a successful budget is to be realistic.

There are many examples of budgets and ways to develop a spending plan. The best one for you is the one that includes enough detail about your income and expenses for you to plan how you will save, spend, and share your money over time.

Save Some: Savings is ideally any money you have left after paying all your expenses. This amount varies greatly from person to person depending on jobs, lifestyle, family size, and many other factors. But no matter the amount, big or small, setting aside money from each paycheck can help you achieve both long-term and short-term financial goals. A simple goal of saving $5 a week for a year adds up to $260. It might take some discipline and lifestyle adjustments, but even a small amount can help you achieve your financial goals.

Spend Some: Every person has expenses. Housing, food, clothes, utilities, and transportation are just to name a few of the most common. Expenses are broken up into two categories – fixed and variable. Fixed expenses are those that generally cost the same from month to month. Think rent, mortgage, or car payments. Variable expenses are those that change and would include groceries, medical bills, or new clothes. With the help of a budget, you will be able to see exactly where your money is going. You might even be shocked to discover how you could tighten up your spending and contribute more to saving or sharing.

Share Some: For those that can, giving money to a faith-based group, community organization, or large cause gives a sense of fulfillment. If you don’t have the means to do so now and wish you could try to tighten up your spending on variable items and set a few dollars aside for gifting.

Every budget will look different depending on your individual needs, income, and priorities. Take some time to evaluate where you are now financially and where you would like to be now and well into the future. There may be ways to rethink how you save, spend, and share your money. For more information, contact Cassidy Lutz at [email protected] or by calling 620-625-8620.

“Fit for the Style Revue” Class Series in Fort Scott 

 

Clara Wicoff. Submitted photo 2023

 

The Southwind Extension District is hosting the “Fit for the Style Revue” series in Fort Scott this summer. Youth from ages 7 to 18 are invited to attend this two-day STEAM Clothing workshop series (even if they are not enrolled in 4-H or the buymanship project). This series will be made up of two interactive lessons that work on accessorizing an outfit and modeling in front of a judge. Youth will be able to put together an outfit with accessories and learn how to present themselves in front of the judge. These sessions will be held in two separate locations on the following dates:

 

  • June 14th from 5 PM to 6:30 PM at Bids and Dibs
  • June 21st from 5 PM to 6:30 PM at Fort Scott Community College Bailey Hall

 

This series is free, but registration is required at https://bit.ly/Southwindstyle. Get your registration in soon!

 

For more information, contact Southwind Extension District Intern Gwenyth Fry at (620) 223-3720 or [email protected].

 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

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

 

Happiness At Work

Tara Soloman-Smith, Family and Wellness Agent, Sunflower District of Kansas State University’s Extension Office. Submitted photo.

 

Is work getting you down?  Maybe every day is feeling like a Monday for you.  There is value in working towards happiness at work.  It is tied to better health, creativity, less turn over, and much more!  The last few years have highlighted the connection between work and a person’s well-being, though research had already been happening on this subject.

 

In their work, the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkley defines happiness at work as feeling an overall sense of enjoyment at work; being able to gracefully handle setbacks; connecting amicably with colleagues, coworkers, clients, and customers; and knowing that your work matters to yourself, your organization, and beyond.

 

Let’s dig in a little to how we get there!

 

Purpose

We have a sense of purpose when we make valuable contributions to others (individuals and organizations) that we find personally meaningful.  Our purpose is a reflection of our core values, and we feel more purposeful at work when our everyday behaviors and decisions align with them.  Want to nurture purpose?  Link your day-to-day tasks to something broader—to your values or making lives better.

 

Flex Your Social Muscles

Dr. Robert Waldinger of Harvard directs one of the longest-running studies on what makes people thrive.  He shares that the people who had the warmest connections with other people weren’t just happier, they stayed healthier longer and lived longer.

There’s a catch, like exercise, you need to make a habit of it for the benefits.  But, it can be small and not time intensive.  Just reaching out to a colleague just to say ‘Hi’ or check in personally will bring happiness to both!

 

Lean into your curiosity about your co-workers to create a social bond.  Practicing empathy also helps us understand each other and can lead to effective teamwork.

 

Engagement

Do your enjoy your work most of the time?  Do you often get so deeply involved with your work you lose track of time?  If your answer is ‘no’, there is room for increased engagement for you!  This can be done with ownership of schedules and tasks and shifting from hectic, multi-tasking methods to allow for a deeper work flow.  In one study, the most important predictor of a good work day was making progress.  Even “small wins” can make us feel good and inspire us to get more done.  Focus on and celebrate the progress you have made!

 

Finally, if you want to learn more, look up ‘job crafting’.  It is a proactive approach to reshaping your work life with a sense of ownership and self-motivation, which makes you more engaged at work.

 

It’s not just up to employees.  Happiness at work, like happiness in life, is a basic human need and in turn, is a big perk a workplace can offer. Research shows that happiness at work is essential to organizational success and is worth the effort to create it.

For more information, contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or by calling 620-244-3826.

 

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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.

 

K-State Youth Programs Offered

Clara Wicoff. Submitted photo 2023

Several youth programs will be offered through K-State Extension this summer.

The first is a program called “Choose Health: Food, Fun, and Fitness.” This is a six-session series that focuses on healthy eating and active living through interactive lessons with food and games. We will be offering this in two locations this summer (including Erie and Moran) starting on June 7th. The sessions build on each other, so youth should plan to attend all six sessions. The program is free, but registration is required at https://bit.ly/chffferie for the Erie series and https://bit.ly/chfffmoran for the Moran series. This program is open to youth in the third through eighth grades. (I know both of these are outside of Bourbon County, but I wanted to share them anyway in case they are of interest!)

The second opportunity I wanted to share is our STEAM Sewing Workshop. We will be offering this in five locations, including an offering in Fort Scott on June 23rd from 1 PM to 4 PM. Youth will sew their very own pillowcases. They will build their STEAM skills at the same time as they learn how science, technology, engineering, art, and math are related to sewing. This is open to students of all experience levels, from those who have never used a sewing machine before to those who have experience sewing. Students who have just completed the third through sixth grades are eligible to participate. Registration is required at https://bit.ly/southwindsewing. (Please note that registration will not open until June 1st for the STEAM Sewing Workshop.)

Any questions can be directed to me via email at [email protected] or by phone at 620-365-2242. These programs will fill quickly, so I highly encourage people to register soon!

 

Any questions can be directed to me via email at [email protected] or by phone at 620-365-2242. These programs will fill quickly, so I highly encourage people to register soon!

Prevent Summer Brain Drain

Cassidy Lutz
K-State Research and Extension 
Family and Consumer Science Agent 
Southwind District 
211 W. Butler 
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620

 

School is out for the summer for a majority of the schools in the area. I have noticed much more activity in my town as kids are out riding bikes, walking around the town square, and visiting the local park.

With all the beautiful summer days ahead, kids have all sorts of opportunities to take advantage of their summer vacation. But should fighting “summer brain drain” be part of their plans?

The last thing children want to think about during the off-season is all the knowledge and skills they gained during the past school year. Summer brain drain is explained by experts as a lapse in what children remember during summer. This could include forgetting strategies or skills that will have to be retaught at the beginning of the next school year. Evidence shows more challenging subjects such as math and science are the first topics that students experience the most impact in.

 

As parents, there are ways you can help prevent the backward slide of knowledge during the upcoming summer months.

Reading for as little as 10-15 minutes each day can enhance vocabulary, extend comprehension, and generate curiosity. This is true for all ages, so encourage your kiddos to pick up a book each day or even enroll in a summer reading program through local libraries. Reading can also be incorporated into everyday activities such as reading instructions on how to build a new toy or preparing a new recipe. Negative impacts are also shown in reading skills, so consider having your child start a simple summer journal or diary.

Parents should help to maintain structure during the summer. Structure and routines provide kids with a sense of security and comfort year-round, not just during the school year. Daily routines encourage healthy choices and teach healthy behaviors while teaching responsibility and self-control. Try to add daily exercise, set a time for reading and writing, and plan family meals together. Hold them accountable for their routines by creating a list or writing it on a family calendar. By having the ability to check off a to-do item, they will feel a sense of accomplishment from even the smallest tasks.

Consider using these simple tips to help your child thrive this summer. Remember, summer brain drain is not a complete loss of information but more of a lapse and should not be the source of stress or anxiety. Focus on encouraging natural experiences for learning at any opportunity. For more information, contact Cassidy Lutz at [email protected] or by calling 620-625-8620.

Newly Hatched Bagworms Are Gearing Up to Cause Damage

Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

 

A couple of days ago, I did a little scouting of trees to see if I could find newly hatched bagworms. Sure enough, they are out! You have to look close in order to see them because they are still small – about a ¼ inch in size.

Submitted photo.

Bagworms are a yearly pest in our area and can cause considerable damage. Most homeowners typically don’t get too concerned about bagworm control until they see large bags present on plants. By then it is too late and the damage is already done! The window of opportunity for optimum control is approaching.

 

Bagworms overwinter as eggs deposited in the female bags. From mid-May through mid-June, larvae hatch from the eggs and exit from the bottom opening of the old bag. Larvae begin constructing their miniature silk-lined bags immediately. Only after the bags have been completed do the larvae begin actual feeding activities. And as the larvae grow, so do their bags. By mid-to late August when feeding activities are complete, larvae firmly anchor their bags to the twigs and branches on which they were feeding.

 

Bagworms are most commonly found on eastern red cedar and junipers. However, bagworms can attack arborvitae, spruce and pine. Broadleaf trees, shrubs and ornamentals can also serve as a host to bagworms. After bagworms have defoliated a host plant, they are capable of migrating in search of additional food sources. They may attack the same species from which they came or a completely different species.

 

The damage caused by bagworm feeding can be minimal to severe. As larvae enter their later development stages, they require greater amounts of food. Sometimes in what seems to be just overnight, bagworms can completely defoliate a tree. Several successive years of heavy foliar feeding can result in the death a tree, especially with conifers.

 

There are two ways to control bagworms – cultural and chemical. Cultural practice is used by those who do not want to utilize insecticidal sprays to control bagworms.  Instead, bagworms are eliminated by handpicking individual bags from plants. This is best done in the winter months when bags stand out against a trees background color.  Keep in mind that a single missed bag could result in a thousand new bagworm larvae. Of course, handpicking becomes impractical when a host is literally covered with bags or it is too tall to make handpicking possible.

 

Chemical control is most effective when larvae are in their early developmental stages. Generally, bagworm larvae will begin emerging from the overwintering bag by mid-to late May. Hatching does not happen overnight. Instead, hatching can continue for 4 to 5 weeks. Controls applied in late summer are often a waste of time and expense because the larvae are large, tough and may have stopped feeding. About the third week of June is the ideal time to make insecticidal control.

 

Insecticides commonly used to control bagworms include spinosad, acephate, cyfluthrin, or permethrin. These are sold under a variety of trade names. Check the product label for active ingredients.

 

For more information on bagworm control, please contact me at one of our Southwind Extension District office locations.

 

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

 

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

 

Let’s Celebrate Aging!

Tara Soloman-Smith, Family and Wellness Agent, Sunflower District of Kansas State University’s Extension Office. Submitted photo.

 

We had a vibrant and engaged group of individuals at our annual Aging with Attitude Expo in April.  After witnessing this group, it is only fitting that the theme for the 60th Older American Month (OAM) is Aging Unbound!

 

Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) each May, OAM provides resources to help older Americans stay healthy and independent, and resources to help communities support and celebrate their diversity.

 

This year’s theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and to promote the importance of enjoying independence and fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age.  Here are some ways we can all participate in Aging Unbound:

 

  • Embrace the opportunity to change. Find a new passion, go on an adventure, and push boundaries by not letting age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy, and energy.
  • Explore the rewards of growing older. With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Continue to grow that knowledge through reading, listening, classes, and creative activities.
  • Stay engaged in your community. Everyone benefits when everyone is connected and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs, and taking part in activities at your local senior center or elsewhere in the community.
  • Form relationships. As an essential ingredient of well-being, relationships can enhance your quality of life by introducing new ideas and unique perspectives. Invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends, and community members.

 

Everyone is getting older, so let’s celebrate each day and challenge the aging narrative together!  Find out more ways to do good in your community here https://bit.ly/436EPAqFor more information, contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or by calling 620-244-3826.

 

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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.

Southwind Extension District to Host Kids’ Cooking Classes

Clara Wicoff. Submitted photo 2023 Extension Agent Nutrition, Food and Health Southwind District K-State Research and Extension 1006 N. State St. Iola, KS 66749 620-365-2242 [email protected]

This summer, the Southwind Extension District is hosting free cooking classes for kids to learn basic cooking and baking skills. The classes are for youth that have just completed the second, third, fourth, or fifth grade. This class will be held from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM in Bronson on June 22nd and in Fort Scott on June 29th. Other dates and locations where the class will be held include:

  • June 8 – Erie
  • June 13 – Yates Center
  • June 15 – Humboldt
  • June 20 – Chanute
  • June 27 – Iola

These classes are free, but registration is required at bit.ly/2023kidscookingclass. Since this will be a “hands-on” experience, the size of each class is limited and these classes fill up fast. Get your registration in soon!

For more information, contact Nutrition, Food and Health Agent Clara Wicoff at (620) 365-2242 or [email protected]. A grant through the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation helped support the kids’ cooking classes in Bourbon County.

 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

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

Poison Ivy – Easy to Identify But Tough to Control

Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

Leaves of three – let it be! I’m certain that someone has told you this before in an attempt to keep you away from poison ivy. It is true that poison ivy has three leaflets.  However, the untrained eye can easily confuse poison ivy with other plant species such as Virginia creeper.

 

Poison ivy occurs in three forms: an erect woody shrub, a groundcover that creeps along the ground, and a woody vine that will climb trees. It can grow to 10 feet or more as it climbs up trees or fences. All parts of poison ivy – leaves, sap, roots, and burning vines, are poisonous at all times of the year. All of these plant parts contain a toxic oil which causes irritation to the skin on many people. The typical reaction is an itchy rash with clear blisters about 2-3 days after contact with the oil.

 

As stated earlier, poison ivy always has three leaflets. But the leaf margins can vary.  They can be toothed, incised, lobed or smooth. The size of the leaf can also vary. The middle leaflet is larger than the other two and the middle one is the only leaflet with a long stalk. The other two are closely attached to the leaf stem. Virginia creeper has the same habitat as poison ivy and is often confused as being such. However, if you look close, Virginia creeper has five leaflets rather than three.

 

Have you ever gotten poison ivy, but swear that you didn’t touch it? Yes, it can happen. Poison ivy can be spread to you from your pet’s fur after they have ventured out to an infested area; from touching the clothing of a person who has come in contact with it; from garden tools that may have been used to pull down or chop vines; and even by the smoke from a burning vine. Burning poison ivy will cause the toxic oil to vaporize and be carried in the smoke. Believe it or not, the oil from poison ivy can remain active on clothing and footwear for as long as a year.

 

Poison ivy is not the easiest plant to kill. It is a tough plant and difficult to eradicate without killing desirable plants in the process. There are three methods used to destroy poison ivy – pulling the plants out by hand, cutting the plant off at the vine and treating the stump, or spraying the plant directly. The first two methods are more risky as far as infecting yourself with poison ivy.

 

The method used depends somewhat on the growth form the plant has taken. If it is in the groundcover form, direct spray or hand pulling is often used. If the plant is in the shrub form, direct spray is routinely used. For plants that are a woody vine and climbing, the preferred method is to cut the plant off at the base and treat the sprouts after they emerge. With any method, make certain to wear gloves and preferable a long sleeve shirt. Wash clothing and your skin immediately after you have finished.

 

Several herbicide products are labeled as “Poison Ivy Killers.” The products are premixed, ready-to-use products containing the active ingredient triclopyr. Products containing Glyphosate and 2, 4-D offer fair to good control. Once a treatment is made, wait 3 to 4 weeks for the product to work before applying any additional herbicide. Read label directions and follow with care as these chemicals cannot differentiate between poison ivy and other plants – meaning you might accidentally kill desirable plant species while trying to kill poison ivy!

 

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

 

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

 

 

 

Be Proactive During Mental Health Awareness Month

Clara Wicoff. Submitted photo 2023

 

 

By Clara Wicoff

Southwind Extension District

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! According to the Mental Health America (MHA) report entitled “The State of Mental Health in America 2023,” Kansas is ranked last out of all fifty states and the District of Columbia on how well the state handles mental health needs. This is one of the shocking statistics that sheds light on the state of mental health in our state and why the K-State Research and Extension Stress and Resiliency Team is encouraging others to be proactive in honoring Mental Health Awareness Month.

 

What could being proactive this month look like? To start, you can check out the resources available from MHA. On their website, they offer two specific worksheet resources with steps you can take to make changes to improve your mental health by:

  • Shaping your environment. Your home environment can affect your mental health. Take time to think about what you like and dislike about your space. What can you do to improve it? Some suggestions from MHA include starting small, getting rid of unneeded items, personalizing your space, and making your bedroom sleep-friendly.
  • Opening your mind to the outdoors. According to MHA, “spending time in nature is linked to many positive mental health outcomes, including improved focus, lower stress, and better mood.”

 

These resources (as well as others) can be found online at www.mhanational.org/may. They also offer a free mental health test which can be taken online at www.mhascreening.org.

 

This article was adapted from an article originally written by the K-State Research and Extension Stress and Resiliency Team. For more information, please contact me at [email protected] or 620-365-2242. If you or someone you know is in crisis or seeking emotional support, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also chat with them online at 988lifeline.org. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor with the Crisis Text Line.

 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

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

Youth Tractor Safety Training Offered May 23 and 24 in Fort Scott

Chad Guthrie
District Extension Agent, Crop production and Forage Management
Southwind District
210 S. National
Fort Scott, Kansas 66701
Office: 620-223-3720
Cell: 308-991-8415
[email protected]

 

On May 23 and 24, the Southwind Extension District will be offering a youth tractor safety training at the Cloverleaf Event Center in Fort Scott, Ks. The training will be offered to 14 and 15-year-old youths who wish to be certified to legally operate farm tractors and powered machinery for hire, which would otherwise be illegal under the US Department of Labor’s Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture.

The youth tractor safety training will cover topics such as general agriculture safety, tractor and equipment safety, and highway transportation. The two-day event will feature both indoor lectures and agricultural tours from Kansas State Research and Extension staff, industry professionals, and staff from the John Deere Technician Training of the Fort Scott Community College.

The training will run from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm each day. Lunch and snacks will be provided.

Youths can register by calling 620-223-3720. Registration is due by May 19, and study materials can be picked up at Southwind Extension District offices after registration. There is a $10 registration fee, due when study materials are received. Rides will be offered from Southwind Extension District offices in Yates Center, Iola, and Erie each morning