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Monthly Archives: October 2018
Podcasts Available For Farmers
According to Bob Weaber, K-State Research and Extension Professor and Cow-Calf Specialist, Dr. Weaber, Dr. Dustin Pendell from the Department of Agricultural Economics, Dr. Bob Larson and Dr. Brad White from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine Beef Cattle Institute have been recording a weekly podcast called BCI Cattle Chat.
The podcast can be downloaded on your smartphone or online at https://ksubci.org/media/podcast. Recordings began in May of this year, and now include over 20 podcasts with topics such as: should we test forage and why, challenges of bull buying, advocacy in agriculture, and selecting replacement heifers.
Dr. Weaber States “we feel like we’ve kinda hit our stride, and want to share this audio resource with you. If you’re not already a listener, please give it a whirl. If you are already a listener, send us some feedback: what you like, don’t like, or think we should discuss”.
BCI Cattle Chat is always on the lookout for new material and guests. Please send topic ideas and guest suggestions to your local extension agent, and ask him or her to forward these suggestions to the Beef Cattle Institute.
The most current sessions include a podcast featuring Southeast Area K-State research and Extension Beef Specialist Dr. Jaymelynn Farney, from Parsons, and a podcast featuring a sports dietician from the Kansas State University training table.
Hedgehog.INK Opens Oct. 30
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce congratulates Hedgehog.INK, and invites you to attend the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm.
Come celebrate with them and enjoy light refreshments!
Obituary of Paul Leon Moore
Friday Night Concert: Church of Christ Acapella
“I am pleased to have the Crawford Street Church of Christ produce this Friday’s concert,” Ralph Carlson, organizer of the free Friday Night Concerts at Heritage Park.
“Their acapella music is a real treat to hear and the songs they do are songs that are familiar to the audience,” he said. “It often ends up with the entire audience taking part in the singing.”
In the event of inclement weather, the show will be moved indoors from the regular location at First and Main Streets to The Common Grounds Coffee shop on Main.
The concert starts at 7 pm.
“Come early as seating is limited. You might want to bring lawn chairs,” Carlson said.
City Planning Commission Meets Oct. 29
The Fort Scott Planning Commission will meet on Monday, October 29th, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider a change in zoning from Mixed Use District to Central Business District for the property at 19 S. Hill Street.
At 5:00 p.m. there will be a public hearing on the proposed Comprehensive Plan for Fort Scott.
These meetings are open to the public.
Christian Heights Chili Feed/Bake Auction Nov. 3
Opportunity For Fourth-Graders To Experience History
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people, so that all may experience our heritage, according to an NPS statement.
The following is a press release from the Fort about the opportunity:
“FSNHS has received a field trip grant for the 2018-2019 school year from the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service.
This $5,000 grant will reimburse the costs of transportation for fourth-grade class field trips to this national park.
This grant is part of the Foundation’s Open OutDoors for Kids program which creates pathways for kids to explore and connect with national park experiences, and is administered locally by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site.
“We are excited to be able to assist school groups in coming to Fort Scott National Historic Site,” said Betty Boyko, Superintendent, FOSC. “We understand that not all schools can afford to visit even though we do not charge a fee. This grant will help reduce barriers to bringing students to have fun while learning and developing a lifelong connection to our nation’s history,” Boyko continued.
“We are pleased to be involved in helping more of the areas school children build deeper connections with Fort Scott NHS and our history,” said Reed Hartford, President of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site, Inc.
During their time on site, the students will participate in either the “Life on the Frontier” program for grades K-4 or the “Sweep through History” program for grades 4-8.
In “Life on the Frontier,” local high school students train to be the instructors and mentors to the K-4th-grade students. They dress in period clothing and are stationed at various locations around the site focusing on various aspects of life at Fort Scott during the 1840’s.
“Sweep through History” will acquaint 4-8th-grade students with life at Fort Scott during the three most significant periods in the site’s history: Westward Expansion, Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War.
Educators, dressed in period clothing, are stationed at various locations around the site focusing on life at Fort Scott during one of these periods. Both programs have pre-visit and post-visit activities and all are aligned with Kansas and Missouri content standards.
“Trekking along trails, observing our natural ecosystems and engaging with our shared history are experiences that benefit all children,” said National Park Foundation President Will Shafroth. “Making it possible for America’s youth to explore our national parks is an investment in their future and the future of the national parks community.”
Teachers and school administrators can request additional information about transportation grants and curriculum-based field trip programs by visiting the education section of the park’s website (www.nps.gov/fosc) or contacting the education program coordinator, Barry Geertsen, at 620-223-0310 or e-mail us.
For the full list of grantees and their projects, click here.”
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Oct. 22
Click below, then click on the image to enlarge.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Oct. 23
Hard choices in the heartland: Farmers Need to Manage Stress
Submitted by; Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District Director
For Release: Week of October 22, 2018
Unpredictable weather, falling net farm income, spotty health care services and a host of other factors can make for incredible stress on farms and in rural communities. Many of the factors causing sleepless nights are beyond an individual’s control, yet there are often ways to manage the stress, according to North Dakota State University family science specialist Sean Brotherson.
“People will power through even if they don’t feel well,” said Brotherson, speaking at a recent K-State Research and Extension workshop in Manhattan. “There’s a cost to that. You can’t put your health or relationships on the back end for long without consequences.”
The most important asset of any agricultural operation is the health and wellness of the farm operator, said Brotherson, who also presented a workshop on the same topic in Dodge City.
Farming and ranching ranks in the top 10 of the most stressful occupations. That stress can lead to depression, anger, health concerns, failed marriages, loss of friendships or relationships with family members, alcohol or substance abuse or worse.
“When we talk about farm safety, we often talk about accident prevention but we tend to neglect talk about mental and emotional health,” Brotherson said, adding that’s a mistake.
Despite the overall U.S. economy booming, the farm economy has been in a slump the past several years: “This great economic condition is not translating into a good farm economy. Many farmers are very good at what they do, yet some still find themselves in situations that they can’t control,” Brotherson said.
Net farm income, a broad measure of profits, is forecast to decrease $9.8 billion (13.0 percent) from 2017 to $65.7 billion in 2018, after increasing $13.9 billion (22.5 percent) in 2017, according to an August report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service.
Net cash farm income is forecast to decrease $12.4 billion (12.0 percent) to $91.5 billion. In inflation-adjusted 2018 dollars, net farm income is forecast to decline $11.4 billion (14.8 percent) from 2017 after increasing $13.0 billion (20.3 percent) in 2017.
If realized, inflation-adjusted net farm income would be just slightly above its level in 2016, which was its lowest level since 2002.
The situation is taking a toll, Brotherson said. Some feel extra pressure because their farm has been in the family for generations and they don’t want to be the one to lose it.
“Stress signals are like the warning lights blinking on your truck’s dashboard,” Brotherson said. “We often want to ignore them but at some point there is a price to pay – a heart attack, broken relationships, depression or worse. You maintain your car to keep it running properly. You have to maintain your health, too.”
Coping strategies include things that help you unwind, include exercise, getting enough sleep, hobbies, or reaching out to someone for support or help – a friend, a counselor, or a loved one.
K-State Research and Extension has teamed with NDSU’s Brotherson to share resources linked to farm stress management including a tip sheet. In addition, K-State programs such as the Farm Analyst program, Kansas Agricultural Mediation Service and Kansas Farm Management Association are available to work with rural enterprises.
Contact the Southwind Extension District at 620-365-2242 for more information. Your health matters too us.
Carla Nemecek
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent
[email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749
Thousands Sign Up for Bells of Peace Nationwide
Bells of Peace
The free Bells of Peace App has attracted over 5000 people nationwide to join in the bell tolling on November 11, 2018 at 11:00 am local time. People and organizations can use the app to select a bell, connect to a local sound system, and load photos and videos of their bell and commemoration events.
Did you sign up on the website? You should also download and sign up on the app so that you can upload your photos and see what others are doing. It is also easy to share with your friends so that everyone can be part of this nationwide commemoration1
Did you sign up on the app? If you are an organization, you should also sign up on the website so that you can upload your logo and we can add it to the logo scroll.
Don’t worry – we will only send you one newsletter per email address!
The U.S. Navy will toll the bells on November 11!
Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer has ordered Navy and Marine Corps ships and installations to commemorate the Centennial of the Armistice with a bell toll. Read the “ALLNAV” order at ww1cc.org/bells under PROCLAMATIONS.
U.S. Capitol – The Taft Carillon will toll the bells on November 11!
Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, has authorized the Architect of the Capitol to toll the U.S. Capitol’s Robert A. Taft Carillon at 11:00 a.m. on November 11. The carillon plays “The Star-Spangled Banner” every July 4 at 2 pm. The last special event for which the Taft Carillon was tolled was the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on September 24, 2016.
Independence Hall – The Centennial Bell will toll on November 11!
The National Park Service will toll the Centennial Bell in Independence Hall in Philadelphia on November 11 at 11:11 a.m. in conjunction with other commemoration activities. The Centennial Bell was placed in Independence Hall in 1876 and rings hourly.
Washington Ringing Society – the Old Post Office Bell will toll on November 11!
The Washington Ringing Society, winner on October 20 of the second annual nationwide Trinity Shield Striking Competition, will toll the Old Post Office Bell in Washington, D.C. on November 11. This bell is the closest to the National World War I Memorial we are building to honor WW1 veterans! The Washington Ringing Society is also responsible for tolling the bells at the National Cathedral on November 11, with Retired Navy Admiral Mike Mullen in the role of ceremonial toll master.
Need Ceremony Ideas? Consult the National Cathedral Interfaith Service Program
The program for the National Cathedral’s November 11 interfaith service is now posted on our website at ww1cc.org/bells under CEREMONY IDEAS. Here you can see Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Native American, Jewish and Christian prayers along with poetry and hymns especially selected to honor the service of our nation’s World War I veterans and commemorate the Armistice Centennial.