Tara Solomon-Smith

Family and Community Wellness Agent, Southwind Extension District

tsolomon@ksu.edu, 620-244-3826

Board Games and Strong Families

In today’s busy world, family time can easily get lost in the hustle and bustle of daily life. But spending quality time together is important for keeping family bonds strong. One great way to bring families closer is by playing board games—especially Euro-style games. These games focus on strategy, not luck, and avoid direct conflict between players, making them a fun and positive way to build stronger relationships.

How Do Board Games Benefit Relationship Building?

People need to feel loved and like they belong. Friends and family help with that. Playing board games is a fun way for families and friends to spend time together, laugh, and feel close.

To get along with others, we need to learn things like how to understand our feelings, make good choices, and be kind. These are called soft skills. If kids don’t know how to play nicely, they might act out to show how they feel. But when kids have good relationships, they feel happy and safe.

Talking and listening are very important in families. Good communication helps families solve problems and understand each other. We show we care by really listening, smiling, and using kind voices and body language.

In his book, titled “Family Treasures: Creating Strong Families,” Dr. John DeFrain examines what he says are the six major qualities that strong, successful families exhibit across all cultures in order to create positive environments. These include: enjoyable time together, appreciation and affection for one another, positive communication, spiritual well-being (values, beliefs, and life skills), successful management of stress and crisis, and commitment to each other.

There are ways that families can achieve these six qualities through everyday living.

Enjoyable Time Together

• Lots of quality time
• Good things take time
• Enjoying each other’s company
• Simple good times
• Sharing fun times

Appreciation and Affection

• Caring for each other
• Friendship
• Respect for individuality
• Playfulness
• Humor

Positive Communication

• Giving compliments
• Sharing feelings
• Avoiding blaming
• Being able to compromise
• Agreeing to disagree

Spiritual Well-Being

• Hope
• Faith
• Compassion
• Shared ethical values
• Oneness with humankind

Successful Stress and Crisis Management

• Are adaptable
• See crises as challenges and opportunities
• Grow through crises together
• Open to change
• Bounce back from stress and crises

Commitment to Each Other

• Trust
• Honesty
• Dependability
• Faithfulness
• Sharing

Board games are a fun way for families to talk, listen, and enjoy time together. When families have fun and talk well, they become stronger and closer.

This article is the second in a three-part series and comes from information in the Bonding Thru Board Games fact sheets.  For more information contact Tara Solomon-Smith, tsolomon@ksu.edu, 620-244-3826, or visit https://www.southwind.k-state.edu/home-family/family_child_development/

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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

Drought… the theme for the last 3 years. So, the million-dollar question… “What will happen in 2025?” To be honest no one knows with certainty what the weather will do besides Mother Nature herself.

Last week I listened to Matthew Sittel the Assistant State Climatologist at Kansas State University talk about our current weather conditions and the projected weather pattern. According to Matt now through April 20^th we should expect 50% near normal precipitation for this time of year. After that there is a 40% higher probability of precipitation from April 20^th through May 2^nd. Along with the rain chances we can expect the temperatures to run on the warm side for this time of year in the next 30 days. As you look farther into June there’s a 30% chance of below precipitation and 30% chance of above average temperatures.

So, what does this mean exactly… well it means there is a slightly elevated chance of precipitation in the next few weeks. Will it rain? There is a good chance it will but it is not guaranteed. The long range forecast into June says chances are we could have a below average rain fall and above average temperatures.

Unfortunately, the forecast does not look promising at this time for producers. The only advise I have right now when planning for the growing season is hope for the best and plan for the worst. I have never wanted to be wrong this much in my life. I hope the weather turns in our favor and we can recover from the last 3 years but only time will tell.

Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at mengo57@ksu.edu or 620-223-3720

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

Amanda Clasen- Community Vitality Agent    

April 2025

Spring Break has come and gone, and summer is fast approaching. For many young people in our community, the season brings a valuable opportunity: free time to earn extra spending money and gain real-world experience.

But a summer job can be more than just a paycheck—it’s a stepping stone to future success. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, business, or another field, the right job can offer hands-on learning and insight into potential career paths. Thinking about a future in medicine? Consider working at a local hospital or nursing home. Curious about business? A retail job provides a front-row seat to supply chains, customer service, and daily operations. Treat summer work as a learning experience, and you’ll walk away with skills that will serve you for years to come.

Once you’ve found opportunities that match your interests, follow these steps to secure—and thrive in—a summer job:

1. Start Early– Don’t wait until school ends to begin your job search. Many employers start hiring weeks in advance, and positions fill quickly. Apply as soon as possible, and don’t be afraid to visit businesses in person. A face-to-face introduction can make a lasting impression, even if the application process is online.
2. Dress the Part- First impressions matter. While a full suit isn’t necessary for most summer jobs, a neat, professional appearance is key. Choose clean, modest clothing and present yourself with confidence. Good manners and clear communication can set you apart from other applicants.
3. Show Dedication- Once you land the job, prove to your employer that they made the right choice. Show up on time, take your responsibilities seriously, and put in your best effort every shift. Even the simplest tasks can teach valuable lessons in work ethic, teamwork, and time management.

A summer job isn’t just about earning money—it’s also a chance to build smart financial habits. Use your paycheck to practice budgeting, saving, and understanding tax withholdings. Set aside some earnings for future goals, whether that’s college, a car, or a rainy day fund. Developing good financial habits now will set you up for long-term success.

This summer, take advantage of the opportunity to gain experience, build skills, and strengthen your financial future. The choices you make today can shape your career and personal growth for years to come.

For more information or assistance, contact Community Vitality Agent Amanda Clasen at any Southwind District office or amclasen@ksu.edu.

The Southwind Extension District had a great program last week in Chanute on landscaping to attract hummingbirds. The program speaker, Chuck Otte, gave the attendees information on the hummingbird spring arrival time, nesting habits, food sources and feeder tips. I will highlight some of his information in hopes that it will help you be more successful in attracting hummingbirds to your landscape.

Although there are approximately 360 species of hummingbirds between North and South America, 99.99% of all hummingbirds found in our area will be the Ruby-throated. Their furious spring migration starts in April and continues until early May. Once the migration is complete, hummingbirds settle into nesting mode.

Nests are built in June, with the female determining the site location. The Ruby-throated hummingbird nests will be built near the tip of a down-sloping branch with a fairly open area below and the tree canopy above. Popular tree species for nest building include oak, yellow birch, pine and hackberry. Hummingbirds generally prefer deciduous tree species over conifers. The nesting site will be determined based upon availability of nectar sources and insects. The nests are small – no larger than the size of a quarter!

When it comes to food sources, hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. It is like a flashing neon on sign to them. To prove this point, try putting on a red cap or shirt and sit quietly near a feeder. The hummingbirds will definitely check you out! However, hummingbirds do feed on more than just red flowers.

Any flowering plant that has a trumpet-style flower and is in the red/orange sector of the color spectrum will be quite attractive to hummingbirds. In his presentation, Chuck highlighted several plants to include in your landscape to bring in the most birds. The list included: traditional red Salvia, Agastache, Scarlet runner bean, Cardinal flower, Beebalm, Trumpet Creeper (only if you have lots of space), Butterfly Bush, Hollyhock, Rose of Sharon, Cardinal Climber and Canna.

As for feeders, mark the date of April 5^th on your calendar. Chuck stated that in southeastern Kansas, our feeders need to be up and open for business by then. He had several good tips for feeder management:

• You CAN’T have too many feeders!
• Don’t fill feeders completely full – clean at each filling
• If hummingbirds are not emptying feeder – change nectar and clean every 2-3 days
• Do not dye the water red – just a small amount of red on the feeder is all you need
• Artificial nectar – 4 parts water, 1 part sugar

One eight ounce feeder will fulfill the daily energy needs of 40 to 60 hummingbirds. By having more feeders available, this will allow the hummingbirds to feed more easily with less stress. Also, it will decrease the likely hood of territorial fighting. If you’ve feed hummingbirds in the past, then I’m sure you know all about the one that seems to be the gatekeeper at the feeder!

In casual conversations, you might hear say that they have no hummingbirds over the summer, while others seem to be overran with hummers. This could be due to “neighborhood feeder saturation.” Basically, this is when the number of feeders within a geographic area exceeds the biological needs of the hummingbirds present which spreads the birds out. Populations of birds can be cyclical – you can have hummers for several summers and then those birds go elsewhere or don’t survive the winter. However, in a year or two, the population will probably cycle back around.

If you have no activity by late May or early June, you may just want to take the feeder down until early August. The south bound migration usually starts in late July or early August. Many bird watchers indicate that August and September are actually their best months.

Chuck’s presentation slide set, a map of Kansas with spring hummingbird arrival dates, and a complete listing of recommended plants can be accessed at www.southwind.k-state.edu/lawn-garden

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at kharding@ksu.edu or 620-244-3826.

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

Wheat is greening up across Kansas and producers are preparing to topdress nitrogen or apply herbicides. We commonly receive questions about the value of including a fungicide in the mix with those applications. This can be an economical option, but there are a few things to remember. Research at K-State and in other regions continues to demonstrate that fungicides applied between flag leaf emergence and heading growth stages provide the largest level of yield protection against foliar diseases. The yield response to this later fungicide application is influenced by the level of disease risk (amount of disease and predicted weather conditions), variety resistance to the most threatening fungal diseases, crop yield potential, foliar fungicide efficacy, and other factors.

Fungicides can also be applied as an early application made between “spring green-up” and jointing. This application may provide some yield benefits in some fields and years but often doesn’t achieve the same level of yield protection as post-flag leaf emergence applications. Early fungicide applications may result in a yield advantage due to a reduction in early disease establishment in the lower canopy. This may be particularly true for “leaf spot diseases” such as tan spot or Septoria leaf blotch that survive in wheat residue and can establish early in the year. Yield benefits are most likely in wheat fields planted back into wheat stubble and when weather conditions are wet enough to favor fungal disease development. There can also be some rust suppression with early applications, particularly when disease levels are high later in the season. The challenge is that it is difficult to know if rust disease will be a threat during these early growth stages.

If you decide to make an early application, it is important to factor that into the full-season fungicide program. Many active ingredients have use restrictions, where a limited amount of an active ingredient can be applied during a single season. It is important to ensure that early fungicides do not limit options for fungicide applications at flag leaf (which have the potential for higher yield protection in conducive disease years). Some fungicides have special “2ee” labels that allow for lower-rate applications early in the season for winter wheat. Double-checking labels when choosing a fungicide product is always a good idea. Since the payoff for an early application is less certain than with later applications, it is perhaps best to consider using a low-cost fungicide for the early application and saving more expensive products, if desired, for the later application. Producers considering the use of split applications must pay close attention to label restrictions. Every active ingredient in a fungicide has a maximum total amount that can be applied during the season.

For example, if an early application of a generic form of tebuconazole is applied at 4 oz/acre, a subsequent application of any fungicide containing tebuconazole alone or in combination with other ingredients (e.g., premix) around heading could put you over the limit for the crop season. Thus, be sure to read the label to determine the maximum amount of a chemical that can be applied in a single season and the exact amount of a chemical(s) that is in a fungicide.

For information on the efficacy of different foliar fungicide products, refer to the K-State Research and Extension publication Foliar Fungicide Efficacy Ratings for Wheat Disease Management 2024, EP130.

Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at mengo57@ksu.edu or 620-223-3720

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

Kelsey Andersen Onofre, Extension Plant Pathologist
andersenk@ksu.edu

Romulo Lollato, Wheat and Forages Specialist
lollato@ksu.edu

You are not alone if you have ever had more than ‘just the blues’ sometime in your life.  According to Mental Health America, one-in-five American Adults have one or more mental health conditions, with 50% meeting the criteria of a condition sometime in their life.  Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being.  So much of what we do physically impacts us mentally –it’s important to pay attention to both.

Let’s focus on how a healthy lifestyle will help prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic health problems! Eating healthy foods, managing stress, exercising, and getting enough sleep can go a long way in making you both physically and mentally healthy.  To find the right balance to benefit both the mind and body, let’s tackle the sensational ‘S’ items from this list:  Sleep and managing Stress.

Quality Slumber

Sleep plays a role in all aspects of our life and overall health. Getting a good night’s sleep is important to take on daily responsibilities.  Adults should have 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.  Here are just a few tips for a good night’s sleep:

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day—including weekends.
• Get outside! Getting natural sunlight during the day helps to maintain your body’s sleep-wake cycle.
• Limit caffeine to the morning. The effects of caffeine can take 8 hours to wear off.
• If you can’t fall asleep for more than 20 minutes after going to bed, get up and do something calming until you feel sleepy.
• Get rid of anything in your bedroom that might distract you from sleep, like noises or bright lights. The light from screens can confuse your body’s internal clock.

Reduce the Impact of Stress

Stress can make even day-to-day life difficult. Research shows that stress is closely linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. It also shows that people who feel depressed or chronically stressed may have a greater risk of physical illnesses.

• Be realistic: You may be taking on more responsibility than you can or should handle for yourself or your family.
• No one is perfect: Shed the “superman/superwoman” urge for yourself and others.
• One thing at a time: For people under tension or stress, day-to-day workload can sometimes seem unbearable. Multi-tasking actually often leads to more stress.
• Exercise: Regular exercise is a popular way to relieve stress.
• Explore a hobby: Take a break from your worries by doing something you enjoy. Whether it’s gardening, painting, doing puzzles or playing games, schedule time to indulge your interests.

No matter where you happen to be on our own personal journey to health and wellness, looking at your overall health every day – both physically and mentally – can go a long way in ensuring that you focus on your fitness and future!

Southwind Extension District can help, have your heard about our OWL (Older Wiser Livelier) Hour?  Full details https://bit.ly/4iHKR27.  For more information contact Tara Solomon-Smith, tsolomon@ksu.edu, 620-244-3826.

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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

Are you itching to get out of the house and do something productive in the landscape? If you have fruit trees, now is the time to prune. A little planning ahead with fruit trees, such as pruning, can mean big rewards later in the growing season.

Are you like many who are “afraid” to prune? Don’t be. When done correctly, pruning is an essential component of growing a healthy, productive fruit tree. Fruit trees should be pruned every year and for several reasons. The first is the development of a strong tree structure. Pruning should begin when the tree is planted and continued each year thereafter. Another reason to prune is the increased penetration of sunlight for the development of fruit buds and for the fruit to mature properly.

Trees can be pruned this early (winter) because they are dormant. This can be done in January, February and even early March. Pruning when trees are dormant makes it easier to see undesirable branches because leaves aren’t present. It is important to do any pruning before dormant sprays are applied, to avoid spraying some of the wood that will later be removed. Total spray coverage of limbs, branches and shoots will be increased after pruning. Do not prune if temperatures are below 20°F because this can cause tissue damage.

Have your fruit trees been neglected for quite some time? If so, pruning can seem like an overwhelming task; where to start, how much wood to remove, etc. But a neglected tree can be revitalized.

The first step in revitalizing a neglected tree is to prune wood around the trunk area and near the ground. Remove all sucker growth around the trunk by cutting as close as possible to the point of origin. Then remove all dead and diseased branches. Next, look for two branches that rub and remove one of the two. Branches that are growing toward the interior of the tree should also be removed. No more than thirty percent of the tree should be removed in a year.

You will want to retain scaffolds that are growing away from the tree center at wide angles with the trunk. Scaffolds are one of the main branches making the basic framework of a tree. They should be positioned on different sides of the tree for good distribution of the fruit crop.

The right tools are needed for proper pruning. Tools always need to be sharp so clean cuts can be made. Cuts that result in bark tears, stubs, or jagged surfaces are slow to heal and may even not completely heal. A scissor type of hand shear is used to prune small size wood, usually ¼ inch in diameter. Long handled loppers should be used to cut ¼ to ½ inch wood. These will need to be used generally by the third year of tree growth.  For branches larger than ½ inch, use a fine-toothed pruning saw.

The Extension office has a couple of publications on pruning fruit trees that explain in more detail how to prune depending on the species and age of the tree. These publications can be found on our Southwind website: www.southwind.ksu.edu

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at kharding@ksu.edu or 620-244-3826.

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

As the flowers bloom and the days grow longer, spring is the perfect time for renewal—not just for your home but also for your finances. Just as many people embrace spring cleaning to refresh their living spaces, a financial checkup can help tidy up your budget, savings, and financial goals. Financial goals—such as reducing expenses, increasing savings, and paying off debt—are often a top priority. Conducting a financial checkup can be an excellent first step toward achieving these objectives.

According to a 2023 report from the Federal Reserve, 37% of Americans would struggle to cover a $400 emergency expense, highlighting the importance of maintaining financial stability. Additionally, a survey by Bankrate found that only 44% of U.S. adults have enough savings to cover three months of expenses, reinforcing the need for better financial planning.

Just as regular medical checkups are essential for maintaining physical health, an annual financial checkup can provide valuable insights into your financial well-being. While there is no “one size fits all” answer in Financial Planning, what might work for one family or individual may not work for another. K-State Research & Extension offers a resource titled How Are You Doing? A Financial Checkup to help individuals assess and enhance their financial health. This publication is available online at K-State Research & Extension Bookstore, or physical copies can be obtained at local Extension Offices.

How Are You Doing? A Financial Checkup includes a Financial Fitness Quiz covering key areas such as financial management, saving and investing, credit, and smart shopping. The publication also provides guidance on setting financial goals, preparing a net worth statement, and developing a budget. Additionally, it offers valuable information on reviewing taxes, credit reports, insurance coverage, retirement plans, investments, and estate planning.

Whether managing your finances independently or with professional assistance, this resource can help you gain a clearer understanding of your financial situation and support your efforts in making meaningful improvements.

Information from today’s article came from K-State Research and Extension’s Fact Sheet: How are you doing? A Financial Check-Up.  For more information, contact Community Vitality Agent Amanda Clasen at any Southwind District office or amclasen@ksu.edu.

It’s taking place every day, for everyone….aging that is, and it is an opportunity!  Let’s come together to learn and ensure we can all thrive as we age, on Friday, April 25^th, for the Aging with Attitude Regional Expo.

The expo aims to promote positive attitudes about aging and educate on issues that support physical, mental, and financial health.  K-State Research and Extension along with community partners invite you to connect with others for information and resources on April 25^th. The event includes presentations, activities, prizes, a resource fair, and lunch from 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. at ICC West, 2615 W. Main Street, Independence, KS.  Registration fee is $15 per attendee.  Register with flyer registration form or by calling 620-244-3826.

Keynote Presentations include:

Healthy at Home

Learn how to stay at home longer with tips from physical therapy.

Wellness Panel

Cooking for One or Two

Mental Wellness

Diabetic Health

Make the most of your life by attending this year’s regional expo!  For more information you may contact tsolomon@ksu.edu or 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.

Spring is just around the corner and that means it is time to be thinking about pasture fertilizers and weed control. As you all know the last 3 years have been hard on our pastures due to drought. One major question that seems to get asked a lot is “did my grass survive”. The short answer is only time will tell.

Research has shown that January and February are recommended times to fertilize pastures and hay meadows, but many producers have been known to wait till March and even April. As with most agricultural practices there is more than one way to do things, it is just a matter of adapting to the timing of the application.

Many know producers are aware that they need nitrogen for cool season grass such as fescue. While that is true for hay production especially, for pastures phosphorous plays an important role in plant health especially in a drought year. This is due to phosphorus promotes strong root development and early root growth. Phosphorus also plays a key part in cell division during growing stages, storing and transferring energy, and increase disease resistance in plants. So yes, grass needs nitrogen but also requires phosphorus to maintain a healthy pasture.

There are options available for weed and brush control that can be applied by coating your fertilizer with them. This is beneficial to you as a producer for a couple of reasons. Most importantly time your time! Why wouldn’t you want to save time by doing two things at once? AKA feeding your grass and killing your weeds in one pass. Secondly by doing this you also save money by not having a second application cost. The down side to this is you will need to wait till later in the spring to apply the herbicides to get a better control on your weeds. It is recommended that you wait till April 1^st to make sure weeds and brush are emerging and are actively growing quickly. This also helps with the residual in herbicides maintain control longer into the fall such as Aminopyralid plus Rinskor.

If you choose not to use a herbicide with your fertilizer and would like to over seed your pasture you can mix the seed in your fertilizer cart and spread it together. Now the thing you need to know about doing this is that the seed will not travel as far as the fertilizer. To overcome this it is best to find 50 foot double spinner fertilizer buggy, and then you’ll need to set it to half of the application rate. You will then double spread it to reduce your seed skips.

As for recommended fertilizer rates a soil test is your best option to see what is needed in your pasture, but there are some common mixes that many producers tend to use. For lower stocking rates on pasture a lot tend to use a 30-30-30 (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) mix. For higher stocking rates a 50-30-30 tends to get a little extra bump to get them though the growing season.

On March 25, 2025 there is a Soil Health: Pasture Rejuvenation field day at the Southeast Research and Extension Center in Parsons from 8:30am to 2:30pm. Lunch will be Provided. Topics include: Soil Variability, Soil Health Measurements, Pasture management, Farmer Panel, and Drone Demonstration.

Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at mengo57@ksu.edu or 620-223-3720

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