According to a study by the Federal Trade Commission, one in five people have an error on at least one of their credit reports. The Fair Credit Reporting Act mandates that the three major credit reporting agencies provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report once a year. Despite this, the most recent data reveals that only one in three Kansans review their credit reports annually, with the state ranking among the lowest in the nation for regular credit report checks.

Credit plays a crucial role in managing our financial lives. It is used to achieve both long-term goals, such as financing higher education and purchasing a home, as well as shorter-term objectives. A credit report outlines an individual’s credit history, and lenders, creditors, landlords, and utility companies rely on this information to make decisions regarding loans, credit limits, interest rates, security deposits, and even employment opportunities. Employers may also review credit reports when determining access to company credit cards for business expenses.

Regularly checking your credit report is an essential step in protecting against identity theft and ensuring your credit history remains accurate. Experts recommend that consumers check their credit reports at least once a year to stay informed.

K-State Research and Extension offers a free email program, Check Your Credit, designed to help you stay on top of your credit report. The program sends reminders three times a year—on February 2, June 6, and October 10—to encourage you to check your credit report. Participants will also receive periodic emails with valuable information on how to interpret their credit reports, correct errors, and leverage credit information to their advantage. Additionally, the program provides a tool to help you track the dates and credit bureaus you have reviewed.

Participation is free and registration is simple. Take a proactive step toward securing your financial future by signing up for K-State Research and Extension’s Check Your Credit program today. To register for this program, visit https://bit.ly/SouthwindCYC25. For more information Community Vitality Agent Amanda Clasen at any Southwind District office or [email protected].  We are here to support you as you work toward achieving financial well-being.

The Kansas Forest Service is offering low-cost conservation tree and shrub seedlings for purchase again this year. These seedlings are to be used in conservation plantings, such as home/livestock windbreaks, living snow fences, Christmas tree plantations, firewood lots, habitats for game birds and wildlife, barriers to reduce noise pollution, blocking ugly views, marking property lines and creating habitat for songbirds.

These plants are 1 or 2 years old, and their sizes vary from 12 to 18 inches, depending on species.  Most of the trees are bare-root seedlings, however some are available as container-grown seedlings such as Ponderosa pine and Southwestern white pine. Some of the deciduous trees that are available include: bald cypress, black walnut, bur oak, cottonwood, hackberry, redbud, and sycamore.  Shrubs available include American plum, chokecherry, lilac, and sand hill plum. This is not a complete listing of available trees and not all trees are recommended for this area.

The Kansas Forest Service also offers tree “bundles” for purchase. The Quail Bundle offers a variety of shrubs designed to attract quail, including American plum, fragrant sumac, golden current and chokecherry. It was created in cooperation with Quail Forever to provide excellent food and habitat for upland bird species in eastern Kansas.

Another popular favorite is the pollinator bundle. Designed to improve the habitat for a diverse array of pollinating insects, it primarily focuses on native bees, honey bees, butterflies and moths. This bundle is composed of seven species of shrubs and small trees – American plum, chokecherry, golden currant, false indigo, elderberry, buttonbush and eastern redbud.

Not certain what you would like to order? Stop by the Extension office and pick up a brochure that has color pictures of various trees and shrubs at maturity. Orders for conservation trees are accepted January 2^nd through April 30^th, with shipments beginning in March. However, I recommend that you order early to ensure availability of trees.

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

Did you know the average cost of care in Assisted Living or full-time in-home care is over $4,500.00 per month?

Maybe you are like me and live in an older home.

It is never too early to start thinking about simple home modifications, as they are one of the easiest ways to improve our ability to live in a lifelong home!

Why should we consider making some modifications?

The goal is to create a safe, livable, and enjoyable space for all of us to not only live in but thrive in!  This can also help maintain a sense of purpose and independence which is incredibly important to all adults, no matter what age.  Safety and security come from the familiarity with your own home.  Proximity to family, friends, and community, can also be a factor.   Accessible long term care could potentially take away from your already built-in social and support network.  Finally, the cost of alternatives and financial stability plays a role!

Simple home modifications have free, low, medium, or high cost options.  The next question is where to start?

First, simply, assess your space with a friend or a check list, start with free or easy tasks and then work your way up, and definitely start early and start now!

Here are some simple, low cost options that you could start with today!

1. Cut the Clutter: This is important for fall prevention and could be as simple as a power cord in a spot that is a trip hazard or some items on a nightstand that can be moved so that there is room to grab on to when getting out of bed.
2. Review Entryways: Having at least one spot to enter the home without steps could mean creating a ramp or something smaller to ease the step over a lip into a doorway.  Make sure there is good lighting, check and repair any loose rock or broken concrete, and add a chair or shelf close to your entry so you can set items down while unlocking and opening the door.
3. Steps and Flooring:

• For steps, simple patterned and short carpet is best. If steps are not carpeted, add non slip tape and grab bars on both sides of stairs.
• Remove those throw rugs or make sure it has no slip grip backing or purchase carpet tape to keep it down.
• If you are looking at replacing flooring, the National Home Builders Association and others are utilizing the coefficient of friction to show how slip resistant flooring is. A coefficient of friction rate of .6 or higher is optimal which can be found on the packaging or by calling the company.
• Can’t replace flooring right now? Check out non-slip paint that increases the coefficient of friction that could be put on tile, in garages, and even wood floors.

4. Doorways: upgrade by widening to 36 inches or add swing away hinges to allow more entry space.
5. Checking Lighting: Be sure stairs, hallways, bathrooms and even kitchens are lit at night.  Consider purchasing a motion censored night light.  Replace your light switches with ‘rocker’ switches for increased ease in turning on.
6. Change Pulls and Knobs: Improve grab ability by changing round door knobs to lever handles and from round cabinet pulls to D shaped pulls.

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

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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

Amanda Clasen- Community Vitality Agent    

November  2024

The holiday season is upon us and while I love the Christmas smells and beautiful lights, the glooming thought of “pinching Pennies” or shopping on a budget really brings my holiday spirits down. Knowing that I can still have a nice holiday season and I am able to give as well even on a budget does bring some joy back to that feeling!

While shopping on a budget may mean that you aren’t able to buy everything on that special someone’s list, following a few simple steps allows you to create a magical Christmas even when shopping on a budget is required.

Try to calculate your budget and make a list of who you need to buy for early. Set a limit that you are willing to spend on each person and stick to that budget as much as you can. When making that list, try to start shopping and buying early in the season. Buying one or two gifts each month all year will allow you to avoid stress and allows you to catch deals throughout the year. Also remember, once you have completed your shopping, resist the temptation to buy any extras you may come across.

While gift buying is often one of the most expensive parts of the holidays, decorating your home can often be pricey as well. Including your kids in making homemade decorations such as popcorn strings and salt dough ornaments not only save money but create those holiday memories. Remember that the best part of the holidays is spending time together. Aside from decorating, finding movies on your favorite streaming platform or by swapping movies with friends and family is another inexpensive way to create memories over the holidays.

Food is often another big expense of the holiday season, especially if you are the one hosting the holiday party. Turn your get together into a pot-luck gathering. Ask each attendee to bring a dish. Saving up your grocery store loyalty points is another way to cut cost. Sometimes those loyalty points can be redeemed for more food related items or even gifts!

During the holidays, travel is another big expense occurred when visiting family out of town. If you are looking to fly rather than drive a tip is to make sure to book hotels and flights early due to prices going up closer to the holidays. It is recommended to book those expenses at least 3 months prior to the scheduled travel.

The most important part of a budget friendly holiday season is trying to avoid going into debt over the holiday. Enjoying the magic of the holiday and the memories created, allow you to move into the new years with a positive bank account.

For more information, please contact me Community Vitality agent Amanda Clasen at  [email protected] or any Southwind District Offices. To learn about additional programs we will be offering, visit Southwind.ksu.edu!

This is a reminder that pesticide containers are not to be repurposed after the pesticide has been used. Labels on non-refillable containers state, “Do not reuse or refill this container.” Some containers are refillable, and those labels typically say, “Refill this container with pesticide only. Do not reuse this container for any other purpose.” In some cases, the label may say, “Refill this container with [common chemical name]” or “This is a sealed, refillable container to be used only for [common chemical name],” which indicates that it can be refilled with the same pesticide by a retailer. These labeling statements make every pesticide container, from a 2.5-gallon jug up to a 30-gallon tote, illegal to reuse. Reusing containers for any other purpose is considered pesticide misuse and a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. A pesticide container, even if it is empty or the label is removed (defaced), remains part of the pesticide product.

After use, pesticide containers should be disposed of properly. Disposal options may be limited by local regulations and ordinances. Containers that have been triple rinsed and crushed and/or punctured may be accepted by sanitary landfills or landfills that accept industrial waste. Check with your landfill operator prior to taking empty containers for disposal. Triple-rinsed containers can also be returned to the supplier. In addition, some counties in Kansas have a plastic pesticide container recycling program. Check with your county’s Extension office or Household Hazardous Waste program for more information.

Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720

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

Sarah Lancaster, Extension Weed Science Specialist
[email protected]

Frannie Miller, Pesticide Safety and IPM Coordinator
[email protected]

As parents, educators, researchers, social service organizations, and government programs search for answers about the well-being of the American family, it is apparent that family meals tell us a lot about how those families become and stay connected.

Family meals provide a great amount of good, in a variety of ways, for the entire family. Young children show improved literary skills, children and adolescents gain improved food habits, and older adults not only eat better, but increase socialization. Intergenerational family meals help preserve and pass along family culture, traditions, and values.

Despite all the directions families are pulled today, parents are still the biggest influence on the food and meal habits of their children. It is important to realize that meals don’t need to be home-cooked masterpieces in order to serve the purpose. Focus on familiar foods that fit the time, skills, and favor of your family. The meals don’t necessarily have to take place at home around the dinner table either. Based on the scheduling barriers, dinner could be a picnic at the park between practices or meetings. If dinners are impossible due to busy schedules, give family breakfasts a try.

If family meals are not common for your family, it might seem difficult to know how to get started. So, sit down as a family and have a discussion. Allowing family members to contribute to this new venture will make them feel even more connected and responsibility in seeing it through. It is important to be realistic and consistent with expectations. As well as being flexible. Dr. Sandy Procter, Specialist in Maternal and Child Nutrition for Kansas State University shares some tips to help:

• Turn off the television. Remember, it is not a member of the family. Let phone calls wait until later. Make sharing the meal the priority.
• Share the effort of meal planning and putting a meal on the table. You will find the benefits are also shared!
• Avoid making too many rules for mealtime. Instead, try to model the actions and behavior you would like children to exhibit.
• Use “conversation starters,” if needed, to keep a discussion going. Other families may need to practice taking turns to let everyone have a chance to speak uninterrupted.
• Keep the meal pleasant. Try to make mealtimes together a positive time.

There is no single environment when it comes to family meals – and those numerous environments mean every family, every schedule, every mealtime is unique. But even though there may be barriers, it is possible to work through them and make successful family meals happen for you and your family.

For information, contact Jennifer Terrell, District 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District at 620-223-3720 or [email protected].

It’s a fact, caregivers have higher levels of stress than non-caregivers.  If you are serving as a caregiver to a loved one, I want you to know you are fulfilling a valuable role!  I also want you to know, that it is ok to take care of yourself too.

While we can’t stop stress from occurring, we can help manage it.  Too much stress, especially over a long time, can harm your health. You may not get enough sleep or physical activity, or eat a balanced diet — which increases your risk of medical problems.

The following are some ideas to help you manage your caregiver stress:

• Take a break from caregiving. Take a walk or meet up with a friend. Do something not related to caregiving.
• Get support. Attend a support group, have a friend you can call just to let off steam, or look for community resources.
• Read a book, meditate, pray, garden, knit, take a long bath.
• Take care of your health. Go to the doctor, get routine exams and flu shots, get enough sleep, and eat your fruits and vegetables.
• Change “guilt” to “regret.” Guilt means you did something wrong, regret means that you are in a difficult situation and sometimes you have to make difficult decisions, but they are not wrong.
• Forgive yourself—often. You cannot be a perfect caregiver, all day, every day.
• Ask for and accept help when offered. No one can do this alone. We often don’t know what to say when someone offers help. Prepare for this and create a task list to have ready.  When someone asks you if they can help, refer to your list and say “YES.” Let them choose what task on the list they would like to do!
• And finally….Laugh. Find ways to keep your sense of humor on a daily basis.

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

# # #

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

According to the most recent USDA report released on October 13, about 68% of Kansas wheat has been planted this fall, near the 5-year average of 66%. While the planted average is at or slightly above the 5-yr mean, crop emergence is at or slightly below the 5-yr mean at 36% (versus 38%).

From here until the end of the planting season, some producers may have delayed planting for different reasons, including harvesting a summer crop during October or having dry soils and waiting for precipitation before seeding. The slight delay in emergence is also likely due to dry soils. In this context, it is important to remember that even for wheat crops planted at the right time but in the absence of moisture for germination, the effective planting date is delayed since this will be when the crop actually emerges. Planting wheat in late October-early November is within the acceptable range in the southeast and far south-central Kansas. In other areas of the state, this is later than desirable and later than the cutoff date for full crop insurance benefits. Although good yields may still be reached when wheat is planted outside the optimal planting window, late-planted wheat is often subjected to colder fall temperatures. It has less time to tiller before winter dormancy, which can reduce wheat yield potential and increase the risks of winter injury. Under these circumstances, some management adjustments can be made to compensate for the consequences of late planting. These adjustments include:

Increase the seeding rate. Late-planted wheat tends to produce fewer tillers during the fall than wheat planted at the optimal time. Fall tillers are generally more productive than spring tillers, contributing more to the crop’s yield potential. Therefore, increasing seeding rates is necessary to compensate for the reduced tillering. Wheat seeding rates for Kansas vary depending on the precipitation zone and increase from west to east. Likewise, for every week planting is delayed from the end of the range of optimal planting date, seeding rates should be increased by about 150,000 – 225,000 seeds per acre (or 10 to 15 lb/acre) in western Kansas, or 225,000 – 300,000 seeds per acre (15 – 20 lb/acre) in eastern Kansas. Final seeding rate should not be above 90-100 pounds per acre in western Kansas and 120-130 pounds in eastern and central Kansas for grain-only wheat production, as extremely high seeding rates can increase the potential for lodging and increase crop water demand early in the cycle, possibly resulting in more severe drought stress later during reproductive stages (this is referred to as ‘haying off’, and happened frequently during the 2023-24 season in crops that had high fall biomass production followed by limited spring precipitation). Similarly, planting early in the growing season results in more fall wheat growth and moisture use.
To determine the row length needed for one square foot based on row spacing, divide 12 by the row spacing of your field. For example, if row spacing is 7.5 inches, 12/7.5 = 1.6 feet, or 19.2 inches of row are needed to be equivalent to one square foot.

Maintain the optimal planting depth (1 to 1.5 inches deep). Wheat needs at least 4 to 5 leaves and 1 to 2 tillers before winter dormancy for maximum cold tolerance. Late-planted wheat will most likely have fewer tillers and leaves than wheat planted at the optimal timing and, therefore, will be more susceptible to winter kill. It is important to plant wheat at the normal planting depth (1 to 1.5 inches below the soil surface) to ensure good root development and anchorage and crown insulation by the soil during the winter, increasing the chances of winter survival. Shallow-planted wheat is at greater risk of winter injury. If the seed is placed too deeply, it may not have enough vigor in cold soils to emerge well.

Place starter phosphorus (P) fertilizer with the seed. Phosphate-based starter fertilizer promotes early-season wheat growth and tillering, which can help compensate for the delayed sowing date. Additionally, P is less available under colder soil temperatures, which can result in P deficiency under cold weather conditions. When planting late, producers should strongly consider using about 20-30 lbs/acre of P fertilizer (11-52-0 or 18-46-0) directly with the seed, regardless of soil P levels. This placement method is more effective than other application methods at that time of year. The later the planting date, the slower fall root development is. The closer the fertilizer is to the seed, the sooner the plant roots reach it. The four situations when in-furrow P is considered “money in the bank” are (i) late-planted wheat crops, (ii) wheat crops planted for grazing, (iii) wheat planted in acidic soils, and (iv) soils deficient in P.

Use fungicide seed treatment or plant certified seed. Late-planted wheat is sown into colder soils, generally increasing the time needed for germination and emergence. Consequently, there is increased potential for seed and soil-borne diseases that affect seedlings and early-season wheat development. Fungicide seed treatment can protect the seed and seedlings during the extended time they are subjected to potential seedling diseases, improving stand establishment under poor growing conditions. It is important that the seed treatment thoroughly coats the seeds to ensure good protection. For fungicide seed treatment options, please refer to the most current version of the K-State fungicide seed treatment chart available at: https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF2955.pdf

Variety selection. It is probably too late to change which wheat variety to plant this fall. However, a few points to consider when it is known that wheat will be planted late (e.g. when planning to sow wheat following soybeans) are tillering ability and maturity. A variety with good tillering ability may offset some of the consequences of late planting, as it might still produce one or two tillers during the fall, whereas a low-tillering variety may produce none. Some varieties are known for not tillering well in the spring and requiring good fall tiller production (for example, the variety Everest). Avoid planting these varieties in fields that will be planted late. Also, late-planted wheat typically needs to catch up in development going into the winter, which might translate into slower development in the spring. This delay can result in plants being exposed to moisture stress, especially heat stress, during grain filling, reducing the duration of the grain filling period. Thus, selecting an early-maturity variety with good yield potential may offset, to some extent, the consequences of late planting by decreasing the chances of a grain-filling period subjected to warmer temperatures. Many K-State wheat variety trials are planted late after a previous soybean crop in eastern KS. A good way to select a variety to perform under these conditions is to filter through the results of these variety trials and select varieties performing well in your region when planted late.

Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720

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

Romulo Lollato, Wheat and Forages Specialist
[email protected]

John Holman, Cropping Systems Agronomist – Garden City
[email protected]

Lucas Haag, Area Agronomist – Colby
[email protected]

Supporting a youth-run lemonade stand can build the confidence of a child, help them understand the value of money, and learn important lessons about running a small business. Not only are youth earning cash, they are learning and practicing the important principles centered around the five Ps of marketing a successful stand or any business. The more time and effort youth can put towards promoting and marketing their stand before opening for business, the more likely they are to be successful. While Lemonade stands are usually available in the summer and early fall, with colder weather starting to show up, it creates different and new opportunities of turning a lemonade stand into a Hot Chocolate stand instead!

The 5 “Ps” of business marketing play a crucial part of if a business is going to be successful or if it will struggle to keep afloat. The 5 P’s, Product, Price, Promotion, Place and People all help individual businesses differentiate from their competitors.

Product-The most important aspect of any lemonade stand is the product. This is a fantastic opportunity for the young entrepreneur to explore product development. Things to consider include:

• How does it look and taste? Will they make it from a powder, use fresh ingredients or have a special recipe?
• Have they considered temperature? Keeping the lemonade cold can boost sales and bring return customers. Youth may consider floating a large piece of ice in their pitcher or serving it in a cup of ice.
• Can they diversify their product line? Some possible preferences may include low calorie, pulp-free, or even a flight of rainbow-colored Lemonade! Many enthusiastic entrepreneurs also sell additional products at their lemonade stand. These could include a tasty treat or even a handmade item.

Price- When thinking about price it is important to know who your customers may possibly be and what they might be willing to pay. The key thing to A few other things to consider might include:

• Look at what other stands are charging and where they may be set up. Also consider if they offer additional items that you may not.
• If you are planning on setting up in a location where a lot of foot traffic is available, you may look at wanting to charge more.

Promotion- How will you get the word out about your lemonade stand? The more time and effort you can put towards promoting and marketing your stand before opening for business, the more likely you are to be successful.

• Think about where you could hang signs up around your community to tell people where you will be located.
• Think about who else you could partner with. Maybe a friend or family member makes delicious cookies and already have customers that buy from them often. Ask them to join you in a partnership to bring already established customers to your stand.
• Don’t be afraid to tell your neighbors, family and friends that you are opening your lemonade stand and where it will be located. Invite them to share with their family or friends as well.

Place- The location of your stand may make the difference on if you meet or exceeding your overall goal. Make sure to find a safe location to hold your lemonade stand, and always make sure to ask for permission if setting up in a public place. A few things to ask yourself in determining where to set up:

• What day will you operate your stand?
• What time of day will you run your stand?
• If people have to drive to your location, will there be adequate parking available?

People- People refers to who is selling the lemonade to the customers and how the customers may perceive the worker. People usually base their decisions around the customer service that is provided by the seller. Things to think about:

• Are you friendly to your customers as they approach and when they are buying your products?
• Are you dressed nicely and clean clothes?

Be on the lookout for upcoming “Lemonade Day” workshops for youth in grades 3^rd– 6^th from Southwind Extension District and NetWork Kansas. Through “Lemonade Day” youth work through a four-session curriculum learning about setting Goals, making a business plan, learning cost breakdown, setting and following a budget, and taking a loan out all while developing a plan to have a successful Lemonade Stand.

For more information on Lemonade Day or money management for youth, please contact Amanda Clasen, Community Vitality Agent, at [email protected] or at 620-244-3826.

As the weather cools, it is inevitable that certain outdoor pests are going to try to find their way inside homes. One of the best ways to limit unwanted intrusions of insects or rodents is to deny them entry. It is often easier to prevent entry into a home or building than trying to control them once they are inside.

Here are seven useful tips for pest proofing.

1. At the base of all exterior doors, install door sweeps or thresholds. Gaps of 1/16 inch will permit entry of insects and spiders; ¼ inch wide gaps are large enough for entry of mice. The bottom corner of doors is often where rodents and insects enter.

Applying calk along the bottom outside edge and sides of door thresholds will exclude ant and small insect entry. Garage doors should also be checked for bottom seals. A rubber seal is best as vinyl seals poorly in cold weather.

1. Utility openings should also be sealed. This includes areas where pipes and wires enter the foundation and siding, around outdoor faucets, receptacles, gas meters, clothes dryer vents and telephone/cable TV wires. Plug holes with caulk, cement, expandable foam, steel wool or other suitable sealant.

1. Use a good quality silicone or acrylic latex caulk to caulk around windows, doors and fascia boards. Use a high quality caulking gun. A gun that has a back-off trigger to halt the flow of caulk is best.

1. Repair gaps and tears in window and door screens. Doing so will help reduce entry of flies, gnats, lady beetles and other overwintering pests in the fall. However, there are some insects such as hackberry psyllids that are small enough to fit through mesh window screens. The only way to prevent entry of these tiny insects is to keep windows closed.

1. Attic, roof and crawl space vents should be covered with ¼ inch wire mesh to prevent entry of birds, bats, squirrels, rodents and other wildlife.

1. An exterior (barrier) insecticide treatment can also be applied. Sealing is by far the most permanent way to exclude pests. However, it can be labor intensive and sometimes impractical.  For situations like that, an exterior insecticide treatment may be best. You will get the most for your efforts by applying a longer lasting liquid formulation containing synthetic pyrethroids. Read and follow label directions before using any pesticide.

Barrier insecticide treatments should be applied to the base of all exterior doors, garage and crawl space entrances, around foundation vents and utility openings and up underneath siding.

1. Pests such as lady beetles are often best controlled with a little manual labor by using a vacuum cleaner or broom to sweep them up.

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.