I think this is the third summer in a row that we have had above normal rainfall. Our lawn movers haven’t stopped running! Fescue lawns did not really go dormant during the summer and the crabgrass didn’t slow down either. You might be surprised at how much of your lawn is actually crabgrass and not fescue. If you are thinking about renovating your lawn, September is the time to do it. Renovating doesn’t have to be done by plowing under the current turf and starting from scratch. Instead, lawns can be thickened up by overseeding.

To start the overseeding process, mow the grass short (1-1.5 inches) and remove the clippings. This will make it easier to get good seed-soil contact and increase the amount of light that will reach the young seedlings. The success of overseeding is dependant on good seed-soil contact. Thatch can prevent the seed from reaching the soil and germinating. If the thatch layer is ¾ inch or more, use a sod cutter to remove it. A power rake can also be used to reduce a thatch layer.

Next, the soil should be prepared for the seed. Holes must be made into the soil for the seeds to fall into. A verticut machine can be used. It has solid vertical blades that can be set to cut furrows into the soil. Another option is to use a core aerator. This machine will punch holes into the soil and deposit the cores on the surface of the ground. Each hole will produce an excellent environment for seed germination and growth. Machines to do such work can often be rented, so check around.

Fertilizer should then be applied at the rate suggested by a soil test or a starter fertilizer should be used at the rate suggested on the bag.

Seeding is the next step. For overseeding, use half the amount needed compared to seeding bare ground. For tall fescue, the normal rate for bare seeding is 6 to 8 pounds per 1000 square feet so the overseeding rate would be 3 to 4 pounds per 1000 square feet. You don’t necessarily have to overseed with the same variety you planted before. The quality of a lawn by can be raised by overseeding with a fescue variety that has better growth habits. Many stores carry blends of several newer high-quality tall fescues.

Finally, water everything in and then keep the seedbed constantly moist for rapid germination. Frequent light waterings are better than deeper, infrequent watering as the seedlings become established.

Fertilize with a high nitrogen fertilizer again 4 to 6 weeks after seeding to keep plants growing well and to build up food reserves.

On a side note, many homeowners often want to overseed bare spots under trees, but have minimal luck. The turf will sprout as fall progresses and will get established by winter. It continues to look good going into spring. However, the next summer it begins to die out again – despite any care it is given.

In many cases, this is due to too much shade or the type of turf planted isn’t a good fit for the location. Tall fescue is the only widely used lawn turf in Kansas that can survive some shade. All other cool and warm season turfs need more sunlight.

Instead of establishing grass under trees, consider underplanting the tree with shade tolerant ornamental plants. Examples include ground covers such as vinca minor vines, Boston ivy or liriope, or plants such as hostas or hardy ferns.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension 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.

Submitted by: Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District 4-H Volunteer

4-H members from the Southwind Extension District excelled at the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes event on August 21-22 in Kansas State University’s Weber Hall. Participants from the Southwind Extension District were Sadie Marchiano, Clay Brillhart, Carly Dreher, Kristy Beene, Gwen Fry, Byron Fry, Leah Mueller, Haleigh O’Brien, Tate Crystal and Kyser Nemecek.

4-H members learned gained new knowledge and worked on livestock skills in order to be competitive in the Sweepstakes event which consisted blending scores in four contests. Southwind Extension District completed the weekend by being named the 2021 Champion Kansas State 4-H Sweepstakes Team. Top individual Sweepstakes winners for Southwind were Gwen Fry, 10^th and Sadie Marchiano was named High Individual Overall after excelling in all contests.

The Livestock Quiz Bowl started with a qualifying exam. The twelve teams with the highest average scores advanced to the quiz bowl competition and both Southwind teams qualified. Southwind #4 (Brillhart, Marchiano, Dreher, O’Brien) was seated first after the test and was later named the State Champion Quiz Bowl Team. Southwind #1 (G. Fry, Crystal, Mueller, Nemecek) earned 7^th best out of 26 teams in the contest.

The Livestock Judging contest consisted of nine judging classes and four sets of reasons with 227 contestants and 44 teams from across Kansas. Southwind #4 (Marchiano, Crystal, Dreher, Beene) was 2^nd in Sheep/Goats; 3^rd in Hogs; 1^st in Cattle and 2^nd in Reasons and named Reserve Champion Team Overall. Southwind #1 (Mueller, Nemecek, G. Fry, O’Brien) was 7^th High Team Overall. Individual livestock judging results are as follows:

• Sadie Marchiano – 4^th Sheep/Goats; 7^th Hogs; 2^nd Reasons; 5^th High Individual Overall
• Carly Dreher – 7^th Beef
• Tate Crystal – 10^th Sheep/Goats; 8^th Beef; 8^th Reasons; 6^th High Individual Overall
• Haleigh O’Brien – 8^th Sheep/Goats

  As the State Champion Livestock Judging Team, Southwind District (Marchiano, Crystal, Dreher, Beene) will represent Kansas 4-H at a national 4-H contest later this fall.

  The Meats Judging contest was based on identification of thirty retail cuts, six placings classes and three sets of reasons. Southwind #4 (Dreher, Marchiano, Brillhart, G. Fry) was 3^rd in Placings, 3^rd in Reasons, 5^th in Retail ID and 6^th Team Overall.

• Clay Brillhart – 2^nd High Individual Overall, 5^th Reasons; 5^th Retail ID
• Carly Dreher – 2^nd Placings
• Tate Crystal – 4^th Placings
• Sadie Marchiano – 7^th Placings

  For the first time in many years, youth from the Southwind District participated in the Intermediate Meats Judging Contest with 13 total teams. Southwind #5 (Sutton, Sutton, K. Bloesser, Maycumber) was 4^th Placings, 8^th Questions, 4^th Retail ID and 5^th Intermediate Team Overall. Southwind #6 (Bloesser, H. Shadden, S. Shadden) was 10^th Placings, 6^th Retail ID and 9^th Intermediate Team Overall. Individually, Kendyl Bloesser was 6^th in Retail ID and 8^th High Individual Overall. Hailey Shadden was 5^th in Placings and Marley Sutton was 9^th in Placings

  In the Livestock Skillathon, 4-H members rotated individually through stations that addressed six areas of animal science. Those included feedstuffs, breed identification, equipment identification, meat identification, wool evaluation and a written test. There was also a team component where members worked together on understanding livestock biosecurity, and understanding issues in livestock reproduction. Southwind #4 (O’Brien, Marchiano, Dreher, Crystal) was 5^th in Exam, 2^nd in Practicum and Reserve Champion Team Overall. Southwind #1 (G. Fry, Mueller, Beene, Nemecek) was 7th Team in Practicum. Individual Skillathon results are as follows:

• Sadie Marchiano – 2^nd Exam; 4^th Practicum; 4^th High Individual Overall 
• Haleigh O’Brien – 10^th Practicum 

               This group worked hard and studied a great deal of material to prepare for four state contests. To be named the Reserve Champion Livestock Judging, Reserve Champion Livestock Skillathon, Champion Quiz Bowl Team and Overall Champion Sweepstakes Team at the state contests shows how hard these 4-H members pushed each other to “Make the Best Better.”  The Southwind District is proud of their accomplishments and look forward to future growth and learning.

Photo caption:  Ten 4-H members from the Southwind Extension District – Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties – had the opportunity to participate at the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes at Kansas State University. Their skills and knowledge were challenged by participating in Livestock & Meats Judging, Livestock Quiz Bowl and Livestock Skillathon contests. Those attending were (from left to right) Carla Nemecek (Coach), Clay Brillhart, Sadie Marchiano, Kristy Beene, Kyser Nemecek, Tate Crystal, Carly Dreher, Byron Fry, Haleigh O’Brien, Gwen Fry, Leah Mueller. Pictured virtually by phone, Aidan Yoho.

If you have a health insurance plan through HealthCare.gov, you may see a decrease in your monthly premiums beginning September 1.

The American Rescue Plan enhanced premium assistance for 2021 and 2022 by lowering the share of premiums people pay. This includes people who already qualified for the APTC with income below 150% of the federal poverty level, people with income over 400% of the federal poverty level, and those with unemployment benefits in 2021.

Starting September 1, HealthCare.gov will automatically update the advance premium tax credit for some enrollees. If an enrollee is eligible to be automatically redetermined, HealthCare.gov sent notices in late July. Redetermination will occur for enrollees who have not updated their HealthCare.gov application since April 1; currently pay a premium; and previously chose to receive their full APTC up-front.

Enrollees who have received or been approved to receive unemployment compensation in 2021 will have their APTC automatically redetermined if they have confirmed since January 1 that they receive or have been approved to receive unemployment in the current month; have not updated their HealthCare.gov application since July 1; currently pay a premium; and previously chose to receive their full APTC up front.

Some enrollees are not eligible for the automatic APTC redetermination including those who already returned to HealthCare.gov since April 1, current enrollees, or July 1, unemployment enrollees; taking less than the full APTC amount; and those in zero-premium plans.

Adjustments can be made to increase or decrease qualifying APTC by updating the 2021 application by selecting “Life Change” and manually updating how much of the APTC to apply. A reminder that all premium tax credits are reconciled for the year when completing taxes. If income is underestimated for the year, enrollees may owe back a portion of the APTC and repayment forgiveness will not apply for 2021 plan year.

For more information and FAQ, visit Health Reform: Beyond the Basics at https://www.healthreformbeyondthebasics.org/. For local assistance, contact me at 620-223-3720 or [email protected]. Marketplace 2022 open enrollment is November 1 through December 15 for coverage that starts January 1, 2022.

Everyone feels tired now and then. However, after a good night’s sleep, most will feel refreshed and ready to face a new day. It can be a little more challenging to feel refreshed during the dog days of Summer. Those days represent some of the most oppressive days of the season.

During this time of the year, as we plan our day, we are likely considering where our stops can be made at various cool spots. While we may not be expending a lot of energy throughout the day, due to the heat, our bodies are still working hard to keep us cool. Often, we are not hydrating enough to avoid feeling fatigued.

When should we be concerned about fatigue? We may have spells over a few days where we are feeling more tired than normal. During those times, our bodies may be trying to catch up from over exertion, or maybe something else is going on we cannot see. However, if the tiredness or lack of energy continues for several weeks, and it keeps you from doing the things you enjoy, it may be time to do some investigating.

Sometimes, fatigue can be the first sign that something is wrong within your body. Chronic disease and treatments for disease can contribute to fatigue. Certain medications, infections, untreated pain, anemia, and sleep disorders are other factors that can cause fatigue.

Emotional stresses can create fatigue. Are you fearful about the future? Do you worry about your health? Conditions that include anxiety, depression, grief from the loss of a family member, and feeling that you have no control over your life, are additional conditions that contribute to fatigue.

Not getting enough sleep can be a factor with fatigue. Regular physical activity can improve sleep. It may also help reduce feelings of depression and stress while improving your mood and overall well-being.

Day-to-day factors that could be adding to fatigue can include staying up too late, having too much caffeine, drinking too much alcohol, and eating empty calorie foods, such as fried foods and sweets. Choosing nutritious foods will better generate energy needed to do the activities you enjoy.

Did you know that boredom can cause fatigue? Boredom in and of itself can make you feel tired. If you have been busy in the past–especially during your working years–and now you have long days before you with nothing planned, you may be feeling lost about how to spend your time.

Some lifestyle changes may help in feeling less tired. Suggestions include regular exercise, avoiding naps longer than 30 minutes, stop smoking, asking for help if feeling overwhelmed, and keeping a fatigue diary. Keeping the diary may help discover patterns throughout the day when you feel more or less tired.

If you have been tired for several weeks with no relief, it may be time to visit with your healthcare provider. He or she may ask questions about your sleep patterns, daily activities, appetite, and exercise. A physical exam and ordered lab tests may be the next steps in the investigative process.

Treatment will be based on your history and the results of your exam and lab tests. Medications to target an underlying health condition may be in order. Following your health care providers recommendations could make the difference in your energy levels on a long-term basis.

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

Seller’s market is what one might call our current economy. The cost of homes and vehicles are highly valued due to demand exceeding availability. This demand-pull on goods and services causes higher than average inflation rates, affecting everyday items we purchase such as the food we eat at or away from home. According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), food prices have changed 4-5% from a year ago. With a higher cost of items, paying closer attention to spending and habits may be important to stay within financial budgets and goals.

Healthy eating is important at every age—and can be done on a budget. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives. When deciding what to eat or drink, choose options that are full of nutrients and limited in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Start with these tips:

• Plan, plan, plan. Plan your meals for the week based on your food budget and make a grocery list that includes staples and perishables. Save money by buying only what you need.
• Compare similar products. Locate the “unit price” on the shelf sticker near the item price. Compare different brands and sizes for the best money-saving option.
• Stretch your food dollars. Add beans and canned or frozen vegetables to bulk up your meals and make your food dollars go farther. You will reap the benefits of extra fiber, vitamins, and nutrients while feeling full.
• Grow your own in your home. Grow herbs like basil and oregano inside your home for a fraction of the price. Small gardens can be grown on a windowsill or a kitchen counter.
• Buy in bulk. Save money by buying larger quantities of foods that store well like whole grains, canned or dried beans, and frozen vegetables. Don’t overbuy foods that you will throw out later.
• Look for on-sale produce. Grocery stores rotate their sales and buying what is on sale is a great way to save money and get variety. Do the same with frozen and canned items.

The benefits of healthy eating add up over time, bite by bite. For more tips on healthy eating on a budget visit myplate.gov/eat-healthy/healthy-eating-budget. For more information, contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620.223.3720.

The Compulsive Keeper

Putting things away after the fair reminded me of how stuff just seems to multiply and collect. Statements such as, “We might need that someday,” repeatedly come to mind.

Yes, we were sorting through things from a specific event. Yet it reminded me how we tend to “over keep” things, especially in our own personal living spaces. Things accumulate with little effort. Without some self-control, our homes can be reduced to pathways or overstuffed drawers and closets. Then it becomes an overwhelming task when we really get the urge to purge.

How do we know if our ‘collections’ have gotten out-of-control? A collector is proud to show off their collections and will keep them neat and organized. However, if a large group of unrelated items is stashed away out-of-sight, we might be leaning toward the cluttered category. If it is in plain sight and in a state of disarray, we could be on the verge of hoarding.

Hoarding can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or economic status. It often starts in adolescence and gets progressively worse with age. It’s usually a personal and private behavior making it difficult for others to know the seriousness of the situation.

Individuals are more likely to hoard if they have a family member who keeps everything. Often these individuals are withdrawn from society because they are isolated or lonely. They may struggle with obsessiveness and worry about making the right decision whether to keep something or not. The process of trying to decide whether to keep or dispose creates distress, so they may avoid making any decision at all. Thus, everything is kept.

Other characteristics that can indicate a tendency to hoarding include:

–Difficulty or anxiety with letting go of possessions, regardless of their value.

–Unable to find important papers or money in the clutter.

–Buying things because they are seen as a bargain with a desire to stock up.

–Not inviting family and friends to their home due to shame or embarrassment.

–Refusing to let people into their homes to do needed repairs.

Compulsive keepers often have a poor sense of time. They may be late or absent frequently in the workplace. Missing important deadlines and a reduction of productivity are other signs that often create havoc for businesses.

How can we support a family member or friend who has stuff they can’t seem to deal with? Even though we might want to help clear out some clutter, we need to ask first and develop trust with the compulsive keeper. They need to be ready to make some lifestyle changes.

Be sympathetic, listen, and try to understand the emotion and meaning behind all of the things they have chosen to keep. If safety is an issue, work together to create ways to make doorways and hallways safe and clear. Celebrate the successful small steps.

We all have different standards as to what is clutter and what is not. If you were to step into my office right now, you would likely question my clutter status. Yes, it’s time for me to do some serious housecleaning!

More information on clutter control is available through K-State Research and Extension Southwind offices, and by contacting Barbara at 620-625-8620 or by email to [email protected].

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

Advance Child Tax Credit & Scams

To help parents during the pandemic, the Child Tax Credit has been expanded under the American Rescue Plan Act. This means that many families will receive advance payments starting July 15, this opportunity is confusing and scammers are already are jumping into the game with attempts to capture personal information from you.

What is the Child Tax Credit (CTC)? The CTC is available if you claim any children younger than 17. The CTC has been $2,000 per qualifying child. For 2021, the amount will increase to $3,600 for children ages 5 and under and $3,000 for children ages 6 through 17. Note, the CTC amount is based on income.

The American Rescue Act included an Advance Child Tax Credit Payments program. These early payments from the IRS are half of the estimated CTC that you may properly claim on your 2021 tax return during the 2022 filing season. If the IRS has processed your 2020 or 2019 tax return, these monthly payments will be made starting in July and through December.

In general, you do not need to do anything to receive these advance payments. You may opt out of the monthly payments and get your money in one lump sum when you file during 2022.

Families should be on the alert for scammers using phone calls, emails, texts and social media to trick them into providing information needed to get the new 2021 advance Child Tax Credit. The IRS emphasizes that the only way to get the Advance Child Tax Credit is by either filing a tax return with the IRS or registering online through the Non-filer Sign-up tool , exclusively on IRS.gov. Any other option is a scam.

There are many details regarding the Advance Child Tax Credit. To learn more and find answers to your questions, I recommend 3 resources. First is the IRS Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021 (www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021). Here you can learn the details of program, unenroll from advance payments, and non-filers can submit information. The second is The White House (www.whitehouse.gov/child-tax-credit). Here they will cover the same topics as the IRS, but also provide some examples of how the Child Tax Credit works for families that may be similar to yours. The third source is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/managing-your-finances/).

For more information, contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620.223.3720

As parents get older, we want to be reassured they are taking care of themselves and staying healthy. That can be hard to discern at times, especially if we live a distance away. The Mayo Clinic suggests these questions to think about as we consider the abilities and health of our older parents.

Are they able to take care of themselves? Pay attention to their personal appearance and to things around the house. Failure to keep up with personal hygiene, yard work, and housework might be signs of dementia, depression or physical impairments.

Is there an issue with memory loss? It’s normal to forget things from to time to time. However, asking the same question repeatedly; getting lost in familiar places; and becoming confused about time, people and places can be indicators of memory loss.

Are your parents safe at home? Here again, watch for red flags around the house. Do they have difficulty in navigating narrow stairways? Have either of them fallen recently? Are they having difficulty reading directions on medication containers?

Are your parents safe on the road? Driving can be challenging for older adults. If they are easily confused while driving or they have experienced a moving violation, it might be time to stop driving.

Have your parents lost weight? Weight loss without trying could be a sign that something is wrong. They may be experiencing a lack of energy, difficulty in grasping tools, or reading labels. They may have lost interest in eating, due to a loss of taste and smell. Weight loss can also signify other serious underlying conditions.

Are your parents in good spirits? Monitor your parents’ moods and ask how they are feeling. A drastic change in mood or outlook could be a sign of depression or other health concerns.

Are they still social? Inquire about their activities. Are they staying connected with friends, their usual organizations or faith-based communities? Are they maintaining interest in hobbies and other daily activities? If they have given up on some of these activities, it could indicate a problem.

Are they able to get around? Note how your parents walk. Are mobility issues limiting their usual walking distances or activities? Would an assistive device, such as a cane or walker, help?

If any of these indicators exist, consider sharing your concerns with them. Talk with your parents about seeing a doctor and making changes. Including close friends in the conversation may help. Encourage regular medical check-ups where weight loss, changes in mood, or memory loss may be a concern. Maybe you or someone else could attend the doctor visit with them.

Discuss potential safety issues with your parents and work with them to make a plan to address them. Some simple home modifications may help in preventing falls. Transportation options may be discussed rather than driving themselves. Home care services may also be an alternative to assist with house cleaning, running errands, or in-home meals.

Contact the doctor for guidance if your parents dismiss your concerns. The doctor may need permission from your parents to discuss your parents’ care. However, these discussions may give you and the doctor insight on future doctor visits.

Look into local agencies that offer aging assistance services. A local or area Agency on Aging would be a good first place to start. There may be social workers available that may evaluate your parents’ needs and help connect them with local services.

Some older adults don’t want to admit they can’t do something on their own or don’t realize they need help. They may not know where to start to look for assistance to help them remain as independent as possible.

It’s important that they understand the problem and the proposed solution. Remind your parents that you care about them and that you want to help support their health and well-being, both today and in the years to come.

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

July is in full swing and that for most of the country means it’s time for the county fair. For many, this is the best time of year.

The county fair is more than just a carnival or night time events. It is an exhibition of talents from all ages with exhibits ranging in a variety of sizes and categories. Most exhibits have taken an entire 4-H year to complete and some a lot less, but all of the exhibits have a special story and add value to the county fair.

As any 4-H’er can tell you, there is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears involved with preparing for the county fair. The animals you see were raised by youth not just because of the county fair, but to help the youth learn invaluable life lessons to become responsible, caring individuals. The same goes for any of the indoor exhibits from cooking to sewing to photography to woodworking and so on! The opportunities are endless.

I would like to encourage you to take a minute and attend a county fair near you. Explore all of the great accomplishments within the indoor exhibits and the barns full of animals. Visit with a 4-H’er about their project and see the excitement they display.

In the coming weeks, there will be three fairs held within the Southwind Extension District. The first is Bourbon County Fair – July 10^th-17^th, Woodson County Fair – July 17^th-21^st, Neosho County Fair – July 22^nd-26^th, and Allen County Fair – August 22^nd-25^th. We hope to see you at the county fair!

If you would like more information on how to be involved either to enter exhibits or be a helper, please contact your local Extension Office. Contact information can be found on our website at www.southwind.ksu.edu. For more information about being in 4-H, contact Jennifer Terrell, 4-H Youth Development Agent at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.