Joy Miller, RD, LD Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent Adult Development and Aging Family Resource Management K-State Research and Extension Southwind Extension District 210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701 Office: 620-223-3720 Fax: 620-223-0332 [email protected]
Stay Strong, Stay Healthy Strength Training Program for Older Adults,
Your Ticket to Better Health
Our bodies are made for activity, but modern conveniences allow us to be increasingly inactive. Building strength promotes quality of life and independence, especially for adults over 50. Here’s the good news, Stay Strong, Stay Healthy strength training program is being offered in your community.
This eight week program can help you get started on the road to better health. Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is built on simple, strength- building exercises that will improve balance and flexibility, too. No one is too inactive to participate. You’ll start at a level that’s right for you. Instruction is provided by Joy Miller, Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent with K-State Research and Extension Southwind District.
The class meets for one hour, two times each week at Buck Run Community Center on Monday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. The fee is $20 for the eight week series. Registration and first session will be held Monday, January 21st. Call Joy Miller at 620-223-3720 for more details.
Kansas State University provides nutrition classes which help with food choices and exercise for Bourbon County residents.
Malynda Payne currently teaches both Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program classes as well as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education for K-State. Mary Daniels also teaches SNAP-Ed programs in the area.
Recently, FortScott.Biz interviewed Malynda Payne about the classes. Her answers are below.
What is the purpose?
“EFNEP- Our program is hands-on and teaches new skills that you can use at home every day—from planning, shopping and cooking tips to simple solutions for healthy eating and daily physical activity. The program is designed to show families how they can prepare and eat more meals at home, bring more fruits and vegetables into their diets, make healthy drink choices, control portion sizes and many other healthy choices. These classes are provided for free.
SNAP-Ed programs are nutrition education programs provided at no cost to Kansas families with limited resources. Our goal is to provide nutrition education to individuals and families who receive food assistance or who are eligible to receive food assistance.”
Malynda Payne
Who is sponsoring it and who is the target population?
“The two classes that I am currently starting up in Fort Scott are an Eat Smart, Move More Class. This class is geared towards families that are wanting to learn how to cook and prepare healthy meals for their families and do this on a budget. Also, I am starting a class called Eat Smart, Live Strong. It is designed to improve fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity for people 55+participating in or eligible for SNAP.
These classes are typically targeted for those receiving food assistance. However, I will never turn anyone away. As long as 50% of my audience is lower income, I can justify the class. That means if they are on disability, social security, live in public housing, receive food assistance etc. then I can classify the class as my target. They don’t have to actually be receiving food assistance. They only have to qualify for it and most older folks on Social Security would qualify.”
Mary Daniels
Where located:
“I have been holding my classes at the Professional Building in Fort Scott. Most people will know it as the Newman Young Clinic building. Mary Daniels offers a class the second Thursday of each month at the Scott View apartments at 2 p.m. and the third Thursday of each month at Calvary Crossing also at 2 p.m.”
When:
“Eat Smart, Move More is Each Wednesday 12:30-2 p.m.and the Eat Smart, Live Strong is each Friday morning 10:30-noon. Both of these classes are starting fresh so everyone that comes will be new! They will both be at the Professional Building 710 W. 8th Street.”
Why:
“We offer these classes to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy food and lifestyle choices that prevent obesity
These classes are offered FREE of charge to those wishing to participate.”
Krista Harding District Extension Agent, Horticulture Southwind Extension District 111 S. Butler Erie, KS 66733 Office: 620-244-3826 Cell: 620-496-8786
Bagworms are a yearly pest in our area and can cause considerable damage. Most homeowners typically don’t get too concerned about bagworm control until they see large bags present on plants. By then it is too late and the damage is already done! Now is the time to get your treatment game plan ready.
Bagworms overwinter as eggs deposited in the female bags. From mid-May through mid-June, larvae hatch from the eggs and exit from the bottom opening of the old bag. Larvae begin constructing their miniature silk-lined bags immediately. Only after the bags have been completed do the larvae begin actual feeding activities. And as the larvae grow, so do their bags. By mid-to late August when feeding activities are complete, larvae firmly anchor their bags to the twigs and branches on which they were feeding.
Bagworms are most commonly found on eastern red cedar and junipers. However, bagworms can attack arborvitae, spruce and pine. Broadleaf trees, shrubs and ornamentals can also serve as a host to bagworms. After bagworms have defoliated a host plant, they are capable of migrating in search of additional food sources. They may attack the same species from which they came or a completely different species.
The damage caused by bagworm feeding can be minimal to severe. As larvae enter their later development stages, they require greater amounts of food. Sometimes in what seems to be just overnight, bagworms can completely defoliate a tree. Several successive years of heavy foliar feeding can result in the death a tree, especially with conifers.
There are two ways to control bagworms – cultural and chemical. Cultural practice is used by those who do not want to utilize insecticidal sprays to control bagworms. Instead, bagworms are eliminated by handpicking individual bags from plants. This is best done in the winter months when bags stand out against a trees background color. Keep in mind that a single missed bag could result in a thousand new bagworm larvae. Of course handpicking becomes impractical when a host is literally covered with bags or it is too tall to make handpicking possible.
Chemical control is most effective when larvae are in their early developmental stages. Generally, bagworm larvae will begin emerging from the overwintering bag by mid-to late May. Hatching does not happen overnight. Instead, hatching can continue for 4 to 5 weeks. Controls applied in late summer are often a waste of time and expense because the larvae are large, tough and may have stopped feeding. Now is the time to find the correct insecticide and get the sprayers out and ready for the job ahead.
For more information on bagworm control, please contact me at one of our Southwind Extension District office locations.
Christopher Petty, M.S. Extension Agent Livestock Production and Forage Management K-State Research and Extension Southwind Extension District 210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701 (620) 223-3720 Work (620)224-6031 Cell [email protected]
KOMA Beef Conference will be coming back to Kansas –
Girard, KS – The KOMA (Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas) Beef Cattle Conference will be coming back to Kansas on January 24, 2019 after a long hiatus. The 4-State area’s premier beef cattle conference is designed to help cow-calf producers make better managerial decisions. Next year’s hosts include The Southeast Area Research and Extension Center of Kansas State University, Southwind Extension District, Wildcat Extension District, and Cherokee County Extension.
The conference will take place at Greenbush Education Service Center in Greenbush, KS (947 W. 47 Hwy. Girard, KS), beginning at 10:30 am with registration, and the chance for producers to visit with sponsoring agricultural businesses. Educational sessions will begin at 11:00 am and end at 3:45 pm, with a free catered lunch included.
The focus of this meeting will “From Grass to Cash”. Precentors from Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri will address forage management, cow-calf management, cow herd diseases, and economics of production.
The day will begin with Dr. Glynn Tonsor of Kansas State University. Tonsor is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Tonsor’s current research and extension efforts focus on cattle and swine industries. Tonsor’s interests span areas of production supply issues to end-user consumer demand issues in regards to the meat supply chain. The title of Tonsor’s presentation will be “Feeder Cattle Marketing Outlook”. He will address marketing strategies for 500 to 800 pound calves.
Dr. David Lalman of Oklahoma State University will be the next speaker with the presentation titled, “Matching my cows to my environment”. Lalman is a professor and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist at Oklahoma State University. Lalman holds the Harrington Endowed Chair with split extension and research appointment. He works primarily in the beef cattle industry focused on cow/calf and stocker cattle production. His extension and applied research program includes beef cattle nutrition and management with emphasis on beef cattle grazing and genetic by environment interactions in beef production systems. His program goals are to provide producers with information and decision tools to facilitate production system profitability, improve cow herd efficiency and to improve product quality. Lalman will discuss the historical changes in cattle phenotype we have been observing and discuss the benefits and possible pit-falls of this changing herd population.
Dr. Gregg Hanzlicek, DVM of the Kansas State University Veterinary School will provide the health component of the program. Dr. Hanzlicek is the director of Production Animal Field Investigations within the Veterinary College. Hanzlicek works with pathologists and microbiologists within the laboratory to diagnosis bovine health events. Hanzlicek’s research activities include disease surveillance and monitoring systems for beef and dairy health programs and disease surveys. For the KOMA Beef Conference, he will specifically be addressing blood-borne diseases of the cattle herd such as anaplasmosis.
Dr. Jordan Thomas from The University of Missouri will discuss, “Optimizing reproductive performance”. Jordan Thomas is an Assistant Extension Professor and State Beef Reproduction Specialist in the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri. Dr. Thomas is a Missouri native and University of Missouri alumnus, having earned his Ph.D. in Animal Sciences with an emphasis in Reproductive Physiology in 2017. In addition to extension and education programming associated with the National Center for Applied Reproduction and Genomics, Dr. Thomas maintains an active applied research program in reproductive management of beef cattle. The primary research focus of the Thomas lab is control of the bovine estrous cycle, specifically to facilitate use of reproductive technologies such as timed artificial insemination and embryo transfer.
The final speaker will be economist Wesley Tucker who is a field specialist in agricultural business from the University of Missouri. Tucker’s work currently focuses on farm transactions and productivity and profitability of beef cattle. The title of Tucker’s presentation is “Keys to profitability for beef producers”. He will address forage production with the goal of economically maximizing grazing.
Sponsors of the event include Ag Choice of Hepler, Frontier Farm Credit, Girard Coop, GNBank, MultiMin, and Zoetis. These sponsors will have trade show style booths. Bring your questions and thank them for their sponsorship and support of beef cattle production.
Carla Nemecek Southwind Extension District Director & Agent, [email protected], 620-365-2242, 1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749.
The hectic shopping season is in full swing and with only one more weekend before Christmas, there isn’t a lot of time to find gifts for those hard to buy for agriculture folks. If you are a practical gift giver like myself, you may be looking for gifts for the farmer or rancher in your family, so here are a few ideas for your Christmas shopping list.
Every farmer needs a few essentials to get through those tough winter chores. Items such as sturdy work gloves, coats and coveralls wear out quickly and are usually worn until they are thread bare. The same is true for a good pair of socks, and a heavy pair of insulated socks will not go unappreciated.
If the person you are shopping for is a do-it-yourselfer, which most farmers are, power tools are always in short supply. Sure they have a power drill – but what about a cordless drill? Most all power tools are now offered with a cordless option, and that may prove to be handy when equipment needs repaired out in the field. Speaking of tools, how could anyone (farmer or not) get by without a reliable set of pliers? This is an item that is probably among the array of everyday tools, yet an item that tends to get misplaced often. Better said, one can just never have too many pliers. Pliers can be purchased with a colorful grip that may make them less likely to be lost amongst the other hand tools.
For a simple, easy to find gift, one might consider a new pocket knife. Pocket knives are another item that are a daily necessity. Often used as a screwdriver (another gift idea!), or for cutting twine, scraping mud off boots, and cleaning/trimming fingernails, pocket knives quickly dull. To add a personal touch, the knife can be engraved. A flashlight is another item that is never where it is supposed to be! This time of year, flashlights are often packaged in sets of multiple sizes, which can be convenient in the case of an emergency. For a unique idea, look for an LED flashlight that does not require batteries. Many of these models only require a good shake or have a crank system, and are advertised as “the last flashlight you will ever need.”
If you want to give a gift from the heart, and not from your wallet, then you could always consider offering to clean the pickup or feed truck. The work bench is another area that could always use a little sprucing up too. But if you choose to offer either of these options, make sure you know where to put the tools you find. Cleaning up is only helpful if you put things in their proper place.
As we round out 2018, the Southwind Extension District would like to say thank you to those individuals who have taken the time to be involved with K-State Research and Extension in Neosho, Woodson, Bourbon and Allen Counties. Maybe you attended a meeting, served on the Program Development Committee, or even volunteered with your local 4-H program – our staff sincerely appreciates those who recognize the importance of the Extension Service. Happy Holidays to you and your families!
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 5 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.
If you are interested in supporting pollinators, there are several shrub and tree species also designated to be of particular importance for butterflies, moths, bees, or other insect pollinators. Some are considered to be nectar sources, while others are larval host plants.
Not certain what you would like to order? Then 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 now through the first full week of May, with shipments beginning in March. However, I recommend that you order early to ensure availability of trees. Order forms and price sheets are available at the Southwind District Extension Office in Erie, Iola Fort Scott, and Yates Center or can be mailed or e-mailed.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Carla Nemecek Southwind Extension District Director & Agent [email protected] 620-365-2242 1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749
Kansas State University provides you with research-based information through many avenues. Locally, your contact is the Southwind Extension District in Erie, Ft. Scott, Yates Center and Iola. Hundreds of publications and fact sheets, written by K-State researchers and specialists, are available through the university’s Publications Library, www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/ Another alternative is to research the information provided on the Southwind website, www.southwind.k-state.edu/
However, not all of our services can be found on the internet. One of the most utilized resources is soil testing. K-State Research & Extension can test soil for $12 per sample or $10 apiece for two or more. Soil testing is recommended for gardeners, farmers, testing for lawn & turf problems, or pasture management. Feed and forage testing is also offered. The only way to know for certain the quality of the feed is to get a lab analysis of it, to take a forage test. A forage test may run from $12-24 per sample, depending on what you want the sample tested for. Other tests that are available include Radon Test Kits ($6) and Water Quality Testing resources.
Have you ever wondered what that unidentified pest or plant lurking around your home may be, or even how you can get rid of it? The Extension Office has expertise and resources available to identify pests that are common to our area and in Kansas. This includes home and crop insects, weeds, and various plants. We can also provide information on how to remove or control the pest, depending on your situation.
One of our “best kept secret” products that we offer for sale are odor neutralizers. Ecosorb ($28) is used in numerous homes, farm and industrial/commercial applications. Most of our clients seek this product to control the odor from fuel spills, mold smell, or skunk sprays. Neutroleum Alpha ($35) is a concentrated product utilized in a similar fashion to control strong odors. Because it is a concentrate, it can be used in a larger area.
This time of the year, we sell quite a few Farm and Family Account Books ($4.50 – $8.50). If you haven’t made the transition to computerized record keeping, this resource allows for an accurate accounting of your finances in a form that makes completing taxes easier.
Extension publications are very accessible to the public, and most are free if you pick them up in the Extension Office. The Kansas Garden Guide is a new publication that is available for only $6. If you are looking for resources on planning a garden, seeding & planting, or details about a specific crop, this publication is a must-have. Extension offers many, many publications on home gardening so please stop by if you are looking for something specific.
Area farmers and ranchers often utilize the Kansas Performance Tests for various crops to determine which varieties will grow best in this area of the state. Next month, the 2018 Hybrid Reports for Corn, Soybeans, and Grain Sorghum will become available in the Extension Office. This is in addition to the Wheat Seed Book that is always available in late summer after wheat has been harvested and data collected.
The 2019 Chemical Weed Control Guide will be published in January and provides suggestions for chemical weed control in several major crops. It offers recommendations, and guidelines for crop specific chemicals.
If you are involved in a club or organization that requests presentations, the Southwind District offers a “Speakers Bureau” brochure, which contains the public speaking topics offered by the Extension Agents. Let us help you with your educational topics during your meetings. We try to mail this to civic and social organizations on an annual basis, but you are also welcome to pick up a copy in any of our three offices.
As a consumer, you have many options for finding the answers to your questions. By choosing to use the Extension Service, you can be sure you are getting research-based, unbiased information. We encourage you to use the Southwind Extension District Offices in Erie, Ft. Scott, Yates Center and Iola to help answer your questions. Or you can find us on the web, www.southwind.k-state.edu/
Your local Extension Office is a tremendous resource for finding the information you need. With offices located in Erie, Fort Scott, Iola, and Yates Center, KS, we are here to help answer your questions about Lawn & Gardens, 4-H & Youth Development, Crops & Livestock, and Health & Nutrition.. Have a specific horticulture problem?
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.
If you haven’t taken the time to just stop and admire the fall beauty that is surrounding us, you are really missing out! The trees have been most striking to me this year, but I have also noticed some shrubs and even native grass species really showing off their fall colors. The city of Fort Scott has some of the prettiest maple trees that I have seen in the area.
Even though I can appreciate the change of season and its beauty, at the same time I’ll admit that fall can be a bit depressing for me as well. All but a few annual and perennial flowers are on their “last leg” so to speak. I’m sure I’m not alone in my feelings because for any plant lover it’s kind of a sad time of year. Mainly because now that fall is here, the once beautiful flower pots filled with flowers are bare and lonely looking.
But we really shouldn’t be sad because Mother Nature has just given us a different role and other things to admire! Fall produces some warm, spicy colors and plants produce some interesting seed heads, pots, nuts and berries. Some of these items found in the fall can be put use and add to your home’s outdoor décor.
For example, consider using a combination of living and harvested plant materials to extend the growing season well beyond nature’s deadline. Flower pots can be left out and filled with nature’s own plant material to make for a dramatic focal point throughout the winter months.
Plant containers can serve as an arrangement medium for holding sticks, stalks, stones and/or late-season fruits. All kinds of fall findings can bring additional textures to an arrangement. Examples include fall foliages, starkly bare branches, cattails, ornamental grass plumes, smooth-shelled nuts, evergreen cuttings, and flower-like seed heads. Mini pumpkins won’t last too long after freezing, but colorful gourds can sometimes last for months in an outdoor display.
Gardeners often forget that the frost-proof plants used to brighten early spring can also help create a fall display – in some years living on well into December. Pansies and ornamental kale, can be a striking contrast for autumn’s changing leaf colors and can remain attractive after the trees are bare.
As Christmas approaches, you can change out the pots and use some red-twigged dogwood branches, pine tips for the berries and evergreen cuttings. And if your imagination runs even more, you can light things up with a small spotlight or string of mini lights.
Containers need to be sealed or otherwise waterproof so they can survive the worst of winter’s freeze-thaw cycles. Sometimes the winters can crack or chip an urn made of concrete if it’s unsealed and gets wet. Check your pots to make certain they are sealed or waterproofed.
So before you store your pots away for the winter, be a little creative and scavenger around for some of Mother Nature’s finest pieces of work and let your imagination go to work!
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Joy Miller AttachmentsSat, Oct 27, 12:16 PM (2 days ago) to Joy Attached is my news column for next week. Thank you for publishing it. Joy Joy Miller, RD, LD Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent Adult Development and Aging Family Resource Management K-State Research and Extension Southwind Extension District 210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701 Office: 620-223-3720 Fax: 620-223-0332 [email protected]
Need Health Insurance? I’m Here to Help.
Fall is the season for health insurance plan enrollment or re-enrollment. You may be like most people—confused and uncomfortable when it comes to understanding or making decisions about health insurance coverage. Help is available.
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a service that helps people shop for and enroll in health insurance. It provides health plan shopping and enrollment services through healthcare.gov, call centers, and in-person assistance.
Navigators, such as myself, are trained, unbiased assisters that can help you compare health insurance plans, assist you with online application process, and help provide answers to your Marketplace questions. Navigators are available year-round to answer questions or complete Special Enrollment applications for those affected by a life changing event.
When you buy health insurance through the Marketplace, you may qualify for financial assistance to help pay your monthly premiums and cost sharing. You will qualify for financial assistance if you meet the following:
You can’t get health insurance that covers your basic needs through your job (or a family member’s); Medicaid; Medicare; the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); or the Department of Veterans affairs (VA)
The amount of money your family expects to make in the year you apply for assistance falls within certain income ranges.
Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace begins November 1 and ends December 15. You can preview 2019 plans and prices. Now is the time to explore your health coverage options. You can go to healthcare.gov to A benefit in working with a Navigator is help in determining if qualifications are met for financial assistance to lower the cost of premiums.
Each year, health insurance options change along with coverage and costs. I am here to assist you in the process and help you understand the system, rules, and options. To assist people in these programs, it is required to go through training and certification on a yearly basis to become a Navigator for the Marketplace or a Senior Health Insurance Counselor for Kansans (SHICK) to provide unbiased assistance.
Help you apply and enroll in a health plan with savings or apply for Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Required to provide fair, impartial, and accurate information
Statewide assistance may also be available
Find free, in-person enrollment assistance from a Navigator serving your community
They can assist you with the online application and help compare plans to find the best one for you. During open Enrollment, Kansans need to evaluate whether to enroll in coverage, stay on their current policies, if available, or enroll in different policies. It is also important for consumers to understand the network requirements of the various plans and to check that their providers of medical services are in the plan’s network.
Consumer Assistance Hotline is 1-800-432-2484 or www.ksinsurance.org
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.
Carla Nemecek is Southwind District Director and agent.
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.
Carla Nemecek is Southwind District Director and agent.
Do you know how that playground equipment at the park down the street was purchased? Or the new sign leading visitors to a local landmark? How about initial money for a festival? In any community, chances are that someone, or a group of individuals, wrote a grant proposal and received funding to help with the project.
Individuals and community groups can learn more about writing successful grant proposals at a workshop planned in Humboldt, KS on Friday, November 9, 2018. The workshop is presented by Nancy Daniels, a community vitality specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the author of many grant proposals. The training will be at the Humboldt Public Library, 916 Bridge Street from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and includes lunch. The cost to attend is $10.
“This workshop is for everyone, whether they’ve never written a proposal before and have no idea where to start, to those who have experience but are looking for ways to improve their approach,” Daniels said. “The magic that happens in a local community when people find out they don’t have to wait to get something done, that they can do it themselves, is incredible.”
Participants also learn from each other, Daniels said, adding that even experienced grant writers pick up tips and are reenergized after coming together with peers in their communities. Participants are encouraged to bring their grants or grant ideas to share.
Workshop topics include:
Sources of data for community needs (where do you find the numbers to back up your request?);
Where to find grants;
The five common elements of a great grant proposal;
Practicing the grant writing elements.
More information and registration is available by contacting Carla Nemecek at the Southwind Extension District Iola Office, 620-365-2242 or email [email protected].
