Friday Concerts in the Park goers gather around the pavilion at First and Main streets.
This Friday’s Chamber of Commerce sponsored concert will feature the Workman Bluegrass band.
“The band has performed many times for us at the pavilion and is a continuing favorite with their lively renditions of bluegrass, folk and traditional gospel music,” Ralph Carlson, the event organizer said. “The concert starts at 7 pm. come early and bring your lawn chairs as seating is limited. In the event of rain, the band has opted to go indoors at The Common Grounds Coffee shop 1/2 block south of the Heritage Park Pavilion.”
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].
Join the Southwind and Wildcat Extension Districts, The Natural Resources Conservation District, and the Neosho County Conservation District for a Fall Burning Demonstration.
This event, free to the public, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on September 11th, with a rain date scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on September 18.
Dr. K.C. Olson with Kansas State University will discuss the advantages of fall burning for serecia lespedeza weed control.
Additional experts from NRCS, KSRE, or KDWPT will discuss burn safety, protocol and burn equipment. Following the discussions, we will burn several acres of expired CRP ground, with the intent of reducing weed pressure. This pasture is slated to eventually be placed back into livestock production.
Directions to the Duff farm: From Erie, Kansas take 59 south approximately 3 1/2 miles to 100th Rd, and then west approximately 8 ½ miles to farm site. From Thayer, Kansas take 169 north approximately 1 ½ miles to 100th Rd, then east approximately 2 ½ miles to the farm. Signs will be posted.
For more information contact Christopher Petty with the Southwind District Extension Office at (620) 223-3720 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Submitted by: Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District Director & Agent
From the Kansas State University website, “K-State Research and Extension is a partnership between Kansas State University and the federal, state, and county governments. Research completed is used by extension agents and others to help solve community issues.” Although the word “trust” isn’t in our mission statement, it is a vital part of the extension relationship on a local level. It is also a word that I personally value, and certainly a topic worthy of further discussion.
There are two parts to trust: an intangible, “feeling” part and a performance record that confirms this trust. An active feeling of trust is confidence in leadership, indicated in ability and integrity. Trust is also expressed by the absence of worry or suspicion. Productive relationships are already based on trust, sometimes unrecognized and frequently taken for granted. The track record is a confirmation of well-placed trust.
Trust is a vital ingredient in all relationships. If you find it hard to trust someone, you are less likely to talk to that person. But, a relationship built on mutual trust is marked by open communication and fewer arguments. It’s the feeling of safety you have with another human being.
Many scholars have created lists of the characteristics of leaders. Trust always makes the list. Trust develops as the cumulative effect of one-on-one, day-to-day relationships. Trust is won or lost by how well you know yourself, how open you are to letting others see your real self, and how well you show your interest in others. These personal actions depend on you, regardless of the organization, committee, or other group.
Think of trust as an emotional bank account. If you make deposits with another person through courtesy, kindness, honesty, and promise-keeping, you build up a reserve. That person’s trust toward you becomes higher, and you can call on that trust when needed. When the account is high, communication is easy, instant, and effective. But, if you show discourtesy, disrespect, threats, or just do not listen, your emotional bank account will become overdrawn. Trust needs continuing deposits. Furthermore, it takes more deposits to outweigh a negative balance or withdrawal. One guideline suggests that every negative encounter requires six positive encounters to restore the original level.
You can show you are trustworthy by being responsible. Being open and honest with people is essential. In any relationship, it takes time and effort to develop trust, and trust and commitment are closely related. If you trust more, you are willing to commit more. Each person must accept some responsibility.
Trust is a relevant topic to the Southwind District because we recently added Woodson County to our Extension District Family. Folks in the Yates Center area will now have access to our Agents who specialize in a variety of areas – including Family Resource Management, Horticulture, Healthy Living Initiatives, 4-H activities and expanded SNAP-Ed programming in the schools. It is an exciting time of change, and we look forward to creating new partnerships across the 4-county District.
K-State Research & Extension in the Southwind District strives every day to be a trusted and reliable source of factual information for families – both urban and rural. If you would like to know more about us, please check out our website, www.southwind.ksu.edu
The “dog days of summer” is often a drab time of year for our landscapes. The heat has taken its toll on many annuals, perennials have already done their thing for the year and lots gardens have been overtaken by weeds. In thinking ahead to next year’s planting, there are shrubs that flower later in the growing season that you may want to put in the landscape to brighten it during the summer.
Rose of Sharon – a tall shrub that produces single or double flowers. Colors range from white to red, purple or violet, or combinations depending on the variety.
Crapemyrtle – dwarf to tall shrubs or trees. Flower color varies from white, pink, to purple or deep red on different plants.
Bluebeard – this is also known as blue-spirea, blue-mist shrub, or caryopteris. It is usually found with blue flowers, but some cultivars have a bluish-violet to violet flower color.
Sweet Autumn Clematis – this is a vigorous vine with large masses of small, white flowers that have a wonderful fragrance. However, use caution as it can outgrow its bounds.
Davidiana Clematis – this is a bush-type clematis with small but interesting violet-blue flowers. Female plants bear interesting fluffy seed heads into the winter.
The PeeGee Hydrangea – a coarse plant that develops large clusters of white flowers. It can be trained into a tree-like form.
Even though the summer growing season is winding down, it is the perfect time to think about putting in a fall garden. I know it can be hard to think about getting out in the garden and starting over when it is 90+ degrees out, but fall is a fantastic time to garden!
Salad crops such as lettuce, radishes, spinach, turnips, mustard and other greens can be planted from mid-August to early September for fall harvest. Plant seeds slightly deeper than you did in the spring. This will keep the seed slightly cooler though still warm and the soil should retain moisture longer. Water frequently until seedlings start to emerge. Once the plants emerge, reduce the frequency of watering.
And if you’re needing to improve your “green thumb,” consider taking the Master Gardener training class that will be offered in Chanute this fall. Applications are being accepted until August 27th. The fall training class will begin September 10th and will be every Monday through October 15th from 9 am until 4 pm. Area resident are welcome to attend the training, and one does not need to reside in Neosho county. The Master Gardener training consists of 50 hours of instruction in all aspects of horticulture. Instructors include state specialists from Kansas State University. After training is completed, individuals donate and equivalent number of hours of service as was received in instruction.
Applications can be picked up at the Extension office, e-mailed or mailed to you. The fee for the course is $85 which covers the cost of the Master Gardener course notebook.
Don’t let the summer blahs get you down! There is still plenty of growing season left. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District.
Kathy S. McEwan Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Foods & Nutrition, SNAP-Ed Coordinator Southwind Extension District – Iola Office P.O. Box 845, Iola KS 66749 620-365-2242 [email protected]
Commercial foods are typically prepared in an approved food processing facility and required to display a “best by” or expiration date. When foods are preserved in the home, however, food safety and security depend on the cook.
The failure to follow a tested recipe or to store food in a safe place can jeopardize food safety, yet recognizing when home preserved foods are past their prime or no longer safe-to-eat is sometimes a challenge, said Karen Blakeslee, Kansas State University Research and Extension food scientist.
Tell-tale signs that suggest food is suspect and should be discarded include:
* Vacuum seal on the lid has been compromised; lid may pop, bulge, or show signs of rust;
* Jar is chipped, cracked or otherwise damaged;
* Evidence of loss of food quality, such as the presence of mold, loss or change of color, texture, or off odor.
* Evidence of insect or rodent infestation; and
* Date made is unknown.
Do not taste or use food from any jar that has become unsealed or shows any signs of spoilage, Blakeslee said.
To keep home canned foods safe, she recommends:
1) Use only tested recipes from a reliable source (such as Extension, USDA, or Ball);
2) Use canning equipment that is in tiptop shape. Check the pressure canner gauge annually or more frequently, if a malfunction is suspected. Replace damaged jars and containers. Use new lids;
3) Follow recipe directions exactly;
3) Label and date all home-preserved foods;
4) Store home canned foods in a cool, dry and dark place. Avoid attics, garages, or shelving near a water heater or other appliances that generate heat;
5) Use home preserved foods within one year; and
6) Check food storage area regularly to inspect for potential problems, such as a water leak or insect damage.
Before beginning to use your canner each year, it is recommended that pressure canner/cooker dial gauges be tested for accuracy. This can be done quickly and easily in any of the Southwind Extension offices at no cost.
More information about food preservation is available at K-State Research and Extension Southwind offices, and by contacting Kathy at 620-365-2242 or by email at [email protected].
An additional resource is the National Center for Home Food Preservation, located at the University of Georgia and online at: http://www.uga.edu/nchfp.
Carla Nemecek is Southwind District Director and agent.
With county fair season upon us, youth livestock exhibitors in the Southwind District are busy working with their animals in preparation to show them at their very best. Not only are they practicing to drive their hogs, brace their sheep and goats and set up their cattle, they are working hard to keep them cool and on feed during the hot month of July.
Animals that will be, or have been exhibited (the Woodson & Bourbon County Fairs are already complete!) at the fair did not just appear overnight. Southwind District 4-H members with cattle care for and own their animals for about 280 days, and youth with sheep, meat goats and hogs care for and own their livestock for about 100 days. The time spent with animals teaches basic life skills and eventually help them develop into better citizens.
Following are some life skills that youth livestock project members can gain:
How to get along with people. A large number of people in society quit or lose their jobs because
they cannot get along with others. 4-H members who show livestock are around people they
have never met but have similar interests. They learn to communicate with these people.
Sportsmanship. At a livestock show, there is only one Grand Champion. However, there are many
winners. Most 4-H members who show livestock for any period of time usually experience the
extreme high feeling of an exceptional effort and the extreme disappointment of a project that didn’t turn out as well as was expected. Normally, win or lose, the competitors in the show can be seen after the show talking and enjoying life together.
Responsibility. Feeding and daily chores in a 4-H livestock project teach responsibility. Top
feeders follow the time clock in their daily efforts. This is a good habit to start at a young age and may
reap youngster’s substantial benefits in a career later in their lives.
Attend to details. Most young people take care of major items in a 4-H livestock project
like fencing, feeding, etc. However many times it’s the little things that make a different: keeping water
tanks and feed troughs clean, working on grooming and showmanship several months before the show,
keeping pens clean and close observation for sickness and disease. Paying attention to details is
beneficial in almost everything we do in life.
Decision making. Decision making is never easy at any point in our lives. 4-H livestock
projects require several key decisions be made: selection of project animals, selection of feeding
method, care and management decisions, fitting and grooming techniques, etc.
Goal setting. For every successful 4-H livestock project, there is usually a good plan. Most
details and plans for the project on selection, feeding and management of the project have been planned well in advance. Goal setting is important for everyone regardless of future endeavors.
Next time you are at a livestock show, study the kids instead of the animals. You will notice that most
classes have several winners, not just the one standing in first place.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
Area plant lovers will have a great opportunity this fall to participate in an outstanding horticulture program!
The Master Gardener training will be held in Chanute starting September 10th and will conclude on October 15th. The training is held during the day from 9 am to 4 pm. The Master Gardener program is a volunteer program in which K-State Research and Extension “trades” classroom training for volunteer time.
Master Gardener training consists of 40 to 50 hours of instruction in all aspects of horticulture.
Instructors include state specialists from Kansas State University, local extension agents and local experts. After training is completed, volunteers donate an equivalent number of hours of service as was received in instruction.
Topics that will be covered in the training include:
Plant Growth & Development
Soils, Water and Fertilizer
Vegetable Gardening
Insect Diagnosis & Management
Fruit Gardening
Annuals & Perennials
Woody and Grassy Ornamentals
Turfgrass
Landscape Maintenance
Plant Disease Diagnosis & Management
Pesticide Use and Safety
Although the Master Gardener program is a volunteer activity, there are some requirements that must be met prior to the selection process. Each individual wishing to participate in the Master Gardener training must meet the following requirements:
You need to be available for about 40 hours of community horticulture service during the first year. The number of hours to be donated is equal to the number of hours of training received.
You must have at least a High School Diploma or the equivalent.
You must be willing to travel to the training site for all classes.
Enjoy sharing your love of gardening with others through various Extension Master Gardener projects.
The Southwind Extension District currently has an active Master Gardener program consisting of 25 individuals. The Master Gardeners have completed volunteer projects such as demonstration flower beds, vegetable research trials and various other projects in Erie, Chanute, Iola, Humboldt, Moran and Fort Scott. In addition, educational tours and activities are also planned.
Applications are available now and are due to the Southwind Extension District by August 27th. Applications can be picked up at any of our four Extension office locations, e-mailed or mailed to you. The fee for the course is $85 which covers the cost of the Master Gardener resource notebook. For more information about the Master Gardener training, please contact the Extension office.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural 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.
K-State Extension Agent Joy Miller speaks to the attendees of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning during their weekly coffee in the Open Class Myers Building. She summed up the fair for fair youth: hard work and determination.
Thursday at the Bourbon County Fair started with the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee and the Open Class Swine Contest. The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office served lunch at the Chuck Wagon eatery at the fair and in the evening was the 4-H Fashion Revue at Fort Scott Community College. There was a corn hole contest fundraiser presented by the Uniontown FFA in the arena.
Friday at the fair includes the livestock judging contest, viewing of open class exhibits, the 4-H Barnyard Olympics, the Buyer’s Appreciation Supper and the Junior Livestock Sale.
Saturday is checking out exhibits and clean-up. There will be a Missouri State Tractor Pullers Contest at the grandstand in the evening.
The Youth Conservation Corp from the Fort Scott National Historic Site were first-time visitors to the Chamber Coffee. They announced Family Day this Saturday at the Fort. Cooking, gardening, and small arms demonstrations will be in the morning session. Crafts and games will be in the afternoon session. Check out what this group planned as part of their duties at the Fort: For Families: Art Show July 28; Scavenger Hunt August 4 at The Fort
From left: Reaghn Dowell, Kaden Primm, Jesseden Kiwan and Anthea Montojo, all of Fort Scott High School, comprise the YCC.
The following are the entries that won Grand Champion in the Open Class Department, housed in the Myers Building.
The Swine Contest was held in the arena.
A crowd filled the bleachers to watch swine and their owners in the FFA, 4-H and Open Class contests.Blaine Pitts is the Duroc Swine Grand Champion.
Jennifer Terrell, District Extension Agent 4-H Youth Development Southwind District – Erie Office, 620-244-3826.
County fairs are an integral part of life in rural America.
Bourbon County is no different.
Today, Saturday July 14 at 9 a.m. the Bourbon County Fair begins with the dog show at the fairgrounds on South Horton Street, across from Fort Scott Community College.
” In Bourbon County, the opportunities in 4-H are truly infinite,” Jennifer Terrell, K-State District 4-H Youth Development Agent, said. “Youth ages 7-18 are eligible to participate as full-fledged 4-H members. For those youth ages 5 and 6, there is a Cloverbud Program. Beyond being a member of the monthly community club, youth are encouraged to attend projects meetings, 4-H Camp, 4-H Days, the County Fair, and other State 4-H Events.”
The county fair is a good way to see the youth in our community put forth effort on projects and a good way to see if it is a fit for your family.
Today, July 14, the dog show was held at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
” At the Bourbon County Fair, 4-H members pre-enter to exhibit in the 4-H Division and other youth may participate in Open Class,” Terrell said. “Families considering being involved in 4-H are encouraged to visit the county fair to view all of the hard work.”
The following is a press release from Terrell and the poster of the events of the fair:
“It is county fair time across the State of Kansas! While you may attend the fair as a form of entertainment, 4-H’ers and their families know this is time to display the hard work put into their year-long project learning in the 4-H Program.
While visiting the county fair, it is hard to miss the different colored ribbons or stickers placed on the exhibits.
Have you ever wondered why there are different colors and how that came about? Well, I am going to share with you the judging process.
In 4-H most judging involves the Danish System of judging. In this system, the judges do not judge one person’s work by comparing it to another’s. The evaluation is made against a standard.
A judge looks to see whether requirements are met. Exhibits are placed into four ribbon groups.
The best ribbon placing is purple which means the project is outstanding on all standards.
Blue means it exceeds the minimum standard and may have minor flaws where improvements can be made.
The ribbon placing that meets all minimum standards and may show visible signs of needed improvements is red.
And projects failing to meet minimum standards receive a white.
One advantage of this system is that everyone whose work fulfills minimum qualifications can receive a ribbon. If all entries are judged to be excellent, all receive blue ribbons.
The purpose of using the Danish System is to give every 4-H member the recognition deserved for the work that was done. It also helps young people recognize the need to improve their skills and to “make the best better.”
So, how did that ribbon placing come about you might be asking?
You should know that having one’s accomplishments evaluated can be motivating and educational for 4-H’ers.
When judges critique their work or performance, it serves as a guide to further improvement. The judging process is probably more valuable than the award or recognition. To plan, practice, and present a finished product is to “learn by doing.” To graciously accept constructive criticism of one’s work is a real life experience. 4-H’ers learn quickly that judging results reflect a personal opinion, and that evaluation will vary among judges.
There are three different types of evaluation in 4-H.
The first is conference or interview. This is where the judge will interview the participant as he/she evaluates the product against a set of standards. The purpose of this is to determine what the 4-H’er learned in completing the project. Comments are provided verbally mostly, but can also be found written on a score sheet.
Another way 4-H’ers are evaluated with their projects is performance judging. The judge evaluates how a 4-H’er accomplishes a task or a goal in progress. The judge looks for skills being used, as well as evaluating the end result. This type of event enables the 4-H’er and the judge to see how the performance directly effects the end product. Comments are often provided verbally and also in writing on a score sheet.
And the final type of evaluation is project judging. The judge evaluates the finished products against a set of standards without the member present. The focus is the quality of the project itself and not the learning process. Comments are provided to the participant in writing, usually on a score sheet.
As you have read, there is a lot to know and understand with the judging process of projects in 4-H. It is not something taken lightly.
I encourage you to visit your local county fair this year to view all of the exhibits and pay close attention to those 4-H exhibits. And maybe for fun evaluate the exhibits and see what placings you would give.
For more information on 4-H Youth Development, give me a call at 620-244-3826 or email at [email protected].”
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]
According to the University of Nebraska Extension Professor Bruce Anderson, while it may be uncomfortable [outside] for you and me, it is particularly hard on livestock out on pasture. To help them survive, much less thrive, under these conditions, they need plenty of good, clean water.
Not only do they need plenty of good, clean water – they need it close by. Once upon a time, it was common to make cattle walk a mile or more to water. And they’d do it.
But just think how hard it is on animals in this heat and humidity. Once they get to the water, the last thing they want to do is turn around and go all the way back to where they came from to graze. As a result, they do little grazing more than a half mile away from water.
In fact, research shows that when cattle need to travel more than 1000 feet to water, they spend less time grazing, they burn off pounds walking, and they graze distant areas incompletely.
So, how can you improve your water and grazing distribution?
More ponds, wells, windmills, and dugouts will help, but they can get expensive. Plus, they can only be placed in certain locations and can’t be moved.
So maybe a pipeline would be better. They can be put almost anywhere. And if you want to add more water locations, pipelines can be tapped into anywhere along the line. You might even qualify for cost-share dollars to help pay for the installation. Check with your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more information. You also can leave your pipe on top of the ground, saving trenching costs, if you only need water during the growing season. Over time, water improvements pay for themselves with better grass and improved animal performance.
Contact your local Southwind Extension District office in Fort Scott, Erie, Iola, or Yates Center for more details. I am happy to visit with you about your livestock watering systems, and am available via e-mail at [email protected], by telephone at 620-223-3720, or for on-site farm visits.
Submitted by: Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District, Director & Agent
With the addition of Woodson County to the Southwind District, July 1, 2018, marks an important mark in time for K-State Research and Extension. The extension districting model has been in place in Kansas since 1994 when Lincoln and Mitchell Counties formed the Post Rock District, and currently contains 50 counties in 17 Districts across the State.
Increased efficiency and effectiveness were major forces when the 1991 Kansas Legislature passed the Extension District Act. The merger of county extension councils can result in increased efficiency of resources and greater effectiveness of personnel through specialization, resulting in higher quality educational programming for Kansas citizens.
Locally, the Southwind District was formed in 2010 with Allen and Neosho Counties, Bourbon County was added in 2011, and Woodson County joined our family this week. Prior to districting, all extension units operated within their own counties, most commonly with two agents in each office to represent agriculture and family & consumer sciences with shared responsibility for 4-H.
In our Southwind district model, each local office houses two agents, but job responsibilities are more focused for better specialization and agents travel throughout the district to meet the needs of local residents.
In my opinion, the district model creates an environment of teamwork and synergy that we never had as an isolated county office. Extension staff is supervised and report to the District Board, which consists of four residents from each county who are elected in the general election of odd-numbered years.
Woodson County representatives were appointed by the County Commissioners for their first term.
As District Director, I am responsible for working with our finance committee to complete the annual budget, working with the personnel committee to set goals and conduct performance reviews, and the marketing committee promotes the district through various media avenues.
We remain strongly connected to Kansas State University as it relates to funding, staffing, personnel, educational requirements, and the organizational structure of extension councils and districts. An operational agreement and memorandum of understanding were developed with the district and Kansas State University.
With the addition of Woodson County, there is a new level of energy and excitement across our staff and offices. We have high expectations for expanded opportunities for all of our programs, and we look forward to including Woodson County for years to come.
If you haven’t already, please find more information about Southwind District on our website, www.southwind.ksu.edu or our Facebook page: Southwind Extension District. Folks are welcome to contact me anytime [email protected] or 620-365-2242.
Kansas State University Southwind Extension District Agents hosted an Open House in Yates Center on Thursday, June 28 as Woodson County joins Allen, Bourbon and Neosho Counties in the Extension District.
Agents pictured include Joy Miller, Krista Harding, Carla Nemecek, Christopher Petty, Jennifer Terrell, Dale Lanham, Barbara Stockebrand and Kathy McEwan.
