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.

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/

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.

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.

K-State Research and Extension has teamed with NDSU’s Brotherson to share resources linked to farm stress management including a tip sheet. In addition, K-State programs such as the Farm Analyst program, Kansas Agricultural Mediation Service and Kansas Farm Management Association are available to work with rural enterprises.

Contact the Southwind Extension District at 620-365-2242 for more information. Your health matters too us.

Carla Nemecek
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent
[email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749

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].

A desirable soil is the most important aspect of a garden. Time spent fertilizing, watering and tending to plants is necessary, but this time is almost a waste if the soil you’re working with is not in good condition. Fall is an excellent time to step back and analyze how well your garden performed during the summer, and to make improvements to the soil.

Soil is formed when rock is broken down by climate and vegetation over a period of time. Soil is nothing more than weathered rock fragments and decaying remains of plants and animals.

Most soils have three distinct layers – surface, subsoil and bottom. The surface layer is a coarse layer containing more organic matter than the other soil layers and the layer that people pay the greatest attention to. This layer is the most fertile and has the greatest concentration of plant roots. Plants obtain much of their nutrients and water from the surface soil.

The subsoil layer is finer and firmer than the surface soil and serves as support for the surface layer. The subsoil layer is a storage space for water and nutrients for plants, a temperature regulator of the soil and supplies air for the roots of plants. The bottom layer is decomposed rock. It is not hard like rock, but may show the form or structure of the original rocks.

Soil texture refers to the proportional amount of sand, silt and clay in a soil. Texture and soil structure affect the moisture holding capacity of soil, permeability, capacity to hold and furnish nutrients, tillage operations and erosion.

Our soils in the southeastern part of Kansas have a high clay content to it. The clay in the soil is what makes the soil stick to your shoes when the soil is wet. Many refer to our soil as “gumbo.”

One way to address a heavy clay soil and to improve the soil texture is to add organic matter. Organic matter includes such items as manure, leaves, and grass clippings that have been composted. Earthworms, insects, bacteria and fungi use the organic matter as food, breaking it down into humus. Through this process, materials are made available for use by growing plants. In a heavy clay soil, the organic matter allows water to move more freely and loosens the tight clay, which makes the soil easier to work.

Organic material can be directly applied to gardens and flowerbeds this time of year and allowed to compost directly in the soil. Add two to four inches of organic material and till into the soil. If the soil is dry, apply water to begin the decomposition process. After about two weeks you can repeat the process with another application of organic material. The organic material will decompose over the winter and soil will be ready for spring planting.

Sand is sometimes suggested as an amendment material for clay soils. However, there is a good reason to be cautious about using sand. For sand to be effective at breaking up a clay soil, sand grains must touch one another so there is pore space between grains that can hold air and water. If the grains don’t touch, the clay fills in the void between sand particles leaving no room for pores. This is the same principle used to make concrete and the result is somewhat the same.

Before doing any amendments to the soil, I recommend doing a soil test. Soil testing can be done through the Extension office for $12. For more information on how to take a soil sample, please give me a call.

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

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment, What Should You Do?

Medicare Part D (prescription) annual open enrollment is around the corner.

This nationwide enrollment period runs from October 15 thru December 7.

In the state of Kansas, ten companies provide Medicare Part D totaling 26 different plans to choose from in 2019. Monthly premiums range from $16.20 to $99.50 a month. The deductible upper limit is $415 but ranges from $0-$415.

If you are a Medicare beneficiary enrolled in a Part D prescription plan, you may have already received your Annual Notice of Change for your plan in the mail. The notice will include information regarding any changes to your current plan such as monthly premium, deductible, and coverage of your medications. These notices may not include everything you need to know such as a change in medication formulary or change of in-network pharmacies. Carefully review them. If you do nothing, you will continue in your current plan.

Each year insurance companies providing Part D plans make adjustments regarding monthly premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance and copayments.

Often people are happy with their current plan and can afford the increases, but there may be an opportunity to save money. For many years, probably since 2006 when Part D plans started, Humana Walmart RX has been the lowest premium plan.

It is great for those who do not take any prescription medications but enrolled to have coverage and avoid a penalty in the future.

Two new plans are being offered in 2019 with even lower premiums than Humana. The difference is $90, something beneficiaries may not know if they don’t evaluate all the plans each year.

Having a plan comparison completed will let you know what to expect financially for the upcoming year and make sure your 4 C’s are covered.

The 4 C’s to review in coverage are:

• Cost. How much have you spent on premiums, deductibles, and copayments this year? How will these amounts change next year?
• Coverage. Does your plan cover all of the medications you believe you will need next year? Do you want to get your health care and drug coverage through one single plan? If so, you should review your Medicare Advantage options.
• Convenience. To what extent will your plan restrict access to certain medications you need, such as through prior authorization or quantity limits? Can you use the plan at the pharmacy of your choice? Can you get your prescriptions through the mail if you prefer to?
• Customer service. Is your plan responsive when you have a question? Does it have a high-quality rating as displayed in the Medicare Plan Finder?

The Southwind Extension District provides free, unbiased, confidential assistance by a Certified SHICK Counselor to help you compare all 26 plans, providing you an estimate of your prescription costs for the upcoming year.

Last year 50% of the beneficiaries I assisted who were new to Medicare or enrolled in a new plan saved over $440,000 dollars.

It is also an opportunity if you have questions about how Medicare works, advantage plans (Part C), or supplement insurance plans.

Those new to Medicare or have questions about Medicare coverage may call the Extension office to discuss Medicare any time during the year. I can also assist you in understanding how Medicare does or does not work with employer insurance or Marketplace health insurance plans.

Evaluation of income and resources are also available to determine eligibility financial assistance programs such as Extra Help and Medicare Savings Program.

For an appointment, call me at 620-223-3720 or email: [email protected]. In person appointments will be scheduled at our Extension offices located in Erie, Iola, Fort Scott, and Yates Center.

4-H Poultry Project

The poultry project is designed to help you learn about chickens and other poultry. You will acquire an understanding of scientific poultry management and marketing practices. You will gain business experience and insight into the values and principles of purchasing, marketing, record keeping and exhibiting poultry.

There is 4-H Curriculum that can be purchased for anyone interested in the Poultry project. Here is a breakdown of what youth can learn at different ages/stages:

Ages 7-9:

• Learn poultry breeds and body parts

• Learn how to care for and handle your birds

• Practice showmanship techniques

Ages 10-13:

• Learn how eggs are formed

• Select and judge broilers

• Make an egg candler

• Learn about pecking orders

Ages 14 and Older:

• Lead younger members in egg experiments

• Learn how to process chickens for food

• Learn about biotechnology and poultry careers

In addition to the curriculum, youth are also offered the opportunity to attend project meetings held by volunteers. Each year, youth are able to demonstrate the hard work that has been spent by participating locally at the county fair, area spring shows, and depending on age and placing, the Kansas State Fair.

The poultry project is a great opportunity for youth to learn important life skills. For more information about this project, contact Jennifer K. Terrell, 4-H Youth Development for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.