Uniontown 4-H members attend church at First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown in celebration of National 4-H Week. From L to R: Calvin Walker, Austin Maycumber, Tucker Sutton, Will Maycumber, Mackinlee Bloesser, member guest, Hailey Shadden, Kendyl Bloesser, Marley Sutton, McKinley Sutton, Seth Shadden
Submitted by Marley Sutton, Uniontown 4-H Club Reporter
The Uniontown 4-H club has been busy this past month. The first week of October was National 4-H week. Club members promoted 4-H by making and hanging posters at West Bourbon Elementary in Uniontown. Members also wore 4-H shirts to school that week to promote the youth organization.
On October 13th Uniontown 4-H attended church together at First Missionary Baptist church in Uniontown. Following the service, the club held their monthly meeting at Uniontown City Hall. Everyone enjoyed a pizza party in celebration of National 4-H week before the meeting.
The newly elected club officers attended the Southwind District 4-H officer training in Moran on October 27th. The new officers are: Bareigh Farrell (President), Seth Shadden (Vice President), Kendyl Bloesser (Secretary), Hailey Shadden (Treasurer), Marley Sutton (Reporter), Ausin Maycumber (Historian), MacKinlee Bloesser (Parliamentarian), McKinley Sutton (Recreation Leader), Will Maycumber (Song Leader), and Bareigh Farrell, MacKinlee Bloesser, and Austin Maycumber (4-H Council Representatives).
From left to right: Brody Nemecek, Clay Brillhart, Jillian Keller, Haydon Schaaf, Carla Nemecek (coach)
The Southwind Extension District 4-H Livestock Judging Team of Jillian Keller (Piqua), Brody Nemecek (Iola), Haydon Schaaf (Uniontown), and Clay Brillhart (Fort Scott) participated at the American Royal Livestock Show last week in Kansas City, MO.
By a large margin of 30 points, Southwind District was named Champion 4-H Team. They were selected as the only team to represent Kansas 4-H because they were the State Champion 4-H Livestock Judging Team in August 2019.
With 19 different state teams and 70 youth in the contest, this group continues to work hard to earn national recognition.
In addition to being the High Team Overall, they were also 1st in Reasons, 3rd in Sheep/Goats, 2nd in Swine and 2nd in Cattle.
Individual results include: Jillian Keller – 2nd High Individual Overall, 1st in Cattle, 9th in Swine and 10th in Reasons;
Haydon Schaaf – 4th Individual Overall, 3rd in Reasons, 7th in Sheep/Goats, 8th in Swine;
Brody Nemecek – 2nd in Swine and tied for 10th Individual Overall;
Clay Brillhart, 4th in Sheep/Goats and 7th in Swine.
The team continues to be coached by Carla Nemecek, Southwind District Director.
Carla Nemecek is Kansas State University Southwind District Director and agent.
As we approach election day, it is important to evaluate each candidate and make your own decision as to who will be an effective leader while representing the wants and needs of local constituents.
At the same time, just because you may not be running for a political office, doesn’t mean that your personal leadership skills could not be valuable to local organizations or service groups, and maybe this time of year sparks an interest is serving in your community.
The goal of the effective leader is to have leadership flexibility — and a good leader knows how to involve people by structuring their ideas toward task accomplishment. An effective leader must also be adept at assessing the situation and choosing the most appropriate leadership role.
A leader who learns how to involve other people, listens to their ideas, and learns how structuring ideas will lead to a common goal has learned the advantages and the skills of being a flexible activator.
Rigid, passive, or unstructured leadership results in organizational problems. The leader who knows when to involve, when to abdicate, and when to control is able to “read” a leadership situation and is able to meet its particular needs.
These are skills that so many of our elected officials often overlook as they are going through the campaign season.
With a focus on flexibility, those with excellent leadership skills can structure behavior to serve effectively in any organization — knowing when to control to get something quickly done, when to relieve tension, how to bargain, and how to avoid making a decision when it would be more profitable for the group to make it.
Strong leaders know how to change their leadership roles to fit the situation and personalities they are working with — and above all, knows how to involve the whole group in decision-making to create a productive, cooperating team.
Flexibility and the ability to be creative are skills that are often overlooked in a good leader.
Not everyone needs to be in charge of the group or be the person to call the meeting to order. In contrast, those with unique abilities to bring people together and work toward a common goal can be most effective in the right group. This group of talented individuals are best known for their informal leadership and can often be incredibly valuable to the organization.
Leadership is loosely defined as the process of people working together to achieve mutual purposes. You have the ability to be a leader, and it is simple – set a good example for your children and your community – vote on November 5th.
Submitted by
Carla Nemecek
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent [email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749
Urban Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Set for October 30
Most wild animals mind their own business and never create problems for people. But sometimes animals do become a nuisance, destructive or menacing, especially when we encroach into their habitat.
Learn about wildlife damage control with Charlie Lee, K-State Extension Wildlife Specialist, on Wednesday, October 30, at 6:00 pm at the Chanute Auditorium Alliance room.
K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District is sponsoring this event, and it is free to attend.
Please call the Erie office to RSVP – 620-244-3826.
Strengthening communities: Grant writing workshop planned for November 8
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 Fort Scott, KS in November. 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 held November 8, 2019 at the River Room Event Center, 3 West Oak Street in Fort Scott, KS from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and includes lunch. The cost to attend is $10.
Deadline to register is Nov. 1.
“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].
Krista Harding District Extension Agent, Horticulture Southwind Extension District 111 S. Butler Erie, KS 66733 Office: 620-244-3826 Cell: 620-496-8786
Fall and spring are my favorite seasons. Finally, some cooler temperatures have arrived and it is actually feeling more like fall! I encourage you to get outside and enjoy the fall season. It is the perfect time to do some tasks around your landscape that will help next spring.
First, let’s talk lawn weeds. I know, they are probably the last thing on your mind since we are winding down the mowing season. Believe it or not, it is the ideal time to tackle those weeds. Not next spring when you fire the mower up again!
Cool season broadleaf weeds such as henbit, dandelions and chick weed all germinate in the cool moist periods of September and October. They overwinter as small plants, barely visible unless you get down close to the ground to look. Once warm weather arrives in the spring, the plants grow rapidly and flower.
Fall control is ideal for these cool season broadleaf weeds. The weeds are storing food in their roots and will send a leaf applied herbicide to their roots as well. The herbicides will translocate to the roots and will kill the plants from the roots up. These plants are also small and easily controlled right now.
There are several products on the market that are effective on these fall germinating weeds. Herbicides such as 2,4-D or combination products that contain 2,4-D, MCCP and Dicamba, sold under the trade names of Trimec, Weed-B-Gon, or Weed-Out, can be used. A product called Weed Free Zone is also an option. It contains the three active ingredients mentioned above plus carfentrazone.
Newly planted lawns should not be treated with any herbicide until the new grass seedlings have been mowed two or three times depending on the product. Read and follow the label directions closely.
Next, let’s talk flower bulbs. Bulbs are a good addition to any landscape or garden because they offer a variety of bloom color, flowering time, plant height, and shape. Now is the time to get those bulbs in the ground!
Bulbs can be planted in a variety of locations including around house foundations, under deciduous shrubs and trees, along borders, in perennial beds, and rock gardens. You can also plant them in containers and even on steep slopes.
When planted along a foundation, bulbs will add color in the early spring if planted in a grouping of twelve or more bulbs. If you have evergreen shrubs planted along a foundation, they will provide a nice background for planting of bulbs. Bulbs will “pop” with color in contrast to the green of the shrubs.
A border of bulbs planted along the edge of the lawn will add a splash of color to the lawn area. Or consider planting low growing bulbs around the edge of a flower bed to add interest. You can add them directly into a perennial bed. The bulbs will bloom in March, April and May before perennials start to grow. Make sure to locate the bulbs so the dying foliage will not be noticed.
Both spring and summer bulbs can be planted in portable containers. The nice thing about container plantings is their versatility. For spring bulbs, once bloom is past, the container can be moved to a location out of sight while the foliage matures. Summer bulbs will add color all summer long to areas such as a patio or deck.
Keep in mind that planting bulbs of one variety or color in mass will have greater visual impact. This will provide uniform color and texture that is pleasing to the eye. With bulbs such as tulips or daffodils, plant at least twelve bulbs of one variety in a grouping. Smaller bulbs should be planted in groups of fifty to have visual impact.
Take action now to have a beautiful, weed-free, colorful lawn next spring!
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 Southwind District , Joy Miller 620-223-3720 or [email protected]
MyMedicare.gov program is starting this fall to help Medicare beneficiaries manage personal Medicare benefits and service information. Registering with MyMedicare.gov gives you access to your personalized information at any time. Registering lets you:
Check your Medicare information, such as your Medicare claims as soon as they are processed and important Medicare-related information specific to you.
Find your eligibility, entitlement, and preventive service information.
Check your health and prescription drug enrollment information.
View your Part B deductible information.
Manage your prescription drug list and other personal health information.
Print an official Medicare card.
Create an “On the Go Report” that allows you to print your health information to share with your healthcare providers.
Medicare uses the same information that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has on file for you (or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) if you get RRB benefits) to verify your information and set up your online account. To register online, you’ll:
Enter your Medicare number (as it appears on your red, white, and blue Medicare card).
Register with the same address that the SSA or RRB has on file for you. During Registration, you will be asked you to validate your address. This is an important step to protect your personal information, because Medicare may send you mail at this address that contains important personal account information.
Create a username and password that you can remember and use to sign into MyMedicare.gov each time you visit.
Provide information to reset your username or password if you forget it in the future.
Medicare will mail you a confirmation letter and send a confirmation email if you provided one during registration.
The security provided by MyMedicare.gov prevents others from illegally gathering data from or about you, keeping your personal information safe. Your MyMedicare.gov account may only be accessed by signing in with your own username and personalized password. You or your appointed Authorized Representative are the only people who should have this information.
Remember, you play an important role in protecting your personal information (including your Social Security number) from unlawful access. Always log out of your MyMedicare.gov account after you are finished with your session. Do not share your login information with anyone. Keep your username and password stored in a safe place.
Annual Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15th– December 7th, make an appointment with a Senior Health Insurance Counselor for Kansans (SHICK) for assistance in setting up your MyMedicare.gov account when reviewing Part D prescription and Advantage Plan options for 2020. If you have questions or would like to make an appointment at one of the Southwind Extension District offices (Fort Scott, Erie, Iola, and Yates Center), contact me at 620-223-3720 or [email protected].
National 4-H week is just around the corner, October 6-12, 2019 and you will have an extra opportunity to learn about 4-H through various media – including radio, newspaper and social media. Once you have been exposed to 4-H in the Southwind District, your family will likely be wanting more information on how or where to join. In Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties, there are a total of 21 4-H clubs to choose from! Usually these clubs meet once a month to plan activities and practice parliamentary procedure….but mostly they come together to have FUN!
Kansas 4-H is open to youth between the ages of 7 and 19. The new 4-H year starts in October, so many prefer to join 4-H during this month. To be eligible to exhibit at the County Fair, members must be enrolled by January 1 to get the full 4-H experience. 4-H enrollment, however, is open year round, so youth can join any time and take part in any non-competitive 4-H activity.
So often, community leaders and other volunteers hear from families that they don’t have the “time” to commit to 4-H. This can be a hard statement to swallow when 4-H can have such an impact on all kids of all ages from all backgrounds of life. Families can put in as little or as much time as they have available, and there are no set requirements kids have to meet to be a part of 4-H. Record books are not a requirement, but an option. They are done differently today than most parents remember and can be a great resource tool for High School seniors who then go on to apply for college scholarships.
4-H teaches skills that last a lifetime, and leadership is at the forefront. Other life skills include – a positive self-concept, an inquiring mind, concern for the community, healthy interpersonal relationships, and sound decision making. 4-H is more than a single game or activity. Your kids will learn to speak in front of a group, handle responsibility, help their community, try new things, work with others and make good decisions.
In this busy world, schedules often send family members in a variety of directions. 4-H can bring families together. 4-H families learn together. They plan meetings, events, projects and activities together. Family members help out as club leaders, project leaders, meeting helpers, transportation aides and in a variety of other ways. Parental involvement can help ensure the best learning experience for your child. Club participation, projects and friendships with other members become memorable parts of the 4-H Program. Equally important are the skills that last a lifetime. Successful adults often credit their experiences in 4-H as turning points in their lives. They credit planning, organization and public speaking skills as essential to their success.
As part of the 4-H experience, youth are encouraged to learn about and contribute to the betterment of their communities. 4-H also utilizes a variety of community resources to enhance the educational experience of members. Those resources may include meeting places, guest speakers, volunteers and field trips.
In 4-H, youth “learn by doing.” Much of that learning happens through project experiences. From beef to bicycles…electricity to entomology…forestry to food science…photography to plant science…rabbits to rockets…Kansas 4-H offers 32 project areas designed to develop the wide range of interests that appeal to today’s young people. In addition to subject-matter skills, many young people develop interests that last a lifetime.
If 4-H is something you or members of your family have been interested in, but have had reservations, give us a call at the Extension Office and we would be happy to talk to you or answer any questions you might have. Find any of the Southwind District Offices at www.southwind.ksu.edu
Carla Nemecek
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent [email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749
Krista Harding District Extension Agent, Horticulture Southwind Extension District 111 S. Butler Erie, KS 66733 Office: 620-244-3826 Cell: 620-496-8786
Above normal rainfall this year meant one thing – the lawn mowers have never stopped running! Our fescue lawns did not go dormant this year and the crabgrass hasn’t slowed 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 to insure 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.
Upcoming grazing school to be held in Bourbon County – Stay tuned for more details
Southeast Kansas is rich with grasslands. These grasslands are ideal for grazing cattle. To learn more about cattle grazing, specifically in southeast Kansas, plan to attend a one-day grazing school held in Bourbon County, Kansas on Saturday, September 28, 2019.
This program is hosted by the Southwind Extension District, the Wildcat Extension District and Cherokee County Extension, and will feature classroom instruction and ranch tours. More details are forthcoming, but tentatively scheduled activities include classroom sessions on pasture fertility, extending the grazing season with alternative forage crops, and the economics of grazing.
Tentatively scheduled tours include a progressive operation near Fort Scott, Kansas which specializes in advanced breeding techniques, and an operation near Redfield, Kansas utilizing rotational grazing and improved livestock watering systems.
This program will run from approximately 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Specific details including location, meal, and registration fees will be available at your local extension offices within the next couple weeks.
For questions contact K-State Research and Extension -Southwind District Extension Agent for Livestock Production and Forage Management, Christopher Petty at 620-223-3720 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Thirteen 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 (District Director & Coach), Taylor Elsworth, Leah Mueller, Gwen Fry, Kristy Beene, Carly Dreher, Brody Nemecek, Jillian Keller, Clay Brillhart, Haydon Schaaf, Haleigh O’Brien, Trey Sommer, Sadie Marchiano and Aidan Yoho. ________________________________________________________________
4-H members from the Southwind Extension District excelled at the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes event on August 24-25 in Kansas State University’s Weber Hall. The Southwind District is especially proud that 4-H members represented 4-H Clubs from Allen, Bourbon Neosho and Woodson Counties.
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 2019 Champion and 3rd Overall Kansas State 4-H Sweepstakes Teams. Top ten individual Sweepstakes winners for Southwind were Jillian Keller, 10th; Aidan Yoho, 7th; Sadie Marchiao, 5th; Clay Brillhart, 3rd; Brody Nemecek, 2nd; and Haydon Schaaf was named High Individual Overall (for the second consecutive year!) 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. Southwind #2 (Schaaf, Nemecek, Brillhart, Yoho) was seated first after the test and was later named the Reserve Champion Quiz Bowl Team. Southwind #1 (Marchiano, Keller, Dreher, Fry) earned 3rd best team.
The Livestock Judging contest consisted of nine judging classes and four sets of reasons with 201 contestants and 43 teams from across Kansas. Southwind #2 (Keller, Brillhart, Nemecek, Schaaf) was 1st in Sheep/Goats; 1st in Hogs; 1st in Cattle and 1st in Reasons and named Champion Team Overall. Southwind #1 (Dreher, Marchiano, Fry, Yoho) was 2nd in Sheep/Goats; 3rd in Hogs; 10th in Cattle; 4th in Reasons and named Fourth High Team Overall. Individual livestock judging results are as follows:
As the State Champion Livestock Judging Team, Southwind District (Keller, Brillhart, Schaaf, Nemecek) will represent Kansas 4-H at the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, MO this coming October.
The Meats Judging contest was based on identification of thirty retail cuts, six placings classes and three sets of reasons. Southwind #2 (Schaaf, Brillhart, Nemecek, Yoho) was 3rd in Placings, 5th in Reasons, 2nd in Retail ID and Champion Team Overall. Southwind #1 (Beene, Fry, Keller, Marchiano) was 2nd in Meats Reasons. Individual meats judging results are as follows:
Haydon Schaaf – High Individual Retail ID and High Individual Overall
Jillian Keller – 2nd Reasons
Clay Brillhart – 7th Individual Overall
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 evaluating a performance Angus genetics scenario, understanding livestock biosecurity, and understanding issues in livestock reproduction. Southwind #2 (Brillhart, Marchiano, Nemecek, Schaaf) was 1st in Exam, 1st in ID; and Champion Team Overall. Southwind #1 (Dreher, Fry, Keller, Yoho) was 4th in ID and 4th Team Overall. Southwind #3 (Beene, Mueller, O’Brien, Elsworth) were 5th in the Exam. Individual Skillathon results are as follows:
Brody Nemecek – 2nd Exam; 1st ID; High Individual Overall
Sadie Marchiano – 5th ID; 4th Individual
Haleigh O’Brien – 1st Exam
Aidan Yoho – 8th Individual
Haydon Schaaf – 6th Individual
Clay Brillhart – 5th Individual
This group worked hard and studied a great deal of material to prepare for four state contests. To be named the Champion Livestock and Meats Judging Teams, Reserve Champion Quiz Bowl Team, Champion Livestock Skillathon 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.
K-State, CountyExtension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Submitted by Carla Nemecek
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent [email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749
