I’ve heard some folks refer to cattle as hamburger on the hoof. With this reference in mind, the past few weeks had me salivating to think of potential, luscious jellies still on the bush. Yes, each of those fragrant bee-attracting blooms is a bit of jelly on the plant, and I can’t wait to harvest the fruits and heat up the kitchen.

This year’s currant bushes sport fragrant yellow blooms that promise tasty toast toppings, while hundreds of chokecherry bushes blossom out, hinting of savory, rose-red bliss. Unfortunately, some sand hill plums flowered so early that frost nipped blooms. Despite potential damage, I hope to harvest some for the jelly pot.

I’ve kept an eye on the wild grape vines nearby, but I can’t tell whether to develop a hankering for wild grape jelly or not. Grapes are difficult to predict because the plant can set little clusters, but dry conditions can shrivel them before they ever make actual fruit. Complicating matters, birds love wild grapes so it’s a contest to see whether I can pluck these from the vine before my feathered neighbors eat them first.

Years ago, our country currants produced in overdrive, but our free-range chickens dashed hopes of beating them to the harvest. I’d eyeball the deepening color of the round fruits each day, and by the time they reached picking perfection, 30+ walking egg factories gobbled til the little stems hung bare. I felt fortunate to toss a few in salads by the time the chickens finished their dinners. This year, our chickens live a confined life and we have to ask permission to pick wild currants. Based on the bloom, perhaps I’ll collect enough for jelly making.

Because a combination of an early bloom and a late frost wiped out most hopes of summer jelly making last summer, I’ve watched this year’s plants with an eagle eye. Barring insect or hail damage, this year’s jelly making prospects look good.

Currently, no pun intended, scores of empty jelly jars occupy a basement corner. Each empty vessel testifies to my failure to harvest a single chokecherry or sand hill plum over past summers. If there were wild grapes, I never found enough to amount to a pot of simmering purple brew.

This summer’s goal is to harvest bowls of currants, buckets of chokecherries and hopefully grapes, with a pan of sand hill plums added as each fruit ripens. I’ll simmer these in a kettle on the stove to create a little magic with simple ingredients such as Sure Gel and sugar added to fruit juices. Once the cooked mixture drips ever so slowly off a mixing spoon, I’ll pour the ambrosia into empty fruit jars, seal them, and let them jell. For dramatic effect, I’ll stack the results in front of my kitchen window and let the rising sun shine through until it looks like stained glass.

Once I savor those pretty colors, I’ll share with family and friends throughout the winter as reminders of summer on toast and biscuits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714675862915.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINI’ve heard some folks refer to cattle as hamburger on the hoof. With this reference in mind, the past few weeks had me salivating to think of potential, luscious jellies still on the bush. Yes, each of those fragrant bee-attracting blooms is a bit of jelly on the plant, and I can’t wait to harvest the fruits and heat up the kitchen.This year’s currant bushes sport fragrant yellow blooms that promise tasty toast toppings, while hundreds of chokecherry bushes blossom out, hinting of savory, rose-red bliss. Unfortunately, some sand hill plums flowered so early that frost nipped blooms. Despite potential damage, I hope to harvest some for the jelly pot.I’ve kept an eye on the wild grape vines nearby, but I can’t tell whether to develop a hankering for wild grape jelly or not. Grapes are difficult to predict because the plant can set little clusters, but dry conditions can shrivel them before they ever make actual fruit. Complicating matters, birds love wild grapes so it’s a contest to see whether I can pluck these from the vine before my feathered neighbors eat them first.Years ago, our country currants produced in overdrive, but our free-range chickens dashed hopes of beating them to the harvest. I’d eyeball the deepening color of the round fruits each day, and by the time they reached picking perfection, 30+ walking egg factories gobbled til the little stems hung bare. I felt fortunate to toss a few in salads by the time the chickens finished their dinners. This year, our chickens live a confined life and we have to ask permission to pick wild currants. Based on the bloom, perhaps I’ll collect enough for jelly making.Because a combination of an early bloom and a late frost wiped out most hopes of summer jelly making last summer, I’ve watched this year’s plants with an eagle eye. Barring insect or hail damage, this year’s jelly making prospects look good.Currently, no pun intended, scores of empty jelly jars occupy a basement corner. Each empty vessel testifies to my failure to harvest a single chokecherry or sand hill plum over past summers. If there were wild grapes, I never found enough to amount to a pot of simmering purple brew.This summer’s goal is to harvest bowls of currants, buckets of chokecherries and hopefully grapes, with a pan of sand hill plums added as each fruit ripens. I’ll simmer these in a kettle on the stove to create a little magic with simple ingredients such as Sure Gel and sugar added to fruit juices. Once the cooked mixture drips ever so slowly off a mixing spoon, I’ll pour the ambrosia into empty fruit jars, seal them, and let them jell. For dramatic effect, I’ll stack the results in front of my kitchen window and let the rising sun shine through until it looks like stained glass.Once I savor those pretty colors, I’ll share with family and friends throughout the winter as reminders of summer on toast and biscuits.

MADORIN: Jelly on the Bush

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

Do you have diabetes? Do you support someone you know that has diabetes? This class if for you!

Dining with Diabetes is a K-State Research and Extension health and wellness program that consist of a series of four classes that includes learning, demonstrations, physical activity and tasting healthy foods. The program's focus is to help individuals learn strategies to lessen the health risks of diabetes.

· Increase knowledge about healthy foods

· Present healthy versions of familiar foods and taste testing of recipes

· Provide basic information regarding diabetes and nutrition

· Provide opportunities for sharing and learning from one another and from diabetes health professionals

Dining with Diabetes is a national extension program provided to Kansans by K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences professionals and community health partners. The program is a series of four 2-hour classes that are held once a week. Classes consist of a presentation on diabetes self-care or healthful food choices; a five to ten-minute low-impact physical activity; presentations on tasty, healthy familiar foods, sampling foods, and demonstrations of cooking techniques using artificial sweeteners, reduced-fat foods, herbs, and spices.

The program is designed for people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or at risk for diabetes and their family members, caregivers, and support persons.

Diabetes is an expensive disease. The recent research report, "Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017" estimates that the total cost of diagnosed diabetes has risen to $327 billion in 2017, this cost was estimated to be $245 billion in 2012. This represents a 26% increase over a five-

year period. This cost includes direct medical expenses ($237 billion) and the cost of reduced productivity ($90 billion). According to this study, people with diabetes spend an average of 2.3 times the amount people without diabetes spend each year on their health. That works out to an average of $16,752 a year per person, about $9,601 of which is directly attributed to diabetes. Source: American Diabetes Association, March 2018.

Diabetes is one of the costliest health conditions in Kansas. Diabetes and prediabetes cost an estimated $2.6 billion in Kansas each year (CDC). More than 50% of spending on type 2 diabetes is for treating health problems that could have been prevented with better diabetes management. Research shows that diabetes can be treated and managed by healthful eating, regular physical activity, and medications to lower blood glucose levels. The Dining with Diabetes program provides education and training focused on behaviors shown to help people with diabetes stay healthy.

Approximately 255,215 people in Kansas, or 11.4% of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes.

An additional 66,000 people in Kansas have diabetes but don’t know it, greatly increasing their health risk.

There are 782,000 people in Kansas, 35.3% of the adult population, who have prediabetes with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

Every year an estimated 20,271 people in Kansas are diagnosed with diabetes.

*Reference- American Diabetes Association October 2021 Report

Dining with Diabetes classes will be offered on June 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2024 from 4-6pm at the Hays Recreation Center Marcy Allenbaugh Conference Room. For more information or to sign up please call 785-628-9430 or email moniquek@ksu.edu. Cost is $35/person.

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522176561.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictDo you have diabetes? Do you support someone you know that has diabetes? This class if for you!Dining with Diabetes is a K-State Research and Extension health and wellness program that consist of a series of four classes that includes learning, demonstrations, physical activity and tasting healthy foods. The program's focus is to help individuals learn strategies to lessen the health risks of diabetes.Program Objectives· Increase knowledge about healthy foods· Present healthy versions of familiar foods and taste testing of recipes· Demonstrate new cooking techniques· Provide basic information regarding diabetes and nutrition· Provide opportunities for sharing and learning from one another and from diabetes health professionalsProgram DescriptionDining with Diabetes is a national extension program provided to Kansans by K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences professionals and community health partners. The program is a series of four 2-hour classes that are held once a week. Classes consist of a presentation on diabetes self-care or healthful food choices; a five to ten-minute low-impact physical activity; presentations on tasty, healthy familiar foods, sampling foods, and demonstrations of cooking techniques using artificial sweeteners, reduced-fat foods, herbs, and spices.Who can participate?The program is designed for people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or at risk for diabetes and their family members, caregivers, and support persons.Why Dining with Diabetes?Diabetes is an expensive disease. The recent research report, "Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017" estimates that the total cost of diagnosed diabetes has risen to $327 billion in 2017, this cost was estimated to be $245 billion in 2012. This represents a 26% increase over a five-year period. This cost includes direct medical expenses ($237 billion) and the cost of reduced productivity ($90 billion). According to this study, people with diabetes spend an average of 2.3 times the amount people without diabetes spend each year on their health. That works out to an average of $16,752 a year per person, about $9,601 of which is directly attributed to diabetes. Source: American Diabetes Association, March 2018.Diabetes is one of the costliest health conditions in Kansas. Diabetes and prediabetes cost an estimated $2.6 billion in Kansas each year (CDC). More than 50% of spending on type 2 diabetes is for treating health problems that could have been prevented with better diabetes management. Research shows that diabetes can be treated and managed by healthful eating, regular physical activity, and medications to lower blood glucose levels. The Dining with Diabetes program provides education and training focused on behaviors shown to help people with diabetes stay healthy.Diabetes by the numbers in Kansas*Approximately 255,215 people in Kansas, or 11.4% of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes.An additional 66,000 people in Kansas have diabetes but don’t know it, greatly increasing their health risk.There are 782,000 people in Kansas, 35.3% of the adult population, who have prediabetes with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.Every year an estimated 20,271 people in Kansas are diagnosed with diabetes.*Reference- American Diabetes Association October 2021 ReportDining with Diabetes classes will be offered on June 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2024 from 4-6pm at the Hays Recreation Center Marcy Allenbaugh Conference Room. For more information or to sign up please call 785-628-9430 or email moniquek@ksu.edu. Cost is $35/person.Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu

KOERNER: Dining with Diabetes will be offered in June 2024

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

You made it through another canning season, and when the last jar was filled you may have been glad to stash all equipment away quickly in order to be done….so why not take a little time right now to check all canning equipment and be prepared for this year’s food preservation season?

· Do you need more of a certain size of jar?

· Check current jars for nicks, cracks or rough edges along the lip and throughout the jar.

· Store empty clean jars in boxes or totes with thin cardboard between layers to protect jars from breakage.

· Next inventory flats, make note of what you’ll need for this season. Carefully check screw bands for rust, recycle those that are unusable.

· Are the bottoms flat and free from warping?

· Are the safety valves still flexible on the pressure canner lid?

· Are air vents clear of food particles?

· Is the pressure dial gauge been checked for accuracy?

· Are the canner handles tight and secure?

· Make sure the canners are clean. The darkened surface on the inside of an aluminum canner can be cleaned by filling it above the darkened line with a mixture of 1 tablespoon cream of tartar to each quart of water. Place the canner on the stove, heat water to a boil, and boil covered until the dark deposits disappear. Sometimes stubborn deposits may require the addition of more cream of tartar. Empty the canner and wash it with hot soapy water, rinse and dry.

· Store with crumpled newspapers inside to absorb moisture and odors. Place the lid upside down on the canner. Do not store a pressure canner with the lid clamped and sealed onto the canner.

· Does the pressure canner rubber seal (gasket) feel flexible and still fits tightly in the lid groove?

· Make sure small equipment, such as a jar lifter, headspace tool, flat magnetic wand, bubble freer and funnel are in good condition and functional.

· This is also a great time to think about updating canning publications -- there is a new edition of the “Ball Blue Book”, 38th edition, as well as the ultimate food preservation guidebook “So Easy to Preserve”.

· You can always check with your local Extension office for the latest canning guidelines. Happy canning!

If you have a dial gauge pressure canner, the answer is YES! If you have a metal weighted gauge pressure canner that does not require testing. However, a dial gauge must be tested for accuracy before each canning season. Contact your local Extension office to get your gauge tested: in Kansas go to, https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations/ to find your local office. Most Extension offices can test the following brands of pressure canners: Presto, National, Magic Seal, Maid of Honor. When canning low-acid vegetables, meats, fish and poultry, it is essential to use a pressure canner to get the product to high enough temperature to kill any Clostridium botulism spores that may be present. If your pressure gauge is registering one pound high, that will result in a 10% reduction in heating and if the gauge is two pounds high, you will have a 30% reduction in heating. This could be the difference between safe food and potentially deadly food. If your gauge is reading too low, you could be over processing your food, resulting in a lower quality product. For the safety of everyone consuming your pressure-canned foods, please check your dial gauge every year!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522176561.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictYou made it through another canning season, and when the last jar was filled you may have been glad to stash all equipment away quickly in order to be done….so why not take a little time right now to check all canning equipment and be prepared for this year’s food preservation season?First, inventory all canning equipment.<h2>Jars</h2>· Do you need more of a certain size of jar?· Check current jars for nicks, cracks or rough edges along the lip and throughout the jar.· Store empty clean jars in boxes or totes with thin cardboard between layers to protect jars from breakage.· Next inventory flats, make note of what you’ll need for this season. Carefully check screw bands for rust, recycle those that are unusable.<h2>Canners</h2>· Are the bottoms flat and free from warping?· Are the safety valves still flexible on the pressure canner lid?· Are air vents clear of food particles?· Is the pressure dial gauge been checked for accuracy?· Are the canner handles tight and secure?· Make sure the canners are clean. The darkened surface on the inside of an aluminum canner can be cleaned by filling it above the darkened line with a mixture of 1 tablespoon cream of tartar to each quart of water. Place the canner on the stove, heat water to a boil, and boil covered until the dark deposits disappear. Sometimes stubborn deposits may require the addition of more cream of tartar. Empty the canner and wash it with hot soapy water, rinse and dry.· Store with crumpled newspapers inside to absorb moisture and odors. Place the lid upside down on the canner. Do not store a pressure canner with the lid clamped and sealed onto the canner.· Does the pressure canner rubber seal (gasket) feel flexible and still fits tightly in the lid groove?<h2>Small Equipment</h2>· Make sure small equipment, such as a jar lifter, headspace tool, flat magnetic wand, bubble freer and funnel are in good condition and functional.· This is also a great time to think about updating canning publications -- there is a new edition of the “Ball Blue Book”, 38th edition, as well as the ultimate food preservation guidebook “So Easy to Preserve”.· You can always check with your local Extension office for the latest canning guidelines. Happy canning!Do I need to test my pressure gauge?If you have a dial gauge pressure canner, the answer is YES! If you have a metal weighted gauge pressure canner that does not require testing. However, a dial gauge must be tested for accuracy before each canning season. Contact your local Extension office to get your gauge tested: in Kansas go to, https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations/ to find your local office. Most Extension offices can test the following brands of pressure canners: Presto, National, Magic Seal, Maid of Honor. When canning low-acid vegetables, meats, fish and poultry, it is essential to use a pressure canner to get the product to high enough temperature to kill any Clostridium botulism spores that may be present. If your pressure gauge is registering one pound high, that will result in a 10% reduction in heating and if the gauge is two pounds high, you will have a 30% reduction in heating. This could be the difference between safe food and potentially deadly food. If your gauge is reading too low, you could be over processing your food, resulting in a lower quality product. For the safety of everyone consuming your pressure-canned foods, please check your dial gauge every year!Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu

KOERNER: Get Your Canning Equipment Ready NOW!

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

A few years back, Joyce was hooked on a couple British TV shows all about rescuing wildlife, and the British take that VERY seriously. Thing was, they rescued wildlife that (in my opinion) didn’t need or really shouldn’t have been rescued. I remember in one particular segment of the show they repaired the broken leg of a robin. Really? Now I like robins as well as the next guy, but I’ll bet the money spent on that operation could have bought real guns for a few of their “Bobbies” to carry instead of just nightsticks! If only the Brits’ put that much effort into finding a new phrase to replace “Bloody Hell!”

Some of the things they rescued on the shows were huge boa constrictors and pythons that had evidently been turned loose by disenchanted owners who possibly awoke one morning to find the beast wrapped around one of their body parts, prepping them as a snack. They’d bag them and take them back to their rehab center, where they were weighed, measured and checked over to assure they were healthy. Now I’m a snake guy and I always try to relocate rat and bull snakes I find, but if I came across a python or boa constrictor, the rescuers would find it VERY unhealthy when I delivered it. And then there was the question of what to do with them. Unless they planned to UPS them back to Africa where they belong, they couldn’t just turn them loose in the neighbor’s hayfield. I wonder if British homeless shelters accept snake meat.

Then there were the badgers. The British version of a badger looks slightly different than ours, and they don’t seem to be mean at all, but they’re everywhere! Not an episode of the show went by that they didn’t scoop up a badger from someone’s flower garden. They had an entire commune of badgers back at their facility that would eventually be released back into the wild. If word ever got out that I caught and released a badger in these parts, I’d be the one needing rehab! And heaven forbid one of them should appear a little sickly; if so, it was all hands on deck and the animal ER sprang to life! And if one of the little beggars happened to expire on their watch, it was Katie-bar-the-door and the whole staff appeared to need grief counseling.

A few years back the North American Falconry Association (NAFA) held its annual convention in Hutchinson, KS. There, amongst all the exotic birds of prey from all around the world sat Bob the Turkey Vulture. Now Bob was regal in his own way, but setting there on his perch with his wings all fanned out, he looked like Goofy in a room full of Snow Whites. Bob’s story began with falconers Mario and Brandi Nickerson from Ft. Worth, TX who also ran Nature’s Edge Wildlife Rescue, specializing in rescuing (there’s that word again) reptiles and birds of prey. One day they got some calls about an errant buzzard in town, and that evening they were told the thing was waltzing around in the middle of the football field while practice was in session. Can you imagine; to a football field full of city boys, that must have seemed like the stone gargoyle had come down from the front of the court house. The local animal control people were afraid to approach Bob, probably fearing he was Dracula in disguise and would pounce on them for a snack. When the couple arrived, Bob was on the roof of the house next door, so they retrieved a dead squirrel found stuck in the fence and tossed it near the house. Bob unceremoniously flew on down and began gnawing on their offering. With tarps, nets, and an open pet crate at the ready (and probably EMT’s on standby) they surrounded ole’ Bob, expecting a rodeo, but he again called their bluff and simply waddled into the crate with his treat in his mouth.

Back at the Nickerson’s home, the crate containing Bob was put temporarily in their kitchen till they could figure out Bob’s story. Maybe a vulture in your kitchen is the Texas equivalent of a garbage disposal? I’m thinkin’ that to the British wildlife “rescuers,” having a buzzard in your kitchen would put you right up there on a pedestal with the Queen mum herself. Anyway, Brandi said that the next morning when the cage door was opened and she stood there with Bob’s breakfast (one can only guess what that might have been) he charged out the door and across the kitchen aggressively for his hand-out. Long-story-short, they were pretty sure that given Bob’s reaction to humans and other physical characteristics they saw, he had been raised by humans and recently turned loose to fend for himself. I’m not sure what someone was thinking when they took in a turkey vulture chick as a pet. Did they not consider that one day it would grow into a full-grown buzzard? Would walking him through the park on a Sunday afternoon get as many girls as a puppy? I suppose you could always fly him like a kite.

The Nickerson’s credentials allowed them to keep ole’ Bob for educational purposes which was good. I can only guess what would go through a first grader’s mind when seeing a live turkey vulture close up. Although not really considered a pet, can you imagine the conversation starter Bob would be? And would you list him in your profile on an online dating site? “Outdoors loving animal rescue hero with pet turkey vulture looking for gal who likes black and has always wanted a pet buzzard in her kitchen.” Anyway, I’m glad ole’ Bob found a good home, and who knows, maybe he could be trained to start the dishwasher and run the vacuum cleaner once-in-awhile! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsA few years back, Joyce was hooked on a couple British TV shows all about rescuing wildlife, and the British take that VERY seriously. Thing was, they rescued wildlife that (in my opinion) didn’t need or really shouldn’t have been rescued. I remember in one particular segment of the show they repaired the broken leg of a robin. Really? Now I like robins as well as the next guy, but I’ll bet the money spent on that operation could have bought real guns for a few of their “Bobbies” to carry instead of just nightsticks! If only the Brits’ put that much effort into finding a new phrase to replace “Bloody Hell!”Some of the things they rescued on the shows were huge boa constrictors and pythons that had evidently been turned loose by disenchanted owners who possibly awoke one morning to find the beast wrapped around one of their body parts, prepping them as a snack. They’d bag them and take them back to their rehab center, where they were weighed, measured and checked over to assure they were healthy. Now I’m a snake guy and I always try to relocate rat and bull snakes I find, but if I came across a python or boa constrictor, the rescuers would find it VERY unhealthy when I delivered it. And then there was the question of what to do with them. Unless they planned to UPS them back to Africa where they belong, they couldn’t just turn them loose in the neighbor’s hayfield. I wonder if British homeless shelters accept snake meat.Then there were the badgers. The British version of a badger looks slightly different than ours, and they don’t seem to be mean at all, but they’re everywhere! Not an episode of the show went by that they didn’t scoop up a badger from someone’s flower garden. They had an entire commune of badgers back at their facility that would eventually be released back into the wild. If word ever got out that I caught and released a badger in these parts, I’d be the one needing rehab! And heaven forbid one of them should appear a little sickly; if so, it was all hands on deck and the animal ER sprang to life! And if one of the little beggars happened to expire on their watch, it was Katie-bar-the-door and the whole staff appeared to need grief counseling.A few years back the North American Falconry Association (NAFA) held its annual convention in Hutchinson, KS. There, amongst all the exotic birds of prey from all around the world sat Bob the Turkey Vulture. Now Bob was regal in his own way, but setting there on his perch with his wings all fanned out, he looked like Goofy in a room full of Snow Whites. Bob’s story began with falconers Mario and Brandi Nickerson from Ft. Worth, TX who also ran Nature’s Edge Wildlife Rescue, specializing in rescuing (there’s that word again) reptiles and birds of prey. One day they got some calls about an errant buzzard in town, and that evening they were told the thing was waltzing around in the middle of the football field while practice was in session. Can you imagine; to a football field full of city boys, that must have seemed like the stone gargoyle had come down from the front of the court house. The local animal control people were afraid to approach Bob, probably fearing he was Dracula in disguise and would pounce on them for a snack. When the couple arrived, Bob was on the roof of the house next door, so they retrieved a dead squirrel found stuck in the fence and tossed it near the house. Bob unceremoniously flew on down and began gnawing on their offering. With tarps, nets, and an open pet crate at the ready (and probably EMT’s on standby) they surrounded ole’ Bob, expecting a rodeo, but he again called their bluff and simply waddled into the crate with his treat in his mouth.Back at the Nickerson’s home, the crate containing Bob was put temporarily in their kitchen till they could figure out Bob’s story. Maybe a vulture in your kitchen is the Texas equivalent of a garbage disposal? I’m thinkin’ that to the British wildlife “rescuers,” having a buzzard in your kitchen would put you right up there on a pedestal with the Queen mum herself. Anyway, Brandi said that the next morning when the cage door was opened and she stood there with Bob’s breakfast (one can only guess what that might have been) he charged out the door and across the kitchen aggressively for his hand-out. Long-story-short, they were pretty sure that given Bob’s reaction to humans and other physical characteristics they saw, he had been raised by humans and recently turned loose to fend for himself. I’m not sure what someone was thinking when they took in a turkey vulture chick as a pet. Did they not consider that one day it would grow into a full-grown buzzard? Would walking him through the park on a Sunday afternoon get as many girls as a puppy? I suppose you could always fly him like a kite.The Nickerson’s credentials allowed them to keep ole’ Bob for educational purposes which was good. I can only guess what would go through a first grader’s mind when seeing a live turkey vulture close up. Although not really considered a pet, can you imagine the conversation starter Bob would be? And would you list him in your profile on an online dating site? “Outdoors loving animal rescue hero with pet turkey vulture looking for gal who likes black and has always wanted a pet buzzard in her kitchen.” Anyway, I’m glad ole’ Bob found a good home, and who knows, maybe he could be trained to start the dishwasher and run the vacuum cleaner once-in-awhile! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: Xtreme Wildlife Rescue

By RUSSELL FOX Insight Kansas

Like many of you, I’ve seen volunteers for the United Kansas Party over the past few months collecting signatures to gain ballot access as a legitimate political party. I’m happy to see them out there, even though their efforts imply something, I think, quite different from their intentions.

Why support them? Not because I think third parties are an effective way to challenge those in power. Outsiders to America’s two-party system face obstacles in the form of both restrictions put in place by the major parties, and also Americans’ attachment to supporting those party candidates they think can win. Small parties usually can’t overcome these challenges.

But there is also the desire to offer voters more choices, to represent points of view that some think are being ignored. Those are civic efforts that show a faith in democracy. But they also lead to the question: what “points of view” are the UKP seeking greater representation for?

In a recent wide-ranging discussion with the Kansas Reflector podcast, Jack Curtis, the founder of the UKP, was asked what “roster of issues” the movement cares most about. He listed a variety of very practical matters—but before any of them, he insisted that the UKP is “pro-democracy and the rule of law.” Normally, you’d consider words like that uncontroversial. But as we look forward to a presidential election that will feature Donald Trump as the Republican nominee, a man facing multiple criminal charges and who waited passively during a violent attempt to disrupt the election of his replacement, we realize that we do not live in normal times.

Curtis also talked about how 10 years ago he would have described himself as a Republican “in a heartbeat,” but added that “as we’ve seen the country change over the past decade,” he’s found himself voting in a more moderate way. The same could be said for the vice chair of the UKP, Sally Cauble; a longtime member of the state board of education and a moderate Republican, she fought frustrating battles to maintain Kansas’s science curriculum standards. And the same could be said for a half-dozen Kansas GOP legislators that have become Democrats in the past 10 years (the number of Kansas politicians that have gone the other direction in the last decade is zero).

In short, I suspect that many in the UKP reflect a well-known type in Kansas: Republicans frustrated by the sharp divides created by the parties, who want to find some space for moderates like themselves and feel they must either switch sides or just escape the parties altogether.

Curtis’s earnest words point to an uncomfortable realization for many Kansas Republicans. Anyone who studies the evolution of political parties knows that their flaws are baked into the way they operate, regardless of ideology. And yet, sometimes there still really are critical elections, where particular parties transform in ways that are deeply troubling. The business of party politics is tawdry, and I respect and wish the best to those who want to find ways to engage without being sucked in. But for now, American politics is inconceivable without competitive parties. If one of those parties changes in ways that you find intolerable, decisions must be made.

The Kansas Republican party is mostly a Trumpist party now. (Props to Senator Jerry Moran for being an exception.) Many Kansan Republicans are fine with that—but for some others, it poses a dilemma. Alternatives are always appealing, but as with many hard things, such Republicans probably don’t have a way around this partisan reality; they can only go through it, as best they can.

Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690389122282.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RUSSELL FOX Insight KansasLike many of you, I’ve seen volunteers for the United Kansas Party over the past few months collecting signatures to gain ballot access as a legitimate political party. I’m happy to see them out there, even though their efforts imply something, I think, quite different from their intentions.Why support them? Not because I think third parties are an effective way to challenge those in power. Outsiders to America’s two-party system face obstacles in the form of both restrictions put in place by the major parties, and also Americans’ attachment to supporting those party candidates they think can win. Small parties usually can’t overcome these challenges.But there is also the desire to offer voters more choices, to represent points of view that some think are being ignored. Those are civic efforts that show a faith in democracy. But they also lead to the question: what “points of view” are the UKP seeking greater representation for?In a recent wide-ranging discussion with the Kansas Reflector podcast, Jack Curtis, the founder of the UKP, was asked what “roster of issues” the movement cares most about. He listed a variety of very practical matters—but before any of them, he insisted that the UKP is “pro-democracy and the rule of law.” Normally, you’d consider words like that uncontroversial. But as we look forward to a presidential election that will feature Donald Trump as the Republican nominee, a man facing multiple criminal charges and who waited passively during a violent attempt to disrupt the election of his replacement, we realize that we do not live in normal times.Curtis also talked about how 10 years ago he would have described himself as a Republican “in a heartbeat,” but added that “as we’ve seen the country change over the past decade,” he’s found himself voting in a more moderate way. The same could be said for the vice chair of the UKP, Sally Cauble; a longtime member of the state board of education and a moderate Republican, she fought frustrating battles to maintain Kansas’s science curriculum standards. And the same could be said for a half-dozen Kansas GOP legislators that have become Democrats in the past 10 years (the number of Kansas politicians that have gone the other direction in the last decade is zero).In short, I suspect that many in the UKP reflect a well-known type in Kansas: Republicans frustrated by the sharp divides created by the parties, who want to find some space for moderates like themselves and feel they must either switch sides or just escape the parties altogether.Curtis’s earnest words point to an uncomfortable realization for many Kansas Republicans. Anyone who studies the evolution of political parties knows that their flaws are baked into the way they operate, regardless of ideology. And yet, sometimes there still really are critical elections, where particular parties transform in ways that are deeply troubling. The business of party politics is tawdry, and I respect and wish the best to those who want to find ways to engage without being sucked in. But for now, American politics is inconceivable without competitive parties. If one of those parties changes in ways that you find intolerable, decisions must be made.The Kansas Republican party is mostly a Trumpist party now. (Props to Senator Jerry Moran for being an exception.) Many Kansan Republicans are fine with that—but for some others, it poses a dilemma. Alternatives are always appealing, but as with many hard things, such Republicans probably don’t have a way around this partisan reality; they can only go through it, as best they can.Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS

INSIGHT KANSAS: Facing uncomfortable partisan realities in Kansas

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

As the 2024 field season gets into full swing, for farmers now is a good time for a refresher on restricted use pesticides (RUPs) and pesticide applicator licenses.

There are lots of ways to categorize pesticides, one of which is general use versus restricted use. In short, a general-use pesticide is one that can be used without any special training. A RUP, on the other hand, should only be used by an individual who is a certified pesticide applicator or is under the direct supervision of a certified pesticide applicator. RUPs are classified as such due to their potential to cause ‘unreasonable adverse effects’ on the environment, the applicator, or bystanders if appropriate precautions are not taken when using the product. A few of the RUPs you may be familiar with are Atrazine, Tordon 22K, and Warrior II.

Private applicator versus commercial applicator licenses

There are two types of certifications that will allow you to use a RUP. A private applicator license allows you to use or supervise the use of a restricted use pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by you or your employer. However, a commercial license is needed if you are going to apply pesticides on someone else’s property and charge a fee for the service.

You can contact your local Extension office if you need to obtain or renew your private applicator's license. For commercial applicator license those are scheduled by KDA and you have to create an account with them and get registered ahead of time at https://portal.kda.ks.gov/PestFert/CertifiedApplicator/Exam/List or call (785) 564-6688.

Also remember, there are some extra record-keeping requirements for individuals who apply RUPs. There is no standard form, but within two weeks of the application, you should document what was sprayed, including:

· the date and location of the application,

· product name and EPA registration number,

· total amount applied and area treated,

· the site to which the application was made, and

· the name and certification number of the applicator.

In our office we have a small pocket size “Pesticide Application Field Records” book that is free and you can pick up to record your pesticide applications, and a Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, Rangeland, and Noncropland book that is free and updated each year. This publication provides suggestions for chemical weed control in several major crops.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictAs the 2024 field season gets into full swing, for farmers now is a good time for a refresher on restricted use pesticides (RUPs) and pesticide applicator licenses.There are lots of ways to categorize pesticides, one of which is general use versus restricted use. In short, a general-use pesticide is one that can be used without any special training. A RUP, on the other hand, should only be used by an individual who is a certified pesticide applicator or is under the direct supervision of a certified pesticide applicator. RUPs are classified as such due to their potential to cause ‘unreasonable adverse effects’ on the environment, the applicator, or bystanders if appropriate precautions are not taken when using the product. A few of the RUPs you may be familiar with are Atrazine, Tordon 22K, and Warrior II.Private applicator versus commercial applicator licensesThere are two types of certifications that will allow you to use a RUP. A private applicator license allows you to use or supervise the use of a restricted use pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by you or your employer. However, a commercial license is needed if you are going to apply pesticides on someone else’s property and charge a fee for the service.You can contact your local Extension office if you need to obtain or renew your private applicator's license. For commercial applicator license those are scheduled by KDA and you have to create an account with them and get registered ahead of time at https://portal.kda.ks.gov/PestFert/CertifiedApplicator/Exam/List or call (785) 564-6688.Also remember, there are some extra record-keeping requirements for individuals who apply RUPs. There is no standard form, but within two weeks of the application, you should document what was sprayed, including:· the date and location of the application,· product name and EPA registration number,· total amount applied and area treated,· the site to which the application was made, and· the name and certification number of the applicator.In our office we have a small pocket size “Pesticide Application Field Records” book that is free and you can pick up to record your pesticide applications, and a Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, Rangeland, and Noncropland book that is free and updated each year. This publication provides suggestions for chemical weed control in several major crops.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Review of restricted use pesticides, applicator licenses

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

Summer is just around the corner and schools are rolling into their last couple of weeks!

The Cottonwood Extension District was able to take advantage of a state-wide grant program through Kansas 4-H and the Kansas Department of Education. We have four young people joining our team this summer who will be providing focused educational opportunities through several partners.

In addition to a financial literacy curriculum that will be a part of the Ellinwood Library program, youth in several of our communities will have the opportunity to participate in ag-related STEM activities, leadership lessons, and much more.

Joining our team in Barton County will be 4-H alums, Jayla Wyant and Camille Dolechek. Joining the team in Ellis County are Rhyann Brown and Leah Mages. We are excited to see their interaction with youth across our district!

Some activities and programs will be coordinated through partners such as GPS Kids Club and several area libraries; others will be open to all youth in the community. Keep an eye on our Cottonwood Extension District Facebook page for events and activities which will be open to all youth!

During both county fairs, the Summer Engagement interns will have some activities set up for youth to experience which is just one more reason to check out the events and activities of the fair!

While summer sports keep many families busy, be sure to check on the free or low-cost opportunities available through your Rec Center or library! Did someone in your family get a bike? Or maybe it’s time to air up the tires in an old one and enjoy a family bike ride. Find a new walking path and explore that as a family for exercise, fresh air, and memories!

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179500533.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension DistrictSummer is just around the corner and schools are rolling into their last couple of weeks!The Cottonwood Extension District was able to take advantage of a state-wide grant program through Kansas 4-H and the Kansas Department of Education. We have four young people joining our team this summer who will be providing focused educational opportunities through several partners.In addition to a financial literacy curriculum that will be a part of the Ellinwood Library program, youth in several of our communities will have the opportunity to participate in ag-related STEM activities, leadership lessons, and much more.Joining our team in Barton County will be 4-H alums, Jayla Wyant and Camille Dolechek. Joining the team in Ellis County are Rhyann Brown and Leah Mages. We are excited to see their interaction with youth across our district!Some activities and programs will be coordinated through partners such as GPS Kids Club and several area libraries; others will be open to all youth in the community. Keep an eye on our Cottonwood Extension District Facebook page for events and activities which will be open to all youth!During both county fairs, the Summer Engagement interns will have some activities set up for youth to experience which is just one more reason to check out the events and activities of the fair!While summer sports keep many families busy, be sure to check on the free or low-cost opportunities available through your Rec Center or library! Did someone in your family get a bike? Or maybe it’s time to air up the tires in an old one and enjoy a family bike ride. Find a new walking path and explore that as a family for exercise, fresh air, and memories!Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Summer engagement

In 1940, the Great Depression still gripped Ellis, Franklin Roosevelt accepted an unprecedented third presidential term, Bugs Bunny made his movie debut, and the Selective Service Act of 1940, the first peacetime draft in America, went into effect. The world changed and Ellis schools rode those waves.

In January 1940, weak local finances caused the Ellis School Board to vote to lease the local parochial school’s building and equipment and operate it as part of the public school system. The nuns agreed to continue teaching without compensation from February through May. Once the board agreed to this action, they renamed St. Mary’s School to Lincoln Elementary, operating Lincoln School until House Bill 190 made this arrangement illegal in 1945.

While some may find this information contradictory in theory, it solved a community issue. The public school did not have to build a new facility. Nuns continued serving families who desired parochial education. While many forgot this bit of Ellis' history, it reveals how the community worked effectively to meet their children’s educational needs and community values.

World War II began before Ellis fully recovered from the Great Depression. The first half of the '40s saw little development of new programs or building projects in the district. By 1945, the budget had increased to $52,000, a considerable improvement over Depression-era funding even while the district funded an additional grade school.

Once the war ended, community expansion began in earnest. At the Dec. 13, 1946 meeting, board members voted to build a new gymnasium at the high school. Though they approved construction at that time, completion took until spring 1951. In the meantime, the district remodeled the home economics department and updated typewriters in the business department in September 1949.

The '50s introduced more change. Railroad and agricultural businesses thrived while oil and gas industries expanded. Adding further prosperity, the Bureau of Reclamation Project at Cedar Bluff necessitated the building of additional homes to house their employees. More people moved into Ellis, and good fortune reigned.

District 2 in Ellis reflected the successful economic times with a proposed budget of $115,910 in 1951. They celebrated completing the gymnasium and music room, and the first mention of a driver’s education car appeared in the Sept. 13, 1951, board minutes. In addition, rural Districts 26 and 52 were combined with Ellis District 2, requiring District 2 to dispose of those respective properties.

Marking another district first, the board hired a teacher to establish a grade school physical education program. In another innovative action, October minutes record that the district employed a special education teacher to work with 18 to 21 students with developmental delays and/or speech defects.

Teacher salaries also improved. The base salary for “Degree teachers” moved from $2,600 to $2,700 a year. Educators also received the annual increase and a cost-of-living bonus of $100 paid out over their nine-month contract.

Over these 12 years, Ellis mirrored events occurring across the U.S. The Depression was a memory. America had won WW II and returning soldiers experienced a booming economy. Riding these waves of optimism, Ellis residents added programs and improved infrastructure to support their children’s educations. For many, these were western Kansas' golden years.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b963889f-d6c4-4188-9855-e29e2883a26c">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools Part 13: 1935-1939</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/61399f29-0958-4290-85c4-6e96c610fc27">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools Part 12: 1927-1933</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0de30e1b-bb01-44e2-bbee-2534451ce51d">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 11</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7dbf4b2f-ff51-490e-96d4-527cf5ce1596">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 10</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5d3b0050-884e-43a6-8da4-9419e81bbf3f">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part&nbsp;9</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6046ee3c-c6c2-4d3a-adf3-98084fcf506b">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 8</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a410c8ea-2038-4aa9-bbac-4ba20e3dce59">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part&nbsp;7</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c4d25696-4e64-4f03-b53f-52322f5800a6">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part&nbsp;6</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d1be1bca-b1ce-4748-b41f-f04fdecdd0c9">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part&nbsp;5</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/31162282-e1ad-4458-94c1-4efa3642155e">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 3</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4116f584-aca2-45ea-92ea-f4cb948ad1af">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part&nbsp;2</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/539bba70-e799-4512-9cf1-809101486476">Madroirn: The beginning of Ellis schools</a>

In 1940, the Great Depression still gripped Ellis, Franklin Roosevelt accepted an unprecedented third presidential term, Bugs Bunny made his movie debut, and the Selective Service Act of 1940, the first peacetime draft in America, went into effect. The world changed and Ellis schools rode those waves.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714596744159.jpeg" alt="Ellis Brick High School photo. Courtesy of Ellis High School Alumni Association.JPG" />
 <figcaption>Ellis Brick High School photo. Courtesy of Ellis High School Alumni Association.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure>In January 1940, weak local finances caused the Ellis School Board to vote to lease the local parochial school’s building and equipment and operate it as part of the public school system. The nuns agreed to continue teaching without compensation from February through May. Once the board agreed to this action, they renamed St. Mary’s School to Lincoln Elementary, operating Lincoln School until House Bill 190 made this arrangement illegal in 1945.While some may find this information contradictory in theory, it solved a community issue. The public school did not have to build a new facility. Nuns continued serving families who desired parochial education. While many forgot this bit of Ellis' history, it reveals how the community worked effectively to meet their children’s educational needs and community values.World War II began before Ellis fully recovered from the Great Depression. The first half of the '40s saw little development of new programs or building projects in the district. By 1945, the budget had increased to $52,000, a considerable improvement over Depression-era funding even while the district funded an additional grade school.Once the war ended, community expansion began in earnest. At the Dec. 13, 1946 meeting, board members voted to build a new gymnasium at the high school. Though they approved construction at that time, completion took until spring 1951. In the meantime, the district remodeled the home economics department and updated typewriters in the business department in September 1949.The '50s introduced more change. Railroad and agricultural businesses thrived while oil and gas industries expanded. Adding further prosperity, the Bureau of Reclamation Project at Cedar Bluff necessitated the building of additional homes to house their employees. More people moved into Ellis, and good fortune reigned.District 2 in Ellis reflected the successful economic times with a proposed budget of $115,910 in 1951. They celebrated completing the gymnasium and music room, and the first mention of a driver’s education car appeared in the Sept. 13, 1951, board minutes. In addition, rural Districts 26 and 52 were combined with Ellis District 2, requiring District 2 to dispose of those respective properties.Marking another district first, the board hired a teacher to establish a grade school physical education program. In another innovative action, October minutes record that the district employed a special education teacher to work with 18 to 21 students with developmental delays and/or speech defects.Teacher salaries also improved. The base salary for “Degree teachers” moved from $2,600 to $2,700 a year. Educators also received the annual increase and a cost-of-living bonus of $100 paid out over their nine-month contract.Over these 12 years, Ellis mirrored events occurring across the U.S. The Depression was a memory. America had won WW II and returning soldiers experienced a booming economy. Riding these waves of optimism, Ellis residents added programs and improved infrastructure to support their children’s educations. For many, these were western Kansas' golden years.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b963889f-d6c4-4188-9855-e29e2883a26c">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools Part 13: 1935-1939</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/61399f29-0958-4290-85c4-6e96c610fc27">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools Part 12: 1927-1933</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0de30e1b-bb01-44e2-bbee-2534451ce51d">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 11</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7dbf4b2f-ff51-490e-96d4-527cf5ce1596">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 10</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5d3b0050-884e-43a6-8da4-9419e81bbf3f">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part&nbsp;9</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6046ee3c-c6c2-4d3a-adf3-98084fcf506b">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 8</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a410c8ea-2038-4aa9-bbac-4ba20e3dce59">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part&nbsp;7</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c4d25696-4e64-4f03-b53f-52322f5800a6">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part&nbsp;6</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d1be1bca-b1ce-4748-b41f-f04fdecdd0c9">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part&nbsp;5</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/31162282-e1ad-4458-94c1-4efa3642155e">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 3</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4116f584-aca2-45ea-92ea-f4cb948ad1af">Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part&nbsp;2</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/539bba70-e799-4512-9cf1-809101486476">Madroirn: The beginning of Ellis schools</a>

Madorin: History of Ellis Schools 1940 – Part 14

By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

Spring is my favorite time of year. The weather warms up, and I migrate outdoors to enjoy the weather. I love walking, biking, or simply sitting on my porch to soak up the sunshine. There’s something about sunshine that lifts my mood, and I don’t think I am the only one who feels this way. Science shows that rays from the sun have a positive effect on most of us. It provides a mental boost, and it supplies Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is a useful resource throughout the entire body. It plays a role in calcium absorption for strong bones, helps keep the immune system functioning properly, improves insulin sensitivity, and is linked to a reduced risk of cognitive decline. Vitamin D can also play an important role in cancer risk, cardiovascular disease, and mental health.

While we know the vitamin has fantastic effects on health, over 40% of Americans are deficient in the essential vitamin, and most of us aren’t getting the recommended intake. Children and adults should get 600 IU per day while those over 70 should aim for 800 IU.

Although many of us lack the essential vitamin, there are several different ways to increase intake. Direct sunlight, diet, and supplements can all help.

Sunlight exposure is the most potent source of Vitamin D. In fact, about 30 minutes of direct sunlight twice a week is equivalent to taking 20,000 IU of the vitamin orally! Experts recommend getting outdoors anytime from 10 am- 4 pm to get the full benefit.

Food can also provide Vitamin D in smaller amounts. Natural sources include trout, salmon, eggs, liver, and mushrooms. Other foods are fortified with the vitamin, and these can include cereal, milk, and juice.

Dietary supplements can also help you reach your Vitamin D needs. These supplements contain high levels of the vitamin, and they have been shown to cure Vitamin D-related diseases such as Rickets. Although a supplement may be convenient, it is always a good idea to consult your doctor first.

Like many of nature’s gifts, Vitamin D is generous in many ways. As you know, the vitamin is necessary for good physical health, and it is promising for mental health. Studies show that people with anxiety and depression are likely to have low vitamin D levels.

While we don’t know if depression is caused directly by low Vitamin D levels, we do know that getting outside to soak up sunshine can promote physical activity and provide opportunities to socialize. Along with these mood boosters, a colorful, Vitamin D-rich diet can support mental health as well.

Vitamin D is a nutrient that influences a vast number of the body’s health responses, and it is critical for good health. Getting enough Vitamin D can be a simple way to take care of your body and mind. So, what can you do to protect your health and avoid Vitamin D deficiency?

Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictSpring is my favorite time of year. The weather warms up, and I migrate outdoors to enjoy the weather. I love walking, biking, or simply sitting on my porch to soak up the sunshine. There’s something about sunshine that lifts my mood, and I don’t think I am the only one who feels this way. Science shows that rays from the sun have a positive effect on most of us. It provides a mental boost, and it supplies Vitamin D.Vitamin D is a useful resource throughout the entire body. It plays a role in calcium absorption for strong bones, helps keep the immune system functioning properly, improves insulin sensitivity, and is linked to a reduced risk of cognitive decline. Vitamin D can also play an important role in cancer risk, cardiovascular disease, and mental health.While we know the vitamin has fantastic effects on health, over 40% of Americans are deficient in the essential vitamin, and most of us aren’t getting the recommended intake. Children and adults should get 600 IU per day while those over 70 should aim for 800 IU.Although many of us lack the essential vitamin, there are several different ways to increase intake. Direct sunlight, diet, and supplements can all help.Sunlight exposure is the most potent source of Vitamin D. In fact, about 30 minutes of direct sunlight twice a week is equivalent to taking 20,000 IU of the vitamin orally! Experts recommend getting outdoors anytime from 10 am- 4 pm to get the full benefit.Food can also provide Vitamin D in smaller amounts. Natural sources include trout, salmon, eggs, liver, and mushrooms. Other foods are fortified with the vitamin, and these can include cereal, milk, and juice.Dietary supplements can also help you reach your Vitamin D needs. These supplements contain high levels of the vitamin, and they have been shown to cure Vitamin D-related diseases such as Rickets. Although a supplement may be convenient, it is always a good idea to consult your doctor first.Like many of nature’s gifts, Vitamin D is generous in many ways. As you know, the vitamin is necessary for good physical health, and it is promising for mental health. Studies show that people with anxiety and depression are likely to have low vitamin D levels.While we don’t know if depression is caused directly by low Vitamin D levels, we do know that getting outside to soak up sunshine can promote physical activity and provide opportunities to socialize. Along with these mood boosters, a colorful, Vitamin D-rich diet can support mental health as well.Vitamin D is a nutrient that influences a vast number of the body’s health responses, and it is critical for good health. Getting enough Vitamin D can be a simple way to take care of your body and mind. So, what can you do to protect your health and avoid Vitamin D deficiency?· Let the sun shine· Focus on food· Talk to your docKarissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

WINKEL: The sunshine vitamin

Omnibus Budget and Conference Committee

The House Appropriations Committee met Thursday following the joint meeting with the Senate Ways and Means Committee to draft the Omnibus Budget. 

The House version included several items concerning issues across the state, some of which are included below. 

• Under the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the House added $3.5 million State General Fund (SGF) for indigent support for substance use disorder providers in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. • In the Department of Health and Environment—Health, $5 million SGF was added for child and adult behavioral beds in FY 2025. &nbsp;• In the Department of Health and Environment—Environment, $4.8 million was spent in FY 25 for the Small-Town Infrastructure Assistance Grant Program, to help provide wastewater treatment drinking water in towns with a population of 1000 or less.

There were many items regarding law enforcement and corrections. 

• First was $2.5 million SGF in FY 2025 for a newly created regional inpatient juvenile substance use treatment center in south central Kansas. • Second was $12 million SGF allocated in FY 25 for the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. The budget also included an additional $21 million for staffing at the correctional facilities across the state of Kansas.

There were also many funding items for higher education. 

• First, $2.4 million SGF in FY 2025 to provide a $7,000 base pay increase and a $2,500 retention bonus to nursing facilities at community and technical colleges. • Second was $1 million SGF to the Kansas Adult Learner Grant Program Fund and $2.5 million for Need-Based Aid at public universities in FY 2025. • Third was $1.1 million SGF in FY 2025 for the Kansas National Guard Education Master’s Program for Enhanced Readiness and Global Excellence, which provides financial assistance to Kansas National Guard members pursuing a master’s degree.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee finished their version of the Omnibus Budget Friday afternoon. Later that day Senate Ways and Means and House Appropriations conferenced on the Omnibus Budget and came to a consensus after midnight on April 27.

The final version of the omnibus budget bill passed both the Senate and the House on Tuesday, April 30. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 22-11 and it passed the House Tuesday night, amidst the tornado sirens going off in the capitol, 71-49. The Kansas Legislature adjourned late Tuesday night and will return in January after the elections.

On Friday, the House voted to override the governor's veto on two tax bills. The first was House Bill 2036, the tax plan that would cut income, sales, and property taxes with a vote of 104-15. Second was House Bill 2098, that would reduce sales tax, with a vote of 99-20. I voted to override the governor’s veto on both bills.

On Monday, the House overrode many vetoes to bills or budget line items. We overrode the veto on House Bill 2583, which protects law enforcement dogs by increasing criminal penalties for harming or killing them. The House also overrode the veto for House Bill 2648, what is referred to as the Reins Act, which attempts to rein in the high cost of government bureaucracy. The veto was sustained on Senate Bill 233, the gender reaffirming bill.

Friday, the House voted on the adoption of the Conference Committee Report on House Substitute for Senate Bill 387 which is the K-12 Education Budget for fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026. For fiscal year 2024, the budget would lapse funding, including $714,470 to the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System for non-USDs and $341,000 to the Kansas Public Employee Retirement Systems for USDs and would bring fiscal year 2024 total appropriations to $6.7 billion.

Fiscal year 2025, the house appropriated a total of $6.6 billion which includes $65.5 million for Special Education Services Aid, $5 million for the School Safety and Security Grants, and $2.5 million for school food assistance.

This bill would also establish the Education Funding Task Force that is made up of three state representatives, three state senators, a parent, a teacher, and one superintendent from a rural district and one from an urban school district. The task force would be required to recommend to the Governor a new school finance formula to replace the current formula that is set to expire July 1, 2027, and review the current methods of disbursing Special Education State Aid. I supported this budget which passed the House 115-2.

Anytime that you would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, you can tune in by video or audio at <a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.

As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov.

It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always&nbsp;appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621346439026.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Kansas House. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Kansas House. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA MAY 1, 2024Omnibus Budget and Conference CommitteeThe House Appropriations Committee met Thursday following the joint meeting with the Senate Ways and Means Committee to draft the Omnibus Budget. The House version included several items concerning issues across the state, some of which are included below. • Under the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the House added $3.5 million State General Fund (SGF) for indigent support for substance use disorder providers in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. • In the Department of Health and Environment—Health, $5 million SGF was added for child and adult behavioral beds in FY 2025. &nbsp;• In the Department of Health and Environment—Environment, $4.8 million was spent in FY 25 for the Small-Town Infrastructure Assistance Grant Program, to help provide wastewater treatment drinking water in towns with a population of 1000 or less.There were many items regarding law enforcement and corrections. • First was $2.5 million SGF in FY 2025 for a newly created regional inpatient juvenile substance use treatment center in south central Kansas. • Second was $12 million SGF allocated in FY 25 for the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. The budget also included an additional $21 million for staffing at the correctional facilities across the state of Kansas.There were also many funding items for higher education. • First, $2.4 million SGF in FY 2025 to provide a $7,000 base pay increase and a $2,500 retention bonus to nursing facilities at community and technical colleges. • Second was $1 million SGF to the Kansas Adult Learner Grant Program Fund and $2.5 million for Need-Based Aid at public universities in FY 2025. • Third was $1.1 million SGF in FY 2025 for the Kansas National Guard Education Master’s Program for Enhanced Readiness and Global Excellence, which provides financial assistance to Kansas National Guard members pursuing a master’s degree.The Senate Ways and Means Committee finished their version of the Omnibus Budget Friday afternoon. Later that day Senate Ways and Means and House Appropriations conferenced on the Omnibus Budget and came to a consensus after midnight on April 27.The final version of the omnibus budget bill passed both the Senate and the House on Tuesday, April 30. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 22-11 and it passed the House Tuesday night, amidst the tornado sirens going off in the capitol, 71-49. The Kansas Legislature adjourned late Tuesday night and will return in January after the elections.Veto OverridesOn Friday, the House voted to override the governor's veto on two tax bills. The first was House Bill 2036, the tax plan that would cut income, sales, and property taxes with a vote of 104-15. Second was House Bill 2098, that would reduce sales tax, with a vote of 99-20. I voted to override the governor’s veto on both bills.On Monday, the House overrode many vetoes to bills or budget line items. We overrode the veto on House Bill 2583, which protects law enforcement dogs by increasing criminal penalties for harming or killing them. The House also overrode the veto for House Bill 2648, what is referred to as the Reins Act, which attempts to rein in the high cost of government bureaucracy. The veto was sustained on Senate Bill 233, the gender reaffirming bill.K-12 Education BudgetFriday, the House voted on the adoption of the Conference Committee Report on House Substitute for Senate Bill 387 which is the K-12 Education Budget for fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026. For fiscal year 2024, the budget would lapse funding, including $714,470 to the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System for non-USDs and $341,000 to the Kansas Public Employee Retirement Systems for USDs and would bring fiscal year 2024 total appropriations to $6.7 billion.Fiscal year 2025, the house appropriated a total of $6.6 billion which includes $65.5 million for Special Education Services Aid, $5 million for the School Safety and Security Grants, and $2.5 million for school food assistance.This bill would also establish the Education Funding Task Force that is made up of three state representatives, three state senators, a parent, a teacher, and one superintendent from a rural district and one from an urban school district. The task force would be required to recommend to the Governor a new school finance formula to replace the current formula that is set to expire July 1, 2027, and review the current methods of disbursing Special Education State Aid. I supported this budget which passed the House 115-2.Contact InformationAnytime that you would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, you can tune in by video or audio at <a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov.It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always&nbsp;appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, May 1; Omnibus bill & conference committee

STEVE GILLIAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

Many a good fisherman has cut his or her “teeth” on bluegills, often catching them from a farm pond with nothing but a hook and a bit of worm under a bobber. Some of us can even remember catching them with a cane pole and an old cork fastened on some sort of heavy cord. They’re feisty fighters and provide just enough action to get and keep a youngster “hooked” on fishing. When spawning, they scoop out oval shaped beds in the pond bottom, and in defense of their spawning ground, the little rascals will chase about any bait or lure thrown into the water.

I recently stumbled across another role for bluegills besides helping kids learn to fish. Do you remember how coal miners of years ago carried caged canaries into the mine with them to detect toxic air? It seems the birds were able to detect toxins in the air well before the miners could, and by watching the birds’ reactions the miners would be warned in time to exit the mines before breathing the poisoned air. It seems that some time back the Army developed a system of using bluegill fish to detect toxins in drinking water, much like the canaries were able to do with air in the coal mines. The original process was named IAC 1090, or Intelligent Aquatic BioMonitoring System, and though it was developed by the Army for its own use, the system is currently used to monitor the drinking water at Fort Detrick, Maryland, plus several large cities including New York City, San Francisco and Washington DC, and since 911, even more large US cities have begun using bluegills to help protect their water supplies.

It seems bluegills are extremely sensitive to toxins in the water where they live, so the system works by employing bluegill fish at water treatment plants. Each fish is kept in an individual plastic case that is described as looking like a trunk made into an aquarium. Fish do a three week tour of duty and are then replaced. They are kept inside at the water treatment facility and water is piped through the case, where electronic sensors monitor each fish for what amounts to “fish coughs.” Much like we humans cough to expel something foreign from our respiratory system, bluegills do the same by flexing their gills to expel something foreign, say a grain of sand, from their breathing passage. The instruments pick up these “coughs” and other irregularities and send the information to computers that constantly compare it to the fish’s normal behavior. If the computers sense that enough of the fish are upset by something in the water, they automatically trigger water samples to be taken and notify workers.

Bluegills are best able to detect non-biological threats such as pesticides, mercury, cyanide, heavy metals, fuel spills and phosphates. By monitoring the fish, workers are not able to tell exactly what toxins they are reacting to, just that there is threat to the drinking water that needs immediate attention. One article I found said that the Army had tested bluegills against 27 different toxins, and the fish detected them all.

The system at Fort Detrick tests both the raw water coming into the plant and the fully treated water just before its leaves the treatment facility. One example of the bluegill’s effectiveness cited a situation when the computer monitoring the fish sensed that the bluegills sampling the raw water pumped from the river had become agitated. The incoming water was immediately shut off and samples taken, revealing that someone had evidently washed a pesticide truck upstream in the river. The incoming water was so poisoned that all the fish that initially sensed it died, but not before the threat had been

addressed and identified. In this case the city of Fredericksburg, Virginia also benefited from the bluegills, allowing it to shut off its incoming water also, which was being pumped from the same river just one hundred yards upstream.

A spokesman for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, had this to say about their system that uses the little fish to protect its drinking water. “We appreciate that there’s an irony to this, that the oldest technology in the world -life- is now being combined with high technology to keep the water supply of the region safe. We want to use what works, and if that means we have to become fish keepers, then we will.” So the next time you catch a mess of bluegills, look upon them with a whole new respect! 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>STEVE GILLIAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsMany a good fisherman has cut his or her “teeth” on bluegills, often catching them from a farm pond with nothing but a hook and a bit of worm under a bobber. Some of us can even remember catching them with a cane pole and an old cork fastened on some sort of heavy cord. They’re feisty fighters and provide just enough action to get and keep a youngster “hooked” on fishing. When spawning, they scoop out oval shaped beds in the pond bottom, and in defense of their spawning ground, the little rascals will chase about any bait or lure thrown into the water.I recently stumbled across another role for bluegills besides helping kids learn to fish. Do you remember how coal miners of years ago carried caged canaries into the mine with them to detect toxic air? It seems the birds were able to detect toxins in the air well before the miners could, and by watching the birds’ reactions the miners would be warned in time to exit the mines before breathing the poisoned air. It seems that some time back the Army developed a system of using bluegill fish to detect toxins in drinking water, much like the canaries were able to do with air in the coal mines. The original process was named IAC 1090, or Intelligent Aquatic BioMonitoring System, and though it was developed by the Army for its own use, the system is currently used to monitor the drinking water at Fort Detrick, Maryland, plus several large cities including New York City, San Francisco and Washington DC, and since 911, even more large US cities have begun using bluegills to help protect their water supplies.It seems bluegills are extremely sensitive to toxins in the water where they live, so the system works by employing bluegill fish at water treatment plants. Each fish is kept in an individual plastic case that is described as looking like a trunk made into an aquarium. Fish do a three week tour of duty and are then replaced. They are kept inside at the water treatment facility and water is piped through the case, where electronic sensors monitor each fish for what amounts to “fish coughs.” Much like we humans cough to expel something foreign from our respiratory system, bluegills do the same by flexing their gills to expel something foreign, say a grain of sand, from their breathing passage. The instruments pick up these “coughs” and other irregularities and send the information to computers that constantly compare it to the fish’s normal behavior. If the computers sense that enough of the fish are upset by something in the water, they automatically trigger water samples to be taken and notify workers.Bluegills are best able to detect non-biological threats such as pesticides, mercury, cyanide, heavy metals, fuel spills and phosphates. By monitoring the fish, workers are not able to tell exactly what toxins they are reacting to, just that there is threat to the drinking water that needs immediate attention. One article I found said that the Army had tested bluegills against 27 different toxins, and the fish detected them all.The system at Fort Detrick tests both the raw water coming into the plant and the fully treated water just before its leaves the treatment facility. One example of the bluegill’s effectiveness cited a situation when the computer monitoring the fish sensed that the bluegills sampling the raw water pumped from the river had become agitated. The incoming water was immediately shut off and samples taken, revealing that someone had evidently washed a pesticide truck upstream in the river. The incoming water was so poisoned that all the fish that initially sensed it died, but not before the threat had beenaddressed and identified. In this case the city of Fredericksburg, Virginia also benefited from the bluegills, allowing it to shut off its incoming water also, which was being pumped from the same river just one hundred yards upstream.A spokesman for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, had this to say about their system that uses the little fish to protect its drinking water. “We appreciate that there’s an irony to this, that the oldest technology in the world -life- is now being combined with high technology to keep the water supply of the region safe. We want to use what works, and if that means we have to become fish keepers, then we will.” So the next time you catch a mess of bluegills, look upon them with a whole new respect! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

GILLILAND: Bluegills; Canaries in the water

The environment in which we live, work, and play is more important than we realize. Studies show that the air we breathe, the buildings we reside in, and the neighborhoods we call home can impact physical and mental health. Some examples are glaring. Air pollutants, contaminated water, and chemical by-products can disrupt biological functions. Scientists suspect these can lead to serious health problems such as asthma, cancer, and Parkinson’s Disease.

On the other hand, some environmental factors affect health in less obvious, beneficial ways. If you are familiar with the Blue Zones, you know that people of these regions maintain exceptional health. This is due to lifestyle choices inspired by the physical environment. What do I mean by this? People of the Blue Zones are surrounded by opportunities that make the healthy choice, the easy choice. Walking trails, vegetable gardens, green spaces, and intergenerational living arrangements are not just accessible, they are the norm. People of these regions live in an environment that influences them to walk to work, prepare healthy meals, unwind in nature, and create lasting relationships.

As you can see, health is greatly influenced by the choices we make. And the choices we make depend largely on the environment we live in. For example, a cluttered area encourages people to leave trash behind. In fact, studies show that littering increases at these sites. Whereas, a well-kept area invites people to keep the space clean.

Our physical environment also influences stress levels which impacts the body and how we make decisions. A person who lives in an urban area can experience chronic stress due to continuous noise. However, access to green spaces and quiet areas reduces anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and improves sleep quality. In turn, this affects how the brain functions. When you have reduced levels of stress and good mental health, you are equipped to problem solve and to make new, healthy choices.

The environment impacts our physical health and psychological well-being. It also influences our subconscious decisions. So, I challenge you to be aware of your ecological footprint and to advocate for a healthy environment. This can be done many ways. It can include the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle, or it can simply be picking up trash in a parking lot. It can even be through system changes like supporting your community to build more sidewalks, parks, and bike lanes. To find more ideas visit: https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/what-you-can-do

Together we can all make the healthy choice, the easy choice.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictThe environment in which we live, work, and play is more important than we realize. Studies show that the air we breathe, the buildings we reside in, and the neighborhoods we call home can impact physical and mental health. Some examples are glaring. Air pollutants, contaminated water, and chemical by-products can disrupt biological functions. Scientists suspect these can lead to serious health problems such as asthma, cancer, and Parkinson’s Disease.On the other hand, some environmental factors affect health in less obvious, beneficial ways. If you are familiar with the Blue Zones, you know that people of these regions maintain exceptional health. This is due to lifestyle choices inspired by the physical environment. What do I mean by this? People of the Blue Zones are surrounded by opportunities that make the healthy choice, the easy choice. Walking trails, vegetable gardens, green spaces, and intergenerational living arrangements are not just accessible, they are the norm. People of these regions live in an environment that influences them to walk to work, prepare healthy meals, unwind in nature, and create lasting relationships.As you can see, health is greatly influenced by the choices we make. And the choices we make depend largely on the environment we live in. For example, a cluttered area encourages people to leave trash behind. In fact, studies show that littering increases at these sites. Whereas, a well-kept area invites people to keep the space clean.Our physical environment also influences stress levels which impacts the body and how we make decisions. A person who lives in an urban area can experience chronic stress due to continuous noise. However, access to green spaces and quiet areas reduces anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and improves sleep quality. In turn, this affects how the brain functions. When you have reduced levels of stress and good mental health, you are equipped to problem solve and to make new, healthy choices.The environment impacts our physical health and psychological well-being. It also influences our subconscious decisions. So, I challenge you to be aware of your ecological footprint and to advocate for a healthy environment. This can be done many ways. It can include the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle, or it can simply be picking up trash in a parking lot. It can even be through system changes like supporting your community to build more sidewalks, parks, and bike lanes. To find more ideas visit: https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/what-you-can-doTogether we can all make the healthy choice, the easy choice.Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

WINKEL: Make the healthy choice, the easy choice

In the recent legislative session, a significant decision was made that profoundly impacted property tax dynamics in Kansas. 

The Tax Plan adopted by the Kansas House and Senate notably omits the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund (LAVTR), thereby stripping a vital mechanism to alleviate the property tax burden on Kansas residents and businesses.

This move not only breaks a longstanding promise to our cities and counties but also occurs at a time when Kansas boasts a $1.9 billion budget surplus.

Established in 1965, the LAVTR was a landmark initiative designed to return a portion of state-collected sales taxes to local governments, thereby reducing local property taxes dollar-for-dollar.

This was a significant step towards ensuring equitable distribution of tax burdens and supporting local communities. Initially, LAVTR funding was halted when Kansas faced financial constraints and could not afford the allocations.

However, those financially restrictive times have long since passed, making the continued non-funding of LAVTR more difficult to justify, given current fiscal conditions.

Despite its potential, the fund has not received allocations for over two decades. This prolonged neglect underscores a missed opportunity, especially poignant, considering that Kansas cities and counties have foregone more than $1.7 billion in funding that could have directly reduced local property taxes.

This is not just a loss of funds but a loss of potential for Kansas residents to have a lighter tax burden and for local economies to thrive. 

Furthermore, most cities and counties across the state have worked diligently to maintain or lower their mill levy, often doing more with less. Local elected officials and city staff, who pay the same property tax rates as their constituents, recognize the heavy burden that high property taxes place on families and businesses.

The recent legislative decision to remove LAVTR entirely from the statutes effectively abolishes a practical tool for tax relief, with no forthcoming alternative that adequately addresses the immediate financial pressures on local governments.

This decision is even more difficult to reconcile with the fact that, during this time of fiscal abundance, the potential to fund LAVTR fully was feasible yet overlooked.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While the legislature faces complex fiscal decisions, these choices must prioritize the greater good.&nbsp; It is crucial to recognize that every dollar saved in property taxes is a dollar that can support family budgets, boost local economies and enhance community well-being.

In conclusion, our legislators face difficult fiscal decisions. However, eliminating the LAVTR during a time of surplus represents a significant step back in our efforts to provide genuine tax relief to Kansas residents. It is a disservice to both the spirit of equitable governance and the financial health of our local communities.&nbsp;

The promise of addressing high property taxes for all property owners should be fulfilled. There is still time. 

With Governor Kelly’s veto of the tax plan, the legislature can override the veto or work with the governor on a compromise tax plan, which should not include the wholesale elimination of the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund.

Rather, leveraging our state's surplus and funding the LAVTR would substantially reduce the financial burden on our citizens.

—&nbsp;Jon Quinday, Russell city manager

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091063975.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In the recent legislative session, a significant decision was made that profoundly impacted property tax dynamics in Kansas. The Tax Plan adopted by the Kansas House and Senate notably omits the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund (LAVTR), thereby stripping a vital mechanism to alleviate the property tax burden on Kansas residents and businesses.This move not only breaks a longstanding promise to our cities and counties but also occurs at a time when Kansas boasts a $1.9 billion budget surplus.Established in 1965, the LAVTR was a landmark initiative designed to return a portion of state-collected sales taxes to local governments, thereby reducing local property taxes dollar-for-dollar.This was a significant step towards ensuring equitable distribution of tax burdens and supporting local communities. Initially, LAVTR funding was halted when Kansas faced financial constraints and could not afford the allocations.However, those financially restrictive times have long since passed, making the continued non-funding of LAVTR more difficult to justify, given current fiscal conditions.Despite its potential, the fund has not received allocations for over two decades. This prolonged neglect underscores a missed opportunity, especially poignant, considering that Kansas cities and counties have foregone more than $1.7 billion in funding that could have directly reduced local property taxes.This is not just a loss of funds but a loss of potential for Kansas residents to have a lighter tax burden and for local economies to thrive. Furthermore, most cities and counties across the state have worked diligently to maintain or lower their mill levy, often doing more with less. Local elected officials and city staff, who pay the same property tax rates as their constituents, recognize the heavy burden that high property taxes place on families and businesses.The recent legislative decision to remove LAVTR entirely from the statutes effectively abolishes a practical tool for tax relief, with no forthcoming alternative that adequately addresses the immediate financial pressures on local governments.This decision is even more difficult to reconcile with the fact that, during this time of fiscal abundance, the potential to fund LAVTR fully was feasible yet overlooked.&nbsp;&nbsp;While the legislature faces complex fiscal decisions, these choices must prioritize the greater good.&nbsp; It is crucial to recognize that every dollar saved in property taxes is a dollar that can support family budgets, boost local economies and enhance community well-being.In conclusion, our legislators face difficult fiscal decisions. However, eliminating the LAVTR during a time of surplus represents a significant step back in our efforts to provide genuine tax relief to Kansas residents. It is a disservice to both the spirit of equitable governance and the financial health of our local communities.&nbsp;The promise of addressing high property taxes for all property owners should be fulfilled. There is still time. With Governor Kelly’s veto of the tax plan, the legislature can override the veto or work with the governor on a compromise tax plan, which should not include the wholesale elimination of the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund.Rather, leveraging our state's surplus and funding the LAVTR would substantially reduce the financial burden on our citizens.—&nbsp;Jon Quinday, Russell city manager

LETTER: Amidst a $1.9 billion surplus, Kansas abandons tax relief tool  

STEVE GILLIAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

My supervisor from years ago lived in a community along Kannapolis Lake. He would tell me stories about the numerous deer that were always in his backyard, and scoff at my stories of unsuccessful deer hunts. “I don’t know why you don’t just come down and shoot a deer from my back porch” he would say. Obviously that would have taken little planning but would probably have been illegal and at very least would have been horrible public relations, and the sight of me dragging a field dressed deer through his back yard would possibly have gotten him run out of the community on a rail. Few non-hunters understand the strategy and planning that are part of successful hunting. Seldom is hunting merely climbing into a stand or blind, shooting game then going home.

Case in point; a couple turkey seasons ago, I was out for the first time that year. I often hunt on my sister’s land and have a general knowledge of where the turkeys there usually roost. But, having disobeyed the first rule of turkey hunting and not done any scouting whatsoever, I purposely arrived just at sunup so I could see ahead of me as I walked. I parked in a hay field, ducked under the fence and slowly strolled into a woodlot through which a partially dry stream cut like a sidewinder snake. I hadn’t taken a dozen steps when a gobbler’s booming report echoed just ahead of me. Not good! I had probably spooked the resident turkeys already and hadn’t yet even seen them.

Now the planning and strategy came into play. I knew where those turkeys were headed but there was more than one way for them to get there. Should I quickly backtrack and try to get around and ahead of them to ambush them elsewhere? It was still early in the season and I now knew where they roosted, so I choose to leave quietly, and come back to set up early that afternoon to try and intercept them on their return.

I arrived about four that afternoon and walked to the far side of that same woodlot, where I settled in amongst a group of fallen trees where Joyce and I had once begun building a nice deer stand until the trees blew down in a bad storm. Now the big cottonwood trunks lay in a twisted mass, perfect for harboring a hopeful turkey hunter. Around 5:30 black specks finally appeared in an alfalfa field at least a quarter mile away. They seemed content to graze the evening away there with little regard for my hen decoy, which I knew the sharp-eyed toms could see. It was strategy time again; I was near their roosting area and even if their mood changed and they came my way soon, that was no guarantee of a shot. Turkeys are easily spooked from the area if pressured to hard or too often, and if I was caught there without getting a shot, I would risk spooking them badly (again) when I left. I opted to back out quietly and plan for a better ambush point another day.

<figure>
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 </figure>STEVE GILLIAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsMy supervisor from years ago lived in a community along Kannapolis Lake. He would tell me stories about the numerous deer that were always in his backyard, and scoff at my stories of unsuccessful deer hunts. “I don’t know why you don’t just come down and shoot a deer from my back porch” he would say. Obviously that would have taken little planning but would probably have been illegal and at very least would have been horrible public relations, and the sight of me dragging a field dressed deer through his back yard would possibly have gotten him run out of the community on a rail. Few non-hunters understand the strategy and planning that are part of successful hunting. Seldom is hunting merely climbing into a stand or blind, shooting game then going home.Case in point; a couple turkey seasons ago, I was out for the first time that year. I often hunt on my sister’s land and have a general knowledge of where the turkeys there usually roost. But, having disobeyed the first rule of turkey hunting and not done any scouting whatsoever, I purposely arrived just at sunup so I could see ahead of me as I walked. I parked in a hay field, ducked under the fence and slowly strolled into a woodlot through which a partially dry stream cut like a sidewinder snake. I hadn’t taken a dozen steps when a gobbler’s booming report echoed just ahead of me. Not good! I had probably spooked the resident turkeys already and hadn’t yet even seen them.Now the planning and strategy came into play. I knew where those turkeys were headed but there was more than one way for them to get there. Should I quickly backtrack and try to get around and ahead of them to ambush them elsewhere? It was still early in the season and I now knew where they roosted, so I choose to leave quietly, and come back to set up early that afternoon to try and intercept them on their return.I arrived about four that afternoon and walked to the far side of that same woodlot, where I settled in amongst a group of fallen trees where Joyce and I had once begun building a nice deer stand until the trees blew down in a bad storm. Now the big cottonwood trunks lay in a twisted mass, perfect for harboring a hopeful turkey hunter. Around 5:30 black specks finally appeared in an alfalfa field at least a quarter mile away. They seemed content to graze the evening away there with little regard for my hen decoy, which I knew the sharp-eyed toms could see. It was strategy time again; I was near their roosting area and even if their mood changed and they came my way soon, that was no guarantee of a shot. Turkeys are easily spooked from the area if pressured to hard or too often, and if I was caught there without getting a shot, I would risk spooking them badly (again) when I left. I opted to back out quietly and plan for a better ambush point another day.Sunday afternoon found me tucked in under a big cedar tree at the far end of the alfalfa field where the turkeys were grazing the evening before. This seemed to be a better ambush spot than where I’d been, and would not be so hard to get away from without spooking the group if things didn’t work out (again.) I sat overlooking the alfalfa and had a hen decoy placed twenty yards away at about the two o’clock position. I could see very well to my right but not very far to my left, as some clumps of weeds separating the fields blocked my view. After an hour and a half, I noticed the cows below me looking intently at something to my left. I’m not known for my patience, so I eased out of my camp chair onto my hands and knees to creep forward and have a look around. I’d not crawled a foot when the bright red face and fanned-out tail of a strutting gobbler stepped silently from behind the nearest clump of weeds barely ten feet away. The rest is history. He had crept silently in to check out my decoy, and would probably have given me a good shot If I’d have stayed glued to my seat another minute. My planning and strategy put me spot on for location, but my impatience busted me again!Wind direction is not a factor when hunting turkeys, but when hunting most wildlife, wind speed and direction plays a huge role, along with time of day, location, weather patterns and even moon signs. Yes, hunting is a game of planning and strategy, and when all things come together correctly, the reward is often meat for the freezer….Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

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