A Challenging Year

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US AT K-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION

I’ve enjoyed providing glimpses of what our folks across the state have to offer over this past, rather challenging year. Check out your local office for a lot more. I’m taking a break for a couple of weeks but look forward to being back with you on Jan. 7 in what we all hope is a better year.

In today’s Better Kansas, I address the benefits of sitting down for family meals, ageism, what to do with that fresh Christmas tree after the holidays, staying connected with all things crops and calving schools. This is a small glimpse of what K-State Research and Extension across the state has to offer. Share on social media and subscribe and as always, I appreciate your feedback. – Mary Lou Peter [email protected]

Better Living, Better Communities

IF EVER THERE WAS A TIME FOR FAMILIES TO SIT DOWN FOR MEALS TOGETHER, it’s during this pandemic. I know that watching your toddler put peas up his nose and listening to your tween complain about online classes does not necessarily spell fun on a daily basis, but there truly are benefits to this ritual. The opportunity to help kids develop healthier eating habits and give young children a chance to build conversational skills and to be heard are just some. And studies show benefits beyond that – better mental health for your kiddos, fewer depressive symptoms for teens, and better grades. Check out The Science of Family Mealtime to learn more. I was aware of “mindfulness” before, but “scaffolding” as a way to learn was a new one for me. Family mealtimes were important when I was raising my kids (and yes, occasionally it was McDonald’s or pizza), but I didn’t know the science behind it. Now, I do.

I’VE BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT AGEISM IN RECENT YEARS, WHICH PROBABLY says something about where I am in life. Just like sexism, racism, and other forms of bias or discrimination, ageism can be so veiled and such a part of our everyday culture that it’s often not even recognized – unless you or someone you know is negatively impacted. From my perspective, everyone is negatively impacted. Listen in to a recent Sound Living radio interview with specialists on aging and gerontology from three universities as they discuss the consequences of ageism, implicit bias and how extension systems are working to better serve older adults.

Better Farming, Ranching and Gardening

I’VE HEARD THAT SALES OF FRESH CHRISTMAS TREES have been unusually brisk this year. Maybe it’s because we’ve wanted to get outside and do SOMETHING and even picking out a fresh tree from a lot – or better yet, a farm – is a lot more of an experience than dragging the artificial ….. excuse me, faux Christmas tree …. out of the basement. But what to do with that fresh tree after the holiday season? Some municipalities will collect them curbside, but they can also become part of the circle of life, so to speak, meaning they can be sunk in a pond or lake to provide fish habitat, or moved outdoors to provide winter cover for birds. Take a look at the recent extension Horticulture Newsletter for more tips plus information on caring for fruit baskets, storing pecans and other nuts and a link to a video about the dilemma of low light for indoor plants and what to do about it. You might also enjoy this article from the New York Times.

WITH IN-PERSON EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES SEVERELY CURTAILED as COVID-19 settled over the U.S. this year, it became clear that the tech savvy folks had an advantage over the rest of us. The K-State extension agronomy team was already using social media and other digital platforms to reach agricultural audiences and were able to pivot and build on that expertise, and offer a broad array of research-based information to crop producers, grain processors, agricultural lenders, equipment manufacturers and other related industries through the weekly eUpdate newsletter, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and more. Take a look at a recent Agronomy eUpdate article to learn more. Pretty impressive, especially for someone who doesn’t know her platforms from her filters from her domains!

ONE THING’S FOR SURE DESPITE THIS PANDEMIC, COWS WILL BE CALVING SOON! And it won’t be long before our Kansas landscape will be dotted with cows and their babies. Love that sight. That means it’s time for 2021 Calving Schools which start in early January:

Wed., Jan. 6 – Emporia – Contact Brian Rees [email protected]

Mon., Jan. 11 – Winfield – Contact Kelsey Nordyke [email protected]

Wed., Jan. 13 – Blue Rapids – Contact Anastasia Johnson Meyer [email protected]

Thurs., Jan. 21 – Dodge City – Contact Andrea Burns [email protected]

Speakers include K-State Research and Extension veterinarian A.J. Tarpoff, who will outline overall calving management including stages of normal calving and tips to handle difficult situations. Presenters will demonstrate proper use of calving equipment and other topics, depending on site. Check out the possibilities.

For more resources and activities, contact the K-State Research and Extension office in your area. Check out our other blogs and subscribe to our weekly emails here: https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/blogs/

 by Mary Lou Peter on December 17, 2020