March 2020

"Knowledge for Life"

Event Calendar

P lease take this 10-15 minute survey to share your experiences and priorities.

Throughout 2020, the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, the Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita, and community partners will be creating a Food System Master Plan. If you eat, buy, or sell food in Sedgwick County, you should have a say in this process! Please take this 10-15 minute survey to share your experiences and priorities. Your answers will help shape the future of food in Wichita and Sedgwick County! Click here to take the survey.

4-H and Youth

We are excited to announce Stephanie Hays will serve as a Sedgwick County Extension 4-H Agent starting on June 15th, 2020!

Kansas 4-Hers “Tackled the Hill On February 16 & 17 Kansas 4-Hers “Tackled the Hill” at the Kansas State Capital Building in Topeka and were trained on how to use Civic Discourse to find solutions to tough issues such as Mental Health Laws, How to Prevent Mass Shootings, and Land Usage Laws to name a few. KSRE Sedgwick County 4-H Delegates Camden Bull, Eric Sprecker, Evan Snell, Alex Mork, Emily Mork, Logan Taylor, and Jacob Gordon met with Senators and Representatives from our district at the Capital Building in Topeka to discuss views and issues that affect them now and in the future. This experience has empowered our youth by educating them in the legislative process and encourages them to be knowledgeable and take a stand in state and national issues. Learn more about 4-H here.

Aging and Medicare

Stay Strong Stay Healthy Level 1-Clearwater Senior Center One of the best ways to keep your body and mind functioning at their best is to exercise. Regular participation in strengthening exercises can help you build muscle and increase bone density, which prevents frailty and osteoporosis. Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is an 8-week exercise program that meets twice a week for 1-hour. The program’s goal is to improve your health and quality of life.  Each hour-long class includes:  Warm-up exercises  Easy strengthening exercises, with or without weights  Cool-down stretches  During the program, you will learn exercises to improve strength, balance, and flexibility. Classes start April 6, 2020, at the Clearwater Senior Center. The cost is $20.00 for all 16 sessions. No special clothes or equipment needed – weights provided! Register on our website  www.sedgwick.ksu.edu

Agriculture

Big decisions are looming for farmers Better Kansas Blog Big decisions are looming for farmers as part of the most recent farm bill. We’ve developed a new “tradeoff” spreadsheet tool to help farmers make their program election decisions, which need to be done by March 15. The spreadsheet, which compares potential 2019/2020 Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) county level payments with Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payments, includes every state, county and covered commodity for which the USDA’s Farm Service Agency has released data. Included on the Agmanager.info website is both the spreadsheet and an 8-minute video that explains how the spreadsheet works and how to interpret the results. A radio interview on this and several other topics was also part of a recent Agriculture Today broadcast. If you haven’t already signed up, you’ll want to take a look or listen.

Children and Families

Household chores can turn into lifelong lessons by Elizabeth Brunscheen-Cartagena  Teaching the perspective of showing love to each other as a family is essential. Make each day a little brighter by stepping into each other's shoes and use that understanding to guide your actions. Here are a few suggestions to incorporate life long lessons and relationship building into daily activities with your children.  Try sharing household chores. When we work as a team and share the load it helps protects anyone from getting physically or emotionally drained. Our parental way of thinking can pose some obstacles, for example:  "By asking the children to help in the house, I feel I am not doing my job as a parent." The fact is, everyone in the family creates work at home: dirty dishes, dirty clothes, an unmade bed, and shoes out of place. Every family member can help at their skill level.   "It's easier to do the job myself." Teaching our kids indeed requires time and patience and, early on, they may not do as good a job. They are learning. A child's ability will improve over time. Practice makes perfect.   "The chore may not be done on time." To solve this, assign time limits on tasks and verify they are being done.  Avoid re-doing the task even if it wasn't done your way. If the windows are smudged, or the bathroom sink still holds toothpaste, use the opportunity to explain and correct instead of fixing it yourself. Teach someone more skills and responsibilities. Family members will benefit from the expertise and responsibilities they develop immediately and in the future. Your children develop self-confidence when they learn new skills and know-how to do basic practical tasks. Sit down with your family and make a to-do list. Discuss expectations in detail and set deadlines for completing tasks. For example, washing the dishes includes cleaning the counter and the sink. Discuss who will do what chores. One child may prefer to dust the furniture, while another prefers to vacuum. When assigning tasks take into consideration the child's age and skill level and train thoroughly. While sweeping the floor, you may have to stay with your child to instruct them.  Do not try to control everything. As long as the child's safety is not compromised, let your children make mistakes and learn from them. Congratulate and encourage family members as they learn their new responsibilities. Praise them on the spot by mentioning positive details you see them complete. You may find household chores challenging to start, but very satisfying to complete as a family team. Everyone will have more time for other interests. As a parent, you will also be secure in the knowledge that your children are increasingly better prepared for life. There are many long-term advantages to delegating the responsibilities of household chores to our children. It leaves more time for fun and relaxation.

Community Vitality

One goal of K-State Research and Extension is to provide technical assistance and evidence-based programs to citizens who want to make sure their communities survive and prosper. K-State Research and Extension can play a key role in helping people create a vision across traditional geographical, sociological, and political boundaries. We can help your community become a better place to live, work, and play.

Gardening and Landscaping

Have a gardening or lawn care question? Call or email the Master Gardener hotline ! The Extension Master Gardener Hotline is open for questions about gardening from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays at (316) 660-0190, or send an email with your questions to sgemghotline@gmail.com.

Youth in the 5th - 9th grades will learn the basics of running their own lawn mowing business, including lawn mower safety & maintenance, basic lawn care, and business skills. Youth completing the class will receive a folder of resources, business cards, and a completion certificate. The cost to register for this event is $10.00 before March 4th, and $15.00 if registration is submitted after March 1st. The registration payment is required to reserve your seat. $10.00 will be reimbursed to each participant upon completion of the clinic, thanks to the generosity of our program sponsors, Shaun & Ashley Weaver.

Health and Nutrition

We All Eat! A free hands-on learning event for the community. What:  Get tips, tools, tricks, and tastings to inspire healthy eating. When:   A come and go event on Thursday, March 26 th from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Where:   Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, 7001 W. 21 st Street N. This 4 th annual, free community event was designed to empower individuals to make healthy eating a doable part of their lives through education, hands-on application, access, and support. The event will also serve as a healthy ‘foodraiser’ for the Kansas Food Bank with a suggested donation of peanut butter, fruit (in 100% juice), whole-grain cereal and canned beans (black, pinto, and kidney). Free Cooking Demonstrations – more details coming soon! For more information, please contact Sara Sawer at sarasawer@ksu.edu or call 316-660-0118.

It is time to dust off your walking shoes and Walk Kansas! Walk Kansas is a team-based program that will help you and others lead a healthier life. Joining this program can help you be more active with friends and family, make better nutrition choices, and walk away your stress. Enjoy walking with a work team, family members and friends. Registration is open for enrollment. If you have questions about Walk Kansas, please contact Stephanie Lopez at 316-660-0119 or email sldelong@ksu.edu

Federal food programs The USDA sponsors the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and is implemented by K-State Research and Extension. Lessons are provided in basic nutrition, food preparation, food budget management, and food safety in settings convenient for you. Kansas SNAP-Ed is a nutrition education program provided at no cost to Kansas families with limited resources. Our goal is to provide nutrition education to individuals and families who receive assistance or are eligible to receive food assistance. Read more

Local Food

Growing Growers ICT Growing Growers ICT, an innovative farmer education program based at K-State Research and Extension – Sedgwick County, is entering its second year of providing new and experienced fruit and vegetable growers with fresh energy and new ideas.  The program is open to all types of people interested in starting their own fruit and vegetable farms and accepts all kinds of growing styles and approaches. Learn more and apply for apprenticeships here: ictfoodcircle.org/growinggrowers

Healthy Recipe

Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner Ingredients: 1 (4-pound) cured corned beef brisket, trimmed 16 cups water 2 cups chopped onion 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped carrot 1 1/2 teaspoons pickling spice 3 garlic cloves, peeled Cooking spray 1 tablespoon caraway seeds 1 (2 1/2-pound) head green cabbage, cored and cut into 1-inch strips 4 pounds small red potatoes, quartered 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 teaspoons butter 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs 1 (5-ounce) jar prepared horseradish, drained and squeezed dry 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Directions: Step 1 - Place corned beef in a large stockpot; add water and next 5 ingredients (water through garlic). Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 3 hours. Remove brisket from pot. Step 2 - Place corned beef on the rack of a broiler pan or roasting pan coated with cooking spray; place rack in pan. Strain cooking liquid through a colander into 2 large bowls; discard solids. Return liquid to pot. Add caraway seeds and cabbage; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes. Drain. Step 3 - While cabbage is cooking, place potatoes in a large Dutch oven. Cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook 20 minutes or until tender. Drain. Return potatoes to pan. Stir in parsley, butter, rind, juice, and pepper; toss to coat. Step 4 - Preheat broiler. Step 5 - Combine breadcrumbs and horseradish. Spread mustard over one side of corned beef. Press breadcrumb mixture onto mustard. Broil 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve corned beef with cabbage and potatoes. Calories 321; Calories from fat 41%; Fat 14.5g; Satfat 4.6g; Monofat 6.5g; Polyfat 0.8g; Protein 22.8g; Carbohydrate 27.6g; Fiber 10g; Cholesterol 86mgl Iron 4.3mgl Sodium 927mg; Calcium 11mg. Source: Cooking Light

Volunteer

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity to match your passion? Become a Master Gardener, 4-H Leader, SHICK Volunteer, Plant a Row for the Hungry, or a Master Food Volunteer. Do you have a specific talent you would like to share? Please contact us to learn more about how you can make a difference in your community. Learn about available opportunities here

Event Calendar

March 3, 2020 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Dining with Diabetes Dining with Diabetes is a series of four classes, that help individuals learn strategies to manage their diabetes through menu planning, carbohydrate counting, portion control and label reading. Participants have the opportunity to sample healthy foods  prepared in class and take home recipes!  Classes will be held on March 3, 10, 24 and 31.  Registration is required to attend the classes. March 11, 2020 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Medicare Options Get ready to embark into the world of Medicare. Each paid participant will receive a copy of the program materials. Plan to attend several months before you become Medicare eligible. Registration required.  $10 fee per registrant (monetary help for fee available). Contact our office for more information. March 18, 2020 Morning and Afternoon Sessions Youth Lawn Mowing Clinic Youth in the 5th - 9th grades will learn the basics of running their own lawn mowing business, including lawn mower safety & maintenance, basic lawn care, and business skills. Youth completing the class will receive a folder of resources, business cards, and a completion certificate. March 23, 2020 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Medicare Options Get ready to embark into the world of Medicare. Each paid participant will receive a copy of the program materials. Plan to attend several months before you become Medicare eligible. Registration required.  $10 fee per registrant (monetary help for fee available). Contact our office for more information. March 24, 2020 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Rockwell Branch Library March 26, 2020 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Evergreen Branch Library 20 Top Vegetable Garden pests and problems The lure of beautiful, delicious produce inspires us to plant a wide range of vegetables every year. The excitement can quickly turn to disappointment when insects, diseases, and the weather cause our veggies to be more compost-worthy than Instagram-ready! Come learn from Horticulture Extension Agent Rebecca McMahon about the top 20 pests and problems that plague Kansas vegetable gardens and how you can garden smart and be prepared to deal with them. March 28, 2020 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Bonding thru Board Games - Mega Even t March 31, 2020 8:45 a.m. - 4-15 p.m. Tree-Mendous Trees! Extension Master Gardener Donna Wise will talk about the many ways trees enhance our lives, from shade and wind protection, to carbon sequestration, to just being beautiful. She will talk about how to select trees for our area and what to do to care for them so they will thrive. To register: call 316-688-9361 or go online to www.wichitalibrary.org/gardening.

March: 3 Dining with Diabetes 11 Medicare Options 18 Youth Lawn Mowing Clinic 23 Medicare Options 24 20 Top Vegetable Garden Pests & Problems 26 20 Top Vegetable Garden Pests & Problems 28 Bonding thru Board Games - Mega Event 31 Tree-Mendous Trees!

April: 2 Tree-Mendous Trees! 4 Tree Fest / Tools & Treasures Sale 6 Stay Strong, Stay Healthy 6 Medicare Options 7 Tips for Shade Garden Plants 9 Tips for Shade Garden Plants 14 Designing Drought Tolerant Landscapes 16 Designing Drought Tolerant Landscapes 21 Introduction to Container Gardening 23 Introduction to Container Gardening

Please see our events webpage for additional event information

Facilities rental Looking for a location for your next meeting, or event? We offer event spaces and meeting rooms to make your next event a success. The Sedgwick County Extension Education Center is the home for Extension educational programs for the citizens of Sedgwick County. When 4-H Hall and meeting rooms are not being used for Extension programs and activities, they are available for rent. See rates here

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This monthly e-newsletter is intended to inform citizens of events, activities and research-based information from the K-State Research and Extension Center - Sedgwick County, 7001 W. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS. 67205 K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.