January 2020

"Knowledge for Life"

Wichita Police Department recognizes veterinary medicine researchers, extension agent for heroic service by Jennifer Tidball Two Kansas State University veterinary medicine researchers and a K-State Research and Extension — Sedgwick County horticulture agent have received awards from the Wichita Police Department for their roles in saving three lives through their quick diagnosis of blue-green algae. In the College of Veterinary Medicine , Steve Ensley, veterinary toxicologist and clinical professor of anatomy and physiology, and Scott Fritz, research associate with the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory , have received the Outstanding Citizen Assistance Plaque. Matthew McKernan, horticulture agent with K-State Research and Extension — Sedgwick County , has received the Certificate of Appreciation. The award stems from an August incident near West Kellogg in Wichita when a suspicious character tried to escape police officers by swimming into a retention pond. The teenager could not swim and disappeared underwater for 30 seconds. Wichita police officers Terry Nelson and Drew Rhoades dove into the water, rescued the teenager and brought her to shore to administer CPR until emergency medical services arrived. All three people soon became ill after exposure to the water and doctors believed that the teenager would die. Read the full story here

4-H and Youth

Introducing the Debbie Gruenbacher 4-H GoCreate Project Sedgwick County 4-H is partnering with GoCreate to help 4-Her’s in their future career paths and take their projects to a whole new level. Stay tuned for more information on scholarships and memberships. Read more about 4-H here.

Aging and Medicare

Healthy lifestyle changes can have a positive impact at any age. Since there is no magic potion to stop the aging process, it is important to take care of your body, mind and spirit By incorporating these 12 steps and other healthy behaviors into your daily life you can encourage optimal aging. Click here to learn more about programs offered.

Agriculture

K-State researchers make progress on work with industrial hemp by Pat Melgares “It’s a brand new crop that nobody in Kansas should have legal experience growing,” said Jason Griffin, director of the John C. Pair Horticultural Center, one of three sites where K-State’s research trials have taken place this year (research was also conducted at K-State facilities in Colby and Olathe). “Since it was new, we needed baseline information on how to grow the crop successfully.” Griffin noted that “99% of the people growing industrial hemp in Kansas this year were growing for cannabidiol,” better known as CBD. Cannabinoids have high interest among consumers because of their purported medical and therapeutic benefits in humans and companion animals. CBD and other varieties are legal to grow if they produce less than .3% tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. If the plant’s THC level is greater than .3%, it is considered marijuana and not legal to grow or possess in Kansas. “We knew that Kansas farmers wanted to get into this industry,” Griffin said, “and our job is to conduct research to help farmers be successful with the crop.” Griffin and the research team at the John C. Pair center planted seven CBD varieties, including five in high tunnels, which are plastic-covered structures that provide some protection from the environment compared to open field conditions. Read more

Children and Families

Radon testing kits available What is radon? Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can’t see radon, smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home. Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That’s because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. Testing is inexpensive, easy and only takes a few minutes of your time. Radon test kits are available at the Extension Education Center for $10.00 which includes postage and all test fees, kits are available year-round. Learn more

Community Vitality

Grant writing workshop 2020 Tuesday, February 25, 2020 from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM  Grants are a vital piece in your community’s funding puzzle…and you can do it! In this workshop you will learn: Sources of data for community needs. Where to find grants. Elements of a great grant proposal. Practicing the grant elements. Early-bird registration cost is $95.00 fee per registrant, after Feb. 9 the fee is $119.00. Register here

Gardening and Landscaping

2020 Design & Grow Gardening Workshop Celebrated international author and horticulturist Brie Arthur will speak on the topic of her best-selling book, The Foodscape Revolution, at the 2020 Design & Grow Gardening Workshop on Saturday, February 1, 2020, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center. Experts will also cover additional topics in the field of horticulture at this all-day event. The Design & Grow Gardening Workshop is for both novice and experienced gardeners. It is an opportunity to learn from the experts, and gain new concepts for gardening, landscaping, and inspiration in new plants and gardening experiences. Workshop topics include: The Foodscape Revolution, Container gardening, Growing herbs, Heirloom vegetables, Tree selection, Hydrangeas, Landscaping with natives, Sizzling Succulents, and more. Registration fee is $15.00 per person prior to January 22 nd ; after January 22 nd the fee is $25.00 per person; deadline for registration is January 30, 2020. This event is sponsored by K-State Research & Extension - Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program. Click here for additional information and to register.

Health and Nutrition

Register for Dining with Diabetes today! Do you struggle with choosing healthy foods to better manage your blood sugars? If the answer is yes, we can help! Dining with Diabetes is a 4-session class taught by a Registered Dietitian which includes: · Planning meals and snacks with inexpensive, delicious and healthy recipes. · Cooking demonstrations and food tastings. · Motivation and support. · Ideas for being more active. · An understanding of how diabetes affects your overall health. This class is for those with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and/or caregivers of those living with type 2 diabetes. Our next class will be held on January 31st, February 7th, February 21st and February 28th from 11 am to 1:00 pm at the Oaklawn Activity Center, 4904 S. Clifton Ave. The class is FREE, but you must call 316-529-2677 and preregister.

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

#ICTYourPlate in the Winter Months We usually associate shopping at the farmers' market with the summer months. However, there are still options for shopping at a local market throughout the winter months. While many of the products offered are baked goods, jams, salsas, and crafts, you can still buy your local meat and some veggies. Local farmers have been hard at work growing leafy greens, root veggies, and even a few summer crops during the winter. Read more to see details and locations.

Growing Growers ICT The Growing Growers ICT program provides education to new and experienced growers through a farm apprenticeship program and an annual workshop series. We are currently looking for apprentices and host farms for 2020! As one of the only programs of its kind in the state, Growing Growers ICT is on the cutting edge of developing new fruit and vegetable farmers in Kansas, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants during its first year in operation .  Read more

Volunteer Spotlight

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 opportunities here

Healthy Recipe

Arugula & Pear Salad Ingredients: 2 Tbsp finely chopped shallot 3 Tbsp vegetable broth 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 2 firm red Bartlett pears Freshly ground pepper, to taste 5 cups butterhead lettuce, (Bibb or Boston), torn into bite size pieces 4 cups arugula, trimmed

Directions: To prepare dressing: Whisk shallot, broth, oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl. To prepare salad: Toast walnuts in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring, until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool. Just before serving, cut pears into 16 slices each. Place in a large bowl. Spoon on 1 Tbsp of the dressing and toss to coat. Add lettuce, arugula and the remaining dressing; toss well. Divide among 8 plates. Top with the walnuts. Serving size: 1 cup. Nutrition information per serving: 133 calories; 10 g fat; 2 g fiber; 10 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 97 mg sodium. Source: Eating Well

Relationship Tip

Family appreciation We show appreciation because we want another person to know how much we value what they have done. True appreciation is not fake and manipulative; it is freely given without any obligation on either the person doing it or hearing it. True appreciation is an invitation, not an expectation. Showing appreciation invites the other to do likewise sometime in the future. We do not expect the other person to do so. Our appreciation shows we care about the other person and are not doing it for self-serving reasons. Read more

Gardening Tip

January gardening calendar January is a time of preparation and preventative maintenance in the garden. Browse catalogs, dream of what your garden can become, and do a few things outside on the warmer days. Vegetables and fruits •  Pick up and discard fallen fruit before spring arrives. •  As nursery catalogs begin to arrive, look for plants with improved insect and disease resistance. •  Order fruit trees Flowers •  Peruse seed catalogs and prepare your seed order. •  Things you can start: For spring flowers, get unplanted spring bulbs in the ground as soon as possible.    o  Start seeds throughout the winter, depending on growing requirements.    o  Water fall-planted perennials to prevent dry soil conditions. •  Watch for signs of frost heaving and cover tender roots. •  Replace mulch layers. •  Check bulbs in storage for rot and decay. Discard damaged ones. •  Curl up with a good book and learn more about gardening. Lawns •  Avoid walking on frozen lawns. It may injure the grass. •  Rake fallen leaves that pile up on the lawn to prevent suffocation of grass. •  Scatter snow instead of piling it up on the lawn next to drives and walks. Trees and Shrubs •  Snow and ice on limbs:    o  Gently brush heavy snow from tree and shrub limbs to reduce damage.    o  Allow ice to melt naturally from limbs. Do not use water to melt the ice or attempt to knock it off. Pruning    o  Prune storm damaged limbs quickly to reduce damage and prevent tearing of the bark.    o  Avoid the temptation to prune on warm winter day. You'll prevent further damage. •  Bring twigs of flowering trees and shrubs indoors to force blossoms. •  Water fall-planted trees and shrubs when soil is dry but not frozen. •  Watch out for rabbit damage to the bark of trees and shrubs. Miscellaneous •  Clean and repair garden tools during the winter. •  Sand and seal tool handles to prevent splinters. Apply brightly colored paint to handles.    It makes them easier to spot in the garden. •  Keep bird feeders and water supplies filled for the feathered friends. •  Evaluate the garden and make notes to assist in next year's planning. •  Take photos of the garden and analyze for year-round interest.

Event Calendar

January 2, 2020 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Stay Strong Stay Healthy Keep your body and mind functioning at its best. Regular participation in strength exercise can help you build muscle and increase bone density. This is an 8-week exercise program that meets twice a week for a 1-hour class. Cost is $20.00 for all 16 classes, registration is required. January 4, 2019 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Three Kings Day, Hispanic Culture Awareness Three Kings Day is an important holiday in many Hispanic countries, and it helps close the Christmas season celebration on Jan. 6th. Join us and discover how some of the Hispanic countries celebrate this day. The Three Kings will be there to visit and take photos with children and adults. This event will include cultural tables representing a variety of Hispanic countries, crafts, music and games. Children will receive a goodie bag when they come and talk to the Three Kings. Diversity is one of the eight common elements that underlie the K-State 2025 vision and goals. It is core to our mission and embedded in our principles of community. Learn more at k-state.edu/2025. Sponsored by: Mark Collier Allstate Insurance.  January 8, 2020 4:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m. Growing Growers ICT Informational Meeting Are you interested in learning more about the Growing Growers ICT program and apprenticeships? This informational session will answer your questions.  January 13, 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. Cost is $10.00 fee per registrant, registration is required. January 25, 2020 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 2020 4-H Youth Food Challenge The 4-H Food Challenge combines the love of food and presentation skills in a fast-paced competitive environment. Registration is is required, please visit the 2020 Food Challenge webpage for more information. January 31, 2020 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 made utilizing concepts taught. Classes will be held on Jan. 31, Feb. 7, Feb. 21st and Feb. 28th.  Please contact the Derby Recreation Center at 316-529-2677 to register. Must be registered to attend classes.

January: 2 Stay Strong Stay Healthy 4 Three Kings Day, Hispanic Cultural Awareness 8 Growing Growers ICT Informational Meeting 13 Medicare Options 14 2020 Soybean School 14 Step Stones for Step-families - Spanish 15 Step Stones for Step-families - Spanish 17 Bonding thru Board Games 21 Step Stones for Step-families - Spanish 22 Step Stones for Step-families - Spanish 22 Sedgwick County Shooting Sports Match 25 2020 4-H Food Challenge 27 Internet Safety 29 Step Stones for Step-families - Spanish 31 Bonding thru Board Games 31 Dining with Diabetes

February: 1 Design & Grow Gardening Workshop 4 Industrial hemp Conference 4 Step Stones for Step-families -Spanish 5 Medicare Options 5 Step Stones for Step-families - Spanish 7 Local Food Producer Entrepreneurship Workshop 7 Growing Growers ICT Apprentice Meet and Greet 8 2020 4-H Club Day 8 Wichita Regional Farmers Market Vendor Workshop 11 Step Stones for Step-families - Spanish 12 Step Stones for Step-families - Spanish 14 Growing Growers ICT Apprenticeship Applications Due 16 2020 4-H Citizenship in Action 18 Step Stones for Step-families - Spanish 19 Step Stones for Step-families - Spanish 25 Medicare Options 25 Basic Grant Writing Workshop

Please see out 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.