April 2020
Making a Difference
Frontier Extension District Supporters,

The Frontier Extension District office doors are temporarily closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, all district employees are currently working via telecommunication, to continue providing science based educational information and services to the public. Because we are social distancing and unable to hold face-to-face meetings until July 4, 2020, some of our programs may look a little different or may be offered in alternative ways. Nonetheless, we are all in this together and still available to help!

This email newsletter will:
-Provide Frontier Extension District contact information
-Offer resources to help navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic
-Show examples of current and alternative educational programming.

Sincerely,
Fran

Mary Frances Richmond, Ph.D.
Frontier Extension District Director
frichmon@ksu.edu
We can still be reached via phone, email or social media:
Caring for Your Lawn
With the warm weather arriving, many are outside mowing their lawns. Frontier District's Horticulture Agent, Ryan Schaub shares tips in the above video about mowing height guidelines and the 1/3 rule. Additional information can be found in the following link to a K-State publication about Mowing Your Lawn.

Ryan has additional videos about lawn care that can be found on the Frontier District website. You can find these videos by clicking the black button below:
Walk Kansas Program Continues for 2020
K-State Research and Extension's statewide Walk Kansas program arrived at just the right time this year. While many Extension programs and activities had to be cancelled or moved to a virtual means due to COVID-19, the Walk Kansas program was able to continue.

Walk Kansas is a fitness program that encourages individuals to lead a healthier lifestyle by being more physically active, making better nutrition choices, and learning positive ways to deal with stress.

Research shows that regular physical activity, such as getting outside and taking a walk, can be good for mental health and a positive way to deal with stress. And, this is particularly important right now as many individuals and families deal with uncertainty and navigate uncharted waters.

This year's program kicked off on March 15th and will conclude on May 9th. There are approximately 165 individuals participating on 31 virtual teams in the Frontier District. Many of the teams represent a variety of worksites which encourage worksite wellness. .
What Do Those Dates On Food Packages Really Mean?
With families wanting to make fewer trips to the grocery store due to the stay at home order, many have questions about the dates found on food packages and what they mean? You can check out the above video created by Chelsea Richmond, Frontier District Agent, Nutrition, Food Safety and Health.

Additional information can also be found in the following K-State publications:
Handling Vaccines For Livestock With Care
It is the time of year to work cattle before turning out to grass. Frontier District Livestock Agent, Rod Schaub, shares tips on proper vaccine handling and how to make a DIY syringe cooler in the above video.

If you are wanting to make your own cooler, you can following the step-by-step directions in the following Extension publication: Vaccines -- Handle With Care
#StrongFamilies Challenge
Strong families identify six major qualities that make their family strong. They include enjoyable time together, commitment, positive communication, appreciation and affection, spiritual well-being, and managing stress and crisis effectively.

To encourage positive interactions and highlight family strengths, Rebecca McFarland, Family and Child Development Agent, developed the Frontier District #StrongFamilies Challenge.

Families have been encouraged to take pictures of their family engaging in one of the six qualities and send them to Rebecca. Each week a winning family receives a $40 gift certificate from a local restaurant offering delivery or carryout. The challenge encourages families to build resiliency by building family strengths as well as supports local businesses in the Frontier District. For more information about the #StrongFamilies Challenge, visit the district's website by clicking the black button.
Frontier District 4-Hers Work on Projects During COVID-19
The K-State Research and Extension COVID-10 Response Protocol ban on face-to-face extension programs includes all 4-H activities as well. For the health and well-being of 4-H families, all in-person
4-H events, contests, and activities at the state, regional, district, and local level are to be postponed, cancelled, or converted to non face-to-face experiences.

Frontier District 4-Hers, however, are working on their 4-H projects at home. Below is a picture gallery of a few district 4-Hers working at home on their projects. For more information about the Frontier District 4-H program and updates about 4-H events, visit the Frontier District website.
Services Still Available
The Frontier Extension District offices are still able to respond to questions by practicing social distancing. For example, a box is located outside each office in Lyndon, Ottawa, and Garnett to leave soil samples to be sent to Manhattan for testing. Instructions and soil sample bags are located in each box.

Feel free to call or email the Frontier Extension Agents with with your questions.. They are available to help, as always.
Listen to Frontier Extension District Agents on KOFO
Frontier Extension District agents share research-based, unbiased educational information related to agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, and community development three days a week on KOFO 103.7 FM or 1220 AM.

You can also catch up on radio programs you may have missed or would like to listen to again by visiting our Frontier District website at the following link: Frontier Extension District Radio Recordings
K-State Research and Extension specialists and district agents are subject matter experts in numerous aspects of life that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. They provide unbiased, fact-based help on a variety of subjects free of charge.

You can click on the following link for a wealth of information to help you navigate through this challenging time: COVID-19 Extension Resource Page


CARES Act Stimulus Checks
Taxpayers earning up to $75,000 a year will get $1,200 for each adult ($2,400 for married couples who file jointly and earn up to $150,000), plus $500 for each child under the age of 17, if they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Many have already received these payments. If you have not, the IRS has added a ‘Get My Payment’ tool on their website at  https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments . Here taxpayers can check their payment status, confirm payment type and enter bank account information if the IRS does not have your direct deposit information on file.

Hero Relief Program

The “Hero Relief Program” expands DCF’s child care assistance subsidies for families and provides financial support directly to child care providers. The new program specifically targets health care workers, first responders and other essential workers. Beginning Monday, April 20, child care subsidies will be available to essential workers who financially qualify.

The list includes: • Health care workers • First responders • Food and agriculture workers • Judicial branch (essential services) • National Guard • Child and adult protective service specialists • Child care providers caring for children of eligible workers listed above.

For more information and for instructions on how to apply, visit KSHeroRelief.com
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.