DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER
Information You Can Trust
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FROM THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR | |
Change is Afoot
by: Marlin Bates
County Extension Director/Agent, Community Development
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The closing of the calendar year 2021 is adding up to more than the closing of a chapter here at K-State Research and Extension – Douglas County. We’re experiencing a great deal of change – some of it predicted, some of it not. Regardless of these changes, our staff and board are optimistic about our future and proud of our accomplishments. So as we approach our 2021 Annual Meeting, we are reflecting on our successes, thanking our volunteers and partners for helping us throughout the year, and recognizing that there is much yet to tend to. We are in the middle of a strategic planning process that will provide new energy for 2022 and allow for a greater level of creativity in how we achieve our mission.
As many of you know, Susan Farley recently announced her retirement effective January 31, 2022.....
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Food |Nutrition |Health |Food Safety | |
New SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educators
by: Susan Farley
Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences
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We are pleased to introduce our SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educators, Enrique Ortiz & Franzi Willenbuecher, who have recently joined our team at K-State Research and Extension – Douglas County. | |
Franzi earned her Business and Modern Languages degrees from Emporia State University and has gained several years of experience delivering training and educational programming. An avid volunteer with local organizations focused on growing and providing access to healthy food, Franzi describes herself as a lifelong learner who thrives on delivering educational programs and implementing solutions that lift up communities and provide access to healthy choices for all. | |  |
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Enrique graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Community Health and a Minor in Sociology. Throughout his studies in college, an internship at Just Food, and as the Douglas County Gleaning Coordinator with After the Harvest, Enrique has gained a strong passion for nutrition, helping others who struggle financially, and reducing barriers that prevent people from having healthy lives.
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Holiday How To:
Safely Prep & Cook Meat
K-State food safety expert shares do’s and don’ts to ensure you and your family are safe
By Taylor Jamison, K-State Research and Extension news
MANHATTAN, Kan. – You may have learned from parents or grandparents, or even read in old recipes, to rinse meat before cooking. But Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee said rinsing meat is an outdated practice that can create food safety problems.
“This can lead to foodborne illness,” Blakeslee said. “Rinsing meat at home can lead to cross-contamination of clean surfaces or ready-to-eat foods, as examples.”
Any meat bought from the store is already rinsed during processing, she said, so it can be immediately prepped and cooked without any rinsing step at home....
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Turkey Talk
Thanksgiving may be gone but that doesn't mean that the upcoming holidays will be turkey-less! Here are some tips from K-State's Karen Blakeslee on food safety!
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How to Eat with your Brain in MIND
by: Susan Farley
Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences
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The MIND diet takes two proven diets/eating patterns – the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet and the Mediterranean diet – and focuses on the foods in each diet that affect brain health. The MIND diet stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neruodegenerative Delay. It was developed by nutritional epidemiologist, Martha Clare Morris, ScD, and her colleagues at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
Growing older takes a toll on the body and the mind. For example, the tissue of aging human brains sometimes develops abnormal clumps of protein deposits, known as amyloid plaques and tangles, that build up in between nerve cells and typically interfere with thinking and problem-solving skills.
Research shows that following the MIND diet could slow brain aging for more than seven years and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The MIND diet foods that are encouraged to be eaten include:....
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After 44 years of providing education, leadership, and service to individuals, families, and our communities, Susan Farley is retiring on January 31, 2022! Join us in wishing her a warm farewell as she starts a new chapter!
Send Susan a Note!
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See more Nutrition, Health, & Safety News | |
Supporting Local Farmers!
by: Tom Buller
County Extension Agent, Horticulture
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While the growing season is winding down here in northeast Kansas, there are still many opportunities to support local farmers in the holiday season and throughout the winter.
One prime opportunity is to shop at the Lawrence Farmers Market Holiday Market. This year’s Holiday Market will be held on December 11th, 2021, from 9 AM– 4 PM at the Open Pavilion at Douglas County Fairgrounds (1930 Harper Street). Note the new location for 2021.
After many years in what is now the Doubletree (formerly the Holidome), this year the Lawrence Farmers Market Holiday Market will be in the Open Pavilion at the Douglas County Fairgrounds at 19th and Harper. This move was made out of an abundance of caution to allow customers to shop for local products but also be in a safe, fresh air environment. The space is large and open on all sides but has a roof in case of inclement weather. I encourage you to get out and enjoy the opportunity to support a large variety of local farms while you do your holiday shopping, or just stock up on food for the winter...
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Winter Does Not Have to be Brown and Gray
by: Sharon Ashworth
Horticulture Program Assistant
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You might think the winter landscape a bit dull after fall exits in a blaze of glory. The sweet gum and sugar maple trees were stunning this year, but do you have something in your landscape to look forward to this winter? Try some interesting shrubs that will bring in the birds for your winter enjoyment.
Click below for more information on each of these shrubs...
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Sourced from Missouri Botanical Garden Website:
Coralberry
Witchhazel
Red-stick Dogwood
Hazelnut
Possumhaw
Arkansas Native Plant Society:
Buttonbush
Texas A& M:
Beautyberry
EMG Northern VA:
Winterberry
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Master Gardeners Social Media | |
Anhydrous Ammonia Applied too Soon | |
In the video linked below, K-State Research and Extension soil specialist Dorivar Ruiz Diaz explains the best practices for applying anhydrous ammonia in a crop field to make sure that nitrogen is available for next year’s corn crop.
He explains that anhydrous ammonia should be applied when the soil temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit -- ideally for an average of seven days. Applying when soil temperatures are low will allow nitrogen to stay in ammonium form longer and, thus, available when corn needs it next year.
For more useful information on this topic, click the video or article link below!
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K-State feeding trials with pigs show benefits of dietary feed grade amino acids
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University researchers have completed work indicating that increased levels of a common feed grade amino acid can improve growth in swine herds – to a point.
In a recent 43-day trial involving 912 pigs, the team of scientists tested varying levels of feed-grade amino acids with L-lysine added to the diets of late nursery and growing pigs.
Amino acids – in humans and animals – are molecules that combine to form proteins. They are often referred to as the building blocks of life.
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Celebrating Serving Better Together
by: Kaitlyn Peine
County Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
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Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders
We live in a community that is rich with opportunities for youth. The laundry list of possible activities is endless- scouting, church youth group, sports, theatre, 4-H, and more. I recently had a friend who is also a parent of school-aged children ask me why someone should get involved with 4-H. My response quickly came to mind, “Because we are growing tomorrow’s leaders by teaching kids to be engaged citizens.” 4-H is equipping youth ages 5-18 with leadership and communication skills through service-learning. Leadership and citizenship are the essential elements of a 4-H experience.
4‑H empowers young people to be well-informed citizens who are actively engaged in their communities.
Youth learn about civic affairs, build decision-making skills and develop a sense of understanding and confidence in relating and connecting to other people. 4-H provides youth the opportunities to build leadership and citizenship skills while gaining a better understanding of what it means to give back to their community.
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4-H Achievements for the 2020/2021 4-H Year
by: Nickie Harding
4-H Youth Development Program Assistant
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Each year the Douglas County 4-H program recognizes the outstanding achievements of Douglas County 4-H members and volunteers during the annual Achievement Celebration. 4-H members have attended workshops, camps, competitions, and 4-H activities, gaining valuable life skills. As 4-H’ers participate, whether in-person or virtually, they broaden their horizons and bring Douglas County fresh ideas that impact our community. 4-H provides young people with leadership, communication, self-discipline, and other valued life skills for their future.
Each year 4-H members are honored for outstanding project work. The Kansas Project Report Form is a tool used and submitted by 4-H’ers to learn how to set 4-H project goals, make a plan to accomplish those goals, and evaluate their goals at the end of the 4-H year. Project Report Forms fall into three age groups, juniors, ages 7-9; intermediates, 10-13; and seniors, 14 and older. For each project and age group submitted, County Champion and blue award winners are selected. Thank you, RCB Bank, Douglas County 4-H Council, and Douglas County 4-H Foundation for sponsoring these awards. You can view a list of award winners at...
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Kansas 4-H Leader Urges Youth to set Goals now for Summer Projects
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Goal-setting establishes a ‘growth mindset,’ says K-State’s Sollock
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas 4-H youth development specialist Amy Sollock understands very well the excitement that goes along with displaying projects at the county and state fairs each summer.
That’s partly because she understands what it took to get there.
“This time of year, youth are selecting projects, but they also need to set goals and map out how they’re going to get there,” said Sollock, who is located in the southwest region of Kansas.
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In 2018, the Kansas 4-H program published a guide to help youth set goals for their projects. Setting 4-H Project Goals is available for free online.
“We’ve talked about goal-setting in 4-H for decades; it’s nothing new,” Sollock said, “But every once in a while, it’s good to remind ourselves what makes up a good goal.”
She notes that a good goal describes:
- Action – what you’re going to do.
- Result – what you’re going to accomplish.
- Timetable – when you’re going to get it done.
“When you combine all of three of those, you’ve got a well-written goal,” Sollock said.
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4-H of Douglas County Social Media | |
UPDATES & IMPORTANT EVENTS | |
*Be sure to mark your calendars for the dates that are relevant to you! | |
Please Note: Our office will be closed December 24 - 31 and resume normal business hours on January 3. | |
Kansas State University is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. If you have special requirements due to a physical, vision, or hearing disability, contact K-State Research and Extension Douglas County, 785-843-7058. Notify staff of accommodation needs as early as possible. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. | |
K-State Research and Extension Douglas County Social Media | |
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Douglas County K-State Research and Extension
(785) 843-7058
2110 Harper Street
Lawrence, KS 66046
|Monday - Friday | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
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