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Harvey County

Category: 4-H & Human Development

Sunny Days

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

Waking up to the sun shining brings happiness to me and an eagerness to soak up as much of the sun’s rays as possible.  Now that Spring has arrived, I’m sure bright sunshiny days are in my future.  When the weather is nice it provides the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.  Although I spend a great deal of time outside, I am aware of the fact that I need to protect myself against too much sun exposure.

Did you know that as little as 15 minutes of unprotected ultraviolet UV exposure can be harmful to your body?   Eye damage, premature wrinkles, and sun burns are results of overexposure to the sun.  If you experience just one bad sunburn as a child it doubles your risk of skin cancer later in life.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year nearly 5 million people in the United States are treated for skin cancer.  The American Cancer Society identifies Ultraviolet rays, from the sun and/or tanning beds, as the #1 cause of skin cancer. Continue reading “Sunny Days” →

Track Your Baby’s Milestones with CDC app

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

 

From two months to fine years of age, children typically develop in predictable ways. physically for example, most babies can sit up unassisted by six months. By 12 months, they can pull up to standing. By 18 months, they can walk along. By two years, they can kick a ball. Overall, babies and toddlers have lots of new physical, social, cognitive and language skills to learn by the time they enter kindergarten.
Continue reading “Track Your Baby’s Milestones with CDC app” →

Just Breathe

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

When the word just is used as an adverb it means simply or only. Sometimes just is used to indicate lesser importance.  The phrase “just breathe” might seem simple or inconsequential but the message of just breathe or simply breathe can benefit most people.

Breathing is a wonderfully complex and essential human function. We are not required to think about breathing because our brain and body take care of it.  On the other hand, breathing is one the few physical processes that functions both voluntarily and involuntarily.  When’s the last time you thought about your breathing?

In a society where a flat stomach is often considered attractive, it is not uncommon for adults to habitually hold in their stomach. This position restricts deep breathing and doesn’t take advantage of completely filling the lungs with air.  This shallow breathing or chest breathing limits the use of the diaphragm and relies on secondary breathing muscles in the upper chest. Chest breathing is useful in situations like a sprint or race but it is not the best ongoing style of breathing as it can lead to tight and uncomfortable muscles in the neck, shoulders and chest. Continue reading “Just Breathe” →

New Roles at the Office

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

Well, I have been writing news articles for two years now. I cannot believe I have been here that long! I do have some exciting news to share with you though!

I am switching roles here in our office and our office is switching roles for my old job! How cool is that?

I will be a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent still, but I get to specialize in my programing. I will be specializing in Human Development and managing our 4-H program!

What does that mean? Well, I will be providing programing in our county that relates to youth, family, and community development. I will focus on stronger families, helping youth grow up to be amazing adults, and helping our community grow in the potential it can! Continue reading “New Roles at the Office” →

Children’s Book Day

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

April 2nd is International Children’s Book Day and is also Hans Christian Anderson’s Birthday. Each year a different country sponsors the event and picks a theme for that day. Last year was Russia and the theme was “Let Us Grow with the Book”.

I think this is a great day to not only read to your children, but to teach them about different cultures. You could explain that Russia is sponsoring this event and give some brief insight to who Russia even is and where they are.

Bringing culture into your growing child helps their prospective of the world broaden and for them to be more aware of different people/things. By doing this your child can grow as a person and when older they will be able respect the people that are different than themselves.

Also reading to your child is a great thing! Sometimes it takes a while, but that is how picture books are set up. They are set up to let your child look at the pictures and use their imagination while you are reading; hence all the questions they ask as you are reading. As they get older and read books with fewer pictures, they use their imagination in a different way and actually picture the pictures! It is amazing isn’t it?

So remember Sunday April 2nd, read to your child for International Children’s Book Day! It will not only let you bond with your child, but it will help them grow!

Food Stand Manager Wanted

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

Do you have an interest in teaching children about food safety and handling skills? Are you an organized person? Do you like to plan meals? Then we have the job for you!

We are looking for a Food Stand Manager during the Harvey County Fair. This is a seasonal job that would plan the meals during our fair. Our fair is August 2nd through the 6th this year.

Job duties would include, planning the menu, working with agent, shopping for supplies, and being available during hours of operation.

This is a great opportunity to work with 4-Her’s and teach them how to manage money, safe food handling skills and food safety skills. If you love to work with children, then this is the opportunity for you.

If you are interested, you can find the application at www.harvey.ksu.edu/4-h or email Anne Pitts at aelpers@ksu.edu

Changes to the 2018 Harvey County Fair

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

The Harvey County Fair a wonderful event for all ages! We have 4-H shows, carnival, Saddle Club Rodeo, and much more! This year though we have a few changes.

First of all the dates have been moved. Instead of starting the judging on Friday and going through Tuesday, we are starting judging on Thursday, and all exhibits in the buildings will be judged on Friday. This is a day earlier than usual, but the thinking behind the change is to have all judging done and exhibits set up for the traffic on Saturday. Saturday will remain the same with the Pedal Pull, Market in the Park, Ag Fest, and Turtle Races. Saturday is our busiest day and we want to show off all the wonderful exhibits that Harvey County Residents have been working on all year. This year’s Fair dates are Aug. 2-6th.

The next change is to forget your Open Class Number! Yes, I said it, forget it! We are going to an online system and before you get worried about how to set that up and enter your exhibits, don’t worry we are here to help! We will be here to help people enter their exhibits and are looking at other ways to help you get entered before the fair. We are just getting the online system started, so more information will come later.

The last change is the age ranges. Instead of having 5 age ranges in Open Class, we have moved to 3. They are Youth (0-11), Teen (12-18), and Adult (19+). The last few years, judges and volunteers have been getting confused on how to judge by age and then by class. This will allow it to be easier and still let the little ones compete against each other, rather than against adults.

The Harvey County Fair is still a long way away, but it is important to let everyone know of the changes. That way you can start preparing for them. If you have any questions, please call the office at 316-284-6930.