K-State Research and Extension

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Author: mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Don’t Forget to Water Your Trees

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

According to K-State Mesonet (Kansas weather data system), it has been around 49 days since we have recorded at least an inch of rain in our area. Young establishing plants, specifically evergreens and the lawn, are currently under drought stress. Plants with good soil moisture are more drought tolerant and able to with stand winter conditions. Take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and give your lawn, perennials, young trees, and shrubs a much-needed drink.

More information on watering newly planted trees: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF2800.pdf

By: Cassie Homan

Direct to Consumer/Farmers Market Virtual Conference

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

The Farmers Market/Direct-to-Consumer Sales Conference, held in partnership by K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Agriculture, will be held January 31-February 4, 2022.

January 31, 2022: Food Safety for Value-Added Food Products

February 1, 2022: Sales Tax, Food Packaging, and How to Care for your Certified Scales

February 2, 2022: Meat and Poultry, Kansas Value Added Meats Lab

February 3, 2022: Accepting EBT/SNAP & Double Up Food Bucks

The half-day workshop on February 4, 2021, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. will cover topics such as How to Market your Market and Booth, How to Identify Common Legal Risks, Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, Vegetable Production, From the Land of Kansas program, and resources available from KSRE. Keynote speaker Brian Coppom, Colorado Department of Agriculture, will discuss Best Practices for Business Success for farmers’ markets.

KDA’s weights and measures program will offer free scale certification with a paid registration to an online workshop.

Register here: https://www.fromthelandofkansas.com/page/farmers-market-regional-workshops

 

By: Ashley Svaty

K-State Garden Hour

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

K-State Garden Hour is ready to kick off the season with some fun, educational programs. The first webinar will be on Wednesday- January 5th, 2022.  Sedgwick County Horticulture Extension Agent, Rebecca McMahon will discuss how to select vegetable varieties for bountiful harvests.

Your one-time, free, registration will sign you up for all 12 webinars.

Register here:

https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/k-state-garden-hour-webinar-series/k_state_garden_hour.html

By: Cassie Homan

Beware of Online Shopping Scams

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Scamming can result in you losing money that you can’t get back and, more importantly, having your identity stolen. You can help protect yourself by learning how to spot common scams and how to check for trustworthy businesses.

Practice good cybersecurity hygiene – Don’t click any suspicious links or attachments in emails, on websites, or on social media. Phishing scams try to trick you into clicking on malicious links so the scammers can capture personal information such as your name, password, bank account number, and more.

Research the sources you’re buying from – Verify each website’s web address to ensure it’s legitimate and secure. Secure sites will have HTTPS in the web address. If it doesn’t, don’t provide your information on that site.

Research companies you are buying from for the first time. Check for reviews and view their Better Business Profile.

Be careful how you pay – Never wire money directly to a seller.

When using a credit card when shopping online, check your statement regularly. If you see a suspicious transaction, contact your credit card company to dispute the charge.

Monitor the shipping process – Obtain tracking numbers for items you buy online. Monitor the delivery process until you have received your items.

By: Brenda Langdon

What’s the Radon Level in Your Home?

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Now is an excellent time to test your home for radon gas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends actively reducing indoor radon levels when homes are confirmed with 4.0 pCi/L of radon gas or higher. The only way to determine if your home is above or below 4.0 pCi/L is to test. Chronic, long-term radon gas exposure in homes increases the long-term risk of developing lung cancer. Residential radon gas exposure is the number one leading cause of lung cancer death in the U.S. for non-smokers. Low cost radon test kits are available for purchase in any of our Post Rock District offices.

By: Ashley Svaty

Call Before You Dig

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

With the cleanup work going on after the devastating fires, remember the importance of using “811” before doing any digging/fire lines/animal burial/fencing etc.

Often pipeline markers are the last line of defense to remind those working and living in the area of the dangers underground.  But with the trauma of losing cattle, property etc.  many may forget there are underground utilities that create additional hazards to them if not using “811”.

Individuals who are volunteering or have been called to assist who may not have basic recall of the underground utilities in the area, and without signs being present due to fire this may cause them to just assume nothing is there.  Prevent more tragedy or loss by calling “811” before digging.

By: Brenda Langdon