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Author: Nora Rhoades

Let’s Preserve Cherries!

Posted on by Nora Rhoades

Whether you like them sweet, sour, golden or red, cherries are in season! Their short season means you must enjoy them as much as you can now. But wait! They can also be preserved to save them for a later date.

Cherries can be preserved by canning, freezing, dehydrating, or made into canned pie filling, jam, jelly. The uses of fresh cherries are endless in many meals or just a simple snack.

Freezing is easy. Simply wash, remove stems and pits. Dry and spread on a tray in a single layer to freeze. Then place them in freezer containers. Cherries can also be frozen in a syrup or sugar pack.

If making canned pie filling, use sour cherries for that classic pie flavor. Use Clear Jel® starch (cook type) for best results.

Learn more about preserving cherries at https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF1180.pdf. To dehydrate cherries, see https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/dry/csu_dry_fruits.pdf.

Please call any of our offices with food preservation questions or visit: https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/preservation/

By: Ashley Svaty

Your Valuable Records

Posted on by Nora Rhoades

In an emergency, would your family or trusted friend know who to contact? Your bank? Your financial adviser? Your insurance company?

Free resources from K-State Research and Extension are available online for downloading and printing, including https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF685.pdf, which can help anyone gather important information in one place. That information can be kept in a safety deposit box or other secure location and can be invaluable in emergencies.

The form includes space for family members’ names, birthdates and more, plus contact information space for key advisers, such as attorney, executor, doctor, religious adviser, insurance agents, and banker. It can also help gather basic information about vehicles and other property and credit, bank and retirement accounts.

More information about this and other resources is available at K-State Research and Extension Post Rock District offices. Links to resources also may be found on the K-State Research and Extension COVID 19 page https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/.

Source: https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2020/05/preserve-valuable-family-records.html

By: Brenda Langdon

Selling Food Directly to the Consumer

Posted on by Nora Rhoades

Farmers markets are one avenue of selling food and other products to consumers. But there are other paths that go directly to the consumer.

However that happens, we can help! Our publication, Food Safety for Kansas Farmers Market Vendors: Regulations and Best Practices, is a comprehensive guide for many types of foods. This publication is updated at least yearly to stay on top of the latest guidance.

Get started on the right foot! This will help assure your consumers you care about safety and the best product quality.

To help you start a food business, the Kansas Value Added Foods Lab at K-State Research and Extension can help!

By: Ashley Svaty

Check Your Credit

Posted on by Nora Rhoades

One in five people have an error on at least one of their credit reports according to a study conducted by the Federal Trade Commission. When is the last time you checked your free credit report? Check your credit from once a year to once a week.  You can access your credit report from each credit reporting agency – Equifax, Experian, TransUnion@annualcreditreport.com.  Be sure to check your credit and keep errors off your account.  Especially if you are postponing bills, using more credit than usual, applying for loans.

By: Brenda Langdon

Planning Your Summer Budget

Posted on by Nora Rhoades

Summer is almost here!  The weather is warm, and that’s good enough for us. Start preparing your summer budget (spending plan) by taking a few minutes to plan for upcoming extra expenses.

Here are some reminders of things to include in your summer budget so you don’t go overboard.     

  • Father’s Day
  • Vacations
  • Wedding Season
  • Staycations
  • Farmers Markets
  • Sunscreen
  • Lawn Care
  • Seasonal Clothing
  • Gardening
  • Swim Lessons (Water Activities)
  • Air Conditioning (Higher utility and water bills)
  • Outdoor Barbecues
  • Back to school clothes and supplies

By: Brenda Langdon                                             

Balancing Income and Expenses

Posted on by Nora Rhoades
Brenda Langdon, Family Resource Management Extension Agent

The 5 C’s are a great starting point to assist people who are struggling to balance income and expenses in economic good times or bad such as trying to reduce debt, ​establish an emergency fund, save for retirement, or reach a personal financial goal.

Control – As much of the situation as you can.  Recognize that it is natural to feel the effects of stress.  Developing and following a plan can reduce stress and help you maintain control of your financial position.

Communicate – Talk with family members about available income and resources.  Decide what the family needs now, soon and in a few months.  Then make a plan together.

Be Prepared to Change – To make it through the hard times, look for ways to reduce expenses, use the things you have longer, swap items with others, trade services.

Claim benefits that are due to you – Apply for unemployment, SNAP, utility assistance, and local resources as soon as possible.

Confer with creditors – Don’t ignore the situation.  If you can’t make credit payments contact creditors and work out realistic payment schedules.

By: Brenda Langdon