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Category: 2021

Updating your Beneficiary

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Most of us designate life insurance, retirement and other beneficiaries when we are first hired for a job. As we focus on our careers and changes within our lives, those designations often become afterthoughts.

If you were asked today who your beneficiary is, would you know with certainty?  If you have had any life changes since your last designation, it may be time to update your beneficiaries. Is your beneficiary an ex-spouse or someone who has fallen out of favor? Did you know that your beneficiary designations can be updated anytime?

To ensure you have the most up-to-date designation for your beneficiary(ies), it is recommended to complete or submit an updated beneficiary form if one of the following events occurs:

  • Begin employment
  • Retire or terminate employment
  • Changes in marital status, including marriage and divorce; birth or adoption.
  • A death within your family or of a designated beneficiary.
  • At any time you are unsure of your designated beneficiary(ies).

By: Brenda Langdon

What is a Beneficiary?

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Although it may be an uncomfortable topic, beneficiaries are individuals you designate to receive a benefit if you become deceased. You may designate one or more individuals to receive any death-related benefits, such as a retirement benefit, life insurance benefit, or funds from your FSA.

Most benefits allow a participant to designate multiple beneficiaries with either a primary or contingent designation. A primary beneficiary receives the benefit when you become deceased. If more than one individual is designated as a primary beneficiary, funds are split evenly between them. Contingent beneficiaries only receive the benefit in the event that both you and the primary beneficiaries are also deceased. It is important to note that an individual cannot be both a primary and contingent beneficiary. In most cases, you may have as many primary and/or contingent beneficiaries as desired.

By: Brenda Langdon

Managing Farm and Ranch Stress

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

“Feeling stressed” is different for each person. Are you familiar with how your body “feels” when you are stressed? Learning to recognize the early warning signs of stress is the first step in managing your stress.

Common signs of stress:

  • Headache
  • Tense muscles
  • Stomach upset or distressed
  • Difficulty sleeping or a desire to sleep more than normal
  • Getting angry easily
  • Trouble making decisions, concentrating or remembering things
  • Irritable about little things
  • Sense of frustration, anger
  • Feeling discouraged, hopeless
  • Conflict with family members

Managing stress and developing coping skills are important to your long-term health and well-being. Here are some ideas, but find what works for you.

Coping strategies may include:

  • Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night
  • Take regular 5- to 10-minute breaks throughout the day
  • Pray, mediate or journal
  • Engage in at least 20 minutes of physical activity every day
  • Focus on factors you can control
  • Reflect on and forgive yourself for mistakes

 

Resources

Farm Bureau #FarmStateOfMind –

https://www.fb.org/land/fsom

K-State Research and Extension –

browse for health and wellness resources

https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/

Kansas Department of Agriculture –

https://www.kansasagstress.org/

 

Project funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Award # 2019-70028-30436

Kansas Department of Agriculture –

https://www.kansasagstress.org/

North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center https://farmstress.org; 800-447-1985

Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center –

https://www.ksphq.org/; 785-841-2345

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL):

800-273-8255 (TALK)

Crisis Text Line 24/7:  Text “Home” to 741741

 

Project funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Award # 2019-70028-30436

 

Presented by K-State Research and Extension Stress Resiliency Team

And

Kansas Farm Bureau, The Voice of Agriculture

 

Printed with Permission

Invasion of Fall Army Worms

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

This year we have seen numerous reports of fall armyworms.  Though we have had fall armyworm outbreaks in the past, this is earlier than usual. Armyworms are so-called because they invade fields or landscapes as large groups and can cause a lawn to turn brown seemingly overnight.

Young worms are ½ to 3/4 inch long. Mature ones are 1 ½ inches long. Body color may vary from green to almost black but light stripes will be visible along the length of the body. Look for a whitish inverted “Y” on the top of the black head. It normally takes 2 to 3 weeks to progress from egg to pupa. The adult is a moth.

Armyworm damage can resemble drought damage but close inspection of the turf will reveal the larvae. Look for active feeding during early morning or evening hours or on cloudy days. Larvae feed on foliage and the resulting dehydration causes to turf to quickly brown. Normally, armyworm damage does not kill established turf but may if populations are high enough. Thick infestations of fall armyworm can damage turfgrass crowns which will kill turf.

Acephate (Orthene), spinosad (Conserve; Natural Guard Spinosad, Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew; Monterey Garden Insect Spray) and other insecticides are effective caterpillar killers. Treat in late afternoon, when the caterpillars are likely to begin feeding. Do not mow for 3 days after treatment.

By: Cassie Homan

 

Important Medicare Dates

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Each year brings new health plan and drug coverage choices.  Look at your current health and drug coverage each fall and make sure your plan’s still right for you. Medicare open enrollment is October 15-December 7.  This gives you an opportunity to make changes to your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

September & October

Take time to review your current plan. Review any notices from your plan about changes for next year.

October 15—Open Enrollment begins

This is the one time of year when ALL people with Medicare can make changes to their health and drug plans for the next year. October 15 is the first day you can change your Medicare coverage for 2022.

December 7—Open Enrollment ends

In most cases, December 7 is the last day you can change your Medicare coverage for next year. The plan has to get your enrollment request by December 7.

January 1—Coverage begins

Your new prescription drug coverage begins January 1 if you switch to a new plan. If you stay with the same plan, any changes to coverage, benefits, or costs for the new year will begin on January 1.

If you would like assistance with your Medicare prescription drug plan during open enrollment, call your local Post Rock Extension District office and ask to make an appointment.

By: Brenda Langdon

National Fruits and Veggies Month

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Summer is filled with colorful fruits and vegetables, from watermelon to melons, tomatoes to greens, and many more. It’s the season to indulge in foods that are tasty and good for you, too.

September is National Fruits and veggies Month and it’s a great time to learn the many benefits of fruits and veggies to motivate you to include more in each meal and snack.

The fiber in produce helps keep you full, helps improve digestion and helps reduce risks and effects of several diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and more. Many fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals that our bodies can’t produce on their own. As a general rule, it’s recommended to fill at least half of your plate with fruits and vegetables to ensure you’re consuming enough.

It’s important to remember that all forms of fruits and vegetables count-fresh, frozen, dried, and canned. When purchasing canned produce, look for “no salt added” or “canned in 100% juice”. When we consume more fruits and vegetables, we lower our calorie intake and reduce our intake of high-calories foods.

More information on incorporating fruits and vegetables into your daily diet plan – not just in September – is available from several sources, including:

By: Ashley Svaty