Written by: Donna Krug, Family & Consumer Science Agent and District Director – Cottonwood Extension District – Great Bend Office

Last week we heard the “State of the Union” address. While I do not intend to ever talk politics in my column space I do want to share some of the positive things that are happening in the Cottonwood Extension District. Perhaps you will see something that piques your interest and gives you a reason to call our office to sign up as a participant.

K-State Research and Extension focuses on four main program areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family & Consumer Science, 4-H and Youth Development, and Community Development. Our Program Development Committees for each of those areas will be meeting soon to brainstorm ideas from both Ellis and Barton Counties as we meet the needs of our residents.

A calving school, cover crop program and a session on Lease Laws have kept Agriculture and Natural Resource Agents, Alicia Boor and Stacy Campbell, busy during the month of January. A Master Gardener class started last week in the Great Bend Office. Horticulture Agent, Rip Winkel, and Alicia, ARN agent, are taking the lead to welcome 15 new Master Gardeners into the program.

In the area of Family and Consumer Sciences, Linda Beech and I are meeting the needs of families with research based information about many topics. A freezer meals workshop had to be rescheduled in Hays due to weather and is now set for February 22 nd . I had a great response to the Stay Strong, Stay Healthy workshops and will be offering another class starting in mid-April. I will be teaching the “Healthy Cooking Styles” information based on a fact sheet I wrote last year. The free educational programs are set for February 21 in Great Bend and April 3 in Hays.

K-State Research and Extension’s signature program, Walk Kansas, is set for March 18 through May 12. Next weeks’ column will be devoted to the details of this program so stay tuned and dust off those walking shoes!

The 4-H and Youth program is off to a busy start in 2018. A successful Judges training workshop was held last weekend and 4-H Day events are coming up soon in Ellis and Barton Counties.

Another exciting program that you’ll hear more about soon is the “Monarchs on the Move” grant that was awarded to the Cottonwood District.

And finally, a program that involves several of our District Agents is the “Estate Planning Workshop” set for February 26, in Great Bend. The workshop will run from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the
Great Bend Recreation Center Burnside Room, and features four excellent speakers relaying information about this important topic. Registration is $20 per person, and $15 for each additional family member. Fees cover the meal and materials. Registration deadline is Friday, February 16, so give us a call to register.

I’ve just had room to give you short descriptions about the many upcoming learning opportunities available in the Cottonwood Extension District. If you would like additional information I
would invite you to take a look at our quarterly newsletter available electronically at www.cottonwood.ksu.edu. Follow the news/media link and you will see it listed. I hope to see you soon!

Farmers make plans to attend an update on growing corn and grain sorghum offered by the Cottonwood Extension District in Hays on Wednesday, February 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Extension Office meeting room in Hays, 601 Main Street, there will be a free noon meal.

Extension agronomy specialist will discuss production practices for corn & sorghum such as seeding rates, row spacing, hybrid selection and as always there will be time for your questions and answers.

RSVP’s are requested for the meal count by Monday, February 12th call the Cottonwood Extension Office at 628-9430.

BOOKED: Benjamin Bruce of Hudson on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for contempt of court with bond set at $991 cash only. GBMC warrant for contempt of court with bond set at $471.75 cash only.

BOOKED: April Ward of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for possession of controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia with a bond set at $10,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Jacob Vargas of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case after being admitted to an inpatient treatment bed.

RELEASED: Denice Whetham of Great Bend on BTDC case for served sentence.

RELEASED: Miki Sneath of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for probation violation after posting a $100 cash bond.

RELEASED: Dradeana Cartwright of Great Bend on Ellis County District Court warrant for failure to appear to Ellis County.

RELEASED: Victoria Norton on Barton County District Court warrant with a $1,500 surety bond.

RELEASED: Ivan Garcia of Great Bend on a Great Bend Municipal Court serve sentence.