Can you believe that April is already here? I swear I just put up my Christmas items a week ago! Well, April is going to be quite the busy month here for Extension! So this week, I thought I would remind you of several opportunities that will be taking place for the community.
At Expo 3, the Great Bend Farm and Ranch show will be held this week from April 8-10th. During this time, you can visit the various vender booths, watch the demonstrations, and take advantage of the noon programs in Expo 3 with K-State Research and Extension. On Wednesday, Sarah Zukoff will be here to discuss Entomology, Thursday will bring in Bryan Manny for a talk about State and Federal Taxes, and Friday we will have Bryan Peterson and Charles Barden from the Kansas State Forestry service to talk about Windbreaks and subsequent crops. This is an excellent time to be able to meet with K-State faculty on your concerns and issues in their field of study.
Also, don’t forget on April 11, at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, we will be planting the 12 apple trees to kick off the Community Orchard made possible with a grant by The Golden Belt Community Foundation. The 3 varieties of apple trees will be planted in the field north of the Black Bear exhibit. Come join us and learn how to plant a tree and what requirements are needed to help young trees get a good start. We will have Master Gardeners on hand to help answer questions about the orchard as well as general tree care. We hope to see you there!
On April 30, from 6-8:30 p.m. and May 2, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Barton County K-State Research and Extension will hold its annual Tractor Safety class for youth ages 13-18. This class is required for children ages 14-16 that are going to work on a farm other than their immediate relatives, but encouraged for any youth that is going to be working around the farm or large machinery. Farm accidents are the cause of 120,000 injuries a year and children are at a high danger when working on a farm or ranch. The 2 day course will cover the various risks that are on a farm as well as give children the information they need to be safe when working. Cost is $15 and that covers the book, snacks and lunch on Saturday. Call the Extension office at 620-793-1910 to register for the class.
If you would like any more information about any of these opportunities for learning or being a part of the community, please contact the Extension office for more information by calling 620-793-1910 or email me at aboor@ksu.edu.
Alicia Boor is the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Barton County K-state Research and Extension. One can contact her by email at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910