Is it April already? The first quarter of the year has really flown by at least for me. This week, I am going to give a few updates about programs that will be going on around Great Bend that you may be interested in.
The Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo is this week! Come out and see all of the vendors and informational shows that will be provided for you. On April 9th and 10th at noon, K-State Research and Extension will be hosting programs in Expo 3. On April 9th, Lucas Haag, North West Agronomist will be in town to discuss water use concepts for dryland and irrigated production. Lucas will talk about the improvements in our water use efficiency and precipitation use efficiency, as well as information in future trends, concerns, and opportunities in water use for crop production on a local and regional scale. The program will be one hour with an opportunity for discussion.
Dan O’Brien, our North West Agricultural Economist will be in Expo 3 on April 10th at noon to go over the most current Market Grain Outlook. The analysis by our area specialist will assist producers in decision making for the current year. Come learn more about the markets and ask questions to assist your production. Program will be one hour in duration.
For children that are planning to work on the farm this year, there will be a Tractor Safety class on April 24th and 26th. This is a little different than in years past, as we are adding Thursday the 24th from 6-8:30 p.m. onto the Saturday class. On Thursday night, the class will meet at Straub International, west of Great Bend on HWY 56 for information about the tractor and the different types of equipment that you may encounter on the farm. The Saturday class will be at Barton Community College for the classwork. This program is required for 14 and 15 year olds to legally work on a farm other than their parents or legal guardians. Youth ages 13-18 are encouraged to attend this important class to reaffirm safety practices in one of the most dangerous professions in the nation. Cost is 15.00 for the two days and includes the bookwork, snacks and lunch on Saturday. Call 620-793-1910 to sign up or for more information.
Last but not least for the gardeners in the region, I will be giving a lunch program at the Rec center in Great Bend on the Prairie Star and Prairie Bloom programs that KSU has. These programs are put together from studies at the various research stations around the state with annual and perennial flowers for your gardens. Plants that survive and thrive for two years at the stations with normal care, make the list as plants that will grow and thrive in Kansas with its varying temperatures and precipitation. If you are looking for plants that will do well in your garden, this program will be for you. I hope to see you at any or all of these great programs in the month of April!
Alicia Boor is the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Barton County K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910