Happy New Year! Now that the holidays are over, and 2016 is here, I thought that I would share some upcoming programs to start off the New Year. Whether you are striving to learn more about production in your fields, or want to improve your horticulture skills, there are programs going on through K-State Research and Extension for you. If you have any questions about any of these programs, you can contact me at the Barton County office by calling 620-793-1910, or email me at aboor@ksu.edu.
Cover Your Acres
Cover your Acres 2016 is fast approaching. This 2-day conference highlights the latest technology, methods, and conservation practices to improve crop production on the High Plains. The conference is located in Oberlin at the Gateway Conference Center on Jan. 19-20, and I am planning on driving a van to the conference on Tuesday, Jan. 19th. If you would like to go, call 620-793-1910 to reserve a spot in the van.   The same programs will be offered both days of the conference including subjects such as Weed Control Strategies, Weed Resistance: Today and Tomorrow, Sorghum and Wheat Insect Issues, and Today’s Farm Situation vs. the 1980’s. Early registration is due by Jan. 14. To view the conference flier, and for online registration, visit http://www.northwest.ksu.edu/CoverYourAcres. For questions, call 785-462-6281.
Soybean Production School
A series of four K-State Soybean Production Schools will be offered in late-January 2016 to provide in-depth training for soybean producers.
The one-day schools will cover issues facing soybean producers: weed control strategies, crop production practices, soil fertility and nutrient management, insect and disease control, and risk management.
The schools will begin at 9 a.m. and adjourn at 2:30 p.m., including a farmer panel at the end of the school. The dates and locations are:
Jan. 25: at the Great Bend Recreation Commission, 1214 Stone Street - Alicia Boor, Barton County Agricultural Extension Agent, aboor@ksu.edu, 620-793-1910
Jan. 26: at Grace Community Church, 310 E 8th Street in Overbrook - Darren Hibdon, Frontier District Crop Production Extension Agent, dhibdon@ksu.edu, 785-229-3520
Jan. 28: North Central Kansas Technical College Auditorium, on  Highway 24 in  Beloit - Sandra Wick, Post Rock District Crop Production Extension Agent, swick@ksu.edu, 785-282-6823
Jan. 29: in Marysville at the American Legion, 310 N 19th St - Anastasia Johnson, Marshall County Agricultural Extension Agent, anastasia@ksu.edu, 785-562-3531
Lunch will be provided, courtesy of the sponsors. There is no cost to attend, but participants are asked to pre-register before Jan. 22nd.
You can register by emailing or calling the nearest local Research and Extension office for the location you plan to attend. For the Great Bend school, you can email me at aboor@ksu.edu or call the office at 620-793-1910.
Master Gardener
The Master Gardener program is an educational volunteer training program sponsored by K-State Research and Extension. Individuals are trained and certified in horticulture and related areas. These individuals, in turn, volunteer their expertise and services to help others through horticulture projects that benefit the community. Every year each region of the state has a host city where once a week, the people will learn about different subjects pertaining to horticulture. Some of the subjects include basic botany, landscape design, and fruits and vegetables.  This year, training for the Northwest will be hosted by Rawlins County, every Tuesday in February and March in Atwood. Classes will also be held in Dodge City on Wednesdays and Salina on Thursdays. The cost to attend is $95, and registrations are due by Jan. 15th.
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