The next several weeks will be very busy for K-State Research and Extension with programs for anyone and all! Whether you are interested in field production, horticulture, or just getting a nice meal on the table for friends or family, there is a program that is for you at the beginning of October!
High Tunnel Tour- Oct. 4th
High Tunnels have increased in popularity in the last several years in Barton County. The ability to have an increased growing season for vegetables is the biggest draw for building one on your land. On October 4th, join the NRCS, Conservation Districts of Barton Pawnee and Rush, as well as K-State Research and Extension for a High Tunnel tour in Barton County.
There will be 3 stops on the tour to view high tunnels in our area. The tour will begin at Coon’s Farm at 4 p.m., located at 135 A NW 50 Avenue outside of Great Bend. From there we will head to Heartland Farms at 1049 CR 390 in Pawnee Rock at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m. we will end the tour at the Swob Farm, 3827 Ave R in Albert. Feel free to come to all of the stops, or just one or two that can fit your schedule! Learn about the purposes of high tunnels and how they are being utilized in our communities, how to install your own high tunnel, and opportunities for cost-share for your own project. RSVP to the Conservation Districts/ NRCS offices in Great Bend, Larned or LaCrosse by Sept. 30th.
Great Bend Stop ‘N Learn
The Great Bend Recreation Commission will be hosting a free Stop ‘N Learn session titled, “Preparing for a Spring Landscape” from noon – 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at the Great Bend Activity Center (2715 18th). Would you like a bright, colorful landscape next spring? Join us to learn how to plant bulbs, bed down your perennials, and care for your turf so that they thrive after the winter. Alicia Boor, Barton County Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent, will be the presenter for this program. For more information, call the Recreation Commission office at 793-3755 ext. 2 or e-mail us at recreation@gbrc.kscoxmail.com.
Milo Plot tour Oct. 12th
With this year’s milo crop, there have been many challenges to be able to bring a crop in. Sugarcane aphid was very active in Barton County fields causing concern for the crop, harvest, and when to treat for the pest. Since this was the first year that Barton County was affected extensively with the sugarcane aphid, there were a lot of lessons learned from the growing season. On Oct. 12, at 8:30 a.m. join K-State Research and Extension at a Milo Plot tour. The plot is located on Jerry Morgenstern’s land 1 mile west of Hoisington on K-4/ U.S. 281 Highway. Dr. J.P Michaud, Dr. Lucas Haag and representatives from seed companies will be on hand to discuss this year’s milo crop, how different varieties fared through this season, and to answer questions you may have about your own fields. RSVP to the Barton County Extension office at 620-793-1910 for a head count please.
Next Women on the Farm Workshop set for Oct. 15 – Freezer Cooking
What’s for dinner? This question probably gets asked in most households every night by every family member. If you are the preparer, you may even ask this question. The Women on the Farm group would like to help take the guesswork out by offering a Freezer Cooking Workshop on Oct. 15, at the Otis-Bison High School FCS Room. Freezer Cooking is when you cook a bunch of meals at one time to put in your freezer and then pull out as need be. Each participant will walk away from the day with eight meals to put in their freezer. Each meal will serve five people with some left overs. We will be making Honey Rosemary Chicken, Green Chile Pork Tacos, Beef and Creamy Potato Casserole, Chicken Pot Pie, Cheesy Ham and Potatoes, Swiss Steak and Veggies, Breakfast Casserole, and French Breakfast Puffs. Each participant is asked to bring a knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, liquid measuring cup, and a box/cooler to take all of your meals home in! This will be a productive morning and a great way to get all of your week’s cooking done! An added bonus is we are doing all of the grocery shopping for you. This method of cooking is a great way to save time and money. Because we are buying in much larger quantities, we can stretch the food dollar. By spending a morning as a large group making this happen, it will help free up your evenings to relax or get to a project you have been meaning to do! We will have people register at 8:30 a.m. and start cooking at 9 a.m. Please RSVP by Oct. 11, to the Rush Co. Conservation District at 785-222-2615 Ext. 101. Space is limited and there is a fee to participate.
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