Pictured are (Back Row, L to R) Clayton Jarnagin, Protection; Evan Woodbury, Quenemo; Bryce Barnett, Muscotah; Reed Koop, Abilene; Taylor Hughes, Pratt; (Middle Row, L to R) Carl Clawson, Ulysses; Cami Roth, Sterling; Hannah Brass, Medicine Lodge; Jamie Holeman, Bronson; Garrett McKinney, Walton; Patrick Turner, Ingalls; (Front Row, L to R) Clinton Laflin, Russell; Thomas Thayer, LaCygne; Ashley Fitzsimmons, Pratt; Heather Gibson, Garden City; Dalton Rutledge, Plains; Grace Hammer, Sharon Springs; Jessalyn Strahm, Sabetha; and Socorro Martinez, Liberal. (Not pictured is Michaela Peterson, Dodge City.)Kansas Livestock Association
TOPEKA – Beef producers from across the state participating in this year’s Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Young Stockmen’s Academy (YSA) gathered in the Kansas City area May 6-8. The class of 20 spent three days learning more about agribusiness and how beef is marketed to consumers.
Merck Animal Health, the exclusive sponsor of the YSA program, hosted the group at its office in DeSoto. Merck staff gave attendees an overview of the animal health industry, provided a tour of their research facilities and led a discussion on how to connect with others based on various personality types to create strong and effective relationships.
To gain a better understanding of the link between the processing plant and the consumer’s plate, the group toured Kansas City Steak Company and SYSCO. Both companies distribute high-end beef cuts to restaurants across the U.S. Kansas City Steak Company also has a mail-order business. The class visited Bichelmeyer Meats and Whole Foods Market to get a firsthand look at how beef is marketed in the meatcase. The Bichelmeyer family, which are KLA members, has been providing hand-cut meat to consumers for more than 70 years.
While distributing top sirloin samples at two Hen House grocery store locations, YSA members had the chance to visit with consumers about the beef they produce. The young ranchers answered questions about proper cooking methods and how cattle are raised.
In addition, the class visited the Valley Oaks feedlot and processing facility. The cattle are housed under one roof and are kept cool with the help of unique engineering and the use of big fans. Valley Oaks also has a registered Angus cowherd and a commercial cattle operation.
Members of the 2019 YSA class are Bryce Barnett, Muscotah, Hannah Brass, Medicine Lodge; Carl Clawson, Ulysses; Ashley Fitzsimmons, Pratt; Heather Gibson, Garden City; Grace Hammer, Sharon Springs; Jamie Holeman, Bronson; Taylor Hughes, Pratt; Clayton Jarnagin, Protection; Reed Koop, Abilene; Clinton Laflin, Russell; Socorro Martinez, Liberal; Garrett McKinney, Walton; Michaela Peterson, Dodge City; Cami Roth, Sterling; Dalton Rutledge, Plains; Jessalyn Strahm, Sabetha; Thomas Thayer, LaCygne; Patrick Turner, Ingalls; and Evan Woodbury, Quenemo.
The class will meet again in September to tour beef and dairy operations across the state. More information about YSA can be found at www.kla.org.
The Post Rock Extension District of K-State Research and Extension will host their annual Wheat Plot Tour on Wednesday, according to District Crop Production Agent Sandra Wick.
The wheat tour day starts at 10 a.m. in Smith County, at the plot, followed by lunch sponsored by Farmers National Bank at Trinity Ag, LLC in Athol. If it is raining, the group will meet at Trinity Ag, LLC in Athol at 10 a.m. he Smith County Wheat Plot, with cooperator Mark Kuhlmann, has 26 variety trials along with two blends and a starter seed treatment fertility study. It is located west of Smith Center about 6 miles right on Kansas 36 on the north side of the highway.
The day will end with a stop in Mitchell County at 4:30 p.m. at the KSU replicated wheat plot with cooperator Marty Fletchall and is located south of Beloit on Kansas 14 to S Road, then 7 miles west to 230 Road, then south 1 mile on the east side of the road.
The plot tour will be followed by supper at approximately 5:45 p.m., and will be held at the Marty Fletchall house. If it is raining, the group will meet at Marty Fletchall’s house, at 4:30 p.m., located at 2227 S Road south of Beloit.
Each of the stops will feature K-State Research and Extension agronomists discussing the 2019 wheat crop. The complimentary BBQ evening meal is provided by local Agri-business sponsors. The tours provide the opportunity to visit one-on-one with KSU agronomists. Mark your calendar and attend any of the stops on the Post Rock Extension District Wheat Plot tour.
Contact any Post Rock District Office in Beloit, Lincoln, Mankato, Osborne or Smith Center for a copy of the flyer or go to the website at www.postrock.ksu.edu.
Numerous historical figures come to mind when considering the continuous movement towards gender equality in the United States.
Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for women’s suffrage. Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Harriet Tubman led more than 300 slaves to their freedom through the Underground Railroad. These women not only left a permanent and distinct mark on history, but inspired future women to challenge societal expectations and reach their full potential.
In the field of journalism, Nellie Bly is still a renowned historical figure known for her undercover time in a mental institution and her writings on her experience. While she remains one of the United States’ most famous journalists, her work also inspired a young Kansas native to become the first woman accredited as a war correspondent.
Henrietta Eleanor Goodnough Deuell was born December 30, 1889 in Bennington, Kansas, and grew up in Marysville. She began to go by ‘Peggy Hull’ after she wed her first husband, George Hull in 1910. Peggy was a rambunctious child who had sparse interest in the typical ‘feminine’ activities expected of a young lady at the time. She much preferred the company of the boys in her community.
Although she applied for a reporting job at the Junction City Sentinel at the age of 18, she was offered a typing job on the condition that she would not worry about her fingernails.[1] Peggy excitedly accepted the job and relocated to Junction City knowing she might work her way up to be a reporter. In an attempt to move West, Peggy took a job at the Chronicle-News in Colorado only to move to the Denver Republican shortly after she made the acquaintance of the owner’s brother. This seems to be a theme throughout Peggy Hull’s life. Her charisma and determination were strong tools used to help her career and even get herself out of sticky situations.
Peggy Hull (Photo courtesy Peggy Hull Deuell Collection, Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas Libraries)
Peggy moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1916 where she attempted to obtain funding to report on the Ohio National Guard in New Mexico. Almost a year prior to the United States officially joining World War I, Peggy witnessed the training of officers at Camp Willis in Columbus, Ohio. It was there that Major Harold Bush, the commander of the artillery camp told Peggy, “A military camp is a matter of war – not friendship – and it’s no place for a woman.”[2] The unique challenges she experienced as a female at the military camp only further motivated Peggy to continue on and tell the world of her adventures.
One of her greatest tests of will came as she convinced a commander to allow her to join 20,000 soldiers on a fifteen-day hike into New Mexico. She later recalled, “I had a terrible time convincing him I could stand the hardships. When I finally gained his consent, I knew my military career depended upon [that] hike.”[3] Despite a myriad of physical and mental obstacles, Peggy powered through by imagining all the “women of [her] profession envying [her] trip”.[4] Impressed by her sheer will and determination, she received a promotion to the rank of first lieutenant.
Once the United States officially entered World War I, Peggy asked to be sent to France as a war correspondent, to which her editor exclaimed, “How perfectly ridiculous!”[5] Peggy was determined and persuaded her editor to sponsor her Paris travels. She was able to get a passport and visa despite the disbelief of those around her. As she was in route, Peggy knew her “whole future was staked on that trip to England”.[6] She received a good deal of attention for the work she was doing, and her columns were incredibly popular.
By 1918, Peggy had set her sights on full accreditation as a war correspondent. Peggy was met with opposition by men who believed a woman would never become accredited. Captain Carl Ruth was flabbergasted when Peggy presented a letter from a past acquaintance, General Peyton C. March, who demanded that Peggy not be denied accreditation due to her gender. She officially became the first woman accredited by the War Department as a war correspondent and headed to Siberia.
Peggy Hull continued to face setbacks during her time as an accredited war correspondent, but nothing could take away from the fact that she was the first woman to be accredited in a male dominated field. She was expected to fail numerous times throughout her career, and through hard work and determination, she changed the game for female journalists. In an article published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer in 1944, Peggy reflected on the unique challenges women often face saying, “Our presence in various fields is bitterly resented by the men we compete with. Overwhelming obstacles are frequently set up to prevent us from working and yet, odd though it may seem, women must live.”[7]
After divorcing her first husband later in life, Peggy married an Englishman in Shanghai, which nearly resulted in the loss of her United States citizenship. She lobbied against this law that targeted women who married non-United States citizens and managed to avoid deportation. A few years later she divorced the Englishman and married her third and final husband, Harvey Deuell, a longtime acquaintance from her early reporting days. She decided to retire from journalism only to return as a war correspondent during World War II. She struggled continuously with alcoholism and died of cancer at the age of 76.
Despite her accolades, the name ‘Peggy Hull’ is practically unknown today. Regardless, her impact on journalism paved the way for future women in the field. She proved to the men throughout her life that she was not one to be underestimated.
Peggy Hull is included in the Kansas mural painted by Hays artist Dennis Schiel on display outside the office of the Kansas Lieutenant Governor.
Peggy Hull’s picture and a brief description of her accomplishments can be viewed in the Lieutenant Governor’s office in the Kansas Capitol. There hangs a massive 10-panel mural, painted by Hays artist Dennis Schiel, complete with historical events and figures with Kansas origins.
Peggy Hull, born and raised in northern Kansas, paved the way for women in journalism and has forever left her mark on Kansas history. In a letter written in 1937, Peggy expressed her early motivations in the journey to become a war correspondent, writing, “I did not go to war because I liked the excitement or what my colleagues sometimes erroneously refer to as the glamour. I went because I was not a man and could not carry a gun and do something for my country.”[8]
From the rambunctious child who rose above what was expected of her as a young lady, to the first accredited female war correspondent, Peggy was the epitome of a strong woman. Just as Nellie Bly had once inspired a young Peggy Hull, her accomplishments will one day inspire numerous young girls to not allow themselves to be limited by their gender.
Caitlin O’Toole is a 2019 Legislative Intern for Sen. Elaine Bowers, Senate District #36. O’Toole graduated from St. Teresa’s Academy in 2016 and currently is a junior at KU majoring in Political Science and Communication with a History minor. She will be applying to law school next fall.
The Kansas Legislature Internship program is open to any student who is enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary education institution. Interns are required to attend a minimum of 12 days during the legislative session, attend the intern orientation, submit an evaluation of their internship and complete an evaluation of their legislator. One additional requirement is to submit a project assigned by their legislator. This year’s project was a research paper on a Kansan from the Senate District.
Memorial Day Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 13 to 20 mph.
Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 17 mph.
Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 80. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday NightMostly clear, with a low around 51. Southwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming west northwest after midnight.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for a portion of Russell County Rural Water District No. 3 located in Russell, Barton and Rush counties. The Advisory is issued for all Russell RWD No. 3 customers located West of Galatia.
Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:
If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.
Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
The advisory took effect on May 26, and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.
Regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.
By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development
Block22. That sounds like part of a play call in football. In this case, Block22 is the name of a redevelopment project which is helping transform a historic downtown in a key southeast Kansas community.
Heather Horton is an entrepreneur and owner of a small business located near the district known as Block22 in Pittsburg, Kansas. Heather grew up in the nearby rural community of Girard, population 2,789 people. Now, that’s rural.
In Girard, her high school sweetheart was Roger Horton whom she would later marry. Heather earned a bachelor’s degree in commercial art and a master’s degree in communications from Pittsburg State, while Roger studied at Fort Scott Community College.
“We would walk around downtown and enjoyed looking at the old buildings,” Heather said. However, as in many communities, the downtown area was suffering. In 2006, Heather co-founded the Pittsburg ArtWalk, a semiannual event which showcases local artists, musicians and more in downtown Pittsburg.
One downtown landmark, the historic Colonial Fox Theatre, was decaying and was likely headed for demolition in 2007. Local citizens, including Heather Horton and many others, rallied to save the old structure. The Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation, of which Heather was a founding member, was formed and is remodeling the building.
In 2017, a partnership developed between the city of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University, and a private investor named the Vecino Group. The goal was to further improve the downtown while adding student housing. Together, these organizations created this remarkable project known as Block22.
Block22 takes its name from the city’s founding. According to the Pittsburg State website, the city’s forefathers originally platted Pittsburg into 51 blocks. Block number 22 included a historic opera house which is located in the area that was redeveloped.
Block22 now refers to the four historic buildings which are a part of this $18 million redevelopment project. These buildings now offer nearly 100 student residential units for Pittsburg State students, plus more than 16,000 square feet of innovation space. A shuttle service operates between downtown and the Pittsburg State campus.
“I think Block22 is going to be transformational for the community,” said Marty Beezley, chair of Pittsburg’s Economic Development Advisory Committee, as shown in a Pittsburg State video. The area is described as “a unique, mix-use, living-learning community in Downtown Pittsburg that features residential, commercial, dining, and entertainment spaces.”
“Our goal is to create a living, learning community that is an anchor for the growth that’s going to occur throughout this entire city, not just downtown,” said Dr. Shawn Nacarotto, chief strategic officer at Pittsburg State.
“The downtown is your heart,” Heather Horton said. “If your heart is not pumping correctly, the rest of your body is not going to function.” After graduation from Pittsburg State, Heather opened her own business downtown where she and Roger now live.
“When we decided to purchase our building in 2007, the heart of Pittsburg, downtown, was bare,” Heather said. “Fast forward 12 years and it’s more vibrant than ever, with tons of boutiques, two coffee shops, a bright night life and fun festivals. To see the hustle and bustle happening, people in this area walking around, watching the progress go on, that’s pretty cool.”
In 2017, Heather and Roger were recognized with the President’s Award from the Pittsburg Area Young Professionals. That same year the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce honored Heather as a Woman of Distinction for her work to preserve the arts as well as being a successful small business owner, and in 2018, named her business its Small Business of the Year.
For more information about the downtown district, see www.block22psu.com.
Block22. It’s not a football play, but a remarkable downtown redevelopment project in Pittsburg. We salute Heather and Roger Horton, Marty Beezley, Shawn Nacarotto, and all those who support this project for making a difference with an innovative approach to providing student housing and rebuilding downtown. They are part of the building blocks for their community.
And there’s more. What is Heather’s business? We’ll learn about that next week.
BATON ROUGE, La. — The following local residents were recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society.
Kathay Johnson of Hays, was initiated at Fort Hays State University
Michael Musgrove of Hays, was initiated at Fort Hays State University
These residents are among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines. Its mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”
More About Phi Kappa Phi Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi. Some of the organization’s notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards nearly $1 million to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.phikappaphi.org.
To say that we have had a wet spring would be an understatement to say the least.
This can be a concern for homeowners and their landscapes. I found a few pieces of advice from Ward Upham, K-State Research and Extension’s horticulture department to share with you this week that address a few concerns you may have. As always, if you have any questions, you can call me at 620-793-1910.
Too Wet to Mow the Lawn
What do you do when the lawn can’t be cut because of constant rain? The best thing to do is to set your mower as high as possible and bring it down in steps. It is always best never to take more than one third of the grass blade off at one time. If more is taken, the plant reacts by using stored energy reserves to quickly send up new growth.
This reduces the amount of energy available for the plant to deal with stress or damage done by insects or disease. However, sometimes it is just not possible to keep the “one-third rule.” In such cases, cut as high as possible even though it may mean you are cutting off more than one third of the blade. Bring the height down gradually by cutting more often and at progressively lower heights until you reach the target height.
Trees in flood
Trees differ markedly in their ability to withstand flooding. Some trees have mechanisms in place to provide oxygen to the roots of plants with water saturated soils and others do not. However, most trees will maintain health if flood waters recede in 7 days or less. It also helps if water is flowing rather than stagnant. If the roots of sensitive trees are flooded for long periods of time, damage will occur including leaf drop, iron chlorosis, leaf curl, branch dieback, and in some cases, tree death. Another danger of flooding is the deposition of sediment. An additional layer of silt 3 inches or more can also restrict oxygen to the roots. If possible, remove deep layers of sediment as soon as conditions permit.
This is especially important for small or recently transplanted trees. Try to avoid any additional stress to the trees this growing season. Ironically, one of the most important practices is to water trees if the weather turns dry. Flooding damages roots and therefore the root system is less efficient in making use of available soil water. Timely waterings are vital to a tree’s recovery. Also be diligent in removing dead or dying branches that may serve as an entry point for disease organisms or insect pests.
Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at [email protected] or calling 620-793-1910.
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain and frequent lightning. Increasing clouds, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain and frequent lightning. Low around 61. South southeast wind 14 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Memorial Day
Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 14 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 17 mph.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Carolyn and Neal Younger have donated 160 acres of farmland southeast of Ellis to the Hays High School FFA program in memory of their son, Cody.
Cody died 10 years ago in a tragic vehicle accident when he was a student at HHS. Cody was active in FFA, and Neal is also an HHS FFA alumni as is his daughter.
“This way, they can get hands on and get their hands dirty,” Neal said of the FFA students.
The gift was announced May 6 at the HHS Academic Awards night.
The land that has been donated has been in the Younger family since 1901. It was purchased by Neal Younger’s great-great-great grandfather from the Union Pacific Railroad for $1 per acre.
Cody was to have been the next generation to farm the land, and Neal Younger said this is a way for the property to be preserved for agriculture use in the Younger name.
About 30 acres of the property, which is near Vineyard and 150th Avenue, is in cultivation with the remaining acreage in grazing pasture. There are also two metal utility sheds on the property. They are painted in Cody’s favorite colors — red and black. One of the buildings has a message, “In loving memory of Cody Younger.” The Youngers keep the message lit at night.
There is a spring-fed pond on the property. Neal fondly remembered stocking the pond with fish when Cody was only about 3 years old.
“He was right there at the water with me releasing those fish,” Neal said.
Neal estimates the value of the land at $1,800 to $2,000 per acre.
It is the Youngers’ hope the land can eventually be used by FFA students to gain practical farming experience as well as generate an income to support the two $500 scholarships the Youngers established in Cody’s name for FFA students. A scholarship has been awarded to a HHS FFA male and female student every since Cody’s death.
“It will give FFA students a hands-on, eyes-on [experience],” Neal said. “They can either farm it or they can get somebody else to.”
Currently Neal picks up side jobs to help fund the annual FFA scholarship, but he said he and Carolyn wanted to have a means to continue to fund the scholarship after the couple retires.
“It’s overwhelming,” Carolyn said. “I questioned about how we were going to go about doing it, but I am glad we are doing it.
“When things like this happen, good comes out it. It makes us feel good, but it hurts because if he was still alive, this wouldn’t be happening. I am just glad we can do something good out of losing him.”
The Youngers said FFA sponsor Curt Vajnar, HHS Principal Marty Straub and HHS secretary Tammy Stewart have all been very supportive of the family since Cody’s death, and they wanted to make the gift before any of those three staff members at the high school retired.
The Youngers have consistently supported HHS FFA, Vajnar said, donating to the FFA auction in addition to Cody’s scholarship.
“They have been generous to our organization,” Vajnar said.
Vajnar said proceeds from the land could also be used to support HHS students attending leadership conferences and national conventions. The national FFA conference in Washington, D.C., that students can attend every other year costs $800 to $900 per student.
“It will allow kids to do things they have never been allowed to do before,” he said, “due to not being able to afford things. I have kids now who won’t go to things because they don’t want to ask their parents for the money that it takes to go on trips where we go out and eat for a couple of days.”
The details of the gift are still being worked out with the school district’s and the Younger’s attorneys.
PHILLIPS COUNTY— One person was injured in an accident just before 9p.m. Saturday in Phillips County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Honda CRV driven by Francis L. Karlin, 72, Bloomington, MN., was southbound on U.S. 183 thirteen miles south of Phillipsburg. The driver lost control of the vehicle when he swerved to miss a deer.
The vehicle entered the east ditch and continued, striking several cedar trees.
EMS transported Karlin to the hospital in Phillipsburg. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Small Business Development Center are hosting several upcoming info sessions on export opportunities to Mexico.
To help Kansas companies gain traction in the Mexican market, Kansas Department of Commerce Mexico Office representative Tom Johnston will give presentations on export opportunities to Mexico on June 4 in Manhattan, June 5 in Hays, and June 6 in Dodge City.
These free sessions will focus on market trends, economic landscapes, trade concerns and opportunities for Kansas products and services. One-on-one meetings are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Companies interested in exploring the Mexican market are highly encouraged to attend these events.
Mexico is an important export market for Kansas, traditionally ranking as one of the state’s top three trading partners. In 2018, Mexico exports to Mexico totaled $2.1 billion, accounting for more than 18 percent of that state’s total exports. Compared with the previous year, Kansas exports to Mexico increased by $237 million. Mexico represents abundant trade opportunities for Kansas companies.
Today
