lisa@emporia.com Bettina Shank Business Manager shank@emporia.com
Published by The White Corporation
109 W. 6th St.
Emporia KS 66801
620-208-8888
Fax: 620-342-8108
www.fhshopper.com
EMPORIA SENIOR CENTER UPCOMING EVENTS
603 E. 12th Ave * 620-343-3160
• Bingo is Tuesday, 7-9 p.m.; and Saturday, 4-6 p.m.
- Volunteers are needed
• Every Friday is Brain Break Fridays from 10:0012:00. For more information, call the center at the number above.
• Hermes Footcare every Thursday. Call 316-2604110 for an appointment.
• Lunch - Monday, Wednesday and Fridays - 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Adults are $5 with kids under five eating free. Cash only. Menu is on Facebook. Please call the senior center to reserve your meal.
• Coffee and Chat, every Monday at 9:00
• Art with Carol, 2nd Thursday, 10 a.m.
• Flint Hills Country Jam (Live Music), third Sunday of every month, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
FOOD PANTRIES
EMPORIA
The First Christian Church food pantry at 1702 W. 15th Ave. is open the last Monday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m or until food is gone. Enter on the west side of the building.
The First United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 823 Merchant, is open each Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. You are allowed to pick up food once a month.
LEBO
The Lebo Community Food Pantry located behind the Lebo Baptist Church is open Mondays 5-7 p.m., Thursdays 9-11 a.m., and the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m.-noon.
This is open to residents of 66856 and 66868.
True Tales From The Tallgrass Library News
SEED SWAP DAY
Join Elmendaro Public Library in Hartford for National Seed Swap Day on Saturday, January 31, 9 a.m. to noon. Bring seeds, new/used garden related items, plants and/or bulbs to swap. The library will provide little satchels for seeds and labels on what you bring for others to copy.
Bring a little and take home something new to try in your garden this year.
Provided by the Lyon County Historical Society
Perhaps it was because of her intense interest in children that Anna Patty Jaquith donated a building in Americus for a boys’ club and for the Camp Fire Girls, because she eventually saw the need for a camp in the Americus vicinity. Camp Patty made the news when various groups arranged to stay there for a day or a week or longer. President Thomas Butcher of the Normal School (ESU) and his family visited Mrs. Jaquith at her country home in late August of 1921and while there christened her facility Camp Patty. Groups of young people rented the camp for swimming parties in the nearby Neosho River. Miss Glee McAuley entertained a group in honor of Miss Cora Hunt whose family was soon to be moving away. Pauline Birckett, Gladys Lowe, Willa Bell, Florence Grinell, Everett Bell, Dale Inman, Dale Ernst, Glenn Pickett, and Kepner Jaquith, son of Mrs. Jaquith, all enjoyed the fun. Camp Fire girls had a picnic and council fire while enjoying the camp. Two or three camping parties from Emporia were staying at the resort, and others were making application to use it. It was said that one of the boys that was up from Emporia to Camp Patty ate fifteen eggs in a single day besides storing away a liberal supply of bread, potatoes, and vegetables. Was he an
underfed kid, or just an able eater??? At least he was enjoying the camp’s offerings! What was a Harvey Girl? Some would say, “They were just waitresses.” Yes, but they were working back in a time when few women worked. Often they took jobs as Harvey Girls because they wanted or needed an excuse to leave home. They wanted to follow the railroads west, to test their potential, to explore their knowledge of the world and themselves. But they could also serve a four course meal in thirty minutes. They weren’t highly educated or well paid. They weren’t advancing women’s rights, but they were single women between the ages of 18 and 35 who answered newspaper advertisements to go west-southwest to work for Fred Harvey and his chain of hotels and restaurants along the Santa Fe Railroad. Approximately one hundred thousand Harvey Girls went west between 1876 and 1950 until the Harvey system and railroads lost ground to the airlines. Emporia had one of the first Harvey Houses, established in 1880, surviving until 1937. Some of the early Harvey Girls may have been from the Emporia area, but often the women who sought these jobs were interviewed in Kansas City and moved out here, in the West. Controversy often surrounded them. Were they really prostitutes in disguise, perhaps not “nice girls?”
HAPPY HARVESTER’S 4-H CLUB
By Michelle Corpening, Parent Reporter
The meeting of Happy Harvester’s 4-H Club was called to order by Parent President Travis Heins at the Knight’s of Columbus Hall January 19th, 2026. This month’s meeting was a “special” meeting featuring club members’ parents. The following parents took part in leading the meeting for the evening: Kristina Weeden-Secretary, Aubrey Arnold-Vice President, Travis Heins-President, Michelle Corpening-Reporter & Scrapbooking Project talk, Lindsey Whitmore-Treaurer, Lindsey Ratcliff-Song Leader, Monica Hoelting-4H Pledge and Parliamentarian, Cat Jenkins-Flag Salute and Birthday Box, Lana Ritchie-”Aunts on a Log” demonstration and Jessica Burenheide-Recreation Leader. Roll call was answered by, “What is your goal for the 2026 4-H year?” There were 46 members present. Kristina Weeden then read the minutes of the last meeting and they were approved as read. Monica Hoelting gave the parliamentarian minute sharing, “Why we use parliamentary procedure to run meetings.”
Michelle Corpening shared that the reporter’s report was completed and turned into the shopper last month. Lindsey Whitmore gave the treasurer’s report. Club leader, Ashley Windle, shared several key items for 4-Hers to be focusing on. Beef tagging, soup supper for
the next monthly meeting, paying 4-H dues, and club day sign up all of which are coming up in the month of February. Lindsey Ratcliff then led the club in “The Chicken Dance” for the club song. The program was turned over to Vice President, Aubrey Arnold, who asked for any project talks. Michelle Corpening gave a talk about the scrapbooking project and Lana Ritchie did a demonstration on how to make “ants on a log.” After the program Cat Jenkins gave January birthdays a prize from the birthday box and Jessica Burenheide led the club in a fun interactive game of “Would you rather?”. The next meeting will be in February and is the club’s famous soup supper meeting.
Care Paint!
Parent Lana Ritchie gives a project talk while club members and Parent Officers listen
Celebrating 105 Years Lyon
Lyon County League Basketball Tournament January 26, 27, 29, 30 & 31, 2026 GIRLS BRACKET White Auditorium - Emporia, Kansas
Saturday "In the Lyon County League whether you're in the stands or on the court, respect others Saturday 9:00 AM and be a good sport." The first game of each day will start as scheduled, other game
times are approximate times.
A Legacy of Quality KANSAS High School Basketball
By Ted Vanocker
From my current recollections:
From 1978-81, I watched/helped supervise every game (98 out of 112) with the exception of a few first round games and from 1982-2019, I supervised all 1136 games, except the 5:30 Friday game in 2003 when I took a short trip via ambulance to the emergency room, I was back by the 7 pm game. The following bits of information were therefore witnessed as they played their way into history.
1978
This was the first year that all games for both girls and boys were played at White Arena. Previously, the first round and semi-finals for girls were played at one of the schools. It was great to give the girls equal footing in the tournament.
Girls: The Reading girls were 0-9 coming into the tournament, but won their first game of the tournament. Marcella Atchinson scored 12 pts. Olpe took a heartbreaker from Hartford, 35-34 with an 18’ shot by Donna Blaufuss at the gun. Olpe then beat Northern Heights 48-47 in overtime. Going into the finals, Madison was seeded #1 and undefeated…they proved they were deserving, as they slipped by Olpe 42-40.
Olpe won an OT thriller over Northern Heights in a semifinal game, 48-47.. N H played a great first half… Linda Holmberg made six shots in the first half… in the 2nd half, Olpe stormed back, tying the score at 40 to end regulation play. Cammy Oliver (NH) had fouled out in the 3rd qt…Olpe lost Mary Windle at the beginning of the final qt., she was replaced by Janice Bechtel who hit six shots for the Eagles…Olpe led 48-47 in OT when Heights regained possession, but failed to get a time-out and the buzzer ended the game. Olpe had beaten Hartford by one in their previous game, as well.
Coach Bob VonStein’s Lady Eagles lost to Madison, coached by Pat Underwood, 42-40 in the championship game…a game of “back and forth” lead changes..very exciting game.
Boys: Madison (11-1), defending champions and #1 seed, met Waverly (11-1) in the finals. Madison trailed at one time by 13 points, but came back to beat Waverly 56-54 in Overtime. Steve Titus of Madison led the way with 22 points, 18 points from 18 of 22 free throws. This was Waverly’s first year in the tournament. Waverly’s coach Mike Hevel, is still the head coach at Waverly, coaching in his 42nd (final) consecutive tournament this (2019).
The Lebo Boys first LCL Tournament game was “nail
biter” as Reading’s pressure defence cut an 11 pt Lebo lead to a 39-39 tie..an Ed Deighly shot for Reading gave the Lions a 2 pt lead.. John Edwards (Lebo) tied the game and then a bucket by Whittington (Reading), a foul shot by Lebo’s Russell Potter, then a rebound shot by Clarence Frye..regained the lead for Lebo.. strong play by Scott Booth (Lebo) and two more FT by Potter gave Lebo the 49-47 win…an exciting way to begin their entry into the tourney.
Waverly’s inaugural game was an OT victory over Olpe, 57-56 and their championship game was an OT loss to Madison, 56-54. Waverly took a 13 pt lead… Steve Titus (Madison) made 18 of 22 at the FT line, with a total of 24 pts for the game…with 1:05 left, Titus made both of his FT and tied the game at 52.. Game to OT.. Waverly’s Steve Hinderlighter made Waverly’s only basket in OT.. Ken Elrod made the final FT of the game for Madison. In the 3rd place boy’s game, Lebo’s Scott Booth scored 22 pts to lead Lebo to a 60-53 victory over Northern Heights.
2025 Bankers Conservation Award ELLEN WATTS
Ellen Watts is receiving the Banker’s Award for completing projects through the conservation district designed to improve environmental quality and conserve natural resources. Ellen has one son named John, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. John operates the farm alongside her. Ellen has worked at the Southern Lyon County School District for 30 years as a teacher and administrative assistant. In her free time, she enjoys music and has played the piano at church for 40 years. She is also a Farm Service Agency Board Advisor and is involved with her local extension office. Watts inherited the property, originally 40 acres, and expanded the operation to cover 720 acres where she and her son, John, manage crop rotation, cattle grazing,
and implement conservation strategies.
On 400 acres, the Watts family plant corn, wheat, and double crop beans. The remaining 320 acres are grass where they graze 100 head of stocker cattle. They have put in terraces to control run-off and soil erosion, have an integrated pest management plan, and maintain their ditches.
The Watts take pride in their work and encourage current and future producers to do the same because, in short, people notice. They find that it is better to be proactive in identifying issues than to defer and have a bigger problem in the future. In conjunction, when an issue inevitably presents itself, "fix it right" to save yourself a headache later!
Ellen and John are stewards of conservation and aim to take care of the environment
to preserve it for future generations. Their hard work and dedication to the conservation of natural resources is what makes it an honor to present them, with Ellen Watts receiving, the 2025 Banker’s Award. Thank you for all the work that you do and being a pillar in the community.
86TH ANNUAL LYON COUNTY CONSERVATION MEETING
The 86th Annual Meeting of the Lyon County Conservation District will be held Monday, February 2, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Anderson Building. Under provisions of the Conservation District Law, the Lyon County Conservation District is required to have an annual meeting to provide the public with full disclosure of financial affairs and district activities.
Members of the Lyon County Conservation District Board of Supervisors include:
• Bill Leffler (Chairman),
• Sam Briggs (Vice Chairman),
• Jessica Davis (Treasurer),
• Matt Horton (Member), and
• Justin Dieker (Member).
A public election of supervisors whose terms have expired is also slated. Bill Leffler (Chairman) and Jessica Davis (Treasurer) have expiring terms this year. Jessica does not want to rerun for treasurer, but will be a member of the board. Bill Leffler is looking for candidates to take his position. The district has one full time employee:
• Abbie Schroeder (Archaeologist)
The Emporia NRCS Field office has two full time employees:
• James Ungerer (Supervisory District Conservationist)
this meeting each year is to allow the district the opportunity to introduce the community to conservation ethics and practices, as well as the various conservation programs offered by state and federal allocations. The meeting also serves as an excellent opportunity for producers and landowners to voice concerns, make suggestions, and have questions answered regarding agricultural and conservation practices. A short business meeting and election of the board members will be followed by a presentation honoring individuals and families for their outstanding contributions to Lyon County conservation.
The Lyon County Conservation District would like you to join them in thanking and
recognizing those individuals and families who make an extra effort to conserve the natural resources in
Lyon County. The Annual Meeting is an important event for the Lyon County Conservation District and Lyon
County residents. Come learn what you can do to become a part of preserving our resources for future generations.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP by contacting the Emporia NRCS office at (620) 343-7276.
Photo by Henry Ott
Photo by Henry Ott
Friend of Conservation Award BRIAN REES
Brian Rees is receiving the Friend of Conservation Award for outstanding conservation efforts on the prairie. Brian and his wife, Dixie, have been married for 39 years and have one daughter, Kate, who is studying early childhood education at Flint Hills Technical College. Brian received degrees in Agronomy and Business Administration from KState after 20 years in the Ag industry. He currently works for K-State as the Lyon County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent. Rees is a member of the Olpe Lions Club, the treasurer for Greenwood County cemetery, and is a member of the Flint Hills Beef Fest committee. In late 1999 to early 2000, Rees purchased his grandparents land, which has been in the family for over 100 years. Two years later, the operation grew when they acquired the land
that Dixie's mother grew up on which has also been in the family for over 100 years! Since then, they have implemented a multitude of management strategies to conserve natural resources. Historically, there were crops on part of the land, but Brian enrolled
it into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to improve both soil and water quality, and wildlife habitat. Some acreage has been enrolled in CRP since 1985! He has used EQIP and State Cost Share to stay ahead of weeds and brush, utilizing prescribed burning
and herbicide applications as well as restricted grazing; the land not in CRP is grazed. He has installed a Cobett watering system for his livestock which utilizes geothermal heat to prevent water from freezing during the winter via a concrete tank below an existing pond
after boring the pond dam. He also hosted an education day on the installation of a tire tank watering system below a newly built pond to inform other farmers of the benefits of this type of system. Brian's passion for conservation is felt in his community and re-
flects on his land. Rees encourages everyone to build partnerships and help each other be successful as "not too many can do it alone." When people and organizations come together, resources and opportuni-
see Rees, Page 12
Soil health is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. Healthy soil gives us clean air and water, bountiful crops and forests, productive grazing lands, diverse wildlife, and beautiful landscapes. Soil does all this by performing five essential functions:
Regulating water
Soil helps control where rain, snowmelt, and irrigation water goes. Water flows over the land or into and through the soil.
Sustaining plant and animal life
The diversity and productivity of living things depends on soil.
Filtering and buffering potential pollutants
The minerals and microbes in soil are responsible for filtering, buffering, degrading, immobilizing, and detoxifying organic and inorganic materials, including industrial and municipal by-products and atmospheric deposits.
Cycling nutrients
Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and many other nutrients are stored, transformed, and cycled in the soil.
Providing physical stability and support
WHAT IS SOIL HEALTH?
Soil structure provides a medium for plant roots. Soils also provide support for human structures and protection for archeological treasures.
Principles to Manage Soil for Health
Soil health research has determined how to manage soil in a way that improves soil function.
• Maximize Presence of Living Roots
• Minimize Disturbance
• Maximize Soil Cover
• Maximize Biodiversity
As world population and food production demands rise, keeping our soil healthy and productive is of paramount importance. By farming using soil health principles and systems that include no-till, cover cropping, and diverse rotations, more and more farmers are increasing their soil’s organic matter and improving microbial activity.
As a result, farmers are sequestering more carbon, increasing water infiltration, improving wildlife and pollinator habitat— all while harvesting better profits and often better yields.
The Four Principles of a Soil Health Management System
Implementing Soil Health Management Systems can lead to increased organic matter, more diverse soil organisms, reduced soil compaction and improved nutrient storage and cycling. As an added bonus, fully functioning, healthy soils absorb and retain more water, making them less susceptible to runoff and erosion. This means more water will be available for crops when they need it.
Soil Health Management Systems allow farmers to enjoy profits over time because they spend less on fuel and energy while benefiting from less variable crop yields result-
ing from improved soil conditions. Healthy soils also provide a buffer for precipitation extremes (too wet or too dry).
Maximize Presence of Living Roots
the soil food web is fed. Providing plenty of easily accessible food to soil microbes helps them cycle nutrients that plants need to grow. Sugars from living plant roots, recently dead plant roots, crop residues, and soil organic matter all feed the many and varied members of the soil food web.
Minimize Disturbance
Tillage can destroy soil organic matter and structure along with the habitat that soil organisms need. Tillage, especially during warmer months, reduces water infiltration, increases runoff and can make the soil less productive. Tillage disrupts the soil’s natural biological cycles, damages the structure of the soil, and makes soil more susceptible to erosion.
food and escape for wildlife.
Soil can also be disturbed through production inputs or improperly managed grazing practices. Inputs are not applied properly could potentially disrupt the delicate relationship between plants and soil organisms. Soil Health Management Systems help minimize potential disturbance, while maximizing nutrient cycling, which can lead to greater profitability for producers.
Improperly managed grazing can also harm the soil health system. There are several ways to graze livestock to reduce environmental impacts. For example, implementing a rotational grazing system instead of allowing livestock to continuously graze pasture allows pasture plants to rest and regrow.
CONGRATULATIONS
Living plants maintain a rhizosphere, an area of concentrated microbial activity close to the root. The rhizosphere is the most active part of the soil ecosystem because it is where the most readily available food is, and where peak nutrient and water cycling occurs. Microbial food is exuded by plant roots to attract and feed microbes that provide nutrients (and other compounds) to the plant at the root-soil interface where the plants can take them up. Since living roots provide the easiest source of food for soil microbes, growing long-season crops or a cover crop following a short-season crop, feeds the foundation species of the soil food web as much as possible during the growing season.
Healthy soil is dependent upon how well
The benefits of reduced till/no-till include: AIDING IN PLANT GROWTH – Soils managed with reduced/no-till for several years contain more organic matter and moisture for plant use. Healthy soils cycle crop nutrients, support root growth, absorb water and sequester carbon more efficiently.
REDUCING SOIL EROSION
– Soil that is covered yearround is much less susceptible to erosion from wind and water. For cropping systems, practices like notill keep soil undisturbed from harvest to planting.
SAVING MONEY – Farmers can save money on fuel and labor by decreasing tillage. Improving nutrient cycling allows farmers to potentially reduce the amount of supplemental nutrients required to maintain yields, further reducing input costs.
PROVIDING WILDLIFE HABITAT – Crop residue, grass and cover crops provide
Maximize Soil Cover
Soil cover can be maximized by planting cover crops, annual crops, and perennial crops and leaving crop residues and living mulches on the ground. Soil health practices that maintain cover year-round improve soil health and protect soil from wind and water erosion.
Cover crops can be an integral part of a cropping system and provide soil cover during fallow seasons. Cover crops can be managed to improve soil health, as they help to develop an environment that sustains and nourishes plants, soil microbes and beneficial insects. The introduction of cover crops into your crop rotation can benefit any sized farm
ties present themselves that aid in more effec-
tive conservation efforts. Brian's fellowship and commitment to conservation is what makes it an honor to present him with the 2025 Friend of
2025 Young Farmer Award
CLAYTON FOWLER
Clayton Fowler is receiving the Young Farmer award for exhibiting outstanding management, growth, and leadership in agriculture. Clayton works as an electrician and manages the operation with his father. He is also a part of the Lyon County Farm Bureau. He is married to his wife, Kimberlyn, and they are expecting their first child! In his free time, he enjoys hunting white-tailed deer and golfing. The operation has been in the family since the family settled in Lyon County. Clayton is part of a generational operation that continues to grow crops and graze cattle.
Fowler rotates beans, corn, and wheat and grazes double stockers and cow/calf pairs. On approximately 30 acres, the operation has utilized the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to improve both soil and water qual -
ity, and wildlife habitat. The duo implements a brush management plan to clear trees, primarily cedar, and utilizes prescribed burns. Terraces have also been installed to prevent soil erosion and a nutrient management plan is used to maximize growth all while minimizing waste and pollution. Clayton encourages people to continuously learn because it leads to building skills and fosters
adaptation. He plans to maintain and improve upon the land for future generations and “leaving it better than he found it.”
Clayton’s commitment to conservation and lifelong learning is what makes it an honor to present him with the 2025 Young Farmer’s Award. Thank you for your dedication to conservation and the energy you put forth in doing so.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT FOR WOODY ENCROACHMENT
Dillon Fogarty1, Casey Matzke2, Morgan L. Treadwell2, Carol Baldwin3, Laura Goodman4, Torre Hovick5, Annie Overlin6, J. Derek Scasta7, Allison Thompson4, and Dirac Twidwell1
1University of Nebraska, 2Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 3Kansas State University, 4Oklahoma State University, 5North Dakota State University, 6Colorado State University, and 7University of Wyoming
The problem
Past brush management efforts have failed to maintain Great Plains grasslands in the face of woody encroachment [1–3]. Traditional brush management efforts assumed that 1) there are tolerable levels of the top five woody pests in grasslands before encroachment becomes a resource concern, and 2) that mechanical or chemical removal of woody plants will restore a site back to a grassland [4,5]. In reality, brush management begets more brush management because of reinvasion [4,6]. This leads to the horror stories from the southern Great Plains where the value of the ranch was paid three times over to cover brush management costs. Scientists now recommend more integrated approaches for dealing with woody pests and ending the reinvasion cycle [7].
Integrated pest management in rangelands: A new approach
Pests are defined as organisms that pose
economic, environmental, and health risks [8]. In cropland agriculture, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a preferred approach for managing pests. IPM is defined as “a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks [8].”
Common weedy pests in croplands are palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri), kochia (Kochia scoparia), and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), so IPM is used to prevent impacts to crop yields while also minimizing the risks associated with chemical controls.
Applying IPM methods for woody encroachment can provide many benefits in grasslands similar to pest control in croplands. Encroaching woody pests reduce forage production in grasslands and threaten rancher livelihoods. New IPM recommendations for woody encroachment are built around the biology of pests and emphasize proactive controls to prevent losses in forage production. IPM for woody encroachment seeks to:
• Prevent the expansion of woody pests into intact (tree free) grasslands,
• Reduce existing infestations of woody pests, and
• Minimize the economic, environmental, and health risks associated with woody encroachment and control treatments.
Why are encroaching woody plants considered
pests?
Encroaching woody plants pose economic, environmental, and health risks in Great Plains grasslands. Woody pests are species that cause state transitions in grasslands and are associated with a wide range of impacts to human well-being [9]:
Economic risks
The annual economic impact of forage production losses due to woody encroachment is valued at $323 million in the Great Plains, with an estimated 22.4 million tons of lost rangeland production [1,10]. These losses increase every year due to ineffective or absent woody plant control measures. In addition, brush management is among the most expensive conservation practices implemented in rangelands, which can result in ranch operating costs that quickly exceed revenues generated from livestock production.
Environmental risks
Woody encroachment causes a myriad of environmental impacts, ranging from reductions in water quantity and quality [11,12], the collapse of grassland biodiversity [13–15], increased risk of soil erosion due to the loss of grassland plants and increased bare ground cover [16], and shifts in carbon storage from highly resilient belowground carbon pools to highly vulnerable aboveground carbon pools associated with woody dominance [17,18].
Health risks
Woody encroachment is known to endanger human health through three primary pathways: 1) increased seasonal allergies and reduced respiratory health from woody plant pollen [19]; 2) increased risk of wildfires from woody plants with high fuel volatility [20,21]; 3) increased risk of encountering vector-borne diseases like West Nile virus and Rocky Mountain spotted fever from mosquitoes and ticks which prefer encroached sites [22].
IPM uses the PAMS approach
IPM consists of a combination of strategies to Prevent, Avoid, Monitor, and Suppress (PAMS) woody pests in grasslands. Prevent contamination of intact grasslands
The prevention of woody plant infestations in intact grasslands is the top priority for resource management planners. Best management practices are to prevent the introduction of seed sources into intact grasslands and halt the advancement of seed sources from neighboring lands.
How far should I be from seed sources to prevent the problem?
Most seedling recruitment occurs close to existing seed sources [23], so 200 yards is used as a general guideline for preventing the problem, but the goal is to maximize distance between grasslands and seed sources. Livestock can be a source of long-distance seed dispersal when their manure contains seeds of woody pests (e.g., mesquite and
honey locust), so caution should be used when moving livestock from woody infested pastures to intact grasslands (seeds should clear from the digestive tract within approximately 5 days after consumption).
Avoid transitions from seedling to seed source
Avoidance practices are used to stop infestations from escalating and can reduce or eliminate the need for more expensive treatments in the future.
What should I target to avoid the problem?
Target seedlings to avoid the development of mature, seed bearing individuals. Prescribed burning, biological control with herbivores, haying, hand cutting, and herbicides are potential tools that can be used to target seedlings.
Monitor to reduce vulnerability
Monitoring is needed to inform prevention, avoidance, and suppression strategies. It is also used to track the progress of your plan.
What should I monitor?
Suppress the problem, don’t wait Suppression practices are used to reduce grassland vulnerability to woody plant encroachment.
What should I target for suppression?
Suppression requires the right practices in the right place at the right time. Use prescribed fire, mechanical clearing, or chemical treatments to remove mature trees and then follow up with additional treatments to deplete the seedbank and prevent re-infestation. When should I start using IPM?
Agricultural producers are encouraged to start IPM in croplands before problems are detected; the same early intervention is recommended for producers in rangeland and grassland systems. There are no ‘tolerable’ levels of woody pests. By the time woody pests are established, the most cost-effective opportunities for management have passed.
Is IPM for reducing woody pests climate smart?
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) describes climate-smart agriculture as a three pillared approach:
Please see Pest, Page 16
SOIL
From PAGE 11
from a corn/soybean farm encompassing thousands of acres to a small urban farm.
Cover crops are typically planted in late summer or fall around harvest and before spring planting of the following year’s crops. Examples of cover crops include rye, wheat, oats, clovers and other legumes, turnips, radishes, and triticale. Planting several cover crop species together in a mixture can increase their impact on soil health. Each cover crop provides its own set of benefits, so it’s important to choose the right cover crop mixture to meet management goals.
The benefits of planting cover crops in between cash crop season include:
RESTORING SOIL HEALTH
– Cover crops help increase organic matter in the soil and improve overall soil health by adding living roots to the soil during more months of the year. Cover crops can improve water infiltration into the soil. Deep rooted crops like forage radishes create natural water passages. Legume cover crops serve as natural fertilizers while grasses scavenge nutrients that are often lost after harvest or during winter.
NATURAL RESOURCE
PROTECTION – Along with crop residue above ground, cover crops protect the soil against erosive heavy rains and strong winds. Cover crops trap excess nitrogen, keeping it from leaching into groundwater or running off into surface water – releasing it later to feed growing crops.
LIVESTOCK FEED – Cover crops can provide livestock producers with additional grazing or haying opportunities.
WILDLIFE HABITAT – Cover crops provide winter food and cover for birds and other wildlife. During the growing season, they can provide food for pollinators.
NRCS can help support you through the process of adding cover crops to your rotation by providing guidance for what cover crops to seed as well as how and when to seed with our guidance documents and site-specific planning worksheets. Financial assistance to help you start using cover crops is also available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
Maximize Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem or field. The different life forms include all of the plants, animals and microorganisms. Increasing the diversity of a crop
rotation and cover crops increases soil health and soil function, reduces input costs, and increases profitability.
For Soil Health Management Systems, biodiversity can be increased through a variety of approaches including: plant diversity through the use of diversified crop rotations, cover crop mixes, proper integration of grazing animals (e.g. livestock) into the system
and includes animals living within the soils or microbial diversity, as well as direct additions with biological amendments.
All four soil health management principles contribute to biodiversity.
Biodiversity helps to prevent disease and pest
problems associated with monocultures. Using cover crops and increasing diversity within crop rotations improves soil health and soil function, reduces costs, and increases profitability. Diversity above ground improves diversity below ground, which helps create healthy productive soils.
Lack of biodiversity severely limits the potential of any cropping system and increases disease and pest problems. Biodiversity is ultimately the key to the success of any agricultural system. A diverse and fully functioning soil food web provides for nutrient, energy, and water cycling that allows a soil to express its full potential.
PEST
• Sustainably Increase Agricultural Productivity and Incomes IPM prevents woody encroachment from decreasing agricultural production, restores lost production in landscapes impacted by woody encroachment, and maintains or increases ranch profitability. In addition, IPM emphasizes sustainable approaches to pest management that reduces the need for expensive management interventions that increase the cost of livestock production.
• Adapt and build resilience to climate change IPM provides a sustainable approach for maintaining grasslands as a resilient carbon sink. Approximately 81% of total grassland carbon is stored belowground where it is less vulnerable to rapid loss in a changing climate [17,18]. IPM for woody pests also supports the maintenance of a wide range of goods and services that bolster the resilience of Great Plains communities to climate change, including rangeland production, rancher livelihoods, grassland biodiversity, pollinator communities, water quality and quantity, and regulation of wildfire risk. Lastly, IPM minimizes the use of costly herbicides that increase ranch operating costs and pose environmental risks.
• Reduce and/or remove greenhouse gas emissions where possible IPM helps grasslands keep carbon underground and minimizes losses to the atmosphere during wildfire.
Grasslands provide a robust, multi-century belowground carbon sink (“entombed carbon”) [25]. In contrast, aboveground carbon pools in woodlands and forests are at risk to switching from carbon sinks to sources given the increasing risk of wildfire associated with woody encroachment in the Great Plains [18,21,26].
Where is IPM being implemented to better manage woody species?
The Great Plains Grasslands Initiative (GPGI) is the first initiative that uses IPM as a framework for better managing woody encroachment. The GPGI is a multi-state effort focused on saving the last remaining Great Plains grasslands from collapse. IPM with PAMS combines practices like brush management, prescribed burning, and monitoring to reduce grassland vulnerability to woody encroachment and overcome central weaknesses of brush management as a stand-alone conservation practice. Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota currently have ongoing GPGI efforts and there is interest in other states within the Great Plains Grasslands Extension Partnership to expand this initiative and adopt IPM for woody encroachment.
[1] S. L. Morford et al., “Herbaceous production lost to tree encroachment in United States rangelands,” J. Appl. Ecol., vol. 59, no. 12, pp. 2971–2982, Dec. 2022.
[2] M. O. Jones, D. E. Naugle, D. Twidwell, D. R. Uden, J. D. Maestas, and B. W. Allred, “Beyond inventories: emergence of a new era in rangeland monitoring,” Rangel. Ecol. Manag., vol. 73, no. 5, Sep. 2020.
[3] D. T. Fogarty et al., “Woody plant encroachment and the sustainability of priority conservation areas,” Sustain-
ability, vol. 12, no. 20, p. 8321, Oct. 2020.
[4] S. R. Archer, K. W. Davies, T. E. Fulbright, K. C. Mcdaniel, B. P. Wilcox, and K. I. Predick, “Brush management as a rangeland conservation strategy: A critical evaluation,” in Conservation benefits of rangeland practices: assessment, recommendations, and knowledge gaps, D. D. Briske, Ed. US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2011, pp. 105–170.
[5] C. P. Roberts, D. R. Uden, C. R. Allen, and D. Twidwell, “Doublethink and scale mismatch polarize policies for an invasive tree,” PLoS One, vol. 13, no. 3, p. e0189733, 2018
[6] D. T. Fogarty, C. de Vries, C. Bielski, and D. Twidwell, “Rapid re-encroachment by Juniperus virginiana after a single restoration treatment,” Rangel. Ecol. Manag., vol. 78, pp. 112–116, Sep. 2021.
[7] D. Twidwell, D. T. Fogarty, and J. R. Weir, “Reducing risk and vulnerability to woody encroachment in grasslands,” Oklahoma Coop. Ext. Serv., p. E-1054, 2021.
[8] 7 U.S.C. 136r-1 - Integrated Pest Management
[9] D. T. Fogarty et al., “Remove, reduce, or manipulate? Best practices for brush management conservation standards in Great Plains grasslands,” Gt. Plains Grasslands Ext. Partnersh., no. GPGEP-UNL-02, 2023.
[10] D. T. Fogarty et al., “Rangeland production lost to woody encroachment in Great Plains grasslands,” Gt. Plains Grasslands Ext. Partnersh., no. GPGEP-UNL-01, 2023.
[11] C. Zou et al., “Impact of eastern redcedar proliferation on water resources in the Great Plains USA—current state of knowledge,” Water, vol. 10, no. 12, p. 1768, Dec. 2018.
[12] Y. Kishawi, A. R. Mittelstet, T. E. Gilmore, D. Twidwell, T. Roy, and N. Shrestha, “Impact of Eastern Redcedar encroachment on water resources in the Nebraska Sandhills,” Sci. Total Environ., vol. 858, p. 159696, Feb. 2023.
[13] J. M. Briggs, G. A. Hoch, and L. C. Johnson, “Assessing the rate, mechanisms, and consequences of the conversion of tallgrass prairie to Juniperus virginiana forest,” Ecosystems, vol. 5, no. 6, pp. 578–586, 2002.
[14] R. N. Chapman, D. M. Engle, R. E. Masters, and D. M. Leslie, “Tree invasion constrains the influence of herbaceous structure in grassland bird habitats,” Ecoscience, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 55–63, 2004.
[15] V. J. Horncastle, E. C. Hellgren, P. M. Mayer, A. C. Ganguli, D. M. Engle, and D. M. Leslie, “Implications of invasion by Juniperus virginiana on small mammals in the southern Great Plains,” J. Mammal., vol. 86, no. 6, pp. 1144–1155, 2005.
[16] F. B. Pierson, J. D. Bates, T. J. Svejcar, and S. P. Hardegree, “Runoff and erosion after cutting western juniper,” Rangel. Ecol. Manag., vol. 60, no. 3, pp. 285–292, May 2007.
[17] J. M. Adams, H. Faure, L. Faure-Denard, J. M. McGlade, and F. I. Woodward, “Increases in terrestrial carbon storage from the Last Glacial Maximum to the present,” Nature, vol. 348, no. 6303, pp. 711–714, 1990.
[18] P. Dass, B. Z. Houlton, Y. Wang, and D. Warlind, “Grasslands may be more reliable carbon sinks than forests in California,” Environ. Res. Lett., vol. 13, no. 7, p. 074027, Jul. 2018.
[19] M. Flonard, E. Lo, and E. Levetin, “Increasing Juniperus virginiana L. pollen in the Tulsa atmosphere: long-term trends, variability, and influence of meteorological conditions,” Int. J. Biometeorol., vol. 62, no. 2, pp. 229–241, Feb. 2018.
[20] V. M. Donovan, D. T. Fogarty, and D. Twidwell, “Spot-fire distance increases disproportionately for wildfires compared to prescribed fires as grasslands transition to Junipe-
rus woodlands,” PLoS One, vol. 18, no. 4, p. e0283816, Apr. 2023.
[21] V. M. Donovan, C. L. Wonkka, D. A. Wedin, and D. Twidwell, “Land-use type as a driver of large wildfire occurrence in the U.S. Great Plains,” Remote Sens., vol. 12, no. 11, p. 1869, Jun. 2020.
[22] S. R. Loss, B. H. Noden, and S. D. Fuhlendorf, “Woody plant encroachment and the ecology of vector-borne diseases,” J. Appl. Ecol., vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 420–430, Feb. 2022. 2021.
[23] D. T. Fogarty, R. B. Peterson, and D. Twidwell, “Spatial patterns of woody plant encroachment in a temperate grassland,” Landsc. Ecol., vol. 37. pp. 2835–2846, Sept. 2022.
[24] D. T. Fogarty et al., “Reducing Woody Encroachment in Grasslands: A Pocket Guide for Planning and Design.,” Gt. Plains Grasslands Ext. Partnersh., no. GPGEP-PB-01, 2023.
[25] Y. Bai and M. F. Cotrufo, “Grassland soil carbon sequestration: Current understanding, challenges, and solutions,” Science., vol. 377, no. 6606, Aug. 2022.
[26] V. M. Donovan, C. L. Wonkka, and D. Twidwell, “Surging wildfire activity in a grassland biome,” Geophys. Res. Lett., vol. 44, no. 12, pp. 5986–5993, Jun. 2017.
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Photo
Henry Ott
2025 Young Farmer Award
Dillon Horton is receiving the Young Farmer award for exhibiting outstanding management, growth, and leadership in agriculture. Dillon and his wife, Morgan, live a mile away from farm headquarters with their five year old daughter, and have one on the way! Dillon works/manages the farm with his father and grandfather and is a board member for a few organizations including the Watershed for Allen Creek and the K-State Extension Board. He helps with the
ball fields in Americus and enjoys spending time with his daughter and cutting down trees. Dillon is a 5th generation farmer and is a part of the history that has seen the farm grow from its sharecropping roots to a nearly 5,000 acre operation.
On approximately 2,000 acres, the Hortons rotate wheat, corn, and soybeans. During the winter, they maintain cover crops and utilize reduced tillage. The other 3,000 acres are reserved for the non-intensive rotational
grazing of 300 head of cows. They have fall and spring calving and designate 8-10 acres per pair. The trio has utilized both federal and state programs like EQIP and State Cost Share to assist with conservation projects such as brush management and herbaceous weed control. Dillon plans to continue implementing conservation strategies to be able to grow the operation for future generations. He leads his opera -
CONTINUAL LIVING ROOTS
Continual living roots refers to having living roots in the soil year-round.
(South Dakota Soil Health Coalition)
Importance
Plants (and their living roots) are the energy source for healthy soil. Natural systems always have living roots present. These plants are harvesting sunlight, converting it into sugars and releasing exudates (chemical
compounds) through their roots into the soil. These exudates increase the efficiency of nutrient transfer from the soil to plant roots. If the soil doesn’t have a living root over winter, it will take time to redevelop these relationships in the spring, potentially slowing down transfer of needed nutrients.
Having continual living roots in the soil:
Supports the soil lifecycle by feeding soil biology
carbon through the process of photosynthesis.
Captures Unused Nutrients – Most years there are unused nutrients in the soil. Having a living root at all times captures and ties up the nutrients in the soil, making more nutrients available for the next cash crop.
Provides Erosion Control – Live roots and their living plants cover and hold the soil in place, protecting it from erosion.
Our Farmers at Work
The Upper Fox-Wolf Demonstration Farm Network farmers are working to increase living roots in their fields.
To do this see graph above
Assists with Weed Control – Having a living root in the soil means having a live plant aboveground. This plant can provide residue for weed control during the next cash crop.
Offers Grazing Opportunities – Live roots mean live plants aboveground. These plants can be used for grazing livestock yearround.
Improves Infiltration– Roots break up soil compaction as they push through the soil. This helps build soil aggregates and pore spaces, which improves soil infiltration.
tion with the mentality of "leaving it better than you found it" in hopes that he can make a lasting impact on his community and the environment. The empha-
sis on responsibility, stewardship, and commitment to improvement is what makes it an honor to present Dillon Horton with the 2025 Young Farmer Award. Thank you for all the work that you do and inspiring the future of conservation in agriculture.
DINING • ARTS ENTERTAINMENT
BREAKFAST IN AMERICUS
Project Playscape will hold their monthly breakfast on Sunday, February 8, 8-11 a.m. at the Americus Community Center. Menu includes pancakes or biscuits and gravy with juice for $5 or pancakes, biscuits and gravy with juice for $7. To place a to go order, you can call 620-794-1685.
‘ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE…JANICE BORLA & FRIENDS’
The Emporia Arts Coun-
cil will present “All You Need Is Love…Janice Borla and Friends” on Saturday, February 14 at the Davis Theatre, 815 Commercial Street. The evening will include appetizers at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Catering will be provided by Gourmet to Go, and there will be a cash bar. The doors will open at 6 p.m.
Individual tickets are $45 with reserved tables that seat 6 for $270, this includes appetizers, purchase tickets at the Emporia Arts Center, 815 Commercial Street, or by calling 620-343-6473.
Holistic Christian Counseling - The Mind
Now we venture into a new series of Holistic Christian Counseling and it is the non-corporeal parts of mankind. Today it is the Mind. Since man is composed of the Body, Soul, and Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23), and the body (the corporeal part) is composed of hands and feet and bone and skin and organs and the grey matter tissue of the brain, then what is left is the Soul and Spirit, which are the non-corporeal parts of mankind which includes the Mind. The physical Brain and Mind are not the same thing. In this article the brain refers to the physical matter which can be more directly observed, while the Mind is composed of mans own ability to think, reason, imagine, understand, and it has direct influence on ones volition. This mind is part of the soul which has faculties such as volition, and the soul is our self-consciousness. I am aware that I exist and I myself can choose between choices with the aid of my logic and reasoning and I many times set my mind on knowing things (knowledge) and understanding things. Therefore my mind is under my control, but my physical brain is not necessarily under my control. I may have an headache though I wish I did not, thus I cannot force my headache to go away by sheer will power. Yet what I choose to think is under my control and if I wish I can take Tylenol or I could just put up with the headache without pain meds. Either way I control my reasoning and my choices, but not my physical headache. A brain surgeon can observe my brain tissue, but he cannot observe my reasoning. A doctor can test hormone levels but cannot directly observe my ‘understanding’ under a microscope, for understanding is not a physical object, yet it is very real. A doctor can give you suggestions to have a healthy brain, let’s say, by eating lots of organic vegetables and fish, but the Scriptures tell us to have a healthy mind by providing us good knowledge and good understanding. A man may have a healthy body and brain, but have an unhealthy soul of anxiety and bad reasoning that gets him in trouble. On the other hand, a mature christian could have a logical sound mind and make good reasonable judgements in life, yet be overweight and his physical brain is deficient in nutrition. The brain and Mind are not the same thing, yet the brain is directly connected to the mind like the body is directly connected to the soul. My soul (myself) can directly tell my body what to do, and my physical brain is needed for my mind to think, for when my body is physically tired I cannot stay awake to keep thinking. So I do urge Christians to have an healthy brain and body because it will help the mind and soul. It is necessary for Christians to understand the difference between their corporeal parts (brain, body, eyesight) and their non-corporeal soul (Mind, emotions, and volition), and their non-corporeal spirit (conscience, intuition, and worship), and to understand the difference between soul and spirit, as Jesus our high priest wields the sword of God’s word for this purpose (Hebrews 4:12). Otherwise it will be very difficult to understand spiritual truths, and you will mix up what is merely soulish experience with that of Spiritual experience, and you will confuse spiritual experiences with that of evil spirits imitating the Holy Spirit. To be continued.
Austin Michaels an independent journalist.
BREAKFAST IN ALLEN
American Legion Post 389, 25 E. 5th St., will have their 5th-Saturday Breakfast fundraiser for building improvements on January 31 from 7-9:30 a.m.
Menu is biscuits & gravy, pancakes, hashbrowns, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, coffee and juice. A
freewill donation will be accepted. Take-outs are available.
COUNTRY BREAKFAST
Lebo American Legion Post 323 will hold a Country Breakfast on Saturday, February 7, 7-9 a.m.
Menu includes biscuits and gravy, pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage links, coffee, milk and orange juice. A
freewill donation will be accepted.
BINGO IN BURLINGTON
Join in on the bingo fun every second Wednesday of each month at the Rock Creek Country Club, 304 North 16th. Doors open at 5 p.m. Early bird starts at 6:30 p.m. Regular Bingo begins at 7 p.m. Concessions and bar service available. Floyd Lewis Foundation
COFFEY COUNTY RURAL WATER DISTRICT NO. 2
708 Atherly, GRIDLEY, KS 66852
TELEPHONE NO. 620-836-4080
FEBRUARY 2026
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
TO: The participating members of Coffey County Rural Water District No. 2
You are hereby notified the ANNUAL MEETING of the participating members of Coffey County Rural Water District No. 2 will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The meeting will be at the RWD office at 708 Atherly in Gridley, Kansas at 8 p.m.
The purpose of the meeting will be to:
Elect 3 members to the Board of Directors. Report the Districts financial status.
MARK FEBRUARY 10 th ON YOUR CALENDAR.
AMERICAN LEGION
The American Legion Post 5, 2911 W. 12th Ave., Emporia, will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 6:30 p.m.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Being a caregiver for a loved one can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Coffey Health System now offers a special program to help caregivers maintain per-
understand. Coffey Health System’s Mental Health Therapist Amy Osner will lead a Caregiver Support Group on the third Wednesday of each month at The Meadows in Burlington. There is no charge for participation. Respite care and activities will be available, if needed. Sessions begin at 6 p.m. at The Meadows, 1201 Martindale St. in Burlington. If you have questions about the program, call (620) 364-4556. Osner is an experienced group therapy leader. She is a credentialed Licensed Professional Counselor and National
ary, March, May, July, September and November. She will be in Eureka and Council Grove from 1-3:30 p.m. She will be in Burlington from 2-3:30 p.m.
She will do Chase County and Lyon County residents by appointment only.
Please call (620) 3423347 in advance to ensure all information is readily available so all veterans, widows and dependents can receive better assistance.
SENIOR MEALS
Jamie Potter, Service Representative for the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs, will have a new schedule. She will visit the Morris County Courthouse in Council Grove on the second Tuesday of February, April June, August, October and December. She will visit Burlington the 2nd Thursday and Eureka the 3rd Thursday of Janu-
Neosho Rapids and Hartford Senior meals are delivered Monday through Friday beginning at noon. If you are 60 or older, a $4 donation is appreciated; meal is $7 for those under 60. For reservations or cancellations in Neosho Rapids call (620) 342-8232.
Olpe Senior Friendship meals are served on Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. at the Knights Hall. If you are 60 or older, a $4 donation is appreciated; meal is $7 for those under 60. The second Monday of each month is the birthday dinner and games celebrating the birthdays of the
month. For reservations or cancellations in Olpe call 620-475-3384 between 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. North Lyon County Senior meals are available in Allen for grab and go or home delivery. Meals are available Monday through Friday and must be ordered by 11 a.m. the previous day by calling 620-528-3414. If you are 60 or older, a $4 donation is appreciated, meal is $7 for those under 60. Call for more information. Madison Senior Center, 224 W. Main, is serving Senior Meals Monday- Friday beginning at 11:30 a.m. Call 620-4376402 for reservations. Delivery is available. This is for Seniors 60 or older.
LYON COUNTY REPUBLICANS MEETING
Lyon County Republican Precinct February Meeting will be held at the Lyon County Annex, 1st Floor Conference Room, 402 N. Commercial, Emporia, Kansas at 6:30 p.m.on February. 10. Speaker details coming soon!
Community Causes
BREAKFAST IN MILLER
The Miller United Methodist men will hold their monthly breakfast on Saturday, February 7 from 7-10 a.m.
The menu includes biscuits and gravy, pancakes or waffles, sausage, eggs, cinnamon rolls, coffee and juice. Donations will be accepted. Carry out is available.
BISCUIT AND GRAVY BREAKFAST
The Olpe Knights of Columbus hold
their biscuits and gravy breakfast on Sunday, February 8 and 22 from 7:30-10 a.m. at the Knights Hall in Olpe. All proceeds from the freewill donations at the breakfasts benefit their local charities.
ALUMINUM CAN DRIVE
The North Lyon County Veterans Memorial Project, Inc. is collecting aluminum cans. Cans must be in a bag and dropped off at the North Lyon County Veterans Memorial Site, Bushong, in the caged area.
GROUNDHOG DINNER
The First Congregational Church, 326 W. 12th, will have their annual Groundhog Dinner on January 31. The menu consists of ham loaf, cheesy potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, garlic bread, dessert and drink. Serving is from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $15. There is an elevator available.
CHILL CHURCH
Chill Church at the First Congregational Church, 326 W. 12th, Tuesdays at 6:30 pm. Each week a free
community meal will be provided in Fellowship Hall (basement of main building) prior to the service.
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Trinity Lutheran Church, Burlington invites you to join them for worship on Sundays at 9 a.m. with Bible Study and Sunday School following at 10:30 a.m. They are located at 902 Kennedy Street in Burlington. Their phone number is 620-364-2283. Additional information can be found at https://www.tlcburlingtonks.org.
RINKER 4-H CLUB
Riley Pate, Club Reporter
The December meeting for the Rinker 4H club was called to order on December 15th at Camp Alexander. President Kelsey McCoy called the meeting to order. There were 27 members present.
Leaders thanked the float committee and everyone who helped get the float ready for The Emporia Christmas Parade. The float looked great. Rinker members have been ringing bells for The Salvation Army at Bluestem and Goods Cash Savers. Rinker adopted area nursing home residents. Gifts will be delivered soon.
Kaylee Woods reminded club members that there will be a livestock judging meeting on Wednesday December 17th at 6:00. Everyone is welcomed. Corryn Cortner invited members to join the welding project. Club members voted to do a skit at Club days.
Jantzen gave a talk about the photography project. Jameson gave a talk about goats, and Vincent talked about making cookies.
Thank you to everyone that made December’s meeting fun with a gift exchange. Thank you to everyone who brought treats.
All 4H members in Lyon county are invited to Ice Skating downtown in Emporia on January 7th from 5-9. Hope to see you there!
The next meeting will be January 19th at 7:00 at Camp Alexander.
BABY CLOSET
The Baby Closet at the First Congregational Church, 326 W. 12th Ave., Emporia, will be open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and every Thursday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. They serve infants through 5 years old. All items are free. Items may include the following as supplies permit. Diapers,wipes, five clothing articles, two miscellaneous items, one large item and two essential pantry items.
Donations will be accepted. You may call 620-342-6854 if you have questions.
• 1-36" fiberglass entry door
• 2- 3'x 4' white SH vynl windows
• Gutter system complete with down spouts.
FLINT HILLS BATTERY
Chase County USD #284 is currently accepting applications for the following position due to retirements:
Custodial/Maintenance at Chase County Elementary School.
Salary will be based on Training and Experience with competitive salary and benefits package available.
Position open until filled.
Applications are available at the Board Office or online at www.usd284.org. under the District tab/Employment.
To learn more please contact Cindy Kelsheimer Email: cindyk@usd284.org Phone: 620-273-6303, 620-794-1608 (cell)
Residency is not a requirement for employment. Chase County USD #284 is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
Chase County USD #284 is currently accepting applications for the following positions due to retirements:
Secretary at Chase County Junior/Senior High School
Secretary/Treasurer/Transportation/Food Service position at USD #284 Board Office
Clerk/Business Manager at USD #284 Board Office
Salary will be based on Education and Experience with competitive salary and benefits package available.
Applicants can apply for 1 or more of the available positions with the same application.
Positions open until filled.
Applications are available at the Board Office or online at www.usd284.org. under the District tab/Employment. Please submit a letter of interest and resume with the application.
To learn more please contact Cindy Kelsheimer
Email: cindyk@usd284.org
Phone: 620-273-6303, 620-794-1608 (cell)
Residency is not a requirement for employment. Chase County USD #284 is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
Programs and to instruct Certified Nurse Aide,
the current curriculum
practices.
Qualifications:
• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in Kansas with no pending or current disciplinary actions or hold a current RN unencumbered license.
• Minimum two years of experience working in long-term care in an adult care home as an LPN or RN
• Minimum two years of clinical experience as an RN.
• Minimum two years licensed nursing experience that includes at least 1,750 hours as a licensed nurse in a home health care service.
• Employment is contingent upon completing a successful background check and KDADS application.
Salary and Benefits:
• Full-time, 9-month position
• A competitive salary range commensurate with experience and education level
• KPERS retirement plan
• 100% Employer-paid health insurance for the employee
• Annual salary is distributed over 12 months
• Flexible teaching schedule.
Application Process:
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, unofficial college transcripts, and contact information for three professional references to Human Resources at hr@fhtc.edu
The FHTC Board of Trustees reserves the right to withdraw advertised positions at any time prior to hiring.
