Chuck's Chat - Welcome to May 2024

Boy oh boy am I behind! In the shop, on the farm, and getting this here blog thingy completed.

Here along the Northern Sycamore Urban Boundary we received over fourteen inches of rain during the month of April, according to our AcuRite electronic weather station. About half of that total fell during the last week of the month. However, neighbors just a few miles east of us only received three inches or less. To the west and north of us, amounts of ten to twelve inches were reported. Needless to say, the rainfall has been spotty, and for some even overbearing. Flooding along the local rivers has occurred, with some land owners being affected by the upstream rainfalls and not necessarily by what they actually received.

I’d say the localized drought conditions have been put to rest. For now. The pastures are in much better shape than the few previous years. I can definitely tell where I will need to replant new fescue this fall. I’ve noticed the lespedeza has come back in places where it did not appear last year in the pasture. Amazing what a difference timely and plentiful rainfall will do. Thank you Lord.

Springtime is a busy time for lots of folks. The Wildcat Extension District has some interesting upcoming events I’d like to share for them. May 9 from 6 to 7pm in Altamont is a program on “Good Grazing Techniques”. Register soon for this by contacting any of the local extension offices within the district. Also, the Spring Crops Field Day 2024 will be held at the K-State Southeast Research and Extension Center in Parsons on Tuesday, May 14 from 8:30am to noon. Subjects include climate update and weather outlook, soil health and soybean disease, soil nutrients in alfalfa, and soft and hard wheat plot tours. Again, contact your local extension office for registration and/or details. A Junior Chefs cooking camp for 8 – 11-year-olds will be held June 3 - 7 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Montgomery County Extension Office. Space is limited to 10 participants, so call (620) 331-2690 now to reserve your spot! Also, registrations are due by April 29 for the 2024 Kitchen Kids Camp for youth 10 to 12 years old to be held in Caney June 4-6 from 9:00 - 11:30 am, in Coffeyville June 11-13 from 9:00 - 11:30 am, and in Oswego June 25-27 from 9:00 - 11:30 am. Registration cost is $10. Contact your local extension office for information or to register.

Are you considering tossing your hat in the ring for state legislature, school board, county commission or another public office? Kansas Farm Bureau is offering Campaign School Mini Sessions to master the essentials of campaigning and set the stage for a victorious campaign. You will learn campaign management fundamentals, get non-partisan, unbiased guidance and gain confidence for a winning campaign. The closest session for us will be held June 26, 1-5 p.m. in Iola at the Allen Community College Main Building at 1801 N Cottonwood. Register at https://www.kfb.org/Article/Campaign-School.

Until next month,

Chuck Voelker