Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy
April 17, 2009
Spring is officially here and the weather has turned nice to prove it to us! There is something about spring that I love. Here are a few of my favorites the new baby calves and lambs, tulips and daffodils (other flowers, too), lilacs, green grass, and a fresh start to a new year. With that being said one of my least favorite activities is tree and shrub pruning.
It doesn’t matter how much we did last year it …
Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy April 9, 2009
I can hardly believe that it is April already and that we have already celebrated Easter. Where did 2009? My husband and I will be celebrating our 5 year anniversary this month. We both are in disbelief about how fast the years have gone by. I think back to the beautiful weather we had on our wedding day. The sun was shining and the temperatures were so warm that nobody had to wear a jacket or sweater. The …
Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy
April 3, 2009
As the weather starts acting a little more like spring many farmers are getting antsy and want to begin field work. Before all these late March/early April storms and storm warnings took place, you would find a farmer or two getting their equipment ready for spring planting and spraying. Some were even lucky enough to get out into the field for a little bit. Right now many farmers are preparing for and planting their spring wheat and deciding …
LIVING WELL by Lavonne Meyer, Turner County Extension Educator 3-27-09
According to the calendar, (not the thermometer) it won’t be long until the farmers’ markets will be open and we can buy fresh, locally-grown produce. I think everyone looks forward to those first tastes of freshness. On the other hand, if you are interested in growing and selling products at a farmer’s market, I want to tell you about a new tool from SDSU that might be helpful to you.
A South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service Web site offers online …
LIVING WELL by Lavonne Meyer, Turner County Extension Educator 4-2-09
Eggs are frequently handled at Easter time and each handling occasion is one more chance that the eggs might come into contact with bacteria. To avoid bacterial contamination, wash your hands thoroughly before you handle eggs at every step including cooking, cooling and dyeing. Refrigerate hard-cooked eggs in their cartons if you won’t be coloring them right after cooking and cooling. Refrigerate them again right after you dye them and after you display them.
Color only uncracked eggs. If you …
Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy
March 27, 2009
I have one question for you, “Where did March go”? I don’t know about you but March seemed to come and go very quickly for me. There were a couple of really nice days that allowed me to start with spring clean-up outside. I or I should say my husband was able to start cutting our hedges. I had the job of picking up the sticks. Benjamin and Ada loved being outside and helping us pick up the sticks. …
Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator-Agronomy
March 20, 2009
The snow has melted and spring is in the air! My kids and I have been enjoying the warm temperatures playing outside or going for a walk and stroller ride. Both of my kids have a love of animals and they enjoy seeing who can spot the first robin of the day and who can find the most birds, squirrels, or dogs/puppies while we are out and about. Playing at the park is always a favorite activity for them. …
LIVING WELL by Lavonne Meyer, Turner County Extension Educator 1-22-23
Since January is a time for organizing and reorganizing, I’m going to talk about something so obvious that is often overlooked. That is your purse or wallet. I’ve seen purses so heavy and over-loaded that they must be burdensome to carry around. Besides the threat to personal health, what if the purse is stolen or lost? Are there more papers in there than what need to be?
Granted, there are some frequently needed items that should be kept with you …
LIVING WELL by Lavonne Meyer, Turner County Extension Educator 3-11-09
March is traditionally National Nutrition Month. This month I will share some information from the American Dietetic Association in honor of the special month. If you are interested in an excellent source of nutrition information, check out their website at www.eatright.org
Most moms agree that feeding their family well is very important. Families juggle busy schedules that make it difficult to eat together and don’t leave enough time to shop or cook. Nearly 40% of moms surveyed feel that healthy foods …
Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy
March 13, 2009
For all you landowners, homeowners, gardeners, now is the time to take advantage of some of this nice March weather and get a few outside chores done before you get too busy! A common question I always get in the office is “When can I prune?” or “When should I prune my shrubs and trees?”
The late dormant season is the ideal time to prune many shrubs. The absence of leaves makes it very easy to see what you are …
Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy
March 6, 2009
Has anyone felt like a yo-yo lately? I know I sure have. I finally get adjusted to the cold weather and then it warms up, then cold, freezing rain, slush, snow, and more warm weather again. I feel like we keep jumping back and forth and not really getting anywhere. I wish the snow would just come and stay or leave all together and stop playing games with us. The last few nice days we had sure has made …
Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy
February 27, 2009
I hope everyone was able to enjoy the warm nice weather we had early last week and get a few projects done. My kids loved getting outside and going for a walk and playing at the park! They were pretty excited to find birds, squirrels, and rocks along the way. Once they were at the park they played hard. With all that outside time, they each went to bed early.
It was too bad that the weather had …
LIVING WELL by Lavonne Meyer, Turner County Extension Educator 2-25-09
Last week I talked about food trends that you might find in your local grocery store. This week, I’m going to talk about a different food trend as identified by Dale Lindgren, horticulturist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. That food trend is vegetable gardening. I know it is still a little early to plant your garden, but it’s not too early to make plans for one.
Last year, vegetable plant sales were up 10-15 percent and that trend is expected …
LIVING WELL by Lavonne Meyer, Turner County Extension Educator 2-19-09
Why do you buy food? Price? Convenience? You have a coupon? You’re hungry? Perhaps you can relate to one of these reasons. There a few new products that hit the market that are quite trendy–fitting the buyer’s needs to a tee. Are you familiar with Activia, Steam ‘n Eat, Acai, caffeinated sunflower seeds, or Kobe burgers? They are all examples of food trends.
The Institute of Food Technology has identified some trends that reflect our age, our spending habits, our culture …
LIVING WELL by Lavonne Meyer, Turner County Extension Educator 2-12-09
New efforts to help individuals improve their financial stability through better savings habits are being launched this year in South Dakota. Due to catastrophic financial conditions facing many consumers, South Dakota State University Extension is partnering with Consumer Federation of America in the South Dakota Saves Campaign.
“If you are concerned about making sure that your personal finances are strong,” said Liz Gorham, state Extension family resource management specialist, “join South Dakota Saves which seeks to help individuals build wealth, not …
