Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy  
February 20, 2009
            As February is coming to a close, our meeting season is in full swing.  I have had a great time getting out of the office and seeing producers throughout the southeast South Dakota.  I have been very fortunate to have wonderful driving weather, despite the long winter we have had.  I love winter!  Yes, I love summer too but there is something to be said about having a wonderful break from all those pesky insects!  But the trade …

Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy  
February 13, 2009
 

            I can’t believe how cooperative our South Dakota weather has been this year (so far) for our row crop clinics and private applicator trainings!  Other than being cold, the weather has really been nice travel weather for everyone.  We have been really lucky so far and I hope we continue to be.
            My job as an Extension Educator is to provide unbiased, research based information.  I have been doing this by answering questions; providing hand-outs and publications; working …

Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy  February 6, 2009
 
            If you are anything like me, you found yourself enjoying the beautiful, warm weather we had for a few days.  This weather takes day dreaming about spring to a whole other level.  The change in weather was just what I needed!  I always get excited thinking about what I am going to plant in my upcoming garden.
            If you have an interest in gardening or would like to learn more the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service is offering …

LIVING WELL by Lavonne Meyer, Turner County Extension Educator 2-6-08
Valentine’s Day is this weekend and that is a traditional time to show love and caring for others.  This year, I’m suggesting you show love and respect for yourself in a health-promoting way.  As everyone who has flown on an airplane or taken a boat has been instructed, we need to put on our own oxygen mask or life preserver first before helping others. Unless we take care of ourselves, we won’t be able to help anyone else for very long.
What …

          Last week we put the weather behind us and held our Annual Row Crop Clinic in Parker, S.D. For those of you who attended, Thank You!! We hope you found it to be very informative. We also hope you walked away with renewed motivation for making your spring planting plans.
          As the seeds salesmen are making their rounds, now is the time to start doing your research and making decisions for the upcoming year (if you haven’t already done so). Some things to start thinking about include: Developing a …

I have talked about homemade soup in past columns during this winter season.  But what if your cooking skills fall short of homemade soups?  Or if you don’t have the time or equipment to make homemade soups?  Will canned soups give you the same kind of “warm, fuzzy” feeling?
            Keep in mind that all soups are not created equal.  Homemade or canned – not everybody has the same expectations, or the same taste buds.  I’m not promoting Campbell Soup as good or bad, but it was one of the …

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 …

            If you are anything like me it is hard to think about spring with the cold and snowy weather we have been having lately. I know that I have been pretty restless lately and I am looking forward to getting out and about to our upcoming row crop clinics and private applicator trainings in the next few weeks.
           Put the nasty weather behind you and make plans to attend our Annual Row Crop Clinic held here in Parker, S. D. on February 3, 2009 at the Parker Community Building. …

 
            Can you believe that there is only one more week left of January?  Where did the time go?  It seems like we were just celebrating the New Year and here we are with the first month of 2009 under our belt.  All the snow, cold weather, and the New Year allow me time to plan on-farm research projects for the upcoming growing season.  
            South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service is challenging us to do more on-farm research projects to increase the connection between research and Extension.  Extension Educators will …

            January is a time for people to reflect on their finances.  As one starts collecting information to file tax returns, the age-old question arises “Where did all the money go?”  This year, more than other years, has everyone cautious about their nation’s economy, their local economy, and their personal economy.  Here are some tips to rethink some of your spending habits.
1. Know the difference between wants and needs.  Write down 13 things you can’t live without. Then cut that list down to eight. This will give you a …

Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy
January 9, 2009
Private Pesticide Applicator Certification/Recertification Training to be Held
The New Year brings about many educational and informational programs and opportunities. For us it’s that time of year when we provide Private Pesticide Applicator certification and recertification training.
Who needs to be certified or recertified as a Private Pesticide Applicator? If you plan to apply any pesticides to an agriculture commodity worth $ 1000 or more, you need to be certified. It does not matter what pesticide you apply (herbicide, …

LIVING WELL by Lavonne Meyer, Turner County Extension Educator 1-9-09
Just as December is traditionally a time of Christmas parties, family events, and homemade goodies, January follows behind with seed catalogs in the mail, a few extra pounds, and income tax papers. While you are shuffling papers in your house, why don’t you take a little extra time and organize your important papers? I don’t necessarily mean just financial papers, but legal papers that are important to your family, because you never know when you might need them.
Emergencies and transitions …

LIVING WELL by Lavonne Meyer, Turner County Extension Educator 1-31-08
I think most New Year’s resolutions can fit into these categories: reduce debt, lose weight, get in shape, and/or get organized. If you have all of these areas covered and are thinking you might not need any resolutions, perhaps you should consider “quit lying to self”.
This column isn’t specifically about losing weight or getting in shape, but about the benefits of exercise which could help with both. Using the most recent research at Tufts University, the new Physical Activity …

Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy
January 2, 2009
Consider Writing a Marketing Plan
Happy New Year! Can you believe that it is 2009 already? I always thought time flew by when I was a busy college student, but time seems to travel at warp speed now since my children have been born! Each year the New Year brings about changes, goal setting, and making New Year’s resolutions. How many of you made resolutions either personal or business orientated? Did any of you include writing …

Some of you participated in the RUGreen? Workshop this summer. I want to offer the materials to all of you for a talk or demonstration at your club meetings. I have all the tools and props prepared for you to present “Don’t Trash the Planet” activities. You can use the materials for a presentation or as an interactive club activity. Call the office to reserve it for your meeting time.
Everyone that uses the kit at a club meeting will have their name in for a drawing for a prize at …