Tara Brown, Jefferson County OSU Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development, provided the Tuesday, April 24 After School Program for Ringling Elementary After School participants.23 Elementary students, 2 adults and 5 teen helpers enjoyed making their own Fruit and Cheese Kabobs as a Nutrition Education and Snack.Most were excited and enthused to cut the fruit and cheese into smaller pieces to put on their pretzel sticks and dip into a Yogurt with cinnamon Fruit dip and eat; although there were a few that were not as excited to try some of the fruits.
Ringling girls and their kabobs.
Fruits included Gala Apple, Seedless grapes, fresh strawberries, banana and canned Pineapple tidbits in 100% natural pineapple juice. Mild Cheddar Cheese and Monterey Jack cheese were the cheeses available; the Fruit dip was made with Vanilla Yogurt sprinkled with Cinnamon and stirred to make a Cinnamon Vanilla Yogurt Fruit Dip.
The students learned to properly wash their hands prior to handling their foods; they also learned how to properly hold a Plastic Knife so they could cut their fruit pieces.Mrs. Brown also discussed various nutrients in the fruit and cheese. Each participant received a bookmark “Veggie Challenge – Fruit Challenge” and Mrs. Brown challenged all to try different fruits and vegetables.
Thank you Ringling Elementary School for allowing Tara Brown an opportunity to provide a program to your students!
Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted. Tara Brown, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development presented a “Slow Cooker Meals” program on Tuesday, April 17.The program included Slow Cooker recipes for Zucchini Bread, Scalloped Potatoes and No-Frill Potato Soup.Tara prepared and served Cinnamon apples which she had prepared in a slow cooker. The next meeting will be May 15 at 12 noon at Waurika Sr. Citizens’ Center.Dr. Lynn Null, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development, CED Comanche County will present “10 Minutes to the Table”.Membership to OHCE is open to any individual. Contact Tara Brown for additional information.
Upcoming lessons:Tuesday, June 19: “Home Invasion/Self Defense”
Co-Parenting for Resilience:Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home.A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home is available monthly. Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.
Open House:Jefferson County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services staff is scheduled for Friday, May 18 from 11 a.m.– 2 p.m.Come meet your County Extension staff who are ready and willing to assist you with your questions concerning livestock, soil, forage, Food and Nutrition and more! Information is available on our website oces.okstate.edu/Jefferson and on our Facebook pages JeffersonCounty Fourh and JeffersonCounty Osu Extension.
Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Higher Education Act), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, genetic information, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, or status as a veteran, in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This provision includes, but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. The Director of Equal Opportunity, 408 Whitehurst, OSU, Stillwater, OK 74078-1035; Phone 405-744-5371; email: eeo@okstate.edu has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies. Any person who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based on gender may discuss his or her concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with OSU’s Title IX Coordinator 405-744-9154.
Save More at the Store
The smartest shoppers know that saving money is more than luck. When shopping for groceries, it’s about having a game plan and making smart decisions about what to put in your cart.
1. Ask for advice. Grocery stores, ethnic markets, dollar stores, retail supercenters, and wholesale clubs can offer good deals. Ask friends and family where they shop and find their best bargains!
2. Eat before you shop. Grocery shopping hungry can lead to impulse buying and unhealthy food choices.
3. Read the sales flyer. Sales flyers are usually released mid-week and can be found at the store’s entrance, in the newspaper, or on their website.
4. Use coupons – but only for items that you know you’ll use. If you don’t need an item right away, save the coupon and see if it goes on sale. For more on couponing, check out Save More at the Grocery Store.
5. Look up and down for savings. Stores often stock the priciest items at eye level. You can save big by looking at the upper and lower shelves too.
6. Check for store brands. Most stores offer their own brand of products that often cost less than name brands.
7. Grab from the back. Stores typically stock shelves from back to front, placing the newest items behind the older ones. Reach in the back for the freshest items especially in the produce, dairy, and meat aisles.
8. Ask for a rain check. If a sale item has run out, ask the store for a rain check. This allows you to pay the sale price after the item is restocked.
9. Join your store’s loyalty program. Most stores offer a free loyalty program. Get special offers and discounts that non-members do not.
10. Think outside the store. Farmers markets and farm stands can be great options for picking up fresh produce at a discount. Check the National Farmers Market Directory for locations near you.
Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted.The next meeting will be April 17 at 12 noon at Waurika Sr. Citizens’ Center.Tara Brown will present our program “Slow Cooker Meals”.Contact Tara Brown for additional information.
Friday, April 6, members of Jefferson County OHCE attended the SW District OHCE meeting held in Pauls Valley.Carolyn Arnold, Secretary; Kimberly Morris, member; Melicia McFadden, President and Tara Brown, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development and Advisor started the day early to be at the meeting place in Pauls Valley by 8:30 a.m. Each of us attended three different sessions which included “Oklahoma Wheat Commission”; “Shabby Chic Flower Pot painting”; How to write reports; there was also a session for Presidents; and others. The large group of attendees said “Farewell and Good wishes upon retirement” to Gloria King, formerly SW District FCS Program Specialist.It was a good informative day.
Carolyn Arnold, Secretary; Kimberly Morris, member; Melicia McFadden, President and Tara Brown, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development attended the SW District OHCE meeting held in Pauls Valley. Submitted photo.
Co-Parenting for Resilience:Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home.A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home, is available monthly or as scheduled.Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.
Jefferson County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services staff is ready and willing to assist you with your Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H –related questions.Call 580-228-2332.Information is also available on our website oces.okstate.edu/Jefferson.Our Facebook pages are JeffersonCounty Fourhand JeffersonCounty Osu Extension.
Making room for this season’s garden harvest
Now that the spring season is underway, many gardeners are looking forward to getting their fruits and vegetables in the ground and hoping for a productive growing season.
For those who had a bountiful harvest last season and canned or froze their crops, it is time to clear off the shelves and clean out the freezer and get ready to preserve this year’s harvest, said Barbara Brown, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension food specialist.
“There’s nothing better than opening a jar of green beans or pulling a bag of okra from the freezer in the middle of winter and being able to taste that summer freshness,” Brown said. “If you had a particularly big garden, it’s likely you’ve still got a few jars of goodness on your shelves or in your freezer. Because the quality of home-preserved foods doesn’t last forever, it’s a good idea to clear out those canned foods in the pantry or those foods in the freezer to make space for what you’re planning to grow this season.”
Although freezing will not improve the flavor or texture of any food, it can preserve most of the quality of a fresh product as long as it is frozen properly and stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Most fruits and vegetables will last in the freezer eight to 12 months. Certainly, these foods should be safe to eat after a year, but the eating quality and nutrition may be lower. Putting dates on all your frozen foods can help make sure you use them while they are at their best.
Some gardeners prefer to can some of their fruits and vegetables. Properly canned food stored in a cool, dry place will retain optimum eating quality for at least a year.
“Most of us don’t have a root cellar like our ancestors did, so proper storage is a must,” Brown said. “Canned food stored in a warm place near hot pipes, a range, a furnace or indirect sunlight will have a much shorter shelf life. Also, canned items stored in a damp area can cause lids to corrode and may result in leakage, so the food will spoil. Before you get started canning this year’s harvest, go through any remaining foods from last year and check for signs of spoilage.”
Check over your home canned foods for signs of spoilage. Check the seals, make sure flats are not swollen and there is no sign of gas bubbles, mold or other unwanted growth inside the jars. Do not taste food from a jar with an unsealed lid or food that shows signs of spoilage.
You can more easily detect some types of spoilage in jars stored without screw bands. Growth of spoilage bacteria and yeast produces gas which pressurizes the food, swells lids and breaks jar seals. As each stored jar is selected for use, examine its lid for tightness and vacuum. Lids with concave centers have good seals.
Next, while holding the jar upright at eye level, rotate the jar and examine its outside surface for streaks of dried food originating at the top of the jar. Look at the contents for rising air bubbles and unnatural color.
While opening the jar, smell for unnatural odors and look for spurting liquid and cotton-like mold growth (white, blue, black or green) on the top food surface and underside of lid.
“No matter which method of preservation you prefer, make sure to use proper preservation and storage methods,” Brown said. “This will help ensure you have garden-ripe fruits and vegetables all year long.”
For information on proper canning and freezing of garden produce, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation at http://nchfp.uga.edu/index.html
Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted.The next meeting will be April 17 at 12 noon at Waurika Sr. Citizens’ Center.Tara Brown will present our program “Slow Cooker Meals”.Contact Tara Brown for additional information.
Co-Parenting for Resilience:Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home.A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home, is available monthly or as scheduled.Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.
Jefferson County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services staff are ready and willing to assist you with your Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H –related questions.Call 580-228-2332.Information is also available on our website oces.okstate.edu/Jefferson.Our Facebook pages are JeffersonCounty Fourhand JeffersonCounty Osu Extension.
Food Shopping Starts at Home
Managing food dollars wisely involves planning before and during your grocery shopping.Some knowledge of nutrition, plus careful meal planning, skillful shopping, proper food storage, handling, and preparation will help you to serve satisfying meals while remaining within your food budget.
Check newspaper ads for special sales; Clip coupons if the item is one you would normally buy and if the item is less expensive than similar brands; take advantage of seasonal specials; Think appetite appeal since people eat all their senses, plan meals using foods of contrasting colors, textures, flavors, sizes, shapes and temperatures; Plan the use of leftovers; Make a shopping list.
Tara Brown, Extension Educator for Jefferson County OSU Extension office has more information and programs.
Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted. Our March meeting will be Tuesday and Wednesday (March 20 and 21) 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day; Pamela Varner, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development, CED for Cotton County will lead us making “Crazy Quilt Jacket”. Contact Tara Brown for additional information and copy of the supply list needed for the Easy Crazy Quilt Jacket.
Co-Parenting for Resilience: Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home. A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home, is available monthly or as scheduled. Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information. This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.
Making room for this season’s garden harvest
Now that the spring season is underway, many gardeners are looking forward to getting their fruits and vegetables in the ground and hoping for a productive growing season.
For those who had a bountiful harvest last season and canned or froze their crops, it is time to clear off the shelves and clean out the freezer and get ready to preserve this year’s harvest, said Barbara Brown, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension food specialist.
“There’s nothing better than opening a jar of green beans or pulling a bag of okra from the freezer in the middle of winter and being able to taste that summer freshness,” Brown said. “If you had a particularly big garden, it’s likely you’ve still got a few jars of goodness on your shelves or in your freezer. Because the quality of home-preserved foods doesn’t last forever, it’s a good idea to clear out those canned foods in the pantry or those foods in the freezer to make space for what you’re planning to grow this season.”
Although freezing will not improve the flavor or texture of any food, it can preserve most of the quality of a fresh product as long as it is frozen properly and stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Most fruits and vegetables will last in the freezer eight to 12 months. Certainly, these foods should be safe to eat after a year, but the eating quality and nutrition may be lower. Putting dates on all your frozen foods can help make sure you use them while they are at their best.
Some gardeners prefer to can some of their fruits and vegetables. Properly canned food stored in a cool, dry place will retain optimum eating quality for at least a year.
“Most of us don’t have a root cellar like our ancestors did, so proper storage is a must,” Brown said. “Canned food stored in a warm place near hot pipes, a range, a furnace or indirect sunlight will have a much shorter shelf life. Also, canned items stored in a damp area can cause lids to corrode and may result in leakage, so the food will spoil. Before you get started canning this year’s harvest, go through any remaining foods from last year and check for signs of spoilage.”
Check over your home canned foods for signs of spoilage. Check the seals, make sure flats are not swollen and there is no sign of gas bubbles, mold or other unwanted growth inside the jars. Do not taste food from a jar with an unsealed lid or food that shows signs of spoilage.
You can more easily detect some types of spoilage in jars stored without screw bands. Growth of spoilage bacteria and yeast produces gas which pressurizes the food, swells lids and breaks jar seals. As each stored jar is selected for use, examine its lid for tightness and vacuum. Lids with concave centers have good seals.
Next, while holding the jar upright at eye level, rotate the jar and examine its outside surface for streaks of dried food originating at the top of the jar. Look at the contents for rising air bubbles and unnatural color.
While opening the jar, smell for unnatural odors and look for spurting liquid and cotton-like mold growth (white, blue, black or green) on the top food surface and underside of lid.
“No matter which method of preservation you prefer, make sure to use proper preservation and storage methods,” Brown said. “This will help ensure you have garden-ripe fruits and vegetables all year long.”
For information on proper canning and freezing of garden produce, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation at http://nchfp.uga.edu/index.html
Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted. Our March meeting will be Tuesday and Wednesday (March 20 and 21) 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day; Pamela Varner, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development, CED for Cotton County will lead us making “Crazy Quilt Jacket”. Contact Tara Brown for additional information and copy of the supply list needed for the Easy Crazy Quilt Jacket.
Co-Parenting for Resilience: Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home. A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home, is available monthly or as scheduled. Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information. This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.
Fight Bac!
Partnership for Food Safety Education Supporting consumers to prevent food poisoning
Safe Microwaving
When it comes to Convenience Foods, Cook It Safe
Many Americans’ freezers are stocked with fast, tasty convenience foods. While the shortest distance between the freezer and the table may be the microwave oven, not all convenience foods can be cooked in the microwave. Challenge yourself to Cook It Safe!
Prevent foodborne illness due to under-cooking frozen or other convenience foods with these four simple tips:
1. Read and Follow Package Cooking Instructions.
2. Know When to Use a Microwave or Conventional Oven.
3. Know Your Microwave Wattage Before Microwaving Food.
4. Always use a Food Thermometer to Ensure a Safe Internal Temperature.
The Cook It Safe campaign was created in partnership with industry groups and the federal government to provide consumer guidelines on the safe cooking of frozen and ready-to-eat convenience foods.
Jefferson County OHCE President Melicia McFadden and Secretary Carolyn Arnold sell homemade pies Thursday, March 1 at the Jr. Livestock Show. There were Pumpkin Pies, Pecan Pies, Strawberry Pies, Peach Pies, Cherry Pies, Black Forest Cherry Pies, Cream Cheese Pies and Chocolate Pies. This fundraiser helps our group with local projects. We thank all who purchased pies either by the slice or whole!
About OHCE
Oklahoma Home and Community Education, Inc., is a program of continuing education in all aspects of home and community life. The organization’s ultimate mission is to educate its members to be well-informed and able to handle change in their homes and communities. Through its relationship with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, OHCE presents research-based information to its members.
Monthly educational lessons, leadership development and community service projects provide OHCE members an opportunity to apply this research based information in their homes and communities.
The Cooperative Extension Service is based at Oklahoma State University with offices and Extension Educators serving each county. OHCE is a statewide and county based organization. County Extension Educators, Family and Consumer Sciences serve as advisors to county HCE organizations. District and State Cooperative Extension Specialists and supervisors work with County Extension Educators and the OHCE program. Working in a cooperative effort, OHCE members and Extension Educators identify local issues facing families. these issues become the basis for OHCE educational programming and efforts are made to help families solve these problems.
OHCE is in a unique position to help individual members and their families and communities develop a higher level of living through education. No other organization is better poised to develop community leaders and informed citizens through research based educational programs.
Jefferson County Jr. Livestock Show was alive March 1-3, 2018 as exhibitors, parents, Ag teachers and other supporters buzzed around the fairgrounds getting their animals ready to show then displaying their animals and showmanship skills. The 4-H Concession was available for food and drinks to quench the thirst. Proceeds from the 4-H Concession sales help support our Jefferson County 4-H. This year’s national theme for 4-H is “4-H Grows Here” and we saw many first time exhibitors as well as members assisting in the Concession learning how to take and fulfill food orders. We thank all who assisted in the concession and purchased food to help support our 4-H groups!
Culinary (Cooking Club)
Our next meeting will be 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 28 at the Jefferson County OSU Extension office. We will discuss and practice for upcoming Cupcake Wars!
Waurika 4-H clubs will meet Tuesday, March 27 at 3 p.m. (or right after school) at the Waurika High School Cafeteria. Kim Morris, volunteer 4-H leader will provide information on the upcoming “Death by Chocolate” event.
2018 Southwest District Horse Show: May 31 to June 2, 2018 (Thursday – Saturday) at the
Stephens County Fairgrounds – 2002 S. 13th Street, Duncan, OK
Entries due Thursday, April 26, 2018 to County Extension Office
Contact Tara Brown for additional information and entry forms. Tara also has information for the District Cupcake Wars, Table setting and Food Show Down contests which are scheduled for the end of May. Registration will be due early April.
CONGRATULATIONS to Sarah Tyus, member of Ryan 4-H!
Sarah participated in the Indoor nationals and Junior Olympic Archery Division (JOAD) Nationals at Texas A&M on 3/2-3/4. She placed 6th in this region’s Indoor Nationals and 3rd in the Joad nationals. She shot very well with some really stiff competition. She was accompanied by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Tyus who are very proud of her! We, too, are proud of Sarah!
Jefferson County 4-H and Extension information is available on our webpage: oces.okstate.edu/Jefferson
Facebook: JeffersonCounty Fourh and JeffersonCounty Osu Extension
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
Jefferson County Jr. Livestock Show will be Wednesday, February 28 – Saturday, March 3, 2018. On Thursday, March 1, Sheep and Goats will weigh in at 10 a.m.; the Sheep Show will begin at 5 p.m. followed by the Goat Show. Hogs will weigh in 8 a.m. Friday, March 2 with the Hog Show beginning at 3 p.m. The Cattle will weigh in Saturday March 3 at 9 a.m. and begin showing at 10 a.m. The Premium banquet will be 6 p.m. Saturday, March 3.
Come support 4-H and FFA Exhibitors. Concession will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning; proceeds from the concession go to help support Jefferson County 4-H.
Culinary (Cooking Club)
Due to inclement winter weather on Wednesday, March 28, the March Culinary meeting was postponed and will be rescheduled.
Watch for upcoming dates for Jefferson County Cupcake Wars and 4-H Has Talent
4H is a Community
4H is delivered by Cooperative Extension—a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. Kids complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and citizenship, in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4H in every county and parish in the country—through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4H camps.
Do you know a youth who is interested in Entomology?
Here is an opportunity for them to explore Entomology as a CAREER!
The Oklahoma State University Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology would like to announce an Entomology Open House recruitment event on the OSU campus on Saturday, April 22nd, 2017. Students and their families will have a chance to meet entomologists and entomology students, talk with academic advisors, and tour entomology labs. Discussion will focus on entomology courses at OSU, career opportunities in entomology, and scholarship availability, with the live insects at the Insect Petting Zoo on-hand to entertain. The event will be held at the Insect Adventure, 3003 W. Virginia, Stillwater, OK, from 10 am until 2 pm with a delicious catered lunch provided.
Please contact Mrs. Pam Thomas (pam.thomas@okstate.edu) to register for this exciting event.
2018 Oklahoma 4-H Foundation Essay Contest
Oklahoma 4-H Foundation is excited to offer the 2nd annual Dr. Ron and Linda Sholar Essay Contest. Members ages 13 and older are invited and encouraged to enter this contest, sponsored by Dr. Ron and Linda Scholar.
Purpose – The purpose of the essay contest is to:
1. Provide participants an opportunity to express themselves in regards to the impact of 4-H on their home state of Oklahoma and the influence of 4-H on them personally.
2. Encourage the development of excellent skills of written expression.
Theme: “Because of 4-H, I can…..”
Essays will be judged by a selection committee with separate cash prizes awarded to the winners. First place cash prize of $500, $300 for second place and $200 for third.
The entry deadline for this contest is April 27, 2018. Entries postmarked by April 27th will be accepted. Essay contest winners will be selected and notified in May of 2018, and the formal presentation of award checks will be made during State 4-H Roundup. All entries become the property of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation.
Eligibility: The contest is open to all Oklahoma 4-H Members age 13 and older.
Format and Contents: All essays should be no less than 1,000 words and no more than 1,200 words, typed and double spaced. Include your name, age, address, telephone number, school, and grade as well as a statement from a parent, guardian or 4-H Educator certifying that the essay is your original work. The main selection criteria will be creativity and presentation of thought.
Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted. Our March meeting will be Tuesday and Wednesday (March 20 and 21) 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day; Pamela Varner, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development, CED for Cotton County will lead us making “Crazy Quilt Jacket”. Contact Tara Brown for additional information and copy of the supply list needed for the Crazy Quilt Jacket.
Co-Parenting for Resilience: Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home. A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home, is available monthly or as scheduled. Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information. This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.
Safety is a priority during storm season
Spring officially begins March 20, and if you’ve lived in Oklahoma for any length of time, you know this time of year is the beginning of storm season. Being prepared for storms before they arrive is one way to help ensure you and your family stay safe.
When the tornado sirens are going off in your community, that is not the time to develop a family safety plan. Nor is it the time to make sure your storm shelter is not full of snakes and spiders or so many boxes of stuff there is no room for anyone, said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension housing and consumer specialist.
“Springtime brings about many changes, including the weather,” Peek said. “A week of sunny weather can be followed by extreme storms. Sometimes this happens in the same day, so it’s a good idea to always be prepared. When severe weather hits unexpectedly, the risk of injury and death increases.”
Spring thunderstorms occur whenever warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air. These storms can bring flooding and tornadoes, so preparing your emergency plan now is essential.
“The first thing you need to do is prepare your family for storm season. Sit down together and make an action plan. Write it down. Study your home and determine the safest place where you can shelter in place if you don’t have a storm shelter,” Peek said. “A room in the basement is a good example. Also consider an interior room on the lowest level away from doors, windows and outside walls.”
Everyone should have an emergency kit on hand. If you have a shelter at home, store the kit in there. If not, put the kit in a plastic tote or bag that can be quickly scooped up and taken with you to a shelter. Some things to include are a flashlight, weather radio, extra batteries, personal hygiene items, first-aid kit, important phone numbers and insurance information. Always try to keep your wallet or purse with you in the event you need identification, and if possible, have blankets or sleeping bags available.
“Include all medications you may be taking, along with a three- to -five-day supply of water and nonperishable foods. If you’ve got pets, make sure you have supplies for your furry friends, too,” she said. “If you’re unable to shelter in place, make sure the location you plan to go is pet friendly.”
For those with children in the home, encourage them to keep a few treasured items in a backpack or small bag they can quickly take to a shelter. These items may be of comfort to a child while taking shelter.
Something else to consider before a storm is to take a short video showing the contents of your home. Many people have smart phones with video capabilities, so this should be fairly easy to accomplish. This video may be helpful for insurance purposes.
“As we all know in Oklahoma, severe storms can spring up quickly, leaving little time to prepare,” Peek said. “This is why it’s so important to be prepared ahead of time. Having a plan and an emergency kit ready can help give you some peace of mind as we begin another storm season.”
If you have been using Forage Insurance for your annual forages, such as wheat pasture, sudan, and other forage sorghums, there are some changes for the coming year. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Area Economist J.J. Jones outlines those changes below.
For the crop year 2018-19 the Risk Management Agency (RMA) has made some changes to the Rainfall Index – Annual Forage Insurance (RI-AF). These new changes do affect which policies producers should choose and use, but before discussing the changes let’s review just what is the Annual Forage Rainfall Insurance.
RI-AF is an insurance product offered by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) through private insurance companies to help producers protect against production losses due to lack of moisture for annual forage crops. RI-AF is similar to the Pasture Range and Forage Insurance (PRF). The difference between the two products is the type of forage crops that are covered. PRF is for perennial forage crops while RI-AF is for annual forage crops such as wheat, rye, oats, sudan, haygrazer and millet.
Like PRF the RI-AF uses the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center data and 12 X 12 mile grid system to determine the rainfall index. Indemnity payments are calculated based on the difference between the calculated rainfall index and the normal rainfall index within a grid and for a specific time interval. Payments are not determined by individual producer’s losses.
Producers can choose to insure all or any portion of their acreage. To use RI-AF a producer must make six option choices. They are growing season, coverage level, productivity factor, insurable interest, insurable acres, and index intervals.
Changes to RI-AF
In the past producers were given a choice between two growing seasons. For 2018-19 the number of seasons in which to choose from will be four and instead of growing season the choices are for the planting season. So now, producers will choose the season in which they plant the annual forage. In addition to the changes to the number of seasons, the crop reporting dates for the different seasons have been changed as well. The four planting seasons and crop reporting dates are listed below.
Planting Seasons Crop Acreage Reporting Date
Season 1 – July 16 to October 15 October 15
Season 2 – October 16 to January 15 January 15
Season 3 – January 16 to April 15 April 15
Season 4 – April 16 to July 15 July 15
Another change is the sign up date. The sign up is now July 15, 2018 for all 2018-19 planting seasons. Producers must choose which season and number of acres by July 15, but they are not obligated or insured until they report the crop acreage by the acreage reporting date. Producers can nullify the policy by reporting zero acres planted by the crop acres reporting date.
A third change is the time in which the policy premium is due. Producers must sign up by July 15, 2018 but are not billed for the insurance until August 2019. If producers sign up and then report zero acres planted then no premium is due.
Producers wanting to use the RI-AF product should contact their crop insurance agency. More information about RI-AF can be found at http:www.rma.usda.gov/policies/ri-vi/annualforage.html.
Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
L-R: Isaac Gholson, Jaci Gholson, Cody Ramsey, Kynlee Waters, Caity Ramsey, Kaylee Morris, and Kim Morris.
L-R: Isaac Gholson, Jaci Gholson, Cody Ramsey, Kynlee Waters, Caity Ramsey, Kaylee Morris, and Kim Morris.
The Waurika 4-H Club had a meeting last week to elect officers. Members also made Valentine’s Day Cards for the nursing home.
Junior 4-H Officers are the following: President Cody Ramsey, Vice-President Jaci Gholson, Secretary Caity Ramsey, and Treasurer Kynlee Waters. Senior 4-H Officers are President Kaylee Morris and Vice President Isaac Gholson. The 4-H leader is Kim Morris.
Upcoming events include a Culinary Club meeting on Feb. 21st and the Local Livestock Show at 1 pm on Feb. 22nd. The Jefferson County Livestock Show is March 1st-3rd. Please come out and support your local 4-H and FFA Show Team!
ATTACHED IS A PHOTO OF THE NEW OFFICERS AND LEADER. Under the photo should read, “L-R: Isaac Gholson, Jaci Gholson, Cody Ramsey, Kynlee Waters, Caity Ramsey, Kaylee Morris, and Kim Morris.”
