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Giving thanksBy Richard C. Snell Barton County Extension Agent Kansas Are we truly thankful for how good we have it? Last week, I talked a little bit about pheasant hunting and I realized that I forgot one of the most obvious benefits of hunting. The benefit of which I am speaking, might also be gained by back-packing, canoeing, fishing, bird watching, golfing or even gardening and farming. It's the appreciation of nature and the great outdoors--God's Creation. An accident, created by chance? Right! You really have to have a lot of faith to believe that. When and if I go hunting, the birds are usually pretty safe. I never have been a great marksman and as my eyesight has diminished; I can't hit the broad side of a barn. But, I love breathing that fresh country air and just being out there. It's a good thing that we have farmers who raise tame turkeys for Thanksgiving; otherwise, if I had to shoot my food I might go hungry. Besides, I really like that grain-fed tame taste as opposed to that wild, gamey taste that you have to marinate so much for flavor. There are times when we don't feel very thankful. Hopefully you can read Psalms 92 or Psalms 100 and get inspired. It's not only the outdoors and creation we should be thankful for. It's life and its fulness--it's the people, the relationships. You can add the football and food in there as well. Happy Thanksgiving! Keeping the family farming Hays, will be the location for one of two workshop series in the state of Kansas for farm families. The dates will be Dec. 14 and 15 and Feb. 1 and 2. These workshops are designed to help farm families with the difficulties in transition. The other location will be Junction City. The deadline for signing up for these workshops is Nov. 21. Registration is $200 per family of four and is limited to 30 families at each location. The next generation is ready to farm. Is the farm ready for the next generation? Passing the farm on to the next generation often proves to be a difficult task for farm families. This workshop series is intended to help resolve financial and family issues that tend to pop up when families try to figure out how to best pass the farm to the next generation. Topics discussed during the conference will include a financial analysis of the operation, developing a fair plan for passing the farm on, planning for retirement, evaluating the goals of each family member, and estate planning. If you are a family in this situation or if you know of a family that will be semi-retiring in the next five years and making room for the next generation, this workshop is a must. Contact us at 620-793-1910 or visit www.agmanager.ifo/Transitions/2007 Chain saw season may be unusually active, hazardous Cooler weather and prospects for higher heating costs, this year, could combine to create an unusually active chain-saw season. Smart homeowners probably are thinking about taking down dead or hazardous tree limbs, too, before winter can brew up an ice storm. Felling trees or tree parts is dangerous work. Many people would be better off buying firewood or hiring an arborist to trim or remove mature landscape trees. When falling, a big tree can weigh tons. How trees fall can be unpredictable. When I was a kid, the father of a good friend of mine was killed when a tree fell on him. He was a professional tree trimmer and arborist and should have known better. Several years ago, I also had a nephew who was electrocuted when he came in contact with power lines while working for a tree service business. Fortunately he lived to tell about it. Beyond that, cutting trees typically requires a chain saw, one of the most dangerous outdoor machines homeowners can use. In its 2003 "Hazard Screening Report" for lawn and garden equipment, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission listed annual chain saw accidents in two categories: 30,150 requiring emergency room treatment and almost 67,000 requiring medical care. The total known cost of those accidents was well over $1 billion. If that's hard to get a handle on, just remember the typical chain saw injury requires 110 stitches and about $12,000 in medical costs. Most chain saws for sale today are fairly lightweight and have built-in safety devices. For safe use, good judgement and common sense are essential. Don't try to operate one when you are tired, sick or on medication. Also, you should not be alone. It's hard to call for help if you're knocked unconscious! Training and experience can make a big difference in safe chain saw operations. All users should review their saw manufacturer's manual at the start of every cutting season, paying particular attention to the recommendations on maintenance, care and precautions. Contact with the moving chain causes two out of every three chain saw accidents. Kickback alone causes a third of the accidents. In a kickback, the upper chain near the nose of the saw catches in the wood or an obstruction, such as an embedded nail or the ground. This forcefully throws the saw backwards toward the operator often within just two-tenths of a second. Date: 12/20/07
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