Family Fare Recipes, Health, Travel, Gardening

Cleveland County 4-H'ers gear up for 4-H Centennial County and State Fairs
Cleveland County 4-H'ers are nearing the time of year when they are able to showcase their hard work as they prepare for their local county fairs, as well as the 2008 Oklahoma State Fair. This year's Cleveland County Fair will be Sept. 4 to 6. Entries are due on Sept. 3 by 9 p.m. Oklahoma State Fair will take place Sept. 11 to 21. Judging day will occur on Sept. 10. All 4-H'ers who participate in the 4-H Centennial Road Trip will have an opportunity to showcase their experiences through ...

Cleveland County 4-Hers prepare for trip to Washington, D. C.
A group of Oklahoma 4-Hers will be traveling to the nation's capitol as they take part in the 2008 Citizenship Washington Focus. The conference offers on-site workshops at some of the many historical points in Washington, D.C., including the Capitol, Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, presidential and war monuments and memorials, the Smithsonian and many others. Overall, the CWF trip is one of the most enriching trips available to Oklahoma 4-Hers.

County fair is like harvest
One of my favorite times of the year is at the county fair and Barton County Fair time is just about here. We have one of the earliest county fairs in Kansas and thus we are usually just finished with wheat harvest when the fair hits. Anyway, we would like to take this opportunity to invite people from all counties in Kansas as well as Barton County to exhibit in our open class at the county fair.

Extension leadership program announces new class
The Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership program has announced the 24 members of its newest two-year class, according to Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz, the program's director. The leadership development program of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, called TALL, is designed to help participants reach their full potential as the next generation of leaders, he said. --Ken Weidenfeller of Schertz, Texas Department of Agriculture regional director.

Food safety is essential for summer grilling season
One thing consumers must keep in mind is that the same food safety measures that are taken in the kitchen must be followed when cooking outdoors on the grill as well, said Barbara Brown, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service food specialist. Be sure to clean surfaces that come into contact with raw and cooked foods before starting another food preparation project. "It's important to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

Host families needed for 4-H Japanese Exchange
Host families are needed for 65 inbound Japanese boys and girls, ages 12 to 21, coming to Colorado through the 2008 inbound Colorado-Japan Teen Exchange. All participants are 100 percent medically covered with 4-H insurance and may participate in host family vacations, camping trips, youth camps. Host siblings have the option of traveling to Japan to participate in a four or seven-week exchange while staying with Japanese host families and learning Japanese culture.

Key to successful, healthy lawn is mowing properly
It may seem like the lawn mower is stealing the weekend time that you would rather spend splashing, fishing, or biking, but proper mowing can pay off in improved health for your lawn, fewer weeds and less yard work time. "Proper mowing technique, proper equipment, mowing frequently, and mowing turf at higher mowing heights helps increase overall plant health and reduces weed pressure," said Aaron Patton, extension turfgrass specialist and assistant professor with the U of A Division of ...

Kirby Farm's design made to fit unusual lots
The Kirby Farm (D8093) has 1,212 square feet and is nearly square in shape. The Kirby Farm has two bedrooms, the master suite in the left rear area, and the secondary bedroom (ideal as a kid's room or nursery) in the left front. Order online or search hundreds of other designs including garages, multi family, and standard and luxury homes at www.ldiplans.com. Order this week to save up to 50 percent off construction plans using the discount code THP67 or send payment to Landmark Designs, ...

Summer garden questions and answers
Also, birds damage fully mature fruit more readily than green or pink fruit. Most peppers will drop their blooms when daytime temperatures get much above 90 degrees F. in combination with night temperatures above 75 degrees F. They will also drop their blooms in the early spring if temperatures remain cool for extended periods. Optimum temperatures fall between 70 degrees and 80 degrees F. for bell-type peppers and between 70 degrees and 85 degrees F. for hot varieties.

Summer jobs teach Oklahoma youth about money management
"Parents also should encourage their child to put money into a college savings account," Muske said. Parents believe in the importance of teaching their children about money, but may shy away from discussing important money management topics. "What parents need to realize is that a great deal of what the child will learn about how to handle money comes from watching how the parents handle their own money.

Upcoming KSU horticultural events
Kansas State University Research and Extension and/or its Extension Master Gardeners are participating in the following area and statewide horticultural events, available to all interested persons. For more information about these, as well as more localized events, check with your local K-State Research and Extension office. --July 26: 2008 Field Day, K-State Horticulture.

Your family favorite beef recipe could be worth new kitchen appliances
Your favorite family beef recipe--if it wins the River City Roundup "What's for Dinner Beef Cook-Off." The "What's for Dinner Beef Cook-Off" will be held in conjunction with River City Roundup in Omaha at the Qwest Center Sept. 27. Amateur cooks from Nebraska will compete on the "What's for Dinner" cooking stage sponsored by the Nebraska Beef Council. Recipe entries should be mailed to: What's for Dinner Beef Cook-Off, Nebraska Beef Council, PO Box 2108, Kearney, NE 68848.