in tarrant countytarrant-tx.tamu.edu/files/2012/09/summer-2013-nl.pdfengage with texas a&m...

Making A Difference in Tarrant County Page

Volume XXVIII Volume XXVIII Volume XXVIII Volume XXVIII ♦ Issue XVIII Issue XVIII Issue XVIII Issue XVIII ~ Real Learning for Real Life ~ Summer 2013Summer 2013Summer 2013Summer 2013

Visit our website: http://tarrant.tamu.edu

In Tarrant County

The Tarrant County 4-H Ambassador Team works to-gether to promote 4-H throughout Tarrant County. Members of the team include: Sam Aviles, East Fort Worth Club; Heather Carney ,Voyage Club; Cameron Flippo, Eagle Mountain Club; Katie Lisle, Eagle Moun-tain Club; Samantha Mares, Vets of Tomorrow and Straight Shooters Clubs; Amanda Roach, Voyage Club; Skye Segovia, East Fort Worth Club; America Segovia, East Fort Worth Club; Robert John Segovia, East Fort Worth Club, Tressa Watkins, Westside Club; Luke Womble, Straight Shooters Club.

Cover page: Tarrant Co. 4-H Ambassador Team

Connect with Us!…..….......................2

Save the Date - Dinner Tonight..........2

Supporting Tarrant County’s Agriculture

Urban Agriculture - Alternative Poultry…….........................................3 Strengthening Tarrant County’s Families

Summer Break = School Break..........4 Improving Tarrant County’s Health

Measuring the Cost of Obesity...........5

Are You Getting Enough Fluids?…….6

Get Outside the Box This Summer.....7

Money Saving Tips for Eating Out This Summer.........………..................8 Enhancing Tarrant County’s Horticulture

Are You Up for the Earth-Kind Challenge?.….....................................9

Good to the Last Drop……...............10 Developing Tarrant County’s Youth

Time to Play Again……....................11

How to Win at the Scholarship Application Game.............................12

A Gift From Special Olympic Athletes……………………………….13

Grill it Safe…….................................14

Thank You to our Volunteers............15

You can find us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/agrilife.tarrant

Back Row (le� to right): Cameron Flippo, Sam Aviles, Amanda Roach, Luke Womble, Heather Carney

Front Row (le� to right): Ka�e Lisle, Tressa Watkins, Samantha Mares, America Segovia, Skye Segovia

& Robert John Segovia

Educational programs of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.

*Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid, service, or accommodation in order to participate in any of our meetings are encouraged to contact our office at 817.884.1945 for assistance.

County Extension Office ● 200 Taylor Street ● Fort Worth, TX 76196-0123 ● (817) 884-1945 ● Fax (817) 884-1941 ● web site: http://tarrant.tamu.edu

Making A Difference in Tarrant County Page 2

Engage with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Tarrant County through a variety of Social Media outlets. Stay abreast of upcoming events and activities, see our staff and volunteers in action and learn new things. Facebook: Tarrant County https://www.facebook.com/agrilife.tarrant Master Gardeners https://www.facebook.com/TarrantCountyMasterGardenerAssociation Blogs: Living Healthy in Tarrant County https://agrilife.org/livinghealthytc/ Commercial Horticulturehttp://agrilife.org/tcch Spending Smart – Building Bucks http://agrilife.org/ssbb/ 4-H http://tc4-h.blogspot.com/ Thoughts for a Healthier You http://agrilife.org/healthieryou/ Instagram @tccep4H Twitter - @twitter.com Ag https://twitter.com/kenjohnsontx You Tube www.youtube.com/user/tarrantagrilife


provide at least 6 inches of roost space per bird, using 2 by 2 inch wooden strips spaced 12 inches apart. Place roosts 24 inches above the floor and provide one 10- by 10-inch nest for every 4 or 5 hens. Nests should be 24 inches above the floor, away from the roosts. Keep nesting materials clean and dry. Collect eggs at least twice daily. Outside runs are not necessary; if used, they should provide 5 to 10 square feet of space per bird. The most efficient meat-producing chickens are the meat-type crosses (Rock-Cornish). Purebred poultry types most commonly raised for white meat are Cornish, Plymouth Rocks, and White Jersey Giants, but these breeds are less efficient than the crosses and take up to 14 weeks to de-velop a desirable carcass. There are niche mar-kets for red-plumage birds and for the Silkie chick-en, which has dark purple skin and is very popular in various ethnic live-bird markets. Meat chickens can be raised much like laying chickens, except that wet and compacted litter is of even more concern with meat-type birds than with egg producers. These conditions cause breast blisters and leg weaknesses and give the carcasses an undesirable appearance. Never brood chicks on slippery surfaces. Pine shavings or straw are the best materials for giving meat birds the traction and leg support they need. Feed a totally balanced ration. For fryers and broilers, use a starter mash or crumble pellets containing 20 to 23 percent protein. Roasters require a 20 percent protein starter for the first 6 weeks and can then be fed a 16 percent protein grower feed. At least 23 hours of light per day is recommended for meat birds. Use one 25-watt bulb per 100 square feet. Do not use nests and roosts for meat type chickens. Roosting causes breast blis-ters, crooked keels, bruises, and lameness in heavy meat birds. Meat-type birds make poor lay-ers, so slaughter them before they reach egg pro-duction age. Outside runs are not recommended for meat chickens unless you sell range-reared birds. Slaughter 2 to 3 pound fryers at 3 to 4 weeks of age; 4 to 5 pound broilers at 7 to 9 weeks; and roasters at 12 to 14 weeks. Remem-ber, as birds get older and larger, they become less efficient and eat more feed for each pound of weight gained. Because older birds produce more meat, allow them to come as close to the desired weight as possible before slaughter.

The low investment and small area required to raise a flock of poultry makes this an ideal venture for the beginning small or part-time farmer. Poultry can supplement family food supplies, and small specialized poultry producers can sell to several niche markets. For example, producers can con-sider selling organic meat and eggs, brown eggs, range-reared meat and eggs, live birds for ethnic markets, and birds for hobby, leisure, and pure-bred exhibition purposes. To ensure profitability, the small specialty poultry producer must do care-ful research on market opportunities. If it’s egg production you want to try, then the best chicken breeds include commercial White Leghorn-type hybrids, which produce white-shelled eggs and are the most economical feed-to-eggs convert-ers. Commercial production Reds (e.g., Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshire) or sex linked hy-brids produce large, brown shelled eggs and are usually preferred for small range flocks. All poultry breeds lay eggs, but they are not equally efficient. Birds raised in a pen should have at least 2 square feet of space per adult bird. Feed a completely balanced ration. Avoid table scraps and whole grain, which dilute nutrient intake and decrease production. Use an 18 to 20 percent protein feed starter for the first 6 to 8 weeks, followed by a 14 to15 percent protein grower or developer until 20 weeks of age. After 20 weeks, feed a 15 to 18 per-cent protein layer ration, and feed grit and oyster shells in separate feeders. Waterers must provide at least 5 to 6 gallons daily for every 100 birds. Laying birds require at least 14 to 16 hours of light each day for maximum year round production. De-creasing the light will stop egg production. Light must be added before sunrise and after sunset during the fall and winter, but be sure to provide several hours of darkness so the birds can roost. Use an inexpensive automatic timer to turn lights on and off. For each 40 square feet of pen space, install one 25-watt bulb at ceiling height above the food and water area. For floor-reared layers,

Kenneth Johnson, Jr. County Extension Agent -

Agriculture & NR


Marian Ross, M. S. County Extension Agent

Family and Consumer Sciences

Summer is here! The kids are excited that school is out - no more teachers, homework, going to bed whenever, right? Hold on - before you agree, think about this. If you allow children to stop “learning” over the summer, they lose approximately 2 months of their grade level in math and reading, which means by the 5th grade they could be 2 1/2 years behind their peers. What can parents, grandparents and other family members do to help make summer learning FUN?! A few suggestions: 1. Stay on your routine over the summer. Bed

time and wake up times shouldn’t vary much. 2. Make learning fun - trying a new recipe? Let

your kids read the recipe out loud. You have kept fractions and words in your children’s brain.

3. Join the summer reading program at one of our local libraries.

4. Create a book club for your kids, yes this in-cludes the boys.

5. Planning a trip? Have your children look at the map; learn about what is native to the area; have them plan part of the trip.

6. Have them learn new words. Study the diction-ary and come up with words they have not heard of: Print off the spelling bee list - learn how to use those words in a sentence.

7. To improve your child’s comprehension, talk with them about what you did and what they learned.

Keep learning to help your children be successful in school every year.

What can do if you think your bank has not treated you fairly? Here are steps that may help you solve a problem: ˜ Give your financial institution the chance to

make things right. Before taking your case to the government or taking your

business elsewhere, ask someone at your branch or another customer service representa-tive at the bank to help address your concerns. If you’re not satisfied with the first answer you receive, consider speaking to the manager.

˜ Prepare the information the bank will need to take action . At a minimum, expect to give your name and identifying information, such as

an account number or your address. If you

Where to File a Complaint Where to File a Complaint If you decide to file a complaint with the federal government about an insured depository institution, who do you contact? To determine which regulator has jurisdiction over a particular banking institution, so you can submit a complaint to the correct agency, you can call the FDIC toll-free at 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342). Here is contact information for all the agencies:

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: P.O. Box 4503, Iowa City, IA 52244; call 1-855-411-2372; go to www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint .

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: Consumer Response Center,1100 Walnut Street, Box #11, Kansas City, MO 64106; call 1-877-275-3342; send a message at www2.fdic.gov/StarsMail/index.asp .

Federal Reserve: Consumer Help, P.O. Box 1200, Minneapolis, MN 55480; call 1-888-851-1920; e-mail [email protected].

National Credit Union Administration: 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-3428; call 1-800-755-1030; e-mail [email protected].

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency: Consumer Assistance Group, 301 McKinney Street, Suite 3450, Houston, TX 77010; call 1-800-613-6743; visit www.helpwithmybank.gov .

write a letter, you also may want to include your phone number or e-mail address for future communications. Give a detailed description of

what occurred and explain why the situation is unsatisfactory. Have backup documentation, such as a monthly statement from the bank or your loan agreement ready. Also think about what you’d like the bank to do to correct the problem. If you need to share any documents with a bank employee, only provide copies, not your originals. NEVER share personal infor-mation (Social Security number, personal iden-tification numbers or any other confidential in-formation) in email correspondence.

˜ Document your efforts to address the prob-lem. Keep a record of your calls (including the date) and correspondence with the bank. When you speak to someone on the phone, note the number you dialed, the person’s name and department, and any actions he or she agrees to take on your behalf. Keep a copy of any letters or e-mailed you send.

˜ Take actions that will preserve your con-sumer rights. It’s especially important to re-member your consumer rights. It’s especially important to remember that federal consumer protections laws limit how long you have to file a complaint about an error.

If you still believe there is a problem or that you’re being treated unfairly, consider contacting the insti-tution’s government regulator. The FDIC and other federal regulators can only require banks to take action when issues involve the laws and regula-tions over which they have jurisdiction. The regu-lators don’t, for example, settle disputes over whether a bank is complying with the terms of a loan or deposit contract (a private matter governed by state law) or serve as attorneys for individuals. Adapted from: FDIC Consumer News: Big Purchases, Big Decisions

Are You Frustrated With Your Financial Institution?


Darlene Myatt Extension Agent -

Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program

• Growing obesity rates increase fuel con-sumption as Americans consume an addi-tional 938 million gallons of gasoline per year due to increased passenger weight – that’s $4 billion extra.

• Likewise, the airline industry uses an esti-mated 350 million additional gallons of fuel at an extra cost of $275 million annually to handle passenger weight increases.

• To accommodate larger people, public seat-ing for mass transit and sport events have not only been expanded for patron comfort, but are built to hold 400 pounds. And those familiar yellow Blue Bird school buses are also widening the front doors for kids to fit more easily.

• In addition to hiring more medical person-nel, hospitals are investing in equipment to handle heavier patients by replacing diag-nostic equipment such as MRI machines, wall-mounted toilets with floor models able to hold 250 pounds or more, and buying plus-size wheelchairs as well as mini-cranes to hoist obese patients out of bed.

• Treatment for larger patients can also be-come a challenge if hospital staff find it diffi-cult to locate airways to insert a breathing tube with reports of multiple surgeries per-formed for procedures such as wound clo-sure that could be done all at once for a non-obese person.

Taken together, the obesity crisis already touches everyone in one manner or another. This realization should be a call to action be-cause there is good news amidst the bad: Obesity is preventable. The trends that led to the current epidemic can be reversed by making changes in eating be-haviors and physical activity, tracking weight and body mass, and decreasing television, computer and video game use. Better yet, re-ducing the obesity rate by 5% could lead to a savings in health care costs of $29.8 billion in 5 years with an estimated $158.1 billion in 10 years ~ timely investments worthy of consider-ation to yield dividends for helping pay down the federal deficit.

With obesity rates approaching nearly half of our country’s adult population, politicians and health advisors continue to scramble in search of a solution. Meanwhile, economists are focused on how much obesity is going to cost future generations. While the health effects of obesity are well-documented, the economic and social effects are just coming into play based on a report published by Campaign to End Obesity and data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For starters, the national cost of obesity is now estimated at $190 billion, or $607.77 per person. Here’s a closer look at the enormity and ef-fects of our growing obesity rate: • Because obesity raises the risk of a host of

medical conditions from heart disease to chronic pain, the obese are absent from work more often than people of healthy weight, costing employers as much as $6.4 billion a year.

• Even when poor health doesn’t keep obese workers home, decreased produc-tivity or “presenteeism” is also expensive. The very obese lose one month of produc-tive work per year, costing employers an average of $3,792 per male worker and $3,037 per female.

• Numerous studies show obese individuals are less likely to be hired and promoted. Women in particular bear the brunt of that, earning about 11 percent less than women of healthy weight.

• Prescription drugs such as beta blockers for heart disease are keeping the obese alive longer resulting in astronomically high medical expenses in old age just like their slimmer peers.


How to monitor your body: To make sure you are getting enough water, you can monitor your body in the following ways:

� Check your urine. If your urine is dark yellow or amber in color or small in quantity, it is likely concentrated with metabolic wastes, and you need to drink more fluids. Your urine should be a pale yellow color and normal quantity when you are getting enough fluids. If you are not going to the bathroom every 2-4 hours, you are not drinking enough.

� Weigh yourself. By weighing yourself before and after work or exercise, you can monitor the pounds lost during your activity. For every pound lost, you should drink at least 2 cups of fluid. In hot weather, those who work outside or exercise may find that they’ve sweat off as much as 5-8 pounds. This is water loss, not fat loss.

� Monitor your feelings. If you feel chronically fatigued, lethargic, or have a constant headache, you may be dehydrated. Monitor yourself and others for impaired perfor-mance, heat cramps, chills, clammy skin, rapid pulse, gastrointestinal problems, dizziness, dry mouth, hallucinations, no sweat or urine, swollen tongue, unsteady walk, high body temperature, refusal of water, vomiting, and changes in levels of consciousness. These may all be signs and symptoms of severe heat problems.

You should always replenish your fluids at regular intervals before you become thirsty. Thirst is NOT an indicator of when fluids are needed. Some individuals may even re-fuse water when under heat stress. Water is the “Forgotten Nutrient”. It is recommended that adults consume eight 8-ounce glasses of liquids each day. Water helps with temperature maintenance and transportation of oxygen, nutrients, and medications to every cell of the body. With age, the ability to detect thirst diminish-es. Therefore, older adults are more susceptible to dehydration which can cause blad-der infections, kidney stones, and confusion. The best beverages are water, skim milk, 100% fruit juices, and decaffeinated coffees and teas. References: Clark, M. (1997). Sports Nutrition Guidebook. Brookline, MA: Human Kinetics, pp 144-163.

American Red Cross (1991). First Aid: Responding to Emergencies. St. Louis, MO: Mosby. Lifeline, pp 338-339.

Markena Minikon County Extension Agent -

Nutrition & Health


Melissa Crawford Extension Assistant -

Better Living for Texans

I would like start out the article with a reprint of the “Estimate Daily Calorie Needs Chart” from the Spring 2013 issue. I apologize for the confu-sion. I mistakenly switched the columns around. The correct chart is listed below!

It’s important to not only eat healthy meals but to have physical activity to back it up! Now if you’re like most people, you probably get more out of your workout when you’re with a group. So why not get the whole family involved this summer! Here are a couple of different recipes and physi-cal activities that you and your family can enjoy together on your next family outing.

What you'll need • Paper • Markers How to play 1. Write these clues on

a piece. 2. Split your family off

into teams to make it a challenge to see who can be the first to complete their list! Not only will you

have fun but you’ll get in some physical activity while you race to be the first to finish.

A bird singing A flower in bloom A mushroom A brightly colored bird A leaf A multi-colored rock A stick Your own clue

Estimated Daily Calorie Needs

Spring Scavenger Hunt

Total Time 1 hour Ages school-age by Curt Hinson What you'll need • Four to six players • 1 soccer ball (the planet) • 1 foam ball (the asteroid) How to play 1. Divide players into two teams. 2. The object of the game is for Team Asteroid to

throw their foam ball and hit Team Planet's soccer ball. Team Planet controls their ball by kicking it around, trying to keep it from Team Asteroid. Team Asteroid players are not al-lowed to take any steps with their ball. Instead, they must pass it to teammates, trying to get it in the hands of a player who has moved close enough to the planet for a shot. Remember, once you have the ball you cannot take any steps. When the foam ball hits the soccer ball, the teams switch roles.

Asteroid

Tuna Melt Burgers Cook Time: 20 minutes Prep Time: 10 minutes

What you need: Utensils: • Can opener • Medium bowl • Wooden spoon, knife, fork and spoon • Cutting board and utility knife • Measuring cups and spoons • Aluminum foil • Cookie sheet • Potholders Ingredients: 1 6-ounce can tuna-light packed in water 2 medium stalks celery, chopped ½ cup diced, reduced fat processed American cheese ¼ light mayonnaise 1 tablespoon instant minced onion ¼ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon pepper 12 slices of 100% whole wheat bread What to do: 1. Wash hands and cook-

ing area.

2. Preheat oven to 350°F. 3. Drain tuna and break

the meat apart with a fork.

4. Wash and chop the cel-ery and dice the cheese.

5. Mix tuna, celery, cheese, light mayon-naise, dried onion, salt, and pepper into a medi-um mixing bowl with a wooden spoon.

6. Spread tuna mixture on six of the pieces of whole wheat bread and place a single slice of bread on top of each (you will make a total of 6 sandwiches).

7. Put each sandwich on a square of aluminum foil, and then wrap the foil around sandwiches,

folding edges securely. 8. Bake about 20 minutes

or until hot in the mid-dle. Cool slightly before serving.

Don’t forget to bring your coolers and ice packs to help keep your food chilled.

Sources: http://spoonful.com/family-fun/spring-scavenger-hunt


How? � Plan meals/snacks in advance. � Pack lunches in reusable tote. � Today’s dinner = tomorrow’s lunch

http://healthyliving.tamu.edu

Tiffany Traylor Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent

Cooperative Extension Program

MENU

Since 1955 the percentage of our food dollars spent on foods eaten away from home has in-creased from 26% to 48%. Consequently, the percentage of our food dollars spent on foods eaten at home has dropped from 75% to 53%.

Foods eaten away from home tend to be: � Less nutritious � Higher in calories � Higher in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol � Lower in dietary fiber

Cook more meals at home

Why? � Save money; Better nutrition � Family engagement. � Reduce time spent in the car, traveling to restaurants. � Less waste from eating out. � Less food waste at home. � Know who feeds your family.

Tips for Eating Out

1. Eat out for breakfast or lunch; dinner tends to be more expensive. 2. Do not order alcohol, soda, tea or other beverages; drink water. 3. If you have children, look for restaurants that allow kids to eat free. Check out the following

web site for more information: www.mykidseatfree.com 4. Ask the server if there is a daily special. 5. You can order gift cards at a discount for many of your favorite restaurants at

www.restaurant.com (For example, one restaurant will sell you a $10 gift card for $4; that is a big savings!).

6. As soon as you get your entrée, ask for a to-go box. Most restaurants give large portions and you can often get 2 meals out of one. Just make sure that the food is refrigerated quickly so it does not make someone sick!

7. Order an appetizer as an entrée. 8. Skip dessert; or if you really want a dessert from your favorite restaurant, eat at home and

then go out for dessert. 9. If you qualify, use senior citizen’s discounts. 10. Order ½ portion or lunch sizes Source: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (agrilifeextension.tamu.edu)


Steve Chaney County Extension Agent - Horticulture

Is your landscape contributing to a healthy and sustainable environment? There's one way to find out, take the Earth-Kind® Challenge. It's easy. Just answer this series of questions about the cultural principles and practices used in maintaining your landscape. You'll also find links to Earth-Kind® information along the way to assist in determining the most appropriate response.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/challenge/

Earth-Kind Landscaping uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum garden and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting the environment. The objective of Earth-Kind Landscaping is to combine the best of organic and traditional gardening and landscaping principles to create a horticultural system based on real world effectiveness and environmental responsibility. Earth-Kind Landscaping Encourages:

• Landscape Water conservation • Reduction of fertilizer and pesticide use • Landscaping for energy conservation • Reduction of landscape wastes entering landfills

Want to see some of the training a Master Gardener goes through, then go one step further! Welcome to the Earth-Kind® On-Line Master Gardener Training. This program is designed to provide information on a variety of environmentally friendly (Earth-Kind®) practices for use in the home landscape and garden. As your interest and knowledge in this area grows you will have an increased awareness of the many programs, practices and activities that are Earth-Kind®.

Progress through the training program is tracked "on-line" and the results for each completed module are automatically forwarded to your county Master Gardener Coordinator, that’s me and I won’t tell anyone your score I promise!

Participation in the Earth-Kind® On-Line Master Gardener Training will assist Texas AgriLife Extension Service to promote principles and practices that help conserve and protect our state's valuable natural resources. Working together we can create a healthy and sustainable environment. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/training/

All of these activities will prepare you for what’s really important to all of us now and in the futur e!!

Earth-Kind® Drought Preparedness

Are you prepared for the hot, dry summer months that lie ahead? Now is the time to implement a variety of steps to help ensure landscape performance while conserving, preserving and protecting our valuable natural resources.

We’ve compiled some of our most useful educational information to help you prepare – “just in case” we face another dry year. In addition, we hope you will take a few minutes to review this series of educational videos, focusing on landscape water conservation and quality. Drought Specific Articles and Sites: Tree and Shrub Irrigation during the Drought Irrigation Systems for Earth-Kind® Landscapes Lawns Don’t Waste Water, People Do! All Plants Have a Place in an Earth-Kind Land-scapes Landscape Maintenance Practices Save Water Water Efficient Practices for Saving Your Landscape Watering Landscapes Agricultural Drought Task Force Efficient Use of Water in the Garden and Landscape Helping Drought-Stressed Trees Water Education in Texas

Helpful Publications: Water Conservation Irrigation Systems Auditing Mulch Fertilization Soil Improvement http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/drought/

As always feel free to call us at the office if you have any questions at 817 884-1944.


Laura M. Miller County Extension Agent -

Horticulture

Just add Air Aeration is another way to get the most out of the water you apply. Core aeration of turf areas can be performed by landscape professionals or with rented equipment. Removal of a small cylinder of soil pro-motes new root growth and root growth means more water taken up by the plant. This is especially benefi-cial in clay soils. Top dressing with ½ inch of compost after aeration will add organic material to the soil. And Organic Material There are several ways to add organic material to soil, which ultimately improves water infiltration, water hold-ing capacity, and ultimately plant growth. Top dress turf areas with compost after aeration. Amend the soil in annual and shrub beds before installing new plants. Maintain 2-4 inches of organic mulch on landscape beds. Prioritize Divide your landscape into hydrozones. Put native and low water use plants that can survive on average rain-fall in one zone, established ornamental trees and shrubs in another, and turf, annuals and newly installed plant materials in another. Irrigate according to plant requirements. When watering is severely restricted, allow lawns to go dormant. While there are some differences among va-rieties, buffalo, Bermuda, and many zoysia grasses can recover after up to 150 days without rainfall or irri-gation. Don’t allow large shade trees, even well-established native species, to go that long without sup-plemental irrigation. Texas lost an estimated 5.6 mil-lion urban trees in the drought of 2011. When outdoor watering restrictions allow, water trees at least every other week when there is no rainfall. It is easy and in-expensive to replace annuals and perennials, but re-placing a large tree takes both time and money. Listen to Your Lawn You don’t have to be the Lawn Whisperer, Save North Texas Water’s fictional speaker for the trees, shrubs, and grass, to do a better job irrigating your landscape. All you have to is pay attention to the signs that let you know that your plants are ready for a drink. Grass blades will fold, color will turn from green to bluish green, and footprints will remain in turf when it needs to be watered. If annuals are wilted in the morning, they need to be watered. Wilting on a hot afternoon is to be expected. What’s the best thing about all these practices? In the same way that overeating isn’t good for the body, over-watering isn’t good for the landscape. Giving your plants just the water they need and adopting good cul-tural practices like mulching and aeration will ultimately result in a healthier landscape.

North Texas landscapes are still recovering from the great drought of 2011. 2012 brought near normal rainfall amounts, but the forecast from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center projects an ongoing drought for all but the Northeast corner of Texas. How can we make the most of the rain that does fall this summer and the irrigation water we apply? Don’t Let Good Water Go Astray Storm and irrigation water that runs off a landscape doesn’t do the plants any good and can carry fertiliz-ers and pesticides into our streams and rivers. Make it your goal to keep all your water on your property. Minimize the amount of stormwater runoff by capturing and storing rain water from roofs to use for irrigation on a not so rainy day. RainwaterHar-vesting.tamu.edu is full of great information about setting up a rainwater harvesting system. Clay soils hold water well, but can’t absorb it quickly. Cyclic irrigation or the cycle and soak method simply means running irrigation for a short period that won’t result in run off, allowing the water to slowly move down into the soil profile before applying the rest of that day’s irrigation. For example, if you want to ap-ply one inch of water and the sprinkler would need to run for 20 minutes to do that, you could allow it to run for 10 minutes, cycle through the other zones, and then have a second start time set for the zone or zones that need more water. Teach Roots to Go Deep The cycle and soak method not only minimizes run-off, it also encourages roots to grow down into the topsoil where they have access to a larger reservoir of soil moisture. By wetting the soil to a depth of 8-12” with each irrigation event, you help plants devel-op a more extensive root system that will help them survive when water is in short supply. Don’t Let Weeds Steal Water A weed is any plant that you don’t want in your land-scape. Why share limited water with plants you don’t want? Many of the weeds we have the hardest time eradicating are actually signs of overwatering and/or compacted soils. This list includes annual bluegrass, crabgrass, goose grass, dallis grass, sedges, plantains, and dicondra. Time spent con-trolling weeds will result in water savings. Mulch is a great way to minimize weed competition in land-scape beds and has water saving benefits as well.


Shannon Johnson-Lackey 4-H Extension Agent


As the weather warms and we begin to replace our jackets, sweaters and long pants for t-shirts and capris, nature beckons and lures us outdoors. During this transition, a renewed energy overtakes us and we are often encouraged to be more physical, taking long walks or jogging. Walking and jogging are sound means of exercising and extremely beneficial for heart health but the calm weather, the outdoors and the need to be physical lends it-self to play. According to Webster’s Dictionary, play is an “action, activity, or operation”. It’s about doing, making, creating and participating. Play is an active process with an ac-tive product. Play requires a reservoir of energy, a head full of ideas and an enormous insight to possibilities. Play is the unveiling of the inner child that resides in every adult and the practice of children to remain young, free and spontaneous. Essentially it’s time to roll up our collective sleeves, lace up the tennis shoes, pull our hair back and solicit friends and family for a couple hours of play; the type of play that is free from the constraints of age and over-analytical rules and expectations; the kind of activity that affirms the belief that play is an art form, which can be mastered by anyone willing to be free and spontaneous. Marianne Clair of Insight Journal believes that one of the key benefits of play is that it can inspire you to think differently. Consider that when few limita-tions are in place and time is not an issue, a host of possibilities are present. Need an idea for those old panty hose or those socks that have lost their match? Try this game with the kiddos and prepare to have loads of FUN!!! Hose Head came from http://spoonful.com/family-fun/hose-head. It is just one of the many fun activities featured on the site. Hose Head What you'll need • Several pairs of old control-top hose or tights (sizes medium or small work best)

• 1 sponge ball or rolled-up sock for each player • 2 or more players

1 How to play 1. Setup: Create a hose hat for each player by cutting off the hose at the thigh and put-

ting a ball or sock in the toe of each. 2. Players put on their hose hats, cuffing the hose as needed to make the fit secure. The

ball should hang at least to the shoulders.

On the count of three, players try to grab the ball -- and the hose along with it -- off the heads of opposing players while keeping their own ball and hose in place. This leads to much wild swinging of heads (which is why a soft ball or sock works best) and much laughter. (No holding the hose on your head, as a strong tug from another player could be jarring.) The last player with a hose hat on his head wins.


As a youth I remember being instructed by teachers and friends to apply for scholarships for college. Listed below will be some suggested things to do in regards to scholarship applications. 1. The early bird gets the worm-- Apply early. The application cycle for some scholarships may

be as much as a year in advance of when school starts. 2. Check local sources of funding. Some of the best scholarships come locally. 3. Do not be afraid to hear the word NO. You can not receive the scholarship if you do not ap-

ply. Apply for scholarships that best fit your talents, interest etc.…. 4. Be a seeker. Remember that all scholarships are not available every year. Make sure the

scholarship you are applying for is being awarded for that year. Some scholarships are not renewable.

5. Method to the madness---Make sure to understand the purpose of the scholarship. Know

the donor’s reason for offering the scholarship. 6. Follow the directions. Make sure the application is completely filled out and submitted on

time. 7. Write an essay that states why you should win. Do not be afraid to brag on your accomplish-

ments. Describe how you match the qualities the judges are seeking. 8. Get feedback from editors. Remember you do not have to complete this process alone.

Friends, teachers and even parents can make good editors. 9. Proofread, proofread and proofread again. You do not want simple grammatical and spelling

errors to cost you your scholarship. 10. Remember practice makes perfect. Practice for interviews. Practice, Practice 11. Keep the application organized. Do not send in the scholarship application with loose pages. 12. Call back. Make sure to follow up on any correspondence regarding the scholarship applica-

tion. Failure to call back may result in not receiving the scholarship. However, make sure that you do not become a pest. Calling too much is not a good thing.

Resource for this information is: http://www.abic.bm/education/pdf/Scholarship-Top_10scholarship_application_do-dont.pdf and http://www.moolahspot.com/answers/index.cfm?adv_id=top10_scholarship_do_dont_1

Cassius McAlister 4-H Extension Agent



One of the great things about 4-H is that the youth are engaged in their communities. Recently, one of the members presented an idea to his club. He spoke of the Special Olympics and enlisted the club’s support in organizing a group to serve as “Fans in the Stands” for the Special Olympic Games. Utilizing person-to-person and electronic communication, the group quickly grew to include members from five clubs….all with the same goal of offering support to the athletes. The Olympic Games celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement of goals. Several types of competitions are offered, including Track, Swimming, Equestrian, Gymnastics, etc. Athletes spend many months each year training for the games. Through training, they learn the importance of setting goals, pushing to achieve one’s best, and good sportsmanship. We were fortunate to attend the Track competitions. It was inspiring to see the deter-mination and passion as the athletes sprinted around the track. At the finish line, there were high fives, knuckle bumps, and hugs for all. Teamwork and camaraderie were evident throughout the event. Their athlete motto is:

“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave i n the attempt.”

Each of us would be well-advised to pause and consider this quote. Most of us, re-gardless of age or other factors, say we want to achieve our goals. But are we willing to put in the hard work necessary? These athletes remind us that success requires diligence, persistence, and hard work. Do we have the courage to give 100% effort? Are we brave in the attempt? We are very grateful that the Special Olympics provides the opportunity for all to serve as “Fans in the Stands”. While the “fans” attend with the intent of supporting the ath-letes, the athletes give their fans a priceless gift….

….the gift of inspiration!….the gift of inspiration!

Cindy Bryant County Extension Agent 4-H


Many people grill food year round, but it is

especially popular way to cook when the weather

is warm. Below are easy to-follow recommenda-

!ons and !ps from the U.S. Department of

Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspec!on Service

for preven!ng foodborne illness while grilling.


you! Thank

To say THANK YOU! We have great volunteers and we had two events to recognize the service they provide. We had a great time and we wanted to share some fun photos. Volunteer Picnic

R Reception and Proclamation in Tarrant County Commis sioners Court - Our Volunteers ROCK!


TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE PO BOX 1540 FORT WORTH TX 76101 1540

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION POSTAGE & FEES PAID

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION

Visit our website: http://tarrant.tamu.edu

Dana Tarter

County Extension Director

in tarrant countytarrant-tx.tamu.edu/files/2012/09/summer-2013-nl.pdfengage with texas a&m...

Documents