Insight From Kansas Farm Bureau
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This past year has been a hard one. Though we are close to the renewed hopes of a new year, we still face what could be the hardest days of 2020 for some.
Anna Schremmer, K-State Research & Extension Family Consumer Science Agent for Phillips-Rooks District #5
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When it gets to be December, baking cookies for the Holidays is an activity for the whole family. One of my favorite things to do is making sugar cookies with my grandchildren for Santa. We cut out many shapes and frost them. They don’t look like the cookies on the baking shows, but that is not why we do them. This is a special time with grandma and hopefully the tradition will continue long after I’m gone.
Rachael Boyle, Phillips-Rooks District Extension Agent Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) and Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) are epiphytes native to the jungles of South America. Epiphytic plants grow on other plants and use them for support but not for nutrients. Though these cacti are different species, they will hybridize and produce varying stem shapes. Christmas cactus normally has smooth stem segments, and Thanksgiving Cactus has hook-like appendages on each segment.
Anna Schremmer, K-State Research & Extension Family Consumer Science Agent for Phillips-Rooks District #5
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Baking with Flour Christmas Cookies! Who’s ready for Christmas Cookies? It’s that time of year to get the rolling pin, cookie cutters and sprinkles out to make those “melt-in-the-mouth” cookies. One of my favorite family memories is making sugar cookies with my kids.
Rachael Boyle, Phillips-Rooks District Extension Agent Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Poinsettia Care Modern poinsettia varieties stay attractive for a long time if given proper care. Place your poinsettia in a sunny window or the brightest area of the room, but do not let it touch cold windowpanes.
Anna Schremmer, K-State Research & Extension Family Consumer Science Agent for Phillips-Rooks District #5
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Get Ready for Taxes: Steps to take now to make tax filing easier in 2021 It’s tax season already? How did this happen? We just finished with last year’s taxes and here we go again. The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers to take necessary actions this fall to help file federal tax returns timely and accurately in 2021.
Insight
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Greg Doering Kansas Farm Bureau Harvest is winding down Harvest is winding down or already completed. Cattle are turned out on winter pasture.
Rachael Boyle, Phillips-Rooks District Extension Agent Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Winterizing Strawberries Winter can be a difficult time for strawberries. Plants need time to become adjusted to cold weather and will gradually become more cold resistant as fall progresses.
Anna Schremmer, K-State Research & Extension Family Consumer Science Agent for Phillips-Rooks District #5
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Turkey Talks—Leftovers Thanksgiving is over and one of the best leftover meals awaits. Hot turkey sandwiches with leftover mashed potatoes and gravy, a little dressing on the side or on top, some cranberry sauce and another piece of pie.
Anna Schremmer, K-State Research & Extension Family Consumer Science Agent for Phillips-Rooks District #5
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Just smell the turkey basting in the oven, the dressing, mashed potatoes & gravy, and of course the distinct odor of pumpkin pie. It’s turkey time! I can picture it now! Up early to put the turkey in the oven, back to bed, up again, peeling potatoes, putting the dressing made the night before in the oven, setting the roll dough out to rise, putting the green bean casserole together. Salads and pies made, just need to let the rolls rise and bake them so they come out hot from the oven when are ready to eat.
