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Be sure to mark these dates on your calendar to see research in action.

Jennifer M. Latzke, Editor

July 28, 2022

2 Min Read
Attendees at Kansas state field days
FIELD DAYS: Mark your calendars for a field day near you to see public research in action. Courtesy of K-State Research and Extension

Mark your calendars now to catch up with the latest research available from Kansas State University Research and Extension Service scientists at a field day near you.

Crop strategies on display

The Kansas River Valley Experiment Field will host its annual field day on Aug. 9 at the research station that’s 1 mile east of Rossville, Kan. The station is located on U.S. Highway 24, on the south side of the road. The field day begins at 5 p.m. The field day is free, but to reserve your meal contact Kaci Beck at K-State Research and Extension’s Shawnee County office, 785-232-0062, ext. 100, by 5 p.m. on Aug. 8.

The East-Central Experiment Field will host its annual field day on Aug. 17 at the research station in Ottawa, Kan. The field day begins at 9 a.m. To reserve your free meal, call 785-242-5615 at least two days prior.

Both field days will feature presentations on getting the most out of money spent on nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, and sniffing out the shifting weather patterns.

In addition, the Rossville field day includes a presentation on strategies to manage pigweed with cover crops. The Ottawa field day includes presentations on adjusting weed management strategies for soybean planting dates, and fitting fungicides into wheat management in eastern Kansas.

High tunnels and soil health

Miami County Conservation District is offering “Growing in High Tunnels: Building Soil Health,” the last in a four-part workshop series on high tunnels, from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 11, near Paola, Kan.

Cary Rivard, director of the K-State Olathe Horticulture Research Extension Center, will present research and best practices for building soil health in high tunnels. And Vickie Vetter Scruggs will host a tour of her high tunnel at Orange Moon Apothecary & Farm.

The workshop will be at 31622 Oak Grove Road, Paola. RSVP to [email protected] to save your spot at this free event.

Kansas State University Research and Extension and the Miami County Conservation District contributed to this article.

About the Author(s)

Jennifer M. Latzke

Editor, Kansas Farmer

Through all her travels, Jennifer M. Latzke knows that there is no place like Kansas.

Jennifer grew up on her family’s multigenerational registered Angus seedstock ranch and diversified farm just north of Woodbine, Kan., about 30 minutes south of Junction City on the edge of the Kansas Flint Hills. Rock Springs Ranch State 4-H Center was in her family’s backyard.

While at Kansas State University, Jennifer was a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority and a national officer for the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. She graduated in May 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and a minor in animal science. In August 2000 Jennifer started her 20-year agricultural writing career in Dodge City, Kan., on the far southwest corner of the state.

She’s traveled across the U.S. writing on wheat, sorghum, corn, cotton, dairy and beef stories as well as breaking news and policy at the local, state and national levels. Latzke has traveled across Mexico and South America with the U.S. Wheat Associates and toured Vietnam as a member of KARL Class X. She’s traveled to Argentina as one of 10 IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism. And she was part of a delegation of AAEA: The Ag Communicators Network members invited to Cuba.

Jennifer’s an award-winning writer, columnist, and podcaster, recognized by the Kansas Professional Communicators, Kansas Press Association, the National Federation of Presswomen, Livestock Publications Council, and AAEA. In 2019, Jennifer reached the pinnacle of achievements, earning the title of “Writer of Merit” from AAEA.

Trips and accolades are lovely, but Jennifer says she is happiest on the road talking to farmers and ranchers and gathering stories and photos to share with readers.

“It’s an honor and a great responsibility to be able to tell someone’s story and bring them recognition for their work on the land,” Jennifer says. “But my role is also evolving to help our more urban neighbors understand the issues our Kansas farmers face in bringing the food and fiber to their store shelves.”

She spends her time gardening, crafting, watching K-State football, and cheering on her nephews and niece in their 4-H projects. She can be found on Twitter at @Latzke.

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