Extension

Poinsettias are synonymous with the holiday season.  Their bright red, pink or white leaves are beautiful as standalone plants or as components of bigger holiday displays.

It may surprise many to know that in their native climate, this subtropical plant can grow to lofty heights of more than 10 feet.  In the United States, poinsettias are grown as indoor potted plants, most in heated greenhouses.

After our first snowfall in November, it is easy to start thinking about winter storms when winter has not even officially arrived, due to the calendar.  It is hard to tell if there will be many winter storms from year to year, but each year we should make sure that we are prepared for winter storms.

Winter storms typically have low temperatures and are sometimes accompanied by ice, sleet, freezing rain, and snow.

With Thanksgiving upon us, I would like to take a moment to venture away from my traditional agriculture column and share a poem of Thanksgiving.

Many years ago, a Kentucky gentleman who prefers to remain anonymous awoke early on Thanks-giving morning and penned the following words. You may find, as many have, that his expression of gratitude speaks to your heart:

“I am thankful for the gift of life, for the opportunity to breathe and move and see, for the invisible energy that lovingly beats my heart.

The Carroll County 4-H Council received $426.83 from the 2014 Ag Tag Program, part of $84,000 distributed to County 4-H Councils by the Kentucky 4-H Foundation. 

For the third year, thanks to Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer, proceeds from the voluntary donations to the Agricultural Program Trust Fund are divided equally among 4-H, FFA, and Kentucky Proud.