Extension

Unfortunately when looking forward to snapping up great deals on holiday specials, consumer fraud and theft never take a holiday. Each year, crime tends to increase throughout the nation as Christmas and Hanukkah approach. This is because people are more likely to be carrying large sums of cash or packages with expense gifts.

An important part of being a smart consumer is knowing how to protect yourself from theft, no matter the date on the calendar. The National Crime Prevention Council provides these tips for shopping safely:

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service administers the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, a federal program that provides technical and financial assistance to land users to address natural resource concerns. NRCS is asking for local input for the fiscal year 2013 program.

It is still not too late to get in your fall soil samples for next year’s growing season, and the recent rains make it an excellent time to collect samples.

An interesting result of the dry weather conditions this past summer is that we may see lower soil pH and potassium levels in fall soil samples. 

Measuring the accurate levels of pH and potassium in soil after harvest will provide the proper amount of potassium fertilizer and lime needed in the spring to supplement the soil’s nutrients to provide suitable growing conditions.

The first scheduled 4-H program was the livestock clinic that was held Oct. 13, which focused on sheep, goats and beef.  The next one scheduled is a “Poultry and Rabbit Clinic” in the livestock barn on Nov.10 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Carroll County Fairgrounds 4-H Barn.

During the Poultry meeting, the 4-H youth will be able to identify the parts of their chicken, select an appropriate breed for them, handle a chicken properly and learn to care for their chicken. They will learn how to show their chicken at the county fair.