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Features

  • ACRE Program Publication Now...

    Traditional farm programs have focused on supporting prices rather than revenues (prices multiplied by yields). The new optional Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program addresses declines in state revenue caused from declines in prices and/or yields.

    The inclusion of state yield protection allows for protection from droughts, natural disasters, and floods.  The ACRE program uses market-based prices and state yields in determining revenue instead of government targets, therefore allowing revenue to adjust to current market conditions as they move up and down.

  • Shrimp never tasted so good

    I never met a shrimp I didn't like.

    I've tried hundreds of shrimp recipes over the years and even though some were definitely better than others, I can honestly say I had no trouble eating any of them.

    I think it's in my genes, as my father was also a shrimp-lover.

    When I was a little girl, we used to go to a wonderful restaurant in Danville, Ill., (home of Dick VanDyke and Gene Hackman) called Connou's. It was located in old railroad dining cars (green and silver, as I recall) and had wonderful food.

  • Meatless dishes can be delicious

    Here are a couple good meatless recipes that don't involve fish.

    The Mushroom Strata is delicious. My mom used to make a version of this that she served for Sunday brunch, but it's good anytime.

    The next recipe is from my Susan's Kitchen cookbook, page 81.

    My grandma and mom made this and it sure came in handy back when I first moved to Kentucky and had chickens.

    Mom served this on chow mein noodles, which is really good, but you could also use patty shells or toast.

    Mushroom Strata

    1 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced

  • 4-H events planned; volunteers...

    The Marion County 4-H Council recently met and discussed the following upcoming 4-H events:

    • The 4-H Speech contests are underway in the schools beginning March 19 with Lebanon Middle School.

    Judges are still needed. If you would like to volunteer, contact the Marion County Extension Office, 692-2421.

    • The Marion County 4-H Council will once again be holding their silent auction at the Farm, Home and Garden Show, April 4 and 5. 4-H'ers, leaders and parents will be contacting local businesses for their support with this fundraiser.

  • Weed control tops checklist of...

    There are various odd jobs to address in the garden once spring arrives. Well-timed chores can help us improve the performance of some plants, control others and eliminate some.

    Weeds are usually foremost on people's minds as they make their way back to the garden each spring.  There is no magic bullet for weed control, but we can take some common sense measures to devise an overall management plan.

    Diligence plays a role, as does timing and technique.

  •
    Sandy is Pet of the Week

    Sandy is a beagle mix that will make a great family pet. The children will love her. She likes to play fletch and be active in the yard. If your pet is missing, call the shelter-it may be there. For a complete listing of pets with pictures visit adoption@petfinder.com. The shelter reminds pet owners that all cats and dogs should have a rabies shot. To adopt an animal, potential owners must complete an adoption application. The animal shelter accepts stray or unwanted animals. The shelter is located off of KY 208 and is open from noon until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.

  • It's spring calving season

    For the cow/calf producer this is a very important time of the year as far as calving goes. As spring is quickly approaching its easy to get too busy and sometimes forget about the basics.

    I recently read this article from the University of Kentucky and thought it would be appropriate for this time of the year.

    Spring-Calving Cows

    The spring calving season should be in full swing now, top priority should be to get a live calf and keep cows in sufficient body condition to rebreed early.

  • Plant disease resistant cultivars

    Do you have problems with fire blight, black spot, powdery mildew, Fusarium wilt, early blight and late blight?

    If this is the case plant disease resistant varieties this year! Sure old time favorites are what you are used to but try something different with them this year.

    Mail order catalogues promise a bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables without much work, but we all know that isn't how it works.

    However, there is one thing that we can do easily that will save us a lot of hassle this summer, variety selection.

  •
    Pet of the Week

    Doc is a neutered male around 5 years old with long, black and white hair. He is a house cat, litter box trained and front declawed. If you are looking for a cat to hold and enjoy Doc is the one. If your pet is missing, call the shelter-it may be there. For a complete listing of pets with pictures visit adoption@petfinder.com. The shelter reminds pet owners that all cats and dogs should have a rabies shot. To adopt an animal, potential owners must complete an adoption application. The animal shelter accepts stray or unwanted animals.

  • Start a spring vegetable garden

    Now that the economy has slid into decline and money is tighter, it seems it's time for us to get back to the basics. What better way to do that than to plant a vegetable garden?

    Mid to late March is an ideal time to plant your cool season or spring garden. Potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, peas and many other crops can be planted this month. Lettuce can also be planted, however you will want to cover it with remay fabric (tobacco canvas).

  • Blueberry planting and maintenance

    No other berry crop has gained the popularity of the blueberry.

    I am glad it has earned this distinction because blueberries are actually pretty easy to grow if you provide them with some timely attention.

    Once they are established some late winter pruning and fertilization is all you need to do to keep them in production.

  • Dress up some cornbread

    Cornbread is comfort food to me-a fond taste memory from my childhood.

    My grandma Dillon made cornbread all the time, lots of different ways. Sometimes she'd make the fried cornbread common around here (she called it "Southern cornbread".)

    She also made regular cornbread in a cast iron skillet and sometimes in cast iron corn stick pans which I still have.

    She even made a special souffle-like cornbread, which she called "spoonbread." It was light and buttery, and sometimes we put gravy on it.

  • Potatoes, asparagus, onions first...

    It is time to start preparing for the vegetable growing season in earnest: asparagus, potatoes, onions and leeks can be set out now; in a few weeks, as the soil is workable and warms to about 45 degrees, we'll direct seed radishes, turnips, parsnips, beets, carrots, peas, spinach and other greens and lettuces.

    Other cool season crops like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts do better set out in the garden as seedlings.

  • Know the rules for handling animal...

    A new U.S. Food and Drug Administration rule could impact the disposal of dead farm animals. The rule, scheduled to go into effect in April, would prevent the use of brains and spinal cords of older cattle for animal food. The new rule covers all cows 30 months and older and is aimed at preventing the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease.

  • It's flea season

    With the warmer temperatures that we have been experiencing, we are starting to see signs of fleas here at the shelter. On the dogs and cats that have been surrendered or picked up as strays, we are starting to see the first fleas of the season. I was hoping that with the cold temperatures that maybe we would see a decrease in the numbers of fleas and ticks. It's still way too early to tell but maybe the problem won't be as bad as it was last year.

    This week's article will concentrate on flea control and listed below are 10 facts about fleas you may not know.

  • People seem to prefer cats as pets

    The other day at work, I was surfing the web looking for information on the pet overpopulation problem when I came across these statistics on pet ownership.

    Several things surprised me about the findings, like there are more cats as pets than dogs and the total number of dogs and cats that are kept as pets.

    These statistics were compiled from the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey.

    DOGS

    • There are approximately 74.8 million owned dogs in the United States

  •
    Hank is Pet of the Week

    Hank is a great chocolate lab that smiles and loves attention. Once he gets the ball or the frisbee the game is on, he loves to play keep away. Hank needs a home where he will have plenty of space to run. If your pet is missing, call the shelter-it may be there. For a complete listing of pets with pictures visit adoption@petfinder.com. The shelter reminds pet owners that all cats and dogs should have a rabies shot. To adopt an animal, potential owners must complete an adoption application. The animal shelter accepts stray or unwanted animals.

  • Get a head start on the garden with...

    Starting seeds indoors turns out to be a necessary skill if you want success with some crops. A few need a bit of a head start in order to reach maturity at the right time for Kentuckiana gardens.

    Other considerations include ideal growing conditions.

    Cabbage, for example, can be started early so you can set them out as plants as soon as possible. The goal is to get an early harvest before our summer temperatures soar and the plants bolt and get bitter.

  • Springtime is near, mating season...

    It's been a few weeks since I've had an article in the paper. I have just have been super busy with work here at the shelter and at home. For those parents who have a child sick at home can relate, my 15-year-old daughter has both mononucleosis and strep throat. I would rather take care of a litter of sick pups. They wouldn't be as needy or irritable.  

  • These desserts are worth a try

    Do you need a couple new dessert recipes? Neither do I, but here are two I tried recently, and they’re really good. The Butter Pecan Mousse is easy and decadently delicious. And who doesn’t like apple pie? This one is a keeper.

    Butter Pecan Mousse

    1 c. pecan pieces

    2 T. butter, melted

    2 (8oz.) pkgs. Cream cheese, softened

    1/4 c. sugar

    1/4 c. brown sugar, firmly packed

    1/2 t. vanilla

    1 c. whipping cream, whipped