Colorado State University Extension http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ Provides research based, reliable, timely information on Yard & Garden, Insects, Agriculture, Small Acreages, Natural Resources, Nutrition, Health, Food Safety, Family, Home, Consumer, Water, Clean & Renewable Energy and 4-H Youth Development. New Hot Topics for February Hot topics in each program area change monthly. New topic changes:
Main Page
Fall and Winter Watering - Water trees, shrubs, lawns, and perennials during prolonged dry fall and winter periods to prevent root damage that affects the health of the entire plant.
The Economics of Hay Storage Structures - In Colorado, a popular structure for storing hay is a post frame shed, which is essentially a high roof over a dirt floor.
Soil Erosion Control after Wildfire - The potential for severe soil erosion is a consequence of wildfire because as a fire burns it destroys plant material and the litter layer.
Vegetarian Diets - Nutritional requirements are the same for vegetarians and nonvegetarians but some nutrients require special attention.
Yard & Garden
Plant Hardiness Zone Map - Use the 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map to determine which plants grow well in differing locations.
Landscaping on Expansive Soils - Expansive soils are found throughout Colorado and can cause structural damage when growing plants near buildings.
Fall and Winter Watering - Water trees, shrubs, lawns, and perennials during prolonged dry fall and winter periods to prevent root damage that affects the health of the entire plant.
Trees and Shrubs for Mountain Areas - Consider the length of the growing season, soil characteristics and exposure before selecting trees and shrubs for specific sites.
Colorado Garden & Home Show - Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Colorado; February 11-19, 2012
Insects
Boxelder Bugs - Boxelder bugs are a nuisance in and around homes from fall through early spring.
Carpet Beetles - Carpet beetles are one of the most common insects found in Colorado homes.
Root Weevils - Root weevils are common invaders of Colorado homes. Although a nuisance, they cause no harm to humans, pets or household furnishings.
Agriculture
Biosolids Recycling -Farmers, land-reclamation specialists, landscapers and home Gardeners have used these primarily organic materials for over seven decades in the United States.
Soil Testing - A reliable soil test correlates soil nutrients to plant use, and fertilizer recommendations calibrate tests to field conditions for individual crops.
Natural Resources
Creating Wildfire-Defensible Zones - Even small steps to protect your home and property will make them more able to withstand fire.
Forest Home Fire Safety - Take steps now to protect your home from a future wildfire. This can spell the difference between your property's destruction or survival.
Wildlife as a Farm and Ranch Business - Developing a contract that outlines responsibilities of landowner and hunter provides for quality behavior from the hunter and quality experiences for both.
Nutrition, Health & Food Safety
Sorting Out Healthy Whole Grains - Focus on whole grains if eating smarter is your Near Year’s resolution.
Nutrition for the Athlete - Nutritional misinformation can do as much harm to the ambitious athlete as good nutrition can help.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Omega-3 fatty acids are components of fats in foods we eat. The term omega and number three refer to the chemical structure of the fatty acid.
Family, Home & Consumer
Transitions and Changes: Practical Strategies - Life is a series of frequent changes. Some changes are welcomed; others range from inconvenient to catastrophic.
Long-Term Care Planning - Two-thirds of people 65 or older will need some long-term care at home, through adult day health care, care in an assisted living facility or nursing home in their lifetime.
Improving Home Safety for Seniors - We must feel safe and secure in order to be able to relax, so be security conscious.
Water
Graywater Reuse and Rainwater Harvesting - Graywater reuse may not be a permissible use of water under a domestic well permit or a community water supply system.
]]> http://www.ext.colostate.edu Thurs, 2 Feb 2012 14:36:11 -0800 Impact statements and success stories highlighted
  • Integrated strategies lead to better pest management
  • Reducing wildland fire risk in Summit County
  • Improving wheat variety adoption
    • ]]>     http://www.ext.colostate.edu/impact/index.html Thurs, 26 Jan 2012 13:46:11 -0800     Family Matters for January
    English - Healthy Cooking with Herbs
    Spanish - Cocinando saludablemente con hierbas frescas
    ]]>     http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/fammatrs/fmmenu.html Thurs, 5 Jan 2012 14:23:11 -0800     New Hot Topics for January Hot topics in each program area change monthly. New topic changes:
    Main Page
    Credit Scores - A credit score is a ‘snapshot’ of an individual’s credit history at a particular point in time.
    Using a Power Monitor to Control Your Electricity Costs - A power monitor is a device that will help you understand your home’s electricity consumption.
    Ranching and Farming With Family Members - Intergenerational farms and ranches are unique among businesses in their integration of production and family life.
    Yard & Garden
    Cover Crops and Green Manure Crops - Cover crops can protect the soil from wind and water erosion, suppress weeds, fix atmospheric nitrogen, build soil structure, and reduce insect pests.
    Colorado Gardening: Challenge to Newcomers - Newcomers to Colorado often have trouble getting plants to survive let alone thrive.
    Insects
    Managing Houseplant Pests - Houseplants are susceptible to attack by many insects and mite pests
    Western Widow Spider - Widow spiders rarely, if ever, bite when not within a web.
    Insect Pests of Home-Stored Foods - Several insects commonly infest home-stored foods in Colorado, such as grains, flour, nuts, spices, packaged herbs and dried fruit.
    Agriculture
    Producing Certified and Registered Seed - The production of certified and registered seed ensures that commercial grain and forage crop producers have an adequate supply of high quality, clean seed stocks.
    Selecting Energy-Efficient Tractors - Proper selection and management of tractors is necessary to keep production costs at an acceptable level.
    Natural Resources
    Farming and Pheasants in Colorado -Decline in pheasant numbers occurs at the same time that farming intensifies.
    Managing Pocket Gophers - Four species of pocket gophers are found in Colorado and distributed almost entirely in different areas.
    Irrigation Ditches and their Operation - Ditch companies coordinate the use, ensure proper maintenance and efficient operation of surface water irrigation systems and conveyances.
    Nutrition, Health & Food Safety
    Be Merry Without Adding Extra Pounds - If you wait until January to deal with holiday weight gain, you will likely feel frustrated and wonder where to begin; instead, you can put strategies in place now.
    Updating Food Preparation to Promote Health - Good eating habits, based on variety and moderation, can help keep you healthy and even improve your health.
    Nutrition and Aging - As we age, it becomes more important that we eat more calcium, fiber, iron, protein and vitamins A, C and folacin.
    Family, Home & Consumer
    Energy checklist for homeowners - When comparing an average house to an energy efficient house, it is possible to reduce annual energy bills by up to 40 percent.
    Grandparents: As Parents - When a grandparent fills a parent role, particularly when the parent is present, the lines of family authority tend to become confused in the child's mind.
    Credit Scores - A credit score is a ‘snapshot’ of an individual’s credit history at a particular point in time.
    Water
    Water Conservation In and Around the Home - Colorado's semi-arid climate is punctuated with multi-year droughts, reminding us of the value of plentiful water supplies.
    Protecting Your Private Well - Protecting private water supplies is essential to the welfare of those who depend upon groundwater.
    Emergency Water Supplies and Treatment - In preparing for an emergency, store at least a three-day supply of water for each member of your family.
    ]]>     http://www.ext.colostate.edu Wed, 4 Jan 2012 9:36:11 -0800     New Hot Topics for December Hot topics in each program area change monthly. New topic changes:
    Main Page
    Poinsettias - Poinsettias do well in the home and keep their color until mid-March.
    Yard & Garden
    Poinsettias - Poinsettias do well in the home and keep their color until mid-March.
    Re-blooming Christmas Cactus - One of the most popular houseplants, Christmas cactus is a great way to add a burst of color indoors during dreary winter months.
    Winter-hardy cacti - Winter-hardy cacti are a natural choice for water-wise Colorado Gardens.
    Insects
    Brown Recluse Spiders in Colorado: Recognition and Spiders of Similar Appearance - The quickest way to positively identify a recluse spider is to examine the arrangement of the eyes—there should be three pairs.
    Indian Meal Moth - The caterpillar stage feeds on nuts, herbs, coarsely ground grains, and other pantry items.
    Firewood and House Log Insects - With few exceptions, insects found in firewood will not infest household furnishings.
    Agriculture
    Grower Research & Education Grants Available - The Specialty Crops Program at Colorado State University is accepting applications for grower research and education grants for the 2012 production season.
    Biosolids Recycling - Biosolids supply nitrogen, other plant nutrients and organic matter to soils.
    Controlling Soil Erosion From Wind - Barriers can protect young, sensitive, high-value crops from damage by blowing soil particles.
    Natural Resources
    Preventing Deer Damage - Although browsing deer are charming to watch, they can cause extensive damage by feeding on plants and rubbing antlers against trees.
    Managing Voles in Colorado - Eight species of voles are found in Colorado. They often are called meadow, field or pine mice.
    Conservation Easement Guidelines: What every landowner should know - Guide for landowners considering a conservation easement or would like to know more about the conservation easement process.
    Nutrition, Health & Food Safety
    Keep the Holidays Safe & Healthy - Food safety is the most important ingredient in preparing food for the holidays.
    Gluten-Free Holiday Strategies Minimize Stress - If you follow a gluten-free lifestyle or will be with someone who does, the holiday season can present challenges.
    Listeriosis - Proper handling and storage of refrigerated foods and fresh produce is one way to control Listeria.
    Family, Home & Consumer
    Easy and Inexpensive Home Energy Ideas - There are many easy and inexpensive ways to conserve energy in your home, and keep money in your pocket.
    Happier Holidays - Planning is key to holiday happiness and enjoyment.
    Improving Air Quality in Your Home - Research has shown that the quality of indoor air can be worse than that of outdoor air.
    Water
    Domestic Water Quality Criteria - Two types of tests -- bacteriological and chemical -- are used to assess domestic water quality.
    ]]>     http://www.ext.colostate.edu Mon, 28 Nov 2011 9:36:11 -0800     Impact statements and success stories highlighted
  • Targeting more than activities
  • Small acreage, big know-how
  • Increasing market farmer success
    • ]]>     http://www.ext.colostate.edu/impact/index.html Mon, 7 Nov 2011 15:46:11 -0800     New Hot Topics for November Hot topics in each program area change monthly. New topic changes:
    Main Page
    Financial Emergency Preparedness - Organizing your financial information is a first step towards being prepared for an emergency.
    Caring for Storm-Damaged Trees - Colorado State Forest Service offers information on caring for storm-damaged trees.
    Yard & Garden
    Snow Impacts on Woody and Herbaceous Plants - Corrective pruning may be needed for trees and shrubs with broken twigs and branches that had to bear heavy snow loads.
    Developing Strong Branch Unions - Most storm damage in Colorado landscape trees results from failures in the branch unions.
    Fall and Winter Watering - Dry air, low precipitation, little soil moisture, and fluctuating temperatures are characteristics of fall and winter in many areas of Colorado.
    Insects
    Colorado Bug Mugs - Mug Shots of the most common insects in Colorado.
    Clothes Moths: Identification and Control in the Home - Clothes moths are uncommon in Colorado mostly because of our dry climate.
    Spiders in the Home - Some spiders wander indoors in the early fall when cooler outdoor temperatures force them to find shelter.
    Agriculture
    Within Range - Resource for Land Managers - Range is everywhere and probably a lot more encompassing and more important than you realize.
    Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory Soil, Water & Plant Testing Laboratory - Analyzes soil, water, plant, sludge, manure and miscellaneous types of samples.
    Spraying Trees To Protect Against Mountain Pine Beetle - Common questions and things for landowners to consider when dealing with the mountain pine beetle.
    Natural Resources
    Emergency Water Supplies and Treatment - In preparing for an emergency, store at least a three-day supply of water for each member of your family.
    Cutting Up a Big Game Carcass - There are many advantages of butchering a big game carcass yourself.
    Nutrition, Health & Food Safety
    Fall Veggies Offer a Variety of Colors and Flavors - Fall Veggies Offer a Variety of Colors and Flavors Fall Veggies offer colors & flavors Aim to be different from the average American who eats only two servings of vegetables a day.
    Cooking Frozen Turkey - Watch a video explaining how to cook a frozen turkey.
    Listeriosis - Proper handling and storage of refrigerated foods and fresh produce is one way to control Listeria.
    Family, Home & Consumer
    An Introduction to Rural Energy Options - Now is the time to explore energy-saving opportunities for your farm or rural area.
    Grandparents: As Parents - Today's grandparent is more involved in "kinship care" than ever before.
    Credit Reports - Credit reports are like photographs, they capture a fixed image at a certain point in time.
    Water
    Graywater Reuse and Rainwater Harvesting - Rainwater harvesting is the process of intercepting storm-water runoff and putting it to beneficial use.
    ]]>     http://www.ext.colostate.edu Thur, 3 Nov 2011 12:36:11 -0800