April 25, 2002

NOTE: Since I will be out of the office April 29-May 3, I=m posting the May 3 Exclusives packet early. If you have questions ONLY about receiving Exclusives packets, contact Dr. Haven Miller () or Aimee Heald () Otherwise, contact me May 6 at

Please do not delete this message. It is the only copy of Agriculture and Natural Resources, FCS and 4-H/Youth Development Exclusives county agents in your office will receive. This packet is for the week ending May 3, 2002.

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Eight Steps to Safe Groundwater

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

Make a Habit To Recycle

Buy Recycled Products

4-H/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

4-H Horse Contests

Set June 11-12

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EIGHT STEPS TO SAFE GROUNDWATER

Sources: Blake Newton and Kim Henken

Agricultural chemicals are an important part of many farm operations. Used properly, and when necessary, they help Kentucky farmers produce an abundant, safe food supply. However, when mishandled, they can contaminate groundwater, which is a source of drinking water for many citizens.

You can reduce the chance that improperly used agricultural chemicals will contaminate groundwater by following these eight steps.

* Read the manufacturer=s label for each chemical you apply and follow the directions for safe use and disposal. Never pour chemicals together before disposing of them because it might cause a dangerous reaction.

* Mix and store chemicals at least 50 feet from your well, sinkhole or surface water sources such as ditches, ponds, streams or marshes. This is because you can=t always detect which way a chemical will flow after a spill. Plus, subsequent rains can wash chemicals further, or in a different direction, than you think.

If you spill a pesticide on a hard surface, don=t wash down the area because it might carry the material to other water sources. Instead, surround the contaminated area with dirt or sprinkle an absorbent material such as sawdust or kitty litter over the spill. Then, put the absorbent material in a strong plastic bag and dispose of it in a safe manner.

* Always keep the filling hose above the tank water level when filling the sprayer to prevent back-siphoning. Put a clamp on top of the tank to hold the hose if necessary. Be sure someone is paying attention to the sprayer all the time it=s being filled.

* To prevent back-siphoning, install back-flow prevention or anti-siphon devices on the fill pipe between the water source and sprayer. A pump won=t always prevent back-siphoning because a voltage drop or uneven water supply could cause a pump to Acough@ chemicals out.

* Triple-rinse or pressure-rinse agricultural chemical containers prior to disposal and empty the rinse water into the spray tank. Rinse containers as soon as they are emptied to prevent residue from drying out.

Dispose of the containers according to label instructions. Many counties have plastic container recycling programs.

* Store chemicals in a dry, well-ventilated, cool location, preferably with an inward-slanting concrete floor. Keep chemicals in the original, labeled container that=s sealed tightly. Try to keep the containers off the floor by putting them on pallets or shelves.

*Plan your required inventory and chemical purchases for the crop year so you can buy only what is necessary for that year. Try to use or give away leftover products instead of discarding them.

* Inspect your well periodically. Pollutants can enter the well directly from the surface, openings in or beneath the pump base or soil next to the well. Be sure seals are tight between the pump and pump base and between the casing and wall of the bore hole. Check the pump for leaks. Locate and cap old wells.

For more information, contact your (COUNTY NAME) Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

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MAKE A HABIT TO RECYCLE,

BUY RECYCLED PRODUCTS

Source: Kim Henken

If your family doesn=t recycle, why not make it a habit to recycle the many recyclable products used daily and to buy products made from recycled materials?

When you think about it, each of us uses many recyclable products every day. These include plastic soft drink and milk bottles, newspapers, paper and cardboard, glass jars and bottles and aluminum and steel cans, to name a few. These can be processed into materials that are reused to make playground equipment, machinery, clothing, home furnishings, household paper products, landscaping mulch, new homes, cars and many other items.

NOTE AGENTS: If your county has a recycling center, include the following paragraph; if not, go to the second paragraph below.

In (COUNTY NAME) we have a recycling center (NAME) at (ADDRESS) that=s open (LIST DAYS, HOURS OF OPERATION). It will accept (LIST MATERIALS CENTER WILL TAKE). You can call the center at (TELEPHONE NUMBER).

Remember to make it a habit to buy products made from recycled materials. Look for the symbol (a circle of arrows) indicating the product contains recycled materials. Items made from recycled materials have good quality and performance and a pleasant appearance.

Recycling and buying recycled makes good economic and environmental sense.

Products containing recyclable content are cost-competitive with, and might cost less than, those made from virgin materials. Buying products with recycled content helps establish markets for these and possibly Anew@ products. The recycling process creates far more jobs than those at landfills or incinerators. It also can help solve solid waste disposal problems, which often lead to lower taxes and waste disposal charges.

From an environmental standpoint, it saves land and other natural resources by reducing the need to drill for oil and dig for minerals. Less energy is needed to make products with recycled materials than virgin materials. For example, it requires 95 percent less energy to make aluminum cans from recycled cans than from raw ore.

In many cases, manufacturing products from recycled substances creates less air and water pollution than making products from virgin materials.

Encourage your friends and neighbors to make recycling and buying recycled-content products a lifelong habit.

For more information, contact me at your (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

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4-H HORSE CONTESTS

SET JUNE 11-12

Source: Bob Coleman

Several hundred Kentucky 4-H members will display their horse industry knowledge in competitive events during the 4-H Horse Contests June 11 through 12 in Lexington.

Junior and senior 4-Hers will participate in horse judging, hippology, horse bowl and communication events and crafts. Events will be at the Kentucky Horse Park and the Holiday Inn-North. The live horse judging will be at the horse park, while all other activities will take place at the Holiday Inn.

Youth don=t have to own a horse to take part in the Horse Contests.

4-H members from (COUNTY NAME) are scheduled to compete in the following horse contests: (LIST MEMBERS= NAMES AND THE EVENT[S] IN WHICH THEY WILL COMPETE)

In the horse judging contests, individuals and teams demonstrate their abilities to identify proper conformation and performance in a group of four horses. Junior 4-H members, ages nine through 13, also will answer questions about the horses they judge; senior contestants, ages 14 through 18, will give oral reasons for their judging choices to an official judge. This event teaches youth to evaluate horses and provides lessons in critical thinking and public speaking.

The hippology contests tests members= total knowledge of the horse. Contestants take written examinations on anatomy, physiology, diseases, tack and equipment, horse sports, and management. They also must identify breeds, colors, gaits, tack conformation faults and common behaviors, among other horse-related topics. Finally, 4-Hers will judge four classes of horses.

For the horse bowl, which is similar to the college quiz bowl, 4-Hers must know a enormous amount of technical information pertaining to all phases of the horse industry. It is a double-elimination event, spanning two days. Individuals and teams correctly answering the most questions receive awards.

The communications events involve public speaking and demonstration contests.

The public speaking event helps 4-H members increase horse-related knowledge and develop communication skills. Members choose a topic related to the horse industry, develop main points and support these points with accurate information. They deliver speeches before a panel of judges and a general audience.

For the horse demonstration contest, members select an area of interest, formulate main points, create a visually stimulating presentation and deliver the demonstration before a general audience and judges= panel. Preparing for demonstrations enhances members= knowledge of a specific area of the horse industry and gives them experience preparing visual aids to express themselves.

The crafts contest is a creative outlet in which members can express themselves through a variety of media. These include kit and non-kit art, clothing, equipment and single photograph and series of photographs.

Nearly 20 senior 4-H members scoring high in the horse contests will earn the honor of representing Kentucky at regional and national 4-H horse competitions. These youth will be sponsored with funding from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture=s Division of Shows and Fairs.

May 20 is the entry deadline. The registration fee is $3 per contestant for each contest entered, with checks made payable to Friends of Kentucky 4-H. Registration forms are available from your (COUNTY NAME) Cooperative Extension Service. Send forms and fees to State 4-H Horse Contests, University of Kentucky, 912 W.P. Garrigus Building, Lexington, KY 40546-0215.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

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