March 30, 2024 Issue, Page 11 of 30

Page Text

March 30, 2024 ‘The Elk City News -11 OSU Agriculture News: Spring wildfire prevention and protection Pesticide disposal By Gail Ellis risk of wildfire. Landowners living in remote, rural areas to prevent the entry of flying each year. embers. John Weir, Oklahoma State STILLWATER - Oklahoma's should take the following pre- Identify bare ground or a University Extension specialist events set for Altus wildfire season runs from No- vember through March when son: cautions during wildfire sea- gravel area where equipment in fire ecology, said controlled can be stored in case of fire. burns benefit the state in Spread out hay supplies — many ways. and Shawnee plant life and vegetation are Survey the status of the dormant. home, other buildings and don't store all hay in one area. “With widespread use of What to know equipment. Determine how Develop a livestock contin- prescribed fire, volatile fuels Dry air, low humidity lev- the property can stand alone if gency plan. Determine where like eastern red cedar become a By Trisha Gedon 8 am. to 1 p.m,, April 22, els and strong winds are the fire response is delayed or not animals can be moved to a non-issue for landowners and Jackson County Expo Center, ideal conditions for outbreaks available. trampled-down area or corral for firefighters trying to con- STILLWATER, - Oklahoma 412 Todd Lane, Altus that can occur any time of year Keep the area mowed down until the fire passes. trol wildfires,” he said. State University’s Pesticide 8 a.m. to 1 p.m,, April 24, but are historically prevalent short and make sure any kind Check with the insurance Enroll in the OSU Exten- Safety Education Program will Heart of Oklahoma Expo Cen- in March, the windiest month of flammable shrubs or trees company for details on current sion prescribed fire online partner with the Oklahoma ter, 1700 W. Independence St., of the year. Oklahoma's wide, are a safe distance from the wildfire coverage. Make sure course, view the OSU Exten- Department of Agriculture, Shawnee open spaces, particularly in the home and buildings. the policy is up to date and de- sion prescribed burning hand- Food and Forestry to host two WHY: Originating in 2006, western part of the state, are Prune tree limbs to pre- termine if the plan needs to be book and learn more about unwanted pesticide disposal 1.326 million pounds of pesti- what allow small fires to spread vent fire from spreading to the modified, preparing for wildfire season. days in the Oklahoma commu- cides have been properly dis- and grow quickly. crown of trees. Prescribed burning to pre- OSU Extension uses re- nities of Altus and Shawnee. posed of during the Unwanted Protecting land and prop- Clean up other flammable vent wildfires search-based information to What: Unwanted pesticides Pesticide Disposal Days, pre- erty items around the home and Prescribed fires and other help all Oklahomans solve lo- are unusable as originally in- venting the chemicals from Communities are encour- buildings, including firewood. controlled burns are most cal issues and concerns, pro- tended for various reasons in- running into rivers, streams, aged to participate in the Na- Stack or store firewood a safe common in early spring to help mote leadership and manage cluding pesticides that are left landfills, storm drains and il- legal roadside dumps. People tional Firewise USA program, distance away from the home. restore and conserve range- resources wisely throughout over or no longer registered in cleaning out garages, barns which educates residents on Consider the fire entry land ecosystems. More than the state's 77 counties. Most Oklahoma, those that no lon- and storage buildings can use how to protect homes and points of a home. Keep win- a million Oklahoma acres are information is available at lit- ger have labels or chemicals this opportunity to safely neighborhoods in areas at high dows and doors shut on barns treated with prescribed fire tle to no cost. that are no longer identifiable. dispose of old pesticides and Farmers, ranchers, commer- chemicals. cial and non-commercial ap- Have a photo to share? Participants will need to plicators, pesticide dealers and safely transport their pes- homeowners may bring up to ticides to one of the collec- 2,000 pounds of pesticides to tion sites. Pick-up services the drop-off sites for proper are not available. Read these disposal at no charge. A fee is safe transportation tips be- required if bringing more than fore bringing chemicals to the Send to [email protected] 2,000 pounds of pesticides. drop-off site, Pesticide dealers are asked to For more information, pre-register due to the poten- visit the OSU Pesticide Safety tial of large quantities coming Education Program website or with a description! in from multiple dealers or lo- contact Charles Luper, OSU cations. Extension associate, at 405- When and where: 744-5808. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Summer cicada invasion to of Oklahoma Awards occur in northeast Oklahoma Scholarships for Future Rural (STILLWATER, Oklahoma, March. 27, 2024) - A rare linois and several southern following questions regarding this year’s cicada emergence: states. After hatching and bur- emergence of both 13-year rowing into the ground, they Cicada life cycles. Health Care Professionals and 17-year periodical cicadas have survived on tree sap for How this year’s emergence will begin as early as late April the past 13 years. Similarly, will affect Oklahoma. in the eastern half of the U.S., the 17-year Brood XIII cica~ If cicadas cause harm to Blue Cross and Blue Shield the desire to attend an Okla- provide more opportunities and eastern Oklahoma will das that hatched in 2007 will humans or animals. of Oklahoma Awards Scholar- homa Higher Education Insti- for access to affordable, qual- notice the abundant, loud in- emerge this spring and sum- The potential damage ci- cadas cause to trees and land- ships for Future Rural Health tution in pursuit of a medical ity health care and top-notch sects. mer in northern Illinois and scapes. Care Professionals degree, with the intention of service across the state. Clos- Millions of 13-year Brood parts of eastern Iowa. How mass cicada mating Four High School Seniors focusing on health in rural ing gaps in care, providing eco- XIX cicadas are expected to Wyatt Hoback — Professor seasons affect other insect receive BCBSOK Health and Oklahoma upon graduation. nomic opportunity, addressing break through the soil and ap- in the OSU Department of En- populations. Wellness Scholarship “We are proud to have hunger, strengthening neigh- pear above ground to mate in tomology and Plant Pathology, Cicada excretion research OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- partnered with Oklahoma borhoods and providing locally far eastern Oklahoma, Mis- Ferguson College of Agricul- and the science of fluid dy- On March 21, Blue Cross Youth Expo for more than 10 defined solutions are just a few souri, Arkansas, southern II- ture, is available to answer the namics. and Blue Shield of Oklahoma years by providing scholar- ways BCBSOK prioritizes rural awarded four-$5,000 health and wellness scholarships to ships to those seeking a career in health care,” said BCBSOK health care. Over the last 10 years, Providing comfort and Supportfor End, of Life cholces a selection of high school se- Chief Medical Officer Dr. Todd BCBSOK has given more than niors who participated in the Hoffman. “These scholarships $200,000 in scholarship fund- Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE). not only are an investment in ing to 40 Oklahoma students Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual re- Scholarship winners include the future of rural health care studying a health-related disci- sources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer| Myka Elliott of Kingfisher, Au- in Oklahoma but are also a pline. As a proud supporter of or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical drey McElhaney of Elgin, Macy way to support these students rural health care providers and details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. Nightengale of Fairview and with the resources they need facilities, these scholarships Emma Sutton of Kiefer. to thrive as future medical pro- help directly impact the future For questions regarding hospice service or eligibility, contact: Scholarship selection is fessionals.” of health care professionals in based on academic excellence, By investing in rural com- community involvement and munities, BCBSOK hopes to rural communities across the state. Carrie Perry, RN/ Adminsistrator Pat Welsh, RN/ Coordinator of Patient Care Some of the most common conditions are: ———— * Cancer * Failure to Thrive * End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) * End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) * End Stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) * End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) * End Stage Liver Disease * End Stage Renal Disease * AIDS/HIV + End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s carrle Perry, RN Professional, Passionate Advance, Attentive... Our Difference Is Our Care Have you ever considered becoming a hospice volunteer? A fulfilling experience in the spirit SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION of giving and receiving. Paid forb Department of Mental Healt ABOUT ‘and Substance Abuse PREVENTION Prevention Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health- = EFFORTS IN Services Administration, the YOUR COUNTY Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, SWODA, and local coalitions.