The Legend of the Jack O' Lantern

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY





Happy Halloween!

Tonight is an especially spook-tacular evening full of ghosts, goblins, princesses, and other creative creatures walking the streets in Carroll County.

In the spirit of Halloween, this week's article focuses on a spooky origin of a well-known season staple.

Jack O' Lanterns are a popular item to see keeping watch on door steps.  We see them everywhere and even have pumpkin carving parties, but do you know the legend behind the Jack O' Lantern?

Calculating Winter Hay Supply

Weekly News Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

(Photo by Stephen Patton, University of Kentucky)

October is an important time for livestock producers to assess their winter hay supplies.  With the majority of this year's hay made, now is the time to determine whether you have enough to get your animals through the winter.

Determining this amount is a rather straightforward task.  Here is how to get a fairly accurate estimate:

1. Estimate the number of days you will feed hay this winter.  In a normal year, Kentucky producers average 120 days (from December 1 to March 31) of feeding hay.  This will vary depending upon your situation.
2. Determine the amount of feed your animals will consume each day.  Cattle and horses consume an average of 2.5 percent of their body weight every day.  To determine this amount, multiply the average animal's weight times 0.025 (2.5 percent).  Multiply that answer by the number of animals you plan to feed.
3. Multiply the products of #1 and #2 together.  This will give you a good idea of the approximate pounds of hay you will need for the winter.
4. Take three or four hay bales to a facility with a scale, such as the local feed store, if possible.  Take the bales' average weight and multiply that by the number of bales you have.  Compare this number to the amount you need.
5. You also need to allow for storage and feeding loss, and adjust your hay supplies to cover these losses.  If you store your hay outside, your losses may be more than 50 percent.  A 50 percent loss would mean that you need to double the amount of hay you calculated, in order to feed your animals.

4-H & FFA Livestock Clinic A Success!

On Saturday, October 13, Carroll County 4-H and the Carroll County FFA Chapter hosted a Livestock Clinic at the 4-H Livestock Barn on the Carroll County Fairgrounds.

Led by our new 4-H Agent, Joyce Doyle, the clinic was conducted to create interest in showing livestock and building a livestock club in the community.

Mallory Pennick, a senior at the University of Kentucky and member of the UK Livestock Judging Team, was the primary instructor for the clinic.  She did an EXCELLENT job, speaking on parts of the animal, considerations for buying a new animal, general animal care, showmanship, etc.

Planting Spring-Flowering Bulbs in the Fall

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

After last week's article on mulching and composting yard waste during the fall season, I suspect that your lawns and flower beds are clean as a whistle, and ready for planting, right?

(...Right, Christin.  Sure...I'm getting there....)

No worries!  Mulching and composting that yard waste will be an ongoing process during the fall, especially after the high winds we experienced this past weekend in the area.  The downed leaves will certainly give you plenty of mulching and composting practice.

Daffodil (North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension)

Mulching and Composting Yard Waste in the Fall

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

(Oregon State University Extension)

Autumn is a beautiful time in Kentucky.  As you drive around Carroll County, take notice of the changing colors of the trees that are beginning to show.

Our gardens and lawns can also be very attractive during this time, but they can also be messy with piles of leaves from our trees and spent shoots from our flower beds.

The way we address this yard waste can have a significant impact on our gardens and the environment.

When Should I Take Down My Hummingbird Feeder?

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey

Hummingbirds are a great joy to see during the summer months of the year.  These small birds have very interesting characteristics including their tiny size, brilliant color, dazzling acrobatics, swift flight, and unique personality.

Generally, the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the type of hummingbird we see in Kentucky.