ANDY ANDREASEN (Shown at right) WITH THE WASHINGTON CO. EXTENSION OFFICE RELATED THAT OUR MOST RECENT COLD SNAP WITH IT’S 8-10 HOURS OF BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES PER NIGHT AND SUSTAINED COLD WEATHER WITH NO RAIN FOR NINE CONSECUTIVE DAYS LAST OCCURRED IN THE 1980’S. 

LIVESTOCK CANNOT FIND ENOUGH RYE GRASS AND NATURALLY GROWING FORAGES FROM THE SOIL, STRESSED AS IT IS FROM THE COLD. RANCHERS ARE PURCHASING HAY TO SUPPLEMENT THE LIVESTOCK DIET. THIS DEMAND IS DRAINING SUPPLIES OF HAY RUNNING THE PRICE UP SOME BUT THE SOIL WILL BEGIN GROWING GRASSES AGAIN WITH SOME WARMER RAIN AND SUNSHINE. 

FARMERS DID NOT MAKE MUCH PEANUT HAY EARLIER ON AND MANY VEGETABLES WERE DAMAGED FROM HEAVY RAINS LAST FALL. THREE LOCAL GROWERS ARE STILL HARVESTING SOYBEAN AND COTTON 30-60 DAYS LATER THAN USUAL.

ANDREASEN NOTED ALTHOUGH THE SOIL IS UNDER STRESS RESULTING IN INCREASED COSTS FEEDING ANIMALS, DELAYING THE PULLING OF SOIL SAMPLES AND LAND PREPARATION, THIS WEATHER EVENT IS NOT A CRISIS FOR OUR LOCAL FARMING FAMILIES WHO HANDLE SUCH SETBACKS WITH MUCH EXPERIENCE AND CONFIDENCE. 

WITHIN 2-3 WEEKS OUR COOL SEASON FORAGE, THE SMALL GRAIN AND RYE WILL MAKE A COMEBACK AND THE WHEAT AND OTHER SMALL GRAIN THAT NEED A TASTE OF COLD TO FERTILIZE AND MAKE SEED WILL PRODUCE AND THE PLUM TREES AND OTHER COLD-LOVING FRUIT BEARING PLANTS SHOULD REWARD HANDSOMELY LATER ON. 

WE HAVE MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR ALL THESE BLESSINGS. IN OTHER NEWS THE COUNCIL ON AGING REPORTS MANY SENIORS NEED MONEY TO HELP PAY FOR HIGH HEATING BILLS. CONTACT MARY ENFINGER AT 638-6216 TO LIFT THEM UP. 

DR. SANDRA COOK, (Shown below) SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, ALSO ADDRESSED PROBLEMS CREATED BY THE EXTENDED COLD SUCH AS INCREASED OPERATING COSTS FOR HEATING, SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT PIPES IN THE MANY FACILITIES OPERATED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING TO MINIMIZE THE TIME THAT STUDENTS ARE OUT OF DOORS DUE TO THE BUS ROUTES.  SHE REPORTED THAT NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED AND THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY ARE TAKING THE WEATHER SITUATION IN-STRIDE. 

The club meets Tuesdays at Pattillo’s Restaurant in the middle of the Washington-Holmes County Technical Center (WHTC) at Noon.   For an invitation to lunch, contact any Kiwanian or call Mark Collins, Membership Chairperson, at (850) 258-9453.