Agriculture

When it is too cold to play outside, it is time to get creative inside. A great way to engage children is to help them cook something warm and cozy in the kitchen. Cooking is especially enjoyable for children because it requires using all five senses. They see the foods and prepare them with their own hands. They can hear foods popping or sizzling in the pan and smell the aromas. Finally, the best part is they get to taste their finished product.

One of the fastest growing 4-H projects, the country ham project, will be accepting new members through Dec. 3.  Participants learn the history behind curing hams, the process of curing and actually cure two hams for their project. A contract must be signed by both the parent and 4-H member agreeing to follow the project guidelines, which include giving a speech at the Kentucky State Fair.  Contracts and the $55 fee are due to the Washington County Extension Office by Dec. 3.

Forages are such an important part of our local agriculture that I thought I would mention a few reminders and a little information for you to think about in planning for next year.

If you are like me, you have on occasion left a hoe, rake, set of pruners or some other garden tool outside for a few days by accident only to find it rusted and in bad shape. Well, the same thing can happen to a tool over winter even if it is left indoors. Over time, cold, moist air will also cause tools to rust as if they were actually outside in the weather. So what should you do? Well, winterize them of course!