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Holiday special programming

Windbreak, Part II

High Plains Public Radio | By Skip Mancini
Published May 16, 2013 at 12:01 AM CDT
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NRD

In addition to the role windbreaks play in decreasing soil erosion, these valuable elements of modern day agriculture can increase crop yields, act as environmental buffers, improve air quality, and provide valuable pollinator habitat for bees and other beneficial insects.  Windbreaks can be multifunctional, providing not only protection from the wind, dust and snow, but serving as economic stimulators through the marketing of tree products.  To learn more about the importance of windbreaks and the design basics needed to develop a functioning shelterbelts, take part in the Southern Plains Windbreak Renovation and Innovation Workshop to be held in Dodge City, Kansas May 21 - 23, 2013.  Call the K-State Extension office in Ford County 620-227-4542, or contact Andrea Burns at: aburns@ksu.edu.

Holiday special programmingwindbreaksshelterbeltssoil conservation
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Skip Mancini
Years ago Skip Mancini left the rocky coast of Northern California to return to her roots in the heartland. Her San Francisco friends, concerned over her decision to live in a desolate flatland best known for a Hollywood tornado, were afraid she would wither and die on the vine. With pioneer spirit, Skip planted a garden. She began to learn about growing not only flowers and vegetables, but hearts and minds. If you agree that the prairie is a special place, we think you'll enjoy her weekly sojourns into Growing on the High Plains.
See stories by Skip Mancini
  1. Indigenous farmers hope their knowledge of regenerative practices can influence others
  2. A deadly dust storm highlights dangers of drier weather and top soil loss in the central U.S.
  3. Keeping carbon in the ground: How some farmers grow plants to fight climate change
  4. Most farmers are climate skeptics. But it turns out improving their soil also fights climate change
  5. The Midwest has lost 57 billion metric tons of topsoil over the last 160 years, new study finds