A working summer outing leads to Prince's Plume

High Plains Public Radio | By Skip Mancini

Published July 9, 2015 at 12:00 AM CDT

A trip to Northwest Kansas introduced my husband and me to a wildflower I hadn't seen before. Our destination was the Smokey Valley Ranch, a working cattle ranch in Logan County. Owned by the Kansas Nature Conservancy, the day-long visit began as a volunteer work session, as we helped remove invasive red cedars and clear old fence posts and barbed wire. But it also turned into a wonderful learning experience as we observed the flora and fauna of the native shortgrass prairie that is protected there.

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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.

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