The Durango Herald

recent columns from the Extension Office

• For me, ornamentals a pretty new development

Truth be told, I’m a vegetable kind of guy. No, not because my head is as bald as a melon; it’s just that in the horticultural world, my interests tend to lie with edible crops.

• Are you ready? How to prepare for an emergency

During the last month, people I know have had homes burn down. It makes one think: Just how prepared are each of us, personally?
Personal safety comes in many forms. As with everything else, the more prepared we are, the less we stress. Disasters rarely occur during “business hours.”

• Dog urine: It just comes with the territory

I am always amazed as to how the mind works in relation to the seasons.

• Wash reusable bags – they can breed bacteria

Reusable tote bags have become popular in our community, and they serve as an eco-friendly, trendy way to transport groceries. But, they might be getting you sick.

• 4-H relevant by changing with times

If you were to ask people what 4-H is about, a large number would say, “cooking and cows.” Yes, that’s where the emphasis of 4-H was years ago, and those quality projects are still important today.

• You asked for it: More about raspberries

Boy, you all are quite the impatient group. Three weeks ago I gave an introduction on raspberries and how they grow. I gave you the “teaser” that in my next article, which is this one, we would discuss planting, trellising and variety selection.

• State bill should help cottage foods

A new opportunity was just signed into law two weeks ago – the Colorado Cottage Foods Act.

• Time to address cyber-bullying is now

Cyber-bullying, an issue taking on greater societal concern, was the focus last week during a La Plata County 4-H/FFA anti-bullying night I hosted for our senior-level members.

• Raspberries: Worth bite out of your time

When my son was 3, his older sister convinced him that a ripe red raspberry was nothing but a piece of fruit that had a bunch of bug bites on it.
Keep in mind this was a 3- and 5-year-old having a chat, but Asher was convinced that eating the fruit was a life-threatening act. “Whadda ya mean – bug bites?”

• Corned beef a St. Patrick’s Day treat

Not only is this National Nutrition Month, it is also a time many of us enjoy a meal typically associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Yes, this is an entrée inherently high in fat and sodium but also a large quantity of vegetables.