Author – The Durango Herald

Celebrate Thanksgiving with a simple meal full of tradition

Normally, meal planning is a strategy to make life easier, save money and choose healthier food. Love it or hate it, there are a handful of meals a year that even the most resist...

DATE: Nov 11, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Our many programs educate, serve county’s residents in crucial ways

In 1914, the U.S. Congress formalized what is now called “Extension” through the Smith-Lever Act. It established the U.S. Department of Agriculture partnership with land-grant un...

DATE: Nov 9, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

4-H launches new year with many opportunities ahead

October is exciting as it kicks off our new 4-H year! We are working hard on planning new virtual and in-person events for our 4-H members and community members. In November, we ...

DATE: Oct 14, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

How an apple seed sprouts joy in the kitchen and out

It starts with a little love and caring. One small apple seed, water, sun and time. A minimalist formula, but it covers the basics of pomology. Fortunately, this isn’t a column about growing...

DATE: Oct 7, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Pandemic dashes Apple Days, but fruit, cider abundant

Who would have guessed that in a year when the area hit the jackpot in terms of fruit tree production, we couldn’t celebrate it like we have in the past? 2020 has been defined by...

DATE: Sep 30, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Challenging 4-H year ends with much to celebrate

September wraps up our 2019-20 4-H year, and I think I can speak for everyone when I say it was quite the memorable year! We had a lot of ups and downs, but we made it through to...

DATE: Sep 18, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

If you plan to can, use a trusted and tested recipe

I’ll venture to guess there are some newbies to food preservation this year. It would be tough to argue the pandemic did not bring a heightened awareness to our reliance on large-scale food ...

DATE: Sep 9, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Tips to ripen those finicky tomatoes as autumn approaches

An email came across my desk this past week, and it pretty much exemplified 2020: “The NOAA Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a moderate to high risk of much-below normal temperatures...

DATE: Sep 7, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Trees can diversify a large lawn and cool the landscape

I never really considered myself a “lawn guy.” Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy lying down under the shade of a tree on soft grass or seeing the outfield of the baseball field bright g...

DATE: Aug 17, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Reduce your food bill and eat healthy with these thrifty tips

For the sixth week in a row, I’ve left the grocery store with a touch of sticker shock. The first few occasions, I blamed it on the purchase of higher-priced items you need only ...

DATE: Aug 5, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

La Plata County Fair will have a different format this year, but the same spirit

This pandemic has resulted in many ups and downs this year; however, I have been reflecting on how La Plata County 4-H and I have a lot to be grateful for. The support that we re...

DATE: Jul 15, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Stuck in a rut? Reset your mood with physical activity

I’ve thought about writer’s block a fair amount this week. Not just because I’m experiencing it, but also because it seems to mimic a state familiar to writers and non-writers al...

DATE: Jul 8, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office