There are many opportunities for youth and adults in this newsletter. Youth can learn farm safety, participate in a new cultural club, attend special camps or apply to be a 4-H ambassador. Check out all these March and April activities.

Adults can learn how to take better care of backyard trees, eliminate weeds and coexist with wildlife. Agribusiness individuals can anticipate marketing scenarios for this coming growing season.

We look forward to your involvement in our educational programs.

- Marilyn Brengle

The risk of a grass or field fire getting out of control can be very high if certain precautions are not followed to reduce the risk. Over the past 10 years hundreds of farm structures have been lost when these types of fires go out of control. The following are precautions that can significantly reduce the danger of a field or ditch fire from becoming out of control:

• Follow state and local open burning laws.

• Stay with outside fires until they are completely safe and dead out.

• Do not start fires if the wind speed is greater than 20 miles per hour. At higher wind speeds fires can spread quickly and get out of control.

• Do not start fires in areas where there are buildings and equipment that have dry grass and debris around them. Dry grass and debris should be no closer than 30 feet to farm structures and equipment.

• Carry emergency fire numbers with you so that if a fire starts to get out of control you have these numbers readily available to call for help.

• If possible, have a supply of water nearby that can be used to put out small fires that start to become out of control.

• Have a tractor with a connected disc or field cultivator near by in case a fire starts to get out of control. A fire break can be developed to held stop the spreading of fire.

• Always leave a clear escape path between you and the fire.

• Carry a shovel and fire extinguisher in your vehicle

• Make sure firefighters know how to locate your farm.

• If you have a fire where you need emergency assistance make sure when you call in the fire department you stay on the line so they can obtain the exact directions to the location of the fire.

• Before starting a field or ditch fire contact your local fire department and inform them that you will be setting a field fire. Others in the area may call the fire department to report a fire when they see smoke. Contacting the fire department ahead of time in will prevent them from making unneeded runs.

Other Outdoor Fire Safety Precautions:

• Never park your vehicle on dry grass.

• Never throw a lighted cigarette out the window of a vehicle.

• Grease trailer wheels, check tires, and ensure safety chains are not touching the ground.

• Avoid driving through tall grass.

• Internal combustion engines on off-road vehicles require a spark arrester.

• Check and clean the spark arrester.

• Sparks from chainsaws, welding torches, and other equipment can cause wild fires.

• Make a fire-safe zone around your home. Remove flammable vegetation and leaves at lease 30 feet from the house.

• Keep grass (both green and dormant) closely mowed. . Keep tall grass, brush and trees out from under utility lines to protect essential services.

• LPG tanks should be at least 40 feet away from buildings for valves to be shut off in case of fire. Keep area around the tank clear of flammable vegetation.

• Do NOT, under any circumstances, use a weed eater blade or lawn mower blade in an area of dried grasses.

• Also, have a plan for your animals. If a fire is coming your way be sure you and your family have a system worked out to either put all your animals in a safe place, or if a big fire is coming, turn all the animals out of their barns or pastures. They will typically outrun any fire and generally stay as close to home as they can.

- Robert Aherin, Extension Farm Safety Specialist

Without a doubt, one of the most attractive places for a young child to play is in the back of a pick-up truck zooming down a country highway.Unfortunately though, the bed of a pickup truck provides absolutely no protection against certain injury or death if a crash or overturn occurs.And even a small bump can bounce a lightweight young child out onto the highway into the path of oncoming traffic.Make sure children are properly protected with a seatbelt or child safety seat inside the vehicle. It's for your child's safety, and it's the law!

When we feel a little down or need an attitude adjustment, well-meaning friends often advise us to "just keep busy." It is true that having too much empty time can contribute to concerns about our health or other problems. And it's easy to get stuck in a "pity pit" of negative thoughts.

"Although keeping busy is a way to feel better, you have to be doing activities that are meaningful to you," says Cammy Seguin, family life educator with University of Illinois Extension. "Just doing something for the sake of keeping busy is not fulfilling. Of course, there are things we must do that aren't very rewarding, but all of us need activities that we can look forward to."

If what you are currently doing isn't fulfilling, get out a piece of paper and a pen. Begin by listing all of your activities. Put a zero by those that you have to do whether you like to or not, and a minus sign by the ones that you do out of habit or because someone said you should do them. Next put a plus sign by the activities that you truly enjoy. Do you have a lot more minuses than pluses? If so, it is time for a change.

Think about what you would prefer to be doing. Be realistic and avoid listing things that you cannot do because of financial or health reasons. On the other hand, don't eliminate an idea without considering some other way to do the activity that is less expensive or requires less physical stamina. For example, let's say you want to go mountain climbing, but it is too costly for your budget. As an alternative, you might consider wall climbing or attend travel shows about mountain climbing.

Next, look at the activities that received a minus sign. Cross off those that you no longer plan to do. It's hard to break a habit of doing something, but don't be afraid to do so. After all, you'll need more time to do the things that are meaningful to you.

Keep in mind that some things that received a zero might be done by others, and that will free up more of your time to do what you enjoy. When possible, delegate the chores to others or pay to have them done.

Begin your new plan and make changes as other opportunities occur or if you find something isn't as satisfying as you expected. Plans can be changed at any time. What is most important is that you fill your life with things you like to do.

- Cammy Seguin

When friends or family members reside in a nursing home, it can be emotionally difficult to visit them. Naturally, the visits can bring on feelings of sadness and sometimes guilt. Although it is easy to postpone a visit or not go at all, remember that your regular visits can provide care and comfort to others.

Often those residing in long term care facilities complain of being bored and lonely. By bringing little gifts when you visit, they can enjoy your thoughtfulness after you have left.

• Make a special photo album filled with pictures and messages from friends and family members.

• Spend time reminiscing about the old days. Many times those suffering from dementia remember things that happened in the past although they cannot remember things that just happened. Bring a small object or a picture that might "trigger" some memories.

• Bring cards and decorations on special holidays to brighten the room.

• If allowable, bring a favorite home cooked treat.

• Bring anecdotes, stories, or cartoons clipped from newspapers or magazines for a laugh or smile.

During your visit, try to focus on the time you still have together and think of ways of filling that time with expressions of your love and affection.

Plants in the Easter lily family are not toxic to people but may be very harmful to pets. Cats that eat even a single leaf of an Easter lily may develop renal failure. Lily-of-the-valley, a fragrant symbol of spring, can be cardiotoxic to dogs and cats when ingested. Another outdoor spring plant, daffodils, can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea when ingested.

If you use lawn care products, reading the label and properly storing and using the products is the key to keeping pets safe. Most lawn care products fall into three categories: fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides. Of these, insecticides tend to be more toxic to pets, but most residential-use products have low toxicity. However, if your pet rolls or walks in a recently sprayed area or gets sprayed by accident, immediately wash the substance off with a mild dish soap and contact a veterinarian. If you notice your dog or cat acting strangely, stumbling, salivating, vomiting, or having seizures and especially if you have recently applied a lawn care product, call your veterinarian or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) immediately. Have the product in hand so you can tell a veterinarian what chemical your pet may have been exposed to.

More on toxic hazards can be found at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Web site, which is linked from www.aspca.org. Enjoy a safe and happy springtime with your pets!

- College of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Extension