Released: May 06, 2008

State Agroforestry Field Day May 29 in McPherson County

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Vaughn Juhnke, past Kansas Agroforestry Award winner, will host the Kansas Forest Service’s 2008 Agroforestry Field Day at his McPherson County farm Thursday, May 29.

The day will allow landowners and natural resource professionals to see a model of land management that optimizes wildlife habitat, recreation, conservation and aesthetics, said Bob Atchison, KFS rural forestry coordinator. It also will offer concurrent sessions through the day:

* The property and its conservation projects: “secrets for success” - Vaughn Juhnke.

* Practical, step-by-step ways to establish tree and shrub plantings - KFS foresters Dennis Carlson and Thad Rhodes.

* Safe prescribed burning to manage native grass (demonstration) - Ross Hauck, KFS fire management program coordinator, and the KFS fire staff.

* Attracting and managing native wildlife effectively – Jeff Rue, wildlife biologist, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

* Wildfire protection for rural homes: Kansas FIREWISE – Jason Hartman, KFS fire prevention specialist.

* Riparian woodland benefits, management on Turkey Creek – Charles Barden, Kansas State University forester.

* Caring for and maintaining ponds for fish and wildlife – Charlie Lee, K-State Research and Extension wildlife management specialist.

Registration for the field day is $10, which will include a home-cooked lunch. More information, a registration form, and rainy-day arrangements are available on the Web at www.kansasforests.org/calendar/index.shtml.

When Juhnke bought his property in 1979, it was eroding into Turkey Creek. The water stayed cloudy with sediment.

The creek is much clearer now, though. With design help and technical advice from KFS district forester Dennis Carlson, Juhnke started a riparian project in 1999. He planted close to 5,000 trees and shrubs, as well as annual food plots for wildlife and 32 acres of native grass.

“Vaughn spent many hours weeding and maintaining the plants,” Carlson said. “He had exceptional survival and growth rates. Some of the bur oaks were over 10 feet in just six years.”

Juhnke also built a stocked fish pond, which provides sanctuary for Canada geese and a variety of ducks. His other wildlife visitors include deer, bobcats, turkeys, pheasants and quail.

Juhnke said he got help and encouragement from friends, neighbors and the local chapter of Pheasants Forever to which he belongs. Juhnke also serves on the Board of Supervisors for the McPherson County Conservation District.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Kathleen Ward
kward@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News