Thirteen workshops planned in eastern two-thirds of state
MANHATTAN — Fire safety is a priority of the upcoming Prescribed Burning Workshops scheduled for central and eastern Kansas this fall. Carol Blocksome, Grassland Water Quality Extension Staff at Kansas State University (KSU), says that these workshops are a continuation of workshops conducted in western Kansas last fall. It was evident from these workshops that producers needed and wanted more information and education on how to conduct safe and successful prescribed burns.

"Safe burning requires proper planning, education, and training," Blocksome notes. “Producers may want to burn native and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands to improve vegetative quality, control weeds, manage for wildlife, or fulfill CRP contractual obligations. I would encourage any producer who is thinking of burning grassland in central and eastern Kansas to attend one of these workshops."

Prescribed Burning Workshops are being held at several locations in central and eastern Kansas. The content of all the workshops is similar, so producers can attend the most convenient location.

Presenters include representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), Kansas Forest Service (KFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, KSU, as well as local fire and emergency management staff and local producers with burn experience. Presenters vary by workshop, but all will be presenting essentially the same information.

Workshop topics include CRP maintenance and management practices, why and when to burn, burn notification and local regulations, a producer panel, using a burn contractor, burn terminology and fire behavior, burning techniques, planning and conducting a burn, and burn equipment.

Workshop dates, locations, and phone numbers include the following:

• Nov. 3 — Howard, 620-374-2174;
• Nov. 9 — Ellsworth, 785-472-4442;
• Nov. 10 — Lincoln, 785-524-4855;
• Nov. 12 — Clay Center, 785-632 3550;
• Nov. 16 — Greensburg, 620-723-2311;
• Nov. 17 — McPherson, 620-241-1523;
• Nov. 18 — Kingman, 620-532-3116;
• Nov. 19 — Parsons, 620-784-5431;
• Nov. 24 — Abilene, 785-263-4780;
• Nov. 30 — Hiawatha, 785-742-3161;
• Dec. 1 — Lyons, 620-257-5184;
• Dec. 3 — Smith Center, 785-282-3832 or 785-282-6823; and
• Dec. 7 — Iola, 620-365-2901.

A registration charge covers the cost of handouts and a notebook. Lunch will be served. RSVP deadline is a week prior to the workshop date. For more information, contact a local conservation district or KSU Extension Office. For more information about developing a prescribed burn plan for native grass or acres enrolled in the CRP, contact a local USDA Service Center.
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