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Poultry Plant Controversy Signaled Tonganoxie's Demographic Transformation

More than a million chickens grown, fed, and slaughtered in one area can stink. The water. In fact, Tyson paid millions of dollars in settlements for clean water violations in Missouri. Tyson promised 1,600 jobs, most in the $13 to $15 per hour range. Many worried these jobs wouldn’t match the changing work force here: increasingly white-collar professionals, business owners or managers. Some felt folks here wouldn’t want jobs in a poultry plant, and that Tyson would fill them with inmates or immigrants. Loralee Stevens said Tyson brass tried to win her over when she saw them in town. She, in turn, tried to explain Tonganoxie to them. “This is an A-plus town “ she told them. “(We’re) not a match. We’re right in the middle of the beautiful Kaw Valley.” What also fueled resentment was that residents felt the wool had been pulled over their eyes as plans were being made. Officials had signed a non-disclosure agreement, not uncommon in negotiations of this size, but many felt talks were happening secretly. Facebook pages, Twitter and Instagram exploded with a protest movement. Free-roaming barnyard chickens appeared on T-shirts. "No Tyson In Tongie" signs were scrawled in huge letters on homes, trucks and barns. Becky Pruitt said the majority of people in Tonganoxie were against the proposal.  “And they were angry,” she said. “Nobody knew this was happening. In my opinion it felt like ‘Who do our elected officials work for? Do they work for the community or do they work for Tyson?’” Company officials declined to be interviewed, but via email referred me to their press release. A spokesman went on to write that “environmental stewardship is a core value of Tyson Foods' business philosophy and commitment to sustainability.” As for hiring, the company wrote that “we would hope to hire from as many local communities as possible .... we have zero tolerance for employing anyone who is not authorized to work in the U.S.” Tyson supporters Councilwoman Kara Reed had a different experience. We met with Reed and two other local women around her dining-room table. The air was saturated with the smell of fresh blueberry bread and hot coffee. These women said people had told them they wanted to learn more about the potential benefits of the Tyson proposal, but were intimidated by what felt like an anti-Tyson mob mentality. Reed said elected officials were on the receiving end of an absurd amount of hostility. “You know, I live here too; it’s my home,” she said. “It just made me incredibly sad to see that kind of hatred, really, directed to people that I’ve worked with for years and that I know, even though I don’t always agree with them, have the best interest of Tonganoxie at heart.” Reed said she and her family had hoped to stay in Tonganoxie permanently. But she changed her mind after she began to feel unsafe leaving city council meetings. She started to worry about the safety of her husband and children. It’s never bothered Reed that Tonganoxie is 95 p... http://kcur.org/post/poultry-plant-controversy-signaled-tonganoxies-demographic-transformation

Hydrangeas are the bold chameleon of plants - High Plains Journal

Bold, eye-catching hydrangeas appear at floral shops and garden centers now through Mother’s Day.“Hydrangea’s regal elegance is uncommon among potted plants,” said David Trinklein, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.Unlike other flowers, flowers of hydrangeas can change color from year to year with a little help. Flowers bloom pink if the soil pH is nearly neutral. Gardeners will get blue flowers by acidifying the soil with aluminum sulfate. Aluminum causes flowers to turn blue; applying it in sulfate form lowers the pH to allow plants to absorb it. White flowers do not change.If kept moist, potted hydrangeas remain attractive indoors for several weeks. If they dry out, flowers collapse even before leaves show signs of wilting. Once flowers wilt, they do not recover.After potted hydrangeas finish flowering, discard the plant or keep it for planting outdoors. “Your choice might depend upon your geographical location as well as your interest in gardening,” Trinklein said.You can also bloom it again indoors, although it is challenging, he said. Cut shoots back after it has finished flowering so that two pairs of leaves remain on each shoot. Repot using a soilless gro... http://www.hpj.com/general/hydrangeas-are-the-bold-chameleon-of-plants/article_875102a4-8a81-5385-b680-e39f4bcbf07b.html

America's Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens - CBS Sacramento

Philadelphia, which among others, call itself America’s Garden Capital, with much of the credit going to these magical gardens within the small community of Kennett Square.Missouri Botanical Garden4344 Shaw Blvd.St. Louis, MO  63110(314) 577-5100www.missouribotanicalgarden.orgHome to one of the world’s largest collections of rare and endangered orchids, the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis is definitely worth at least one visit during the springtime. The country’s oldest botanical garden in continuous operation, the award-winning 79-acre Garden is currently presenting its annual Orchid Show through March 25 and will host additional Signature Events during this colorful season, such as the spring kickoff celebration – Meet Me (Outdoors) in St. Louis Garden Weekend April 7 & 8, a Sake and Sakura event under the Garden’s cherry trees and Chinese Culture Days April 21 & 22, featuring a Grand Parade complete with a crowd-pleasing 70-foot long dancing dragon. The 14-acre Japanese Garden is one of the largest in North America and in addition to its more than 230 cherry trees that bloom in March to early April, also has on display a vast number of other flowering plants like the early arriving azaleas, gloriously abundant rhododendrons, and the carnation-like pink and red peonies. Among the other points of interest at the Botanical Garden are the Geodesic Dome Conser... http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2018/03/14/americas-most-beautiful-botanical-gardens/

Hydrangeas, the bold chameleon of plants - Perry County Republic Monitor

Mother’s Day. “Hydrangea’s regal elegance is uncommon among potted plants,” said David Trinklein, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. Unlike other flowers, flowers of hydrangeas can change color from year to year with a little help. Flowers bloom pink if the soil pH is nearly neutral. Gardeners will get blue flowers by acidifying the soil with aluminum sulfate. Aluminum causes flowers to turn blue; applying it in sulfate form lowers the pH to allow plants to absorb it. White flowers do not change. If kept moist, potted hydrangeas remain attractive indoors for several weeks. If they dry out, flowers collapse even before leaves show signs of wilting. Once flowers wilt, they do not recover. After potted hydrangeas finish flowering, discard the plant or keep it for planting outdoors. “Your choice might depend upon your geographical location as well as your interest in gardening,” Trinklein said. You can also bloom it again indoors, although it is challenging, he said. Cut shoots back after it has finished flowering so that two pairs of leaves remain on each shoot. Repot using a soilles... http://www.perryvillenews.com/news/home_and_garden/hydrangeas-the-bold-chameleon-of-plants/article_5a9b4062-2c4c-11e8-a40e-3f1bd3d004e7.html