The Oracle - May 31, 2023

DC SCHOOL DISTRICT ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO APPLY FOR SUMMER MEAL ASSISTANCE

By Michelle Svangstu School’s

out for summer in Divide County, but the preparations for next year are already happening. One of the items on the agenda? Making sure eligible families get their applications for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) filled out.

The NSLP got its original start in the early 1900’s, when charitable groups

Program ‘Incubates’ New Lawyers and Rural Montanans

Incubator links attorneys with people in rural Montana who need their services the most but who may not be able to afford them. Page 7

recognized that children who were malnourished did poorly in school, and stepped in to ensure all children had a hot, healthy meal provided during their day. The government stepped in during the Great Depression of the 1930’s, purchasing excess produce from struggling farmers, hiring thousands of women to cook and serve the de(Story Continues on Pages 8 & 9)

STAYING ACTIVE AT THE TIOGA COMMUNITY CENTER

By

Haley Felber,

Tioga Community Center Director

The Tioga Community Center is ready to help you stay active throughout the summer.

Page 3

WESTBY WATCH

By

Heidi Whitney

Winner of the Holecek cup, Thunder Athletes at State Track, and a Trove of Treasures on the Trail - this week in the Westby Watch.

Page 4

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

By Alyssa Stromberg

Medicine Lake residents are embracing America’s favorite past time while enjoying the snacks that go with it.

Page 5

PRAIRIE FARE: HOW TO SHAKE THE SALT

HABIT

By

Julie

Garden-Robinson, NDSU Extension food and nutrition specialist

Over consumption of salt can be detrimental to our health, but flavor can be found without by incorporating fresh and dried herbs.

Page 12

“WE TAKE FOR GRANTED THE VERY THINGS THAT MOST DESERVE OUR GRATITUDE.” —CYNTHIA OZICK

School Lunch in Divide County, Chicken Quesadilla with Veggie Bar; Courtesy DC School District Facebook Page

In exchange for 25 pro bono hours and 225 reduced rate service hours, the Montana Legal Services Association’s RIPL program provides networking, assistance with business and client development, and hands-on legal experience. (Adobe Stock)

LOCAL EVENTS SPONSORED BY

To

FORTUNA

Every Tuesday- Range Night at Northwest Sportsman Club

RAY

Thursday June 1st - Boys Basketball

Workouts 6:30am at Ray High School

Gym

June 6th & 7th - Golf State at Heart River (Dickinson)

Tuesday June 6th - Boys Basketball

Workouts 6:30am at Ray High School

Gym

Wednesday June 7th- Boys Basketball

Workouts 6:30am at Ray High School

Gym

Thursday June 8th - Boys Basketball

Workouts 6:30am at Ray High School

Gym

CROSBY

Monday June 5th - Burger Night

5:30pm at Crosby Moose Lodge

Monday June 5th - Crosby City Council

Meeting 7:00pm at Crosby City Hall

Monday June 5th - Dakota Star Quilt

Guild 7:00pm at Pleasant Pheasant

Fabrics

Wednesday June 7th - Crosby Area Chamber Meeting 8:00am at Divide County Courthouse

Wednesdays: Storytime at the Divide County Library 10:00am - 10:45am

Summer Reading Program at Divide County Public Library 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Fridays:

Cards & Games at Divide County Senior Citizens Center 1:30-2:30pm

Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

Saturdays: Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

Sundays: Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

LIGNITE

Tuesday June 13th - School Board

Elections

Wednesday June 14th - School Board Meeting 7:00pm

WILLISTON

TThursday June 1st - Art & Wine Walk

2023 5:30 - 9:00pm Downtown Williston. Start your night at James Memorial Art Center

Saturday June 3rd - Williston Marathon 6:30am at Williston Basin International

Airport

Wednesday June 7th - Saturday June

10th - Miss North Dakota & Miss North

Dakota Teen Scholarship Competition

Thursday June 8th - Williston Basin

Speedway Dirt Track Racing Tougher

Than Dirt Tour 6:00pm at Upper Missouri Valley Fairgrounds

TIOGA

June 2nd - 4th - Movie Guardians of the

Galaxy Vol. 3 7:00pm at Tioga Theater

Saturday June 3rd - City Wide Garage

Sale

Monday June 5th - Learn English Class 10:00am - 11:00am at Tioga Community Center

Tuesday June 6th - Marketing Class:

Mastering Brand Design 2:00pm4:00pm at Tioga City Hall - 16 1st St NE, Tioga, ND 58852

Tuesday June 6th - Pickleball 5:00pm8:00pm at Tioga Community Center

Wednesday June 7th - Storytime

10:30am - 11:00am Tioga Community Center

Thursday June 8th - Visitor Promotion

Meeting 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM at City Hall - 16 1st St NE, Tioga, ND 58852

Tioga Community Center Schedule

Mondays: Yoga Flow 9:30am-10:30am

Tuesdays: Pickleball 6pm-8pm

Thursdays: Slow Flow 6pm-7pm

NDSU Extension to host crop management field school June 29

NEWS RELEASE; NDSU

Extension and Ag Research

News

Crop advisers are invited to attend North Dakota State University Extension’s annual crop management field school set for Thursday, June 29, at 9 a.m. at the Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC).

Participants will receive updates on crop pest and soil management recommendations using hands-on training in field demonstration plots and research trials.

“The information received can immediately be used during the balance of the crop season, as well as

future years,” says Greg Endres, Extension cropping systems specialist at the CREC. “The program is designed for crop advisers but

also will be beneficial for farmers.”

Field sessions include:

• Weed identification –Identify about 60 living weed exhibits, plus receive brief reviews on selected weed biology and control.

• Herbicide site-of-action – Identify herbicide classes by examining crop and weed injury symptoms.

• Late-season wheat disease – Review identification of foliar and head diseases and management strategies.

• Soil – Review soil sampling and analysis procedures to manage saline and sodic soils.

• Preregistration is re-

quired, and 50 participants will be accepted on a firstcome, first-served basis. Participants will receive reference materials, refreshments and a noon meal.

Certified crop advisers will receive 4.5 continuing education units in crop pest and soil management.

For more details and preregistration information, use the website: https:// www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ ag-hub/events/crop-management-field-school or contact the CREC at 701652-2951. A completed preregistration form and $100 fee are required by June 26.

The June 29 field school will provide updates on weed identification, herbicide site-of-action, late-season wheat disease and soil.

Crop advisers and farmers identify living weed exhibits at NDSU Extension Crop Management Field School. (NDSU Photo)

By: Haley Felber, Tioga Community Center Director

SCOLIOSIS AWARENESS

June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about this condition and encourage early detection and appropriate treatment. Scoliosis is a common medical condition that affects the curvature of the spine, and it's estimated to impact approximately 3% of the population.

At 10 years old, I was diagnosed with Scoliosis during a routine sports physical. Despite being active in sports, I experienced chronic back and neck pain that was often unbearable.

I went to physical therapy three days a week for several years, but ultimately, the curve in my spine was too severe to correct with a back brace.

As a result, I underwent spinal fusion surgery two months before my 21st birthday. The surgery was a challenging experience, and I even developed a pulmonary embolism during recovery. It was a wake-up call that staying active and taking care of my overall health is critical.

Practicing yoga daily has been an excellent way for me to manage my remaining pain. Yoga is an effective method to improve flexibility, strength, and balance, and it has been beneficial for individuals with scoliosis.

Additionally, I receive monthly chiropractic adjustments and deep tissue massages as part of my maintenance routine. Chiropractic adjustments can help improve spinal alignment, reduce nerve irritation, and alleviate pain. Deep tissue massages can help reduce

muscle tension and promote relaxation.

It's essential to work closely with medical professionals to determine the best course of treatment and maintenance for scoliosis. Scoliosis impacts individuals differently, and there

is no one-size-fits-all approach. It's crucial to find a personalized approach that works for you, whether it's yoga, chiropractic care, or other treatment options.

National Scoliosis

Awareness Month serves as a reminder to be proac-

Farmer’sClothingDaughter

tive about our health and take steps to detect and treat scoliosis early. If you or someone you know experiences chronic back pain or has a noticeable curvature in their spine, seek medical attention promptly. Early detection and appropriate treatment can prevent complications and improve quality of life.

YOGA

Arrivals

Different types of yoga classes are held inside the Tioga Community Center each month. Classes are taught by Natalie Cain, owner of Willow Tree Yoga. Your first class is free, and then it is $10 per class, making it accessible and affordable for anyone interested in trying it out. We do have a few extra yoga mats to borrow, if you don’t have one of your own. For any questions, please reach out to Natalie on her Facebook page or Instagram page: @ thewillowtreeyoga or call the Tioga Community Center at 701-664-3192, ext 1.

Place a Classified in the Oracle for $7 up to 25 words. Place it in the Community Shopper, also, for $10 total.

THE WESTBY WATCH

BAKER TAKES HOME HOLECEK CUP

By Heidi Whitney

HOT DISH!

Please contact Heidi Whitney at 406-672-5696 to add an event!

ALL TIMES ARE MOUNTAIN

The second annual Holecek Cup speech competition, named in honor of Mr. Tony Holecek, retired superintendent from Westby School, took place in May in the Westby School Gymnasium.

Mr. Jonathan Griffen, WHS English instructor, is the founder and organizer of the event.

According to Griffen, he chose a finalist from each grade (9th-12th) in the initial rounds of the contest. Students were assigned the task of writing a speech based on the prompt, “What Does Community Mean To you.”

Senior, Kira Baker, took first place in the finals. Second place went to Erika

Christian (11); third to Riley Gebhardt (9); and fourth to Annika Joyes (10).

The finalists were judged by Tony Holecek; Westby Mayor and retired WHS English instructor, Gayle Overgaard; and current WHS superintendent, Dylan MacLean.

6 Thunder athletes Compete at State

The Montana Class C state track meet was held in Laurel May 26-27.

Competing for the Thunder (shown left to right in photo) were Coach Kim Meyer, Graham Wright (100m); Erika Christian (4x100 relay), Coach Sue Meyer, Sydney Rudningen (high jump and 4x400 relay), Zoe Brandenburger (100m, 4x100 and 4x400 relays), Katelynn Folvag (100m hurdles, 4x100 and 4x400 relays, and Sayler Stewart (800m, 3200m, 4x100m and 4x400m relays).

TFri. June 2 - Sat. June 3: NE MT Treasure Trail - See advertisement*

Sun May 28: Services at Assembly of God, 10:30 am. Coffee hour at Immanuel, 10:30 am. Services at 11:30 am.

The four Holecek Cup finalists. Pictured left to right: Gebhardt, Christian, Baker, and Joyes.

By Heidi Whitney

Reprinted from the June 10, 2022 Oracle.

Whether you were a seasoned expert who charted your course weeks in advance, a novice who got invited by a friend to come “sale” away, or were a seller of goods at one of 70 spots plotted on a map spanning 50 miles and marked with pink balloons, it was all smiles along the 2nd annual Northeast Montana Treasure Trail.

Tangible take homes were plentiful, but the intangible good times, laughs, memories made, and new friends met along the way probably comforted those who didn’t find that perfect buy or specific item they longed for. That along with an amazing car show at the Sheridan County fairgrounds and free Sheridan County Museum entry to boot and you’ve got yourself a perfect Northeastern Montana weekend. Diane Spoklie and friends were inspired to start the Northeast Montana Treasure Trail by an event in South Dakota called ‘21’. Visiting with her customers at her

own sale along the trail in Antelope, Spoklie reminisced, “My girlfriends and I would go down for the weekend and just have so much fun.”

For those not familiar with the event, the trail’s map took hunters from Plentywood to Culbertson June 2-3 on a mission to search for “one person’s junk to take home as treasure” at dozens of garage and estate sales along the way. Stops between Plentywood and Culbertson included Antelope, Medicine Lake, Homestead, Froid, and Culbertson.

One of the first stops on the trail (if you started your journey in Plentywood) was sale #68, hosted by a trio of Westby natives who have since migrated to Plentywood; Ashley Moore, Elizabeth Samuelson, and Trisha Samuelson. “We literally started getting ready for this last night,” laughed Moore, as she looked upon the half dozen vehicles in her driveway still on the 3rd hour of day two of the sale. Moore said of the sale, “There was a lot of people, that’s for sure, from all over too.”

After seeing the increased response this year, Spoklie noted how the community came together.

“People are catching on to the concept and how profitable it is to do it together,” Spoklie stated. “Twenty dollars gets them a lot of people they wouldn’t get if they did it themselves. I know for sure it was over 70 people involved because of multi-party sales.”

The cost to be listed on the map for the event was $20.00, all of which goes back into advertising for the sale.

A few houses down from Moore, recent math teacher retirees (Todd & Crystal Johnson) from

Plentywood Schools, were enjoying socializing with all the customers that came through to peruse their impressive collection and take home some of their treasures.

Todd said he was trying to downsize. He also added with a grin, “You gotta get rid of stuff so you can get room for more stuff.”

This was a sentiment echoed by many sellers throughout the 50-mile trail.

A car show too you say? One exciting unexpected stop along the trail was the 47th Annual Sheridan Classics Car, Truck and Bike Show. Spotted here was Russell Samuelson of Westby ad-

miring a Ford [Photo top right]. Samuelson said he remembered his grandfather driving the same vehicle he was admiring.

In conversations after the event, Spoklie was enthusiastic about the distances people had traveled.

“Everyone was very happy,” Spoklie said. “Many were surprised of the areas people came from; Canada, Washington, Glasgow, Billings, Sidney, Circle, Wolf Point, Peerless, Minot, Crosby, Williston, etcetera. One thing everyone loved was the visiting with new people. It was a fun weekend for all!”

A TROVE OF TREASURES ON THE TRAIL NOT ALL ARE TANGIBLE — Grenora Graduates Eight —

By Heidi Whitney

Members of the GHS class of 2023 walked the stage the evening of May 20 in the Grenora High School Gymnasium.

Valedictorian of the GHS class was Emma Smart; Salutatorian was Caden Huhta. The commencement address was given by sports broadcaster, Rocky Erickson. One of the graduates, Gabriel Anderson, will receive his diploma after returning from his senior year studying abroad. The class of 2023 also paid tribute to their classmate Dominic

Cunahan, who died in a motorcycle accident in August of 2022, with one empty chair and roses on the stage.

Members of the GHS class shown from left to right getting ready for Pomp and Circumstance outside the Grenora Gym on graduation night. Jorja Farrell, Cutler Ledahl, Brandon Petersen, Caden Huhta, Kiarra Brunelle, Emma Smart, and Adam Paine. Not pictured: Gabriel Anderson.

Take me out to the ball game

By Alyssa Stromberg

May is in full swing, farmers are seeding, school is out for the summer and little league and legion baseball is in play. Where do you find community members, parents, and friends on

a Thursday evening? The baseball field of course! It’s a doubleheader; entertainment and a baseball burger. Medicine Lake baseball concessions are a destination during the baseball season and never disappoints;

unless they sell out, then there is disappointment.

Game day dawned sunny and warm, but by lunch the rain threatened a rescheduling headache. About 45 minutes before game time the rain stopped, the clouds cleared and the sun

again made an appearance. The game must go on, so coaches gathered at the field and worked it until it was ready. The Medicine Lake Reds hosted Scobey for both minors and majors, the Reds met Scobey on their field and suffered a

loss. Tonight, the Reds are swinging for a win.

If you haven’t taken in a little league game, head on down to the nearest ball field; it’s a great way to spend an evening. Rain or shine the game must go onlet’s play ball!

By Mark Moran Big Sky Connection

The Montana Legal Services Association has started a program to help young attorneys get started on a path to success - becoming community leaders, run socially conscious law firms, and maintain sustainable businesses.

The Rural Incubator Program for Lawyers creates a way for new attorneys to start their careers by helping connect them to rural clients with pro-bono and reduced-rate services.

Gillian Ellison, the incubator program coordinator,

said it helps underserved people in Montana - while also giving lawyers a leg up on networking and kick-starting, or incubating, their careers.

"It's looking at the problem from both ways," said Ellison, "trying to get more attorneys in the rural places and also trying to facilitate the growth of new businesses that serve low-to moderate-income Montanans."

Montana Tribal members also stand to benefit from the rural lawyer incubator program, which requires the attorneys to perform 25 pro bono hours and 225 reduced rate

service hours in exchange for training and assistance with business and client development.

Ellison said while the incubator program is especially helpful to underserved Montanans and members of the state's Indigenous tribes, it is also especially useful to lawyers who are just starting out and need the help that comes from more experienced attorneys - which can be difficult to get.

"Especially in a place like Montana where things are so spread out to have networking capacity because the networking and the mentoring is invaluable to a new attorney," said Ellison, "especially if you're not going to be working in a - or getting hired on to work in - a firm. "

The program also makes some tuition reimbursement assistance available for some lawyers who participate.

Program ‘Incubates’ New Lawyers and Rural Montanans Incubator links attorneys with people in rural Montana who need their services the most but who may not be able to afford them

DC SCHOOL DISTRICT ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO APPLY FOR SUMMER MEAL ASSISTANCE

licious, homemade meals. By 1941, all 50 states had an operational school lunch program.

However, with the start of WWII the programs began to dwindle and in 1946, then President Harry S. Truman signed the National School Lunch Act to “as a measure of national security to safeguard the health and well-being of the Nation’s children and to encourage the domestic consumption of nutritious agricultural commodities and other food, by assisting the States, through grant-inaid and other means, in providing an adequate supply of food and other facilities for the establishment, maintenance, operation, and expansion of nonprofit school lunch programs.” The program has undergone several changes since its inception, the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, which added more subsidies for low-income students as well as school milk and breakfast programs. Childcare programs may also be eligible to participate in the program.

While the NSLP has evolved since its inception, its primary intention is still

to provide nutritionally balanced low or no-cost meals to children. Students who are already enrolled in the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or are homeless, in foster care, a migrant to the US or a “runaway” are automatically eligible for the free lunch program, as are children in Head Start or state-funded Pre-K programs.

For children who do not automatically qualify, their family can fill out an application, either on paper at the local school district or online to apply for free or reduced price lunches. Families whose income is at or below 130% of poverty level qualify for free lunch, and those whose incomes are at or below 130-185% of poverty level qualify for reduced price lunches, which means that a school cannot charge more than $.40 per child per meal. Income guidelines are adjusted by the federal guidelines each year, and participating schools are then reimbursed for each free/reduced meal with cash and/or USDA foods.

In addition to the NSLP, children ages 0-5

who were already enrolled in the SNAP program between September 2022 and May 11th, 2023, and school-aged students who qualified for the free or reduced lunches by May 31st, 2023 are eligible for the 2023 Summer P-EBT program. Originally put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic to off-set the loss of meals due to school closures, the program provides eligible pre-school children with $19-$171, depending on current SNAP benefits, and school-aged students with a one-time $120 payment, issued on a P-EBT card for the purpose of purchasing SNAP eligible food and grocery items. While children 0-5 already enrolled in the SNAP program do not need to apply for benefits, all other students must complete the additional application no later than August 21st, 2023. Tammy Stenson, Administrative Assistant at DC Schools, says that North Dakota is also extending the offer to families who may qualify for the Summer P-EBT program, but did not get qualified during the 2022-2023 school year.

While there is much debate about who should be funding school lunches and what the eligibility requirements should be, the current NSLP programs offer many students the opportunity for a hearty, nutritional meal – and for a number of students, the type of meal they may not have access to at home. Research has shown that healthy, nutritional meals are essential to child development and their ability to learn, and the NSLP continues to help close that gap for students in need.

Stenson says that in Divide County, approximately 25% of students were eligible for free or reduced meals this past year. “In prior years an average of

34% have been eligible. We suspect that several families would have qualified if they had just taken the time to fill out the [Free and Reduced Meal] application. Applications can be revised at any time during the year, if someone should have a change in employment and/ or wage reduction.”

Tammy also notes that the school has a large end-of-the-year negative lunch balance, which currently sits at $2, 917.40. “Some of that balance could have absolutely been covered by simply filling out the application and qualifying,” she notes. “An account for donations has [also] been set up for those who need assistance. Families

Every

must apply to be eligible to receive these funds and a free or reduced application must be filled out as well.”

Stenson also notes that the school reaches out to families who may qualify for free or reduced meals, via phone and mail, but some families just do not complete the application – often resulting in unpaid meals at the end of the year. In addition, the percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced meals directly affects the funding they get for a number of school programs.

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to complete

the applications for the Summer P-EBT program as soon as possible to ensure their application is processed before the summer ends. They are also encouraged to apply for the free/ reduced meal program for the 2022-2023 school year as early as possible, but NO LATER than August 25th, 2023.

For those interested in applying, the Summer P-EBT program application can be found at https://ndsummerebt.nd.gov. For the free/reduced price school lunch application or if you have questions about eligibility, please contact your

local school district. For those with children attending Divide County schools, you can reach out to Tammy Stenson via email tammy.stenson@k12.nd.us or phone 701-965-6313.

Additional Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Services: https:// www.fns.usda.gov/nslp ; TIME Magazine, An Abbreviated History of School Lunch in America: https://time.com/4496771/ school-lunch-history /; North Dakota Department of Human Services: https:// www.hhs.nd.gov/; Divide County School District Facebook Page.

Fishing for Free June 3-4

PRESS RELEASE

North Dakota residents who want to give fishing a try can fish for free June 3-4.

That is the state’s free fishing weekend, when all residents 16 and older can fish any North Dakota water without a license. Residents 15 and younger do not need a fishing license at any time of year.

The weekend provides a great opportunity to try fishing for the first time or take someone new.

Information on regulations, where to fish and what equipment is needed is available on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov.

Welk Homestead State Historic Site

Public Invited to “Life on the Homestead” at

BISMARCK, N.D. – Welk Homestead State Historic Site staff invite the public to “Life on the Homestead,” a full day of free activities Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Bob McCay, an amateur blacksmith from Bismarck, will share his knowledge of the craft.

12:15 p.m. Mary Tschosik from Model Bakery in Linton will talk about her 48 years of experience in the business.

1:15 p.m. Tom Isern, NDSU history professor,

will present "Ballads of the Great Plains," a program of prairie folk songs selected especially for performance and discussion at the event.

2:15 p.m. Allan Burke, a journalist who has written many articles related to the history of Emmons County and its people, will present “An Aerial View of Emmons County.”

3:15 p.m. Rob Hanna, historic sites manager with the State Historical Society of North Dakota, will lead “Reminiscing About German-Russian Country.” The audience will share memories of Emmons County, Strasburg, and beyond.

4:15 p.m. The annual Accordion Jam will feature lo-

cal amateur musicians sharing their music.

5:15 p.m. Musician Victor Schwan, who played accordion with Myron Floren of “The Lawrence Welk Show,” will perform.

The Welk Homestead, located at 845 88th St. SE, Strasburg, is a state historic site managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Summer hours are May 27 and 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Sept. 3. For more information, contact Brian Grove at 701.336.7777. For information on upcoming programs visit history. nd.gov/events

River Watchers Use 'Old' Technology to Renew Ecosystems

Biomechanical stabilization used to preserve ecologically sensitive areas

By Mark Moran Big Sky Connection

Environmental advocates in Montana are using an older form of technology in new ways to improve the quality of the land near river beds, and also slow erosion.

It's called biotechnical stabilization and it involves using environment-friendly materials adjacent to riverbeds to slow floodwaters, for example. At the same time, it creates an ecologically supportive environment for vegetation to grow.

Mike Sprague - CEO of Livingston, Montana-based Trout Headwaters - said using this method allows the soil to remain stable and vegetation to take root.

"Biotechnical stabilization is a way of kind of

fixing the soil with materials, fabrics and other types of materials," Sprague explained, "to support that soil in such a way that then, all of that can then be revegetated. All that area that might have been erosional can be revegetated."

The technology dates to the 1930's.

But Sprague said Trout Headwaters is trying to help it make a comebacknot only in Montana, but in other areas with sensitive waterways, including the Mississippi delta, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Sprague said for decades, landowners have resorted to low-tech methods - like dumping boulders and huge amounts of rock in

rivers and streams, to slow them down in an attempt to hold their soil in place during a flood - but always with bad results.

"This idea that we can simply take steel or large rock and dump it in these rivers and maintain our shoreline, our bank line, our property," said Sprague, "these efforts, these attempts are failing day after day, after day, after day. There are better alternatives."

Sprague contended that biotechnical stabilization will see new life with the success his group is having in Montana and other sensitive habitat areas, and will have more proof as the number of extreme weather events causes record flooding.

Experts say canopy cover to prevent rainfall from directly striking sloped soil, and a strong plant root system to bind the soil, are two of the best methods for preventing erosion. (Adobe Stock)

Prairie Fare: How to shake the salt habit

Fresh and dried herbs can add flavor without salt.

blood pressure could lead to kidney failure without some intervention.

Unfortunately, 90% of children and adults consume too much sodium according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That’s a grim statistic.

The good news is that we can make some positive changes in our lifestyle that can affect our health.

serving of soup is providing you with half of the upper limit for sodium.

Check out the serving size on the package. In our example, if you consumed two servings of the soup, you would be at 100% of the sodium recommendation for the day.

The chef grabbed a small handful of salt and tossed it on the steaks he was grilling.

I could see the granules clearly with the background of smoke and steam rising from the grill.

I am sensitive to salt. If I eat too much salty food, I wake up parched with thirst. I need get up and drink a few cups of water.

As I watched the salt flying at the food, I could almost feel my body bloating and my blood pressure rising.

In fact, when I made my menu selection that evening, I chose something a little less salty.

What’s the issue with consuming extra salt, anyway? Too much salt, or sodium chloride, can have lasting health consequences. Excessive salt can narrow our blood vessels and increase our blood pressure.

High blood pressure can affect the blood vessels of our kidneys. The kidneys have to work harder to remove wastes and fluid from our body. Uncontrolled high

We might think the salt we add at the table is the culprit. However, highly processed foods are the largest contributor of sodium in our diet.

An estimated 70% of the sodium in our diet is from foods such as canned soups, frozen dinners and snack foods. According to the CDC, deli meat sandwiches, pizza, tacos, soups, chips, crackers, poultry, packaged dinner mixes (such as pasta), burgers, eggs and omelets account for 40% of the sodium we consume.

How can you shake the sodium habit?

Be a food product label reader. In 2021, all the Nutrition Facts labels on food products were required to be updated.

The daily value for sodium is less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day. The American Heart Association sets a lower limit of 1,500 mg per day.

The Nutrition Facts label lists the “percent daily value.” A food product such as a soup might have 50% of the daily value for sodium. In other words, that

If a food product has 5% of the DV or lower, it is considered “low” in sodium. A product with 20% or more of the DV is considered “high” in that nutrient.

Many products that are “low sodium” will list that designation on the label. By law, low-sodium foods can have no more than 140 milligrams sodium per serving. Choose more fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables without added sauces. Fruits and vegetables naturally have very low, if any, sodium. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of potassium, a mineral that helps maintain a healthy blood pressure.

When you purchase canned vegetables, opt for the reduced or no-sodium versions. You can reduce the sodium in canned beans by about 40% by draining them and rinsing them with water.

If you like salty foods, such as pickles, brined, cured foods and condiments, have smaller servings. Have one pickle instead of two and less ketchup and mustard. Through time, your “salty tooth” will decline.

How about using “sea salt”? Weight for weight,

sea salt is similar in sodium level to table salt. If the larger granules cause you to use a little less, then you could reduce your sodium intake a bit. Be moderate in any type of salt you use.

Consider other ways to season your food. Fresh and dried herbs add flavor to your recipes without salt. Black pepper is sodium-free.

If you want to grow some fruits, vegetables and herbs, check out www. ag.ndsu.edu/fieldtofork for information about preparing and preserving foods.

This recipe is sodium-free and an excellent side to grilled chicken or salmon.

Rinse fresh produce under water, then prepare the ingredients as directed.

Makes four servings. Each serving has 60 calories, 0 grams (g) fat, 1 g protein, 16 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber and 0 milligrams sodium.

1 mango, peeled and diced

1 large grapefruit, peeled, segmented and diced

½ red onion, diced

½ jalapeno, minced

¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped

Juice of 1 lime (approximately 2 tablespoons)

Salt and pepper to taste

(Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., is a North Dakota State University Extension food and nutrition specialist and professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences. Follow her on Twitter @jgardenrobinson)

NDSU Agriculture Communication – May 25, 2023.

Source: Julie Garden-Robinson, 701-231-7187, julie. garden-robinson@ndsu.edu https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ news/columns/prairie-fare/ prairie-fare-how-to-shakethe-salt-habit

Citrus Salsa

By Julie Garden-Robinson, NDSU Extension food and nutrition specialist

In the U.S., 90% of children and adults consume too much sodium, according to the CDC. (Pixabay photo)

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During Memorial Day weekend, top negotiators for President Biden and House Speaker McCarthy finalized the details of a measure that, if passed, would avoid a government default and raise the debt ceiling. Sunday evening, McCarthy released the results of the negotiations, giving the House Lawmakers 72 hours to review the bill before a planned vote in that chamber. Nondefense spending for the fiscal year of 2024 would hold at roughly the current levels and be raised by 1% in 2025. The agreement also separately suspends the debt limit for nearly two years until January 1, 2025. The bill also addresses spending limits, food stamps, and work exemptions. Unspent pandemic funding would hopefully be recovered, too.

TEXAS HOUSE IMPEACHES STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL KEN PAXTON

On Saturday night, the Republican-led House voted to impeach Republican State Attorney General Ken Paxton.

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK:

We usually find it easy to be grateful for the big, wonderful things in our lives, but it’s often harder when everything seems to be going wrong. However, that is when we most need to find our ‘attitude of gratitude.’ Studies have shown that finding even something small to be thankful for every day can inrease happiness and decrease depression.

The voting didn’t follow party lines with both Republicans and Democrats arguing for and against him. Paxton is immediately and temporarily suspended from his duties as State Attorney General. The resolution to impeach now goes to the Texas Senate which will be responsible for setting up a trial and deciding to convict.

Allegations against him include intervening in an FBI probe of Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor, and that Paxton forced his staff to rewrite an opinion on Covid-19 restrictions to benefit Paul.

TYPHOON MAWAR APPROACHES PHILIPPINES

Typhoon Mawar tore through Guam last week and is now headed towards the Philippines. Mawar is the strongest typhoon to hit the U.S. Pacific territory in over 2 decades. While the typhoon is expected to slow down considerably, the typhoon is packing 96 mph winds and 118 mph gusts. The authorities are still warning of dangerous floods, mudslides, and tidal surges. Philippine officials

closed schools and offices, and began the evacuation of thousands of villagers, and imposed a no-sail ban.

UGANDA PASSES ON OF THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST ANTI-GAY LAWS

Uganda is an East African nation that is known for being religiously conservative. Samesex relations were already illegal there but new laws passed have even harsher penalties. These penalties include the death sentence for “aggravated homosexuality” and anyone convicted of “attempted aggravated homosexuality” being imprisoned for up to 14 years. Aggravated homosexuality defined as same-sex relations involving HIV-positive people, children, or other vulnerable people. Ugandans who engage in gay sex can receive life in prison while those attempting it can get 10 years in prison. Many western nations and human rights activists have condemned the newly passed laws with President Biden calling them “shameful.”

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