Todd Sheppard addresses a group at the Country Living Expo on ag law.

Scott Beyer, from Kansas State University, addresses participants at the Country Living Expo.

Should you shoot Fido?
City folks learn the basics of country living


By Paula Glover
Ah, the simple life. City folks move to the country seeking solitude and think maybe to have a large garden, or raise a few goats, and discover a well that doesn’t work, fences that need repaired, the goats escape, and their dogs can’t roam free after all.
Riley County Extension service hosted the first Country Living Expo on Feb. 6 that drew around 65 people to Pottorf Hall on the fairgrounds in Manhattan. Topics ranged from Keynote speaker Todd Sheppard on “Ag Law – Rules for Living in the Country,” to small flock poultry production, septic systems, burn regulations, landscaping for energy efficiency and food preservation.
Madonna Stallman was on hand for the poultry presentation primarily, as she recently began raising poultry. She is a transplant from St. Louis and five years ago, she and her husband moved near Leonardville. “It was pretty much a life-long dream for us,” she said. “We enjoy the peace and quiet.”
However, for the Stallman’s, the dream came with some serious problems with their well – “you should know your water source and have the pump tested by a licensed company and not the one that installed it originally,” she advised. Other surprises included that life is determined by the natural cycles, not your own convenience; the high cost of transportation and road maintenance; and the need to respect the natural cycles of life.
She also recommended getting to know the locals. “Hang out in the coffee shop,” she advised. “Find out who was the original electrician or plumber in the home you’re buying, and ask him questions. So many of the local people have offered to help us now that they know us.”
“It is not a magazine idea of what it is going to be,” she added.
She is just type of person for which the expo was intended.
Greg McClure, extension agent for Riley County, said they were pleased with the turnout.
“There are lots of people living in rural areas,” he added, “folks who didn’t grow up on farms, but want to understand good stewardship.” He said there was support from the local 4-H council and the county commissioners for the event. He anticipated the expo would be offered next year also.
There were several exhibitors, from Riley County Health Department to feed dealers and 4-H offering materials on food safety, gardening, and pesticide use.
Todd Sheppard, an attorney with Charlson and Wilson Bonded Abstractors, raises cattle in Pottawatomie County. Fewer people live in rural areas now than in 1910, he noted. But he said that many people don’t realize that in Kansas, 99 percent of the land is privately owned. Therefore, if a person wants to hunt or even take a walk, they must realize they are most likely on private property.
Sheppard said that people who search the internet for information should be careful, and stick with reputable sites such as K-State and Iowa State. He advised people to join local associations such as the Livestock Growers or one dedicated to the individual’s specific product or crop.
On lease law, he noted that even an oral lease must be cancelled in writing, and 30 days prior to March 1 for the following year. He advised people who might be buying land that is leased to a farmer to make sure they understand the lease laws.
“Try to get off on good terms with your tenants,” he said.
He said that the liability rises if a landowner is charging for a hunting lease, and to make sure that the owner’s insurance policy reflected the increased liability.
Regarding fence law, he suggested repairing a fence, even if it technically isn’t your responsibility, and then speaking with the adjacent landowner, and to keep track of time and materials. Also, he noted that a county commissioner can come and provide a “fence viewing” and determine who is responsible for what part of adjoining fences, if there is a conflict.
Since Kansas remains a “fence out” state, it is the responsibility of a person to put up fences in order to keep cattle, sheep, or other livestock from coming onto their property, he noted.
Many people on hand were interested in what to do about stray or loose dogs, harassing livestock or killing chickens. Although the dog owner is responsible when the dog leaves the property, and technically, a person might be able to shoot a dog, Sheppard recommended against it.
“Animal cruelty laws are changing,” he said. “Don’t shoot the dog.” He advised calling the local sheriff or animal control.
The poultry session was well attended. Scott Beyer, poultry specialist with K-State Extension and Research said that a depressed economy means that people are more interested in small flock poultry production. He recommended that people decide if they want meat or eggs or to raise chickens for show, and chose the birds based on that desire. He said that the so-called “dual purpose” breeds actually result in neither purpose being filled well. If a producer wants to be in a specialty area, he recommended the Heritage birds, and particularly turkeys, which can bring up to $100 at Thanksgiving. A Heritage bird must reproduce naturally, he noted, and commercial turkeys are produced through artificial insemination.
Beyer discussed chicken housing facilities, and said it should keep predators out; be portable so as to allow it to be moved to rid the area of parasites; that the birds should be able to express natural behavior such as foraging and dust bathing; and that there be ample space, sunlight and fresh air. There are many designs available on the internet, he noted, but he had concerns about what are termed “pasture pens” because the low roof means extreme heat for the chickens. Rather than use this type of portable pens, he recommended rotating pasture for the flock in other ways – either through a fencing system that moves around the stationary coop, or moving the coop, or both.
Beyer brought several chicks, which he gave to interested people following his talk.

Appeared in the Grass and Grain, Feb. 17 edition