The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 8, No. 21   April 16, 2002

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Workers Needed for KSRE Booth at the 3i Show in Great Bend
...A New "Foreign" Market for U.S. Wheat?
...Resource Conservation and Development Program (RC&D)
...4-H Market Livestock Ear Tags
...International Opportunity
...Updated Fiscal Conditions & Trends Reports Now Available
...Climate Website
...April 2002 Focus Newsletter Available
...Publications/Production Services Update
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives  

WORKERS NEEDED FOR KSRE BOOTH AT THE 3i SHOW IN GREAT BEND
The 3i Show takes place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 25, 26, and 27, 2002 at the Great Bend Airport. The show is open each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our booth (I-115) is in the Expo-2 Building, along the north wall.

Primarily, KSRE personnel from the SC Area Extension office and Steven Graham will be manning the booth. If you would like to attend the 3i Show and also assist in the booth for an hour or two, that would be great. There is no entrance or parking fee.

The 3i Show is a huge farm machinery show which also has some daily programming aimed at spouses. These programs are coordinated by Donna Krug with our Barton County Extension Office. Our booth will have information from all four Core Mission Themes, plus we will be joined by some of the Watershed Specialists.

Please call Steven or his secretary, Cassie Mitchell, at 785-532-5729, or e-mail cmitchel@oznet.ksu.edu  and let them know which day and time you would like to work in the booth. Thanks for your assistance. --Steven Graham sgraham@oznet.ksu.edu 

A NEW "FOREIGN" MARKET FOR U.S. WHEAT?
The space shuttle Atlantis that left Cape Canaveral, FL on Monday, April 8, included on board a wheat variety developed for growing in space. As part of a research project awarded by NASA to learn more about how to grow plants reliably in space, a wheat variety developed by Utah State University will be harvested after 21 days at which time astronauts will plant a second batch.

The variety is a dwarf red spring wheat named Apogee that is supposed to thrive in artificial light, high carbon dioxide levels and limited space. No word yet on when this variety will be available at your local seed dealer. (Taken from the Wheat Export Trade Education Committee's Weekly Newsletter.) --Steven Graham sgraham@oznet.ksu.edu 

RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (RC&D)
Seventy-three counties across Kansas have a local RC&D Council. In many cases, these Councils will engage in development projects that would have some similarity to locally led Extension initiatives. It is important to be aware of the priorities and programs of the local RC&D in your county. Following is a brief overview of the RC&D program.

The RC&D is a unique program led by local volunteer councils, and administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The purpose of RC&D is to: 

* promote conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources;
* improve the general level of economic activity; and
* enhance the environment and standard of living in all communities.

The NRCS provides the technical support to operate a RC&D area and implement council projects. That support is in the form of NRCS staff, office space, equipment and supplies. NRCS coordinates, facilitates, and informs the Councils’ efforts. It’s a partnership effort in the truest sense. 

The RC&D Program consists of 368 authorized RC&D Councils nationwide, as well as 30 pending RC&D Areas. There are 10 RC&D Areas in Kansas covering 73 counties. Two of the Areas are pending designation; the newly formed Solomon Valley and Coronado RC&D Areas. 

The Kansas RC&D goal is 100% coverage by 2005! If you have further interest or desire for more information, visit the National RC&D website at http://www.rcdnet.org/ . --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu 

4-H MARKET LIVESTOCK EAR TAGS
New sheep and swine tags that are currently being shipped to fill county orders are yellow and have a matching number on the button portion of the tag. This change is due to requests by counties to have a more visible tag as well as having the number on both parts of the tag. 

Continue to use your purple tags before using the new yellow ones. Purple or yellow for sheep and swine will be recognized at this year's state shows. Market steer tags will continue to be white. --Jim Adams jadams@oznet.ksu.edu 

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Looking for an International Experience? How about expanding your horizons by hosting an IFYE (International Four-H Youth Exchange) participant! Kansas will be hosting three students this year. The 22 year old girl from Sweden has already been placed, but we still need host families for these time slots. 

Penny Huang - 23 year old girl from Taiwan, plans to be an English teacher, has some farm background and is very interested in 4-H programs. Her time slots are July 20  - August 14, and August 14 - September 7.

Alex Kjolstad - 17 year boy from Norway. He is interested in journalism and photography, has a farm background and loves volleyball. His time slots are June 25 - July 14, and July 14 - August 3.

If you or anyone in your county is interested in hosting an IFYER student, please contact me at cgross@oznet.ksu.edu , or by phone at 620-873-8790. --Craig E. Gross 

UPDATED FISCAL CONDITIONS & TRENDS REPORTS NOW AVAILABLE
The Office of Local Government is pleased to announce the release of the third annual county Fiscal Conditions and Trends reports. Reports are available for each Kansas county and contain detailed revenue and expenditure data extracted from budget documents. The reports are designed to aid county commissioners as they engage in the budget planning process but may be of interest to anyone concerned with county government finance.

Copies of the report are now being distributed to each county’s extension office and clerk or administrator. Additional print copies are available in limited quantities. Reports are also available in pdf format upon request.

For additional information, contact the Office of Local Government at 785-532-2643. –Janet Griesel jgriesel@oznet.ksu.edu 

CLIMATE WEBSITE
The Kansas Climate Collection is available on the web at: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/wdl/climate/ . The site contains hundreds of pages of historical information on Kansas weather and climate, plus photos, a video, weather safety tips and a kids' page. Comments are welcome. --Amy Hartman ahartman@oznet.ksu.edu 

APRIL 2002 FOCUS NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE
The April FOCUS ON PROCESSED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS Newsletter is now available on the web to extension offices and others interested in value-added food products. This quarterly newsletter is mailed out to over 450 food processors in Kansas. The newsletter is made available on the web to extension offices in order to save money on printing and postage. The newsletter is available by double clicking below: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_ansi/nletter/processed.htm 

In the April edition, you'll find the following interesting stories: 

* FDA issues Food Security Guidelines: The United State Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released guidelines in January identifying preventive measures that can be taken by the food industry to minimize the risk of food tampering, or criminal or terrorist actions. This story includes precautions that food business operators should consider taking.

* Equipment Corner: State Surplus Property Center and other equipment for sale.

* Kansas Value-Added Foods Laboratory Services: The KVAFL offers agricultural-related businesses, processors, and entrepreneurs with innovative opportunities unmatched in Kansas.

* Food Allergens Nothing to Sneeze At: For some, food allergies cause only hives or an upset stomach; for others, one bite of the wrong food can lead to serious illness or even death. Learn tips to avoid problems with  allergens in food products.

* Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) publication available: These regulations were mandated by the FDA to ensure the safety and wholesomeness of the processed food supply.

* Free Reference Guide Available: The guide includes information on Starting Your Business, Marketing, K-State Assistance, Government Offices, Kansas Suppliers and Services, Technical Information and Educational Material, Labeling, and Reference Material. 

* Standards of Identity for fruit butter, jelly, jam or preserves: Learn what is takes to be in compliance with FDA regulations. 

For more information, contact: Tom B. Lindquist, M.S., Extension Associate, KVAFL Manager, Office Phone: 785-532-1667; Office Fax: 785-532-3295; E-mail: tlindqui@oznet.ksu.edu 

If you have a new food manufacturing facility start-up in your county, please make a copy of this newsletter for the client, and refer them to the Kansas Value-Added Foods Laboratory at K-State. --Tom B. Lindquist 

PUBLICATIONS/PRODUCTION SERVICES UPDATE
Publications Being Revised
Two publications listed on the Third Quarter 2002 Order Form are under revision and will not be available by July. Both MF-2121 "Worker Protection Standard" and MF-710 "Restricted Use Pesticides in Kansas" were listed in error. Orders for those publications will be canceled. When revision is complete, the items will be listed on a monthly form. We regret any inconvenience. --Nancy Peavler npeavler@oznet.ksu.edu 

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS . 

Submit corrections to previously submitted items to jzarger@oznet.ksu.edu .

Tuesday, April 30, through Thursday, May 2
.... Moving Ahead, Rock Springs 4-H, Statewide, Marcia McFarland

Top