The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 9, No. 20   April 1, 2003

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Extension Agent Position Vacancies
...Assistant Dean for Diversity in the College of Agriculture
...Bioterrorism Response Information and State Contacts
...Peterson Professional Development Grants Available Again
...Agricultural Credit Conference to be Held in Manhattan
...4-H Policies and Guidelines Handbook on Intranet
...Newsletter Mailing to Kansas Producers...
...Energizing Entrepreneurship in Rural America
...Publications/Production Services Update
...Professor Popcorn Science Standards
...Master Schedule

EXTENSION AGENT POSITION VACANCIES
During the "soft hiring freeze," only current extension agents are eligible to apply for vacant agent positions. These vacant positions are being posted on the K-State Research and Extension web site. Each  announcement will have an application deadline (approximately four weeks after issue). After that initial deadline has passed, the announcement will remain posted until the position is filled.

The rationale is that a current agent may not be interested in an open position when it is initially advertised, but may become interested at a later date.

To view all current position announcements see this link: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/main/jobs.asp . --Randy Higgins rhiggins@oznet.ksu.edu 

ASSISTANT DEAN FOR DIVERSITY IN THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
All faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to attend the seminar and "meet the faculty" portion of the candidate interviews.

Anamarie Gomez-Rodas
April 14 -- Waters Hall 137 -- 10:30 - 12:00 seminar (40 minute presentation and remaining time for question and answer)

April 15 -- Waters Hall 137 -- 8:30 - 9:30 meet the faculty

Linda Trujillo
April 16 -- Waters Hall 137 -- 10:30 - 12:00 seminar (40 minute presentation and remaining time for question and answer)

April 17 -- Waters Hall 137 -- 8:30 - 9:30 meet the faculty

Zelia Holloway
April 30 -- Waters Hall 137 -- 10:30 - 12:00 seminar (40 minute presentation and remaining time for question and answer)

May 1 -- Waters Hall 137 -- 8:30 - 9:30 meet the faculty

We hope that you will be able to meet the candidates and provide us with feedback. --Marc Johnson mjohnson@oznet.ksu.edu 

BIOTERRORISM RESPONSE INFORMATION AND STATE CONTACTS
Several state offices recently received electronic information from USDA-CSREES and the Department of Homeland Security regarding the heightened threat level and security measures suggested to help protect the U.S. food system. Veterinarians, crop consultants, diagnosticians, county agents, specialists, researchers, and others might have a role in recognizing that a new or unfamiliar problem has entered the state, may help identify the cause, may be asked to communicate to others about what they have observed, or in some instances because of their training, appointment, and expertise may choose to become involved in research that relates to this subject. K-State is involved in a number of projects that could help guide our response if specific problems develop. We have experts and projects that are focusing on food safety, are trying to better understand how an introduced pathogen or vector might spread geographically through a technique called path analysis, are investigating proper ways to dispose of carcasses (should an event result in the death of large numbers of livestock), and are engaged in developing incident assessment exercises designed to improve how well agencies respond to simulated developments that mimic a bioterroristic event. Plus, we are a hub state taking the lead on a distributed plant pest and disease diagnostics network that now has 28 state partners. K-State established the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center to help protect America's agricultural infrastructure and economy from emerging threats. President Wefald, Director Marc Johnson, and Senator Pat Roberts, among others, have been instrumental in facilitating our expanding responsibilities in this area of emphasis.

If the public has a concern that relates to bioterrorism, and they want an official state-level agency response, they should consider contacting the Kansas Division of Emergency Management for support. Overall leadership for Homeland Security in Kansas is vested with Major General Greg Gardner, Kansas Adjutant General, Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. The mission of the Division of Emergency Management is to provide a 24-hour operation to reduce loss of life and property, protect Kansans from all hazards by providing and coordinating resources, expertise, leadership and advocacy through a comprehensive, risk-based emergency management program of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The Division works directly with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For more information see http://www.accesskansas.org/kdem/  or call 785-274-1911 or e-mail: Kansas.HLS@agtop.state.ks.us .

The AG page also lists the following information about CERT (COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM): The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. CERT members give critical support to first responders in emergencies, provide immediate assistance to victims, organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site, and collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts. The CERT Mission is summarized as educating citizens to be better prepared to take care of themselves, family, friends and neighbors in the event of a disaster of any type until trained emergency responders can arrive. To establish Community Emergency Response Teams as emergency management resources, volunteer pools to help during an emergency, and to perform projects that improve a community's preparedness contact Kansas Emergency Management, Anne Allen, aallen@agtop.state.ks.us , Telephone: 785-274-1413, Fax: 785-274-1426.

Other potential contacts include:
*The Kansas Animal Health Department, 708 SW Jackson - Topeka, KS 66603-3714; (George Teagarden, Livestock Commissioner) phone: 785-296-2326; fax: 785-296-1765; web site: http://www.ink.org/public/kahd . (Also, Dr. Kevin Varner, State Veterinarian, USDA B APHIS, phone 785-235-2365).

*The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Charles Curtis State Office Building, 1000 SW Jackson Topeka, KS 66612; Phone: 785-296-1500 Fax: 785-368-6368; web site: http://www.kdhe.state.ks.us/ .

*The Kansas Department of Agriculture, for instance, the Plant Protection and Weed Control Program, P.O. Box 19282, Building 282 Forbes Field, Topeka, KS 66619; 785-862-2180 voice; 785-862-2182 fax; web site: http://www.accesskansas.org/kda/Plantpest/index.htm .

USDA has prepared information outlining simple, yet important steps, which can be taken to prevent or respond to a threat to our food supply. The information is available at http://www.usda.gov/homelandsecurity/homeland.html  and includes a number of useful tips. Additional information from the Department of Homeland Security can be found at http://www.dhs.gov/ . --Randy Higgins rhiggins@oznet.ksu.edu 

PETERSON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS AVAILABLE AGAIN
The Verlin H. Peterson Extension Agronomy Professional Development Fund was established in memory of the many contributions Verlin H. Peterson made to Extension Agronomy. Professional development awards up to $250 are available to recently appointed county agricultural agents (less than five years) or to graduate KSU students with an interest in Extension. Grants are made to defray costs in attending meetings, conferences, or workshops to enhance recipients' agronomic skills. 

In 2002, four awards were made. Over the years, events that recipients have attended include the American Society of Agronomy, North Central Weed Science Society, Society for Range Management, Weed Science Society of America, Western Society of Weed Science, and Wheat Diagnostic School in Garden City. Other events of similar educational benefits also are eligible. 

Suggested events for this summer include:

May 13-14 -- Wheat Diagnostic School, Southwest Research & Extension Center (contact Curt Thompson, SW Area Office)
July 15-17 -- Agriliance Crop Diagnostic School, Manhattan (contact Dale Leikam, Extension Agronomy) 
July 22-23 -- Kansas Agri-business Retailers Association Crop School, Manhattan (contact Dale Leikam, Extension Agronomy)

Two options are available to receive the grants: Application and Nomination. Interested agents should send a brief statement of professional development goals and years of extension experience to Paul Ohlenbusch, Extension Agronomy, Throckmorton Center, KSU, Manhattan, KS 66506-5504 or by e-mail to ole@oznet.ksu.edu . Nominations of deserving individuals will also be accepted by supplying a brief statement of the nominees' goals and experience as above. Application and nomination deadline is April 18, 2003. Grant recipients will be notified by May 10, 2003. Another period for applications and nominations will be in September, 2003. --Paul D. 'Ole' Ohlenbusch ole@oznet.ksu.edu 

AGRICULTURAL CREDIT CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN MANHATTAN
The Agricultural Credit Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn in Manhattan, April 10-11. The conference will feature Dave Kohl of Virginia Tech, who will speak on "Agriculture and Agriculture Lending in 2003: Opportunities and Realities." The fee for the conference is $300 for Kansas Agricultural Bankers (KAB) members, and $400 for non-KAB members. 

Jerry Fairbanks, Barbara Oplinger, Barry Flinchbaugh, Art Barnaby, Jeff Wolser, John Divine, Joyce A. Cantrell, Esther Maddux and Greg Foley will be presenting on the first day. On the second day, William Tierney, James Mintert and David Kohl will be presenting. A golf event is tentatively planned for Friday afternoon. 

For more information about the conference, call the Division of Continuing Education at 785-532-5569 or 1-800-432-8222; visit the conference web site at http://www.dce.ksu.edu/dce/conf/KABankers  or e-mail info@dce.ksu.edu . --Janell Walther jwalther@dce.ksu.edu 

4-H POLICIES AND GUIDELINES HANDBOOK ON INTRANET
The Kansas 4-H Youth Development Policies and Guidelines Handbook has been added to the 4-H Intranet site. You can access this document at http://intranet.oznet.ksu.edu/4-h/ . As we are continually encountering questions and challenges on various aspects of the 4-H youth development program, this document is invaluable in providing the policies and guidance. If you are not intimately familiar with this document, I would encourage you to print it off and review its content. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu 

NEWSLETTER MAILING TO KANSAS PRODUCERS...
"Making it Work, Resources for Rural Communities," an eight-page newsletter including information about resources offering problem solving and management assistance, has recently been mailed to over 15,000 Kansas farmers and ranchers.

The newsletter is a collaboration of these K-State programs-- 

Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services (KAMS)
Kansas Rural Family Helpline
Farm Analyst Program
Kansas AgrAbility Project
and these supporting agencies--
Kansas Legal Service (KLS)
Work Opportunities for Rural Kansans (WORKs)

Copies will soon be mailed to county extension offices. The newsletter is also available in full color as a pdf file on the Kansas Rural Family Helpline web site at http://www.ksu.edu/farmksu . Click on "News Release," then select "Making It Work, Vol. 1."

For additional copies or to share ideas for distributing the newsletter, contact the KAMS office, 1-800-321-FARM. --Char Henton chenton@oznet.ksu.edu 

ENERGIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RURAL AMERICA
The Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) Network has asked Don Macke, Co-director of the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, to conduct an abbreviated Energizing Entrepreneurship in Rural America train-the-trainers program the week of June 9-13 in Kansas. The location is to be determined.

Potential Training Topics:

-Why entrepreneurship is important to robust rural communities
-Characteristics and impacts of entrepreneurial success
-Assessing entrepreneurial talent types
-Targeting tools for talent types
-Optimizing entrepreneurial talent with development capacity
-Lessons from rural entrepreneurial communities
-Matching entrepreneurial talent with available assets
-Evolving an entrepreneurial strategy in your community
-Developing your community's entrepreneurial vision

Wally Kearns, State KSBDC Director, would like to offer the training opportunity to personnel in K-State Research and Extension. USDA Rural Development is planning to send some of their team members.

The topics or the details of the training will not be finalized until they see the mix of the resources and number of participants. Please inform Wally Kearns, ksbdc.wkearns@fhsu.edu , by April 4, if you have a desire to attend the training. --Steven M. Graham sgraham@k-state.edu 

PUBLICATIONS/PRODUCTION SERVICES UPDATE
Orders Due Today!
Orders for items on the 3rd Quarter 2003 Order Form are due today, April 1. Reminder: Please don't fax an entire quarterly order form. Our fax machine doesn't have enough memory to handle more than a few pages at a time, and it frequently jams on order due dates. If you must fax the order, send only the pages that include the items being ordered, write the office name on each page faxed, as well as the page number of the fax (1 of 4, 2 of 4, 3 of 4 ...).

If you know your order form will be late, please call 785-532-5830, or e-mail orderpub@lists.oznet.ksu.edu , to let us know. If you order just a few items, you could include the order in an e-mail.

Remember that the items listed as "Print On Demand," sent recently in a separate mailing, may be ordered any time in any quantity. However, to avoid unnecessary shipping charges, it's beneficial to order in quantity or in conjunction with another shipment.

Deadfiles
Both printed and electronic versions of MF-750 "Boxelder Bugs" have been deadfiled. The item is no longer to be distributed.

Printed versions of the following will be deadfiled, but the electronic versions remain posted: SRP-892 "2002 Agricultural Research-Southeast Agricultural Research Center" and SRP-895 "Field Day 2002, Southwest
Research and Extension Center." --Nancy Zimmerli nancyz@oznet.ksu.edu 

PROFESSOR POPCORN SCIENCE STANDARDS
The Professor Popcorn Science Standards have been placed on the FNP web site under evaluation, which is located at www.oznet.ksu.edu/fnp . This should help you work with schools in accomplishing work toward their goals of the Kansas Assessment. --Carol Fink cfink@oznet.ksu.edu 

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS . 

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

DATES TAKEN FROM THE MASTER SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 9, 2003, THROUGH APRIL 15, 2003:

Wednesday, April 9, through Friday, April 11
.... Kansas Association of County Agricultural Agents (KACAA), Russell, KS, Statewide, John Stannard jstannar@oznet.ksu.edu

Friday, April 11, through Sunday, April 13
.... 4-H Sports Fishing Workshop, Rock Springs 4-H Center, Statewide, Conall Addison caddison@oznet.ksu.edu

Saturday, April 12
.... Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP), Greenwood Co. (Flat Rock Ranch near Hamilton), 8:00 a.m., Statewide, Charles Lee clee@oznet.ksu.edu

Top