...Tuesday Letter Archives  

SE AND NW AREA EXTENSION DIRECTOR INTERVIEW SCHEDULES
On behalf of the Northwest Area and Southeast Area Screening Committees, it is a pleasure to announce that four of our colleagues will be interviewing for the NW and SE Area Extension Director positions.

The Southeast Area Extension Director candidates selected for interviews are Alan Ladd, Riley County Extension Director; Dan O'Brien, NW Area Extension Agricultural Economist; and Stewart Duncan, NE Area Extension Crops and Soils Specialist. Interviews on campus will take place on Wednesday, April 16, in Room 137, Waters Hall.

The Northwest Area Extension Director candidates selected for interviews are Dale Fjell, State Extension Crop Production Specialist; and Dan O'Brien, NW Area Extension Agricultural Economist. On campus interviews have been scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, in Room 137, Waters Hall.

9:00 a.m.  --  Dan O'Brien
1:00 p.m.  --  Dale Fjell
2:30 p.m.  --  Alan Ladd
4:00 p.m.  --  Stewart Duncan

Everyone is invited to attend and participate --Paul Hartman phartman@oznet.ksu.edu 

EXTENSION FACULTY WITH FEDERAL BENEFITS
We are announcing that the deadline for early federal retirements has been extended to June 30, 2003. For budget planning purposes we had set the original deadline for April 3.

This opportunity applies to those who do not have the age and/or years of service for regular federal retirement. Those eligible would include individuals who are 50 years of age with at least 20 years of federal service or those who are any age with 25 years of service by June 30, 2003.

The incentives for early retirement include an immediate retirement annuity and the opportunity to continue Federal Employees Health Benefit.

The K-State Research and Extension retirement incentive program does not apply to those taking advantage of this federal early retirement opportunity.

For additional information, contact Stacey Warner, Extension Operations, at 2-5790. --Marc Johnson mjohnson@oznet.ksu.edu ; Randy Higgins rhiggins@oznet.ksu.edu 

POLICIES PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
I appreciate your effort to fulfill our mission of serving the people of Kansas, particularly in light of our current fiscal challenges. While it is important to be attentive to our customers, it is also imperative that we provide a workplace that allows each faculty and staff member to work to their fullest potential.

As a reminder of the university's policy regarding discrimination and harassment, please review this updated chapter from K-State's Policies and Procedures Manual: http://www.ksu.edu/policies/ppm/3010.html . --Marc  Johnson mjohnson@oznet.ksu.edu 

LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP DEADLINES APPROACH
Extension agents in Northwest Kansas must register today for the "Mapping Our Assets: A New Approach to Community Leadership" workshop. The Northwest area workshop will be held in Stockton on Monday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Extension Agents in attendance will receive helpful resources from the K-State LEADS TEAM that will help you in your personal and professional life!

Workshop Locations are:
Nova Theater, Stockton - April 21
Holiday Inn Express, Pratt - April 28
Art of the Prairie Gallery, Sedan - April 29
Pottorf Hall, Manhattan - May 6

REGISTRATIONS ARE DUE ONE WEEK PRIOR TO WORKSHOP DATE.

"Mapping Our Assets: A New Approach to Community Leadership" will give agents new leadership development tools. The workshop will explore how to improve personal effectiveness when working with others. For registration information, visit: http://www.kansasprideprogram.ksu.edu/PRIDE/spg03workshop.PDF . For more information, contact Dan Kahl at dkahl@oznet.ksu.edu . --Dan Kahl

RETIREMENT RECEPTION FOR BETTY LaTOUSH
There will be a Retirement Reception for Betty LaToush, Scott County FACS Agent, on Thursday, May 22,  from 5 to 8 p.m., at the William Carpenter 4-H Building in Scott City. We would like to have all cards, well wishes and photos into the Extension Office by May 10, so a memory book can be put together for her. --Genelle Krehbiel gkrehbie@oznet.ksu.edu 

APPLICATIONS FOR KEAFCS RECOGNITION AND SCHOLARSHIPS
KEAFCS members may apply for two scholarships to help fund college coursework. The Elinor Anderson Scholarship is to be used at KSU and is for the amount of $400. A KEAFCS Scholarship for $150 will also be awarded to one or more members.

First Timer Awards will help two members attend NEAFCS for the first time, with a $50 scholarship each. NEAFCS will be at the Galaxy Conference in Salt Lake City this year.

KEAFCS will also recognize a Friend of Extension FACS with an award to be presented at the Friendship Night Banquet.

Members should have received e-mail notice of these awards. Applications are due May 31. If there are questions, contact an area KEAFCS counselor or Jan Stephens, Chair of KEAFCS Scholarship and Awards Committee. --Jan Stephens jstephen@oznet.ksu.edu 

REMINDER - 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.

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 

CCS ORDERS PAST DEADLINE!
The order form for 4-H CCS publications was due April 1. However, as of today, April 11, the Distribution Center had not received orders from 53 of our local offices.

If you wish to order any of these discounted publications for your 4-H members to use during the next year, you must order no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 16.

Orders may be faxed to: 785-532-7938. Be sure your office name and a page number (1 of 3, 2 of 3, etc.) is on each sheet you fax, and follow up with a phone call or e-mail to be certain the order was received. Please be patient. The fax machine has limited memory! --Nancy Zimmerli nancyz@oznet.ksu.edu 

WORKERS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH AND EXTENSION BOOTH AT 3i SHOW
K-State Research and Extension will have a booth at the 3i Show in Garden City this year. The show takes place on the Finney County Fairgrounds, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 24, 25, and 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will be in booth number I-145, located in Exhibit Hall A, which is the largest exhibit hall. If you come in the north door of the building, we will be about 10 booths to your right in the first aisle. There is no entrance or parking fee.

We would like to have help in the booth from both researchers and extension personnel. We are flexible on how long anyone would need to work, and certainly, the more volunteers the better. I will bring the display and handout materials from campus and will plan on being available during the entire show.

The 3i Show is a huge farm machinery show which also has some daily programming aimed at spouses. Our booth will have information from all Core Mission Themes, plus will feature some special information on canola production this year.

If you would like to work in our booth during the 3i Show, please e-mail Cassie Mitchell, cmitchel@oznet.ksu.edu , or call 785-532-5729 by Friday, April 18, to sign up. We appreciate your assistance. --Steven Graham sgraham@oznet.ksu.edu 

"OVERWEIGHT ISSUES IN CHILDHOOD: ROLE OF ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY"
Here is a great opportunity to learn what can be done about a serious concern: "Overweight Issues in Childhood: Role of Environment and Community." This videoconference is sponsored by Kansas FNP and originates from Iowa State University. It is being offered April 24, 2003, and is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to be downlinked in these places:

Manhattan (Waters Hall) -- contact Emily Mark
Parsons (Labette County Hospital) -- contact Gayle Price
Wichita (Sedgwick County Extension office) -- contact Jan McMahon
Oakley (NW Kansas Educational Service Center) -- contact Libby Curry

Space is limited at the downlink sites, so please register early if you plan to attend. The program has been approved for five PDUs for Certified Family and Consumer Scientists, and many other groups, too. For more information, contact the persons listed above or Sandy Procter at procter@humec.ksu.edu . --Sandy Procter

LIVESTOCK BIOSECURITY TRAIN-THE-TRAINER MEETINGS THIS SUMMER
Plans are being made to conduct two Livestock Biosecurity Train-the-Trainer meetings this summer. The target audience for these one-day meetings will be county extension agents and local veterinarians. Tentative plans are to hold the two meetings back-to-back on August 12 and August 13. One meeting will be held at a western site and the other at an eastern site (sites TBD). Additional details will be communicated as soon as plans are solidified. Please set aside these dates on your calendar. --Larry Hollis lhollis@oznet.ksu.edu 

THANK YOU
Thanks to all for the cards, letters, and e-mails honoring me on my retirement from Extension. Best wishes and continued success as you serve the people of Kansas. --Lindy Lindquist lindquis@kansas.net 

FLAG RACE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT HORSE SHOW
The 4-Her will ride down and around a barrel (located in the same spot as the 3rd barrel in barrel racing). The 4-Her will pick up a flag out of a can filled with dirt or sand. The can will be placed at the far side of the barrel. The 4-Her will ride back on the opposite side of the barrel from which they started. The 4-Her must carry the flag across the starting/finish line.

Disqualifications include - knocking the barrel over, using the flag as a whip, recrossing the time line before the pattern is completed, dropping the flag before time line or coming back on the same side of the barrel as they started. --Ann Domsch adomsch@oznet.ksu.edu 

RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, KSU DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCES & INDUSTRY Applicants must possess a Ph.D. degree in food science, animal science or closely related field, or a DVM degree with demonstrated expertise in food animal production. Must have a strong technical background in meat production/processing, agricultural policy and regulations, and international issues that affect agricultural security. Must possess highly refined literature searching and technical writing skills, project management and organizational proficiencies, and effective interpersonal communication skills. Must be willing to travel and must be a U.S. citizen. Full-time, 12-month term, non-tenure track. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Detailed position announcement available at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/ansi . Review of applications begins May 1, 2003 and continues until position is filled. Applicants should submit a detailed resume of education (including college transcripts), experience and qualifications, plus three letters of reference to: Dr. Randall Phebus, Department of Animal Sciences & Industry, 223 Call Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506. Kansas State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity among its employees. --Randall Phebus rphebus@oznet.ksu.edu 

FOOD SCIENCE CERTIFICATE OFFERED AT K-STATE
If you would like to gain more technical knowledge in the area of food science, or if you have a career where a food science degree or certification would allow you to advance, earning an undergraduate certificate in food science from K-State could be the right decision. When the costs of quitting your job and going to college are so high, distance education in the field of food science can help. The Undergraduate Certificate in Food Science from K-State via distance education allows you to continuing working while pursuing a professional education.

The food science academic program is part of the Food Science Institute at K-State. The certificate requires the completion of 20 semester hours of food science or closely related courses. Applications and more information on this certificate can be found on the Web at http://foodsci.k-state.edu/academics/distance/undergrad.html . For other questions, call the Division of Continuing Education at 785-532-5575 or 1-800-622-2KSU or e-mail degrees@dce.ksu.edu . --Janell Walther jwalther@dce.ksu.edu