...Tuesday Letter Archives  

REVISED STAFFING PLAN
We are modifying the county-level soft freeze policy because there have been relatively few individuals take advantage of the opportunity to move to another county, and because our mission goes unfulfilled as agent positions remain vacant.

The new policy is as follows:

INTERNAL SEARCH - All agent positions will be advertised internally (applications accepted only from current agents) for two weeks. For one or two agent counties a BS degree will be required and an MS degree is preferred. For three or more agent counties, a current agent without a MS degree must agree to complete a masters within seven years.

EXTERNAL SEARCH - If a position is not filled after the internal search, positions will be advertised externally. Internal applicants will also continue to be solicited. In one or two agent counties the degree requirements will remain BS required and MS preferred.

For three or more agent counties a MS degree will be required for external applicants and agents hired after September 1, 2001. Current agents hired prior to September 1, 2001 can compete for these positions if they sign an agreement to complete a MS degree in an appropriate discipline within seven years.

If we are unsuccessful in hiring an applicant with a MS degree in a county with three or more agents, the position announcement will be issued again with a BS required and MS preferred. The successful applicant must agree to complete a MS degree in an appropriate discipline within seven years. --Randy Higgins rhiggins@oznet.ksu.edu and Marc Johnson mjohnson@oznet.ksu.edu 

PENALTY MAIL UPDATE
We learned last week that while penalty mail as we know it will be discontinued, there WILL be money transferred from CSREES to states to use for mail-related costs. We do not know the amount or the timing of that allocation. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more information. --Randy Higgins rhiggins@oznet.ksu.edu and Marc Johnson mjohnson@oznet.ksu.edu 

ACE AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to three members of the Department of Communications who were notified recently that they have won awards from Agricultural Communicators in Education (ACE).

Marketing Coordinator Pat Melgares won a gold award in newswriting for his story, titled "Farmers, Ranchers Turning to Each Other for Pasture, Feed." The winning story can be seen on-line at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/sty/2002/farmers_pasture052302.htm .

Electronic Document Librarian Amy Hartman and Publications Editor Eric Rhodenbaugh won a bronze award in electronic publications for their ‘Swine Day CD-ROM'. The awards will be presented during the ACE International Conference in Kansas City in June. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu 

DR. PAUL ESTABROOKS RECEIVES AWARD FROM SOCIETY FOR BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE
The Society of Behavioral Medicine Award of Excellence for Pro-Change Research-to-Practice Dissemination was recently presented to Dr. Paul Estabrooks at their 24th Annual Scientific Session in Salt Lake City. The award was for innovative work that Estabrooks and colleagues conducted in the reach and adoption of Walk Kansas, a research-based physical activity promotion intervention. The research team determined that a group-based intervention, when delivered through K-State Research and Extension, had the ability to reach targeted populations and be successfully translated into practice, especially in rural areas.

For more information, contact: Paul Estabrooks, Office of Community Health, twist@ksu.edu --Elaine Johannes ejohanne@oznet.ksu.edu 

OUTCOMES-BASED CADRE COMPLETE 12-MONTH TRAINING AND APPLICATION FOR HEALTH-RELATED OUTCOMES
This week, eighteen local Research and Extension agents are completing their year-long training and technical assistance experience to:

* use logic modeling for outcomes-based planning, evidence-based practices and evaluation; and
* pilot a process that is supportive of long-range planning and implementation of K-State Research and Extension's Long-term Intended Outcomes.

The Cadre members focused on three health outcomes during their learning and skill-building experience. Those outcomes, which were selected for their value to Kansas communities and their application to on-going Research and Extension work, are healthy eating, healthy physical activity and positive youth development through civic engagement.

An Outcomes-based Planning Guide has been developed for the Cadre members to share with their PDC, Board members and local stakeholders. Copies of the guide are available through the Office of Community Health. For more information about the guide, the current and future Health Outcomes Cadre contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@oznet.ksu.edu 

TRUDY RICE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN 2003 CLASS OF LEADERSHIP KANSAS
It was announced recently that Trudy M. Rice, Douglas County Extension Director,  was selected as one of the 35 individuals to participate in the 2003 class of Leadership Kansas, a nationally recognized program that aims to develop and motivate future leaders for the state.

Leadership Kansas, a program of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), this year will celebrate 25 years of identifying outstanding potential leaders from various walks of life, informing them of key issues facing the state, and inspiring those selected to become active partners in addressing the issues. Since the program's inception in 1978, Leadership Kansas graduates include state officials, industry executives, and community leaders.

With the exception of the Orientation Session in Topeka, the class will meet once a month for the next six months in Johnson County, Pittsburg, Hays, Wichita/Hutchinson, Garden City, and Topeka. --Jim Lindquist jlindqui@oznet.ksu.edu 

Please RSVP by April 22, to Nancy Larson, VIP Committee Chairperson, at 316-722-7721, Extension 254, or nlarson@oznet.ksu.edu . If you are unable to attend but would like to receive more information about E.A.R.T.H., please contact Tonya Bronleewe at 316-722-7721, Extension 229 or tonyab@oznet.ksu.edu . --Tonya Bronleewe 

SUMMER INTERN UPDATE
Tara Solomon, from Yates Center, will be serving in Leavenworth County. Tara is a student at K-State majoring in Family Life and Community Services. --Stacey M. Warner swarner@oznet.ksu.edu 

SCHOLARSHIP LOAN PROGRAM AND TRAVEL STUDY GRANTS AVAILABLE!
Considering working on an advanced degree or doing a travel study project? Financial assistance is available!

Scholarship loans up to $1500 each are provided by the Kansas Alpha Rho Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi. Priority is for professional study toward an advanced degree. No interest is charged on the loan period of study, but begins at 5 percent the date study ends.

Travel study grants are also available to members of Epsilon Sigma Phi. A maximum of $300 is available to an individual for informal study that involves travel. An individual can receive a Travel Study Grant only one time. Travel study must start within one year after award has been approved.

Applications for both the Scholarship Loans and Travel Study Grants are due by June 1, 2003 to Sandra L Wick, Professionalism committee chairperson. Additional information and the application forms are available by contacting Sandra at the Smith County Extension Office, 785-282-6823, or swick@oznet.ksu.edu . --Sandra L. Wick 

JUNIOR MASTER GARDENER TEACHER/LEADER TRAINING
A Junior Master Gardener Teacher/Leader training will be held Wednesday, June 11,  from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Harvey County Courthouse Community Room, located at 8^th and Main in Newton, Kansas.

The all day training will include information on the Junior Master Gardener program, the JMG curriculum, and how to work with youth. The workshop will also feature hands-on activities. This program is open to all interested extension agents, Master Gardeners, 4-H leaders, and volunteers, and is recommended for anyone working with a Junior Master Gardener group.

Please register by calling the Harvey County Extension Office at 316-284-6930 or e-mail your information to Scott Eckert, Harvey County Horticulture Agent at seckert@oznet.ksu.edu . Registration deadline is June 9. --Evelyn Neier eneier@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 continue 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 . --Continuing Education 

DATES TAKEN FROM THE MASTER SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 30, 2003, THROUGH MAY 6, 2003:

ADDITIONS:

Tuesday, April 29
.... PRIDE Strategic Planning Workshop, Melvern/OS, SE Area, 7:00 p.m., Dan Kahl dankahl@oznet.ksu.edu 
.... Mapping Our Assets Leadership Workshop, Sedan/CQ, SE Area, 10:00 a.m., Dan Kahl dankahl@oznet.ksu.edu