The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 9, No. 44   September 16, 2003

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Long-Term Strategic Planning
...KSRE Five-Year Plan Update
...Employee Self Service
...Annual Conference Awards
...Travel Scholarships Available for Community Food Systems Workshop
...USDA Rural Development to Host Value-Added Grant Program Meetings
...Horizon Academy JMG is National Junior Master Gardener Group for September
...State 4-H Volunteer Forum
...Invitation for 2004 NELD-North Central Applications
...State 4-H Venturers
...Discovery Days 2004
...4-H Afterschool Conference - October 29 and 30
...Master Schedule

Today’s summary includes suggestions offered by the SEAC as to who should  provide input into the process and asks for your assistance in identifying groups and individuals that should be invited to participate. Please forward your suggestions to mhightow@oznet.ksu.edu . It is likely that half of those invited will be external to KSRE. –Randy Higgins rhiggins@oznet.ksu.edu 

The SEAC suggestions included:

* Anyone using any of our services currently – give them a survey.
* Get representatives from county, city, schools and key people from the populations.
* Rural and urban persons at large
* We need to use people who do not use our services as well, to find out why, so we can change.
* Community leaders
* Congressional aides
* County Commissioners
* Extension boards
* K-State staff (campus and county agents), Daryl Buchholz, Randy Higgins
* Legislators, State elected officials
* Patric Conner (SEAC member and chair-elect of the group).
* State education folks (principals, superintendents, teachers)
* Youth/Elderly advisory groups
* Youth groups such as Boy/Girl Scouts

Subsequent issues of The Tuesday Letter will review comments offered by SEAC members regarding five additional areas:

-The most critical issues for us to address in developing the K-State Extension strategic plan?
-Strengths of Extension in Kansas
-Weaknesses of Extension in Kansas
-Opportunities for improving Extension in Kansas
-Threats to the continued existence of Extension in Kansas

KSRE FIVE-YEAR PLAN UPDATE
Extension agents were notified in May to extend/update their current county/district plans by October 1. Writing groups have continued to develop the Long Term Intended Outcome (LTIO) statements for the next 5-year plan. See the Web site for progress: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/ ; select Intranet, then 5-Year Plan. Suggestions for improvement are always welcome. Communication with internal and external audiences will continue. The LTIO statements will be completed between now and November 1.

The LTIO statements, the basis of the new 5-year plan, will provide guidance for the next level of program development—the creation of key logic model/action plans. These state-level action plans will be developed by project/action teams and individuals between now and February 29, 2004. The key logic model/action plans will be posted online as they become available and will be the focus of the Spring Action Conferences in late March and early April. Between February and September, Extension agents will have the opportunity to work with their Program Development Committees to localize the educational plans. The new County/District 5-Year Action Plans (due October 1, 2004) will then provide the detail necessary for implementation of the new 5-year plan beginning in January, 2005. If you have questions or want additional information, please contact Marie Blythe at 785-532-6775 or mblythe@oznet.ksu.edu . –Randy Higgins rhiggins@oznet.ksu.edu , Forrest Chumley fchumley@oznet.ksu.edu , and Marie Blythe mblythe@oznet.ksu.edu 

EMPLOYEE SELF SERVICE
Joint efforts contributed by the Division of Human Resources, the Information Systems Office and Computing and Network Services allows all K-State employees to have on-line access to view their paycheck data and other information using their K-State eID (electronic ID) and password.

Employee Self Service may be accessed like any other web page that requires a browser at http://www.as.ksu.edu/HRIS . Microsoft Internet Explorer is the preferred browser.

Employees may attend one of the following demonstrations of the Employee Self Service Module. No registration required. Demonstrations repeat every 30 minutes within scheduled periods.

Hemisphere Room - 5th Floor - Hale Library
Tuesday, September 16 -  8:30-10:30 a.m.; 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 18 -  8:30-10:30 a.m.; 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Friday, September 19 - 8:30-10:30 a.m.; 2:30-4:30 p.m.

2002 Throckmorton Hall
Wednesday, September 24 - 9:30-11:30 a.m.; 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Need more information? Access the following Web site: http://www.ksu.edu/hr/peo.htm . --Office of the Provost

ANNUAL CONFERENCE AWARDS
The K-State Research and Extension Annual Conference will be January 6-9, 2004. During the Awards Lunch to be held on Friday, January 9, we will have the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of K-State Research and Extension faculty and staff.

Some of the awards that will be presented are selected from self-nominations or nominations by peers. Here is a summary of those awards and the nomination procedure. Please note the October 1 deadline.

BUILDER AWARDS - These awards recognize individuals who have exhibited extra energy and creativity over a number of years in building new programs, audiences or institutions within K-State Research and Extension.

Nominations should include the following:

1) Name, title, address and phone number of the nominee and nominator.
2) Maximum 2 page justification for the award.

Submit nominations by Wednesday, October 1, to George Ham, 114 Waters Hall, Manhattan KS 66506 or email to gclaycom@oznet.ksu.edu .

DIVERSITY AWARD - K-State Research and Extension is committed to an emphasis on diversity in programming, workforce and relationships with other organizations. In order to recognize individuals who have embraced this vision, a Diversity Award will be presented.

Nominations should include the following:

1) Name, title, address and phone number of the nominee and nominator.
2) Maximum 2 page justification for the award.

Submit nominations by Wednesday, October 1, to George Ham, 114 Waters Hall, Manhattan KS 66506 or email to gclaycom@oznet.ksu.edu .

TEAM AWARD - The Team Award acknowledges outstanding efforts by a group of individuals addressing one of the Four Core Mission Themes of K-State Research and Extension.

Nominations should include the following:

1) Name, title, address and phone number of the nominees and nominator.
2) Maximum 2 page justification for the award.

Submit nominations by Wednesday, October 1, to George Ham, 114 Waters Hall, Manhattan KS 66506 or email to gclaycom@oznet.ksu.edu .

MENTORING AWARD - K-State Research and Extension faculty who have been employed for two years or less are encouraged to nominate a mentor who has helped them and others achieve higher performance and productivity. One award will be presented to a county/district faculty mentor and one to an area/state faculty mentor.

Nominations should include the following:

1) Name, title, address and phone number of the nominee and nominator.
2) Maximum 2 page justification for the award.

Submit nominations by Wednesday, October 1, to George Ham, 114 Waters Hall, Manhattan KS 66506 or email to gclaycom@oznet.ksu.edu . --Stacey Warner swarner@oznet.ksu.edu 

TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEMS WORKSHOP
Travel scholarships for registration and lodging costs are available for extension educators to attend the Community Food Systems Workshop October 6-7 in Salina. These scholarships are available to FCS, Horticultural and Agricultural agents.

The workshop will present information about the characteristics of community food systems and differences between local and global systems, learn how to apply this information to your work, and learn about local food system-related resources in Kansas.

Contact Jana Beckman to obtain a travel scholarship application form at beckman@oznet.ksu.edu , or 785-532-1440.

For information about the workshop, contact Sherrie Mahoney, Saline County Extension, at smahoney@oznet.ksu.edu , or 785-309-5850. --Jana Beckman beckman@oznet.ksu.edu 

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT TO HOST VALUE-ADDED GRANT PROGRAM MEETINGS
USDA Rural Development announced on September 4, the availability of $27.7 million in competitive grant funds to help foster agricultural commodity value-added activities. Proposals are requested from eligible independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures interested in this program. The application period for the Agency’s 2003 ‘Value-Added Producer Grant Program’ is from September 4, to October 20, 2003.

USDA Rural Development will host five informational meetings covering the Agency’s ‘Value-Added Producer Grant Program.' The presentations, which will explain the details of this important program, will be held in Dodge City, Hays, McPherson, Iola and Topeka.

The five USDA Rural Development value-added information meetings will be held:

Dodge City / September 22, 2003: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., High Plains Journal Communication Center, 1500 East Wyatt Earp Boulevard.

Hays / September 22, 2003: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., KSU Agricultural Research Center, 1232 240th Avenue

McPherson / September 23, 2003: 9:00 a.m. to noon, Best Western Holiday Manor, 2211 East Kansas Avenue

Iola / September 24, 2003: 9:00 a.m. to noon, Allen County Community College, Student Center, Stadler Conference Room, 1801 N. Cottonwood

Topeka / September 26, 2003: 9:00 a.m. to noon, Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, 600 Corporate View

For additional information regarding the ‘Value-Added Producer Grant Program,' contact USDA Rural Development at 620-784-5431, Extension #37, or e-mail the Agency at 2000farmbillRD@ks.suda.gov .

For additional meeting information, contact USDA Rural Development at 785-271-2701 or e-mail the Agency at harold.alford@ks.usda.gov . --Steven Graham sgraham@oznet.ksu.edu 

HORIZON ACADEMY JMG IS NATIONAL JUNIOR MASTER GARDENER GROUP FOR SEPTEMBER
The Horizon Suns Junior Master Gardener Group based at the Horizon Academy in Johnson County has been selected the September National Junior Master Gardener Group of the Month. This JMG group is led by fourteen Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners. The youth all attend a charter school for children with learning disabilities.

To read more about the Horizon Suns, visit the National Junior Master Gardener web site at  www.jmgkids.com . More information about the Horizon Suns is included in the September National JMG Newsletter. Click on "Newsletters" on the sidebar menu of the home page. --Evelyn Neier eneier@oznet.ksu.edu 

STATE 4-H VOLUNTEER FORUM
"Life's a Zoo....What's a 4-H Volunteer to Do?" takes place October 18-19 at Rock Springs 4-H Center. Special features of the forum include the keynote presenter, Ron Willis, mental health consultant from Beloit; and the annual business meeting of the Kansas Association of 4-H Volunteers. A reminder that early bird registrations are due September 19; no registrations will be accepted after October 3.

The schedule offers something for every 4-H volunteer -- hands-on learning by doing, club management tips, 4-H marketing and recruitment resources, 4-H project leadership skills, plus time for personal rejuvenation. We certainly appreciate your support by encouraging your volunteers to attend the State Volunteer Forum, which provides a unique opportunity for them to share information and learn from others as well as build a network of informed and enthusiastic volunteers for the 4-H program.

Giving leadership to the 2004 Forum is Brenda Hoobler, Atchison County, NE Area Vice-President; and Diane Nielson, Atchison County FCS Agent. For the first time, participants will be staying in Leadership Lodge. Registration brochures were sent to Extension Offices in late August. If you need another copy, please contact the State 4-H Office.

The Volunteer Forum is a project of the Kansas Association of 4-H Volunteers, which was organized in 2001 for the purpose of bringing together a network of volunteers from across the state and focusing on volunteer development opportunities. Membership dues are only $5 per year; a lifetime membership is available for $50. New officers to be elected at the business meeting include the President-Elect, Treasurer, SW Area Vice-President and the NE Area Vice-President. For more information pertaining to the association, contact the State 4-H Office. --Pat McNally pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu 

INVITATION FOR 2004 NELD-NORTH CENTRAL APPLICATIONS
The purpose of National Extension Leadership Development-North Central (NELD-NC) is to provide current and future Extension leaders with the vision, courage, and tools to lead in a changing world. NELD-North Central is sponsored by Cooperative Extension in the 12 North Central States and is coordinated by the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

The NELD-NC program is approximately 12 months in length and consists of four seminars. Tentative schedule, topics, and locations for 2004 are as follows:

Seminar One: Leading Yourself First; January 21-24 or 28-31; Arizona or Florida
Seminar Two: Leading in a Multi-Cultural World; April 21-24; Birmingham, Alabama
Seminar Three: Leading High Performing Work Teams; July 28-31; TBA
Seminar Four: Leading in the 21st Century; November 3-6; Washington, D.C.

If you would like to submit an application for the 2004 program, the form will be available on our Web site, http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/prev/ , by September 19. Applicants must be able to fully participate in all four seminars. If you have questions or desire additional information, call Marie Blythe at 785-532-6775, or class members who completed their year's program earlier this month, Dan O'Brien, 785-462-6281; and Jennifer Wilson, 785-537-6350. Information about the recently completed program is available at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/neld/ .

Completed application forms should be returned to Dr. Blythe, 127 Umberger Hall by October 15. Selected agents/faculty members will be notified by October 31, 2003. --Marie Blythe mblythe@oznet.ksu.edu 

STATE 4-H VENTURERS
Registrations for the 2004 Venturers Program are due in the State 4-H Office by October 10. Registration materials were mailed in late August to extension offices. Check out the 4-H Venturers web site for more details and lots of photos from past adventures: www.oznet.ksu.edu/4h/venturers .

This is a great program to connect with the local Boy Scout troops -- every year since its inception, BSA members have participated in the 4-H Venturers Program. This program is a project of the Venturers Action Team, comprised of teens and adults including: Teens: Michelle Higgins and Lisa Stork, Riley; Kallie Pennel, Jefferson; Austin Clarkson, Pratt. Adults: Deb and Gary Pryor, Riley; Gerry Snyder, Riley; John Payne, Shawnee; Julia Pennel, Jefferson; Cherie Riffey, Pratt; Mary Radnor, Scott; Steve and Tammie Graham, Douglas; Jo Ellen Arnold, Franklin.

We are very fortunate to offer a 10 day backpacking adventure at the Philmont BSA High Adventure Base near Cimarron, New Mexico, August 4-13. Slots for the 36 teens and adults will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The program is designed for teens (14 years of age by January 1, or who will graduate from the 8th grade in 2004) and adults who love the outdoors and thrive on mental and physical challenges that require skills in communications, decision making, safety, leadership, teamwork, backpacking, outdoor cookery and coping with the best and worst of the elements of nature. --Pat McNally pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu 

DISCOVERY DAYS 2004
We are looking forward to the 2004 Discovery Days, which will take place June 2-4, 2004, on the K-State campus. The first meeting of the expanded Discovery Days Action Team will take place October 12 in McPherson. Members serving on the team include: 

Teens: Jessica Coen, Franklin; Jared Smidt, Dickinson; Amanda Guenther, Franklin; Bernadette Trieb, Riley; Angela Humphrey, Rush; Aaron Kadavy, Republic; Kandace Gustason, Morris. 

Volunteers: Pam Kvas, Lyon; Heather Baumgarten, Saline; Lucas Shivers, Clay; Mary Wallace, Marshall; David McCandles, Shawnee; Kyla Scott, Chase.

Agents: Robyn Swonger, Walnut Creek District; Tandy Rundus, Republic; Carl Garten, Saline; Robin Eubank, Seward; Mary Sullivan, Grant; Leroy Russell, Shawnee; Al Davis, Johnson; Christine McPheter, Meade; Lisa Long, Kingman; and Pam Van Horn, Saline.

State competitive events will take place on Tuesday, June 1. Registration information and other details pertaining to the competitive events will be issued from the respective department/college and/or action team (i.e., Department of Animal Science Department, College of Human Ecology & FCS Action Team).

One of the top suggestions from the 2003 Discovery Days Caucus was the need for a greater variety of classes that offered a sequential learning opportunity for those who return to Discovery Days more than one time. Ideas? Topics? Presenters? Please send suggested topics and contact information for presenters to me by October 10. Thanks! --Pat McNally pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu 

4-H AFTERSCHOOL CONFERENCE - OCTOBER 29 AND 30
If you are interested in beginning 4-H after-school work or expanding on current efforts, your county is invited  to send a team to learn about new resources available to support community based after-school programming.

The 4-H Afterschool Conference is October 29 and 30 at Rock Springs 4-H Center. Please refer to the letter dated June 24 for details.

Registration cost, which includes resources, lodging and meals, is $60. All registration forms and fees are due to Diane Mack by September 30.

If you have questions, please contact Diane Mack at dmack@oznet.ksu.edu . --Diane Mack

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 SEPTEMBER 24, 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2003:

Wednesday, September 24 through Friday, September 26
.... KSU/KAAA Aerial Fly-in Workshop, Goodland Airport, Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily, Robert Wolf rewolf@ksu.edu 

Friday, September 26
.... Healthy Ecosystems Healthy Communities, Great Bend/BT, Statewide, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Dan Kahl dkahl@oznet.ksu.edu

Saturday, September 27
.... PRIDE Day Conference, Great Bend/BT, Statewide PRIDE Communities, 12:00 - 8:30 p.m., Dan Kahl dkahl@oznet.ksu.edu

Monday, September 29, through Tuesday, September 30
.... Basic 4-H Operations Training, Manhattan/KSU, Statewide, Beth Hinshaw bhinshaw@oznet.ksu.edu and Diane Mack dmack@oznet.ksu.edu

Monday, September 29, through Friday, October 3
.... New Agent 4-H Operations/Communications, Manhattan, Statewide, 1:00 p.m., Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu and Pat Melgares melgares@oznet.ksu.edu

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