The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 10, No. 6   December 16, 2003

IN THIS ISSUE...

...University Holiday Schedule
...OzNet Holiday Schedule
...2005-2009 Action Plan Template
...Summer 2004 4-H/Japan Inbound Exchange
...Kansas Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Friendship Night
...Epsilon Sigma Phi Silent Auction
...Do You Need a New Name Badge Before Annual Conference?
...2004 Health Risk Appraisals
...K-State Research and Extension featured in Winter, 2003 Issue of Kansas State University Webzine
...County Club Days Judging
...Distinguished Service Award Nominations Solicited
...Got a Second?  Talk to Us!
...Leavenworth and Atchison Counties 4-H After School Awarded National Grant for Life Skills Training
...Grazing and Trade Policy Topics at Sustainable Ag Roundup
...Opportunity to Order New Purple Table Covers "At Lower Prices!"
...Kansans Get Involved in International Awareness
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
The University will reduce activity from the close of business on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 through Friday, January 2, 2004.  Although the University will close during this period, a few offices, such as the University Police, will keep a normal schedule.  Since December 25, 26 and January 1 are holidays, the only normal workdays affected will be December 29, 30, and 31, 2003 and January 2, 2004.

K-State Research and extension's policy will be the same as the University: to close campus offices and encourage employees not to work during this period, although some employees may be asked to work.  Prior approval from the departmental supervisor is required.  Buildings will be locked and heat may be reduced to conserve energy.  Mail delivery and processing in Umberger Hall will not be available during this time.  --George Ham gham@oznet.ksu.edu 

OZNET HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
A reduced holiday work schedule (December 25, 2003, through Jan. 4, 2004) is in effect for most people on campus.

OzNet services including e-mail and web functions will be available but, IET staff may not be in the office. If OzNet services are interrupted, please contact IET staff by first calling 785-532-6270. Otherwise, call us in the following order should you need assistance: 

Larry Havenstein, 785-537-0131
Roger Terry, 785-537-2245
Gamage Dissanayake, 785-323-1608

No one will be available on December 25, 2003 or January 1, 2004. Technical support staff (students) will not be available from December 25 through January 4. Normal operations will resume January 5, 2004. --Roger V. Terry rterry@oznet.ksu.edu 

SUMMER 2004 4-H/JAPAN INBOUND EXCHANGE
If you haven't yet decided, have further questions, or it has just slipped past your to do list, counties have
until January 5, 2004 to commit to participate in the Inbound 4-H/Japan Exchange Program for the summer of 2004. Japanese students stay with Kansas host families for a month, between approximately July 20 and August 20.

To commit, please e-mail Dr. Mary Kay Munson, our International 4-H Exchange Coordinator, at munsonm@mail.aces.uiuc.edu . Include the communication information including e-mail of the contact Extension agent in the county and also for the volunteer coordinator who will work directly with exchange-related tasks. 

The program does provide financial and material support for each volunteer coordinator.

Six counties have committed to date:

Atchison
Clay
Harvey
Osage
Saline
Scott

If you have further questions, contact Dr. Munson or me. --Gary Gerhard ggerhard@oznet.ksu.edu 

KANSAS EXTENSION ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES FRIENDSHIP NIGHT
KEAFCS Friendship Night will be held during Annual Conference on Wednesday, January 7, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, Landon Room.

All KEAFCS members should receive an e-mail invitation soon. Please RSVP to Joann Paschal by Tuesday, December 23. --Joann Paschal jpaschal@oznet.ksu.edu 

EPSILON SIGMA PHI SILENT AUCTION
It is almost time for the annual silent auction for Epsilon Sigma Phi. It will be held during the banquet time, January 8, 6:30 p.m., K-State Alumni Center. What we need at this time are items you would like to donate to be used in the auction. All proceeds of the auction are used for projects of Epsilon Sigma Phi.

Please let me know ASAP if you have an item you would like to donate for the auction. --Ann Domsch adomsch@oznet.ksu.edu 

DO YOU NEED A NEW NAME BADGE BEFORE ANNUAL CONFERENCE?
Last year we started working with a new local vendor for our K-State Research and Extension name badges.  Due to budget considerations, we are unable to provide new name badges for all employees.  The policy is that any new employee receives his/her first name badge free of charge.  Any replacement badges will need to be paid for by either the person, or by their department, county, area, research center, etc.

The cost of the new badges is:

$5.00 for magnets
$4.50 for clips
$4.00 for pins

If you wish to take advantage of this offer, you must send your order by e-mail to Sue Robinson at srobinso@oznet.ksu.edu , by December 23, and they need to be picked up at Annual Conference.  Make sure you specify the kind of backing you want - magnet, clip, or pin - and specify how you want your name on the name badge.  There is not room for titles on the badges.  We list department, county, area, or research center.

2004 HEALTH RISK APPRAISALS
The Health Risk Appraisal schedule for 2004 is being developed.  Locations will be announced periodically in The Tuesday Letter.  Here is a link to the first set of appraisals to be held in Topeka, 
El Dorado, Winfield, Hutchinson and Wichita:  http://da.state.ks.us/ps/subject/healthquest/most2sched_1.htm .

The Health Risk Appraisal is only available to those State of Kansas benefits eligible employees who enrolled during October 2003 for participation in 2004. --Joe Younger jyounger@ksu.edu 

K-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION FEATURED IN WINTER, 2003 ISSUE OF KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY WEBZINE
K-State Research and Extension is featured in the Winter, 2003 issue of the Kansas State University Webzine, which highlights ways in which the university is helping people in Kansas. You can see the feature on K-State Research and Extension at http://www.mediarelations.ksu.edu/WEB/News/Webzine/0204/R&E.html . Among other features in this issue are stories on K-State's wheat breeding and entomology programs. --Pat Melgares melgares@oznet.ksu.edu 

COUNTY CLUB DAYS JUDGING
Collegiate 4-H is currently scheduling spring dates for County Club Days judging. Interested counties should contact Ben Glass at bwg3737@ksu.edu . Collegiate 4-H members are asking that counties try to avoid the following dates since it may be difficult to have enough members available:

February 18-22: National Collegiate 4-H meeting
March 13: Three programs are scheduled this weekend
March 20-March 28: Spring break
April 10-11: Easter weekend

--Sharon Dobesh sdobesh@oznet.ksu.edu 

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD NOMINATIONS SOLICITED
We request your help in identifying individuals who should be considered for the Extension/International and Teaching/Research DSA's. These are the most prominent awards made by the College of Agriculture.

Nominees should be persons whose careers have contributed notably to distinguished achievement or public service in or related to the profession of agriculture. K- State alumni are eligible, but active and emeritus faculty are not. Nominations should include: letter of nomination, full curriculum vita, letter from nominee's supervisor, and a letter from a peer who is external from the nominee's place of work and KSU. Nominations for the DSA Award in Research and Teaching should be sent to Dr. Sid Stevenson, Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources, and those for the DSA Award in Extension and International Service should be sent to Dr. Rhonda Janke, Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources, by February 6, 2004. 

Detailed information is available from department heads and DSA Selection Committee Chairs. --Sid Stevenson sstevens@oznet.ksu.edu  and Rhonda Janke rjanke@oznet.ksu.edu , DSA Committee Chairs 

GOT A SECOND?  TALK TO US!
How do you market K-State Research and Extension in your county or area? No matter how simple or how complex your tactics are, we want to hear from you. Please e-mail Linda Sleichter, lsleicht@oznet.ksu.edu , with your examples of successful marketing tactics. This can include tactics you have implemented or want to implement or things you've just heard others do. A complete list of marketing tactics from throughout the state will be shared at Annual Conference at our marketing session, Friday, January 9, at 8:15 a.m., so please take a minute and e-mail us your marketing tactics. Thank you! --Steven Graham, Pat Melgares, and Linda Sleichter

LEAVENWORTH AND ATCHISON COUNTIES 4-H AFTER SCHOOL AWARDED NATIONAL GRANT FOR LIFE SKILLS TRAINING
Congratulations to Angie Mueller, Beth Hecht and Diane Nielson for being awarded a grant from National 4-H Council to implement the nationally recognized Life Skills Training program from Dr. Gilbert Botvin, Cornell University.

Botvin's Life Skills Training program is considered "best practice" from the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Justice with long-term results in reduction of substance abuse, delinquency and risk behaviors. Mueller, who has been coordinating the joint-county 4-H after school program for several years, will train staff and implement the program this coming year with 4-H after school program participants. The Life Skills Training program includes on-site lessons as well as take-home "assignments" for parental involvement.

Atchison and Leavenworth counties will use this national grant to build portions of the Life Skills Training program they introduced in their 4-H after school programs two years ago with support from the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority. 

For more information, contact: Angie Mueller, amueller@oznet.ksu.edu . --Elaine Johannes ejohanne@oznet.ksu.edu 

GRAZING AND TRADE POLICY TOPICS AT SUSTAINABLE AG ROUNDUP
The 10th Sustainable Agriculture Roundup Conference is scheduled for February 20 and 21, 2004 in Manhattan. Mark Ritchie, President of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy; and Barry Dunn, Range Livestock Production Specialist at South Dakota State University; are the keynote speakers.

Mark Ritchie is the President of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, a non-profit and non-partisan research organization, internationally recognized as a leader in the development of innovative trade policy, especially in the fields of environment and agriculture.

Mark the dates on your calendar. Travel Scholarships will be available. For more information, contact Jana  Beckman at 785-532-1440. --Jana Beckman beckman@oznet.ksu.edu 

OPPORTUNITY TO ORDER NEW PURPLE TABLE COVERS "AT LOWER PRICES!"
Last week, I had a note here about ordering Purple Table Covers with the K-State Research and Extension logo in white. We have had some recent requests to order more. These table covers are fairly expensive and it is best if we have an order of 25 or more.

I have found another vendor who offers slightly smaller table covers, which end up costing quite a bit less. So, please consider these new prices and let me know, BY DECEMBER 24, if you would be interested in ordering one or more purple table covers.

6-24 Table Covers cost $77.00 each
25+ Table Covers cost $58.00 each

Hopefully, we can put together a large enough order to get a good price break. Please let me know if you are interested in ordering one or more table covers and your price range, by e-mailing me at sgraham@oznet.ksu.edu , by DECEMBER 24. If you have questions, call 785-532-5729. --Steven Graham 

KANSANS GET INVOLVED IN INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS
Hannah Nielsen, Erin Hjetland, and Jana Dunbar are helping to increase understanding and global awareness through the IFYE (International 4-H Youth Exchange) program. All three have spent time learning customs, practices and trends in foreign countries.

The IFYE program is an in-depth learning experience in which 4-H alumni and other young adults live with host families in other countries to increase global awareness, develop independent study interests, and improve language skills. Programs vary from country to country, with some emphasizing an agricultural work experience, volunteering at an adult training center, or working with a local youth development program similar to 4-H.

Nielson, from Lincoln County, spent six weeks in Norway as an IFYE Ambassador. Hjetland, Brown County native; and Dunbar, Franklin County, were IFYE representatives in Costa Rica and Switzerland respectively.

The IFYE program doesn't stop with just American youth traveling to other countries; we also host foreign exchange students.

Kansas played host to two IFYEs this fall. Ms. Bodil Pedersen, Norway, lived with Delbert and Connie Swihart of Quinter, Merrill and Kathy Nielsen of Sylvan Grove, and Kevin and Jennifer Gigstad of Nortonville.

Mr. Franz Dabbelt, Germany, lived with Rod and Irma Jean Blaha of Clifton, Roger and Trice Mott of Hutchinson, and Rodney and Deb Barnes of Junction City.

Some of these hosting experiences have helped inspire Kansas delegates to participate in the 2004 programs.

Erin Barnes, Geary County; Sarah Sughroue, Clark County; and Nicolette Unruh, Pawnee County; have applied to travel to Victoria, Australia for a four week agricultural tour. Luke Sourk, Brown County, has  applied for a three month study program in Northern Ireland.

If you or someone you know would like to get involved, please contact the state 4-H office, Mary Kay Munson at munsonm@mail.aces.uiuc.edu , or Craig Gross at cegross@oznet.ksu.edu . --Craig Gross

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 DECEMBER 24, 2003, THROUGH DECEMBER 30, 2003:

Thursday, December 25 through Friday, December 26
.... Christmas Holiday

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