The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 10, No. 24   April 27, 2004

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Extension Strategic Plan
...USDA Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Conference
...Updated Fiscal Conditions and Trends Reports Now Available
...2004 K-State Leadership Seminar with Dr. Wheatley a Great Success
...2004 Geology Field Trips Scheduled
...State 4-H Contact Change
...Nominations Due May 10
...Parelli Love - Language - Leadership Tour Coming to Kansas Coliseum
...Marketing Kansas 4-H - Think Purple Cow!
...Promoting Watershed Education in your Community
...Organization Seeks Volunteers for Vegetables Production Projects in Ukraine
...SDI Technology Field Day to be Held in Colby on August 10
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

EXTENSION STRATEGIC PLAN
The core planning group for the Extension strategic plan discussion (George Ham, Daryl Buchholz, Jim Lindquist, Paula Peters, Dan Kahl - internal facilitator, Ron Alexander - external facilitator, and Randy Higgins) will be meeting on May 5 to set direction for the larger group discussions and meetings that will take place later this summer. --Randy Higgins rhiggins@oznet.ksu.edu 

USDA RENEWABLE ENERGY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONFERENCE
Chuck Banks, USDA Rural Development State Director, would like to invite anyone interested to attend the Agency's upcoming USDA Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Conference. The conference will be held this Thursday, April 29, starting at 1 p.m. at the Saline County Livestock & Expo Center, 4-H Building, 900 Greeley, in Salina.

This important event will cover the grant funding opportunities offered under The Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program (Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill) administered by USDA Rural Development. This program provides funding to support farmers and ranchers, along with rural businesses and individuals, who wish to harness the untapped renewable energy resources available across our state, or to undertake energy efficiency improvements. In addition, The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will be presenting actual on-site exhibits and models of renewable energy and energy efficiency equipment.

While the conference is free to the public, the Agency is requesting people fill out a registration form to assist in planning. If you would like a registration form, please call 785-532-5729 or e-mail Steven Graham, sgraham@oznet.ksu.edu . --Steven M. Graham

UPDATED FISCAL CONDITIONS AND TRENDS REPORTS NOW AVAILABLE
The Office of Local Government is pleased to announce the release of the fifth annual county Fiscal Conditions and Trends reports. Reports are available for each Kansas county and contain detailed revenue and expenditure information drawn from county budget documents. The reports are designed to aid county commissioners as they complete the budget planning process but may be of interest to anyone concerned with county government finance.

Copies of the report are now being distributed to each county's extension office and clerk or administrator. Additional print copies are available in limited quantities. Reports are also available in electronic format upon request.

For additional information, contact the Office of Local Government at 785-532-2643. --Rebecca Bishop rbishop@oznet.ksu.edu 

2004 K-STATE LEADERSHIP SEMINAR WITH DR. WHEATLEY A GREAT SUCCESS
The 2004 K-State Leadership Seminar with Dr. Margaret Wheatley was a great success! Nearly 200 leadership enthusiasts gathered in Forum Hall on Friday, April 23, to hear the presentation. If you missed the seminar, and would like to view or purchase the video recording, please contact the Kansas PRIDE office with your request. Contact Dan Kahl, dkahl@oznet.ksu.edu ; or Jo Koppes, jkoppes@oznet.ksu.edu ; or call 532-5840. --Dan Kahl dkahl@oznet.ksu.edu 

2004 GEOLOGY FIELD TRIPS SCHEDULE
Information about the 2004 scheduled Geology Field Trips can be found at the following address on the Web: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_4hyp/Geology/04GeologyFieldTrips.htm . --Jim Adams jadams@oznet.ksu.edu 

STATE 4-H CONTACT CHANGE
Due to Rod Buchele's work with the Photography Action Team, it became apparent that Rod should be the State 4-H Contact for all Photography questions and will work with the Action Team to facilitate all of the photography activities at the State Fair. Pat McNally will now be the chair and coordinator of the Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks at the State Fair. --Jim Adams jadams@oznet.ksu.edu 

NOMINATIONS DUE MAY 10
Two Year Old Snaffle Bit and Three Year Old Futurity nominations are due in the state 4-H Office on May 10. Please submit the nomination form, a horse ID and $10 per horse. --Ann Domsch adomsch@oznet.ksu.edu 

PARELLI LOVE - LANGUAGE - LEADERSHIP TOUR COMING TO KANSAS COLISEUM
Parelli Love - Language - Leadership Tour is coming to the Kansas Coliseum on June 26 and 27. The cost of $20 is waived for 4-H Horse members. The program teaches people how to train their own horses without using force, intimidation or fear. For more information, contact www.parelli.com . --Ann Domsch adomsch@oznet.ksu.edu 

MARKETING KANSAS 4-H - THINK PURPLE COW!
Why purple cow? Seth Godin, author of the book, "Purple Cow," relays a story of driving through the countryside seeing hundreds of cows grazing in picturesque pastures. This is a common site in Kansas. Many times we begin to ignore the sight because it becomes common. But what if there was a Purple Cow standing with all the others?  Now that would be interesting; that would be remarkable. "Something remarkable is worth talking about. Worth noticing. New. Interesting. It's a purple cow," explains Godin.

With all the other youth programs and youth activities in your community, what makes 4-H a purple cow? Godin says, "You're either a purple cow or you're not. You're either remarkable or invisible. Make your choice."

The 4-H Marketing Action Team challenges you to help make 4-H a Purple Cow. We have designed items that are listed at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_4hyp/ActionTeams/marketingactionteam.htm to help you market 4-H in your community.

After teaching sessions at the state 4-H Ambassador Training, we realize that not everyone is aware of the items we have available. Share these resources with others who are marketing your program.  As a team, we are working on the Recruitment Issue of the Kansas 4-H Journal. Our focus this year will be different. Instead of sharing ideas of "how" to recruit, this will be an issue that 4-H families can share with other families to make them aware of the 4-H program, hopefully helping convince them to join 4-H.

If you have thoughts or questions on marketing 4-H, please don't hesitate to e-mail me at dmack@oznet.ksu.edu . --Diane Mack dmack@oznet.ksu.edu 

PROMOTING WATERSHED EDUCATION IN YOUR COMMUNITY
The Office of Local Government is pleased to announce the availability of EnviroScape watershed education models through a partnership with the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE).

The EnviroScape models are available for use by county Extension offices, conservation districts, community organizations, local governments, and local schools in promoting awareness and understanding of water quality protection issues. These three-dimensional landscape models are hands-on learning tools that connect what we do on land to what happens in our rivers, lakes, and groundwater. The models include a follow-up demonstration that shows how to prevent water pollution through the use of best management practices, emphasizing to people of all ages that we share responsibilities for preventing water pollution. EnviroScape models are ideal for use at water festivals, county fairs, Earth Day activities, organizational meetings, school science fairs, and other events. A user’s guide and video accompany each model to aid facilitators in presenting a demonstration.

The Nonpoint Source model shows pollution from residential areas, forestry, transportation, recreation, agriculture, construction, as well as from industry as a point source. Pollution and runoff are visually apparent when rain carries soil (cocoa), chemicals (colored drink mixes) and oil (cocoa and water mixture) through the watershed to a pond, lake, river, or ocean.

The Wetlands model demonstrates the basic functions and values of wetlands. Learn how to recognize different types of wetlands, understand what activities negatively affect wetlands, and what activities can help to conserve wetlands.

The Hazardous Materials model shows potential sources of pollution from hazardous materials and waste; proper use and disposal options for hazardous materials; prevention practices to keep hazardous materials from adversely affecting the environment; methods used to clean up hazardous waste sites; and environmental and health risks associated with contamination.

The Groundwater Kit demonstrates how groundwater works, how it is used and polluted, and how we can prevent and clean up groundwater contamination.

The Riparian Kit shows the benefits of riparian buffers – areas including trees and other vegetation adjacent to the banks of streams, rivers and lakes. The kit explores the positive effects of good riparian buffers as well as activities that contribute to poor riparian buffer zones.

Funding for the EnviroScape models was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program, administered by the Kansas Department of Health & Environment – Watershed Management Section. 

For more information, or to check-out an EnviroScape model, contact Laura Downey at KACEE at 785-532-3322, or e-mail ldowney@oznet.ksu.edu . --Robert Wilson rwilson@loki.agecon.ksu.edu 

ORGANIZATION SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR VEGETABLES PRODUCTION PROJECTS IN UKRAINE
Since 1993, The Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs (CNFA) has administered the Farmer-to-Farmer program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. This program shares the expertise of experienced U.S. farmers and agribusiness professionals with their colleagues in Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. CNFA volunteers have helped create regional farmer associations, farmer cooperatives, agribusinesses, and assisted groups of farmers with improved crop and livestock production practices.

CNFA is seeking vegetable production specialists who have experience working with various stages of the vegetable production cycle and working with a diversity of crops, especially cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, onions, carrots, squash and pumpkins. Each project is 19-21 days long. Costs associated with the volunteer assignments (such as airfare, food, lodging and translation services) are covered by CNFA. These projects provide a great opportunity for someone who is interested in experiencing other countries and cultures while helping small-scale vegetable farmers earn a decent income.

If you are, or know of someone who might be interested in contributing time and knowledge to this or a similar  project, please e-mail Eric Wallace at ewallace@cnfa.org  or call toll-free 1-888-872-2632. Candidates can also mail their résumé to CNFA, ATTN: Eric Wallace, Program Coordinator, CNFA, Inc., 1111 19th Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036. Due to the nature of this program, only U.S. citizens will be considered. --Steven M. Graham sgraham@k-state.edu 

SDI TECHNOLOGY FIELD DAY TO BE HELD IN COLBY ON AUGUST 10
A subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) technology field day will be held during the afternoon-evening of August 10, 2004 at the KSU Northwest Research-Extension Center in Colby. The event will celebrate 15 years of active and continuous KSU research with SDI for use in field crops. Research highlights will be presented covering the 15 year time period as well as current activities. Further details will be available at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/sdi/events/sdievent.htm  as the date approaches, but mark your calendars now for the event. --Freddie Lamm flamm@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 MAY 5, 2004, THROUGH MAY 11, 2004:

Wednesday, May 5
.... SE KAFCE Recognition Day-North District, Linn County, Multi-county, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Gayle Price gprice@oznet.ksu.edu

Thursday, May 6
.... Beef Cattle and Forage Crops Field Day, Mound Valley/LB, SE Area, 8:30 a.m., Lyle Lomas llomas@oznet.ksu.edu
.... SE KAFCE Recognition Day-South District, Montgomery Co., Multi-county, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Gayle Price gprice@oznet.ksu.edu

Thursday, May 6, through Friday, May 7
.... Kansas Assn. of County Agricultural Agents Spring Workshop (KACAA), Marysville/MS, Statewide, Mark Ploger mploger@oznet.ksu.edu

Monday, May 10, through Thursday, May 13
.... Program Development, Manhattan, Statewide, 12:30 p.m., Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu and Paula Peters peters@humec.ksu.edu

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