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IN THIS ISSUE... ...Word
from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH I want to begin a dialog on the draft recommendations within the Cooperative Extension Strategic Plan. The first set to tackle are under the section on Organizational Structure and Staffing. The most recent version of the draft strategic plan is downloadable in acrobat and Word format at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/strategic_planning/ . Background statements are intended to convey the most endearing principles which must be preserved. In Organizational Structure and Staffing, the background message conveys the importance of local Councils and Boards having responsibility for defining the local Extension educational programs. The committee further stresses the importance of that local Council/Board's connection with Kansas State University, the national network of Extension, and the USDA, to assure the quality of the information and educational programs. To me, this statement really points out the dependency each component of the system has on the other components if Extension is to provide the quality, relevant programs that truly meet the needs of the people of Kansas. The first recommendation urges Extension to increase its reach into the under served and minority audiences. Extension historically reached out to under served audiences in the rural areas. We first listened to understand the needs, and then designed educational programs to reach that rural audience. Without question, Extension has been hugely successful in helping that rural audience with improving quality of life and economic well being. The first recommendation communicates the urgency to listen to minority and under served audiences across this state and implement strategies to reach those audiences with educational programs that will improve quality of life and economic well being over the long haul. I am reminded of a conference we had in January 2003, "Engaging Hispanic Audiences in Kansas." At that conference, Juan Moreno, Extension specialist from Minnesota, reminded me of how little I understand of the Hispanic culture. Actually, his message was more on the lines of how little I knew of my own cultural background and how that affects the way I look at the world and make value-based decisions. He emphasized the importance of having a deep understanding of your own culture, and how that can help to understand the cultures of others. A first step in bridging those cultural barriers. The strategic planning committee offers several more steps in this process. The committee recommends we build partnerships and increase the diversity of our program development committees. The committee further recommends we diversify our employee base. As one looks further into the professional development recommendations, the committee recommends support and incentives to faculty for developing multilingual capabilities. Throughout the recommendations, the importance of Extension taking a proactive role in developing the opportunities for minority and under served audiences through our information and educational programs is evident. We must look at those things we are doing now to reach those audiences, and move forward with innovative ways to increase the reach and the impact of Extension information and education to the under served in Kansas. I appreciate your feedback, thoughts, ideas, suggestions. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. OBSERVANCE WEEK Finally, the K-State Office of Diversity and the Ebony Theatre will bring the week to a close through an artful presentation with the Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Week Dinner Theatre. The MANRRS organization plans to openly show their support, as all members will be in attendance of the event. We hope to have a table filled with College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension faculty and staff seated right next to us as we enjoy the wonderful festivities planned. We strongly encourage each and every member of the College of Agriculture/K-State Research and Extension Community to take part in these events. Best wishes for a productive spring 2005 Semester as we observe Martin Luther King Jr. week in the month of January! For more information on the Dinner Theatre, please contact Mirta Chavez via e-mail, mirta@ksu.edu or phone, 785-532-6276. --Tamara Mack mack@ksu.edu
CONTACT
WITH LEGISLATORS/LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES As employees of the KSU College of Agriculture/K-State Research and Extension, we operate under the auspices of the Kansas Board of Regents. We are subject, therefore, to "The Policy and Procedures Manual" of the Kansas Board of Regents. The entire section 5 of the manual in entitled: "Interaction With The Legislature And Other State Agencies." I will not go into all the details because the overall message is very simple. We are to cooperate with such requests and can interact with legislators but ALSO are required to notify the President/CEO of the Board of Regents about an invitation to produce information, appear before a committee, provide input to a law, etc. The way we do this within the College of Agriculture/K-State Research and Extension is to e-mail or call Steven Graham. He will inform Sue Peterson, Assistant to the President and Director of Governmental Relations for Kansas State University. Sue then notifies the Board of Regents. I encourage you to use this chain of command for two
reasons: I appreciate your cooperation. Steven Graham can be reached by e-mailing sgraham@oznet.ksu.edu or by calling 785-532-5729. Thanks for your cooperation. --Fred Cholick fcholick@oznet.ksu.edu
4-H DISCOVERY DAYS
NEEDS YOUR HELP! For 4-H programs like this to be successful, youth depend on contributions from many people. Donors give financially to support the program. Volunteers give their time to encourage and build relationships with young people. Agents give their nights and weekends and University departments and faculty share their expertise to help young people explore new interests and potential careers. Please consider sharing your time, talents, and gifts for 4-H Discovery Days! Please direct any questions to Kara Poovey, kapoovey@ksu.edu , or Justin Wiebers, jwiebers@ksu.edu , or call 785-532-5800. --Justin Wiebers
DISCOVERY DAYS SPIRIT
LEADER APPLICATIONS REVISED
TRAINING TO RECORD AGENT
MONTHLY PROGRESS We will train for a specific task (i.e., agent monthly progress) that you will soon be performing as part of your regular responsibilities. Martha and Joann have already entered the Action Plans—as submitted, into the RETORIC system. We will show you how to search, edit, and then record results—beginning with agent monthly progress—against what you planned. Additional training components will be offered as new tasks will be undertaken. We will conduct training (conference calls) using a toll-free number so that you can log on to a test site and participate at your own computer. Just call Joann or Martha, 785-532-6775, to tell them your availability. After registering for a specific time, you will receive an e-mail with your login information, the Uniform Resource Locator (URL), and attachments we will be using for training. Throughout the training, we are only asking for small segments of anyone’s time (approximately 45-60 minutes) and no road time! With multiple times available on a first-come, first-serve basis, everyone will have opportunity to participate in the near future. Access to the system will be granted upon completion of training. We believe you will find multiple benefits and uses of all of your information being captured in a central database. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu
NINTH ANNUAL NO-TILL ON THE
PLAINS WINTER CONFERENCE For more information or to register for the upcoming Winter Conference, contact No-Till on the Plains, Inc. at 888-330-5142 or visit the website at www.notill.org . --Jana Lindley jana.lindley@notill.org
FIRST AID/CPR TRAININGS SCHEDULED Training sessions at the following locations are
scheduled at this time: Please contact Penny Adams, 532-5833, padams@oznet.ksu.edu , to register for these trainings. First priority will be given to agents and specialists and registration will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Agents and specialists can obtain this training at no cost. A fee of $22 per person for program assistants and office professionals will be billed to the county or district office after the training. Please contact me if you have any questions. --Jim Lindquist jlindqui@oznet.ksu.edu
WEB AUTHOR TRAINING: MICROSOFT
FRONTPAGE 2003 Classes are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon on February 2, March 2, and April 6, in the Umberger Training lab (Room 317) in Manhattan. To reserve your spot in this class, please contact Regina Fitts at IET, 785-532-6270, or regina@oznet.ksu.edu . For Website help and information on using FrontPage, contact Gerry Snyder at IET, 785-532-6270, or gsnyder@oznet.ksu.edu . --Gerry Snyder
ROOTWORM EDUCATION WORKSHOPS The K-State-sponsored site will be located at 2000 Kimball Avenue in the conference room of the Kansas Crop Improvement Association building. We should have room for 8 to 12 county agents and specialists. Because seating is limited, we need to know if you will be attending and are asking that you reply to Sharon Schroll by sending an e-mail to sschroll@oznet.ksu.edu or by calling 785-532-5891 by January 12. This two-day curriculum (different topics each day) will explore a wide range of issues that relate to understanding and managing corn rootworms in field corn. Sharon can read or fax you a copy of the draft agenda if you want more detailed information on the subjects to be covered. We have been told that a firm agenda should be available in early January. If this distance education event appears to have value in a larger sense, we may customize the presentations and topics to better fit the needs of Kansans. For instance, at a future date we could offer a Kansas-specific version that would eliminate information not particularly relevant to local situations. --Randy Higgins rhiggins@oznet.ksu.edu
WINDBREAK & TREE PLANTING
WORKSHOP - JANUARY 25 IN SENECA Topics of discussions will include: Care, Planting, and Selection of Seedling Trees; Planning and Design of a Functional Windbreak; and Management of Existing Windbreaks. Participants are encouraged to bring a sketch or map of their property that includes buildings, roads, corrals, gardens, utilities, etc., for the afternoon session to help with the planning of their windbreak. Cost is $8 per person and will include lunch and a workshop notebook. Please contact the Nemaha County Extension Office at 785-336-2184 by Monday, January 24, to register for the workshop. --David Key dkey@oznet.ksu.edu
PEACE CORPS - MEXICO PROGRAM
ASSIGNMENTS The Peace Corps program in Mexico is able to place various high level technically skilled individuals in the areas of business, environmental engineering, water engineering, animal feed production/agro engineering, knowledge management, urban/regional planning, and mechanical, chemical, and industrial engineering. COUPLES: One spouse can be any of the above assignment areas and the other spouse must meet the qualifications above or be qualified to teach English to Engineers in professional settings. For questions, please contact the Denver Regional Peace Corps office q5 303-844-7020 or 1-80-424-8580. For information about the Peach Corps and to apply, go to www.peacecorps.gov . --Steven Graham sgraham@oznet.ksu.edu
JANUARY KANSAS JUNIOR MASTER GARDENER
NEWSLETTER NOW ON WEB
THANK YOU
I would like to thank everyone who remembered our family following my Dad's death. It is very encouraging to work with such a supportive staff. --Carla Morrical-Frederking cmorrica@oznet.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 JANUARY 19, 2005, THROUGH JANUARY 25, 2005: Wednesday, January 19 .... Junior Master Gardener Training, Garden City, Statewide, 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Evelyn Neier eneier@oznet.ksu.edu and Rod Buchele rbuchele@oznet.ksu.edu .... Crops School, Bourbon, Single county, SE, Gary Kilgore gkilgore@oznet.ksu.edu Wednesday, January 19, through Thursday, January 20 Thursday, January 20 .... Ag Tech Day, Hugoton/SV, Single county, SW, 9:30 a.m., Curtis Thompson cthompso@oznet.ksu.edu .... Ag Tech Day, Ulysses/GT, Single county, SW, 1:30 p.m., Curtis Thompson cthompso@oznet.ksu.edu Friday, January 21 .... Breakfast Round Table, Montgomery, Single county, SE, a.m., Sarah Fogleman sfoglema@oznet.ksu.edu and Gary Kilgore gkilgore@oznet.ksu.edu Saturday, January 22 .... Sedgwick County 4-H Shooting Sports Match, Wichita, KS, Statewide, Eric Otte eotte@oznet.ksu.edu Monday, January 24 Tuesday, January 25 .... Soybean Profit Seminar, Anderson, Multi-county, SE, Gary Kilgore gkilgore@oznet.ksu.edu |
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