The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 11, No. 17   March 8, 2005

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...VIP R&R Task Force
...Kansas Nutrition Council
...It's Time for "Walk Kansas" 2005
...Thank You from Lindquists
...Farmers' Market Workshop
...A Gathering for Gardeners
...Earth Day Mini-Grants Available
...USDA Rural Development to Host Program Information Meetings
...Regional Food Systems & Marketing Opportunities Workshop
...Organic Production and Certification Information
...Multimedia and Digital Imaging Help
...Currently on "What's Hot!"
...4-H Exhibitors Handbook Updates
...Plant Diagnostic Information System
...Leadership and Diversity Workshops
...KAE4-HA will Host their Spring Meeting
...March Kansas Junior Master Gardener Newsletter now Available
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

"Everywhere we see workers neglecting the big things to attend to the little. While they are doing some little detail that should be left to a clerk, a stenographer, or an office boy, they lose sight of some great advantage which they might have gained - some real problem they might have solved, had they been free to attend to it. No one is great enough to be a leader and at the same time bury himself in details. Either the big things or the little things must predominate; the one is sure to outweigh the other."

Don't sweat the little stuff. Learn how to effectively delegate, and when you delegate, understand that it won't be done exactly as you had envisioned - heaven forbid, it might actually be better!

Spring action conference should also focus on another section in that bulletin entitled "Do the Things Which Will Count."

"It is a great art to know what to leave undone, to know how to weed out the less important things and to spend one's energies in doing the things which will count.

If we do the things that will count we must have a plan or project and a program of work, either written up carefully and referred to from time to time or so thoroughly impressed in our minds that there is no chance of forgetting it. Once we have formulated a plan and program of work we must stick to it regardless of our tendency to be side tracked by other pressing duties and obligations. Otherwise, all our good resolutions and work begun will amount to little or nothing."

"Scholarship of Extension," a 2001 K-State Research & Extension white paper by Olsen and Mengel, identifies six key points in gaining excellence in Extension. Those points are 1) clarity and relevance of goals; 2) mastery of existing knowledge; 3) appropriate use of methodologies and resources; 4) effectiveness of communication; 5) significance of results; and 6) consistently ethical behavior. I challenge each of you to come to Spring Action Conference with your personal program plan well embedded in your mind or in written form in your hands. Your personal plan of work for the coming year and the next five years, to achieve excellence, must have the careful and complete attention to all six of these points. Such attention will "keep your eye on the big things" and "doing the things which will count." 

If you have missed the information about Spring Action Conference, you can find it at http://intranet.oznet.ksu.edu/springactionconference/ . --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu  

VIP R&R TASK FORCE
Under the leadership of Rod Buchele and Diane Mack, the newly appointed VIP R&R Task Force has been given the charge of reviewing and revising the current VIP Form, Policies and Procedures with final product(s) delivered by August 1. Members of the Task Force include: Gwen Spade, Pam Van Horn, Sarah Maass, Stephanie Einspahr and Byron Hale.

All staff members are encouraged to share ideas, concerns and solutions with the task force members in the immediate future, as they begin their work March 14. --Pat McNally pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu

KANSAS NUTRITION COUNCIL
The Kansas Nutrition Council Conference, "Diabetes in the Real World," will be held Thursday, March 31, at the Holiday Inn Lawrence Convention Center. Dr. Richard Guthrie will provide information on diabetes trends in Kansas. Nationally recognized speaker Zonya Foco, RD, will inspire the audience with two sessions - "How to Make Nutrition Exciting and Fun" and "Selling Sound Nutrition to a Country that Loves Fad Diets." A panel discussion provided by individuals who live with diabetes every day will conclude the conference. Registration is $68 if postmarked by March 21.

Registration materials are posted on the K-State Research & Extension - Riley County website - http://www.rileycountyks.gov/extension . For more information, contact Sharolyn Jackson, KNC President-Elect, at 785-537-6350, or e-mail sharolyn@ksu.edu . --Sharolyn Jackson

IT'S TIME FOR "WALK KANSAS" 2005
You still have time to gather your team members and join the fun. Most counties in Kansas are offering "Walk Kansas" from March 13 through May 7. To participate in Riley County, contact Sharolyn Jackson, County Extension Agent - Nutrition, Health & Safety. Team registration will be accepted through March 11.

Riley County registration materials are available at: http://walkkansasrl.org . --Sharolyn Jackson sharolyn@ksu.edu

THANK YOU FROM LINDQUISTS
I want to express a great big thank you to Extension colleagues in Umberger Hall, the Northeast Area, Metro Counties and others that have been thinking of my wife Mary during her hospitalization and recovery from cancer surgery. She lost three ribs, but knows because of the beautiful flowers sent to the hospital, the many cards of encouragement and prayers for healing, that she can battle on with optimism because of the support we are receiving from all of you. You have made a difficult challenge easier to accept. --Jim Lindquist jlindqui@oznet.ksu.edu

FARMERS' MARKET WORKSHOP
There will be a free Farmers' Market Workshop on March 23, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Hutchinson Zoo in Carey Park, Hutchinson. The workshop is for vendors, market managers and anyone interested in becoming a market vendor. Topics covered include Small Fruit Crops, Crops for the Entire Season, High Tunnels, Growing Flowers for the Market, Resources for Market Vendors, Tips for New Vendors and Market Surveys: Getting to Know Your Customer. Lunch will be provided by the Reno County Producer's Market. There is no cost to attend but registration is required by calling the Reno County Extension Office at 620-662-2371. Please contact ppaulsen@oznet.ksu.edu  if you have any questions. --Pam Paulsen

A GATHERING FOR GARDENERS
A Gathering for Gardeners will be held March 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E. 12th, Hutchinson. Admission is free to attend the series of gardening presentations.

Morning topics include: Plant Propagation, Top Ten Horticulture Problems in Yard and Garden and Attracting Song Birds to Your Yard.

The afternoon sessions will be a three hour home landscaping seminar by Dr. Gus van der Hoeven. For questions, please contact Pam Paulsen at ppaulsen@oznet.ksu.edu , or call 620-662-2371. --Pam Paulsen

EARTH DAY MINI-GRANTS AVAILABLE
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 7 in Kansas City, is accepting proposals from local agencies, state agencies, environmental groups and not-for profit organizations for Earth Day financial support. Proposals will be accepted for $500 up to $2,500.

The proposals should support EPA’s mission, which is to protect human health and the environment, and should engage the community.

Proposals will be accepted ONLY if they fit the following format:

(A) Use both sides of one page
(B) Name of Organization
(C) Address
(D) Contact Person
(E) Phone Number
(F) E-mail address

Please answer the following questions. These questions will be the criteria used to evaluate proposals:

(1) How does the project support Earth Day?
(2) What are the long-term benefits of the project?
(3) Can this proposed project/work be used again?
(4) How does your community support your request?
(5) Do you need voluntary support from EPA staff? Please supply details.

Two copies of the proposal should be mailed to Denise D. Morrison, 901 North 5th Street, Kansas City, KS 66101, by March 18. The recipients will be notified by March 31. Mrs. Morrison can be contacted toll-free at 800-223-0425, or at morrison.denise@epa.gov . --Robert Wilson rwilson@loki.agecon.ksu.edu

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT TO HOST PROGRAM INFORMATION MEETINGS
USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks announced that the Agency will host four informational meetings. The presentations, covering the Agency’s community and business programs, are scheduled from March 21 through 28, and will be held in Iola, Dodge City, Colby, and Manhattan.

“Rural communities require strong coalitions and strategic partnerships to prosper. Rural residents need affordable housing and essential community facilities. Rural workers need good jobs and rural businesses need economic stimulus to compete in a changing marketplace. USDA Rural Development is committed, through the Agency’s programs and its strong network of partnerships, to assist Kansas to achieve these important community and economic development goals,” commented State Director Banks.

During Fiscal Year 2004, USDA Rural Development in Kansas administered an all-time record $152 million in financial assistance to our State. In addition to an impressive 28% increase compared to last year, this level of Agency programming represents the fourth consecutive year of + $100 million for Kansas.

The four USDA Rural Development informational meetings will be held:

Iola - March 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Allen County Community College, Administration Building, Lecture Hall, 1801 N. Cottonwood, Iola.

Dodge City - March 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dodge City Community College Area Technical Center, Student Union Building, Ford County Room, 2501 North 14th Avenue, Dodge City.

Colby - March 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Colby Community Building, Little Theater, 285 East 5th Street, Colby. 

Manhattan - March 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kansas Farm Bureau, 2627 KFB Plaza, Manhattan.

For additional meeting information, contact USDA Rural Development at 785-271-2701, or e-mail the Agency at harold.alford@ks.usda.gov , or log onto the state’s Rural Development website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks .

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs that support increasing economic opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for rural Americans. As a venture capital entity, USDA Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure in rural America. --Dan Kahl dkahl@oznet.ksu.edu

REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS & MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES WORKSHOP
This workshop offers exciting opportunities to communities and food producers seeking new markets built through direct sales, agri-tourism, and building community food systems. Presenters are also practitioners who will share their successful projects. Local foods and farm tours are planned, plus a panel of resource organizations and programs in Kansas.

The workshop is March 29-30, in Lindsborg, Kansas at the Old Mill Museum and Swedish Pavilion. Travel scholarships are available for producers, extension educators and community leaders.

Contact Jana Beckman for more information, beckman@ksu.edu or 785-532-1440. --Jana Beckman

ORGANIC PRODUCTION AND CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
Since the Organic Agriculture Conference, there has been an increase of calls regarding organic certification, labeling and production practices.

For your convenience, publications are gathered at http://www.kansassustainableag.org/Pubs/O.htm#organiccertification . The ATTRA workbook and resource guides for crop production and livestock systems are very helpful, as is the NOP compliance checklist.

Information about organic labeling requirements can be found in the K-State publication S-140A beginning on page 9, http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/hort2/samplers/s140a.asp . --Jana Beckman beckman@ksu.edu

MULTIMEDIA AND DIGITAL IMAGING HELP
There are many great services available through IET to help you with digital imaging (cameras, scanning, photo editing), digital video for Web or presentations, Website authoring with FrontPage, and working with interactive multimedia.

Participants can attend either the workshop in Garden City on April 19-20, or in Junction City on April 26-27. The goal is to help further understand issues of diversity and expand engagement with diverse populations in community leadership. The workshops will include excellent speakers, meals, and sharing time, and a unique experience: Participants will be placed on teams and sent into the communities to interact with citizens and bring back items or images representing diversity. There will also be time to learn about grant opportunities and work on plans for expanding diversity.

For more information, go to www.kansasleadershipforum.com and click on 2005 Leadership and Diversity workshops. –Ron Wilson  rwilson@oznet.ksu.edu 

KAE4-HA WILL HOST THEIR SPRING MEETING
KAE4-HA will host their spring meeting in Hays, KS, May 17-18. A flyer and registration information is located on the KAE4-HA Website which can be found at: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/kae4ha/ .

Registration will be due May 1. We hope to see you there! --Andrea Schmidt and Beth Hinshaw bhinshaw@oznet.ksu.edu

MARCH KANSAS JUNIOR MASTER GARDENER NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
The March Kansas Junior Master Gardener Newsletter is now available at
http://4-h.k-state.edu/JMG/Newsletters/2005/March%202005.pdf . --Evelyn Neier eneier@oznet.ksu.edu

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