The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

Vol. 12, No. 1 November 8, 2005

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Status of Faculty Positions
...TechBytes Technology Series: Getting the Most Out of Your Digital Camera
...First Aid and CPR Training for Agents and Specialists
...Department of Animal Sciences and Industry - Kiracofe Lecture
...Discussion of New Medicare Prescription Drug Program on Public TV
...Farewell Reception for Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy
...Program Development Training Open to All
...Risk Management
...Faculty Professional Development
...Generic 4-H Project Record Sheet P1106
...Bill Snyder PSA
...Results of American Royal National 4-H Meat Judging & Identification Contest
...National Extension Diversity Center
...SpaceTech
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Extension workers are truly agents of change. Going back in our history, the term "agent" has been attributed to one of the first extension employees in Broome County, New York where a local Chamber of Commerce in 1911 became concerned for the welfare of the farmers and agricultural industry in the county and established a Farm Bureau and employed an "agent" who was a graduate of Cornell University with funds from a local railroad and donations to the local Chamber. Through those actions, the Farm Bureau movement spread rapidly across the country and membership into the Farm Bureau helped to pay the salary of these early county agents (Rogers, Diffusion of Innovations, 1995). In Kansas, "Farmers Institutes" were established as far back as in the 1870's. But, the Farm Bureau organization got established around 1912 through some direction of Edward Johnson, then Superintendent of the Farmers Institute. Leavenworth County became the first county to hire an agent in Kansas in 1912. Then, in 1914, Congress passed the Smith-Lever act which provided federal financing for the establishment of a Cooperative Extension Service. And in 1915, Kansas Legislature passed the County Farm Bureau Law authorizing county appropriations to help support Extension work in the counties. From the beginning in Kansas, county agents were paid in part by funds from both county appropriations and funds coming from Kansas State Agriculture College through a cooperative agreement.

When looking back at our roots, the hiring of those early Extension agents was specifically targeted to provide for the diffusion of innovations and knowledge to improve the farm sector of this nation's economy. County agents linked themselves to agricultural colleges and the advent of state Extension specialists became common. That role was one of linking scientific results and academic intellect with the pragmatic problems facing farmers. The Extension workers of contemporary still face the challenge of interpreting, integrating, and applying the scientific discoveries and academic knowledge-base into the realities of a much more complex and yet pragmatic world in which our clientele must live and prosper. Success as an agent of change falls short with simply educating the public. Success is achieved when evidence indicates that the clientele understand and can envision how that knowledge-base and scientific understandings apply and can be incorporated into the pragmatic world of which they live and work.

Next week I will attempt to delve more into the importance of going beyond being an educator and into priority setting and program planning to be an agent of change. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

STATUS OF FACULTY POSITIONS
To check the status of faculty positions that are currently in the search process, see the K-State Research and Extension Job Opportunities website at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/main/jobs.asp . Click on "Employment Status of K-State Research and Extension Faculty Positions." Search committee chairs - contact Dorothy Ireland in the Extension Operations Office at direland@oznet.ksu.edu , or 785-532-5787, to keep the information updated. --Stacey M. Warner swarner@oznet.ksu.edu

TECHBYTES TECHNOLOGY SERIES: GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA
Digital cameras have renewed interest in photography due to no cost for film or processing. However, these cameras have become miniature computers with more functions than most people want or need. We will cover what is important to know in order to get the most out of these little marvels.

This is the last program in TechBytes program series for this semester. Please join us Friday, November 11, at 1:15 p.m. at the KSU Hale Library Hemisphere Room (501).

The program is also available as "live" streaming video. For more information and links to previous videos, handouts, and resources of other programs, visit our TechBytes Web site at http://www.ksu.edu/techbytes . --Gerry Snyder gsnyder@ksu.edu

FIRST AID AND CPR TRAINING FOR AGENTS AND SPECIALISTS
Every year, thousands of Kansans participate in Extension activities such as youth events, field days, and educational meetings. The vast majority of these activities take place without incident, but we need to be prepared in case of a medical emergency. Every now and then someone suffers from a fall, a heart problem, heat stress, or some other misfortune. Many of our participants are especially vulnerable to injury and illness due to their youth or advanced age.

Furthermore, some activities occur outdoors or in farm environments where mishaps are more common. It is important that we have someone present at every Extension event who is trained in first aid and CPR.

With this in mind, the Area Directors and I are asking that all Extension faculty complete an approved one-day first aid and CPR training course and keep their training current for the duration of employment. The purpose of this training is not to make you a medical expert, but simply to give you the confidence to recognize the seriousness of an incident and manage the situation appropriately until emergency services arrive.

To make this as easy as possible, each area office will coordinate a series of training classes each year. We would like each area and county office to send at least half of their agents and specialists to be trained in 2005, with the balance trained in 2006. Retraining will be required every two years thereafter.

Extension Administration will cover the cost of the training sessions sponsored through the area offices. If you are not able to attend any of these sessions, you may be able to arrange training through your local Red Cross or American Heart Association. You may also locate a class by calling your local fire department or the transportation supervisor at your school district. If you arrange training through one of these organizations, your Area Director is prepared to reimburse up to $22 per person for training fees to an approved one-day course from Red Cross, American Heart Association, Medic First Aid, or National Safety Council, providing the course includes hands-on training and results in a certificate of completion. You will want to contact the area office prior to taking that training to assure that you will have the proper paperwork to receive the reimbursement for that training.

Our clientele and program participants count on us to keep our events safe. Knowing how to respond in the event of a medical emergency is an important step in maintaining their continued confidence. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCES AND INDUSTRY - KIRACOFE LECTURE
"Growth Promotion Product Issues, Product Development and Potential for Academic and Industry Collaborations"

Monday, November 14, 4 p.m. -- KSU Weber Hall, Room 111

This lecture is presented by Dr. James W. Lauderdale, Lauderdale Enterprises, Inc. We encourage all K-State Research and Extension Agricultural Agents to view this special lecture featuring safety and regulatory issues dealing with growth promotants in beef cattle. It will be broadcast "live" using video streaming at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/seminars/ .

For further information on the lecture, contact Duane Davis, 785-532-1224, or ddavis@oznet.ksu.edu . For more information on viewing the video, contact Gerry Snyder, gsnyder@ksu.edu . --Gerry Snyder

DISCUSSION OF NEW MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM ON PUBLIC TV
Congressman Jerry Moran led a one hour discussion of the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program on Smoky Hill Public TV. The program will air again November 14, 9:30 p.m., on Topeka PBS KTWU. It can also be seen on Direct TV or Dish Network in some areas of the state on public TV channel.

Joining Jerry Moran for the discussion are Nancy Schmidt with Medicare, Bud Nolker with Social Security, and Mary Lou Odle, Extension Agent and SHICK Counselor. --Mary Lou Odle mlodle@oznet.ksu.edu

FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR DR. SONNY RAMASWAMY
Please join us as we congratulate Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy on his acceptance of the position of Director of Agriculture and Resource Programs at Purdue University. Dr. Ramaswamy has been Department Head of Entomology for eight years and was selected as a University Distinguished Professor in 2004.

A reception will be held Friday, November 18, 3 to 5 p.m. in Waters Hall 137. No gifts please. Donations in honor of Dr. Ramaswamy are welcome and will go to the Kansas State University Insect Zoo. Please contact Sharon Schroll at 785-532-5891 if you wish to make a donation. --Fred Cholick fcholick@oznet.ksu.edu

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT TRAINING OPEN TO ALL
The Assistant Directors will be conducting Program Development Training for new agents in Manhattan, starting at 1 p.m. Monday, November 28, going through early afternoon on Thursday, December 1. While this is designed to teach new agents, it is very appropriate for all who want to understand the program development process better.

What to Expect:
Please bring your current 5 year plan(s) to the training. In addition, you may want to look over the K-State Research and Extension long term intended outcome statements on the intranet at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/prev/ and be thinking about where your county/district or state program is headed in the next few years. Tying those plans together with a better understanding of the programs and resources on the state and area level will help improve your effectiveness as an agent or specialist. The Program Development Training will help you "fit it all together."

We plan to do the following:
-- Review the purpose, intent, and needs for time spent in program planning
-- Practice using the logic framework in designing a program plan
-- Discuss program methodologies appropriate to the strategies
-- Give an overview of community process in program delivery
-- Review the paperwork, from the planning document through monthly/quarterly reports, to the annual accomplishment report, and how those pieces can be appropriately brought in to your annual performance review
-- Become familiar with a few of the resource offices, labs, programs and faculty on campus
-- Develop and formally present a team action plan on a relevant issue with respect to your team's interests and responsibilities

It will be an opportunity to sharpen your existing plans and to hone the outcomes to your audience needs. This will be accomplished by dividing you into teams, each team choosing a program action plan, and then creating and delivering a presentation to a "funder" based on local needs and the anticipated positive changes to your clientele. If you are interested in participating, please send one of us a note. --Paula Peters peters@humec.ksu.edu , Pat McNally pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu , or Pat Murphy jmurphy@ksu.edu

RISK MANAGEMENT
The latest draft of a K-State Research and Extension Risk Management document is available for review. Go to http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/ and click on Draft Publications.

The Risk Management team encourages you to review the material and send comments, questions and issues for consideration to Stacey Warner, swarner@ksu.edu , by Wednesday, November 23.

The purpose of the document is to provide a checklist and supplemental information for faculty, staff and volunteers to use in assessing and addressing the risks associated with K-State Research and Extension educational events and activities. --Stacey M. Warner

FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
A Faculty Orientation, with a primary focus on the Extension mission of the University, is scheduled for December 7 to 9, 2005 at the McPherson County Office of K-State Research and Extension. While the orientation has an extension focus, several of the presentations will be applicable to any research, teaching and extension faculty working anywhere within the organization. We are also extending an invitation to faculty who have been employed for several years but may never have had the opportunity to attend an orientation.

Topics will include - the unique role of the land-grant university, positive working relationships, program development including the K-State Research and Extension five-year plan, basic principles of adult education, and services available from the Department of Communications.

Registration information is available at www.oznet.ksu.edu/main/new_faculty_orientation.pdf , or from Staff Corner on the Web. Questions can be directed to Paula Peters, Pat Murphy, Pat McNally, Margaret Phillips or Stacey Warner. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

GENERIC 4-H PROJECT RECORD SHEET P1106
Just a reminder that this new record sheet is available as an alternative to individual 4-H project, "Member Guides and Annual Reports." I would appreciate county/district feedback as to the use of the new record compared to the Member Guide and Annual Report for specific projects. --Jim Adams jadams@oznet.ksu.edu

BILL SNYDER PSA
Due to popular demand, the Bill Snyder PSA is now available through Extension Distribution. Order DVD 563 Bill Snyder 4-H PSA. Cost is $5.10 and can be taken out of your publication allocation. --Jim Adams jadams@oznet.ksu.edu

RESULTS OF AMERICAN ROYAL NATIONAL 4-H MEAT JUDGING & IDENTIFICATION CONTEST
The American Royal National 4-H Meat Judging & Identification Contest was held October 13, on the K-State Campus in the Animal Sciences & Industry Department complex.

Results from the 12th annual contest indicate 69 4-H youth from 18 states participated. Texas, Wyoming and Alabama had the top three placing teams. Our Kansas team from Bourbon County, coached by Kevin Gleason and Delta George, placed 6th out of the 18 teams. The contest was hosted primarily in the Meat Lab area of Weber Hall and was coordinated by Dr. Dave Schafer, Professor and Extension Specialist, Meats emeritus. Contest origins with the American Royal’s support go back to 1947 with then K-State Professor Davey Mackintosh’s leadership. --Dave Schafer davideschafer@sbcglobal.net

NATIONAL EXTENSION DIVERSITY CENTER
Teaching migrant workers how to plant and prune trees is the featured article in the November issue of the electronic newsletter of the National Extension Diversity Center. Other regular features of the letter are sections on hiring for diversity, staff development, reaching audiences and organizational change.

The National Extension Diversity Center is a collaborative effort of land-grant university diversity efforts. To learn more about the center and to view the newsletter, go to www.ediversitycenter.net . --Stacey M. Warner swarner@ksu.edu

SPACETECH
The Kansas 4-H SpaceTech action team would like to encourage all to visit www.kansas4h.org/spacetech for information that will help interested 4Hers in SpaceTech projects. We have, besides the CCS curricula in aerospace, no other curricula. However, this sites provides a good source of information that will guide youth who are getting into SpaceTech projects. We would also like to encourage you to frequently visit this site for information on the up-coming "SpaceTech Educators'/Project Leaders' Workshop" scheduled for February 17 -19, 2006. --Walter Barker wbarker@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 NOVEMBER 16, 2005, THROUGH NOVEMBER 22, 2005:

Thursday, November 17
.... Strip-till Meeting, Larned/PN, Multi-county, SW, 8:00 a.m., Curtis Thompson cthompso@oznet.ksu.edu
.... KSU Swine Day, Manhattan, Statewide, Jim Nelssen jnelssen@oznet.ksu.edu

Friday, November 18
.... Kansas Nutrition Network (KNN) Meeting, Wichita, KS, Statewide, Karen Fitzgerald kfitzger@ksu.edu
.... Deadline: 4-H Exchange Travel Applications to State 4-H Office, Statewide, Mary Kay Munson m-munson@uiuc.edu

Friday, November 18, through Sunday, November 20
.... Kansas Youth Leadership Forum, Rock Springs 4-H Center, Statewide, Beth Hinshaw bhinshaw@oznet.ksu.edu and Justin Wiebers jwiebers@oznet.ksu.edu

Saturday, November 19, through Sunday, November 20
.... Kansas 4-H Volunteer Forum, Rock Springs 4-H Center, Statewide, Rod Buchele rbuchele@oznet.ksu.edu

Top

Please Submit Items by Friday to include in the following Tuesday Letter to:
tuesday@oznet.ksu.edu. Put the word "Tuesday" in the subject line.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.