The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 12, No. 26  May 9, 2006

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Scholarship to Attend Epsilon Sigma Phi National Meeting ($375)
...July Publication Order Form Error
...Youth Gardening Leader Workshops
...Extension Specialist for Aging
...National Extension Diversity Newsletter
...Items for Sale in Wyandotte County
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
The fourth issue that Jim Collins focuses on in Good to Great and the Social Sectors is the hedgehog concept and rethinking the economic engine for social sector organizations. You see, the hedgehog concept is one of gaining focus, focus on what the organization is deeply passionate about, what are we best in the world at, and what best drives the economic engine. But, as Collins points out, making money isn't a factor in a social organization. And, social sectors don't have rational capital markets that channel resources to those who deliver the best results. So, what is the "economic engine" for K-State Research and Extension?

If we work towards our mission, maintain a focus of which we are deeply passionate, and do what we do best, we do indeed set ourselves in the best possible position to have resources flow our way. In today's time, that means reaching for external funding. The funding that comes through the regular governmental channels is critical in our future, and we must remain intent upon getting that portion. However, the growth of those public monies has not and will never keep up with the growing demand for additional resources as we attend to our mission.

In the comprehensive mission of K-State, we have sought donors to assist with scholarships for students for a long time. We depend heavily upon grants and contracts to provide core funding for many of our targeted research and education initiatives. More recently, we reach out to donors in the private sector to help fund building projects, large research/education initiatives, and other targeted programs. The pendulum continues to swing towards grants, contracts, and donor gifts becoming more important to our future.

What does Collins point to as we move to these various external resources as our economic engine?

He drives home the importance of the Hedgehog Concept. Are you a Hedgehog or a Fox?  --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND EPSILON SIGMA PHI NATIONAL MEETING ($375)
Kansas ESP members -- Apply now for a scholarship to cover the registration fee to the National ESP conference in Annapolis, Maryland, November 14 - 17, 2006. Information about the conference is available at http://espnational.org/natconf.htm .

This is a great opportunity for members to grow professionally, and for life members to attend and stay in the Extension groove! A considerable number of life members attend this conference each year.

Four scholarships will be awarded. The scholarships are available through the Professional Development Committee of the Alpha Rho Chapter through a grant from the endowment fund.

To apply, fill out the form on the Alpha Rho website: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/esp-AlphaRho/  under “What’s New.”  Applications are due June 15 to Laurie Chandler, Professional Development Committee Chair.

For more information, contact Laurie Chandler, Stacey Warner, or Trudy Rice. --Laurie Chandler lchandle@ksu.edu

JULY PUBLICATION ORDER FORM ERROR
Please note that five of the revised publications listed on the July Order Form are available via grant funding, so there will be no charge for:

MF2360 (Rev.) "Comparing Irrigation Energy Costs";
L885 (Rev.) "Evaluating Pumping Plant Efficiency";
MF2587 (Rev.) "Fuel Cost – An Irrigation Fuel Cost Evaluator";
MF2552 (Rev.) "IrriGage"; and
L886 (Rev.) "Reading Pump and Engine Performance Curves."

We regret the error. --Nancy Zimmerli-Cates nancyz@ksu.edu

YOUTH GARDENING LEADER WORKSHOPS
Three youth gardening leader workshops are scheduled for June. These workshops are designed for individuals with an interest in youth gardening programs, including Extension agents, Extension Master Gardeners, 4-H leaders, Junior Master Gardener leaders, teachers, and community volunteers.

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS. 

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