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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 The purpose for declaring areas of program focus is to work towards improving the professional development opportunities of Extension agents in such a way so as to increase subject matter competency and subsequently increase personal capacity to proactively deliver educational programs in those areas of program focus. To be successful, teamwork among Extension agents and Extension specialists is critical. At the end of last week, the State Extension Advisory Council (SEAC) was in Manhattan. The merits of focused programming (developing an area of expertise, creating one's strong suit, or whatever one might call it) created a great deal of discussion and debate. The SEAC was unanimous in its support towards focusing on personal professional growth of Extension agents. As Penny Donaldson, Doniphan County, put it, "I have a degree in library science with an emphasis on children's literature. I direct an academic library and my area of expertise is in kiddy lit." She went on to say that she has made a personal commitment to stay up on children's literature. That is her passion, and she continues to teach classes in that area. Her job is to direct the library. As Penny described her analogy, I thought it fit perfectly with our initiative. She has a broad responsibility in directing the academic library. That could be all she would do. But, she sees the importance of her PERSONAL commitment to growth in her area of expertise. Again, a perfect analogy to our interests in creating the environment for a strong PERSONAL commitment from each and every one of us to professional growth and excellence in an area of program focus. The intended outcome is to strengthen the delivery of high quality, relevant, and comprehensive Extension educational programs. Our best means of accomplishing that outcome is through personal commitment to developing an area of expertise to be high quality and relevant, and through a commitment to greater cooperation and teamwork to provide comprehensive program availability to all potential audiences (this includes developing volunteers to assist in the delivery, as well as working across traditional boundaries). I hope you will make that personal commitment to help in designing a better professional development system and to then take advantage of that system for your own personal growth. As one other SEAC member put it, "Every Extension agent needs an area of focus to be successful for the future." --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR
NORTHWEST AREA EXTENSION DIRECTOR POSITION The candidates are:
--Jim Lindquist
2006 K-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ANNUAL
CONFERENCE - SEPTEMBER 25-28 Resource Fair: If you are planning to have a display at the Resource Fair, follow the link to the "Resource Fair registration." Daily schedules, keynote invited speaker information, and descriptions for the various breakout sessions are provided through the website. A list of hotels in the Manhattan area are also posted to the website. - Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
For over 21 years, the
department of Extension Agricultural Economics has provided a team of
farm analysts to assist farm and ranch families with the tools to
research their operations' competitiveness and future direction.
Working in the confidential setting of the producer's home, the
analyst seeks to empower families with the knowledge of where their
operation has been and design a "roadmap" of where it can go.
Over 1700 families
have utilized the analyst service. Many referrals come from county
agents, KAMS (Kansas Agricultural Mediation Service), lenders, KSU
Farm Management Associations, The Rural Family Helpline, clergy and
previously served farm families.
2006 has left a lot of
farms with limited production due to drought. Compounded with double
digit percentage increases in some production expenses, many families
may be faced with the inability to pay off operating loans. Farm
Analysts help to provide a realistic picture of financially where the
operation is today and facilitate communication between the family and
their lender.
The Farm Analyst
Program provides the information necessary to mediate and facilitate
solutions that keep personal and business goals intact, moving ahead
in an ever changing economic environment.
Further assistance may
be provided for families working to bring a successor into the
operation. Many "transition" discussions involve more than number
analysis. Analysts can provide assistance for families to communicate
openly about plans for the future.
Program fees are
nominal for the service provided. To learn more about the Farm Analyst
Program, contact program coordinator Duane Hund,
dhund@ksu.edu --Duane Hund
FINAL CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP AT THE
KANSAS STATE FAIR Days and times the K-State Research and Extension booth needs help: Sunday, September 10 - 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. If you would like to work in the K-State Research and Extension booth, please contact Steven Graham, sgraham@k-state.edu , ASAP. Days and times the College of Agriculture fair booth needs help are:
If you would like to work in the College of Agriculture booth, please contact Steven Graham, sgraham@k-state.edu , but specify it is the College of Agriculture booth. We will send out your tickets, a map, instructions, etc. Thanks for volunteering. --Jackie McClaskey and Steven Graham
DEADLINE TO CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD NEXT WEEK To change your eID password, log in to your eID profile at http://eid.k-state.edu . For more detailed instructions on changing your password, go to http://accounts.oznet.ksu.edu/password . --Kathryn Burton kburton@ksu.edu
OPERATION MILITARY KIDS: READY, SET, GO
TRAINING Many of us living in the same town or community are unaware of the stressors and challenges they face during times of war and conflict. So what can we as a community do? Come to a training and you will learn about what you can do. The training will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m., September 21, at the Jackson County Fairgrounds, Holton, Kansas. In order to get a meal count I need you to RSVP to me, adomsch@oznet.ksu.edu ; or Nancy Nelson, nnelson@oznet.ksu.edu ; by September 18. --Ann Domsch
4-H CAMP THEME CONTEST The 4-H Camper whose theme is chosen will receive a camp scholarship courtesy of the Kansas 4-H Foundation. The winner must pay his/her own transportation fees. Last year we had an excellent response to our call for ideas, so we appreciate your assistance in making 4-Hers aware of this opportunity. Please check the 4-H website for a flyer to promote this contest. Here is the url for the flyer: http://4-h.k-state.edu/Camping/Theme/2007/campthemecontest2.pdf . If you have any questions, please call Susie Latta at the Marshall County Extension Office. --Susie Latta slatta@ksu.edu
VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS. Submit corrections to previously submitted items to jzarger@ksu.edu . DATES TAKEN FROM THE MASTER SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER 13, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 19, 2006: Wednesday, September 13 Thursday, September 14 Tuesday, September 19, through Wednesday, September 20
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