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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 So, what is the REAL work of an Extension professional? The Extension Worker's Code by T.J. Talbert (1922) continues to amaze me for its clarity and direction on what it takes to be a successful Extension worker. But, I won't go there today. I came across a couple recent books, We Grow People edited by Scott J. Peters and Margo Hittleman, and Catalyzing Change edited by Scott J. Peters, Daniel J O'Connell, Theodore R. Alter, and Allison L. H. Jack. These books provide fascinating profiles of Extension Educators, their work, and how they perceive their role in the county/community. These Extension workers describe themselves as organizers and brokers; schmoozers and scavengers; cheerleaders and encouragers of dreams; strategic planners and community builders; partners, friends, and mothers; catalysts for personal and community improvement. A foundational piece of Extension work can still be described as one of "people helping people where they are." An outcome is offered as "development leadership of people in their communities." The argument put forth in the profiles is that the REAL work of Extension goes far beyond technology transfer, teaching, and sharing information. Yet if left undefined, Extension work will lose its tradition and identity, and with that goes its purpose and value. Seaman A. Knapp was quoted in the book to have been known to argue that the real yardstick for measuring success of extension teaching was contained in the phrase: "And the man grew faster than the crop." A similar perspective was offered from a comprehensive study published in 1930 by the federal Office of Education: "The ultimate objective was not more and better food, clothing, and housing. These were merely means and conditions prerequisite to improvement of human relationships, of intellectual and spiritual outlook...... The fundamental function of Smith-Lever extension education is the development of rural people themselves...... Unless economic attainment and independence are regarded chiefly as means for advancing the social and cultural life of those living in the open country, the most important purpose of extension education will not be achieved." Peters, et. al. further suggest: "As these profiles make abundantly clear, the official institutional language of "technical assistance," and "putting the knowledge to work" - by itself - "misses it." It is far too narrow and flat to capture the rich, varied, nuanced practice of extension education. Yes, there is a technical assistance component to nearly every extension educator's job. And yes, the transfer of research-based knowledge from the university to community is embedded in nearly every extension program. But to see that only misses so much of what these educators do. It leaves the "something else" unnamed, vague, undefined, and all too often, misunderstood." I will tell more about their thoughts and comments in coming weeks. Both books are available on-line in pdf format and can be printed from the following linked sites:
We Grow People I hope you might take a look at these books on-line, and print off at least the introduction sections to wet your appetite. I'd enjoy your thoughts on how you would describe your work as an Extension professional. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
JOHNSON COUNTY
E-MAIL ADDRESSES
After 35
years, Eugene Lanham, Wyandotte County Extension Director, will retire
on January 2, 2007. The Wyandotte
County Extension Office personnel will be hosting a retirement/open
house at the Extension office on December 21, 6 to 8 p.m. Come
visit the new office location and wish Eugene and his wife, Nancy, and
their family all the best in retirement. Cake and appetizers will be
served.
If you would
like to send a donation toward Eugene's retirement gift, please send
by December 15. If you wish to
send a letter of appreciation, a special memory, pictures or a card,
these will also need to arrive by December 15 in order to be compiled
into a book for presentation to Eugene.
Contributions and related correspondence may be sent to the following
address:
K-State
Research and Extension- Wyandotte County
Attn:
Retirement
1216 N. 79th
Kansas City,
KS 66112
For further
questions or inquiry please feel free to call 913-299-9300 and ask for
Pam. --Pam Frazey
pfrazey@ksu.edu
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR RECOGNITION AND
AWARDS NOMINATIONS DUE We are continuing with four awards: 1) One County/District/Area Extension
classified employee or office professional award
REMINDER: STATE
FAIR BOARD APPOINTMENTS ARE DUE Under Kansas State Statute 74-510a, passed in 1994, the governor is to appoint one person from each of the five [this includes the former South Central Area] extension areas. Such persons shall be actively involved in agriculture production or agribusiness. The counties in the Kansas State Fair Board law designated as Southeast: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Elk, Franklin, Greenwood, Labette, Linn, Lyon, Miami, Montgomery, Morris, Neosho, Osage, Wilson, Woodson The counties in the Kansas State Fair Board law designated as South Central: Barber, Butler, Cowley, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Lincoln, Marion, McPherson, Ottawa, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Saline, Sedgwick, Stafford, Sumner Agents in the above counties are asked to let individuals with potential interest know of the upcoming vacancies and ask them to contact their Area Director. Interested individuals are to send a letter of interest and qualifications to their Area Extension Director by December 31. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
MARIE'S PICKS OF THE WEEK One of the obvious problems in Barber County is native pasture brush control where the primary invader is the Eastern Red Cedar. Local custom tree cutters were invited to a field day to demonstrate their machines. The representatives shared brief descriptions including the advantages of their particular machine. Then each was given an allocated amount of time to cut down as many trees as possible. Also, two companies brought in chipper/shredder machines to show how trees could be disposed of without having to burn the pastures. According to Tim Marshall, of the 75 producers who attended, now a large percentage are in the process of clearing trees out of their native pastures. Another selection this week is from Beth Drescher in Sedgwick County--an Impact Report. Park Panther Pride 4-H Club members improved their academic performance during the 2005-06 school year, as shown by a comparison of Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 test scores. Average scores increased from 341 to 510 in Scholastic Reading Inventory, 65 to 69 in Vocabulary, 1.85 to 2.36 in Math Performance, and 1.6 to 2.38 in Math Application scores. Park Panther Pride 4-H Clubs were started in 2005-06 as a way to target struggling Park School 3rd to 5th grade students with academic enhancement and personal skill-building activities. The program was funded by a grant from the Kansas Department of Education and served about 50 children for one hour, before or after school. According to their teachers, the club members also made noticeable changes in their behaviors (e.g., increased confidence; demonstrated leadership, initiative, and perseverance). --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu
POINSETTIAS
GALORE!
FNP WORKSHOP
OPPORTUNITIES Tuesday, January 23 in Scott City A Junior Master Gardener workshop will be held at four sites. All staff using the JMG "Health and Nutrition from the Garden" curriculum and those that would like to learn about the program are encouraged to attend. Participants will have hands-on experience with the Junior Master Gardener curriculum, including a newly released lesson on My Pyramid. Dates for the JMG Workshop are: Wednesday, March 7, in Lawrence Both workshops will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m., opening remarks at 10:00 a.m., and conclude at 3:00 p.m. The registration fee of $15 will cover lunch and materials. Register online at http://www.4-h.ksu.edu . Registration deadline for the Nutrition Lessons in Context workshop is January 15, 2007. Registration deadline for the JMG workshop is March 5, 2007. --Carol Fink cfink@.ksu.edu
CALL FOR APPLICANTS
- 4-H CURRICULUM TASKFORCE The Application Form lists outcomes identified at the August 17, 2006 KEAA/State 4-H Staff Work Session held at Rock Springs 4-H Center. The taskforce will be made up of 5 to 7 individuals with an intended balance of staff members, adult volunteers, and teens or college-aged recent 4-H alumni. Uniform dispersement of members across the state is also a goal; however, the most qualified individuals will be given highest consideration. This notice serves as a call for applicants to serve on the taskforce. An application form is located at "What's Hot" on the State 4-H website, http://Kansas4-H.org/ . Applications may be no longer than two pages. Applications must be signed to be considered. Non-staff adults and teens require the signature of their Extension Agent. Applications must be submitted to the State 4-H Office to my attention no later than February 1, 2007. As much work as possible will be done via teleconferences and electronic media; however, some face-to-face meetings will be required. Mileage will be reimbursed at the rate of $.37/mile for non-staff adults and teens selected for the taskforce. Please share this opportunity with your 4-H volunteers, teens and college-aged recent 4-H alumni. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 785-532-5800, or jadams@ksu.edu . --Jim Adams
Across the state, over 60 community groups
are working to improve their situation by organizing under the banner
of Kansas PRIDE. These volunteers are tackling projects that invest in
the local social, economic, physical, cultural, environmental, human,
and political health of their community.
On March 13, 2007, Kansas PRIDE is hosting
a retreat for extension staff and members of PRIDE communities to
share success stories, resources, and explore new strategies to expand
our work with community improvement groups. Please reserve March 13 on
your calendar for this astounding retreat! For more information,
contact Connie Hoch at choch@ksu.edu
. --Dan Kahl dkahl@oznet.ksu.edu
ENGAGED WORK
THROUGH K-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION
Extension is already good at delivering engaged work for citizens of Kansas. The Center for Engagement and Community Development has the goal of making that work even better. Based on work and definitions from other academic institutions and the Kellogg Commission report, Returning to Our Roots: The Engaged Institution, we have identified engaged work as that which includes:
Engagement occurs when collaborative scholarship (researching, teaching, and outreach) is directed toward a public need and when the relationship between campus and off-campus partners is reciprocal and mutually beneficial. Developing collaborative partnerships, addressing local needs, and extending knowledge and research are an on-going part of what K-State Research and Extension does. We would like your stories. Send us a paragraph on the engaged work that you are involved in, and the Center will help to promote the quality, engaged efforts that are impacting the state. Send stories to cecd@ksu.edu . --Dan Kahl dankahl@ksu.edu
RISE AND SHINE WITH
BREAD The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude around 3:30 p.m. Cost of the workshop is $20 with registration due March 1, to Barton County Extension. The event is limited to 50 participants. A brochure for this event can be found at http://www.kansas4-h.org/events/statebreadsworkshop2007.pdf . --Carol Fink cfink@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 DECEMBER 13, 2006, THROUGH DECEMBER 19, 2006: Wednesday, December 13 .... K-State Dairy Days, Whiteside/RN, Statewide, John Smith jfsmith@oznet.ksu.edu Wednesday, December 13, through Thursday, December 14 Wednesday, December 13, through Friday, December 15 Thursday, December 14 .... K-State Dairy Days, Seneca/NM, Statewide, John Smith jfsmith@oznet.ksu.edu Friday, December 15 .... NW FCS Program Planning, Colby, Libby Curry lcurry@oznet.ksu.edu
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Please Submit Items no later than Noon on
Monday to include in the following Tuesday Letter to: K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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