I should emphasize that information and coordination of assistance has been developing day by day. Many of the county agents are well connected locally, and I would ask that those of you reading this please keep me informed as new information becomes available. I also would ask that you let me know of needs not being met adequately so we can work together to develop new sources of help for rural families.

Other emerging needs and resources:

     Stray and dead livestock: Kansas Department of Animal Health is the lead agency on this. Dr. Sam Graham is staffing their animal rescue site at the KDOT center on the east edge of Greensburg. Phone is 620-723-2897.

     Fencing: Many requests have asked about assistance to replace miles of fencing, necessary before livestock can be put back in in pastures and lots. Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Cattleman's Association, and Livestock Marketing Association have pooled funds to purchase fencing materials. I'm told that the Pratt Livestock Commission and Dodge City's Winters Livestock Commission are locations for the materials. A Friday afternoon news release indicated that Jeff Scott with the Stafford County Emergency Management office will be providing coordination. His phone number is 620-546-6304.

     Volunteers: In general, all volunteer offers and requests are being coordinated by United Way through the state wide 211 system. Just dial 2-1-1. I also see that Mennonite Churches have had crews of youth walking fields picking up debris. I'm still looking for the best contact number for the Mennonite Relief coordinator in that area. Other church denominations have been asking for volunteers as well. I hope sometime Monday to have better contact numbers. At this point I would suggest that people call United Way, then also contact their local pastors to seek assistance, or call our office and we'll do what we can. I suspect volunteer labor will be needed not only for field debris removal but also for building those fences with the donated materials, as well as general salvaging and cleanup. Kansas Livestock Association has told me that they have had offers of heavy equipment, so if there are requests for that, I or you might call KLA directly to discuss. I do know that Kansas Department of Emergency Management does not provide salvage and cleanup equipment on private property, so it will need to be done either by landowners, cooperatively with neighbors, hired by contractors, or with volunteer assistance.

     Other donations for needs: A Kansas Farm Bureau news release this weekend indicated that they are requesting donations and organizing volunteers as well. They listed these contacts: 620-546-6304 or 620-549-3476 for Stafford and Edwards Counties. An additional number is 620-659-2188. A call to the local KFB office would be in order as well.

     Crisis Counseling and general supportive contacts: The Kansas All-Hazards Behavioral Health Program has had crisis counselors deployed in Greensburg since Monday, generally mingling, being present, handing out bottled water and other necessities, and checking on people. We had teams start out in the country Thursday and will be making a point to visit as many impacted farm sites as possible in the next few days. If you know someone who you think would benefit from a visit, call me at the Helpline number with name and address and I'll get someone out as soon as we can. Or if you're in Greensburg or Haviland, look for the staff in bright green vests. Crisis counselors will be involved in the area at least for the next 3 months, and for a full year if federal FEMA funding is extended.

     Emerging questions and needs: I hear many emerging questions about possible disaster programs for ag, possible compensation for dead stock, details about ag loans and farm programs. I hope we'll be able to organize a public meeting in the manner of Friday night's Town Meeting geared specifically to farm and ranch resources in the coming days. More info will come soon! --Charlie Griffin cgriffin@ksu.edu

DCE would like all K-State Extension registrations in by May 18 so they can manage registration for non-extension participants.  Register now at www.ksu.edu/icdd  for this great training opportunity! --Dan Kahl dankahl@ksu.edu

KANSAS WHEAT COMMISSION 50TH ANNIVERSARY KICK-OFF CELEBRATION
The Kansas Wheat Commission cordially invites you to their 50th Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration on Wednesday, May 30, 2007, at the KSU Ag Research Center, 1232 240th Avenue, Hays, Kansas. The celebration begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and wheat plot tours. Your response is kindly requested by May 21, 2007.

Call 866-759-4328, or e-mail jowens@kswheat.com . --Julie Owens

NUTRITION ENVIRONMENT MEASUREMENT SURVEY (NEMS) WORKSHOP
NEMS are observational measures of food environments that can be used by communities to assess the quality of their nutrition environment and design interventions to improve the availability of healthy food. After completing this two-day training, nutrition and public health professionals will be able to lead an assessment of their nutrition environment, analyze the results and use the information to work with the community on improving the nutrition environment. The workshop emphasizes hands-on learning and will include fieldwork practice.

The NEMS workshop will be held at the Kansas State Alumni Center in Manhattan, KS on June 19-20, 2007. The workshop cost is $50, but scholarships are available. For more information, please contact Paula Ford at 785-532-5328, pford@ksu.edu  or http://www.kstatechi.org/Includes/NEMS%20Workshop.pdf . --Paula Ford

SAFE WELL WATER DURING HEAVY RAINS/FLOODING
With all of the heavy rains of late, considerable flooding has occurred in some areas of Kansas. This means some wells have been over-topped and contaminated with polluted water. Additionally, many wells that do not meet current construction standards have allowed polluted water to flow into the well. Inflow of unsafe water makes water from that well unsafe to drink. Resources have been expanded and updated recently to guide flooded well cleanup and help assure safe drinking water. These resources include:

     1.) Restoring a Flooded Well to Service, MF-2733 New publication
     2.) Testing to Help Ensure Safe Drinking Water, MF-951 Updated May 2007
     3.) Also see private well website - www.kswaterwell.org

--Morgan Powell well@ksu.edu 785-532-5813

CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION CEREMONY
Three K-State Research and Extension employees will be among those honored at the Classified Employee Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 23, at 2 p.m. in the K-State Student Union.

In December, nominations were solicited from K-State Research and Extension faculty and staff for Classified Employee of the Year awards in three categories - county/district/area offices, research and research/extension Centers and on campus staff.

Congratulations to the three individuals who were selected: Pam Weaver, Office Professional in the Shawnee County Office; Kelly Kusel, Research Technologist at the Southeast Agricultural Research Center; and Connie Hobbs, Administrative Assistant in the Department of Agronomy.

Below is a summary of the nomination for each of these individuals:

Pam Weaver - "How can we get this information to more people?" and "How can we do this task better?" are questions that Pam Weaver strives to answer as she goes about her daily responsibilities in the Shawnee County Office of K-State Research and Extension. In her fifteen years of employment, Pam has had numerous responsibilities and currently assists with administrative and accounting functions and support for family and consumer sciences programming. In 2006, as a result of a newspaper promotion, more than 1000 people came to the office during one month to request a radon test kit. Pam coordinated efforts to greet the public and explain how to use the kits. She also developed a number of time-saving procedures as Shawnee County had 72 teams participate in the Walk Kansas program. Being enthusiastic, personable and quick to help others are qualities that Pam brings to the Shawnee County office.

Kelly Kusel is the lead classified employee in the crop variety development research area and has additional supervisory responsibilities. He is a conscientious and enthusiastic employee who takes his job seriously. He has good mechanical skills and frequently takes the lead in the repair and maintenance of equipment at the research center. He has been instrumental in the development of specifications for modification of a combine for research plot use and purchase of a truck, combine trailer, planter and tractor. Kelly is very knowledgeable about agricultural chemicals and is a certified crop advisor and a certified commercial pesticide applicator. He has also assumed the additional responsibility of being the safety coordinator at the Parsons unit.

Connie Hobbs thrives on solving puzzles, pondering problems and probing possibilities. She is able to switch gears quickly and easily re-focuses her attention when new challenges arise. She is unfailingly patient and professional, supportive and understanding and is able to see the good in everyone. Connie provides clerical support to seven to ten faculty positions. During 2006 she assumed additional responsibilities for processing travel reimbursement documents for the faculty, staff and students in the Department of Agronomy. Prior to that time she had no previous experience working with business travel procedures. The faculty, students and staff in the Department of Agronomy deeply appreciate Connie's loyalty and dedication. --Fred Cholick fcholick@ksu.edu

MARIE'S PICK OF THE WEEK
While continuing to review the Project Accomplishments and Impact databases for items especially effective at helping us understand how our work can be highlighted to share outcomes, impacts, and success stories, this week’s selection is an Impact Report from Joe Harner.

One role of Biological and Agricultural Engineering is to ensure natural resources are protected during livestock production expansion. Many rural communities are seeking ways to expand local employment opportunities, maintain current school infrastructure and community viability. Recently a community foundation was provided assistance in evaluating different tracts of available land for locating a new 2,400-cow dairy. Assistance included approximating land requirements for the dairy infrastructure, land requirement for nutrient management, water usage and the interactions between the dairy and neighbors based on prevailing winds.

The foundation recognized a dairy of this size would bring in immediately 32 full-time jobs, 75 to 100 additional children for the school system and $8.5 million of gross receipts. The fixed infrastructure investment is estimated to exceed $8 million. Anticipated salaries for most of these employees range from $20,000 to $40,000 per year with managerial positions ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 per year. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu

LABETTE AND COMANCHE COUNTIES WEBSITES LIVE
Congratulations to Labette and Comanche counties. Both have completed their CMS (Content Management System) Websites and are now live with their new sites. Their URLs have not changed; you can visit their sites by going to http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/labette  and http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/comanche , respectively. Congratulations especially to Keith Martin and Brenda Fry for a job well done, for leading the effort for these counties.

For a look at the many sites in-progress currently, go to http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/techweb  and click on "KSRE County CMS Training" in the upper-right corner of that page. Thanks! --Linda Sleichter lsleicht@ksu.edu

SEMINAR IN AGING: BEIJING, CHINA
The diverse approaches to human aging throughout the world are of compelling interest to gerontologists. Exploring alternate viewpoints and models allows American researchers and professionals to more effectively examine the challenges and opportunities inherent within the aging population of the United States. In particular, China’s large population, culture, and rapidly aging society make it an instructive country to study for those interested in elders and global concerns.

The American Society on Aging (ASA) is conducting its 6th Seminar in Aging in Beijing, China this summer. This event brings together 22 people from across the United States with divergent backgrounds.  I am pleased to be one of three participants from Kansas, and the only one from KSRE.

The seminar is experiential in nature, and offers access not normally provided to foreigners.  We will explore how China is addressing issues related to aging, including health care, loneliness, social reform, and welfare.  Interaction with medical professionals, academics, and government officials, visits to aging centers in Beijing, and the ability to learn about Chinese culture through exploration of the city are integral components of the seminar.

If you’d like real-time information about the seminar proceedings, I invite you to read my daily blog which will report on the experience.  You can access the blog at the KSRE Adult Development & Aging website, www.aging.ksu.edu .  Click on Global Aging in the navigation pane, and then click on Daily Blog.  Anticipated topics include governmental policies and dilemmas, overview of healthcare, a report on the visit to Dongzhimen Chinese Traditional Hospital, and much more!  Please feel free to participate in the blog with your reactions, comments, and questions.  The seminar begins on May 23, 2007.

This seminar experience was made possible in part though grant funding from the College of Human Ecology and the School of Family Studies and Human Services.  This financial assistance and the overall support for my participation are greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Marsha Landis for her aid with all things technical. --Deb Sellers dsellers@ksu.edu