The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 13, No. 32  June 19, 2007

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...New Farm Management Administrator
...Reviewers for JOE Needed
...Thank You and Reminder
...'Empowering Community Leadership' Conference to be Held for South-Central Kansas Community Leaders
...Marie's Pick of the Week
...KYLF Workshop Presenters Needed
...KSU Foundation Update: A Perfect Idea for Friends Who Say: "I Wish I Could Do More"
...Marketing Minute: Spokesperson Tips
...Manage Food Safety Risks
...Missing News Releases for FCS Agents
...Master Schedule

                                                                                                           ...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Distance learning is a tool that K-State Research and Extension must embrace. If you are like me, you might be asking, "so where do I start?@

Epsilon Sigma Phi, the national Extension Professional's Organization, is sponsoring a workshop that will cover five basics you need to know as you consider expanding your program to include distance learning. From what it is and what it isn't, to where to find examples of success, these five ideas will help you begin to understand the process and the opportunities. Sponsored by Epsilon Sigma Phi, this professional development opportunity will be available at your desktop on Tuesday, July 24, at 3 p.m. CDT.

You must register. It is free to ESP members, and only $25 for non-members. To learn more, go to http://www.espnational.org/  and click on the sixth bullet down: Emerging Leadership Presentation. Sounds like a great opportunity to gain a sense of the future in distance education delivery. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

NEW FARM MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATOR
Effective June 18, 2007, Kevin Herbel is the new Administrator of the Kansas Farm Management Association Program. His mailing address, phone number, and fax number are as follows:

Kevin Herbel, Administrator
Kansas Farm Management. Association Program
308 Waters Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-4026
E-mail: kherbel@ksu.edu
Phone: 785-532-1513
Fax: 785-532-6925

--Bryan Schurle bschurle@agecon.ksu.edu

REVIEWERS FOR JOE NEEDED
The Journal of Extension (JOE) is seeking journal article reviewers in nutrition, health, food and food systems, 4-H, and agricultural economics areas. This is a great opportunity for those of you who enjoy and/or need the scholarship opportunity to serve as a reviewer for a journal.

You can apply to become a JOE reviewer by sending the name and e-mail address of a reference who can speak to your ability to serve as a reviewer and a file containing your curriculum vitae to JOE Editorial Committee Co-Chair Margaret Miltenberger at m.miltenberger@mail.wvu.edu . Visit the JOE Website for more details. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

THANK YOU AND REMINDER
Many thanks to the K-State Research and Extension folks who responded to the call for information about their and/or their office's role in disaster recovery efforts. We received 34 messages from all over the state. If you did not respond to the request for information, but had planned to, it's not too late. Please e-mail Mary Lou Peter-Blecha, mlpeter@ksu.edu ; or Nancy Peterson, nancyp@ksu.edu ; by Monday, June 25, with a short summary. --Mary Lou Peter-Blecha and Nancy Peterson (News Unit)

'EMPOWERING COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP' CONFERENCE TO BE HELD FOR SOUTH-CENTRAL KANSAS COMMUNITY LEADERS
USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks announced the annual 'Community Development Academy: Empowering Community Leadership' training program will be offered for south-central Kansas community leaders in July. The community development training opportunity, a joint effort of USDA Rural Development, FHLBank Topeka, K-State Research and Extension, Kansas Rural Development Foundation, and Kansas Department of Commerce, will consist of training for local leaders covering a variety of community development tools and techniques to help meet the opportunities presented in south-central Kansas and their impact on the region's communities.

The 2007 'Community Development Academy' will be offered in three, day-long sessions on July 11, 18 and 25 at the McKinley Administrative Center, 308 E 1st Street, in Newton. Communities wishing to participate in the Academy are encouraged to form teams of not less than three local leaders and will be expected to participate in all three sessions. There will be a charge of $65/participant. To make a reservation for the Community Development Academy, please register online at http://www.regonline.com/cda and complete the registration form and return it to FHLBank Topeka at One Security Benefit Pl., Suite 100, Box 176, Topeka, Kansas 66601-0176 by July 6.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please feel free to contact the FHLBank Topeka at 1-866-571-8155 or USDA Rural Development at 785-271-2718. --Steven M. Graham sgraham@k-state.edu

KYLF WORKSHOP PRESENTERS NEEDED
In November the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum will be held at Rock Springs 4-H Center, near Junction City. Teens, ages 14-18, are the primary audience. We need one hour workshops focusing on some aspect of leadership. The workshops will be held Saturday, November 17, 2007 and will begin at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Proposals are due to the State 4-H Office on July 10.

A letter with details and a proposal form can be found on the 4-H website,
http://4-h.k-state.edu/Events/KYLF/Default.htm . --Beth Hinshaw bhinshaw@ksu.edu

KSU FOUNDATION UPDATE: A PERFECT IDEA FOR FRIENDS WHO SAY: "I WISH I COULD DO MORE"
What is the best asset a person can give to charity? Tax-wise, gifts of securities, real estate or other assets that have gone up in value are the hands-down winners.

MARKETING MINUTE: SPOKESPERSON TIPS
Many K-State Research and Extension employees are contacted or interviewed by media for news stories and other public comments. When you are contacted, this can be a great opportunity to heighten awareness and interest in your programs.

Here're some tips that will help you make the most of the opportunity.

1) When first contacted, don't agree to do the interview right away. Rather, ask if you can call the reporter back in 15 minutes, or if contacted in person, ask if they can wait 5-10 minutes. Use this time to gather your thoughts.
2) Write down three key statements (or messages) that you think are important. Say them aloud before doing the interview.
3) Make sure you know the focus of the story.
4) If you are asked "loaded" questions, you can simply deflect the question by using one of your key messages.
5) If you are not the right person to comment on a topic, simply say so.

Spokesperson Do's

1) Tell the truth; be as open as possible. Say only what you know, even if it's just that you're seeking more information.
2) Follow up with additional information.
3) Expressed empathy for affected persons, if appropriate.
4) Make yourself available for follow-up information or to verify facts. Provide your contact information, including e-mail and cell phone number.

Spokesperson Don'ts

1) Don't use jargon.
2) Avoid using humor; it can be dangerous if not understood in context.
3) Don't repeat negative allegations; simply say your key message.
4) Don't use clichés, or fancy one-liners.
5) When representing an organization, don't express your personal opinions.

It takes practice to repeat key messages in an interview. A document to help you write key messages for any situation is available online at www.communications.ksu.edu/marketing , then click on "Guidelines for Development Messages for Your Public." --Pat Melgares melgares@ksu.edu

MANAGE FOOD SAFETY RISKS
Do you have 4-H clubs or other extension-related groups that work concession stands for livestock shows, county fair or other events?

Food safety guidelines and an event-specific chart outlining when you do and do not need a Kansas Food Service License, can be found in the Risk Management publication at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/misc2/riskmgmt.pdf . --Cindy Evans cevans@oznet.ksu.edu

Top