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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 Planning for impact implies a greater purpose in the scholarship of research and extension. That purpose being that our creation of knowledge and engagement with clientele, public, and community will make a difference in a positive way for the economic well-being and quality of life for people living in Kansas. Each of us has responsibility to assure that our work is indeed making a difference. And, an added responsibility to understand the diversity of contributions coming through our colleagues all across K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, and the Land-Grant University System. I trust the 2007 K-State Research and Extension Annual Conference will indeed provide opportunity for each of us to carry away a broader appreciation for the mission and impacts that K-State Research and Extension is having through the connections we make, the recognition and celebrations in which we participate, the learning and growth opportunities that we embrace, and the service we give to our organizations towards professionalism. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
IRS 990-N AND THE
IMPLICATIONS FOR 4-H CLUBS/GROUPS AND OTHER TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS This new information return is called Form 990-N. It is also known as an e-Postcard since it will be short and electronically filed (there will be NO paper form). The IRS is currently developing an Internet based filing system for the 990-N, with procedures to be announced upon completion. The first due date for this new form will be May 15, 2008 for tax-exempts with tax years ending December 31, 2007. While this new reporting requirement is meant to be simple and straightforward, small tax-exempts should not ignore it, as the PPA requires the IRS to revoke the tax-exempt status of any organization that fails to meet the annual reporting requirement for three consecutive years. The IRS has begun mailing educational letters to all the small tax-exempt organizations in their records. Some of our local 4-H entities have already received such a letter. In order to assist our local 4-H clubs and groups in meeting this new requirement, a new fact sheet has been posted on the National 4-H Headquarters titled "Electronic Filing Requirements for 4-H Groups": http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/library/fs-electronic_filing_v9-07.pdf . Additional information will be sent to extension offices this week. If you should have questions pertaining to the implications of this new tax law, you may contact Doug Beech, dbeech@ksu.edu , Gordon Hibbard, ghibbard@ksu.edu , or Pat McNally, pmcnally@ksu.edu . --Pat McNally
CERTIFICATION OF 4-H CLUBS/GROUPS TAX EXEMPT STATUS As part of the new IRS reporting
requirements and as a "parent" tax-exempt organization, National 4-H
Headquarters will now be required to annually certify the list of
subsidiaries registered to use their Group Exemption Number (GEN). Each
state is to review and certify their respective information. While it sounds cumbersome, this project
should not require much time as the relevant information for the 4-H
clubs/groups should be on file. For future years, National 4-H
Headquarters is currently building a web-based system that will allow
for additions, corrections and deletions as they occur. If you should have questions, please contact your Area 4-H Specialist, Area Extension Director or Pat McNally. --Pat McNally pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu
MARIE'S PICKS OF THE WEEK Marshall County Extension had an impact on increasing the number of farms and ranches registering for premise identification numbers. We helped producers ensure they are feeding safe and balanced rations to their animals and to control animals that are a nuisance or possible danger to them. This program reached 279 people. A conservative estimate is that this program added $139,500 value to the cooperators livestock enterprises or their lives. --Sixty cattle producers increased their knowledge on using dried distiller's grain in cattle rations. --Two soybean forage hay sample analysis' were interpreted for a producer who planned to sell the soybean hay, and needed assistance defining it as good, average, or poor forage. His difficulty resulted from the lab reporting it on an alfalfa scale versus soybean hay scale. --More than 50 beef producers increased awareness of the costs associated with poor feed placement, non-efficient equipment, and feedstuff selection. --Ten people participated in the Cattle Risk Management Workshop. This workshop provided hands-on experience using livestock risk protection insurance, forward cash contracts, and futures and options. Participants had the opportunity to make realistic risk management decisions and see how those decisions affected the case farm's bottom line. Points driven home were that no one particular tool worked all the time. Keeping one’s fixed costs low really is a better management tool for profitability, however knowing how to use these tools provides the knowledge to take advantage of market opportunities. --Five producers became more aware of strategies they could use to better manage their pastures. Each of these producers independently contacted Extension as a source for information on improved management. The size of the operations ranged from 40 acres to over 800 acres of land. --Youths who participated in the Rangeland Management Camp gained knowledge in plant identification, multi-species grazing, managing land for livestock and wildlife, ruminant digestion, soils and also were given the opportunity to work on a group project and present the project to the other participants. Twenty high school students from across the state participated. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu
THANK YOU FROM SHONNA
ZIMMER BIOENERGY AND WATER IN KANSAS Bioenergy production and its impact on water resources will be the focus of "Bioenergy and Water in Kansas," three, day-long conferences in December of 2007. The conferences are Wednesday, December 5, Emporia State University Student Union, Emporia; Friday, December 7, Garden City Community College Student and Community Services Building, Garden City; and Tuesday, December 11, Ft. Hays State University Student Union, Hays. Co-sponsors of the conference are the Kansas Water Office and Kansas State University’s Kansas Center for Agricultural Research and the Environment (KCARE). The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Attendance is free, but limited to the first 100 people to register for each location. Registrations must be received by November 15, 2007. An on-line registration form is posted at: www.kwo.org , under Hot Topics "Energy and Water Meeting." For more information, contact KCARE Director, Bill Hargrove, bhargrov@ksu.edu . --Bill Hargrove
NATIONAL WESTERN STOCKSHOW CATCH-A-CALF CONTEST
USDA ANNOUNCED 2007 SECRETARY'S HONOR AWARD In Kansas, SNAP is led by Karen Fitzgerald, Coordinator of the Kansas Nutrition Network. SNAP programs this year will be held in Wyandotte, Sedgwick and Finney counties, and in the past have been held in Saline, Barton, Sumner, Abilene, and Meade counties. --Karen Fitzgerald kfitzger@ksu.edu
PUBLICATIONS/PRODUCTION
SERVICES UPDATE K-State Research and Extension reported widespread outbreaks of itching bites in various Midwestern communities over the last few years. Entomologist Alberto Broce has written a fact sheet on the culprit. Publication MF2806, Oak Leaf Itch Mite, describes the pest, symptoms and control. You can download it from http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/entml2/MF2806.pdf . Printed copies are available from the Department of Communications Distribution Center, and it is listed on the January 2008 order form mailed October 12. Orders are due by October 31. Use the Bright Yellow
Order Form Please destroy the blue form, since we will not accept orders from it. If your office has already placed an order using the blue form, please call the Distribution Center at 785-532-5830 to clarify your order. We regret the error and resulting confusion. Deadfiles AF77, Agricultural Particulate Respiratory Hazards; GT320, Farm Vehicle Safety-Presenter's Guide; MF1061, Livestock Safety; GT316, Farmstead Safety Presenter's Guide; MF1015, Farmstead Safety; MF637, Agricultural Hazards and Rescue Procedures; MK9, Silver Buttons (no longer available); MF2638 Tenderhearts: I'm a Caregiver LG; MF2639, Tenderhearts: I'm a Caregiver FS; MF2717, Tenderhearts: Advance Directives LG; MF2717, Tenderhearts: Advance Directives FS. The following publications have been deadfiled as printed materials, but will remain available electronically. Continue to distribute and refer to copies on hand. MF900, Consumer Choice: Product Warranties; MF928, Consumer Choice: Using Info in Purchasing Decisions; L809, Making Ends Meet: Adjusting to Financial Problems, Part 1; L810, Making Ends Meet: Coping with Stress, Part 2; L811 Making Ends Meet: Using Community and Family Resources; L812, Making Ends Meet: Survival Skills, Part 4; MF1051, Consumer Choice: Planning Major Purchases. --Nancy Zimmerli-Cates nancyz@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 OCTOBER 24, 2007, THROUGH
OCTOBER 30, 2007: Wednesday, October 24, through Thursday, October 25 Thursday, October 25 Thursday, October 25, through Friday, October 26 Monday, October 29 Tuesday, October 30 |
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Please Submit Items no later than Noon on
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