Tuesday Letter

The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

Vol. 14, No. 5 December 4, 2007

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Farewell Reception for Sarah Fogleman
...Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Survey
...Nominations Open for 2008 Information Technology Awards and Recognition Program
...Great Plains Vegetable Growers Conference - St. Joseph, MO, January 10, 11, 12, 2008
...Kansas 4-H Program Rally Registrations Due December 10
...More Youth Development Photos are Needed!
...A Few Brief Points on Several Up-Coming 4-H Events
...Marie's Pick of the Week
...November Extension Agent Personnel Changes
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Here's a quote I picked up through the musings of Kirk Weisler, keynote speaker for our 2007 Annual Conference:

'Multi-tasking is dead. It never worked and it never will. Intelligent people love to sing its praises because it gives them permission to avoid the much more challenging alternative: focusing on one thing." -Timothy Ferriss

Timothy Ferriss is author of "The 4-Hour Work Week." I've not read the book, and as such am not making any recommendation for the book, but I really liked the quote. This is especially true when you see that Mr. Ferriss is a fast-moving, hard-driving technological whiz, and yet he has observed the shortfall when individuals and teams cannot focus due to multi-tasking. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR SARAH FOGLEMAN
A reception for Ms. Sarah Fogleman, Southeast Area Extension Agricultural Economist, has been set for Tuesday, December 18, from 2 - 5 p.m., at the Southeast Area Office. Sarah is leaving her Extension position to fulfill her life-long dream of becoming a full- time novelist. Plan to join us in celebrating her exciting new career direction.

If you are planning to attend, please contact Karen, 620-431-1530, or kwalters@ksu.edu , at the Southeast Area Extension Office. If you would like to send a card or letter, please mail them to the SE Area Extension Office, 308 W 14th, Chanute, KS 66720, (c/o Karen). --Karen Walters

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RECOVERY SURVEY
Several weeks ago agents, specialists, administrators, and office professionals were sent an e-mail asking that you participate in the short KSRE Extension Disaster Education Network local emergency planning and preparedness survey. If you have taken the survey, thank you! For those who have not, we have extended the survey period until mid-December. We would very much appreciate your input, whether you have had any role in emergency preparedness/recovery education or not. If you have any questions about the survey or the Kansas Extension Disaster Education Network (Kansas EDEN) please contact Mary Lou Peter-Blecha, mlpeter@ksu.edu ; Mary Knapp, mknapp@ksu.edu ; or Mike Bradshaw, mhb@ksu.edu . --Mary Lou Peter-Blecha

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2008 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION PROGRAM
Is there an outstanding Information Technology employee or team that has been especially helpful to you and your unit? Do you want to recognize that person for his/her contributions to IT at K-State? Nominate them for a 2008 IT Award! You are all encouraged to submit nominations for IT employees who represent an activity, service, or contribution considered "above and beyond the call of duty."

Six annual awards are given, including:

Spirit of IT
IT Innovator
Customer Service
IT Rising Star Student
IT Gold
Team Gold

Three awards are given at the discretion of the IT Awards and Recognition Committee:

Meritorious Achievement
Elizabeth Unger IT Leadership Award
Lifetime Achievement

Nominations are open from now until January 11, 2008, so start thinking about whom you would like to see recognized at this year's event. Awards will be presented to winners at the All IT Units Retreat in February. Visit the IT Awards and Recognition website to learn more about each award and how to submit nominations . --Gary Kepka gkepka@oznet.ksu.edu

GREAT PLAINS VEGETABLE GROWERS CONFERENCE - ST. JOSEPH, MO, JANUARY 10, 11, 12, 2008
This is the region’s premier growers’ conference. This year’s program has multiple tracks including a CSA Mini-school, high tunnel workshop, and sessions on small fruit, cut flowers, organic and conventional vegetable production, post harvest handling and food safety. There are also sessions on marketing, finance and strengthening local food systems.

Multiple sessions will qualify participants for education credit for commercial pesticide applicator license renewal. Program and registration materials are at
http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/DesktopModules/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=1951 .

County Agents, please help to get the word out. For more information, contact Ted Carey, tcarey@ksu.edu ; or Christy Dipman, cdipman@ksu.edu . --Ted Carey

KANSAS 4-H PROGRAM RALLY REGISTRATIONS DUE DECEMBER 10
Register now for the Kansas 4-H Program Rally. The 4-H Program Rally will be held January 10-11, 2008, at Rock Springs 4-H Center, with lodging available on the evening of the 9th if needed. Guest presenter Eddie Locklear, from National 4-H Council, will be sharing information about the National Mission Areas. Also learn more about Livestock Quality Counts, Character Counts, tuning up your VIP process and more.

The online registration information is up on the web at
https://4hyp-ts.oznet.ksu.edu/wconnect/ace/home.htm .

When registering, you will also have an opportunity to purchase some new KSRE or Kansas 4-H Apparel. Registrations should be made by December 10, 2007. --Beth Hinshaw bhinshaw@ksu.edu and Beth Hecht bhecht@ksu.edu

MORE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PHOTOS ARE NEEDED!
Each county is asked to submit up to FIVE photos that reflect/celebrate "youth development." Photos will be used at the 4-H Program Rally set for January 10-11 and at other 4-H events throughout the year. Please submit your photos to bhecht@ksu.edu by December 10.

Special thanks to Barber, Brown, Doniphan, Douglas, Geary, Johnson, Linn, Neosho, Riley and Stafford counties for their timely submissions. --Beth Hecht

A FEW BRIEF POINTS ON SEVERAL UP-COMING 4-H EVENTS...

4-H Kansas City Global Conference Registration Open Now

http://www.Kansas4-H.org/Events/KCGC/

Information has been posted and registration is open for the 2008 Kansas City Global Conference! This year’s global experience will be March 12-15 at the Hilton Airport Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. Delegates must be at least 15 years of age and not yet 19 years of age before January 1, 2008. Kansas youth may only attend the conference once.

Registration closes at 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2008. All registration fees, Kansas 4-H Participation Forms, and signed Delegate Pledge Forms must be submitted to the local Extension Office by this time.

The cost is $260 for youth and $360 for adult chaperones. The cost includes registration, lodging, some meals, a t-shirt (upgradeable to a polo for $20), state night activity, insurance and transportation while in Kansas City. Teens will be roomed 4 per room. Adults will be roomed 2 per room. NEW FOR 2008: Youth who want an individual bed, may pay an additional $100 fee to be roomed as doubles.

If you, or a 4-H member you know, should be part of this global career, technology, and cultural experience, please make sure to check it out and get registered during the open registration time.

4-H Citizenship Washington Focus Applications Due

http://www.Kansas4-H.org/Events/CWF/

Applications were due Monday, December 3. As of Monday morning (before the mail arrived) we only had 20 applications for 50 spaces. If you have any youth who missed the deadline but wanted to go this summer; June 25 - July 6, 2008, please contact Justin Wiebers and fax their application as soon as possible. Deposit checks of $250 must be mailed with original copies of application forms and nomination forms from agents.

4-H Citizenship in Action Details coming Wednesday

http://www.Kansas4-H.org/Events/CitizenshipinAction/

The Kansas 4-H Youth Council is pleased to announce that Citizenship in Action, the 4-H legislative event at the State Capitol, will be February 17-18. Check-in will be Sunday afternoon, February 17 and the formal program will conclude after lunch on Monday, February 18. Lodging will be provided at the Capitol Plaza Hotel next to the Kansas Expo Centre. The registration cost of $125 includes lodging, meals (including lunch for legislators on Monday), a durable official Kansas 4-H name tag, and other program costs. The deadline for delegates to register on-line and have their payment into their local Extension Office is Tuesday, January 15. Details will be posted on the State 4-H website Wednesday afternoon. Agents will be able to download a password protected letter from the Citizenship in Action website with exclusive details and deadlines.

4-H Discovery Days Class/Tour Leaders and Spirit Leaders Needed!

http://www.Kansas4-H.org/Events/DiscoveryDays/

4-H Discovery Days will be June 3-6 and for the first time in several years, will not conflict with the State FFA Convention. We are expecting larger numbers than usual and consequently we’ll need more classes and tours than usual!

Class/Tour Proposal Forms are due 5 p.m., Thursday, January 10. Delays in getting enough classes and tours lined up will cause delays in getting registration information out on time, so your assistance is greatly appreciated!

Discovery Days Spirit Leader applications are posted on the Discovery Days web page. Applications are due December 14 to Jessie Furnish. --Justin Wiebers jwiebers@ksu.edu

MARIE'S PICK OF THE WEEK
While continuing to review 2007 Project Accomplishments for items that are especially effective at helping us understand how our work can be highlighted to share outcomes, impacts, and success stories, this week I’m sharing intermediate outcomes and impact reported by Linda Walter.

Strong People Stay Young is an 8-week strength-training program designed to increase exercise, strengthen bones and reduce the potential for fractures from osteoporosis, thus preventing costly and debilitating injuries.

Ages of the 48 women and men participating ranged from 44 to 82 with an average age of 64.

Among beginners who completed pre-and post-tests, the following improvements were noted:

- 93% improved on the 8-Foot Up-and-Go test which measured agility & dynamic balance.
- 83% improved on the 2-Minute Step test which measured cardio-endurance.
- 77% improved on the Arm Curl test which measured upper arm strength.
- 69% improved on the Back Scratch test which measured upper body flexibility.
- 65% improved on the Chair Stand test which measured lower body strength.
- 34% improved on the Chair Sit-And-Reach test which measured lower body flexibility.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, every dollar spent on physical activity programs for older adults with hip fractures results in a $4.50 return. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu

NOVEMBER EXTENSION AGENT PERSONNEL CHANGES
Kent McKinnis, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in Reno County, transferred from Phillips-Rooks District on November 4, 2007.

Brittany Nichepor, County Extension Director, Trego County, began employment on November 4, 2007. Her e- mail address is nichepor@ksu.edu .

Rebecca Bandli, Horticulture Agent in Sedgwick County, began employment on November 4, 2007. Her e-mail address is rbandli@ksu.edu .

Jennifer Tiemeyer, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Barber County, resigned on November 5, 2007.

Karen Elliott, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Johnson County, retired on November 9, 2007.

Kelly Whitfield, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Lyon County, resigned on November 30, 2007.

--Stacey Warner swarner@ksu.edu

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Submit corrections to previously submitted items to cthomas@ksu.edu .

DATES TAKEN FROM THE MASTER SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 12, 2007, THROUGH DECEMBER 18, 2007:

Wednesday, December 12, Eagles Lodge, Wakeeney, KS
.... Ag Profitability Conference, Rich Llewelyn rlewely@agecon,ksu.edu

Wednesday, December 12, Osage City in Osage County
….SE Area FCS Program Update/Planning, M. Gayle Price gprice@oznet.ksu.edu

Thursday, December 13, Whiteside Amish Community Building, Whiteside, KS
….Dairy Days, John F. Smith jfsmith@ksu.edu

Tuesday, December 18, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., El Dorado, KS
....Urban Trees, Tim McDonnell tmcdonne@ksu.edu ; or Patricia McCaffrey pmccaffr@ksu.edu

Tuesday, December 18 through Thursday, December 20, Salina Holidome, Salina, KS
….Managing Soils & Applied Nutrients, Dale Leikam dleikam@ksu.edu

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