Tuesday Letter

The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

Vol. 14, No. 10 January 22, 2008

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Interaction of K-State Faculty and Staff with State/Federal Officials
...2007 Financial Checksheet and 2009 Budget Development Worksheets
...Thank You from Karen Walters
...K-State's Dairy Days Have Been Rescheduled
...Travel Scholarships for National SARE Conference, March 25-27
...Land Leases Workshops to be Held February 26, 2008
...Conflict Management Strategies for Extension Professionals
...CSREES-USDA Integrated Competitive Programs Grantsmanship Workshop
...Save the Date
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Dear K-State Research and Extension Faculty and Staff:
Within K-State Research and Extension, we seek to create an environment characterized by equal access for all employees regardless of differences, and where individuals are valued for their differences. A welcoming and inclusive climate is grounded in respect, nurtured by dialogue and evidenced by a pattern of civil interaction. As part of the Change Agent States for Diversity (CAS) project, we agree that the first step in creating such an environment is to assess the current climate in order to identify important issues and then to create ways for the organization to address them.

Creating and maintaining a community environment that respects individual needs, abilities, and potentials is one of the most critical initiatives that we support. A positive climate that encourages attention to fairness and discourages expressions of discrimination and harassment is very important to the organization and all individuals within and outside the organization.

We hope you will take 20 minutes to help us understand the current climate in K-State Research and Extension. The survey is designed to provide information about both positive and challenging aspects of our climate. This survey is your opportunity to describe your own personal experiences, your observations, and to offer suggestions for change that might enhance the climate. Please be general (no names please) when responding to open-ended questions. The data will be used to identify strategies for addressing potential challenges and supporting positive diversity initiatives.

All of your answers are confidential and all of the results will be reported in group form only.

You will not be identifiable as an individual. Your participation in this project is voluntary. This research has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board. If you have questions about the research you may contact Rick Scheidt, Chair, Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects, 203 Fairchild Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, (785) 532-3224; or Paula Peters, Assistant Director, KSRE, ppeters@ksu.edu , (785) 532-1562; or Zelia Wiley, Assistant Dean for Diversity, KSRE, zhw@ksu.edu , (785) 532-5793.

We urge you to take the 20-25 minutes needed to answer the questions by going to https://online.survey.psu.edu/kstate .

Thank you in advance for your contribution to this important project.

Sincerely,

Daryl D. Buchholz
Associate Director
K-State Research and Extension

Fred A. Cholick
Director
K-State Research and Extension

INTERACTION OF K-STATE FACULTY AND STAFF WITH STATE/FEDERAL OFFICIALS
As the Kansas Legislature convenes, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the Board of Regents and University policies regarding interaction with the Kansas Legislature, Kansas State Agencies, and the Kansas Federal Delegation.

Kansas Legislature
If contacted and asked to provide information to legislators; provide testimony to legislative committees; want to invite a legislator(s) to attend a meeting; want to request the Legislature for funds, programs, changes in legislation or new legislation affecting your program, the Board of Regents and /or Regents institutions, please contact either:

Steven Graham, Assistant to the Dean and Director, at 785-532-6147 or by e-mail at sgraham@k-state.edu ,
Or
Dr. Susan Peterson, Assistant to the President/Director of Governmental Relations, at 785-532-6221, 785-532-4791 (voicemail), or via e-mail at skp@k-state.edu .

The Kansas Board of Regents policy states:

Faculty and administrators are encouraged to provide expert testimony on proposed legislation which may, or may not, affect the Regents and higher education. Faculty and administrators should make every effort to accommodate such requests, and shall notify the institution’s Chief Executive Officer, who, in turn, will notify the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Board.

Any information forwarded to Steven Graham will immediately be sent on to Dr. Peterson. Dr. Susan Peterson has been designated by President Wefald to notify the Board of Regents on his behalf.

It is important to state this is NOT a prohibition from any employee of the University to visit with a Legislator in the normal course of daily life.

State Agencies
Requests by other state agencies or branches of government are expected to be transmitted through the Board office. If the information is a University specific request, these items may be handled by the University with a copy to the institution’s CEO for transmittal to the Board office.

Kansas Federal Delegation
All requests to the Kansas Federal Delegation are reviewed and approved by the University Federal Relations Committee. Should you want to request a project, please submit the pertinent material to your Dean and Director. The review process occurs in December and January, with the University project submittals to the Delegation in early February. If a member of the Kansas Delegation contacts you for information, please contact Steven Graham or Dr. Susan Peterson immediately so we may remain consistent with our institutional priorities. --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu

2007 FINANCIAL CHECKSHEET AND 2009 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT WORKSHEETS
The updated KSU 8-19.xls, (End of Year Financial Checksheet and Budget Development and Management Worksheets in Excel), are posted on the Employee Resources Website. The spreadsheet package can be downloaded for your use in completing the 2007 Financial Checksheet. The package of worksheets is also used to develop your 2009 budget, help you make management decisions with your funds, make end of year spending decisions and plan future equipment replacement needs.

From the Employee Resources Website, click on the Forms link or the Financial Resources link. On the Financial Resources page you can access the updated spreadsheet package from the Budget Development and Management Worksheets link. From the Forms page, go to Topics, then Budgets and Financial Forms link, and then to KSU8-19.xls. You can also download instructions for using the Budget Development and Management spreadsheet from this location - http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/employee_resources/DesktopDefault.aspx .

Save the spreadsheet to your computer and then you can open it to complete your 2007 Financial Checksheet. You should wait until you receive your audited December financial statement from Bob Casey before finalizing the financial checksheet.

There are eight (8) worksheet tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet with the first one being the Main Menu. Here you will enter your county/district name and 2009. This will automatically enter your unit name and the appropriate year on each sheet. For example, 2007 will appear on your Financial Checksheet.

A Financial Proof Sheet is located as a second page of the Financial Checksheet and can assist you in checking the accuracy of your entries.

The Budget worksheet can be used to enter the 2006 and 2007 actual receipts and expenditures as well as the 2006 and 2007 budgeted figures for each line item. You will then use the 2009 column to enter your line item amounts as you develop your recommended 2009 budget.

The worksheets are password protected so the user cannot enter information in the wrong fields or inadvertently void a necessary calculation formula.

Please call your area director or Jim Lindquist in the Extension Field Operations office with any questions. --Jim Lindquist jlindqui@oznet.ksu.edu

THANK YOU FROM KAREN WALTERS
I wish to thank all my "Extension Family" for your sympathy following our daughter's death and also for your generous donations to the Education Fund for Julie's children. And I 'really' appreciate all of you for your cards, phone calls, and personal words of caring. --Karen Walters

K-STATE'S DAIRY DAYS HAVE BEEN RESCHEDULED
K-State's Dairy Days have been rescheduled due to inclement weather. These meetings will be held in conjunction with the DHIA Annual Meetings in Nemaha and Reno counties. Check the dates below to find the location and day that best suits your schedule.

January 30, 2008 - 11:30 a.m.
Valentino's Restaurant - Seneca, KS

Pre-Registration is not necessary. For more information, contact the Meadowlark Extension District Office at 785-336-2184 or 785-364-4125, or e-mail jholthau@ksu.edu .

February 27, 2008 - 10:30 a.m.
Whiteside Amish Community Building - Whiteside, KS

Please Pre-Register by calling the Reno County Extension Office, 620-662-2371, or e-mail rn@oznet.ksu.edu . --John Smith

TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NATIONAL SARE CONFERENCE, MARCH 25-27
The Kansas SARE Program is accepting applications for extension educators to attend the National SARE conference, March 25-27, in Kansas City, MO. The travel awards will be for registration, lodging and parking. Transportation is not included. Funds are available for approximately 12 scholarships.

Review the Conference agenda and tours at http://www.sare.org/2008Conference/index.htm .

The travel scholarship application is available at http://www.kansassustainableag.org/Documents/Travel_Scholar.pdf .

Travel scholarship applications are due February 1. Questions? Contact Jana Beckman, beckman@ksu.edu , 785-532-1440. --Jana Beckman

LAND LEASES WORKSHOPS TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 26, 2008
K-State Research and Extension - River Valley District has scheduled two "Land Leasing Workshops" on Tuesday, February 26, 2008. Producers and landlords will have their choice of locations for these "free" workshops.

The first workshop is scheduled for 2 p.m., 4-H building, Republic County Fairgrounds - Belleville; the second workshop begins at 7 p.m. in the 4-H building ,Clay County Fairgrounds - Clay Center.

Rodney Jones, K-State Agricultural Economist, will discuss leasing agreements and responsibilities. Duane Hund, K-State Farm Analyst, will cover lease communications, Kansas Ag Lease Law and ethical practices of leasing. Computer Software demonstrations will be available also.

For further questions, contact any of the River Valley Extension District Offices. --Todd Whitney twhitney@ksu.edu

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR EXTENSION PROFESSIONALS
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
College Center @ K-State Salina
Sponsored by the Leadership Development & Volunteer Development Program Focus Teams

We all practice conflict management everyday – at home, in our communities, and especially at work! Conflict can involve a variety of people and contexts, including interpersonal conflict such as disagreements with co-workers and clients, intergroup conflict such as disagreements among fair board members, and community-wide conflict such as disagreements over decisions made by county commissioners.

Given how common conflict situations are, you would think that we would all be pretty good at handling it, but the reality is that most people report little confidence in addressing conflict. How good we are at managing conflict is based on how skilled we are at diagnosing the cause and skillfully taking action to resolve the conflict.

This interactive workshop will offer Extension professionals an excellent opportunity to:

* Assess their personal styles/approaches to dealing with conflict
* Learn how to recognize conflict and identify the drivers of conflict situations
* Develop communication skills and constructive behaviors to effectively manage conflict
* Practice positive interaction and facilitation of conflict situations based on real-life examples from Extension
* Gain insights & practical advice from seasoned Extension colleagues who manage conflict effectively

The registration fee is $50 and includes workshop materials, lunch, and parking permit. The deadline to register is February 22. Early registration is encouraged - seating is limited to 30 participants. The workshop flyer and registration form are posted at www.oznet.ksu.edu/Employee_Resources/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=206 . --Robert Wilson rmwilson@k-state.edu

CSREES-USDA INTEGRATED COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS GRANTSMANSHIP WORKSHOP
March 10-11, 2008 - Memphis, Tennessee

The 1890 Region and Florida A&M University will host a Grantsmanship Workshop on CSREES Integrated Competitive Programs focusing on the Section 406 Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Program and opportunities within the National Research Initiative for support of integrated activities.

Agency staff will give an overview of CSREES Integrated Competitive Programs and describe how to integrate research, education, and extension in developing and implementing competitive proposals. Experienced Project Directors will speak on how to successfully design a strong integrated project, write a winning proposal, and implement a successful integrated project. Faculty in research, extension, and academics are encouraged to attend.

For additional details and registration information, visit http://www.famu.edu/cesta/csrees-famu.cfm . --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

SAVE THE DATE
South Central Goat Conference is scheduled for the evening of March 7, and all day Saturday, March 8, at the Hutchinson Sale Barn.

Dr. Terry Gibson and Dr. Steve Hart from Langston University are the featured presenters along with Dr. Deb Mangelsdorf of Manhattan and Brian Faris, K-State Research & Extension Sheep/Goat Specialist.

For more information, contact Jonie James at 316-284-6930, or Kent McGinnis at 620-662-2371. A brochure advertising the event should be reaching all offices soon. --Jonie James jjames@oznet.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 JANUARY 30, 2008 THROUGH FEBRUARY 13, 2008.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 11:30 a.m. at Valentino's Restaurant, Seneca, KS
....K-State's Dairy Days, John F. Smith jfsmith@ksu.edu

Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at Pottorf Hall in Manhattan, KS
….NE Annual Partnership Meeting, Dale Fjell dfjell@oznet.ksu.edu

Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. in Cimarron, KS
….SW Area KAA Screening, Rod Buchele rbuchele@oznet.ksu.edu

Friday, February 1, 2008 at 9:30 to 11:30 a conference call
….Design for Learning, Margaret Phillips margaret@ksu.edu

Friday, February 1, 2008 at 9:30 to 4:00 p.m. in Hays, KS, KSU Ag Res
….NW Area 4-H KAA Screening, Deryl Waldren dwaldren@ksu.edu

Sunday, February 3, 2008 thru Thursday, February 7, 2008 in Sparks, NV
….CSREES National Water Conference, Dan Devlin ddevlin@oznet.ksu.edu

Monday, February 4, 2008 in the AM at Larned/Pawnee County
….Independent Wheat Production School, Curtis Thompson cthompso@oznet.ksu.edu

Monday, February 4, 2008 thru Friday, February 8, 2008 at Kansas State University
….Current Issues: Overweight & Obesity, Mike Bradshaw mhb@ksu.edu

Monday, February 4, 2008 thru Friday, February 8, 2008 at the K-State Alumni Center
….February FCS Agent Update, Paula Peters ppeters@ksu.edu

Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at the K-State Union
….KSU Swine Profitability Conference, Jim Nelssen jnelssen@ksu.edu

Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in Lakin/Kearny
….Corn Production School, Curtis Thompson cthompso@oznet.ksu.edu

Tuesday, February 5, 2008 thru Thursday, February 7, 2008 in Orlando, FL
….JCEP (East and South Regions), Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu

Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in Hugoton, Stevens County
….Corn Production School, Curtis Thompson cthompso@oznet.ksu.edu

Wednesday, February 6, 2008 thru Saturday, February 9, 2008 in Reno, NV
….NCBA Beef Industry Convention, Twig Marston twig@ksu.edu

Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. in Pratt, KS
….Crop Scouting School, Curtis Thompson cthompso@oznet.ksu.edu

Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. in Cimarron, Gray County
….Crop Scouting School, Curtis Thompson cthompso@oznet.ksu.edu

Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 8:30 – 4:30 in K-State Salina
….KS 4-H Space Tech Educators’ Workshop, Deryl Waldren dwaldren@ksu.edu

Saturday, February 9, 2008 and Sunday, February 10, 2008 at Rock Springs 4-H Center
….State 4-H Horse Panorama, Kaitlyn Crow kcrow@ksu.edu and Julie Voge jvoge@ksu.edu

Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the Wm. Carpenter 4-H Building
….Ag Profitability Conference – Scott City, Rich Llewelyn rllewely@agecon.ksu.edu

Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in Isabel, Barber County
….Wheat Production School, Curtis Thompson cthompso@oznet.ksu.edu

Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. in Protection, Comanche County
….Wheat Production School, Curtis Thompson cthompso@oznet.ksu.edu

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 in Pratt, KS
….Ag Profitability Conference – Pratt, Rich Llewelyn rllewely@agecon.ksu.edu

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in Lakin/Kearny County
….Wheat Production School, Curtis Thompson cthompso@oznet.ksu.edu

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tuesday@oznet.ksu.edu . Put the word "Tuesday" in the subject line.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.