The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

Vol. 14, No. 19  March 25, 2008

IN THIS ISSUE... 

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Graduate Scholarship Available to Extension Agents
...KAMS Exhibiting at Mid-America Farm Show in Salina
...Publications/Production Services Update
...Eastern Kansas Forage School Registration Due April 4th
...KAMS Marks 20th Anniversary as a Certified State Mediation Program
...Extension Professionals are Invited
...4th Annual Healthfest! - April 18-19 at Rock Springs 4-H Center
...Applications Now Being Taken for Signage Mini-Grants
...Food Preservation Books
...See Fred Cholick Get REAL
...USDA Rural Development Invites Applications for Renewable Energy Loans and Grants
...Master Schedule

                                                                                                           ...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
If you haven't already, I'd encourage you to look at the K-State Leadership Seminar coming up on April 3, 2008. The seminar is titled Entrepreneurial Leadership: Seize the Opportunity. The day-long event is held at the K-State Union.

From the seminar promotional overview posted on the web:

I encourage you to gaze down through the excellent speaker lineup for the seminar and see the names of individuals you will like to know! I believe you will find the seminar to be thought-provoking, practical, and relevant to you as Extension educators. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu  

GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE TO EXTENSION AGENTS
I want to remind any Extension Agents who will be enrolled in graduate study at K-State this coming fall that the Kansas State University - Paul W. Griffith Memorial Scholarship is available. Following are some specifics:

Amount: $500 tuition assistance (must be approved by Area Extension Directors)

Deadline: November 1 (extended to April 14 due to no applicants)

Purpose: For assistance to outstanding educators pursuing graduate study (either on campus or via distance education) at Kansas State University.

Criteria: Extension agent pursuing an advanced degree at Kansas State University.

Criteria to be considered in ranking competing applications:

1. Program of study leading to advanced degree has been developed.

2. Sabbatical leave has been approved.

3. If not on Sabbatic, enrolled in a multi-course program where at least two or more courses are being taken at the same time.

4. Other tuition assistance programs are not covering the cost.

5. Has not previously been awarded the Griffith Scholarship.

Contact: Send letter of interest and supporting materials to address the above criteria to:

Dr. Daryl Buchholz
Associate Director for Extension and Applied Research
K-State Research and Extension
123 Umberger Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-3401
Phone: 785-532-5820

Further financial assistance information can be found in the Professional Development website under Educational Assistance. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

KAMS EXHIBITING AT MID-AMERICA FARM SHOW IN SALINA
Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services (KAMS) will be meeting the farm show crowd at the Mid-America Farm Show, March 25, 26, and 27, at the Salina Bicentennial Center. The booth will be located in the Heritage Hall. Show hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

KAMS staff will provide information regarding financial and legal assistance and resources available to Kansas ag producers and their creditors. This farm show typically has over 350 exhibitors with over 10,000 attendees.  Stop by and say "hello"!  - Becky O'Donnell  bodonnel@k-state.edu

PUBLICATIONS/PRODUCTION SERVICES UPDATE
Nutrition Leader's Guide Ready to Order
The leader's guide publication, "Everybody to the Table: Family Meals Serve Us Well, LG," MF-2785, was accidentally omitted from the Third Quarter Publications Order Form recently sent to organizational offices. The accompanying fact sheet -- MF-2784, "Everybody to the Table: Family Meals Serve Us Well, FS," was listed and remains available for orders. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused. To order the omitted publication, just write it in next to MF2784 and fax the form to the Distribution Center at 785-532-77938 OR send an e-mail to orderpub@lists.oznet.ksu.edu . If you prefer, you also may call Distribution at 785-532-5830 to place an order for this or any other publication. Please remember that both Third Quarter and June delivery publication orders are due by March 31.

Scheduled Orders vs. Special Orders
Publications may be ordered at any time needed -- although we encourage internal clients to place annual orders for each title when it is on an order form. That process allows us to gain economy of scale when printing and avoids disappointment if the title is out of stock. Print and reprint orders are based on current stock (if any) and the total quantity ordered. If your office unexpectedly needs a large quantity of a title that is out of stock, please request a special reprint by contacting publications coordinator Nancy Zimmerli-Cates, nancyz@ksu.edu  or printing supervisor Greg LeValley, glevalle@ksu.edu .

Print-on-Demand Includes 4-H, Ag, FCS Publications
Don't forget print-on-demand publications, listed at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/catalog/printout.asp . These items may be ordered any time to be delivered within one week -- or sooner, if your office can pick up the order. These publications are NOT listed on printed order forms, and new titles are added frequently. Bookmark this site and check it frequently for more options to support your programs. 4-H agents are encouraged to check this site for leader and officer materials, as well as other titles.

4-H National Curriculum Order Form Sent
National curriculum publications for 4-H are listed on an order form sent March 21. Please review and place orders by returning the forms to the K-State Distribution Center by April 15. This system allows us to take advantage of possible volume discounts available through the statewide order, and allows county/district offices to use allocation funds for the publications. Late orders will need to be placed with the National 4-H Curriculum site, may cost more, and won't allow use of allocation funding. --Nancy Zimmerli-Cates nancyz@ksu.edu

EASTERN KANSAS FORAGE SCHOOL REGISTRATION DUE APRIL 4TH
Register today for the Eastern Kansas Forages School to be held April 15 - 16, 2008 in Ottawa. Registration is $15 and due April 4. To register, contact Darren Hibdon at 785-229-3520 or e-mail dhibdon@ksu.edu .

A block of rooms is available at the Comfort Inn in Ottawa. Call 785-242-9898 by April 1st to reserve a room. Reference the Eastern Kansas Forage School to receive the block room rate.

School topics include livestock nutrition, brush control, economics of grazing, and forage management and planning. --Jana Beckman beckman@ksu.edu

The first event will be held on Monday, April 7, in the 4-H building on the Jackson County Fairgrounds, Holton, Kansas. The Farm Fair is co- sponsored by K-State Research and Extension Offices, Meadowlark Extension District #7, and Brown, Doniphan, and Atchison Counties. A presentation by K-State Extension Farm Management Specialist Rodney Jones, “Tools for Family Farm Transition” will be at 7:30 p.m.

The Farm Fair is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m., featuring booths from more than 20 area organizations and agencies KAMS has partnered with in serving rural and farm families over the years. Some of the agencies and organizations participating in the Farm Fair include AgrAbility, Kansas PRIDE communities, Kansas Weather Data Library and the Kansas Extension Disaster Education Network, Kansas watershed specialists, Kansas Department of Commerce (agri-tourism), Kansas Legal Services, Kansas Rural Family Helpline, K-State Farm Analyst Program, Kansas Farm Management Association, Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Kansas Farmers Union, and Kansas Farm Bureau.

The event is free and open to the public.  For more information about this event, contact the KAMS office at 1-800-321-3276; or Jody G. Holthaus, Meadowlark Extension District #7, 785-364-4125, jholthau@ksu.edu . For information about future events around the state, contact the KAMS office. --Becky J. O'Donnell bodonnel@k-state.edu

Extension Professionals who have a passion about the future of 4-H are encouraged to attend this open spaces/brain-storming meeting facilitated by Daryl Buchholz, Associate Director, Extension and Applied Research. The discussion will be driven by the question “How Do We Grow 4-H”?

All thoughts are welcomed as it will be your thoughts from the Extension Professionals that will guide the day’s process.

Interested Extension Professionals are encouraged to register at www.kansas4h.org for the one day session at the Highland Hotel and Convention Center, Great Bend. In preparation for the one-day open spaces session, Extension Professionals are challenged to review their Extension Unit’s membership trends plus check the 2006-07 Kansas’ membership statistics available on the Kansas 4-H web page.

This one-of-a-kind meeting is determined by the participants. Your attendance and participation is valued! “How Do We Grow 4-H” is sponsored by K-State Research & Extension, 4-H and the Kansas 4-H Foundation. On-line registration is open until April 15. Cost is $10.

Call Highland Hotel and Convention Center for reservations at 620-792-2431 or 866-212-7122. A block of rooms for April 22nd will be held until April 1st . $60 per room (no matter the number of occupants). --Pamela Van Horn pvanhorn@ksu.edu

4TH ANNUAL HEALTHFEST! - APRIL 18-19 AT ROCK SPRINGS 4-H CENTER
HealthFest is an opportunity for teens and adults to learn health promotion skills, be active and have some fun in the great outdoors of the Rock Springs 4-H Center.

HEALTHFEST - HEALTH ROCKS! (Teens)
This year, HealthFest! will feature the National 4-H Council's "Health Rocks" health leadership, decision-making program which prepares teens to teach others to make healthy lifestyle choices. Health Rocks training is fun, active, and informative. Teams of 2-3 teens and adult sponsor are encouraged to attend. Once teams implement Health Rocks locally, applications for reimbursement of expenses related to participation in HealthFest will be available.

Health Rocks training begins Friday, April 18, at 4 p.m. and ends at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 19. Overnight stay, meals and materials costs is $80/person. Registrations should be made through the KS 4-H online registration by April 4.

Register at: www.kansas4h.org or call Robin Curry, Kansas 4-H, 785-532-5800; or Elaine Johannes,  ejohanne@ksu.edu , 785-532-2770.

HEALTHFEST! - YOU and YOUR COMMUNITY (Adults)
For adults, HealthFest! offers sessions in

a) Positive Marketing for Small Towns with Ron Wilson and Linda Craghead (Friday), and

b) The Impact of Friends, Family and Co-workers on our Health with Dr. Jared Anderson, K-State School of Family Studies and Human Services (Saturday).

The sessions begin at 4 p.m., Friday, April 18, with physical activity and concludes Saturday, April 19, by 2 p.m. with Celebration. Overnight stay, meals and materials cost is $80/person. Adults planning to attend the Friday workshops (including evening meal) only will be charged $20.

Registrations should be made through the Kansas 4-H online registration by April 4. Register at www.kansas4h.org , or call Robin Curry, Kansas 4-H, 785-532-5800; or Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu , 785-532-2770.

HEALTHFEST! - EVERYONE GET ACTIVE!
An added benefit is physical activity sessions for all HealthFest celebrants with Dr. Gayle Doll, K-State Center on Aging (Saturday).

HealthFest dress is casual and fun is expected. Invite your friends and join us at Rock Springs, April 18-19!

For more information, contact:

Elaine Johannes, 785-532-7720, ejohanne@ksu.edu
Connie Hoch, 785-532-5840, choch@ksu.edu
Carol Fink, 785-532-5800, cfink@ksu.edu

APPLICATIONS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR SIGNAGE MINI-GRANTS
All K-State Research and Extension offices should be receiving information this week regarding a mini-grant program to update outdoor signage.

A minimum of 10 grants, worth $200 each, will be awarded. Priority will be given to offices that currently have outdoor signage that pre-dates the 1996 merger, but all county, district and area offices are encouraged to apply. The primary intent is to help all local offices obtain updated outdoor signage.

The deadline to apply is May 1, 2008. Grants will be awarded by the Department of Communications no later than June 1.

Information on the program was mailed to county, district and area offices late last week. Information also is available online at www.communications.ksu.edu/marketing . Please direct additional questions to Pat Melgares at melgares@ksu.edu . --Pat Melgares melgares@ksu.edu

FOOD PRESERVATION BOOKS
We are placing an order for the newest edition of the "So Easy to Preserve" Fifth Edition -Canning Books. The books are $15.

We had originally planned to place the order to coincide with the Food Preservation Workshops that have been postponed; however, we have enough that we can get the books at the discounted price so we are going to place an order toward the end of March. Please let me know if you would like one for reference. --Lisa Long llong@ksu.edu

SEE FRED CHOLICK GET REAL
Go to www.getrealks.org to see a photo of Dean and Director Fred Cholick receiving the first REAL button. The button is promoting REAL which is the acronym for Rural Engagement and Action Leadership, a new project launched by the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development, K-State Research and Extension, KARL, and other partners.

The purpose of the REAL Project is to help rural Kansas citizens connect with university expertise and apply their leadership skills to address vital issues in their home communities. Up to 10 citizens will be selected for the REAL Project, with preference given to those who have completed some sort of leadership development program. Participants will identify a key issue or problem in their community or region which they would like to address. Each participant will receive a $500 minigrant to work on this issue, and will be linked with university faculty that have expertise to help.

Action plans and implementation are the final step of this process, with resulting positive outcomes in communities across the state.

If you or people in your county are interested, check out www.getrealks.org . Applications are due April 7. – Ron Wilson rwilson@ksu.edu  and David Coltrain coltrain@ksu.edu

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY LOANS AND GRANTS
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer recently announced that USDA will accept $220.9 million in loan and grant applications within USDA's Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program.

USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks commented, "USDA's energy programs offer Kansas farmers and ranchers, along with rural business owners and public entities, the opportunity to receive funding assistance to harness the untapped renewable energy resources and achieve greater energy efficiency.

USDA will issue one grant solicitation for two separate competitions in FY 2008. For the first competitive window, grant-only applications must be submitted no later than April 15, 2008. For the second competitive window, grant-only applications must be submitted no earlier than April 16, 2008, and no later than June 16, 2008. Applications for loan guarantees, as well as those for loan/grant combinations must be completed and submitted to the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than June 16, 2008.

The Program's funding can support a wide range of technologies encompassing biomass (including anaerobic digesters), geothermal, hydrogen, solar, and wind energy, as well as energy efficiency improvements.

Under the Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Program (Section 9006), the maximum amount of a loan guarantee made to a borrower is $10 million. For renewable energy systems, the minimum grant request is $2,500 and the maximum is $500,000. For energy efficiency improvements, the minimum grant request is $1,500 and the maximum is $250,000.

Grant funds under the Program will not exceed 25 percent of the total eligible project costs. A combination of 9006 grants and 9006 guaranteed loans will not exceed 50 percent of the total eligible project costs. Other USDA Rural Development funds may be available to assist with the balance of the funding.

Individuals who have an interest in USDA Rural Development programs may contact the USDA Rural Development State Office in Topeka at 785-271-2736 or e-mail David Kramer at david.kramer@ks.usda.gov .  --Steven M. Graham sgraham@k-state.edu

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

DATES TAKEN FROM THE MASTER SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 3 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2008:

Thursday, April 3, 2008, starting at 9:30 in the SW Area Office, Garden City, KS
Communicating Impact, Paula Peters ppeters@ksu.edu  

Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the K-State Student Union,
K-State Leadership Seminar, Margaret Phillips Margaret@ksu.edu

Thursday, April 3, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Douglas County Extension Office, Lawrence, FNP Age Appropriate Nutrition Education, Carol Fink cfink@ksu.edu  and Gary Gerhard ggerhard@ksu.edu  

Friday, April 4, 2008, Coffeyville Community College
Agriculture and Technical Interscholastic Contests, Coffeyville, KS
Registration times and contest information can be found at http://www.coffeyville.edu/academics/programs/ag/aggiedays08.htm , Brian Anderson briana@coffeyville.edu  or Derek Dick derekd@coffeyville.edu  

Friday, April 4, 2008 starting at 9:30 a.m. in Salina,
Communicating Impact, Paula Peters ppeters@ksu.edu  

Saturday, April 5, 2008 starting at 8:00 a.m. at the Logan County Fairgrounds, Oakley, KS
High Plains Horseman’s Day, Sandy Johnson sandyj@ksu.edu

Monday, April 7 – Thursday, April 10, 2008, in Columbus, OH,
North Central Administrative Leadership Conference, Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu  

Tuesday, April 8 – Wednesday, April 9, 2008, starting at 11:00 a.m. on April 8 with registration in Hutchinson,
KAE4-HA Spring Meeting, Sarah Maass semaass@ksu.edu

Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge,
KS Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Contest, Charles Lee clee@ksu.edu