Tuesday Letter

The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

Vol. 14, No. 32 June 24, 2008

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Retirement Reception for Jean Rowland, Labette County
...Thank You from Larry Erpelding
...Community Facility and Storm Shelter Funding Available from USDA Rural Development
...County Fair Dates Needed
...Nominate Your Colleagues for Awards!
...Resource for Fair Judges
...Marketing Kansas 4-H
...2008 Kansas 4-H and FFA State Wheat Show in Great Bend
...2009 Kansas 4-H and FFA Wheat Variety Plot Enrollment
...Marie's Pick of the Week
...Recruiting for a Web Content Committee
...Food Safety for Older Adults Research Team Needs Your Help
...Stream Assessment Workshop July 31-August 1, Lyon County
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Summer arrival has happened. With that comes County Fairs and opportunities for the 4-H youth to exhibit their accomplishments in the various projects, the culmination of a year of project work and development for which to be recognized and rewarded.

This is also the time of the year for K-State Research and Extension to begin nomination processes in recognizing the outstanding achievements of faculty and staff, individually and in teams. Recognition depends on your stepping up and nominating a deserving individual or team for great accomplishments.

I hope you will talk with colleagues about putting forth nominations for the deserving and truly outstanding accomplishments. Great work should never go unrecognized. You will find award nominations being announced in the coming weeks. Please be thinking about the individuals, teams, and projects that should be recognized, and make a commitment to see that the nominations are completed and submitted.

Have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

RETIREMENT RECEPTION FOR JEAN ROWLAND, LABETTE COUNTY
Jean Rowland, County Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, Labette County, will be retiring July 1, 2008. There will be a retirement reception for her on June 26, 2008, from 3 - 6 p.m. in the Labette County Extension Office. Please send cards to Labette County Extension, PO Box 39, Altamont, KS 67330.

If you have questions, please call Sherry at 620-784-5337. --Sherry Foister sfoister@ksu.edu

THANK YOU FROM LARRY ERPELDING
Thank you for the outpouring of notes, e-mails, and other expressions of sympathy as well as the memorial contributions made at the recent passing of my mother. I may be just a little biased, but in my opinion, I could not have selected a better place to be associated with over the past 30 years than the College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension. Thanks for your overwhelming support, thoughtfulness, and prayers. --Larry Erpelding lhe@oznet.ksu.edu

COMMUNITY FACILITY AND STORM SHELTER FUNDING AVAILABLE FROM USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Grant and loan funding continues to be available for essential rural Kansas community development programs and storm shelters through USDA Rural Development. The Agency's Communities Facilities Program is designed to assist in the development of essential community facilities, including storm sirens for public use in rural areas, and the Single Family Home Repair Grant & Loan Program may assist in removing health and safety hazards for owner-occupied single family residences, such as storm shelters.

"The Community Facilities Program is a great tool to assist rural communities in developing new or enhancing existing facilities for public safety, public service and health care. The benefits of the program through grants and low-interest loans can significantly enhance the viability of critically needed community facility projects," commented State Director Banks.

Additionally, Banks said, "Severe weather can strike unexpectedly, often with serious personal consequences. As Kansans were again reminded last year, violent storms and the unfortunate loss of life underscores the need for improved home safety measures. The installation of an approved storm shelter offers important added safety and security when severe weather strikes. USDA can provide eligible homeowners an excellent opportunity to protect themselves and their families."

Through its Community Facilities Programs, the Department of Agriculture is striving to ensure that such facilities are readily available to all rural communities.

USDA Rural Development can also assist homeowners with other necessary improvements or repairs.

For additional information regarding all USDA Rural Development programs, interested parties may call the Agency's state headquarters at 785-271-2700 or log onto the state's USDA Rural Development website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks . --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu

COUNTY FAIR DATES NEEDED
It’s that time of the year again. We are getting calls about when the various county fairs are being held. The Kansas Fair Association website lists only some of the fairs.

Please enter the date and location of your county fairs on the Master Schedule. Access the Master Schedule page at http://129.130.72.154/MasterSchAdd/ . Instructions are available for adding a new event on the website or contact me at the following e-mail address. If your fair is already listed, please make sure the information is correct. --Cheryl Thomas cthomas@ksu.edu

NOMINATE YOUR COLLEAGUES FOR AWARDS!
The Epsilon Sigma Phi - Alpha Rho Chapter is seeking nominations for the 2008 chapter awards. Kansas extension professionals are extremely talented and should have their skills and programs acknowledged at the state and national levels. I encourage you to nominate your colleagues, administrators, mentors, or even yourself for these important awards.

Nomination forms for awards may be downloaded at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/esp-AlphaRho/awards/awards.htm . Nominations will be due in early September. Watch The Tuesday Letter for application deadlines. Award applications should be sent to M. Gayle Price, awards committee chair, Southeast Area Office, 308 West 14th Street, Chanute, KS 66720.

If you have questions, please contact me at 620-431-1530, or gprice@ksu.edu. --Gayle Price

RESOURCE FOR FAIR JUDGES
Fair season is fast approaching. "Creating A Positive Experience for 4-H Youth at the County Fair" captures the basics of information judges need to know to create the best fair experience possible for youth. It helps to remind judges to focus on youth, why we use standards, to award the ribbon that is earned and how to provide appropriate feedback. Include this 2-sided page when sending other fair judging details.

This resource is available under What's Hot on the State 4-H Website, http://www.kansas4h.org/Events/FairJudgEncl08.pdf . --Diane Mack dmack@ksu.edu

MARKETING KANSAS 4-H
Do you need something new to use at Day Camp? County Fair? After-school program? Back to School promotion? Ambassador promotion? Club Reminders? Camp Thank You's?

If you answered "YES!" - the Marketing Action team has got a deal for YOU!

Order New Items to Help Market Kansas 4-H
Order now! The 4-H Marketing Action Team is excited to offer several new items to help you market Kansas 4-H. These items are currently listed on the September 2008 New Publication Order Form and Fourth Quarter 2008 Order Form. Both forms are currently in your office and due June 30.

These items can be ordered now and will be available to help you market for the new 4-H year!

To view the items, go to http://www.kansas4-h.org/ActionTeams/Marketing/ .

New Items:
4-H Promotional Postcards: 6 designs. Great for reminders, thank-you notes or other notes. Each 8.5 x 11" sheet of cardstock, will have 2 full color postcards printed on it. This will allow you to run them through your printer to customize the back with a local message. After cutting, the finished size will meet postcard regulations. Cost is $2.50 per package of 25 sheets which is 50 postcards. (4-H959, 4-H960,4-H961, 4-H962, 4-H963, 4-H964).

4-H Activity Page:
New games to play, 2 color, pad of 50, 11 X 17-inch size. Cost is $3.08 for a pad of 50. (4-H931 Rev)

4-H Table Tent:
4-H Clover Table Tent, green and white, two sided, 10.5 X 17-inch. Cost is 69 cents each. This made it's debute at the 4-H Program Rally in January. (4-H958).

For something you can use RIGHT NOW - download the 4-H Spirit Catcher
Kids love origami! The 4-H Marketing Action Team has created a 4-H Spirit Catcher origami. You can download it directly off of the MAT website at http://www.kansas4-h.org/ActionTeams/Marketing/ . Instructions are included. This would be a great item to have available for summer at Day Camps.

Still Available to order:
*4-H Marketing Brochure: Cost is 45 cents per brochure. (4-H839)
*4-H Promotional Posters: Set of 5. 11 X 17- inch size. Cost is $4.00 per set. (4-H934)
*4-H Power of Youth Display: Cost is $26.85. (S141)

--Diane D. Mack dmack@ksu.edu

2008 KANSAS 4-H AND FFA STATE WHEAT SHOW IN GREAT BEND
Don’t miss out on this exciting wheat field day this summer. Join us in Great Bend on Friday, August 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Barton County Community College Technology Building at 245 NE 30 Road. The wheat show is open to all 4-H and FFA members, family members, 4-H leaders, Extension staff and Vocational Agriculture staff.

There will be eight contests open to youth members with cash prizes awarded. Classes include:
(1) 3 lb. bin run for crops members;
(2) 3 lb. bin run for “adopt a producer”; (All wheat samples are due to K-State on July 18 so testing can be completed).
(3) 1 quart jar sample of cleaned wheat;
(4) loaf of yeast bread;
(5) four cookies;
(6) wheat photography contest;
(7) wheat centerpiece contest; and
(8) a Cloverbuds division awarding participation ribbons.

Participants will pick one of three offered tours: Stafford County Flour Mill in Hudson, Bread Art with Joyce Esfeld with hands-on fun activities for youth and adults (limited to the first 20 who register), or a tour of the Ellinwood Tunnels from the prohibition-era and Dozier Winery. There is no registration cost. Pre-registration is required for an accurate meal count and for tour divisions by August 1. Registration is preferred on the Kansas 4-H website registration system, www.kansas4-h.org , click on “Register for 4-H Events, and Kansas State 4-H & FFA Wheat Show.” For those with no computer connections, contact Berny Unruh for food count by August 1 at 620-793- 1910.

For more information, contact Deryl Waldren at 785-462-6281 or e-mail him. For full details, visit http://4-h.k-state.edu/Events/WheatShow/Default.htm . --Deryl Waldren dwaldren@ksu.edu

2009 KANSAS 4-H AND FFA WHEAT VARIETY PLOT ENROLLMENT
As wheat harvest approaches, it is time to remind members to re-enroll or ask new members to enroll for the 2009 Kansas 4-H and FFA Wheat Variety Plot program. The program begins fall of 2008 and goes through September 2009. The enrollment form is currently available on the Kansas State 4-H Website , under "What's Hot" rather than the Northwest Research Extension site.

Members are asked to contact their local Extension Office by July 10 for information with enrollments due to the Northwest Area Extension Office by July 25, 2008. It is very important that we know the number of participants early, so we can have enough seed and metal signs available for Extension Agents and leaders to pick up at the Kansas State Fair. New participants will receive a large plot sign, and five individual variety signs. Returning members will receive updated variety signs if the varieties change. These will be distributed on the first weekend of the 2008 Kansas State Fair.

This year's participants who are getting ready to harvest their plots should be planning their county fair display for possible qualifying for the Kansas State Fair entry in the Pride of Kansas Building. Resource information for the wheat variety project includes:

(1) Wheat Variety Plot Brochure , 4-H 565 Rev., April 2000;
(2) Wheat Variety Plot-- Youth Participant Handbook , 4-H 566, Aug. 1996; and
(3) 4-H Wheat Variety Plot Record , P1099.

For more information, contact Deryl Waldren at 785-462-6281 or e-mail him at dwaldren@ksu.edu . --Deryl Waldren

MARIE'S PICK OF THE WEEK
While reviewing the 2007 Impact Reports and Project Accomplishments for items that are especially effective at helping us understand how our work can be highlighted to share outcomes, impacts, success stories, and public value, this week my pick (outcomes, impact, and public value) was reported by Jeremy Nelson.

Low-income seniors in Cowley County participated in the Kansas Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition program. Low-income seniors were able to purchase fresh wholesome products from local vendors making it easy for them to improve their diets and hopefully their health, which will in turn benefit all of the citizens of Cowley County. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu

RECRUITING FOR A WEB CONTENT COMMITTEE
We Want You! We are seeking volunteers to be part of the K-State Research and Extension Web Content Committee. We want people who have a strong interest in the Websites, who can envision the future of our site, and who understand the breadth and quality of content available through our organization.

This committee will help make decisions regarding the K-State Research and Extension Website, provide content ideas, suggest guidelines for all the KSRE Webs, and help select features to highlight on our homepage.

We expect this committee to be a virtual team. That is, we will hold our meetings via telephone, e-mail, and Connect. We expect the committee members to spend approximately 90 minutes a month on this responsibility.

Would you be interested, or know someone you'd like to nominate? If so, please e-mail me at lsleicht@ksu.edu . --Linda Sleichter

FOOD SAFETY FOR OLDER ADULTS RESEARCH TEAM NEEDS YOUR HELP
We are seeking at least 10 persons, over 55 years of age, willing to join a focused group discussion about consumer food safety behaviors/technology, on Friday, June 27, and/or Monday, June 30. Participation in only ONE session is needed and the program (responding to select questions) will take no longer than ONE hour of your time.

Researchers are interested in actual practices and food handling issues/concerns of mature community based residents to aid development of a multimedia consumer food safety program. This research project was funded by the USDA and is a collaborative effort among investigators in the College of Human Ecology and K-State Research & Extension: V. Remig, PhD, RD; K. Roberts, PhD; T. J. Bryant, MS; and G. Snyder, Multimedia specialist. You will be helping eliminate foodborne illnesses by sharing your perspectives at this critical phase of the project.

The session on Friday, June 27, will meet at 1 p.m. in the auditorium (second floor, next to the elevator) at Manhattan Public library; the Monday session on the 30th, will be held in Umberger 301, starting at 10 a.m. We need confirmation of who will be able to join us, so please let Kerri (Research Assistant) know if you can help with this effort at kbcole@ksu.edu or 785-532-2206.

For additional information, feel free to contact Dr. Remig: 785-532-0172. We will have materials ready upon your arrival and will move quickly through the concepts of interest. A small door prize drawing will follow the session. You may even bring a friend; just let us know! --Valentina Remig remig@ksu.edu

STREAM ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP JULY 31-AUGUST 1, LYON COUNTY
This intermediate level workshop is for natural resource professionals (WRAPs coordinators, buffer coordinators, NPS coordinators, district managers, science teachers, NRCS personnel, environmental scientists, extension agents, etc.) who are looking for a better understanding of stream processes. Upon completion of this class, attendees will be better equipped to communicate with land owners about stream science, function, and value. You will also be able to conduct basic assessments and provide stakeholders with appropriate BMP alternatives for their stream problems.

*COST: $125 - This includes lodging, meals, refreshments and course materials. The workshop is limited to the first 20 who register.

*LOCATION: The workshop will be held at the Hideout Hunting Lodge in Lyon County (1895 Road 360). It is approximately 20 miles north of Emporia, or northeast of Admire. Upon completion of registration a map will be sent out.

*SPONSORS: - The Watershed Institute; Flint Hills RC&D; Kansas Alliance Wetlands and Streams; WRAPS/KDHE, and K-State Citizen Science.

*TOPICS: Types of assessments; stream hydrology; stream chemistry; intro to fluvial geomorphology; stream ecology; monitoring; streambank stabilization; riparian management; intro to the use of RRAS technology; and more.

For more information contact Paul Ingle, Flint Hills RC&D, 785-640-2645, or e-mail Paul.ingle@cox.net . --Paul Ingle

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

To view the complete Master Schedule online or as a pdf, go to http://129.130.72.154/MasterSchAdd/

Submit corrections to previously submitted items to cthomas@ksu.edu .
DATES TAKEN FROM THE MASTER SCHEDULE FOR JULY 3 THROUGH JULY 9, 2008:

Thursday, July 3, 2008, South East District Qualifying Horse Show starting at 9:00 a.m. in Parsons, Carla Nemecek cnemecek@ksu.edu

Friday, July 4, 2008, Independence Day celebrated

Saturday, July 5, 2008, SW Horse Spectacular Show starting at 8:00 a.m. in Garden City, Barbara Addison baddison@ksu.edu

Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11, 2008, ASAS and ADSA National Meetings in Indianapolis, IN, Mike Tokach mtokach@ksu.edu

Tuesday, July 8, 2008, North West District Qualifying Horse Show starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Norton County Fairgrounds, Norton, Clint Milliman milliman@ksu.edu

Tuesday, July 8, 2008, East Central District Qualifying Horse Show in Lawrence, Shannon Blocker sblocker@ksu.edu

Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9, 2008, North Central District Qualifying Horse Show starting at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday and 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the Expo Center in Salina, 300 W. Ash, Greg McClure gmcclure@ksu.edu

Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9, 2008, SHICK Medicare Insurance Training for Douglas County in Lawrence, Carol Young cyoung@ksu.edu

Tuesday, July 8 through Thursday, July 10, 2008, Crop Diagnostic Schools, North Agronomy Farm, Manhattan, Dale Leikam dleikam@ksu.edu

Wednesday, July 9, 2008, North East District Qualifying Horse Show, Lawrence, Beth Hecht bhecht@ksu.edu and Jay Workman.

Wednesday, July 9 through Sunday, July 13, 2008, Barton County Fair in Great Bend, Barton County Extension Office, 620-793-1910.

Wednesday, July 9 through Sunday, July 13, 2008, Lane County Free Fair in Dighton, Walnut Creek Extension District #2, Dighton Office, 620-397-3806.

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