Tuesday Letter

The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

Vol. 15, No. 6 December 9, 2008

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Retirement Party for Ron Frank
..."Keeping the Family Farming" Workshops
...Insect Zoo Giftshop in Waters Hall December 17-19 From 11 to 3
...More Adobe Connect Web Videoconferencing Training Offered
...Notill Informational Session
...Diversity Programs Office Update
...Spanish Newsletters Now Available Online
...Farm Management Guides Available Electronically
...Reminder: Distribution Services Suspended December 15, 2008, Through January 2, 2009
...Upcoming Events
..."Renewable Energy - Renewable Resources Conference
...4-H Day with Wildcat Women's Basketball
...Kansas 4-H Horse Panorama 2009
...Kansas Advancing Youth Development Institute - February 24-26
...Marketing Minute: Marketing Needs Strategy First, Creativity Second
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
I've been reading impact / outcome reports that you have submitted into the reporting system. I appreciate the simplicity of the search process and the ease of using the system.

I've made a couple observations that I want to share, and then suggest that you go back and read what you have placed in your impact / outcome report narrative.

If the impact / outcome gives you a sense of pride because it clearly conveys all the events, activities, and hard work that YOU have done this past year for that program, you have missed the target.

If the impact / outcome gives you a sense of pride because it clearly conveys how the clientele have responded through evidence of such things as knowledge gained, skills acquired, attitudes changed, behaviors changed, improved decision making, etc. then you have nailed it!

A success story is just that. It is a piece of evidence that further substantiates the impact of your program in a story format. I note many success stories are actually impact statements that should have been placed in that impact / outcome section. If you have a specific story to tell that conveys the value of program, that would be your success story.

I have a sense that some of you are using the impact / outcome narrative as your performance documentation. However, the impact / outcome narrative is NOT your performance documentation, but rather the influence your program had on the clientele you reached through your initiative. Do a separate document for your performance review, and that is where you toot your horn for all the hard work you've done over the past year.

I encourage you to go back and read your report. It can be edited, and I'd encourage you to do that if you find the focus is on you rather than the clientele and impact/outcome of the program.

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

RETIREMENT PARTY FOR RON FRANK
Please join the Department of Communication in honoring Ron Frank as he retires from Kansas State University this month. A party is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, from 3 to 5 p.m. in Dole Hall. Formal comments will begin at 3:30 p.m. View an invitation at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=50 . --Elaine Edwards elainee@ksu.edu

"KEEPING THE FAMILY FARMING" WORKSHOPS
The 2008-09 "Keeping the Family Farming" workshops are coming up soon. The registration deadline is December 15. Three two-day workshops are planned across the state. These conferences are designed to help farms and ranches with their succession planning. They are more than just estate planning, and go through the whole process of succession planning. We’ll start by focusing on what each individual family member’s needs and fears are and move on to communicating among the family of what’s going to happen with the legacy of their family farm or ranch and eventually helping the families understand their choices in estate planning, and much more. Please pass out brochures to families you think would find this conference helpful in their operation.

At the conclusion of the conference, each family will have an opportunity to sign up to meet one-on-one with a Farm Analyst to help them through their family’s specific succession challenges. Last year 75% of the families wanted to meet individually.

Schedule of workshops:

First United Methodist Church, 202 S. Lincoln, Chanute, Kansas

Session 1: January 2, 2009
Session 2: January 17, 2009

Butler County Community (4-H) Building, 200 N Griffith, El Dorado, Kansas

Session 1: January 3, 2009
Session 2: January 16, 2009

Finney County Fairgrounds Grandstand Meeting Room, 501 S. 9th, Garden City, Kansas

Session 1: January 10, 2009
Session 2: January 30, 2009

Thank you for your support of this valuable conference.

More information can be found at www.agmanager.info . If you have further questions, feel free to contact LaVell Winsor, Farm Analyst, at lwinsor@ksu.edu or 785-313-4974. --LaVell Winsor

INSECT ZOO GIFTSHOP IN WATERS HALL DECEMBER 17-19 FROM 11 TO 3
The KSU Insect Zoo will be selling items from their giftshop outside of the Entomology department office at 123 Waters Hall. Your purchase supports our educational display that is located in the KSU Gardens. We will have many nature-themed children's books, educational DVDs and posters, insect jewelry, mounted butterflies, locally produced honey, and insect t-shirts available. A select group of our captive bred baby tarantulas will be available for just $10 each. If you have any questions, please call Kiffnie Holt at 532-6110 or e-mail to kiffnie@ksu.edu . --Kiffnie Holt

MORE ADOBE CONNECT WEB VIDEOCONFERENCING TRAINING OFFERED
Save time, travel and get your message out by using a simple Web browser as your communication tool. KSRE is using Adobe Connect for live meetings, eLearning, on-line presentation and seminars (Webinars). Connect allows you to use live video, audio, the ability to view PowerPoint presentations, post agendas, documents, and use interactive features such as polls, whiteboards and active chat. Connect is a FREE tool for KSRE use.

IET is offering four Connect trainings on Tuesday, December 16, and Wednesday, December 17, at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each session will spend 30 minutes with an overview of Connect's interface and features. These sessions will allow you the opportunity to test (and play) with the program. No registration is necessary. Simply go to http://connect.oznet.ksu.edu/connecttraining/ during the training time. This is a good chance to test your Webcam and interact with many of Connect's interactive features.

For more information on Connect, go to https://www.oznet.ksu.edu/techweb/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=658 . For scheduling Connect meetings, contact Gerry Snyder, gsnyder@ksu.edu , or call IET at 785-532-6270. --Gerry Snyder

NOTILL INFORMATIONAL SESSION
The Kansas Black Farmers Association (KBFA) along with the Solomon Valley Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area are hosting a Notill Informational Session December 19, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in Hill City, Kansas. The event should last about two hours and will be held at the Frontier Stage Theater on 305 East Main. There is no charge for the event and the public is welcome to attend.

Dr. Maysoon Mikha and Dr. Merle Vigil, both Research Soil Scientists with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Akron, Colorado, will present information regarding soil organic matter and residue and tillage management. Conservation Innovation Grant and Teff Project Coordinator, Josh Coltrain, will share information on the growth and harvest of teff in the area this year. For more information contact the RC&D office at 785-425-6647, or teresa.webb@ks.nacdnet.net . --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu

DIVERSITY PROGRAMS OFFICE UPDATE
As the Holiday season comes upon us and another semester draws to a close, the Diversity Programs Office is not slowing down. During the next month, the office will be keeping busy with the Professional Agriculture Workers Conference, a visit to Tuskegee to recruit graduate students for the 2009 KSRE Research Fellowship, and MANRRS activities.

This month, MANRRS is sponsoring a Giving Tree outside of Waters 138. Each ornament on the tree is labeled with an item on the back which is needed by the Kansas State Center for Child Development. Please stop by and pick up an ornament, purchase the item listed, and return the unwrapped gift to Waters 139 by December 19.

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship applications are now available. The awards range from $13,000-$23,000 for study abroad 2010-2011. To be eligible you must have completed at least 1 1/2 years of college with a 3.0 GPA, demonstrate a commitment to service, and not be a Rotarian, child or grandchild of a Rotarian. If you know anyone who may be interested please direct them to http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/EducationalPrograms/AmbassadorialScholarships/Pages/ridefault.aspx .

Kansas State Multicultural Ambassador positions are now available. The ambassadors are expected to advise several publications, represent K-State at campus and off-campus activities, serve as liaisons between the Office of Admissions and Multicultural Student Organizations, and provide correspondence to prospective minority students. For a complete list of qualifications and an application please contact Krystle Richard at 532-7091 or krystler@ksu,edu . Applications are due in 104 Anderson Hall on December 19 by 5 p.m.

The Diversity Programs Office would like to congratulate Ted Cable, professor of horticulture, forestry and recreation resources, for his recent recognition in winning the International Educator Award. The award recognizes individuals who have advanced international education at Kansas State University. Congratulations on this honor. Finally, we would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season! Please be safe and responsible as you celebrate.

If you would like more information on any of the Diversity Programs Office events or activities, please contact Dr. Zelia Z. Wiley, Assistant Dean for Diversity, at zwh@ksu.edu or 785-532-5793. --Zelia Z. Wiley

SPANISH NEWSLETTERS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Spanish versions of the Family Nutrition Program "The Healthy Kids Times" newsletters are now available on the FNP website. Each newsletter includes nutrition information for the parent as well as a parent/child activity to help extend the nutrition programming into the family home.

Topics cover handwashing, MyPyramid, fruits, vegetables, fiber and serving size. Currently newsletters are available for PreK-Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2, and Grades 3 & 4. Newsletters for Grades 5 & 6 will be available soon.

Both English and Spanish versions of the "The Healthy Kids Times" can be downloaded from the FNP website at www.humec.ksu.edu/fnp . Each newsletter contains a space for local offices to print their contact information. --Evelyn Neier eneier@ksu.edu

FARM MANAGEMENT GUIDES AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY
The 2008 Farm Management Guides have been posted to the Oznet Website at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/agec2 and the ag manager site at http://www.agmanager.info .

In the past, a compact disc containing the guides was distributed to each county. This year's order form indicated that a disc would be distributed to internal offices, but discs are being distributed by request. If your office would like a disc, please contact Mark Stadtlander at mark@ksu.edu . --Nancy Zimmerli-Cates nancyz@ksu.edu

REMINDER: DISTRIBUTION SERVICES SUSPENDED DECEMBER 15, 2008, THROUGH JANUARY 2, 2009
The Department of Communications Distribution Center will be closed for inventory and server maintenance December 15 through January 2, 2009. Shipping services only will be available through December 23. Holiday closure will begin December 24, and full service will resume January 5. -- - Nancy Zimmerli-Cates nancyz@ksu.edu

UPCOMING EVENTS
Great Plains Vegetable Growers Conference
January 8 - 10, 2009
Fulkerson Conference Center, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO
Brochure/Registration Information

Mid-America Fruit Growers Conference
January 13-15, 2009
Courtyard by Marriott, Columbia, MO
Brochure/Registration Information

--Christy Dipman cdipman@ksu.edu

"RENEWABLE ENERGY - RENEWABLE RESOURCES CONFERENCE
Kansas Natural Resources Conference “Renewable Energy - Renewable Resources” - January 29-30, 2009, Airport Hilton, Wichita, KS. For more information, contact Charlie Barden at 785-532-1444, or click on the link to download a copy of the brochure, KNR Conference . --Christy Dipman cdipman@ksu.edu

4-H DAY WITH WILDCAT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Registration flyers came to counties three weeks ago. Families, 4-H alumni, and basketball enthusiasts are invited to register for the Saturday, January 17, 2009, K-State women’s basketball game against Iowa State. Tip off time is set for 2 p.m. Please share the registration form with families in your communities. Registration is due December 19 to the Meadowlark District, Seneca Office. Visit www.kansas4h.org and click on the “Wildcat Women’s BBall 4-H Day” link under the “What’s Hot” section for your copy of the registration form. --Andrea Schmidt aschmidt@ksu.edu ; Sarah Maass semaass@ksu.edu ; Ann Religa areliga@ksu.edu

KANSAS 4-H HORSE PANORAMA 2009
The Kansas 4-H Horse Panorama is scheduled for February 7th and 8th at the Rock Springs 4-H Center located in Junction City, Kansas. This event is a learning experience for youth to learn more about equine science. 4-H members will have the opportunity to apply their horse knowledge through contests.

Online registration will be available on December 15, 2008. The published on-line registration deadline is set for January 15, 2009. The schedule of events and more information can be found at http://kansas4-h.org/Horse/Panorama/Default.htm .

If you have any questions or concerns contact Kansas 4-H Horse Program Coordinator, Kaitlyn Crow, at kcrow@ksu.edu or 785-532-0746. --Kaitlyn Crow

KANSAS ADVANCING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE - FEBRUARY 24-26
KS AYDI is a training for front line youth workers, volunteers, program mangers and supervisors who work with youth (ages 10-19). This dynamic training covers positive youth development, youth engagement, youth culture, and youth worker competencies. Focus will be on the application of youth development principles and connecting with youth serving organizations.

COST & REGISTRATION: Registration of $250 includes 3 nights stay at Rock Springs and 8 meals (breakfast, Tuesday to lunch, Thursday), refreshments and materials. CEU certificate for 15 instructional hours is provided. Register on-line at: www.Kansas4-H.org . Graduate course credit is also available through the School of Family Studies and Human Services via the K-State Division of Continuing Education.

For more information, contact: Elaine Johannes ejohanne@ksu.edu , or Gary Gerhard ggerhard@ksu.edu

MARKETING MINUTE: MARKETING NEEDS STRATEGY FIRST, CREATIVITY SECOND
When we sit down to begin planning a marketing project, no matter the size, the creative ideas start coming in droves. The hard part is knowing when to rein in the creativity and refocus on strategy.

A creative idea may be a good one, but it may not be a good one for your objective. One historical example of this is the Taco Bell chihuahua. Many people still say "Yo Quiero, Taco Bell" whenever they think of the fast food chain, but being affiliated with a pint-sized dog is not necessarily the best image for a restaurant of any kind.

It created awareness, yes, but it didn't result in the increase in sales the company was looking for, and thus ended that marketing campaign.

So how does that apply to your job? When you thinking of ways to reach new audiences, follow these steps:

--Always keep your objective(s) in focus.
--Think like your target audience. Place the information where they will find it in a way they will absorb it.
--Make certain you are not offending anyone.
--Keep the creativity, but set limits. It's okay to push the limits, but not to exceed them.

For more information on this and other marketing topics, go to www.ksremarketingminute.blogspot.com . --Pat Melgares melgares@ksu.edu

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/
DATES TAKEN FROM THE MASTER SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 17, 2008 THROUGH DECEMBER 23, 2008

Wednesday, December 17
... MED/AT Winter Crops Meeting, Nortonville, Growers & Advisors, David Hallauer, dhallaue@ksu.edu ; Ray Ladd, cladd@oznet.ksu.edu

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