Vol. 15, No. 17  March 3, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE... 

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...2009 Spring Action Conference Update
...Stevens County Advertises Externally for Extension Agent
...College of Agriculture Spring Faculty Meeting
...Green Solvent Practices Seminar
...Sedgwick County Extension Office Has New Phone System
...Two Northwest Area Kansas 4-H KAP Training Sessions in March
...Registration Now Open for 2009 K-State Leadership Seminar
...HealthFest 2009! Will Feature Catch, Health Rocks! at Rock Springs 4-H Center, April 17-18
...Community Development Symposium - Get Real!
...Six Communities Awarded "Get It - Do It!" Grants to Improve Community Health
...2008 Alfalfa Performance Test Publication Cancelled
...Communication Minute: Hide and Seek -- The Grammar Edition, Part 2
...Master Schedule

                                                                                                           ...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
eXtension, the web-based national Extension network , reached the public about 1 year ago. A recent video was created and posted on YouTube that promotes the use of eXtension.

Faculty from all over the country, and here at K-State, are giving their time, creativity, and expertise to the development of web-based resources through eXtension. A critical question and concern by both administrators and faculty is in evaluating the contributions, or scholarship, of faculty who do participate actively with a community of practice in the development, design, and eventual public publishing of the web resources through eXtension. Some of those questions might include: how does one know the contributions of a faculty member in a "community of practice"?; how does the peer review process really work in developing web-based resources?; does this work provide for the professional growth of its members?; and, how can anyone tell if the web-based resources are used?

Dr. Debra Sellers, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist here at K-State was asked to address such questions in a presentation to Directors and Administrators across the Land-Grant University system. Debra brings a broader definition of assessing performance, peer review, and personal growth towards scholarship and excellence as an Extension specialist through her work and leadership on the national Family Caregiving Community of Practice. As adult development and aging Extension specialist, Dr. Sellers has focused her work in the development of web-based educational resources through the eXtension network. Following is a monologue that clearly articulates the scholarship she has experienced in her work with the Family Caregiving CoP in eXtension.

Congratulations to Debra for being recognized to provide this insight into the practice of scholarship within Extension for the Land-Grant University system. Have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

STEVENS COUNTY ADVERTISES EXTERNALLY FOR EXTENSION AGENT
While positions are effectively frozen, you may have seen an announcement of the Stevens County Extension Agent - ANR position being advertised externally. The Stevens County Extension Executive Board has entered into a MOU with us that obligates that local Board to pay the full annual salary plus benefits less $1,500 annually paid by us for an indefinite period of time as long as our freeze on hiring Extension agents remains in effect.

Should there be any other local Extension Boards interested in pursuing such a MOU, discuss this with your Area Extension Director. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE SPRING FACULTY MEETING
The College of Agriculture Spring Faculty Meeting has been scheduled for March 11, at 3 p.m. in Waters Hall 231. Several important items will be discussed and we currently have at least three issues that will need to be voted upon.

These are
(1) the course and curriculum proposals,
(2) a proposal to allow General Chemistry to count as a free elective when a student takes both Gen Chem
     and Chemistry I, and
(3) the procedure for selecting members of the College Committee on Policy (CCOP).

Dean Cholick will also be giving an update on budget and state and federal legislative issues. If you have other agenda items, please forward them to me. This will be an important meeting, so please plan to attend. --Don Boggs dboggs@ks.edu

GREEN SOLVENT PRACTICES SEMINAR
This seminar and vendor show will feature new technologies, materials, and process changes that can help you $ave money and reduce emissions to the environment! Learn about new air quality permits and MACT standards. Test your spray gun technique in a virtual paint booth and network with other industries and vendors. The event is March 10, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Wichita. Read more at http://www.sbeap.org/workshops.php?workshop=14 . --Nancy Larson nlarson@ksu.edu

SEDGWICK COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE HAS NEW PHONE SYSTEM
The Sedgwick County Extension Office has a new phone system and thus, new numbers. As of March 2, our main number will be 316-660-0100. Our fax number will be 316-660-0199. --Bev Dunning bdunning@ksu.edu

2. Gary Gerhard, Kansas 4-H Specialist in Manhattan, will be presenting a second training about Kansas 4-H KAP on Friday, March 20, 1 - 4 p.m. at the Indian Country Café (note building location change) in Hoxie on the corner of Highway 23 and Sheridan Avenue. This is about four blocks south of the intersections of US 24 and Highway 23. The program is designed for older 4-H members, parents, leaders and Extension staff. It is not designed for 7-9-year-olds though they may attend. RSVP by March 11, 2009, so that handout copies can be made. Contact Jessica Milliman at 785-675-3268 or e-mail her the number of persons attending at jbeebe@ksu.edu . --Deryl Waldren dwaldren@ksu.edu

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR 2009 K-STATE LEADERSHIP SEMINAR
Make plans now to attend the 13th Annual K-State Leadership Seminar, RESILIENT LEADERSHIP: LEARNING TO THRIVE IN TIMES OF CHANGE, scheduled for Thursday, April 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan.

Full information and online registration are available at www.k-state.edu/leadershipseminar . The deadline to register is March 20.

Join us for an engaging, thought-provoking, and motivational seminar as we explore the concept of resilient leadership and other key change themes. Discover how you can contribute leadership to your organizations and communities during challenging and uncertain times. Learn how to cultivate your own resiliency and nurture resiliency in others while leading change.

Headlining this year’s seminar will be Julia Fabris McBride, a certified life and leadership coach, who will present "Presence, Space, and Courage: Three Doorways to Resilient Leadership." Joining McBride on the program are two popular K-State faculty members: Richard Baker and Michael Wesch. Baker will offer a practical look at "Change: What You Don’t Know..." and Wesch will offer his unique insights on "Invisible Leadership: Because Nobody is as Smart as Everybody."

And, take advantage of the opportunity to participate in two hands-on breakout sessions: "Resilient Leadership: Managing Self While Leading Change in Others" featuring Julia Fabris McBride; and "Leading Change at Every Level," an assessment of personal leadership behaviors.

Don’t miss this exceptional leadership development opportunity co-sponsored by K-State Research & Extension and the Department of Communications. --Robert Wilson rmwilson@k-state.edu

HEALTHFEST 2009! WILL FEATURE CATCH, HEALTH ROCKS! AT ROCK SPRINGS 4-H CENTER, APRIL 17-18
Youth (age 14-19) and adults are invited to the 5th Annual HealthFest!, co-sponsored by Kansas PRIDE, Family Studies and Human Services and 4-H. For $60/person receive state-of-the-art physical activity and health promotion training.

This year's program features:
* for EVERYONE (April 17, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.): Use GPS to increase physical activity

* for ADULTS (April 18, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.): University of Texas training of the nationally recognized CATCH Kids Club afterschool/recreational curriculum, and

* for YOUTH (ages 14-19; April 18, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.): National 4-H Health Rocks! training of youth trainers.

The $60 fee, which includes materials (and tee shirt), overnight lodging, two meals, refreshments and 8 contact/continuing education hours). Register early since space is limited to 35 adults and 40 teens. Contact the Kansas PRIDE office, 785-532-5840, jmenon@ksu.edu (Jamie Menon), to register and receive billing information. Scholarships are available for groups planning to implement Health Rocks before January 2010.

For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu ; Carol Fink, cfink@ksu.edu ; Trudy Rice, trice@ksu.edu ; or call Elaine Johannes at 785-532-7720. --Elaine Johannes

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM - GET REAL!
Anyone with an interest in university engagement and community development is invited to a symposium on Monday, April 20, from 1-5 p.m. at the K-State Union, Manhattan. The topic is “E3: Energizing, Empowering, Engaging Communities Through Leadership in Action.” It will feature reports from the REAL (Rural Engagement and Action Leadership) Project participants and others.

The symposium is a joint project of the K-State Center for Engagement and Community Development and the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development. Invited speakers include Dean and Director Fred Cholick, Kansas Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, and participants in the REAL Project (including our colleagues Barbara Lilyhorn and David Coltrain) plus other university faculty who are implementing engagement initiatives.

This will be a great opportunity to get ideas of how to enhance your community and leadership development work. There is no charge to participate in the symposium. For more information, go to www.getrealks.org  or http://www.k-state.edu/cecd/ . --Ron Wilson rwilson@ksu.edu  and Dan Kahl dankahl@ksu.edu

SIX COMMUNITIES AWARDED "GET IT - DO IT!" GRANTS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH
KSRE, Kansas PRIDE and Healthy Kansas (a project of KDHE) announce the selection of six PRIDE communities to receive grants and training for adult-youth partnerships that improve community health. The 2009 awardees are Glasco (Pat Gerhard, Extension agent), Grinnell (Tranda Watts and Tressie Mitzner, Extension agents), Spearville (Ethel Schneweis, Extension agent), Melvern (Fran Richmond, Extension agent), Stafford (Amy Collins and Glenn Newdigger, Extension agents) and Rossville (Laurie Chandler, Extension agent). These communities are the second round to successfully compete for the "Get It - Do It!" project.

"Building on partnerships between PRIDE, youth organizations and local K-State Research and Extension, these communities not only get-it-and-do-it, they impact the wellness of those living in their communities," said Trudy Rice of the Kansas PRIDE program.

In addition to fostering adult-youth partnerships, the Get It - Do It! communities are also required to partner with the local K-State Research and Extension offices. Partnership activities will include Walk Kansas, survey assistance, and summer youth development programs. Upon completion of their projects, communities become eligible to be designated as "Healthy Communities" by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

For more information, contact Trudy Rice, trice@ksu.edu ; or Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu ; --Elaine Johannes

2008 ALFALFA PERFORMANCE TEST PUBLICATION CANCELLED
Publication of SRP-1005, "2008 Kansas Performance Tests with Alfalfa Varieties," has been canceled because of a lack of data. We regret any inconvenience for clients who may have ordered via the annual KAES 2008-2009 order form last summer.

Plots have been extended an additional year. Results from 2009 cuttings will be included in the 2009 alfalfa performance test publication, which is scheduled for release in early winter and will be available on this summer’s KAES 2009-2010 order form. --Nancy Zimmerli-Cates nancyz@ksu.edu

COMMUNICATION MINUTE: HIDE AND SEEK -- THE GRAMMAR EDITION, PART 2
The "Communication Minute" in last week's Tuesday Letter contained five hidden grammatical errors. Examples of correct usage appear  below.

Like all grammatical "rules," these five usage suggestions have exceptions. Context, audience, and purpose will determine correct usage. And sometimes, there may be a better word choice altogether.

1) Because of/due to: Because of means as a result of; due to means attributable to.
CORRECT: "Because of our experiences..." "The participants' increased knowledge is due to their workshop experiences..."

2) Based on/on the basis of: Using based on at the beginning of a sentence can be problematic because the phrase is often a dangling modifier. For simplicity, use based on following a "to be" verb and on the basis of as an adverbial phrase.
CORRECT: "On the basis of my experience..." "Our conclusions were based on..."

3) While, since/although, whereas: While and since indicate time; although or whereas indicate conditional relationships.
CORRECT: "Although it's sometimes useful..." "Since last year, my writing has improved..."

4) Over/more than: Over is generally used to describe spatial relationships and passage of time; more than is used with numerals, figures, and amounts.
CORRECT: "More than half of the manuscripts..." "Over the past 10 years..."

5) Impact/affect: Affect means to influence; impact means to strike forcefully.
CORRECT: "...errors that affect us..." "The raindrops impacted the soil surface, causing runoff..."

More resources and information on communicating effectively are available on our marketing blog, http://ksremarketingminute.blogspot.com/ . --Jennifer Alexander jennalex@ksu.edu

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

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