Vol. 15, No. 28  May 19, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE... 

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...2009 Organic Initiative Makes Over $1.5 Million Available in Kansas as Part of EQIP
...4th Friday Conversations for Youth Development: Impact of the Economy on Youth
...Webinar: Your Rain Garden's in Place. What's Next?
...Scheduling Changes for Community Development/Coaching Academy
...No-Cost 4-Day Leader Training Opportunity for KOHP (Kansans Optimizing Health Program)
...Kansas EARTH and K-CARE is Hosting a Statewide E.A.R.T.H. Brainstorming Session at...
...Intentional Harmony: Managing Work and Life Program Training
...Communication Minute: To Twitter or Not
...Master Schedule

                                                                                           ...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
To those who prefer to read my messages about leadership and about pursuing excellence, I apologize for spending so much time on budget issues over the past several months. And, here I go again.

Budget Update. After thorough analysis of the legislation, K-State Research and Extension has been given a budget reduction for Fiscal Year 2010 beginning July 1, 2009 of roughly $5,900,000 (10.67%). This reduction equals roughly $2,270,000 for Extension and $3,630,000 for the Agriculture Experiment Station. This loss of state funding rolls us back to a funding level we were at back on July 1, 2005.

At this time, we continue to review all plans to meet these reductions across the departments and units. For county and district Extension units, the plan includes loss of funding for purchase of publications ($188,839), and for postage allocation given to local units ($239,033 ). We recognize the loss of these operating funds will have significant consequence to many of our local Extension units. No changes in the salary and benefit allocations that were in place for Fiscal Year 2009 are planned for Extension agent positions with this reduction in Fiscal Year 2010 beginning July 1, 2009. We continue to provide over $5,400,000 of state and federal funds to local Extension units through salary and benefits, including full cost of retirement benefits.

I would caution that the state legislature left no room in its budget should revenues fall short of projections. Therefore, we must all be preparing for the potential of further rescissions in FY2010 and beyond.

District Organization Meetings. With the addition of Twin Creeks Extension District #9 (Decatur and Norton Counties) on July 1, 2009, we will have 25 counties now organized into districts. I've put forth the goal / challenge to have at least 40 counties organized into districts by July 1, 2011, 75 by July 1, 2013, and effectively all counties that will organize into districts by July 1, 2015.

Numerous informational/educational meetings are taking place with Extension agents in various out-state locations. I remain convinced that this restructuring of Extension is a vital step in the quest for a relevant, quality, and sustained Extension Service in our future. Positive evidence continues to build with the Extension Districts that are currently operating. Understanding the barriers to adoption of a district structure is needed. Experience has told us that Extension agents who are knowledgeable regarding Districts and are enthusiastic for the programming opportunities that come through teamwork in a District will provide great positive influence in the local process of working towards creation of the District.

If you have questions on organizing into Districts, please talk with any of the Extension administrative team. We'd be pleased to help organize discussions and educational meetings with respect to organizing a new District.

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

2009 ORGANIC INITIATIVE MAKES OVER $1.5 MILLION AVAILABLE IN KANSAS AS PART OF EQIP
USDA National Organic Standards Board, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced $50 million for a new initiative to encourage more organic agriculture production. Funding for the initiative is being made available as part of the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Kansas received over $1.5 million for the initiative. Applications received from organic producers or producers in transition to organic farming will be accepted under this initiative from May 11 through May 29. Producers may still sign up for the Organic Initiative after May 29. However, applications received through May 29 will be ranked at that time and considered for funding.

Under the Organic Initiative, required minimum core conservation practices will be determined by specific resource concerns. The practices are: Conservation Crop Rotation; Cover Crop; Nutrient Management; Pest Management; Prescribed Grazing; and Forage Harvest Management. States must consider using any appropriate practice that meets the resource concern on a particular operation.

For more information about EQIP, go to http://www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/  and click on Kansas 2009 EQIP Information. --Steven M. Graham sgraham@k-state.edu

4TH FRIDAY CONVERSATIONS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: IMPACT OF THE ECONOMY ON YOUTH
This month's "4th Friday Youth Development Conversation," MAY 22 (11 a.m. - 12 p.m.), focuses on the impact of the economic recession on youth. A number of Kansas youth may not be able to find summer jobs, may not be able to afford camps, some summer school programs are being cut and a number of "free" youth programs may see an increase in participants. Following our viewing You Tube production, "Is Anybody Listening?" www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WMTTrOrKVI ...

* we'll discuss how youth development professionals might help youth deal with the issues and stress associated with the economic downturn, and

* resources and supports for families going through economic hardship.

Since this is the final conversation before summer break, we'll also discuss how to continue "4th Friday YD Conversations" returning on August 28. Topics may include ideas for sharing leadership, changing the structure/function, opening the Conversations to other youth organizations.

"4th Friday YD Conversations" require no pre-work to discuss the content, but it's important that participants test their computers, headphones and microphones before joining the Conversation. Click the link below, http://connect.oznet.ksu.edu/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm . This will resolve most connection interface problems.

To enter the Youth Development PFT "4th Friday" meeting room, simply click on the following link on MAY 22  at 11 a.m. Youth Development PFT connect site - http://connect.oznet.ksu.edu/pftyd .

For further information regarding connecting to the web meeting, go to the TechWeb site at www.oznet.ksu.edu/techweb .

For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, 785-532-7720, or ejohanne@ksu.edu . --Elaine Johannes

WEBINAR: YOUR RAIN GARDEN'S IN PLACE. WHAT'S NEXT?

The Kansas Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP), housed in Engineering Extension, will be hosting a free Webinar on May 26, 2009 at 10 a.m. CDT. This one-hour Webinar will feature two case studies of rain gardens in Kansas and will focus on how the systems were implemented, the maintenance involved, preferred plants, and challenges faced.

The main speakers will be Lee Skabelund, Assistant Professor in Landscape Architecture at KSU; and Sylvia Michaelis, Infrastructure Support Manager with the City of Topeka Water Pollution Control Division. 

Pre-registration is required. Please visit www.sbeap.org and look for the yellow box, or to register by phone, call 1-800-578-8898 or 785-532-6501. Please contact Ryan Hamel, rhamel@ksu.edu if you have any questions. --Ryan Hamel

NO-COST 4-DAY LEADER TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR KOHP (KANSANS OPTIMIZING HEALTH PROGRAM)
Set Dates: June 4, 5, 11, 12, Wichita.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) will pay your tuition for the 4-day training, your hotel (shared room), mileage, and most meals. In return, you promise to teach the course with your co-leader twice per year. Trained KOHP leaders may also apply for mini-grants of $1000 to assist with program implementation in your local community. In today's tight budgetary environment, we are not likely to see many of these opportunities come our way. Please e-mail Deb Sellers at dsellers@ksu.edu  to indicate your interest in becoming a KOHP leader.

What is required of a KSRE Leader for KOHP?
KSRE leaders are required to be a part of a two-person team. The team must co-teach the course twice per year. This co-leader could be another agent, a PDC member, or a volunteer from your community. You and your co-leader are required to attend all four days of the training to be certified as leaders. The training occurs from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on all four days. The next training is scheduled for June 4, 5, 11, & 12 in Wichita. The other dates noted above have been tentatively set by KDHE. Again, please e-mail Deb Sellers at dsellers@ksu.edu  to indicate your interest in becoming a KOHP leader.

For more information, contact Debra M. Sellers, 785-532-5773, dsellers@ksu.edu . --Deb Sellers

KANSAS EARTH AND K-CARE IS HOSTING A STATEWIDE E.A.R.T.H. BRAINSTORMING SESSION AT..
K-State Research and Extension Sedgwick County
Sunflower Conference Room
7001 W. 21st Street North
Wichita KS 67205

June 9, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Lunch will be served.

There have been several changes in grants and budgeting procedures, and we need input from everyone - Coordinators, steering committee members, or stakeholders interested in E.A.R.T.H.'s sustainability.

EARTH (Earth Awareness Research for Tomorrow’s Habitat) provides hands-on middle and high school science lessons, curriculum, and kits to teachers to use at no cost. Teachers and students participating in EARTH attend an annual workshop where environmental professionals reinforce earth awareness to students with a day of hands on presentations.

If you are interested in learning more about EARTH, or would like to see how you can get EARTH started in your county, please contact Dane Baxa at dbaxa@ksu.edu for more details, or please attend our meeting on June 9. --Dane Baxa

INTENTIONAL HARMONY: MANAGING WORK AND LIFE PROGRAM TRAINING
Two Training Dates Available: June 29 or October 22, 2009
Intentional Harmony: Managing Work and Life was developed by University of Illinois Extension to help people balance their work and personal lives. Intentional Harmony is based in family theory and interdisciplinary research, and teaches individuals how to create harmony in their lives, reduce stress, and balance competing demands. Any KSRE professional interested in bringing Intentional Harmony to their county is invited to attend one of the trainings scheduled for 2009. The summer session is scheduled for June 29, 2009, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., with a break for lunch, at Throckmorton Hall in Manhattan, KS. The fall session is scheduled for October 22, 2009 (after the KSRE 2009 Annual Conference in Manhattan, KS), from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m., with lunch occurring during the meeting.

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Please Submit Items no later than Noon on Monday to include in the following Tuesday Letter to:
tuesday@ksre.ksu.edu . Put the word "Tuesday" in the subject line.

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