Tuesday Letter

The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

Vol. 16, No. 1 November 3, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Save the Date!!!
...Leave Advancement Policy
...Conference Call to Answer Your Questions About "Get It - Do It!" Grant Proposals
...Kansas OMK Launches "Awareness to Action" Community Campaign for November - Month of the Military Family
...Thank You from Dorothy Bray
...Becoming a Community Coach
...Engaging Learners: Excellence in Extension Seminar
...Welcoming New Agents
...Emergency Preparedness Info for Spanish Speakers Available on Redesigned FEMA Website
...Marie's Picks ...
...Diversity Programs Office Update
...Winter Leasing Meetings
...Discounted Audience Response Systems ("Clickers")
...KSRE Master Calendar

...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
I'm aware that many of you have stepped up to the challenge to participate in the All University Campaign funds drive . Thank you. And, if you would like to participate and haven't yet, there is still time. You can make a gift at any time, but to be certain your participation is counted in this campaign, you'll need to have your gift submitted by Friday, November 6. And remember, participation in the Campaign is what we are after, not the size of a gift. If you have questions, let us know, and we'll help you out. Last week's Tuesday message had more info on the process.

I received multiple e-mails this past week that linked to You Tube Video of the Extension Professional's Creed. So, I thought I would share it as a reminder of our commitment as Extension professionals. It is really well done by our friends within the Texas Cooperative Extension Service.

Also, if you want to see it in writing, you can find it on the Epsilon Sigma Phi Extension Professionals website

And, have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

SAVE THE DATE!!!
HOLIDAY PARTY----DECEMBER 14, 2009
HOUSTON STREET BALLROOM
DETAILS TO COME

--Dorothy Doan ddoan@ksu.edu

LEAVE ADVANCEMENT POLICY
A new policy allows K-State to provide advancement of paid leave to employees who have exhausted their own accrued leave and who have flu-like symptoms or who have other circumstances where the granting of leave would be in the best interests of the State of Kansas.

In order to be eligible for leave advancement the employee must have exhausted all leave (vacation, sick, compensatory time, and discretionary day) and must not be currently receiving shared leave.

For additional information, see the K-State Division of Human Resources website at http://www.k-state.edu/hr . Departments with questions regarding this new Leave Advancement policy can contact Kristi Fronce, K-State Division of Human Resources at 785-532-6277.

This policy does apply to extension agents who are K-State employees. It does not apply to office professionals and program assistants who are employees of the local extension board. However, a local extension board could adopt their own policy based on or modified from the K-State policy. --Stacey Warner swarner@ksu.edu

CONFERENCE CALL TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT "GET IT - DO IT!" GRANT PROPOSALS
The response to the announcement of the 2010 "Get It - Do It!" funds has been tremendous. In order to answer your questions as PRIDE groups prepare their grant proposals (due by November 15) we have scheduled an information conference call on November 4, (Wednesday) at 4 p.m. (CT)

Join us for an overview of the proposal requirements and for response to your questions by dialing toll-free:
1-877-278-8686
PIN 818354

If you are unable to join the call, please continue to contact the following individuals for more information: Elaine Johannes ejohanne@ksu.edu
Trudy Rice trice@ksu.edu
Dan Kahl dankahl@ksu.edu
Jamie Menon jmenon@ksu.edu

--Elaine Johannes

KANSAS OMK LAUNCHES "AWARENESS TO ACTION" COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN FOR NOVEMBER - MONTH OF THE MILITARY FAMILY
Kansas OMK encourages community civic organizations to plan and conduct activities and projects during November as part of its annual "Awareness to Action" campaign. Civic organizations, (i.e., Lions, American Legion, Extension 4-H Foundations, Rotary, etc.) are comprised of community leaders and active citizens who can support military-connected families that reside in Kansas towns.

"Awareness to Action" campaign materials can be downloaded, free-of-charge from www.KansasOMK.org .

Resources include sample press releases, posters, fact sheets and video clips (e.g., "On Our Behalf") to be used in awareness building activities that result in support and actions that are launched during November which is the "Month of the Military Family" and are sustained throughout the year.

For more information about Kansas Operation Military Kids' "Awareness to Action," contact Ann Domsch, adomsch@ksu.edu ; Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu ; or Diane Mack, dmack@ksu.edu . --Elaine Johannes

THANK YOU FROM DOROTHY BRAY
When I count my blessings through this difficult time of my father's passing and my mother's continued poor health, I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from my K-State Research & Extension family. Through your cards, e-mails, phone calls, and memorials, I have been deeply touched by your unselfish giving and care. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers for encouragement.

I will dearly miss my father. May God bless each of my K-State Research & Extension family members. --Dorothy Bray dbray@ksu.edu

BECOMING A COMMUNITY COACH
While much of the conversation about Extension Community Development has revolved around the Community Capitals - it is important to note that many communities don't tap into the community level resources available to them because they are in conflict or lack the structure to support planning and working together. Many communities need assistance from Extension to bring people together; guidance to structure constructive and focused conversations about their future; and on-going support with staying focused on important, long-term community goals.

A community coach provides reflection and support to help community members organize, set goals, and work together. This training will provide agents important skills for working with PRIDE, as well as agents working with other citizen engagement or community development programs.

Registration for the Community Coaching Academy is now on-line and can be accessed at: http://www.k-state.edu/cecd/cda/communitycoaches.html . Financial assistance may also be available. For more information, contact Dan Kahl, dankahl@ksu.edu . --Dan Kahl

ENGAGING LEARNERS: EXCELLENCE IN EXTENSION SEMINAR
Are you looking for a way to deliver educational programs that are more interesting and engaging for your audience? Do you ever get tired of presenting with PowerPoint or wonder if there are better ways to share information and create discussion among learners?

"Engaging Learners with Effective Instructional Strategies" is the topic for an Excellence in Extension Seminar. It will be held on Wednesday, November 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Flint Hills Room of the K-State Union. Everyone is invited to attend. If you can not attend in person the seminar can be viewed during or after the presentation at www.ksre.ksu.edu/seminars .

Shannon Washburn, Associate Professor of Agricultural Education in the K-State Department of Communications, will be the presenter. This interactive seminar will introduce you to educator-tested, research-based instructional techniques that will help you more effectively deliver educational programming in a way that engages your audience. Participants should attend with an idea for an upcoming educational program that they can develop or refine during the session.

Dr. Washburn enjoys assisting educators in refining their educational approaches to maximize learning. A Kansas native, he was at the University of Florida for six years before returning to Kansas. During that time he facilitated numerous workshops on effective teaching with domestic and international Extension audiences. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

WELCOMING NEW AGENTS
In the next few months we will be welcoming a number of new extension agents to K-State Research and Extension. Everyone - whether an assigned new agent mentor, a colleague in the same or neighboring office, an area office or campus faculty member, has a role to play in welcoming new agents and helping to create an environment where the agent can be successful.

In preparation for new agents coming on board, two new agent mentoring workshops will be held in November - - November 10 in Scott City, and November 12 in Emporia. Registration, which includes lunch, is due one week prior to the workshop. Go to the Employee Resources website for the registration form - www.ksre.ksu.edu/employee_resources . Click on Registrations.

This will be similar to previous mentor workshops held but those who have attended before are certainly welcome! We do plan to continue offering at least one of these workshops per year in the future.

For questions, contact Stacey Warner at swarner@ksu.edu , or Margaret Phillips at margaret@ksu.edu . --Stacey Warner

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INFO FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS AVAILABLE ON REDESIGNED FEMA WEBSITE
For those involved in emergency preparedness/disaster recovery programming, or if you’re just looking for good information on these topics for Spanish-speaking citizens, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has launched its redesigned "FEMA en Español" Website, http://www.fema.gov/espanol .

The site includes information for Spanish-speakers on what to do before, during and after emergency events. The new site is also a central location for Spanish-speaking disaster survivors to register for assistance or search for displaced loved ones through the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator system. --Mary Lou Peter mlpeter@ksu.edu

MARIE’S PICKS . . .
This week my picks (outcomes and impact (what the clientele have done [NOT the agent—i.e., NOT "I offered / I provided / I taught . . . "], success stories, and public value [benefit to non-participants]) were reported by Jennifer Tiemeyer, Reno County; Rod Schaub, Osage County; and Andrea Burns, Ford County.

** Students in Reno County Schools gained knowledge about agriculture, nutrition and baking through the Bread in a Bag program. Ninety-one students learned about wheat, including the growth and harvesting process. They also learned about nutrition of wheat products and food groups. In teams, they practiced measuring ingredients and learned how to make a loaf of bread.

** Third graders from two schools in Hutchinson were invited to attend the five-week Fit and Splash program offered at the YMCA. The children learned about nutrition through the Professor Popcorn program and took swim lessons.

** The importance of soil testing:
Case 1: One producer sent in soil samples from nine brome fields that have been gradually decreasing in production. For several years the producer commented that to keep his costs down, he had only put on nitrogen. Of the nine soil samples analyzed, two came back with no ppm phosphorus, three with only 1 ppm, and four fields had 2 ppm. The impact here is that without nutrients in adequate amounts, plant yields go down! The lack of phosphorus in the soil is the reason the brome has been less productive. The producer plans to apply needed nutrients for next year.
Case 2: Two fields of alfalfa were planted last fall without taking a soil test. Nutrients were applied in adequate amounts but the pH of the field was not considered. In both fields the alfalfa didn't grow well last fall or this spring. Upon review, no nitrogen nodules had formed on the alfalfa. We believe this is primarily due to the pH being too low. This was confirmed at both sites with Area Agronomist, Doug Shoup's, handheld pH meter. A soil sample from one of the fields was sent to KSU for analysis and came back very acid. The impact here is the producers could have saved about $71 dollars/acre in replant cost by soil testing before planting, with no consideration of additional costs related to over/under application of nutrients.

**Fourth graders participating in Day on the Farm were asked to identify grains raised in Kansas, then to identify products made from those grains. Examples included bread, shaving cream, crayons, candles, tortillas, cereal, birdseed, pasta, biodegradable packing peanuts, wallboard, toothpaste, and candy. Many students were amazed that so many products they consumed and used everyday came from those grains. A lesson in protecting the environment was also included when students got to make the biodegradable packing peanuts disappear using only water! This program, sponsored by the Ford County Farm Bureau, was presented several times throughout the day to 374 fourth graders from seven elementary schools in the county. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu

DIVERSITY PROGRAMS OFFICE UPDATE
Cargill selected five Kansas State University students to participate in this year's "Backpack to Briefcase: Building a Competitive Edge for Success." The five students who travelled to Wichita to attend the event are Alex Kutz, Management Information Systems; Phillip Martinez, Food Science; Keisha MacAfee, Food Science; Sabrina Urquhart, Economics; and Adekunle Ferreiro, Electrical Engineering.

Backpack to Briefcase is a diversity recruitment event that is meant to introduce students to Cargill's businesses and products, help students understand the career opportunities within the Cargill organization, and allow them to network with Cargill employees and other invited students. This year's event was held October 25-26 in Wichita, Kansas. The program included a networking luncheon, a business unit tour, breakout sessions, panel discussions and small group discussions. Please join the Diversity Programs Office in congratulating the students who participated in this program.

The Diversity Programs Office is also happy to announce that the College of Agriculture and College of Veterinary Science will be holding the second annual Unexpected Destinations workshop in Kansas City, Kansas on November 15, 2009. The workshop, being held at the Reardon Center, will help high school students gain insight and advice from K-State faculty, current K-State students, and current professionals in the agricultural industry, allowing them to explore careers they might not otherwise have considered within the field of agriculture.

As always, if you have any questions or comments about any diversity programs, please do not hesitate to contact your Diversity Programs Office at zwiley@ksu.edu or by phone at 785-532-5793. --Zelia Wiley

WINTER LEASING MEETINGS
With harvest winding down, many landowners are looking toward next year’s leasing agreements. Others may be at the "What’s next?" stage of life and looking ahead to ownership changes.

As an educational benefit to landowners, the KSU Foundation staff has a 10-minute PowerPoint presentation that outlines some of the options available to landowners. Leasing meetings are a great format to share ideas because they include both current and prospective owners.

For more information or to schedule a presentation, contact Gordon Dowell at the KSU Foundation, 800-432-1578, or gordond@found.ksu.edu . --Gordon Dowell

DISCOUNTED AUDIENCE RESPONSE SYSTEMS ("CLICKERS")
Last December, Turning Technologies made available to university and Extension offices a set of refurbished ARS systems comprised of 32 clickers, software, carrying case, etc., all for about $800. Turning Technologies has indicated that if there is interest in such a purchase, they would put together a similar package this year.

If you and your office have an interest in purchasing a set of clickers, please let me know at your earliest convenience. For more information about this ARS system (used by may Extension offices across the country), visit http://www.turningtechnologies.com/ . --Larry Jackson ljackson@ksu.edu

KSRE MASTER CALENDAR
Go to: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/MasterCalendar

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