This will be the final Tuesday Letter for 2009. Let me begin by wishing you all a very happy holiday season, and best wishes in what's to come for 2010! Keep safe as you visit family and friends, and we'll all look forward to seeing one another in the coming year.

I first want to point you to a recent article in The New Yorker Magazine entitled "Testing, Testing: How the health-care bill has no master plan for curbing costs. Is that a bad thing?"  Before you jump to conclusions, I'm asking you to read it because of the connection made with food, agriculture, and COOPERATIVE EXTENSION. In my opinion, the author captures the essence of success in agriculture and food systems via the creation of a research and extension system in the United States. I'd have to admit, his points about purpose and success of Extension capture the reasons I chose Extension as my career path. The author tells a great story of one Rory Lewandowski, Extension Agent - ANR, from Athens County, Ohio. Yes, it is a LONG article, but I plead with you to read it in its entirety. I won't comment on the validity of translation the author makes for food and agriculture with health-care. But, it certainly offers food for thought and discussion.

I also want you to be aware that the Kansas County Clerks and Election Officials  are proposing to seek change in the Kansas Extension District Law that would align the deadline for filing a declaration to be on the general election ballot for Extension District Governing Board with all other filing deadlines for the Spring general election. I bring this to your attention, as you may hear of this with the legislative session coming up. We are not opposed to this change and understand the desire of election officials having one consistent deadline in preparation for voting. If passed by legislature as proposed, it moves the deadline from 5 weeks to 10 weeks preceding the first Tuesday in April in odd-numbered years.

Thanks again for all you do in furthering the great work of K-State Research and Extension. It has been a great year. Have a great couple weeks, and I'll look forward to continuing to communicate through this newsletter again beginning on January 5, 2010! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR TED CAREY
There will be a Farewell Reception for Ted Carey on January 18, from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Horticulture Research & Extension Center in Olathe. --Christy Dipman cdipman@ksu.edu

THANK YOU FROM SCOTT ECKERT
On behalf of my family and I, I would like to express "Thank You" to everyone for the kind words, cards and food bank donations in the recent passing of my mother. --Scott Eckert seckert@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 Nozella Brown and Lori Wuellner, Wyandotte County.

**Every student in Emerson elementary school learned to identify healthy foods and make healthy choices through FNP program resources. These students learned to identify foods on MyPyramid, trace food through the digestive system and make a healthy snack. Several students reported that this was the first time they had eaten grape tomatoes. As a result, to encourage continued behavior change, the Student Council (sixth graders) helped classmates practice daily making healthier choices by creating an interactive poster for the lunchroom that shows the healthiest food choices for the day.

**Individuals gained a better understanding of the importance of incorporating beans and legumes into their diets on a regular basis. Lori’s program evaluation questions targeted knowledge gain and/or behavior change, so she had participant responses to include in her reports (e.g., When asked how they could apply information/knowledge gained, participants responded "my husband is diabetic and I hope to help him; be more aware of chocolate and when buying chocolate, I will consider varieties; look at labels; help my daughter prepare healthier meals for herself, her children, and me.") --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu



LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY FACILITATION
Two January opportunities are still open for participation for enrollment.

The 2010 Kansas Environmental Leadership Program is still accepting enrollment for a newly revised experience that links public leadership concepts with water resources information. To register for the 2010 KELP class, visit http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/kelp/ .

The 2010 Public Issues Forums Facilitation workshop will start your year off with knowledge, skill development, and resources to work effectively with public groups. A registration link is available at http://www.k-state.edu/icdd/ .

Either of the above can be taken as a stand-alone opportunity, or utilized for KSU credit classes. For questions on either opportunity, contact Dan Kahl, dankahl@ksu.edu . --Dan Kahl



K-STATE TO OFFER ONLINE CREDIT FOR FACILITATION WORKSHOP
Kansas State University's Division of Continuing Education and College of Education will offer a three credit-hour course in conjunction with the Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy's (ICDD) Public Issues Facilitation Workshop.

The ICDD workshop will be held at the K-State Alumni Center, January 11 - 13, 2010. Students who register for credit will continue to deepen their learning from the workshop with eight weeks of online work that includes applied readings, projects and assignments. Course credits are offered through the department of educational leadership.

"People who work in groups of people in their communities through organizations like their schools, libraries, city councils, or chamber of commerce will benefit from the facilitation skills taught in this course," said Jeff Zacharakis, associate professor in the department of educational leadership.

"Adult education historically has sought to improve the lives of individuals through the collective development of their communities and organizations," said Zacharakis. "One important educational approach to getting people to share their ideas, concerns and visions is through town meetings and other community gatherings. This course teaches the important facilitation skills needed to maximize individual participation in these group gatherings."

To register, contact the K-State Division of Continuing Education at 785-532-5569 or 1-800-432-8222, or register online at http://www.dce.k-state.edu/courses  and search "Facilitation for Results." --Division of Continuing Education