Vol. 16, No. 12  January 26, 2010

IN THIS ISSUE... 

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Kansas Senate Bill Introduced That Affects Elections Process for Extension Districts
...Reception to Honor Dean and Director Fred Cholick
...Announcing the New KSRE Tuesday Letter
...Interaction of K-State Faculty and Staff with State/Federal Officials
...Last Call for 2010 Kansas 4-H Ambassador Training
...New 4-H Communication Fact Sheets Available
...TechBytes Spring 2010 Technology Programs
...Webinar: Green Roofs
...Upcoming Events
...Building Community Leadership: A Professional Development Workshop
...4th Friday Conversations for Youth Development Features National Essential Elements Curriculum Review
...Invitation to Attend OMK Interactive Theatre Workshops
...More Results of the 2007 Census of Agriculture Recently Released
...4-H Discovery Days Classes: A 78 Second Video to Realize the Impact!
...Take Advantage of Expanded Education Credits
...Summer Institute on Climate Change to Examine Issues and Impacts in Central U.S.

...KSRE Master Calendar
                                                                                         

                                                                                                ...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
We are through week one of Partnership meetings and heading out later today for meetings in Hoxie and Cimarron. Much discussion in the rooms seem to revolve around activity toward development of Extension Districts. In Kansas we currently have 9 Extension Districts involving 25 counties.

The Attorney General's office has just recently approved the operational agreement and supporting materials for Southwind Extension District #10, Allen and Neosho Counties. Southwind District will become official July 1, 2010. Additionally, Logan, Sheridan, Gove, Trego, Morris, Chase, Osage, and Franklin Counties all have had the County Extension Executive Board and County Commissioners pass resolutions favoring development of Extension Districts, and all are currently in the 60 day public protest period whereby the public is given opportunity to file a protest petition which then requires a citizen vote in order to move forward. Gove County citizens have formally filed such a protest petition that will require the resolution to go before the electorate in that county. Additionally, 14 more County Extension Executive Boards have passed resolutions favoring development of a District, but as yet have not had the County Commission pass a resolution.

If you did the math, 49 counties have made some type of formal action take place towards organizing into a District. I believe it is safe to say that informal discussions and meetings have taken place in nearly every county in the past 12 months creating a better understanding of the process of forming a District and weighing the pros and cons of moving to that structure of operations.

The Extension Board Leadership Website contains learning modules including a full set of resource information on forming an Extension District . I would encourage you to review some of those materials to understand the process and complexities involved in the creation of an Extension District.

My thanks and gratitude to everyone involved in discussions, meetings, and activities including local Extension Council members, agents, office professionals, area directors, and area specialists. Special thanks to Jim Lindquist, Chris Onstad, JD McNutt, Dale Fjell, and Phil Sloderbeck for their leadership in guiding many of these processes and responding to the breadth of procedural questions that arise. This progress would not have occurred without a great team effort!

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



KANSAS SENATE BILL INTRODUCED THAT AFFECTS ELECTIONS PROCESS FOR EXTENSION DISTRICTS

We have just learned that Kansas Senate Bill 420  has been introduced by the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee. SB420 amends the District Extension Law K.S.A 2-624 pertaining to the filing date deadline for candidates seeking to be on the ballot for the District Governing Body election. Specifically, it would now require candidates to file with the county election officer not later than 12:00 noon on the Tuesday 10 weeks prior to the first Tuesday in April in odd numbered years. This change aligns filing deadlines for Extension Districts with all other elections that routinely take place on the first Tuesday in April of odd numbered years. We are neutral with this amendment and certainly understand the desire of county election officers to want consistent filing deadlines for all elections. Please let us know if you hear of any discussions or movement towards any further amendments to this or any other laws affecting the County Council or District Extension laws. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu



RECEPTION TO HONOR DEAN AND DIRECTOR FRED CHOLICK
Please join us for a come and go reception in honor of Dean and Director Fred Cholick as he leaves the College of Agriculture/K-State Research and Extension and assumes leadership of the KSU Foundation. The reception will be in Room 137 of Waters Hall on Friday, January 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. --Dorothy Doan ddoan@ksu.edu



ANNOUNCING THE NEW KSRE TUESDAY LETTER!

Please spare time the next couple of weeks to get acquainted with features of this new online system. You will be able to view the current Tuesday Letter, the Archives, submit articles for the future Tuesday letters, view and edit articles that you submit by using your KSRE eID-password login.

The system will be fully functional to use by February 16, 2010.

Please keep watching for more details about this in the approaching Tuesday Letters. If you have questions or need assistance, contact Sue Robinson, srobinso@ksu.edu  or Reshma Sawant, reshma@ksu.edu . --Reshma Sawant



INTERACTION OF K-STATE FACULTY AND STAFF WITH STATE/FEDERAL OFFICIALS
Now that the Kansas Legislature has convened, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the Board of Regents and University policies regarding interaction with the Kansas Legislature, Kansas State Agencies, and the Kansas Federal Delegation.

NEW 4-H COMMUNICATION FACT SHEETS AVAILABLE
Kansas 4-H Days are coming in February and March. 4-H members will be writing and presenting project talks, demonstrations, illustrated talks, and public speeches. There are newly revised 4-H communications publications available from KSRE that can help 4-H families develop better presentations. The publications may be ordered or downloaded free in a .pdf format. 

Visit http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=16&topic=4-H#Communications .

The publications available are:

• Kansas 4-H Presentation Overview, 4H 978
• 4-H Project Talks, 4H 979
• 4-H Demonstrations, 4H 980
• 4-H Demonstration or Illustrated Talk Outline Planning Form, 4H 981
• 4-H Illustrated Talks, 4H 982
• 4-H Public Speaking, 4H 983
• Effective Presentation Tips, 4H 984
• Preparing and Using Visual Aids, 4H 985
• Presentation Brainstorming Activity, 4H 986
• Kansas 4-H Demonstration or Illustrated Talk Score Sheet, 4H 976
• Kansas 4-H Project Talk Score Sheet, 4H 975
• Kansas 4-H Public Speaking Score Sheet, 4H 977
• 4-H Public Speaking Record, P1062

The K-State Pollution Prevention Institute, housed in Engineering Extension, will be hosting a free Webinar on Friday, February 5, at 1 p.m. CST. This one-hour Webinar will highlight examples of completed green roof projects with a focus on modular installations. Attend to learn practical ways to get your next green roof project off the ground.

Pre-registration is required. To register and for more information, 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


 

UPCOMING EVENTS
Spring Training
Wednesday, February 10
Holiday Inn, Topeka, KS

This year the focus of Spring Training is to introduce you to a new program for K-State: Kansas Healthy Yards and Communities. The program is designed to educate the public on environmentally conscious lawn and garden care techniques. Our choices in our yards influence the entire community. By choosing practices that minimize impact, everyone benefits. An online assessment tool for homeowners is available at www.kansasgreenyards.org .

We want you to be prepared for homeowners coming your way with questions about the program and how the services you offer can help them obtain status as a Kansas Healthy Yard. To that end, we have prepared a workshop to explain what K-State Extension will be training homeowners to understand about their yards so you can be ahead of the game this spring.

For a copy of the brochure with registration information, go to http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/DesktopModules/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=2696 . --Christy Dipman cdipman@ksu.edu



BUILDING COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP: A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
How well prepared are you as an Extension professional to assist communities in your county/district as they work to address challenging issues such as childhood obesity, retaining local businesses, and meeting the needs of an aging population?

Make plans now to join us for Building Community Leadership: A Professional Development Workshop for Community Leaders on February 18, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at K-State Salina.

This workshop will help you develop three key competencies needed by all leaders to affect change in their communities: (1) framing issues and ideas; (2) building social capital; and (3) mobilizing people and resources. Framing means helping a community recognize and define its opportunities and issues in ways that motivate people to act. Building social capital is about developing and maintaining the relationships that allow people to work together and share resources across differences. Mobilizing people and resources is about bringing together enough people and resources to accomplish community goals.

Your learning will be enhanced through hands-on breakout sessions that will teach you three practical tools for applying the competencies to a broad range of community issues that you work with every day. Plus, learn more about 28 factors that influence community building and how you can use them to help build leadership in your community.

The registration fee is only $25 per person and includes lunch and a copy of The Community Leadership Handbook. Register by contacting Robert Wilson in the Office of Local Government at 785-532-7823 or rmwilson@k-state.edu . The deadline to register is February 11.

Funding for this workshop is provided by the Alpha Rho Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi. --Robert Wilson



4TH FRIDAY CONVERSATIONS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FEATURES NATIONAL ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS CURRICULUM REVIEW
This month's "4th Friday Youth Development Conversation" (February 26; 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.) focuses on the National 4-H Essential Elements curriculum and its use in local 4-H youth development work. Elaine Johannes, who is co-chair of the National 4-H Essential Elements team, will brief participants on the curriculum, the resources on the national website and how to use the 8-elements in improving youth development settings, places and events. The complete curriculum is available at: http://4-h.org/resources/staff/essentialelements.html .

4th Friday Conversations use Adobe Connect web conferencing. To join the February 26 "4th Friday Conversation," use the Youth Development-PFT Connect website located at: http://connect.ksre.ksu.edu/pftyd .  No prep or follow-up required to join "4th Friday" conversations, but it's recommended that participants become familiar with the Connect web conferencing system. Check out the log on information at KSRE TechWeb Services Adobe Connect Conferencing . For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, 785-532-7720, ejohanne@ksu.edu . --Elaine Johannes



INVITATION TO ATTEND OMK INTERACTIVE THEATRE WORKSHOPS
Often times teens may find it difficult to describe their experiences and express their thoughts about being impacted by the military deployments of loved ones, friends and neighbors. Through interactive theatre teens can find another way to share their unique experiences.

Kansas OMK (Operation: Military Kids) invites you to learn more about interactive theatre by attending one of the up-coming SOMK-IT workshops at Pittsburg State University, February 5-6, and at Kansas State University, February 19-20. Both workshops are led by Sally Bailey, Associate Professor, K-State Department of Communications Studies, Theatre and Dance, K-State students and K-State OMK personnel.

A $40 registration provides SOMK-IT manuals, materials and refreshments. Contact Joan Kahl, 785-532-1905; or Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu ; 785-532-7720 to register by January 30. --Elaine Johannes

MORE RESULTS OF THE 2007 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE RECENTLY RELEASED

Results of the 2007 Census of Agriculture were released February 4, 2009 and updated in December 2009. If you go to: http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/ , you will see the latest report results, which are:
 

Most Recent Fact Sheets:
Farm and Ranch Irrigation | Small Farms | Farm Land Value | Ag Atlas

Data Comparison: Major Crops

State and County Profiles

Race, Ethnicity and Gender Profiles (updated 10/30/09)

ZIP Code Tabulations

There is lots of great information available on the Ag Census Website, either to assist with research projects, extension programs, or for ag information in general. Please take advantage of this helpful resource. --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu



4-H DISCOVERY DAYS CLASSES: A 78 SECOND VIDEO TO REALIZE THE IMPACT! 

June 1-4, approximately 500 youth between the ages of 13 and 18 from across Kansas will converge on the K-State campus in Manhattan to explore opportunities for their lives related to careers, degree programs, community service, campus life, and personal development.

Would you be willing to invest one day to help these kids discover potential interests or passions in their lives?

The video linked below was written, recorded, and produced by Alexander Crownover and Jacob Mueller, two 4-H members who came to Discovery Days and are now freshmen here at K-State.  Would you please take 78 seconds to view their work?

We are looking for a wide variety of classes, tours and service projects on Wednesday, June 2 and Thursday, June 3. Two hour sessions will be offered each morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and each afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. There are also flexible opportunities to offer full day and multi-part sessions both on and off campus.

If you, or others you know, are willing to offer a session we would appreciate if you would submit a proposal no later than Monday, February 15.  The on-line form and other information about 4-H Discovery Days can be accessed at http://www.Kansas4-H.org/DiscoveryDays .

Thank you for considering this opportunity. One of the greatest things about working with these youth who are eager to learn is that you never know how far into the future your influence might reach! --Justin Wiebers jwiebers@ksu.edu 

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EXPANDED EDUCATION CREDITS
Taxpayers with college expenses may qualify for the American Opportunity Credit - an expanded version of the Hope Credit for tax year 2009. It is available for the first 4 years of post-secondary education. The credit is worth up to $2,500 per eligible student. New this year - 40% of the credit is refundable, meaning you can get up to $1,000 even if no taxes are owed.

To be eligible for the credit, taxpayers must have qualified educational expenses for higher education including tuition and books, but not room or board. The expenses can be for the taxpayer, spouse or a dependent claimed on the taxpayer's return. Note: Qualified expenses paid by a dependent for which an exemption can be claimed, or by a third party for that dependent, are considered paid by the taxpayer. Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree or other recognized educational credential and be enrolled at least half time. They cannot have a felony conviction.

The Lifetime Learning Credit is worth up to $2,000 per return, and is available for all years of post-secondary education and for courses to acquire or improve job skills. This credit is non-refundable, meaning the credit will reduce any tax owed by the taxpayer.

Find more information about education credits, go to http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=177996,00.html . --Family Resource Management Team



SUMMER INSTITUTE ON CLIMATE CHANGE TO EXAMINE ISSUES AND IMPACTS IN CENTRAL U.S.       
The Summer Institute on Climate Change, May 11-13, will be a chance for people working in water, energy, agriculture and natural resources, including extension educators and federal and state agency personnel, to interact with scientists about causes and effects of climate change in the Plains. An interdisciplinary team from the School of Natural Resources and other departments will present the three- day Institute at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Institute will provide a basic understanding of climate change and variability, its impacts on water resources and on managed and unmanaged ecosystems, and related economic and policy considerations. The Institute will begin by defining “climate.” It will explain what scientists mean by climate modeling, and will examine how and where climate data are collected. The Institute will include discussion of drought and water availability issues, and will look at how climate change affects agriculture and other ecosystems. The Institute will also address impacts on livestock and biofuel production.
       
The $350 fee includes lunches, snacks, dinners, materials and parking on UNL's East Campus. To register or for more information, please visit http://snr.unl.edu/registration/sicc2010/index-sicc.asp . Please register by April 20. Additional fees apply for those wishing to receive graduate credit for the Institute.

For more information, please contact Kelly Smith, ksmith2@unl.edu , 402-472-3373; or Shashi Verma, sverma1@unl.edu , 402-472-6702. --Kelly Smith, Communication & Drought Resources Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln



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

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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.

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