The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
(Vol. 16 No. 15)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
This time of the year it seems like everyone is asking for dues! Whether it be a civic club, non-governmental organization, professional fraternity, or professional organization, it seems they all are asking you to pay up your annual dues which are likely already past due. So why should I pay the dues and be a member? What's in it for me?
In orientation for extension agents, Dr. Richard Wootton, former Associate Director for Extension, would emphasize getting involved within your community beyond your assigned work duties. He told many of you to find a civic, religious, or community organization for which to become involved so that you get to know the community and the community gets to know you beyond your professional role. That is very savvy advice for us all, and hopefully you are doing that.
What about all the professional societies, fraternities, and organizations? A professional organization brings together individuals with similar professional interests and varied experiences to share with each other. Paying your dues is not about what the society or organization brings to you, but what you contribute to the profession. As a new employee in the profession, the professional organization offers the opportunity to learn from others. It moves you out of isolation into a support network of professionals, if you let it. As a more seasoned employee, your organization offers contemporary review and renewal along with the leadership roles you can and must take. It keeps you from becoming stagnant and stale in your professional work. You will get new ideas of ways to do your work. It offers a means to be involved with other professionals seeking to improve their knowledge and skills within your profession.
I am an advocate for a professional to be active in at least one professional society. I also advocate for an extension professional to be a part of Epsilon Sigma Phi. If you believe yourself to be a professional, you are obligated to seek ways to continue your professional development and growth. As an extension professional, being a part of your professional society should be an automatic; being a part of Epsilon Sigma Phi should be your goal.
If you aren't getting the worth out of your dues, make a commitment to do so. It's really up to you to get out of your professional organizations what you are putting into them. As a professional, you have that obligation. So, pay those past-due dues and have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
NEW TUESDAY LETTER
Take notice of the four tabs on the top of the Tuesday
Letter. The ‘Tuesday Letter’ tab will show the current letter. You can send your
comments to individual authors of the articles by clicking on ‘Feedback to
author’ link placed below each article. Go to ‘Archives’ tab and click on the
year and/or date to view a past Letter. To submit articles, click ‘Submit
Article’ tab and login with your KSRE eid/password and specify the details requested.
When logged in, view the articles you submitted by going to ‘My Articles’ tab. ‘Send
Feedback’ tab will enable you to send your comments/feedback about the website
to us.2134254345465756
If you do not have a KSRE Login, follow the link mentioned
on ‘Submit Article’ tab - Reshma Sawant - reshma@ksu.edu
2010 COFFMAN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: EMPOWERED INDIVIDUALS, ENHANCED INSTITUTIONS
The James R. Coffman Leadership Institute is a three-day, in-residence leadership development experience for K-State faculty and professional staff. Participants will soon be selected to attend the 2010 Coffman Leadership Institute, August 4-6. Nominations or interest in participation, including a brief statement of interest, should be submitted electronically to Susie Farrington, sfarring@ksu.edu, or Dorothy Doan, ddoan@ksu.edu, by March 1, 2010.
Since the inaugural institute in 2004, the campus-wide planning committee with the support of their sponsors has provided opportunities for: refreshing and developing leadership skills in a safe yet challenging environment, networking while experiencing interdisciplinary cooperation for faculty and staff, infusing Kansas State with more empowered faculty and staff leaders.
Participants have the opportunity to engage in a focused and in-depth adult learning experience aimed at leadership development. They're offered knowledge and skill-based learning modules that engage them cognitively as well as behaviorally.
Workshop sessions include: inclusive leadership, conflict resolution, leadership style assessment, change management, and team building.
Participants have the opportunity to interact with other K-State professionals who want to make a difference at Kansas State University. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
NEW CREDIT CARD RULES WILL OFFER NEW PROTECTIONS
New credit card rules implemented beginning February 22, 2010 will offer new protections for consumers. A few changes you should look for include the following:
- Your credit card company must send you a 45-day notice before they can increase your rate, charge certain fees or make other significant changes to the terms of your card.
- If the company is going to make changes to the terms of your card it must give you the option to cancel the card before certain fee increases take effect.
- Credit card companies must mail bills at least 21 days before the payment is due.
- Your monthly bill will now include information on how long it will take to pay off the balance by only making minimum payments. It will also tell you how much you need to pay each month in order to pay it off in three years, and the total you would save by doing so.
- Those under 21 will either need to show proof that they are able to make payments, or obtain a cosigner to open a credit card account.
To learn more about these and other changes to your credit card accounts check out the Federal Reserve's new consumer-friendly online publication, "What You Need to Know: New Credit Card Rules." --Family Resource Management PFT
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 Rachael Boyle, Phillips-Rooks District
#5. Additional team members on this Action Plan were Cody Miller and Chris
Petty.
**Approximately 100 acres of rangeland along the Solomon River
near Glade, KS were taken over by thorned Honeylocust trees. Because of concern
for native grassland losses due to invasive plant species, a Thorned
Honeylocust Control Field Day was planned for June, 2008. A test plot was
developed demonstrating various chemicals and chemical application methods that
could be used to control the trees. Approximately 50 participants learned about
various chemicals labeled for thorned Honeylocust tree control and observed demonstrations of
the different application methods. Additionally an enviroscape
demonstration was completed that showed the importance of protecting the
water that is available. Another field day was planned for June, 2009 to show
which chemicals and application methods worked best. The field days were a
collaboration with the North Central Prairie Weed Management Area and Solomon
Valley RC&D. Discussion at the second field day included how to
properly control various sized thorned Honeylocust trees with a variety of
chemicals and application methods, as well as the possibility of
alternative species grazing (i.e., goats and sheep). Water quality
demonstrations utilized the rainfall simulator and stream trailer. A
survey showed that 60 participants, representing nine counties and 5000 plus
acres, are affected by thorned Honeylocust, Eastern Red Cedar, or other
invasive plant species. At the conclusion of the Field Day, participants
indicated they know how to properly control thorned Honeylocust trees'which has
saved time and money. Additionally they realize the lost grassland production
that has occurred over time as these invasive species have been allowed to take
over. With proper control and management of the thorned Honeylocust trees,
grass production in these areas will be renewed resulting in more available
acres for cattle to graze and potentially higher weaning weights in calves. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu
"
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES OF KANSAS
On April 13, 2009, former Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed Executive Order 09-02 creating the Kansas Coalition for Children in Nature (KCCN).
The KCCN was formed to foster Kansas youth's appreciation of the outdoors. More information on KCCN may be found at the following link: http://www.kacee.org/kansas-coalition-children-nature
The KCCN is gathering information about the various environmental education opportunities in the state. These can be programs, nature centers, outdoor classroom sites, anything that is considered
environmental education. In addition, please list the educational tools the conservation district has, i.e., stream model trailer, EnviroScape (include model type), groundwater flow model, etc.
Please fill out the spreadsheet (there is an example already in place as to how to fill out the fields), and email back to me by Monday, February 22.
Feel free to pass this along to colleagues you feel may have good input and they can e-mail the information back to me. Once the information is cumulated, I will e-mail it out to the conservation districts. --Dee Turner, Conservation District Program Coordinator dee.turner@scc.ks.gov
6TH ANNUAL EXTENSION HEALTHFEST! FEATURES MEDIA SMART AND NEBRASKA'S ESI (ENTREPRENEURSHIP INVESTIGATION) PROGRAM
Extension's 6th Annual HealthFest!, held
April 16-17 at Rock Springs 4-HCenter,
is open to youth and adult teams who want to learn about the
nation's Media Smarts health promotion curriculum, Nebraska's
EntrepreneurShip Investigation, CATCH, Health Rocks and the
Photovoice evaluation method.
For
$65/person, receive physical activity and community health
promotion training, materials, refreshments, lodging and fun! Space
is limited to 35 adults
and 40 teens. Registration will be open February 28 through the Kansas
PRIDE office through Jamie Menon, jmenon@ksu.edu.
For more
information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu. --Elaine Johannes
FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION: THE ARMY FAMILY IN OUR COMMUNITIES
"As part
of the United Associations' Conference, March 4-5 in Wichita, an
intensive session helping community-based professionals better
understand and support military and families will be presented. The
session, "From Awareness To Action: The Army Family in Our
Communities," will be held March 5; 12:45-2:30 p.m. as part of the
two-day conference.
Presenters include:
Sara
Mietzer and Erin Bishop from Ft. Riley Extension, Charlotte Olsen
and Elaine Johannes (FSHS Extension).
'Awareness to Action' session
participants will become familiar with military culture and
resources, will be given OMK (Operation Military Kids) resources
and will be offered follow-up training and support.
"
SMOKY HILLS AGRITOURISM WORKSHOP - MARCH 4, 2010
The Smoky Hills Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area, Inc. is hosting the Smoky Hills Agritourism Workshop March 4, 2010. The Agritourism Workshop begins with Registration at 8:30 a.m. at the Township Hall in Rush Center, located one block west of the 4-way stop on Highway
K-96.
Ben Allen of Kansas State University and Becki Rhoades of Kansas Department of Commerce are experts in the field of agritourism. They will be speaking about agritourism in Kansas, including regulations, promotion, and advertising. Shawna Oliver with Farm Bureau Financial Services will
discuss high risk and liability insurance. A noon meal is included with your registration, and it will be served by the KEPK- Relay for Life Team.
In the afternoon, we will have Virtual Tours of Fairview Farms Alpacas, Wild Horse Canyon Bed & Breakfast and Cottage Lane Pumpkin Patch. The final session of the day will be a Panel Discussion with all the speakers. Vendors will also be available the day of the Workshop. If you are interested in supplementing your income with an agritourism business, please attend the Agritourism Workshop on March 4th.
Prior to March 1st, a $35 registration fee or $50 for a couple can be sent to the Smoky Hills RC&D at 320 South Sixth Street, Stockton, Kansas 67669. Registration on the day of the event will be $40 per person.
To Register, please call the Smoky Hills RC&D at 785-425-6647 or e-mail Teresa Webb at teresa.webb@ks.nacdnet.net . --Steven M. Graham sgraham@k-state.edu
PARTICIPATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP SESSIONS NOW AVAILABLE
Joseph Rost described Leadership an influence relationship between collaborators. Environmental leadership is rooted in the concept of effectively working with others in the public domain. The Kansas Environmental Leadership Program is an award-winning KSRE/KDHE project coordinated through Biological & Agricultural Engineering Extension that draws public leadership components together with current information about water and environmental resources and issues. After a project re-design and update in 2009, the 2010 KELP class is opening some of the class sessions to
interested participants. Anyone wishing to experience a session of Kansas Environmental Leadership Program (KELP) will participate in all of that session's field trips, activities, and engaging discussions with invited experts and current class members.
Tuition is $250, which covers costs for lodging (2/room), meals, materials, and field trips for a session.
Sessions generally begin at or shortly before noon on Wednesday and end by noon on Friday. CEUs/PDHs are available.
Session 2 - March 10-12, 2010 - Topeka
Governmental Dimensions of Leadership and Urban Infrastructure
Session 3 - May 19-21, 2010 - Garden City
The Importance of Public Relations and Groundwater Considerations
Session 4 - August 11-13, 2010 - Independence/Ft. Scott
Conflict Management, Negotiation and Surface Water Considerations
KELP sessions are highly experiential, and give participants an opportunity to catch up with the most current information in water quality and leadership education information! KELP sessions are perfect for persons in agency, organization, and public leadership roles.
For more information about registration or class content, contact Judy Willingham, at judymw@ksu.edu or 785-532-2936. --Dan Kahl dankahl@ksu.edu
EQIP ORGANIC INITIATIVE CUTOFF ANNOUNCED
NRCS has announced a cutoff date of March 12, 2010, for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative.
Kansas producers who are transitioning to organic agriculture or who are currently certified organic may receive special assistance to meet their conservation goals with the provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill.
Producers may apply for financial assistance through the EQIP. If approved, they can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years to implement conservation practices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) NRCS in Kansas, which administers EQIP, has set aside $1.4 million in EQIP funds to help Kansas organic producers and those who are transitioning to organic production.
Applications for the EQIP Organic Initiative are taken continuously throughout the year, but to be considered for Fiscal Year 2010 funding, producers need to have an application signed and returned to their local NRCS office by March 12, 2010.
Visit your local USDA Service Center and talk to the NRCS office staff about the details the EQIP Organic Initiative, conservation planning, and other programs to help you protect your farm. 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
RURAL GROCERY SUMMIT PLANNED FOR JUNE
Local grocery stores represent a critical infrastructure for our rural communities. These stores are an important part of the economic engine that sustains rural communities, providing essential jobs and taxes. They are a vital source for nutrition and health, providing a supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy and protein. These groceries are especially critical for the rural young, poor, and elderly. Grocery stores are where we meet friends, catch up on the latest news, build relationships and network with others. Grocery stores, like schools, restaurants, and post offices are community assets used to recruit and retain citizens,
providing a symbol of community health.
Unfortunately, it seems every day we hear about another store closing shop and shutting their doors. In
Kansas alone, 82 grocery stores in communities of fewer than 2,000 people have closed since 2007.
What can be done? On June 14 and 15, you can come be a part of the team that identifies the solutions to the issues surrounding this multifaceted and complex situation in Kansas. Summit participants will learn more about the issues; will learn of current, relevant research; will learn of collaborators and resources available to
address the issues; and will actively become a catalyst for action to address these issues.
To learn more and register, visit http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/ruralgrocery/. --Dan Kahl dankahl@ksu.edu
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