The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
(Vol. 16 No. 25)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Following Spring Action Conference, a survey went out for which we have 118 responses thus far! It is open until April 30, so if you haven't completed it, please do so. I couldn't help but share some feedback on the first question of "List one action you will take as a result of the workshop.
-Develop a better evaluation tool and use it at more meetings.
-Always think at level two or above when designing evaluation materials.
-I will be more consistent in my evaluation of my programs.
-Plan and implement programs based around objectives that I want the attendees to learn; this will make writing evaluation questions and designing evaluation tools much easier.
-Work with a team to develop an action plan for a pft.
-I will work harder on helping others understand the difference between outputs and outcomes.
-Research on my own. While interesting to hear what ND's experience re: evaluations, it would have been more helpful to my office to just have Jan Middendorf speak re: how her office can assist us.
-To continue to evaluate 1-2 programs per year for good medium and long-term outcomes.
-Evaluations at every event.
-To write evaluation tool to use with Knowledge at Noon lessons.
-Begin to use more evaluation tools for programs that I conduct.
-Add an impact survey somewhere within presentations I created.
-I'm going to look at the South Dakota, Wisconsin and Kentucky websites to see evaluation tools they are using.
-Evaluate at least one program at level two this year.
-Post Youth Development evaluation instruments developed at the conference to the website and PFT site.
-Spend some time studying the University of Wisconsin information about evaluation.
-Get help on impact reporting if I have any questions.
-Tie evaluation of results into planning for a program.
-Try to do one sheet 'making a difference'.
-Continue to work with PFT members to develop evalution tools for programming.
-Try to write better impact statements for quarterly reports.
-Design one evaluation tool and utilize it throughout the year-if possible-for multiple programs.
-Work to supply better impact reports.
-Attempt to evaluate programs at a higher level.
This is great feedback!! I appreciate seeing the concerted effort reflected in these statements to actually make something happen of significance in gathering the evidence towards sharing the value of the program to which you are putting forth significant effort. I see action steps, continued commitment to learning, teamwork, and helping others to understand and appreciate the important ways in which K-State Research and Extension is making a difference.
Now, some would say that sounds like you are looking at those "who are standing on the balcony." We are an organization who does indeed have the "befuddlers and basement dwellers." Some additional responses included:
-None.
-Do my reports.
-Probably try to avoid attending another spring action conference if at all possible.
-None. I have work to do. There is no time for these meaningless activities.
-Not sign up for next year's workshop.
Now, one might think that "to do my reports" is a positive, but that is what is already expected. And, the others are in hopes this will all pass, or they already know it all, or they are just plain arrogant. Whatever it is, we have to work with all those who are wanting to make a difference! And, we will achieve together! Have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz
CELLULOSIC BIOFUELS WEB SEMINAR--THIS FRIDAY
The Cellulosic Biofuels Web Seminar, this Friday, April 30, 11 a.m. ' 12 noon Central Daylight Time will be 'Economics of Ethanol and the New Cellulosic Industry.' The presenter is Dr. Robert Wisner, Iowa State University (retired).
Robert Wisner is recently retired from Iowa State University where he was a professor and extension economist focused on grain marketing and outlook. In recent years his interest in biofuels has led to a number of presentations on the ethanol industry in Iowa and nationwide.
• Government mandated blending levels to 2022
• History of profitability of corn-starch ethanol
• Current starch-ethanol costs, returns, and profitability
• The blending wall - causes & alternatives for overcoming it
• Potential EPA decision to allow E-15 blends and its implications
• Differences in economics of cellulose vs. starch ethanol
• The future: reasons for optimism, cautions, and areas of uncertain
Webinar Series Purpose:
Cellulosic ethanol production is an emerging industry. Production practices, materials and business methods are expected to be different from those currently used in agriculture. This webinar series is intended to provide interested individuals with an overview of the ethanol industry and the anticipated needs, from production, agronomic, and contractual perspectives for supplying cellulosic materials to a biofuel plant. This webinar series is presented by National eXtension and the High Plains Extension Energy Team.
How to Connect:
Start connecting 5 minutes prior to the start time. You need a computer with Internet access and speakers. At the meeting time, copy and paste this URL into your browser to enter the meeting.
At that URL you will find a login page. 'Enter as a Guest' with your name, and business or institution and click 'Enter Room.' The audio portion of the meeting will be come through your computer speakers.
Anytime before the meeting you can visit this URL to confirm your ability to connect. --Ed Brokesh ebrokesh@ksu.edu
WORKERS NEEDED FOR KSRE BOOTH AT THE 3I SHOW IN GREAT BEND
The 3i Show (3i stands for Irrigation, Implements, and Industry) takes place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, May 5, 6, and 7, 2010, two miles west of Great Bend on 10th Street at the Municipal Airport Expo Complex.
The show is open each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our booth (I-115) is in the Expo-2 Building, along the north wall in the same spot where we have been before.
Steven Graham will bring the display and handout materials from campus, plus be present during all three days of the show. If you would like to attend the 3i Show and also assist in the booth for an hour or more, that would be great. There is no entrance or parking fee.
The 3i Show is a huge farm machinery show which also has some daily programming aimed at consumers. These programs, which will feature some programs telling about Cheyenne Bottoms and MyTown plus some programs featuring neighboring Extension agents, are coordinated by Donna Krug with our Barton County Research and Extension Office. For more information on the 2010 3i Show Consumer Programs, go to www.ksre.ksu.edu/barton.
Please e-mail and let me know which day(s) and what time(s) you would like to work in the booth. Thanks for your assistance. --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu
WEBINAR: GREEN BUILDING AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
The K-State Pollution Prevention
Institute, housed in Engineering Extension, will be hosting a free Webinar on Friday,
May 7, at 1 p.m. CDT. This one-hour Webinar will highlight the LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building system including
prerequisites and credits related to stormwater management. An overview
of the Sustainable Sites Initiative will also be provided. Gary
Kannenberg, Sustainable Engineering Solutions, LLC, will be the speaker.
Registration is required to receive log-in
instructions. 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
NEW - "JOIN 4-H" CAMPAIGN
The 4-H Marketing Action Team is excited to bring you the new 4-H membership campaign for this fall. Many of you have already ordered the colorful posters and brochures.
And now for the really exciting part'''We received overwhelming requests from Extension staff for a new updated promotional DVD, PowerPoint, video'. to promote 4-H. This animated video public service announcement will catch people's attention, promote the benefits of 4-H, and direct potential families to a website with information on joining 4-H in their community. The MAT has seen examples of this type of PSA, and it's very well done. It could be used with local TV media, on websites, continuous loop at an open house, etc. This would be available for you in early August.
The Marketing Action Team is asking each local office to consider making a $50 contribution towards this project. This might be something that 4-H Council, Extension Council, or donors might want to do, to help promote 4-H state wide and in your communities. We know it takes time to go through all the channels for this type of project, so we'd ask that you send your contribution by June 1. Make checks payable to Kansas 4-H Foundation, and send to Diane Mack, NE Area Office.
Thanks in advance for your support of this project. If you have questions, contact any member of the team - Amy Taylor, Ford County; Jessica Millman, Sheridan County; Aliesa Woods, Post Rock District; Andrea Schmidt, Riley County; Nancy Pihl, Marion County; Jodi Besthorn, Sedgwick County; Diane Mack, NE Area 4-H Specialist. --Jodi Besthorn besthorn@ksu.edu
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL STREAM ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP
For those who work with landowners and are interested in streams and their related riparian areas, you may be interested in attending a stream assessment workshop this summer. This
intermediate level Stream Assessment Workshop is scheduled for July 29-30, 2010
COST:
-
$200 - This includes lodging, meals, refreshments and course materials. The workshop is limited to 20 participants.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
If you work directly with landowners you may be eligible for a scholarship.
GRADUATE CREDIT:
For an additional $100 this workshop can be taken for 1 hour of graduate credit.
LOCATION:
-The workshop will be held at the Hideout Hunting Lodge in
Lyon
County
(1895 Road 360). It is approximately 20 miles north of
Emporia
, or northeast of Admire. Upon completion of registration a map will be sent out.
TOPICS:
- Types of stream assessments; stream hydrology; stream chemistry; intro to fluvial geomorphology; stream ecology; monitoring; sampling, streambankstabilization; riparian function & management; and more.
SPONSORS:
- Flint Hills RC&D; The Watershed Institute; Wildhorse Riverworks; WRAPS/EPA-KDHE, Weaver Environmental Construction; USDA SARE, K-State Citizen Science; and KAWS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
:
You can go to
www.Kaws.org
and download the registration form; or you can contact the workshop coordinator, Paul Ingle, at 785-640-2645 or
paul.ingle@cox.net. --Paul Ingle
KIOWA COUNTY COMMONS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
On April 20, 2010, a groundbreaking ceremony for the Kiowa County Commons Building
took place in Greensburg. This building
represents the future home for K-State Research and Extension ' Kiowa County,
and much, much more! Additionally, the
public library, museum, and a cutting-edge media center will be housed within
this building as well. The media center
has huge implications for both local communication in new and better ways, as
well as being connected to the world. To
get a better impression of its potential, you can take a look at a couple
different TV news spots that were captured at that groundbreaking ceremony by
KAKE TV in Wichita, and KSN TV also in Wichita.
The building is scheduled to be completed by May 2011. However, a new HDTV production trailer will
be on site in Manhattan very soon to be outfitted with latest technology in
digital production, and then delivered to Greensburg in the coming months to
begin to capture digital video through local production. Creativity and potential seem limitless.
I encourage all of you to think about how these resources will expand the
possibilities for outreach and delivery for K-State Research and Extension as it
relates to your work, and share those thoughts and ideas with me.
Congratulations to Pam Muntz and Carmen Stauth on their work
with the Greensburg community and Kiowa County to make K-State Research and
Extension to be a significant part of its future! And, thanks and congratulations to Dr. Bert
Biles for his vision and hard work in helping the people of Greensburg and
Kiowa County to bring this idea to reality! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
DIVERSITY PROGRAMS OFFICE UPDATE
As another semester draws to an end, we would like to encourage everyone to reflect back on the progress that the College of Agriculture has made over the past few months. This semester has been quite a success for the Diversity Programs Office. The office has continued its work on updating the website, recruiting students through Cargill College for a Day, and keeping faculty, staff, and students current on our projects through our two newsletters ' Diverse Happenings and Diverse Tools for Success.
In addition to these projects, the DPO is now in the process of selecting student participants for Multicultural Academic Program Success (MAPS) and the KSRE Summer Fellowship Program. Overall, the DPO has made great strides, not only this semester, but this academic year in spreading diversity and cultural awareness.
We would like to thank all of you who have participated in and helped make our programs a success! We look forward to working with you again in the future.
Finally we are happy to announce that Jaeljattin Jaen is the newest member of the Diversity Programs Office staff. She will be the new graduate assistant. I hope you will all stop by and say hello!
For more information on Diversity Programs Office events and programs please e-mail Dr. Zelia Wiley at zwiley@ksu.edu or call 785-532-5793. --Zelia Wiley
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