The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
(Vol. 16 No. 28)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Last week I had the opportunity to have
a discussion with Jeffery Morris, K-State’s Vice President for Communication and Marketing. In that conversation, Jeff emphasized
his appreciation and enthusiasm for the way in which K-State Research and
Extension uses both its brand and the “Knowledge for Life” logo. Jeff is working with graphic designers across
the campus to gain a greater use of consistent branding through our websites,
educational materials, and all marketing pieces that reach the public. We both agreed that it is to our great
advantage to see that the public is always aware of K-State’s involvement in
everything we do. Jeff complimented the “Research and Extension”
identification throughout our documents, websites, and promotional
materials. Whatever eventual changes
may come to the look of the K-State brand, he indicated that “Research and Extension” would
definitely be supported in our continued branding of our work with our Ag Experiment Station and Cooperative
Extension Service clientele.
I am reminded that branding is simply that,
“branding.” The K-State Research and Extension culture of integrity, relevance, responsiveness, and excellence as an educational resource is most important in creating the positive
responses to our brand. On that note,
I want to point you to a video piece that resides within the “Agricultural Economics Research and Extension” website. As you follow that link, click on the video that displays from that
page. The AgManager.info website gets in excess of 50,000 monthly visits, and
provides a comprehensive source of information, analysis, and decision-making
tools for agricultural producers, agribusinesses and other agricultural
managers. In my humble opinion, I think
this short video does a great job of highlighting to breadth of programming and
potential impacts for Agricultural Economics extension. It shows the viewer the commitment KSRE has to relevance, responsiveness, excellence, and integrity. My thanks and appreciation go out to the team
that put together the video.
I
don’t take the time to go to all the websites or to see all the great
marketing, promotional pieces that are done through our creative, hard-working
professionals. If you are aware of some
other websites or materials that do a great job of marketing our programs and
impacts, drop me an e-mail and point me to them!
Have a
great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
USDA INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for grants and loan guarantees in the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) until June 30, 2010. However, DO NOT WAIT to submit your project application. No applications will be accepted after June 30, for this years funding; however projects will also be selected on the following dates for funding that is available at that time:
May 21, 2010
June 4, 2010
June 18, 2010
REAP is designed for rural small business and agriculture producers that install energy efficiency (EE) improvements in their existing business or install renewable energy (RE) systems for their current or new business. This program is not for residential purposes and is also not available to Not-for-profits and public bodies. Grants can fund up to 25% of a project's total eligible costs. Grants are limited to $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements or $500,000 for renewable energy projects. Grants as low as $1,500 for energy efficiency improvements and $2,500 for renewable energy systems will be considered. Under the Program, loan guarantees can also be obtained for up to 50% of the eligible costs of the project. Applications can be received continually and will be selected through a competition based on a set of scoring criteria.
Most rural projects that reduce energy use and result in savings for the small business or agricultural producer are eligible as energy efficiency projects. These include projects such as lighting upgrades, insulation, and more efficient heating or cooling units. Eligible renewable energy projects include projects that produce energy from wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. The program does not allow improvements to houses or housing units (including rental property) even if they are used as part of a business or agriculture production. Approximately 40 projects were funded in Kansas last year utilizing this program.
To obtain more information about this program, please contact the following Area Office Specialist in your area:
Brandon Prough - Hays USDA RD office, 785-628-3081, brandon.prough@ks.usda.gov
Larry Holz - Manhattan USDA RD office, 785-776-7582, larry.holtz@ks.usda.gov
Katie Casper - Iola USDA RD office, 620-365-2901, katie.casper@ks.usda.gov
Doug Clary - Newton USDA RD office, 316-283-0370, doug.clary@ks.usda.gov
For additional information regarding this and other USDA Rural Development programs, call the Agency's state office at 785-271-2700, or log onto the Agency's website at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks. --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu
STATE 4-H HORSE JUDGING CONTEST
As a reminder, the registration deadline for the State 4-H Horse Judging Contest is June 1, 2010 by 5 p.m. In addition to an entry form, a Participation Form must also be submitted to the State 4-H Office.
Registration information and rules for the 2010 State 4-H Horse Judging Contest to be held on Tuesday, June 22, at the CiCo Park in Manhattan is available on the 4-H website.
Check-in time is from 8:30- 9 a.m. The Contest will begin at 9 a.m.
Lunch will be provided for the Intermediate and Senior contestants. At the completion of the judging portion of the contest, the Beginner contestants will be dismissed. The Intermediates and Seniors will eat under supervision.
Registration costs are as follows:
Senior (14-18)/Intermediate (9-13) - $12
(Intermediate/Senior meal included in cost)
Beginner (7-18) - $5
Please note: The decision was made at the April 4-H Horse Board meeting that only the first place Senior State Horse Judging team will be awarded a travel reimbursement to attend a National Contest. As currently stated in the Horse Judging Contest rules, the top 4 teams will be eligible to attend a National Contest. This includes the first, second, and third place Senior teams, in addition to a composite team of the top individuals.
Please submit the registration information, Participation Form, and payment to the State 4-H Office: ATTENTION: 4-H Horse Judging Contest, 201 Umberger Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506. Please make checks payable to Kansas 4-H Foundation. --Sarah Dick sarahdd@ksu.edu
KANSAS GRAIN SORGHUM COMMISSION ADMINISTRATOR
Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission seeks dynamic, outgoing, part-time Administrator with excellent communication and leadership skills. Bachelor’s degree required, knowledge of GRAIN production and marketing, and bookkeeping experience preferred. Must have valid driver’s license and willingness to travel.
Send inquiries, cover letter and resume by June 4 to kgscadministrator@wamego.net. --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu
USDA URGES PRODUCERS TO SIGN UP NOW FOR CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced May 10, that producers nationwide are invited to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, the CSP offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and who agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial forestland. The deadline to be considered for the next ranking and funding period is June 11, 2010.
"Voluntary conservation practices by producers are an essential part of our effort to improve soil and water quality," said Vilsack. "Broad and diverse participation in the CSP program will provide producers with many benefits such as enhancing wildlife habitat and helping to mitigate the impact of climate change."
“I encourage producers who are interested in the CSP to take the opportunity to sign an application at their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office by the deadline,
June 11, 2010,” said Eric B. Banks, State Conservationist for NRCS in Kansas. “Then they will be ready when the final rule is issued.”
Congress limited enrollment for the CSP nationally at 12.7 million acres per year. Applicants will compete within state-identified ranking pools. The CSP is offered in all 50 states, District of Columbia, and the Pacific and Caribbean areas through continuous sign-ups with announced cut-off application dates for ranking periods.
Under the interim final rule published July 29, 2009, eligible producers may submit an application to enroll eligible land in the CSP on a continuous basis. Producers are encouraged to apply for the CSP now to ensure their applications will be considered during the next funding and ranking period. However, they can make their final decision to participate in the program once the CSP final rule is issued. The final rule will establish the policies and procedures for the program.
Potential applicants are encouraged to use the CSP self-screening checklist to determine if the new program is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about the CSP eligibility requirements, contract obligations and potential payments. It is available from local NRCS offices or on the NRCS Website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html.
The CSP offers payments for adding conservation practices and maintaining and managing existing conservation practices.
For more information about the CSP, please visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html. --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu
FACULTY SENATE UPDATE
Gary Pierzynski, interim dean and director, met with members of the College of
Agriculture and Extension caucuses before the final meeting of the 2009-2010
session on Tuesday, May 11. Newly
elected senators attended an orientation session.
Highlights of the 2009-2010 session involved many changes to
the University Handbook, including these recent
ones:
*uniform evaluations for administrators, department
heads/chairs and deans,
*passage of modified instructional duties policy (applicable
to Extension instruction) when illness, parenthood, adoption and/or caregiving
impact teaching responsibilities.
These changes and more are detailed on the Faculty Senate
website at www.k-state.edu/facsen/policies/.
At the May meeting, senators approved a resolution to
improve, increase tuition benefits for faculty dependents and spouses.
Ag and Extension senators who had completed their terms - Gloria Holcombe, Dave
Nichols, William Schapaugh, and Jim Nechols - received certificates for their service.
Past president Fred Fairchild was honored with a plaque. Mickey Ransom was
re-elected to Senate, so can’t continue as parliamentarian. Non-senators
may apply for parliamentarian. Pam Van Horn will replace Gloria Holcombe as
Extension caucus chair. The Agriculture caucus chair will soon be appointed.
Betsy Cauble, head of the Department of Sociology,
Anthropology and Social Work, is the new senate president. Gerald Reek, professor
of biochemistry, is president elect.
If you have questions about Faculty Senate, please contact your senators who
are listed at
www.k-state.edu/facsen/facsenate/10-11members/10-11senators.htm. --Gloria Holcombe gloria@ksu.edu and Elaine Johannes ejohanne@ksu.edu
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