The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
(Vol. 16 No. 31)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Extension education is more than simply conveying
information / education to clientele. It
is about providing that information and education in ways that motivate the
clientele to change the way in which they do things ultimately to improve their quality of life and / or standard of living and that of the community within which they live.
I was recently informed by Sharolyn Jackson, Extension FCS
Specialist located in the Northeast Area Extension Office, that the Walk Kansas program was gaining some national exposure. She pointed to articles that were in the May 18 issue of the Wall Street Journal Digital Network, entitled, “The Power of a Gentle Nudge,” and of an
article on page 10 of the Summer 2010 newsletter of the American Institute for Cancer Research entitled “Teaming Up to Walk.”
Both articles emphasize the success of programs that provide a personal
nudge or pull over a sustained time frame in changing habits of
people. Causes me to think about the
1000s of people across Kansas who
are walking, exercising, eating more healthy, and doing some forms of physical activity because they
first got motivated through Walk Kansas! Quality of life has improved for 1000s of Kansans because of Walk Kansas!
Research evidence in moving people towards a
healthier lifestyle through prolonged involvement, learning, nudging, coaching,
and networking drives home the importance of a focused program with well
defined outcomes and program evaluation. I hope you would agree this logic makes sense for every major
educational initiative, whether it's changing/improving farming practices, parenting
habits, outdoor activities like gardening, protecting and preserving
watersheds, healthier eating habits, volunteering for community improvements,
or taking on local leadership responsibilities.
A well-planned, deliberate, rational, continuing sequence of
planned activities through which the clientele gain knowledge, acquire skills,
and make decisions will create greater evidence of changed behaviors than one
would ever anticipate from a disconnected, episodic Extension educational
activity, no matter how well that single activity is planned! That's why we emphasize developing a focused program with well defined
short, medium, and long term outcomes, and with planned indicators that will provide evidence of success. Maybe when going back to find the evidence, you might just persuade one more person to change to a better practice?!?
Congratulations to all of you who have supported 9 great
years of Walk Kansas, and I am
looking forward to a celebration of 10 years and the tremendous positive impact
Walk Kansas has had on people in Kansas
and beyond!
Have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
ANNUAL CONFERENCE AWARDS
The K-State Research and Extension Awards Lunch will be held Tuesday, October 19, during Annual Conference. This is our annual opportunity to recognize outstanding colleagues. I encourage you to review the award categories below and nominate someone by Monday, August 2. Send nominations to me at 114 Waters Hall or e-mail them to Dorothy Doan at ddoan@ksu.edu.
BUILDER AWARDS - These awards recognize individuals who have exhibited extra energy and creativity over a number of years in building new programs, audiences or institutions within K-State Research and Extension.
Nominations should include the following:
1) Name, title, address, e-mail and phone number of the nominee and nominator.
2) Maximum 2 page justification for the award.
DIVERSITY AWARD - K-State Research and Extension is committed to an emphasis on diversity in programming, workforce and relationships with other organizations. In order to recognize individuals who have embraced this vision, a Diversity Award will be presented.
Nominations should include the following:
1) Name, title, address, e-mail and phone number of the nominee and nominator.
2) Maximum 2 page justification for the award.
TEAM AWARD - The Team Award acknowledges outstanding efforts by a group of individuals addressing one of the Strategic Opportunities of K-State Research and Extension. Teams may include individuals who are not employees of Kansas State University.
Nominations should include the following:
1) Name, title, address, e-mail and phone number of the nominees and nominator.
2) Maximum 2 page justification for the award.
MENTORING AWARD - K-State Research and Extension faculty who have been employed for two years or less are encouraged to nominate a mentor who has helped them and others achieve higher performance and productivity. One award will be presented to a county/district
faculty mentor and one to an area/state faculty mentor.
Nominations should include the following:
1) Name, title, address, e-mail and phone number of the nominee and nominator.
2) Maximum 2 page justification for the award.
COUNTY/DISTRICT OFFICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Nominations should include the following:
1) Name, title, address, e-mail and phone number of the nominee and nominator.
2) Maximum 2 page justification for the award. Include information about quality of work, productivity, initiative, creativity, adaptability, teamwork, cooperation, and service orientation.
UNCLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR (for the College of Agriculture and all divisions of K-State Research and Extension on and off-campus).
This award recognizes individuals who are in unclassified non-tenure track positions, within K-State Research and Extension.
Nominations should include the following:
1) Name, title, address, e-mail and phone number of the nominee and nominator.
2) Maximum 2 page justification for the award to include special efforts and accomplishments. Include information about quality of work, productivity, initiative, creativity, adaptability, teamwork, cooperation, and service orientation.
I look forward to receiving the nominations by Monday, August 2. --Gary Pierzynski gmp@ksu.edu
PAYROLL SAVINGS BONDS TO BE DISCONTINUED
The U.S. Department of Treasury has announced that it will stop issuing paper savings bonds through employer-sponsored payroll savings plans. The paper savings bonds that have been issued through the payroll savings bond program will continue to be valid issues of the U.S. Treasury and will remain available for purchase at financial institutions. This change is intended to reduce the costs associated with the U.S. Savings Bond Program and to support the Treasury’s long-term plan to issue all securities electronically.
In accordance with this directive, the final payroll deduction for employees currently enrolled in the payroll savings bonds program will occur on the paycheck dated June 11, 2010. Employees with remaining savings bond balances that were not sufficient to purchase a saving bond will be issued a refund, paid in the same manner as the employee's regular pay (i.e., a mailed check or direct deposit). Our office will notify the current savings bond participants of this change.
Employees are encouraged to continue to invest in savings bonds and other Treasury securities through TreasuryDirect, a secure web-based system that allows investors to establish accounts to electronically purchase, hold and conduct transactions online for savings bonds and other Treasury securities. To obtain more information or establish a TreasuryDirect account, employees can visit www.treasurydirect.gov. Once a TreasuryDirect account is established, employees can continue to experience the convenience of automatic savings by requesting that a portion of net pay be directed to their TreasuryDirect account by changing their direct deposit online through HRIS employee self service, https://www.ksu.edu/HRIS, or completing a form “Authorization For Direct Deposit of Employee Pay,” and submitting it to the Division of Human Resources. --Division of Human Resources, 785-532-6277
WEED IDENTIFICATION FIELD DAY - THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 10
The North Central Prairie Weed Management Area (NCPWMA) and Solomon Valley Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area, Inc. will be hosting a Weed Identification Field Day June 10, at the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge from 9 to 11 a.m.
Confirmed speakers include Walt Fick, Range Management Specialist with K-State Research and Extension; and Jim Nechols, Professor of Entomology with Kansas State University. This will be an excellent opportunity for participants to learn how to identify and control weeds as well as to identify and learn the purpose of head and rosette thistle weevils.
The public is invited to attend and to bring plants to the Field Day to be identified. If you have questions about the Field Day please contact the RC&D at 785-425-6647 or view their website at www.solomonvalleyrcd.org. --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu
INVASIVE TREE CONTROL FIELD DAY - JUNE 17
An Invasive Tree Control Field Day will take place on Thursday, June 17, starting at 9:30 a.m. Location is W 190 Dr. and S 200th Ave., West of Covert, Kansas (about 6 miles SW of Osborne, KS). Ask Teresa for good directions.
The Field Day is hosted by the North Central Prairie Weed Management Area and funded in part by a grant from the Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment (KCARE).
Shears, Saws, Choppers and more equipment will be in action. Girdling, foliage, basal bark and more methods will be used on site. There will be a review of chemical treatment of locust trees and mechanical removal of cedar trees. Lunch will be served free of charge.
Presenters will be Keith Harmoney, KSU Ag Research Center - Hays, Range Scientist
Chris Petty, K-State Research and Extension Ag Agent, Graham County
Walt Fick, K-State Research and Extension, Range Management Specialist
Carol Blocksome, K-State Research and Extension, Range Specialist
Jim Strine, Kansas Forest Service, NW Area District Forester
To RSVP by June 15, contact: Teresa Webb at Solomon Valley RC&D
320 South Sixth Street
Stockton, Kansas 67669
Phone: 785-425-6647
Fax: 785-425-6308
E-mail: teresa.webb@ks.nacdnet.net --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu
BIOFUELS WEBINAR FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 11 A.M. CENTRAL
Persons interested in biofuel development are encouraged to participate in a webinar Friday, June 25, at 11 a.m. Agronomic
Impacts of Cellulosic Material Harvest – perspectives from the eastern
and western corn belt.
Presenters: Dr Greg Roth, Penn State University
Lex
Thompson and Bob McGrath Imperial Young Farmers and Ranchers
Dr. Greg Roth is an extension grain crops specialist at Penn State
University.
Dr. Roth has experience in corn grain and corn silage production. In
recent
years he has expanded his research and extension work to in bioenergy.
The Imperial Young Farmers and Ranchers completed sustainable biomass
study
in their home area of southwest Nebraska. Focusing on sustainable
removals of crop residues, feedstock value, innovative collection
storage
and transport systems among other issues.
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: http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/agenergy/. To participate, “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 the following URL to confirm
your
ability to connect: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/testconnect/. --Dan Kahl dankahl@ksu.edu
KANSAS PART OF SPECIAL INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE LESSER PRAIRIE CHICKEN HABITAT
Eric
B. Banks, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) in Kansas, announced May 20, that applications for participation
in a national initiative designed to improve the Lesser Prairie Chicken (LEPC) habitat
will be accepted through June 25, 2010. This initiative will also simultaneously
promote the overall health of grazing lands and the long-term sustainability of
Kansas ranching operations. Kansas has
received a $750,000 allocation for this initiative.
“Our
intent,” said Banks, “is to target technical and financial assistance on
expired CRP fields that are to be maintained in permanent cover and use them
for grazing.”
In
addition, financial assistance would be offered to establish and maintain
permanent vegetation benefitting the LEPC habitat on cropland and grazing lands
in 34 targeted counties: Barber,
Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Gove, Grant, Gray, Greeley,
Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Kiowa, Lane, Logan, Meade, Morton, Ness,
Pawnee, Rush, Pratt, Scott, Seward, Sherman, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens,
Thomas, Trego, Wallace, and Wichita.
“Many
of the expired CRP acres are large fields feasible to graze, but they lack
fencing, water development, and grazing plans,” said Banks.
Through
this initiative, landowners would be provided the opportunity to retain the
cover established through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and NRCS
would assist them transitioning this cover to managed grazing lands. Conservation practices, such as fencing,
water development and others would be available for financial assistance to aid
in developing and enhancing the existing cover.
“This
initiative is also available to help address the unique circumstances and
concerns of socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and beginning farmers and
ranchers who are interested in improving Lesser Prairie Chicken habitat on
their land," said Banks.
"In
Kansas, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and beginning farmers and
ranchers will receive a higher payment rate for conservation practices related
to this initiative."
In
addition to Kansas, four other states--Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and
Texas--have significant expiring CRP acreage and have counties with populations
of LEPC. These states are also taking
part in this initiative.
For additional information go to the Kansas NRCS
web page at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/lepc
or contact your local NRCS field office. --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY TO HOST DIALOG ON SUSTAINABILITY
The Consortium for Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability (CESAS) and its partners will host the Fifth Annual Dialog on Sustainability: Green Jobs— Finding the Right Path Forward, on Thursday, July 22, 2010, at the Leadership Studies Building on the main K-State campus. Focus of the one-day dialogue is to discuss current efforts to integrate concepts of sustainability, the green economy and green jobs into industrial, agricultural and community efforts in Kansas and beyond.
Attendees will participate in discussions about what the needs are and what higher education can do to prepare adults to meet these needs. Sessions will be held throughout the day on Kansas wind/renewable energy efforts, "greening" food systems from an employment and production standpoint, and developing a vision for sustainable communities and local economies. Activities will include panel discussions, small group dialogs, posters, exhibits and more.
Exhibits and posters, including information on courses related to green jobs and sustainability are welcome. Those interested in presenting a poster at the event or who would like to set up an exhibit, should contact the Center for Hazardous Substance Research at chsr@ksu.edu or call 785-532-6519.
The public is invited to attend any or all of the sessions at no charge, but pre-registration is encouraged. For further information, go to www.engg.ksu.edu/CHSR/sustainability. --Larry Erickson lerick@k-state.edu
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