The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
(Vol. 16 No. 51)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
K-State Research and Extension Annual Conference 2010 is history. Thanks to Bob Gillen, Western Kansas Ag Research Center Director, for chairing the planning committee. And, thanks to all the members of the planning committee. You should have all received a message from Debbie Hagenmaier containing the link to the K-State Research and Extension Annual Conference Survey. Please take the time to provide that feedback as the committee begins to plan for the 2011 Conference.
As promised, Mark Taylor's keynote presentation, "Managing the Multigenerational Mix", was captured and now posted on the website. Simply click on "Managing the Multigenerational Mix" to go to the video. If you are like me, I know he covered a great deal of interesting facts encompassing the generations. I remember parts of the facts he presented, but not the total story. I've brought it up and am running it in the background while doing other things, like writing this Tuesday message. It is helping me to remember some of the key points he made. It was really good, wasn't it?
We also talked about developing excellence with Extension Boards. A task force of agents and State Extension Advisory
Council members was charged with defining Extension Board practices that lead to excellence and from that develop a
process for recognizing local boards for utilizing those practices that lead to excellence. The board assessment is divided into six sections: Board Development,
Management, Program, Personnel, Budget and Public Relations. It
includes many best practices that local boards currently use, and some
that they may decide to use in the future.
Excellence in Board Leadership is
a self assessment tool and process which will be introduced at
Partnership meetings in January, 2011. You can remind your Board members of the resources and tools that are available through the Extension Board Leadership Website. And, have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz
dbuchhol@ksu.edu
4-H SPACETECH WORKSHOP REGISTRATION OPEN
The Kansas 4-H SpaceTech Action Team and K-State Research and Extension are sponsoring a Southeast Area SpaceTech Educators’ Workshop on Saturday, December 4, at the Paola High School in Paola, KS (Miami County). Participants will get to attend two of the following in-depth workshops in one of three tracks: basic and intermediate robotics, basic and intermediate rocketry, and GPS and introduction to GIS. Registration is hard copy only downloadable from the website: http://www.kansas4h.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=52, or click on “What’s Hot” on the Kansas 4-H website home page.
4-H members (12-19-years-old), parents, volunteer 4-H leaders, Extension staff, and educators working with youth who are interested in 4-H science, engineering and technology (SET) project areas. This training is being held in the Southeast Area, but it is open to any Kansas resident on a first-come, first-serve registration basis. No youths 11 and younger will be accepted to this training. Consider sending a team of youth and adults from your county/district to be trained to take home valuable information. Parents planning on assisting their children during the training need to register for the training.
Registration is due or postmarked by November 15, 2010. Payment made payable to KSU, and a current copy of your Kansas 4-H Participation form must be sent in with your registration. The registration fee includes lunch, breaks, two workshops, workshop materials and training team costs. Registration fees are non-refundable unless KSRE cancels the workshop due to low numbers.
For more information, contact Deryl Waldren, Northwest Area Extension Office, P. O. Box 786, Colby, KS, 67701. Telephone: 785-462-6281, or e-mail dwaldren@ksu.edu. --Deryl Waldren
WORKING THROUGH FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
When it comes to working through financial difficulties and eliminating debt, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. If you want to get out of debt, you need three things--a plan, some money, and lots of determination. I can't provide you with the money or determination, but I can give some ideas about the debt.
*Know what you owe. This first step may be the hardest part of dealing with debt. Gather your most recent statements and list your debts in order, starting with the largest balance first. Next to the amount, list the minimum monthly payment and the interest rate.
*Prioritize. There are two ways to prioritize debt repayment: smallest balance to largest or highest interest rate to lowest. Start with the debt you can pay off the fastest. By focusing your effort toward paying down the debt with the lowest balance, you'll feel a psychological boost from eliminating one debt which helps build confidence.
*Get a free copy of your credit report. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act, signed into law by Congress in December 2003, gives every American the right to obtain a free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
*Track Spending. The best way to understand where your money is going is by tracking your current spending--money that is going in and out. By trimming and shifting priorities in your spending you will be able to apply more money towards your debts.
*Be cautious about home equity. In the past few years, Americans have withdrawn billions of dollars worth of equity in their homes. The ads and commercials are tempting, because the rates on home equity loans are typically lower than the rates charged on outstanding credit card balances. And the interest on a home equity loan may be deductible. There are dangers in home equity loans. Commonly referred as "reloading," the money is used to pay down credit cards, which are then charged up again.
*Get help. Sometimes credit problems are easily attacked once you've faced up to them. But for some people, the problem of overspending is a psychological one. In most cases, it's wise to seek assistance from professionals. Check with your local Better Business Bureau to find a reputable credit counseling agency.
Get out of debt. Save for a rainy-day. Live on less than you earn.
Source: America Saves, Preston Cochrane, President and CEO of AAA Fair Credit Foundation
--Cindy Williams, Member of the Family Resource Management Focus Team csw@ksu.edu
MARIE'S PICKS . . .
This week my picks include outcomes and success stories from Carmen Stauth, Kiowa County; Clint Milliman, Thomas County; and Jamie Hancock, Shawnee County.
Evidence of knowledge gain -- Revitalizing Rural Communities through Agriculture:
Absentee landowners learned about local rental rates and land
values and how these rates and values may be influenced through cultivation practices
for cropland and pasture amenities for grassland. An understanding of this information can be used for discussion with local producers to negotiate equitable
lease arrangements. Evidence of knowledge gain and behavior change -- High Plains Horseman's DayEighty participants in the High Plains Horseman's Day learned new training techniques and also spoke with other presenters on saddle fit, mare and foal care, insurance and leases, horse confirmation, and pasture management. Some
participants are experiencing different reactions
from their colts when trying techniques they learned. Horsemen are vaccinating more and asking about insurance
for their horses. Success Story --Homeowners have commented that the changes they have made in response to the information they received from the Response Line volunteers has made a difference in their lives. One man commented, "In my 57 years of life, the smartest decision I ever made was coming here." He received answers to his gardening questions and also found information about Go Topeka where he will receive $1,500 toward tuition and books for business classes to help his gardening and canning business. He is a disabled Veteran starting a new career. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu
NRCS EXTENDS SIGN-UP PERIOD FOR CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White recently announced the ranking period cut-off date for producer applications in NRCS’ Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) has been extended to January 7, 2011.
“We’re extending the deadline for applications to CSP to provide agricultural producers more time to complete their applications,” said White. “This will help farmers, ranchers, and forestry producers by giving them more time and hopefully allow even more producers to participate in this program.”
“With the additional time, farmers can use the CSP self-screening checklist to determine if CSP is suitable for their operation and then go to their NRCS office and sign-up for CSP,” said Eric B. Banks, NRCS State Conservationist in Kansas.
The CSP checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contract obligations, and potential payments. It is available from local NRCS offices or online at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html.
“The CSP has proven popular with stewardship-minded and conservation-conscious Kansas producers who have been stewards of the land for over 75 years,” said Banks. “So, it is only natural that Kansas is a leader in producers eligible for the program.”
Kansas producers enrolled over 1.2 million acres in 875 contracts for over $17 million. CSP is offered in all 50 states, District of Columbia, and the Pacific and Caribbean areas through continuous sign-ups with announced cut-off dates for ranking periods. The program provides many conservation benefits including improvement of water and soil quality, wildlife habitat enhancement, and adoption of conservation activities that address the effects of climate change.
All producers are encouraged to apply for CSP. The program, authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, 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 nonindustrial forestland. --Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu
KANSAS 4-H VIBRANT VIDEO REGISTRATION OPEN
Registration for the vibrant video training is now open. For more information and to register, visit: http://www.northwest.ksu.edu/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=19. This second video training will allow participants the time and technical support to strengthen the video and editing skills previously learned in the February 2010 training. In addition, another basic training will allow more KSRE staff and volunteers to create effective video clips for the Kansas 4-H Program, and other KSRE program areas. The dates are February 8-10, 2011, at Rock Springs 4-H Center. The registration cost is $165 for three days, two nights including seven meals and four breaks.
Level 1 Training: Sixteen slots will be reserved for eight new teams of two to be trained. Teams will be comprised of two members allowing each participant to have more hands-on time of equipment. Participants will learn about the tools and resources for making their own video productions. Patty Bean and Seth Ring, the TerraPod (Biodiversity subject matter) trainers, will be returning to teach and to assist with editing and other technical questions. Support from Kansas 4-H Youth Development will cover the cost of the trainers.
Level 2 Training: Sixteen slots will be reserved for eight teams of two to return for an advanced training from the first training. Each team member will need to bring a laptop for editing. Team members planning on coming to this advanced training will need to designate a specific 4-H video project, and then be capturing/collecting video footage this fall and winter for editing.
For more information, contact Deryl Waldren at 785-462-6281 or e-mail dwaldren@ksu.edu; or Rod Buchele at 620-275-9164, or e-mail rbuchele@ksu.edu. --Deryl Waldren
4-H HORSE INFORMATION AND UPDATES
-Horse Project Resources
Several resources for the Horse project can be found at:
http://www.kansas4h.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=43
-State Horse Show
Beginning with the 2011 State Fair 4-H Horse Show, the following changes will be
implemented:
1) Exhibitors will be permitted to participate in both the tie-down and breakaway
roping.
2) Exhibitors will be allowed two loops for the breakaway roping. Exhibitors will
have the option of carrying two loops or rebuilding first loop if the first loop is
missed.
3) Any class with less than three entries will be subject to review, versus five
entries.
4) The 3 year old Futurity project will be titled “3 year old Snaffle Bit” to match the
2 year old Snaffle Bit project.
-Horse Panorama
The 2011 4-H Horse Panorama will be January 29-30 at the Rock Springs 4-H Center in Junction City, Kansas.
Additional information concerning the 2011 4-H Horse Panorama will be available soon.
Please contact Sarah Dick, Kansas 4-H Horse Events Coordinator, sarahdd@ksu.edu, with any questions. --Sarah Dick
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