The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
(Vol. 17 No. 19)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
I remain on Kirk Weisler's T4D e-mailing list. Some of you will remember having Kirk here for Annual Conference and for a training program at Rock Springs a few years back. I don't catch every one of his articles, but from time to time I make note. Click on The Qualities of Skillful Leadership, and give it a read. As you read this, I want you to think of yourself as a leader. If you don't think of yourself that way, I'd suggest reading The Qualities of Skillful Leadership a second time! Practice the points presented every day, and you will be a leader and a true professional. I don't care if you are professor, office professional, research assistant, Extension agent, program assistant, janitor, or the Dean/Director. If you practice those points, you will be a leader and a professional in the eyes, hearts, and minds of others. And, then, I think the following quote from Albert Einstein sums it all up.
“Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short
visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose. From
the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: that man is here for the sake of other men.” Albert Einstein
Ponder a while, and have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
P.S. Is Extension Still Relevant? Click on this link and read a feature story in the March 2011 issue of DTN/The Progressive Farmer. Please don't stop with the title.... read the whole story!! The article only really focuses on agriculture, but I believe there something to learn for all of us, whether in community, family, 4-H, or agriculture.
What do you think? Is Extension still relevant???
FURTHER UPDATE ON FEDERAL FUNDING ISSUES FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2011
The past couple weeks have seen lots of votes and excitement in Congress. The current continuing resolution expires on March 18, 2011. Earlier, the Senate defeated the resolution that passed the House that cut $61.0 billion and subsequently passed a resolution that cut $6.0 billion.
This week brings another House attempt for a three week extension of federal funding. This proposal seeks $2.6 billion in “earmark terminations.” Included in the earmark terminations are cuts of $123 million from research and education activities and $12 million from extension programs of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is believed this short term resolution could pass, providing funding until April 8.
I was in Washington, D.C., the first week of March, along with President Schulz, the Kansas CARET representatives, and other K-State administrators. We visited with our policy makers and made the case for funding the programs that are critically important to K-State and to Kansas. Of course, Sue Peterson is in daily contact with these offices, answering any questions they may have.
To be honest, there may be some cuts coming our way. We are currently looking at carry over and reserve accounts and starting discussions of how to proceed, when and if there are some cuts.
As I said before, we recognize that there are differences in every state and do not feel some of the strategies work well here. We have selected a strategy that emphasizes the positive impacts of our work; we do not want to emphasize the effects of potential cuts. We strongly urge you to submit ideas to us or to your national groups about the positive impacts.
Also, I will say again, “Let’s not panic.” We have a great team monitoring the situation and the effects on Research and Extension funding, 4-H funding, Special Grants, etc. They are providing updates to Ernie Minton, Daryl Buchholz, and Steven Graham. These colleagues, along with Sue Peterson, are constantly monitoring the negotiations and are communicating with the Kansas Congressional delegation.
If you decide you want to send a message to Congress yourself, as an individual citizen, using your personal phone or e-mail address, please first refer to http://www.k-state.edu/govrelations/contactwithleg.htm.
We must be very careful how we write and/or call legislators, whether in Washington, D.C. or Topeka. Thanks for your continued cooperation and assistance. --Gary Pierzynski, Interim Dean and Director gmp@ksu.edu
FAMACHA TRAINING SCHEDULED IN EMPORIA
Goat and sheep producers from across the state will want to mark April 7 on their calendar as an evening to be in Emporia, for FAMACHA training. K-State Research and Extension in Lyon County will be hosting Dr. Brian Faris, Sheep and Meat Goat Specialist at Kansas State University, as he works with attendees as they learn the workings of FAMACHA. The training will be held from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. on the Lyon County Fairgrounds in Emporia.
Stomach worms are the largest parasite problem in sheep and goats in the United States, and FAMACHA is a system to help control stomach worms in sheep and goats. This simple, practical system is a means to manage the worm population in your herd and should be incorporated into your full worm control strategy.
Often when worms are detected, the common method of control is to treat the entire herd when possibly only a handful of animals actually require treatment. This use, although labeled, can lead to the buildup of resistance in the worm populations thereby reducing the effectiveness of the wormers. The FAMACHA system allows producers to make treatment decisions on an individual basis while at the same time reducing the need for anthelmintic wormers.
The training session is absolutely free although there is a $15 charge for the FAMACHA packet. Pre-registration is required to guarantee a packet, and is also helpful for those preparing food for the attendees. Pre-register before April 5 by contacting K-State Research and Extension, Lyon County, at 620-341-3220. When you pre-register, please indicate the number of FAMACHA packets you wish to receive (at $15 each). Food will be sold on site.
The FAMACHA system is an outstanding example of a method to improve animal health while reducing the number of animals treated and the potential for resistance buildup. In fact, it just makes good sense. So make plans to be in Emporia at 5:30 on April 7! --Brian Rees brees@ksu.edu
MARIE'S PICKS . . .
This week my picks
include a success story and outcomes from Lori Wuellner, Wyandotte County and Linda Beech, Finney County.
**Success Story from Master Food Volunteer
The story came from a volunteer who has been actively teaching nutrition-related lessons since she went through the MFV program at the Keeler Women's Center (KWC) in Kansas City, KS. The mission of the center is empowering women in the urban core through education, advocacy, personal and spiritual development.
One of the women in her MFV Nutrition Class told her how her mother's blood tests and general health have improved since she and her mother started attending nutrition classes at the Keeler Women's Center in Kansas City, KS three years ago. She/her daughter have generally been regular attendees at the Center where the mission is empowering women in the urban core through education, advocacy, personal, and spiritual development.
**Outcomes from Corporate Meltdown
In 2010, 245
participants (49 teams of five each) in the Corporate Meltdown lost a total of
1,244.5 pounds. Since the health initiative was introduced 11 years ago,
participants have shed a total of 8,304.5 pounds. That's more than four tons!
The name, Corporate Meltdown, is derived from the pitch to worksites early in the development of the program. About half of the current teams are based in worksites, and others are made up of friends, family, or church members who share an interest in improving health.
The community has come together to make the program happen. They started out by putting table tents in restaurants; but now also do print, radio and television interviews to promote the program. Finney County K-State Research and Extension, Garden City Recreation, Garden City Community College, and the United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries are working as partners to promote health. And fitness centers within the county now offer free gym membership for participants in the eight-week program. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu
"BUILDING POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN KANSAS" TRAINING TO BE HELD APRIL 26
Kansas youth development organizations are coming together
on April 26 in
Wichita to provide training to youth workers at the
"Building Positive Youth Development in Kansas" institute.
K-State Research and Extension, Kansas Enrichment Network (KEN), and
Communities-in-Schools of Kansas are partnering to sponsor the event
which features Cornell's Advanced
Youth Development (AYD) curriculum and Kansas' Afterschool Program
Quality Guidelines
and self-assessment tools.
Registrations of $50 are due by April 8. See registration details at Kansas Enrichment Network, "Network, Partners Offer Positive Youth Development Training".
For more information, contact Marcia Dorvak, mjdvorak@ku.edu, at the Kansas Enrichment Network, 785-864-9665; Malissa Martin-Wilke, at Communities In Schools of Kansas, malissa@ciskansas.org; or Elaine Johannes at ejohanne@ksu.edu. --Elaine Johannes
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