The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
(Vol. 18 No. 8)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
The end of the year and the holiday season is upon us. Thank you for your
dedication and meaningful work for which you have been engaged in serving the
wants, needs, interests, and desires of the people in Kansas through your Extension
educational programming. We've continued to make great strides across the system in serving clientele and expanding our reach with new and different programs and audiences.
Our 2012 report to the legislature will be coming in January and will highlight several outstanding programs that are making a difference with Kansans. One example we are highlighting is in our nutrition education programming. The learning that happens through that program goes far beyond nutrition and healthy food choices to a means of strengthening family through communication, meal preparation, and sitting down together to eat a nutritious meal. Some of us tend not to recognize the societal value that program provides beyond learning the connections of diet, nutrition, and food healthy choices to better living.
Another example will be farm management educational programs and services. By targeting women in farm and ranch management educational programs, K-State Research and Extension is helping build a stronger foundation for the decisions and operations of farm and ranch businesses. A benefit beyond the farm operation sounds somewhat like our nutrition programs in how it strengthens communication between wife and husband, and strengthens family connections.
Then there will be all the ways in which K-State Research and Extension serves educational needs through fundamental research, outstanding engagement, and educational programs reaching targeted clientele and stakeholders.
The report highlights many successes across K-State Research and Extension. As you read them, you will find that success comes in many different ways. Our success is in the ways in which we work to first understand, and then to develop solutions. Our success is in ways in which we partner in creating solutions. Our success is in the ways in which we communicate solutions. Our success is in the ways in which we deliver solutions. Our success is in the ways in which the solutions transform and benefit our target audiences and ultimately the people of Kansas. Our goal remains constant, to improve the quality of life and
standard
of living for the people of Kansas. K-State Research and
Extension
takes great pride in the connections, relationships, partnering that we
do with
those interested stakeholders in industry, organizations, coalitions,
agencies,
and informal groups. It is through all such connections that solutions emerge and our resulting work increases by multiples its return on the public investment.
K-State Research and Extension is constantly evolving and changing. As I have heard it said many times, the one constant in life is change. And, for us to remain valued and relevant, we must be changing in response to the needs of Kansas. I appreciate the strides we’ve made in all areas of
programming to keep the foundation of research-based, contemporary, relevant
information and education at the forefront of developing new solutions.
Thanks again for all you do in furthering the great work of
K-State Research and Extension. It has
been truly a great year. Have a great
couple weeks, travel safely, enjoy a meaningful holiday season, and I’ll look
forward to continuing to communicate through this newsletter again beginning on
January 3, 2012! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
DEAN / DIRECTOR CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED
At this time I hope everyone has received a message regarding the four finalists to be interviewed for the position of dean of the College of Agriculture and director of K-State
Research and
Extension. The interview schedule, letter of application, statement of vision and purpose, and curriculum vitae is provided for each candidate at the following website: http://www.k-state.edu/provost/searches/.
Finalists include: Dr.John Floros, professor and
head of the
department of food science at Pennsylvania State University; Dr. Chuck Hibberd,
associate vice provost for Purdue Engagement, associate dean
of Purdue
Agriculture, and director of Purdue Extension at Purdue
University; Dr. Gary
Pierzynski, interim dean and director of K-State Agriculture,
Research and
Extension at Kansas State University; and Dr.
Geoff Dahl, professor and chair of the department of animal
sciences at
the University of Florida.
Each
candidate will present an open public seminar from 2-3:45
p.m. in the
K-State Alumni Center Ballroom on the first full interview day. The public seminars will be videostreamed and archived
for viewing at
the above website for 48 hours following each seminar. In order
to received input from our
constituents, online feedback forms for each candidate will be
available beginning with the start of their individual
interview schedules
and closing at the time their seminar is removed from the
website. This is so that candidates are evaluated
based on their individual attributes and not through a
comparison to the other
candidates. K-Staters participating via
video may email questions to suzy@k-state.edu during the
question and
answer portion of the seminar and they will be asked. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ku.edu
KEAFCS AWARD APPLICATIONS ARE DUE JANUARY 17
This year the KEAFCS
Webpage, http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/agent_association/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=117,
has been updated to include all award information.
The Scholarships,
Friend of FCS, First Timer, DSA, Continued Excellence, Program and
Communication Awards must be postmarked by January 17, 2012. Details for each of these awards and the
process for applying is on the website. The lists of members eligible for DSA, Continued Excellence and New Professional are available on the website.
We encourage you
to consider applying or nominating a peer for an award this year. If you
need help as you go through this process, please let us know. We are
willing to review and make suggestions on any applications.
Contact Christine
McPheter, VP of Member Resources, cmcphete@ksu.edu,
for the Scholarships, Friend of FCS, and First Timer Awards. Contact Robin Eubank, VP of Awards, reubank@ksu.edu, for all other
awards. --Robin Eubank
CHANGE AGENTS STATES AND NAVIGATING DIFFERENCE
Our Change Agents States (CAS) catalyst team is charged with promoting human diversity in the Research and Extension system. Of course, before we could teach others how to seek understanding of difference, we had to get to know ourselves through explorations of other cultures and belief systems. We took field trips to learn about various ethnic groups in Kansas such as Amish in Yoder, American Indians at Haskell University, and Hispanic laborers in Southwest Kansas. The learning is ongoing and will never stop, because we all have differences.
About two years ago, Change Agents States members learned how to facilitate participants through a program called, Navigating Difference, which came to us from Washington State University. We spent the past year providing Navigating Difference to county offices, at Annual Conference, and to varying agent updates.
As we enter our third year of existence, the Change Agents State catalyst team now offers you the opportunity to participate in a workshop called, Navigating Difference. The program sets its participants on a path to discovery by helping us to identify our own areas of difference. It also helps participants to get in touch with ways prejudices, negative and positive, are harbored. Those discoveries lay the ground work for understanding others who are not like me and you. You see, when humans begin to understand one another, we tear down the barriers and take away the fears that lead to discrimination and inequalities in human systems. When the CAS catalyst team members were acquiring the skills to become trainers of Navigating Difference, we had to identify the traditions and practices that gave us our family and community cultures. It was not until we understood ourselves that we could help others with their self-discoveries.
In 2012, you have the opportunity to participate in Navigating Difference free of charge. The three-day program is scheduled for both eastern and western Kansas. The first opportunity will be February 14-16 in Lawrence. Then the team will be in Garden City November 13-15. Mark your calendars.
For more information and registration, please visit http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/FCS/p.aspx?tabid=123.
Registration is due by January 30. Hurry, the class size will be
limited to the first 30 participants. Hotel reservations are due by
January 17. --Debra Bolton dbolton@ksu.edu
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR AGING RETREAT
The Adult Development and Aging PFT has organized an aging program retreat for April 18 and 19 at the Hesston Crosswinds Conference Center.
The retreat begins with an optional tour of the Kauffman Museum in North Newton. Here we'll learn about the Mennonite culture and their view of aging. The group will also have lunch together at the Bread Basket. Meal and tour expenses are on your own expense.
The conference registration begins at 1:30 with the first speaker, Brent Anders, at 2:15 p.m. Brent Anders is from the Office of Mediated Education and will share adult education principles.
Later in the afternoon, the KSU English department will help us improve our impact statements with their presentation, "A Story to Tell."
Thursday highlights include Dr. Rich Scheidt, KSU School of Family Studies and Human Services, talking on Environment and Aging Population. Carol Ann Crouch, Scott County FCS agent, will share her Assistive Technology presentation that she developed.
Also on Thursday we'll hear from WSU's Regional Institute of Aging Director, Dr. Teresa Radebaugh. Teresa will share their collaborative program, "The Falling LinKS toolkit." You'll be interested to learn about this online program available across the state.
Registration for this retreat is due by January 31. Aging PFT members will receive a free registration if registered by the deadline. Others will need to submit a nominal fee. Registration Link is http://goo.gl/OnlrG.
For further information, contact Carol Ann Crouch, ccrouch@ksu.edu; Christene McPheter, cmcphete@ksu.edu; or Kathy Lupfer-Nielsen, knielsen@ksu.edu. --Kathy Lupfer-Nielsen
HEALTHY YOU SUCCESS STORY
 WANTED: Inspirational Success Stories! It doesn't matter how large or small the steps that you are taking to become a 'Healthy You' ... we just want you to share! You can find the form to share your story by clicking on the Success Story tab on the Healthy You website - http://healthyyou.ksre.ksu.edu.
Read on to hear what prompted Doug Jardine to kick-start his bicycling adventures.
172 pounds! Wow, I never weighed that much before. Even worse news, my cholesterol level was 235! It was time for action. Following a strict low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, my cholesterol level dropped to 175. As a bonus benefit, I lost 25 pounds. A while later, I read Lance Armstrong's book, It's Not About the Bike. I was inspired to take up bicycling as a fitness program. In the past five years, I have ridden nearly 10,000 miles. I have gained back some weight, but mostly it's muscle and I continue to keep my cholesterol near 200. My doctor is happy...so am I! --Doug Jardine jardine@ksu.edu
ASK THE OEIE EVALUATOR - COMPARING SURVEY DESIGNS
Asking participants to participate in a survey and to complete a questionnaire is a common strategy for evaluating the impact of extension programs. There are different designs you may consider for a survey, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this installment of Ask the OEIE Evaluator, we will discuss three survey designs.
Q: Should I conduct a pre- and post-test? Just a post-test? A retrospective post-then-pre? How do I decide?
These three survey designs –- pre-test post-test, post-test only, and retrospective post-then-pre –- differ in the timing in which participants complete the survey and in the kinds of information sought at that time. Accordingly, each design presents particular advantages and disadvantages.
With a pre-test post-test design, participants are asked to complete a questionnaire at the beginning of a program and then again at the end. These questionnaires typically include some or all of the same question items so that you can compare responses after their participation in the program to their response prior to participation. The main advantage of a pre-test post-test is that you may infer the effect of your program on changes in reported attitudes, knowledge, and perhaps behaviors, based on participants’ responses “pre” to “post.” However, one significant disadvantage of this design is the possibility of participants remembering or learning from the pre-test, especially if the time between the pre- and the post- is relatively short, and thus responding to the post-test based on that and not what they gained from the program. And, sometimes participants can actually learn from the program that they did not know as much about a topic before as they thought they did, and thus, respond lower in the post-test than the pre-test! This is called a response shift bias.
When there are concerns about the time, energy (yours or participants’), and resources needed to do both a pre-test and post-test, you may sometimes choose a post-test only design. While this may be easier to implement, the post-test design only allows you to assess participants’ reported knowledge, attitudes or behaviors after the program. This makes it difficult to consider how these may compare to before their participation, and thereby, determine the actual effect of your program. Sometimes you can gain a sense of the program effect if you can also gather information from non-participants or identify comparable information (e.g., results from a published study).
Much like the post-test only design, the post-then-pre retrospective survey design is both time and cost effective. It is administered at the end of the program and contains questions about the participant’s knowledge and behavior after, but also before, having participated in it. By asking participants to reflect back on their knowledge and behavior before the program and to compare that to after the program, the post-then-pre retrospective design can be similar to the pre-test post-test design in that it can allow for inference of the effect of their program on changes in knowledge, attitudes, and/or behavior. This design can also help control response shift bias. However, the post-then-pre retrospective is not without its own limitations. For example, participants (especially children) may not always be able to accurately recall the requested information. Additionally, participants may report a change even if one did not occur simply because they know they were supposed to change. This is one form of self-report bias that can occur with the use of the post-then-pre retrospective design.
Questions about evaluation? Visit the Extension Evaluation Resources website, http://apps.oeie.ksu.edu/extension/index.php, or contact Amy Hilgendorf at OEIE, aehilgen@k-state.edu, or 785-532-5538.--Amy Hilgendorf
TIS THE SEASON FOR PHISHING SCAMS
The holidays are the time of the year that Internet scammers are the busiest. They are being creative with their scams making them look like UPS shipping notifications, airline reservation acknowledgments, Amazon orders, free iPad offers, failed bank transfers, and the classic email account notifications.
Remember to never open attachments on email that look like they are from retailers, UPS, or Airlines as they will never send attachments. Be sure to look at the links in email for oddities. Use Web of Trust, http://www.mywot.com, on all your browsers so if you do click on a bad link it may be caught before it causes any damage to you. If you have questions about a possible scam, check the K-State Security Threats blog, http://threats.itsecurity.k-state.edu, for known scams. If you have questions about phishing scams please contact IET, Support@ksre.ksu.edu.
Be sure to look and think before you click; then you will have a happier holiday season. --Larry Havenstein lhavenst@ksu.edu
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