The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
(Vol. 18 No. 42)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
State Extension Advisory Council will be meeting in Garden City later this week. That advisory council includes the following current and past Extension board chairs from across Kansas:
Steve Long, Greeley County (chair)
Carolyn Harms, Sedgwick County (chair-elect)
Janell Harmon, McPherson County (secretary)
Kelly Overmiller, Post Rock District (treasurer)
Brad Fuller, Kearny County (past chair)
Aaron Wolf, Pawnee County
Kyle Fulton, Ford County
Dean Fitzsimmons, Pratt County
Susan Bloom, Golden Prairie District
Bob Standage, Thomas County
Patsy Maddy, Twin Creeks District
Mary Bernhardt, Central Kansas District
Wally Wolfe, Dickinson County
Dan Peters, Pottawatomie County
Larry Dolci, Johnson County
Loren Snell, Shawnee County
Rich Barr, Douglas County
Jerry Hall, Wildcat District
Tim Dainty, Wildcat District
Gary Thompson, Frontier District
Keala Timko, Sumner County
I am indebted to the commitment and passion of this group of citizen leaders and advocates for the Kansas Cooperative Extension mission. Our faculty in and around Garden City will be giving the SEAC a look at the variety of programming built upon the diversity of audiences and local needs assessment.
Our business with SEAC continues to focus dialog on Extension districts and the educational delivery structures to best serve the long-term future needs of people in Kansas and K-State Research and Extension. And, to work on the strategies together to assure all Extension units are keeping up with those changing needs through both programming and delivery structures in the best possible way.
Thoughts and feedback are always welcome. And, have a great week. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
PASSWORD CHANGE DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 12
It's time once again to update your K-State eID password. This must be done between August 1 and September 12, 2012. You can change your eID password by visiting the K-State eID page and logging in with your current eID and password. Once you have logged in, click the "Change your eID password" link to change your password.
We highly recommend making your passwords longer than the 10 character minimum. One way to do this is to use a pass phrase, or several words put together or separated with spaces or other symbols. Those words must not be identifiable in the dictionary, but the phrase itself can be remembered much better than a short, complicated password. For more information on the password requirements, see the eID password FAQ page.
While on the eID site, you will also be prompted to update your password reset options. We encourage you to keep that information current, especially the alternate email address, since that can be used to reset your password if needed. You can also sign up for K-State Alerts on the eID site to receive emergency email and text message notifications as needed.
Once you have changed your password, make sure you IMMEDIATELY update it in any software or devices that receive your K-State email. If you do not get it changed quickly, you may get locked out of your email for a while. If you have multiple devices, we recommend turning them all off before you change your password and turning them on one by one afterward and updating the password as you go.
Finally, if you have a laptop or mobile device that you use on the "KSU Wireless" network on campus, you will have to update your password there as well. Simply visit the K-State Wireless page and follow the steps there to update your settings.
For more information and in-depth instructions, please see this post on our KSRE Support blog.
If you have any problems getting your password changed or have any questions at all, please feel free to contact us at 785-532-6270 or ksresupport@ksu.edu. For help with eID password issues, you may also contact the K-State IT Helpdesk at 785-532-7722 or 800-865-6143. --Russ Feldhausen russfeld@ksu.edu
GROWING KANSAS LEADERS: 4-H PROGRAM EXPANSION GRANTS
We are pleased to announce new Growing Kansas Leaders: 4-H Program
Expansion Grants in which we will partner with five local units (district or
county) to recruit volunteers and
increase 4-H membership over the next 3 years. The project includes developing
a “business plan” that will advance the goals of recruiting more volunteers and
increase 4-H membership, with a focus on reaching new and
underserved audiences. This project supports all three of the 4-H Focus on the
Future strategic priorities: Effective 4-H Systems and Structures, Volunteer
Engagement and Reaching New Audiences.
The funding is a result of some
exciting fundraising efforts by the Kansas 4-H Foundation. Pilot sites will receive $5,000 for their
program expansion efforts over three years. An
additional $3,000 will be available for supporting the volunteer screening and
selection process, including background checks. There will also be funds
available for professional development for Extension professionals and
volunteers leading the pilot, technical assistance, and program evaluation
resources.
A description of the Program Expansion Grants
including the application and timeline are available on the Kansas 4-H website. Deadline for application is
October 1, 2012.
Two webinars are scheduled for you to learn more about the project
and what is required to be involved: Wednesday, August 29, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.; and Friday, August 31, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Call in
information: 1-866-620-7326
Conference Code: 479-963-8009
Web Connect information: http://connect.ksre.ksu.edu/ks4h/
(Sign in as a guest)
If you are unable to attend, the call
will be recorded and we will send out a link later that day. --Barbara Stone bjstone@ksu.edu
"GROWING KANSAS LEADERS" 4-H CAMPAIGN
As the co-chairs for the 4-H Foundation’s “Growing
Kansas Leaders” campaign, we’re excited to bring you an update.
As you recall, at Spring Action Conference
Gordon Hibbard, President of Kansas 4-H Foundation, announced the $10 million
goal to support Kansas 4-H. The foundation staff has been working
intensely with the private sector to raise the funds that will help propel
4-H forward into the future. And your extension staff committee has met
several times to discuss staff participation in the campaign.
The kick-off to the public portion of the campaign will be
the first weekend of the State Fair. There will be an official announcement
on Saturday morning, September 8, which will include a video message from
Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker, who is the honorary chair of the
campaign. During annual conference, we’ll debut the Extension
portion of the project and how you can be a part of this important
event. So when you see the publicity at the state fair about this
campaign, know that you're a part of this exciting venture. We’re looking
forward to sharing more detail at Annual Conference.
If you have any questions, please contact any one of the co-chairs listed below.
Campaign Co-Chairs:
Susan Johnson, FCS, Douglas County
Chuck Otte, ANR, Geary County
Jodi Besthorn, 4-H, Sedgwick County
--Jodi Besthorn besthorn@ksu.edu
AUTHOR TO GIVE SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION SEMINAR AUGUST 28
Anita M. Kobuszewski, Registered Dietitian, author and Kansas State
University alumna, will present a seminar on sustainable nutrition on
Tuesday, August 28, on the K-State campus.
“Eat,
Write, Move: Living Green and Simply Sustainable from the Field to Your
Fork,” will be presented at 11 a.m. in 247 Justin Hall.
We invite faculty, staff, students and the public to join us for this presentation.
Kobuszewski's
visit is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension and the
Departments of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management and Dietetics,
both in the College of Human Ecology. --Mary Meck Higgins mhiggins@ksu.edu
NORTH CENTRAL REGION VOLUNTEER FORUM, LIMITED DISCOUNTED REGISTRATIONS AVAILABLE
The North Central Region 4-H Volunteer Forum (October 11 – 14, Wichita) Leadership team met Saturday at the Hyatt hotel and reviewed plans, schedule and budget for the Forum. It was a very successful meeting. Based on the review of the budget it was determined we could offer the Early Bird price discount until the number of slots allocated for the price level was reached. This means the $200 registration price will be honored until we reach the limit. Upon reaching the limit the registration price will increase to $250. There are a limited number of Early Bird slots left. Volunteers and staff planning to attend the Forum should register right away to secure one of the limited $200 slots. Forum registration will close September 21. For full information and links to registration, please go to http://www.kansas4-h.org/p.aspx?tabid=314.
Here are a few titles of the 50 workshops being offered:
- There's an app for that, Cake decorating, Foods, Games and activities to involve members,
- Putting science in livestock projects, Photography, Rabbits, Robotics, Growing 4-H Science
- Service learning, Sewing, Robotics, Technology, 4-H on the web and many more.
See you there, October 11 – 14, Hyatt Hotel, Wichita, North Central Region 4-H Volunteer Forum. There are still scholarships available for Kansas 4-H Volunteers. See the Forum information page, (second section), for information and application. --Rod Buchele rbuchele@ksu.edu
SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH – ARE OUR COMMUNITIES READY?
“Communities that recover successfully tend to drive their
own recovery,” said David Kaufman, director of FEMA’s Office of Policy and
Program Analysis recently at the Natural Hazards Workshop in Boulder, CO. “There
is a need for a shared sense of direction and urgency – collective preparation.”
With September’s National Preparedness Month just days away,
I wanted to remind K-State Research and Extension agents and specialists that
through the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN), we have resources
available to help families, businesses and whole communities become as prepared
as possible for disasters. Please take advantage of EDEN's NPM materials, which
include news releases that you can customize/localize to suit your needs. Other
resources available are editorials, fact sheets ... even placemats, among
others. Links to resources from federal agencies can also be found there. From
the EDEN home page, www.eden.lsu.edu,
click on Resources and National Preparedness Month.
Drought, flood, tornado and other information shared by our colleagues
at other land grant institutions can also be found at the website. –-Mary Lou
Peter mlpeter@ksu.edu
KSRE CONNECT WEBINAR TRAINING - AUGUST 22, 23, 29, 30
Training is being offered on August, 22, 23, 29 and 30, at 9 a.m.
This one-hour session is a
good overview for both new and experienced Connect users. No
registration is necessary. Simply go to http://connect.ksre.ksu.edu/connecttraining/ during the training time.
If you are new to Connect, this free program is a great communication tool. It is used for on-line
webinars, research, educational classes, collaboration, and even KSRE District meetings.
For more information, visit the TechWeb site, www.ksre.ksu.edu/technology/, or contact Gerry Snyder, gsnyder@ksu.edu,
IET, 785-532-6270. --Gerry Snyder gsnyder@ksu.edu
2013 NATIONAL EXTENSION LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT-NORTH CENTRAL (NELD-NC) PROGRAM
The purpose of NELD-NC is to provide current and future Extension leaders with
the vision, courage, and tools to lead in a changing world. Our continued participation is an opportunity to make a strategic investment in emerging leaders for KSRE.
The NELD-NC program
consists of four sessions and is sponsored by Cooperative Extension in the 12
North Central States. The 2013 program will be delivered by the University of
Minnesota Extension.
Session themes, dates, and locations:
Session
One: Understanding My Role as Leader - January 23-26, Chicago, IL
Session
Two: Entering the Realm of the Other - April 13-20, Costa Rica
Session
Three: Leading in a Shared Power World – July 14-18, Washington, D.C.
Session
Four: Integrating Leadership for Change - September 18-21, St. Paul, MN
Information
about the current program is
available at http://www.neld.extension.umn.edu/.
If you have questions or desire additional information, call Marie Blythe at
785-532-3066.
Current
class members would be happy to visit with you about their recent experiences: Cindy Evans, 785-232-0062 x103, cevans@ksu.edu; and David Key,
785-336-2184, dkey@ksu.edu.
You
can view materials developed by previous class members on our Website, http://tinyurl.com/9daya2s, as well as
viewing a list of previous participants by clicking on Leadership Programs
Participant Directory.
Participation
costs for county/district faculty will be fully funded through the Leadership budget. Tuition
for specialists will be covered through the Leadership budget and all
travel-related expenses will be the responsibility of their departmental or
area unit. Applicants must be able to fully
participate in all four sessions.
If
you would like to submit an application for the 2013 program, the form is
available on our Website, http://tinyurl.com/9daya2s.
Under Resources, select NELD-NC Application. Completed application forms should
be returned to Marie Blythe, 104 Umberger Hall, by September 24, 2012. Selected
agents/faculty members will be notified by October 5. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu
MARIE'S PICKS . . .
This week my picks are outcomes from Mary Lou Olde, Central Kansas Extension District; Bronc
Barrows, Golden Prairie District; and a success story from Linda Mirt, Sumner County:
**Working with the Senior Center director, we obtained a $2,000
grant to be used to purchase four computers to help update the computer
lab at the Senior Center. Five SHICK counselors will use the computer
lab and meet with people on Medicare to help them compare prescription
drug plans during the open enrollment season. The upgrade of computers
makes the SHICK Counselors' job easier. Cooperating with the Senior
Center and holding Medicare drug counseling there, seniors are also
exposed to the meal site and other services available.
**A special preconditioned, age
and source verified feeder cattle auction was held at a local auction
company in January. The majority of the calves had been weaned for a
minimum of 45 days and followed a preconditioning and vaccination program.
Several factors impacting price were recorded including, lot size, color,
sex, weight, and age verification status. At this auction, a total of
1,867 age verified calves were sold—representing 63% of the total number
sold that day. In review of the auction, our analysis showed that age
verification added $2.34 per cwt. and was statistically significant. Age
verification of steers added $2.75 per cwt. but age verification of
heifers only added $1.34 per cwt.—possibly because some heifers were bid
on and sold as replacement heifers, not feeders.
One more major factor played
into this scenario. We noticed that the value of age verification
increased as the number of age verified animals and the competition to
fill 50,000 pound semi-loads both increased. Peak premiums of $3.52 per
cwt. were available in the 650-750 pound weight range when there were
920 head available (13 semi-loads).
**One of our senior 4-H members did an impromptu speech at 4-H Days. The
question he drew was "The most important thing I have learned in 4-H
is... Why? He said "What I am doing right now--public speaking." He
went on to explain how it helped him at Citizenship in Action to
be able to address men in suits, to ask questions, to discuss a bill
they were presenting in the mock legislative session, and to share his
point of view. Without 4-H he would not have practiced public speaking
skills as he has at 4-H Days for the past nine years. He would not be
able to raise his hand at school and ask a question, not caring what
other kids thought--because he needed to know. Listening to him relate
how these opportunities affected his life in a positive way made us all
thankful for 4-H and how it "Makes the Best Better." This young man has
another year in 4-H. He will continue to learn, share, and be a leader
in 4-H. When he is out on his own, he will have these skills and will
know that he can speak up, question, persuade, and make a difference for
himself and the community as a whole. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu
|