The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
(Vol. 19 No. 13)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Partnership meetings for 2013 are complete. At each meeting, we asked board members and Extension professionals to respond to global questions:
- Why would Research and Extension be even more valuable to the people of Kansas in 2025?
- How will Research and Extension be better in 2025 than we are today?
Some themes that were heard consistently across the four meetings included:
Why? - Source of research-based info; reliable source; knowledgeable source; locally relevant; bridging cultural diversity; providing leadership; trusted; Kansas State University; improving people's lives.
How? - Greatly improved marketing; communicating impacts in stakeholder terms; strong partnering with public and private interests; greater depth of knowledge; specialized professionals working in problem solving teams; district structure for program depth and breadth; focus and clear priorities; planning around the big issues; agile and adaptable; relational with stakeholders; being present and engaged in solving big problems.
These responses will provide guidance on what it is that we must do if we are going to exhibit all the qualities that describe why and how we will be better in 2025. To a cynic, this may look like a waste of time. To an opportunist, this can provide motivation to seek ways to improve every day. It is up to each of us to apply the determination and action necessary to become better tomorrow than we are today as Extension professionals.
Much more to come from the challenges and discussions of Partnership meetings! Have a great week! - Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
2013 KANSAS GROW 4-H GRANTS
Once again through the generosity of the Kansas 4-H Foundation, $10,000 is being made available to help you initiate those innovative ideas and projects you’ve dreamed of doing to help grow 4-H participation in your Extension Units. A hard copy of the Request for Proposals is being sent to each local Extension Office.
Two types of grants are available:
1) The Single Extension Unit or “Mini” Proposal requesting up to $500 with a two dollar award for each one dollar requested match required. [In other words, if you request the maximum amount, you must identify $250 in new match funds to add to the $500 for a total of $750 to work with!] THIS IS A ONE PAGE APPLICATION!
2) The Multi-Extension Unit Proposal requesting up to $3,000 with a one dollar award for each one dollar requested match required. [In other words, if you request the maximum amount, you must identify $3,000 in new match funds to add to the $3,000 for a total of $6,000 to work with!] THIS IS A MULTI-PAGE APPLICATION!
It is preferred that matching funds be committed by new funding partners from within the project impact area. Final proposals are due by close of business (5:00 p.m. CST) on Monday, March 4. Grantees will be announced approximately May 1, 2013.
To assist you in your proposal preparation, Rhonda Atkinson and I will host conference calls on: Tuesday, February 12, 10:00 a.m. (CST) or 1:00 p.m. (CST).
Dial-in number: 1-866-620-7326
Conference Code: 3159476378
These grants provide an excellent source of dollars to expand your programming in the 4-H Mission Areas of Science, Healthy Living, and Citizenship/Leadership. --Gary W. Gerhard ggerhard@ksu.edu
DIVERSITY PROGRAMS OFFICE UPDATE
It is Black History Month and the Diversity Programs Office would like to encourage everyone to celebrate by participating in various campus or
community activities throughout February.
The Diversity Programs Office (DPO) started the year in a grand way, by hosting the 8th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity Student Leader Luncheon along with the College of Agriculture, the KSU MANRRS chapter, and Cargill, Inc.
This luncheon was a part of the university’s annual Dr. MLK Jr. Observance Week. It took place Tuesday, January 29, in the Cottonwood Room in the K-State Student Union. The luncheon speaker was Dr. Eric C. Johnson, Senior Pastor of Mt. Calvary 2nd Missionary Baptist Church, in Canton, Ohio.
Dr. Johnson’s address entitled, "Is the Dream Dead or Alive," discussed the need for cultural competency, equality, and the end of social injustice. Members
of the MANRRS chapter helped with the introduction of the speaker along with several key parts of the program like the invocation and closing announcements. The audience was standing room only with students and some faculty. We would like to thank Raymond Hall, Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Tracey Gibson, Global Inclusion & Sustainability Leader of Cargill, Inc. for being a part of our special day as well. Cargill is a founding partner of the College of Agriculture's Diversity Programs Office and their continued support of our diversity efforts is greatly appreciated. We
hope you got a chance to participate in some activities during the 2013 MLK Observance week and if you
were unable to attend the DPO luncheon you can view it at http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/Seminars/p.aspx?tabid=405.
In celebration of K-State’s 150th anniversary, the DPO plans to kick off the celebration with the 2013 Wallace Kidd Memorial Diversity
Award. The purpose of this biennial award is to recognize outstanding diversity accomplishments of faculty, staff and students at Kansas State University. Recipients have demonstrated a commitment to diversity on the University campus or in the community through mentoring, outreach initiatives and other activities which advance the institution’s goal of inclusion. The 2013 Wallace Kidd Recipient is Larry Moeder, Assistant Vice President for Student Life, Director of Student Financial Assistance, and Director of Admissions. Mr. Moeder has worked in the Office of Financial Assistance since 1973, when he was a student employee. He was promoted to Coordinator of Veteran Affairs in 1977, Assistant Director of Student Financial Assistance in 1981 and Director in 1991. He has been the Director of Undergraduate Admissions since 1997. The event will take place Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 5:30 p.m., in the Little Theater (KSU Union).
February also means Valentine’s Day, Presidents' Day and Black History Month; please support the Black History Month activities by going to: www.ksu.edu/bsu. We look forward in seeing you and remember the College of Agriculture/KSRE
Diversity Programs Office is here for YOU!
If you have questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Zelia Z. Wiley, Assistant Dean and Director at 785-532-5793 or zwiley@ksu.edu. -- Zelia Wiley zwiley@ksu.edu
NATIONAL 4-H SCIENCE E-ACADEMY - FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 14
Please join us to participate in an interactive, online training opportunity to learn how to train volunteers and community partners in 4-H Science programs. 4-H National Science e-Academy Educational Highlights include:
* Participants will come away with the knowledge they need to train volunteers and community partners in 4-H Science programs.
* Subject matter experts, from across the country, will lead you through more than 22 hours of interactive learning sessions.
* Educators from within 4-H Science will make themselves available to answer questions and share their valuable experience and expertise.
We can promise that this virtual learning conference is unlike any other online learning opportunity that you have participated in previously. Please watch a short video Orientation of the E-Academy to learn more about this professional development opportunity.
Visit the E-Academy web page on 4-H.org for more information and to register for this training!
Once you register, be on the lookout for weekly emails leading up to the conference announcing the 4-H Science Multi-Media Challenge, the opportunity to share your best practices and programs in a Virtual Poster Session, and an opportunity to win prizes!
Dates of the 2013 e-Academy (6 half days):
February 26, 28
March 5, 7, 12, 14
Daily Schedule (All times Central):
11:00-11:45 a.m. Plenary Speaker
Noon-1:30 p.m. Session One
2:00-3:30 p.m. Session Two
3:15-4:15 p.m. Coffee House –Drop in for Questions and Answers
Content:
*Foundations of 4-H Science and Resources
*4-H Science 101-Science Self-Assessment and Competencies focusing on the Essential Elements of Positive Youth Development
*Volunteer Management: Science Rich Volunteers, targeting and recruiting volunteers for science, engaging new and supporting new and existing volunteers
*4-H Science Skills and Abilities
*Incorporating experiential and inquiry-based learning into programming
*Evaluation and Best Practices
*Fund Development
For general questions regarding participation please contact Gary Gerhard ggerhard@ksu.edu.
For questions regarding technology, content, and presenters please contact Ed Bender at ebender@fourhcouncil.edu.-- Gary Gerhard ggerhard@ksu.edu
KANSAS 4-H ROBOTECH CAMP - MARCH 18-22
Kansas 4-H RoboTech - Camp - March 18-23, 2013 - Rock Springs 4-H Center
Sponsored by: Kansas State University Research & Extension, the Kansas
4-H Foundation, and GEAR-Tech-21 [a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded
project of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln]
Contacts: Gary W. Gerhard, Ph.D.,
Professor and Specialist, ggerhard@ksu.edu and Josh Wilson, Environmental Education Specialist,
jwilson@rocksprings.net
This Spring Break Camp promotes 21st Century careers in
Science, Engineering and Technology through GPS, GIS and robotics. The program includes GEAR-Tech-21 robotics, GPS (global positioning systems), and GIS (geographic information systems) technologies through building and programming a robot, navigation, and mapmaking activities. Camp participants will have experiential and empowering learning adventures programming robots to complete challenge courses, learning how to operate GPS units to find hidden waypoints, recording data in GPS units and importing it into GIS to create custom and functional satellite maps, and so much more! The evenings will be filled with friends and fun camp activities such as a low ropes teambuilding and leadership adventure course, cabin crew
cook-offs, campfires, and more!
The registration fee is $250/ camper. The registration fee will cover all meals, snacks, lodging, and activities, and campers will be led by cabin crew counselors/adult supervisors and taught by curriculum certified instructors. Registration closes: March 1. There are a limited number of spaces and registrations will be accepted on a first come first served basis. The camp is open to youth ages 10-14.
By the end of the intensive camp, participants will have a much greater understanding of geospatial and robotics technologies, potential careers, ways to stay involved in these projects, and come away with new friends and excitement! For more information and registration please go to: http://www.kansas4h.org/p.aspx?tabid=317. Please click the tab for "RobotTech Camp" and a detailed tentative agenda on the CVent Page. --Gary Gerhard ggerhard@ksu.edu
FOOD PRESERVATION WORKSHOPS
Several Food Preservation workshops are planned across Kansas to help teach consumers about home food preservation. These workshops are scheduled for the following locations and dates:
- Dodge City, March 13, Christine McPheter, cmcphete@ksu.edu, 620-873-8790
- El Dorado, April 27, Barb Roths, broths@ksu.edu, 316-321-9660
- River Valley district, May 29 (Belleville) and June 14 (Washington), Gina Aurand, gaurand@ksu.edu, 785-527-5084
- Hutchinson, June 4, Jennifer Schroeder, jenj@ksu.edu, 620-662-2371
- Salina, June 5, Leah Robinson, lmrobins@ksu.edu, 785-392-2147
- Wichita, June 12 and July 30, Denise Dias, ddias@ksu.edu, 620-660-0100
- Winfield, June 25, Becky Reid, bkreid@ksu.edu, 620-221-5450
- Holton, June 27, Cindy Williams, csw@ksu.edu, 785-863-2212
Please contact the agents listed above for more information. If you are interested in hosting a workshop, please let me know and we'll get it on the schedule. --Karen Blakeslee kblakesl@ksu.edu
NATIONAL URBAN EXTENSION CONFERENCE REGISTRATION OPEN
Join nearly 300 extension professionals at the National Urban Extension Conference in Overland Park, Kansas on May 6-9, 2013.
Conference highlights:
- Collaborating to Improve the Quality of Life in Urban Communities – Chris Rodgers, National Association of Counties
- Partnership and Coalition Building – Eleanor Dunlap, LiveWell Greenville and SE Consulting, Inc.
- The Vital Role of Extension in Under-served Communities – J. D. Rios, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
- You Can Be a Part of Policy Solutions! – Jessica Donze Black, Kids Safe and Healthy Food Project
- More than 50 concurrent sessions, including two “Workshops on the Move”
- More than 30 posters related to conference goals
- Evening reception at Sporting Park, home of the Kansas City Wizards soccer team
Pre-conference highlights:
- Building Organizational Strength through Cultural Transformation – Sonny Ramaswamy, National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center – Makeda Zulo-Gillespie, University of Minnesota UROC
- Advantages of Diversity and Inclusion to Education, Urban and Community Development and the Cooperative Extension System – Edward Bullock, Bullock Innovation Group (B.I.G.)
- The Power to Change Anything – George Okantey, Purdue Extension Marion County
- Facilitated discussions and morning table talk
- Evening reception at the new Kansas State University Olathe campus, with remarks from K-State Olathe CEO, Dr. Dan Richardson
<Register Now
Conference website: http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/urban-extension/ --Jim Lindquist jlindqui@ksu.edu
JANUARY EXTENSION AGENT PERSONNEL CHANGES
Lisa Friesen, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Sedgwick County last day of employment was January 5, 2013. Funding for the position ended.
Neil Cates, Livestock Production Agent in Post Rock District began employment on January 6, 2013. His e-mail address is ncates@ksu.edu.
Teresa Hatfield, Adult Development and Aging Agent in Sedgwick County began employment on January 6, 2013. Her e-mail address is thatfield@ksu.edu.
Debra Wood, Family Resource Management Agent in Central Kansas District transferred from Geary County effective January 6, 2013. Her e-mail address is dwood@ksu.edu.
Dennis Elbrader, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in Cherokee County retired effective January 8, 2013.
Kaitlyn Peine, 4-H Youth Development Agent in Douglas County transferred from Johnson County effective January 20, 2013. Her e-mail address is kpeine@ksu.edu.
Lindsey Friesen, 4-H Youth Development Agent in McPherson County transferred from Butler County effective January 20, 2013. Her e-mail address is friesenl@ksu.edu. --Stacey Warner swarner@ksu.edu
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