The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
(Vol. 19 No. 31)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Brief budget update. We are still attempting to sort out the budget reductions that will impact all of Research and Extension and Kansas State University. The situation remains serious in planning for these reductions. We are awaiting further guidance from the KSU central administration. You may know that President Schulz presented a tuition proposal to the Board of Regents for which he indicated a part of that proposal was to assist with the cuts that were made to Kansas State University, including Research and Extension. And, the Governor has not yet signed the budget bill. Each step in the process could affect how and how much of a reduction we will need to take. As it unfolds, we will keep you in the loop.
Repeating from last week, the state budget for FY2014 has
K-State Research
and Extension with a 1.5%, roughly $724,000, across the board
reduction. Additionally, a salary sweep with an estimated
impact of $1.9M is included for Research and Extension. At this time we
don’t know how this will
divide out for the Experiment Station or for Extension. Research and Extension had already undergone a serious
budget reduction through the federal sequestration costing us an estimated 8%
reduction in our federal funding. This adds roughly a $750,000 reduction. In round numbers, the combined federal and state total reduction for both Research and
Extension will be something in the range of $3.4 to 3.5 million. The combined federal and state total reduction just for Extension for FY2014 will be somewhere around $1.4 to 1.5 million.
We understand some legislators have been suggesting that Extension will experience a 10% reduction. Without having any way to either agree or refute their statements, I have no idea where that conclusion is drawn. The state general fund reduction for Research and Extension is somewhere between 5.5% and 6.0%. When you add in the federal reduction, it pushes it to just slightly over 7%. And, so now you can understand how confusing all of this gets. And, please remember, even the numbers above are rounded and rough estimates and could change as more information comes out from Topeka and through KSU central administration.
We will continue to provide updates and go at this planning effort as the factual information unfolds. I recognize boards and concerned citizens keep asking questions, and to suggest a definite action at this time would only feed rumor and misinformation. We want to keep that at a minimum.
As we go through these turbulent times with budget reductions hitting us with both federal and state reductions, I am reminded at how important it is that our workforce remain focused on your priorities in Extension educational programming and engaging with clientele. Our greatest source of advocacy still remains with the outstanding work that you do in support of finding solutions for the big issues, needs, and opportunities of Kansans, the people we serve. Thanks for all you do! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
2013 WALNUT COUNCIL FIELD DAY
On Thursday June 13, the Kansas Chapter of the Walnut Council is sponsoring
the Walnut Council Field Day at the John Chase Walnut Plantation, 569 2700 Ave., in Abilene.
The
purpose of the field day is to provide an opportunity for landowners,
foresters, scientists, forest industry and other natural resource
professionals to learn the latest information about the growth,
management and marketing of black walnut and other fine quality
hardwoods. The field day will begin with a background and history of the
plantation provided by Larry Riat, former Dickinson County Ag Agent,
who for over 30 years has been responsible for the care of the
plantation. Other topics include: Thousand Canker Disease Update,
Projecting Future Value of Walnut, Managing Plantation Regeneration,
Soils and Black Walnut Growth, Wildlife Habitat & Killing Brome, and
Thinning & Crown Competition.
Registration
is $12, lunch provided, and can be mailed to Kansas Chapter of Walnut
Council, 5197 114th St., Meriden, KS 66512. Call Larry Rutter at
785-484-2509 or email lrutter@embarqmail.com if you have questions or need more information. Or you can visit our website to see a copy of the brochure at https://www.kansasforests.org/news/calendar.shtml.
Hope to see you all there! --Leslye Haller lahaller@ksu.edu
KARL CLASS XI TRIP TO PERU – LAST OF MY JOURNAL ENTRIES
It was the Friday that precedes Palm Sunday and the next to the last day in glorious Peru. We were not to depart to Lima from Cusco until 11 a.m., so we had some time to ourselves. I ventured out into the city in search of spices so that I could carry home some of the tastes of Peru. I walked around until I found the market. On my way to market, I passed several school and church yards. The churches usually had schools associated with them. The uniformed students were accompanied by mom, dad, or both. Hand-in-hand, the parents escorted their children to the gates of the church schools. Besides the usual energy of the streets, there was much preparation for Palm Sunday. The mothers had fashioned Crosses and baskets out of palm leaves, which were for sale. The palm crosses were adorned with rosemary, red berries, and sprigs of oregano. Interestingly, when I had declared my palm cross at U.S.D.A. Customs in Houston, the red berries and oregano were confiscated, but I was allowed to keep the palm cross, its basket, and the rosemary. The cross still ornaments my mantle to remind me of the beautiful, happy, and hard-working people of Peru.
Actually, I had purchased my palm cross while Juan Oñitas was cleaning my shoes. I had stuck up a conversation with him about the art of shining shoes. I was wearing turquoise, suede Dansko clogs,so I did not think they could be cleaned, and they certainly could not be shined. Or so I thought. I said, “Qué se puede hacer con ellos, Papa?” What can be done with these, respected mister? I pointed to my shoes. “Papa” is a term of endearment that I learned from the “mothers” selling palms. Juan answered, “Mira.” Look. He pulled out several colored powders and mixed them until he came to the turquoise of my shoes. After a vigorous brushing (as is the usual way of cleaning suede), Juan rubbed the contents of his small tin into my shoes. They looked brand new! Here he is.
There was a bit of waiting in Cusco before the flight to Lima, and a little more waiting in Lima before the flight to Houston. The time was well spent playing cards, visiting, watching people, and reflecting. I was happy to have the waiting time. Now, it’s been about 12 weeks since the trip. I have some notes in my journal that must have come from reflections on my KARL experience. Some are my thoughts, and some are others’. I think they look best in bullets: - Recognize the humanity in all people
- Lead wherever you find yourself
- Don’t meet your enemy on his low ground
- Have a positive sense of urgency
- Engage in collective action
- Recognize your own privilege
- Cherish your relationships
- Recognize quiet leadership
- Do not fight autonomy in others
The international trip is the next to the last culminating experiences for Kansas Agricultural and Rural Leadership program members. KARL, Inc. is a non-profit leadership program with its office based in Umberger Hall on the K-State campus. My thanks go to, then Dean, Gary Pierzynski and the Finnup Scholarship fund at my Community Congregational Church in Garden City for supporting my KARL tuition. Thank you also to my leaders for allowing me the time for participation in the program. --Debra Bolton dbolton@ksu.edu
MARIE'S PICKS . . .
My picks this week are outcomes from Jonie James,
McPherson County; Stacy Campbell, Ellis County; and Brian Rees, Lyon County:
**Lease education occurred through Ag Profitability
conferences, individual consultations, and day long agricultural lease
workshops. Participants gained an understanding of types of leases,
principles of developing equitable leases, ethics of leasing, current market
conditions, and use of KSU lease decision-making tools. Application of
these principles will ensure mutually beneficial relationships and help sustain
long-term profitability.
Through one on one consultations, more than 50
landlords/producers were helped to determine one or all of the following:
1. Land rental rate
2. Written lease agreement
3. Understanding of the rules that apply to verbal
lease arrangements
4. How to terminate a lease agreement
5. Improved communication between landlord and tenant
Individual
consultations helped 15 ag producers determine their cost of production
allowing them the opportunity to better decide which crops to plant, and at
what point they could begin marketing at a profit. This information also
allowed them to better understand what they could equitably pay their landlord
in land rent.
Two
landlords who participated in the grain marketing program, made the decision to
use marketing tools they learned about to lock in a more average price for
their grain, instead of taking a chance and hoping for a good price at harvest.
**Twenty-six
youths who attended the Rangeland Youth Camp demonstrated that they understood
how to calculate the stocking rate potential of a pasture, once they knew the
available forage the land produced.
**More than 60 producers from across a
50 mile area attended an installation demonstration of a tire tank watering
source for cattle water below a pond dam. The pipe and valve had been installed
when the pond was built, and the interest was very high in light of the number of
ponds that have been cleaned out over the past two years. NOBODY wants to clean
them again, and using a tank below the pond while fencing the cattle out of the
pond will allow the cattle a fresher, cleaner source of water and also
dramatically extend the life of the pond. Following the demonstration and
posting of pictures on the web, an additional 20-30 phone calls, visits, or
questions were received while in the community on the topic. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu
NAVIGATING DIFFERENCE UPDATE
Congratulations to Class #3, having successfully completed the Navigating Difference Training held on May 22-23, 2013. These individuals include: Nadine Sigle, Sandy Johnson, Gregg Hadley, Jen Schoenfeld, Diann Gerstner, Amy Lorenzen, Marty Fear, Dale Fjell, Chris Onstad, Cynthia Dixson, Molly Trausch, Robyn Deines, and Lupita Fabregas. We very much appreciate your willingness to learn and participate in such opportunities. We would also like to thank the trainers: Deryl Waldren, Melinda Daily, Charlotte Shoup Olsen, and Zelia Wiley. It would not have been a success without them!
Our next training will be held in Salina, on November 13-14. If you are interested in participating in future Navigating Difference Trainings, please contact the Diversity Programs Office at 785-532-5793; Zelia Wiley, zwiley@ksu.edu; and Charlotte Shoup Olsen, colsen@k-state.edu. --Zelia Wiley
DIVERSITY PROGRAMS OFFICE UPDATE
Welcome to the Summer! We are excited to announce the arrival of the KSRE Multicultural Fellows Research Program; this program will last for eight weeks. The KSRE mentees and mentors are:
Sydney Baltimore, Tuskegee University – Dr. John Gonzalez
Isis Lopez, University of Puerto Rico – Dr. Anna Whitfield
Donunique Fine, Tuskegee University – Dr. Ganga Hettiarachchi & Dr. Gary Pierzynski
Aja West, Tuskegee University – Dr. Randy Phebus
Lauriel Stewart, Tuskegee University – Dr. Fadi Aramouni
On June 14, the Multicultural Academic Success Program (MAPS) will arrive and the College of Agriculture will have 13 MAPS participants out of the 44 total.
The DPO is quite proud to see our students graduate and move on to new endeavors. Our Cargill Graduate Assistant, Daja Menefee, graduated with a M.S. in Agricultural Economics. Dajahas accepted a job with Cargill AgHorizons in Minnesota and will begin in the fall. It has been a pleasure having her in the office and we are sad to see her go! We wish Daja luck and know she will make K-State proud!
We wish you well as the hot summer days begin and please know that you’re welcome to stop by our office, located in 139 Waters Hall. Please contact Dr. Zelia Wiley, zwiley@ksu.edu, at 785-532-5793 if you would like more information about our programs. --Zelia Wiley zwiley@ksu.edu
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