The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
(Vol. 19 No. 35)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Extension and
Controversial Issues. Extension
professionals believe that educational opportunities and experiences are a best
way in which to learn and prepare to make personal decisions. At times the issue upon which we are asked to
provide education or to facilitate dialog and discussion can be politically
charged and/or controversial. The
Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare fits that description.
Dr. Sue Peterson, governmental relations director for KSU,
has received feedback questioning why Extension is promoting the ACA through
meetings and educational programming.
This question reminds me of the long list of controversial
issues and educational programs that are characteristic of past and present
Extension work. Let me offer a few, and
I’d be interested in hearing more from your feedback. Why was/is Extension providing education about the farm bill
and crop insurance; corporate hog farming and economic development; country of origin labeling; land use value appraisal; water quality
protection and livestock waste management; healthy eating and food choices;
crop improvement and genetically modified crops; health and healthcare choices;
and many more you can tell me about? All
those issues were controversial, and some had a greater political charge to
them than others. I think you can see a parallel. As we embark on any of these issues, it is never about promoting or advocating. Likewise, the ACA meetings and educational programming are not promoting or advocating ACA.
Extension’s role is about
increasing knowledge, understanding, science, discovery, and practice through our
educational programs. At times, when
choices are very limited and the best option is obvious, it may feel like we
are advocating. But rather, we are about
giving people the understanding, information and choices for which they can
then make their own personal decisions. And,
we are about educational programs that our clientele deem to be important, and
align with our educational mission and expertise.
I’ve heard from commissioners, business leaders, senior
citizens, and other concerned citizens that Extension should be helping the
people of Kansas to understand the provisions and choices of the Affordable
Care Act (ACA). Most importantly, to
help Kansans understand how their personal decisions relating to ACA
potentially may affect their lives, their businesses, and their
communities. All this work should lead
to Kansans having information they need to make their own personal decisions
about health care coverage. It’s not
about promoting anything more than having information and understanding of a federal
law that affects elderly, children, farm and ranch families, and just about
everyone who has need for health care and health care insurance. It’s not about whether we like the law and
its policies, but rather that it is current federal law and implementation will
affect a large number of people in Kansas.
I’d be interested in knowing what you are hearing from your
PDCs, Boards, Commissioners, and local leaders on the need for education and
understanding around the ACA and Extension’s role in giving people the tools
and knowledge for making their personal decisions related to health care. And, have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
KSRE ADOBE CONNECT WEBINAR TRAINING - JULY 10 AND 11 AT 9 A.M.
Want to save time, travel and money? Want to "Connect" to your audience via the Internet? Want to record and save your presentation for online playback at anytime 24/7?
KSRE offers for Free, the use of Adobe Connect to have online meetings and presentation webinars.
Training is being offered on July 10 and 11 (Wednesday and Thursday) online 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/ and sign-in as a guest during the training time.
If you are new to Connect, this free program is a great communication tool. It is used for online
webinars, research communication, educational classes, collaboration, and even KSRE District meetings.
For more information, visit the Technology site, www.ksre.ksu.edu/technology/, or contact Gerry Snyder, gsnyder@ksu.edu,
IET, 785-532-6270. --Gerry Snyder
KYLF WORKSHOP PROPOSAL DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JULY 15
We are recruiting proposals for workshop session instructors/presenters
for Saturday, November 23, for the 14th Annual Kansas Youth Leadership
Forum.
Topics should center on some aspect of leadership. Ideas might include,
but are not limited to: community service, conflict
management, citizenship, communications, decision making, leading by example, time
management, diversity,
business etiquette and getting involved after high school.
The
Kansas State 4-H
Youth Council members hope that you will be interested in sharing your
expertise or talent with this 14-18 year old group of young people. The
letter and proposal submission information are both on the State 4-H
Website, on the KYLF page. We are extending the deadline to July 15, and proposals should be submitted online. Questions can be
directed to Sarah Keatley, keatley@ksu.edu. --Beth Hinshaw bhinshaw@ksu.edu
WOMEN IN AG CONFERENCE
 Agriculture Women in 3D - August 9 & 10, 2013 - Olsburg, KS
Registration, speaker information, vendors, sponsorship opportunities and more can be found at www.dirtdenimdiamonds.blogspot.com.
About 3D - This conference is designed for support and networking of Rural Women and those professionals involved in Agriculture at all levels.
Agriculture today needs the support, input and intelligence of women just as much today or even more than the generations before us.
This conference has been created for women of all ages who are involved or interested in agriculture. Whether it be managing their own farming operation, as business partners, responsible for keeping the home fires burning, or wanting to learn more about this industry of agriculture.
If you have an interest for this sustaining industry on the end of the producer or consumer, Dirt, Denim & Diamonds conference is an opportunity for you to network, gain support, and educate yourself regarding all aspects of agriculture.
Regardless of your level of involvement, this conference fits everyone like your favorite pair of jeans!
Celebrate Women of Rural America. This conference is modeled after similar conferences in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. --Flint Hills Chapter of Kansas Agri-Women
UNDERSTANDING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT & EXTENSION ROLE WORKSHOP
You are invited to the August 13, 2013 workshop in Ottawa, Kansas for extension professionals on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by Dr. Roberta Riportella, Kansas Health Foundation Professor of Community Health. Dr. Riportella indicates that the Affordable Care Act will transform health care delivery in the U.S. and is the public policy education issue of this century. The workshop will provide details and understanding of what the ACA means for consumers and communities. This act has implications for agriculture, business, industry, and families and so it is truly a multi-disciplinary opportunity.
We invite and encourage all KSRE agents/specialists to attend. Details and registration information are available at http://bit.ly/17ELJMq.
Please direct questions to Gayle Price, gprice@ksu.edu, 620-496-9967; or Sharolyn Jackson, sharolyn@ksu.edu, 785-532-5833. --Gayle Price
MARIE'S PICKS . . .
Today
my pick is a success story regarding the 2012 Fair from Elly Sneath, Meade
County:
In
2012, youth livestock participants were asked to help make the Meade County
Fair 4-H Livestock Auction a successful event after a slow year in 2011. During
the summer, youths attended a training known as Quality Counts. Quality Counts
teaches tomorrow’s livestock producers’ best management practices, safe meat
production, and the six pillars of character. In addition, youths learned more
about how the county fair livestock sale is operated.
Afterwards,
youths were assigned businesses to visit. Packets were distributed to promote
the county fair and livestock auction. Many business owners were impressed with
the youths who stopped by. Comments included:
"This
is the first time in years I have received information about the fair.""It
was great to see them in their show attire to help support their
projects."
"I
didn't understand how the livestock sale worked at the fair and I've been a
resident of this community for decades. It was great to be able to learn
more."
Youth,
ages 7-18, were all required to learn the same information to present to one
business. It was impressive to see the dedication of the youth who went
above-and-beyond and visited more than just the assigned business. Although
increased traffic cannot be accounted for at the fair, many businesses hung
flyers promoting the fair that were handed out by the youth. The livestock sale
also increased total sales by more than $15,000! –-Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu
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