The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, August 06, 2013
(Vol. 19 No. 39)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
Why should I be a member of professional association or organization? Whether it
be a civic club, non-governmental organization, professional fraternity,
or professional organization, it seems they all are asking you to pay
up your annual dues. So why should I
pay the dues and be a member? What's in it for me?
In
orientation for extension agents, I've continued the message that I heard from Dr. Richard Wootton, former Associate
Director for Extension, when he would emphasize getting involved within your
community beyond your assigned work duties. The message was to find a
civic, religious, or community organization for which to become
involved so that you get to know the community and the community gets to
know you beyond your professional role. That is very savvy advice for
us all, and hopefully you are doing that.
What about all the
professional societies, fraternities, and organizations? A professional
organization brings together individuals with similar professional
interests and varied experiences to share with each other. Paying your
dues is not about what the society or organization brings to you, but
what you contribute to the profession. As a new employee in the
profession, the professional organization offers the opportunity to
learn from others. It moves you out of isolation into a support network
of professionals, if you let it. As a more seasoned employee, your
organization offers contemporary review and renewal along with the
leadership roles you can and must take. It keeps you from becoming
stagnant and stale in your professional work. You will get new ideas of
ways to do your work. It offers a means to be involved with other
professionals seeking to improve their knowledge and skills within your
profession.
I am an advocate for a professional to be active in
at least one professional society. I also advocate for an extension
professional to be a part of Epsilon Sigma Phi. If you believe yourself
to be a professional, you are obligated to seek ways to continue your
professional development and growth. As an extension professional, being
a part of your professional society should be an automatic; being a
part of Epsilon Sigma Phi should also be your goal. Recently information went out to our more recently employed Extension professionals. If you didn't get the letter, follow this link and take the initiative to join the Alpha Rho chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi.
If you aren't
getting the worth out of your dues, make a commitment to do so. It's
really up to you to get out of your professional organizations what you
are putting into them. As a professional, you have that obligation. And, have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
HELP WANTED AT THE KSRE AND COA STATE FAIR BOOTHS
The
College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension will once
again have booths in the Pride of Kansas building at the Kansas State
Fair in Hutchinson. The Kansas State Fair runs from Friday, September 6,
through Sunday, September 15, 2013. We are celebrating 150 years of K-State history and 100 years of the Kansas State Fair. Exciting year for all of us.
We would appreciate
faculty and staff from campus, area offices, counties/districts,
Agronomy Fields, and Research-Extension Centers coming to the fair and
working a few hours in one or both of the booths. Also, we would really
appreciate agents and/or faculty, who are coming to the fair anyway,
signing up to work a couple of hours in the booth before or after your
activities.
Days and times that our KSRE/COA fair booths are open are:
Friday, September 6 - 11 a.m.-9 p.m.Saturday, September 7 - (KFMA taking this entire day)
Sunday, September 8 - 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Monday, September 9 - 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tuesday, September 10 – 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Wednesday, September 11 - (SG Co taking this entire day)
Thursday, September 12 - 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday, September 13 - 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Saturday, September 14 - 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday, September 15 - 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
If you would like to work in the K-State Research and Extension booth, please contact Maria Sweet, marswe@ksu.edu, by August 27.
If you would like to work in the College of Agriculture booth, please contact Sandy Klein, sandy@ksu.edu, by August 27.
We
will be in touch in late August/early September to finalize days,
times, entrance tickets, etc. --Sandy Klein and Steven Graham sgraham@k-state.edu
2014 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 2014 program will be delivered by University of Minnesota Extension.
Session themes, dates, and locations:
Session One: Understanding My Role as Leader - January 22-25; Chicago, IL area
Session Two: Entering the Realm of the Other - April 4-12; Costa Rica
Session Three: Leading in a Shared Power World – July 13-17; Washington, D.C.
Session Four: Integrating Leadership for Change - September 17-20; St. Paul, MN area
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.
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 2014 program, the form is available on our Website, http://ksre.ksu.edu/programming/. Under Professional Development, select NELD-NC Application. Completed application forms should be returned to Marie Blythe, 104 Umberger Hall, by September 9, 2013. Selected agents/faculty members will be notified by September 13.
Current class members would be happy to visit with you about their recent experiences. Contact Kara Mayer, 785-765-3821, kamayer@ksu.edu; and Curtis Thompson, 785-532-3444, cthompso@ksu.edu. You can also view a list of previous participants by clicking on Leadership Programs Participant Directory under Other Resources on our Website. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu
7 HABITS FOR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE - FOR EXTENSION PROFESSIONALS
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective
People for K-State Research and Extension Professionals has a strong emphasis
on effectiveness in the workplace. Based on the best-selling business book by
the same name, this three-day workshop experience provides the foundation to
strengthen the human side of performance at the personal, managerial, and
organizational levels. The content helps build a stronger organization by
strengthening and exercising the character and competence of the individual
employee.
K-State Research and Extension professionals will be equipped with the tools
and skills to work at the highest levels of effectiveness, both with and
through others.
This intensive three day workshop, December 3-5, 2013, will be held at Rock
Springs 4-H Center near Junction City. It will be led by a training team from
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. The workshop begins at 9:30 a.m.
on Tuesday and ends at 2 p.m. on Thursday. K-State Research and Extension
administration will cover the cost of the workshop materials. Participant
registration is $250, which includes meals and lodging.
Registration is due October 4, 2013. Additional information and registration is
available on the Employee Resources
Website >Registration. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu,
Margaret Phillips margaret@ksu.edu
2013 KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK
The 2013 KIDS COUNT Data Book was released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The Data Book, which is updated yearly, provides information on child well-being in four areas: Economic Security, Health, Education, and Family and Community. Find specific information for your units at http://datacenter.kidscount.org/.
Growing up in poverty is one of the greatest threats to healthy child development. Poverty and financial stress can impede children's cognitive development and their ability to learn. It can contribute to behavioral, social and emotional problems and poor health.
The federal poverty definition consists of a series of thresholds based on family size and composition. In calendar year 2011, a family of two adults and two children fell in the "poverty" category if their annual income fell below $22,811. Poverty status is not determined for people in military barracks, institutional quarters, or for unrelated individuals under age 15 (such as foster children). The data is based on income received in the 12 months prior to the survey.
In 2011, there were 134,000 children (19%) in Kansas that were living in poverty. --Gary Gerhard ggerhard@ksu.edu
DIVERSITY PROGRAMS OFFICE FINAL SUMMER UPDATE
The Diversity Programs Office had a very productive summer, as we hosted: the Nicodemus Camp, KSRE Multicultural Fellows Research Program and collaborated with the Multicultural Academic Success Program (MAPS). We are excited that Carolina Camacho has joined the staff of the Diversity Programs Office, as a Coordinator. The DPO would like thank those who offered felicitations and/or attended her welcome reception.
KSRE Multicultural Fellows Research Program students worked throughout the 8 week program on a research project with the pairing of a KSU faculty mentor. In between those moments of research, students had the opportunity to participate on field trips, tours, and work on their professional development.
The KSRE Fellows also visited our local Riley County Extension and became aware of the different programs and 4-H volunteer opportunities the office has to offer. The closing ceremony was on July 24, and each student presented their research project. Thank you to the KSRE Mentors, lab mates, COA faculty/administrators who were able to attend, we appreciate the large crowd!
The PROJECT IMPACT MAPS; Summer Bridge Program students were involved in a 6 week residential university experience, prior to entering their freshman year. Along with the intense academic schedule, the students participated in numerous activities.
Some of the activities the students included: - Industry tours of Cargill Meat Solutions/Innovation Center, Wichita, KS, ConocoPhillips, Bartlesville, OK.
- Virtual tour of the K-State Biosecurity Research Institute
- Brown vs. Board of Education Tour, Topeka, KS.
- Finally, the Diversity Programs Office facilitated a Study Skills Workshop and Career and Employment Services (CES) presented various workshops regarding professional development.
On July 24 the MAPS presented their Biofuels poster presentation in Fielder Hall and were reviewed by a selected faculty panel. Everything was tied together at the MAPS Closing Ceremony on July 25th, where students, MAPS mentors, MAPS Directors, MAPS tutors, MAPS instructors, the MAPS coordinator, and parents were acknowledged for all their hard work during the summer. The DPO is proud of the attendance of family and friends to the MAPS Closing Ceremony; it reached full capacity! Congratulations to our KSRE Fellows and MAPS students for a successful completion of each program. A special congratulations to our College of Agriculture MAPS students and mentor participants:
KSRE Multicultural Fellows and Mentors: Sydney Baltimore, Tuskegee University – Dr. Jon 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
MAPS PROJECT IMPACT Summer Bridge Program: Alaina Littlejohn - Animal Science & Industry Marissa Stubbs - Bakery Science & Management Jennifer Wuelzer - Feed Science & Management Jasmine Tuitt - Pre-Vet, Animal Science & Industry Arisa Yamashita-Taylor - Pre-Vet, Animal Science & Industry Cayla Young - Pre-Vet, Animal Science & Industry Geneva White - Pre-Vet, Animal Science & Industry Olivia Khatri - Pre-Vet, Animal Science & Industry Carlos Flores - Animal Science & Industry Bryce Bradford - Agriculture Management Darren Partee - Animal Science & Industry Shannon Carnahan - Animal Science & Industry Anyssa Torres - Bakery Science & Management
Justine Floyd- MAPS Mentor Jacqueline Tinoco MAPS Mentor
HEALTHY YOU SUCCESS STORY
 Sarah Keatley, Kansas
4-H Events Coordinator, made a big change in the 4-H Discovery Day Operations
Office, in late May. Discovery days is a
mini-college opportunity for teens, and the office is home to youth, volunteers
and staff coming in and out for materials and information over the 4 day
event. This year Sarah replaced the
candy bowl with a fruit bowl. New
offerings included bananas, apples and clementines.
When asked about the
change, Keatley shared, "In the past we have always had a bowl full of chocolate
and sugar. This year I was at the
Farmer's Market the weekend before Discovery Days and noticed that they had
Little Cuties for sale. I made the decision then to not purchase any chocolate
and see how the clementines went over. I
added some bananas and apples to the mix and we did not have a single
complaint. Several youth and adults were
actually very excited that we have a variety of fresh fruits to pick from. While chocolate is so often a 'comfort' food
for so many of us, it was great to have a healthy alternative to grab and go
within arm's reach!"
Are you interested in
changing what is offered at your events or meetings? Check out the publication, Choosing Foods and
Beverages for Healthy Meetings, Conference and Events;
http://healthyyou.ksre.ksu.edu/doc5206.ashx. --Beth Hinshaw bhinshaw@ksu.edu
JULY EXTENSION AGENT PERSONNEL CHANGES
Deb Andres, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Geary County, began employment on July 1, 2013. Her email address is dandres1@ksu.edu.
Kandace Metcalf, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Rolling Prairie District, resigned effective July 5, 2013.
David Coltrain, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in Finney County, began employment on July 7, 2013. His email address is coltrain@ksu.edu.
Kim Larson, Crop Production Agent in River Valley District, began employment on July 7, 2013. Her email address is kclarson@ksu.edu.
Erin Petersilie, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Walnut Creek District, began employment on July 7, 2013. Her email address is epetersilie@ksu.edu.
Zach Simon, Crop Production Agent in Sedgwick County, transferred from the Department of Agronomy effective July 7, 2013. His email address is zsimon@ksu.edu.
Nichole Burnett, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Johnson County, resigned effective July 19, 2013.
--Stacey Warner swarner@ksu.edu
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