Tuesday Letter

The Tuesday Letter

Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

Tuesday, March 04, 2014 (Vol. 20 No. 17)

...Back

IN THIS ISSUE...


Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
KSRE Tech Tips March 11, 12, 13: Microsoft Outlook Email / Calendar and Zoom Web Conferencing
Growing Kansas Leaders Campaign Complete With $12.8 Million
Strengthening 4-H Clubs Trainning
Walk Kansas - Celebrate Healthy Living
Spring Joint Ag PFT Meeting to be Held in Salina, KS on March 26-27, 2014
Ethanol Use in Small Non Road Engines Webinar
2014 4-H Spring Development Conference - Open to All KSRE Staff
Thank you from Bev Dunning
Healthy You: Wellness in the Workplace - MyPlate SuperTracker
Marie's Picks . . .
KSRE OnLine
From the Master Calendar

...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH

Update on Senate Bill 411. Lots of conversations happening throughout the state, and some discussions have caused persons to raise questions best answered through restating some facts about Extension Districts:

The Extension District Law was enacted in 1991. Follow this link to that law.

Proponents of Senate Bill 411 have focused on the taxing authority and that there is no accountability.

FACT: Commissioners within each county going into the Extension District appoint the four citizen representatives from their county to the Extension District Board initially, until which time an election is held and the voters then elect the county representatives to the Extension district board.

Fact: All Extension Districts' board members are elected in county-wide elections. Four citizen representatives are elected by the voters of each county of the district for a 4 year term. Accountability is with the voters.

Proponents of Senate Bill 411 suggest that taxpayers are vulnerable to big tax increases because there is no mil levy cap.

FACT: Over the 20 years since Extension Districts began to form, the average mil levy of Extension Districts has not increased.

Senate Bill 411 proponents believe that County Commissioners should have the responsibility for the multi-county Extension District budget.

OPINION of OPPONENTS: The fatal flaw of SB 411 is in giving multiple taxing entities within the larger district the responsibility for the budget of a larger geographic/demographic unit that already has a publicly elected governing body. None of county commissions responsible for appropriating the budget will have a vested interest of the entire district and its comprehensive function. County commissions and individual commissioners from eight counties within Extension Districts along with the statewide Kansas Association of Counties provided written testimony in opposition to SB 411. Their purpose in first appointing the representatives from each county was to create a multi-county board with interest in the common, overall good of the entire Extension District.

Senate Bill 411 proponents do not wish to harm local Extension education and programs.

OPINION of OPPONENTS: Opponents have said the unintended consequence of this bill will be very damaging to all existing Extension Districts and all of Extension. If SB 411 becomes law, all the progress made among the forty-two counties that have reorganized into fifteen multi-county Extension Districts over the past 20 years for the purpose of increased efficiency, budgetary savings, and enhanced Extension education and programming will be dismantled back to a less efficient and less effective county extension structure. The negative impact will be felt across all of Extension. The potential exists in the dismantling of a district that a county commission would have significant difficulty reestablishing the budget for a single county Extension program that allows for specialized agent programming that can address the contemporary educational programming necessary to properly address the grand challenges of Kansas citizens.

Update on Restoring Funding / Salary Cap Cuts for K-State and KSRE. The best source to look to for that update is to follow the link to Wildcats for Higher Education. This information is put out through the KSU Alumni Association with the supporting information through Sue Peterson, Director of the University Government Relations office.

Thanks for all who you've talked with and your encouragement in their reaching out to their Senators and Representatives in Kansas legislature. Local voices from citizen voters do make a difference.

Have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

Top

KSRE TECH TIPS MARCH 11, 12, 13: MICROSOFT OUTLOOK EMAIL / CALENDAR AND ZOOM WEB CONFERENCING

This series provides helpful information with new and emerging technology at Kansas State University. These training classes are designed to give you a good overview. They will cover the basics to get you going as well as providing tips to enhance your technology experience.

All programs will be online and begin at 9 a.m. They will be 30 minutes in length with time given for questions and answers.

Tech Tips Schedule:

March 11 (Tuesday) 9 a.m. - Zoom Web Conferencing

This session will utilize the free Zoom software to conduct online meetings and webinars. Similar to Adobe Connect, this communication tool contains several easy to use features.

March 12 (Wednesday) 9 a.m. - Microsoft Office 365 Outlook Web App

The focus of this program will cover using Outlook email and calendar through your Web browser. Learn how to organize and sort your email, create a signature set, schedule meetings on the calendar and more.

March 13 (Thursday) 9 a.m. - Microsoft Office 365 Outlook Desk-side Client

This session will be an overview of the installed Outlook desk-side client. With a slightly different interface from the Web browser version, presenters will show you the key features of email and calendar system to get the most productivity out of this powerful software tool.

All programs will be recorded in case you miss them.

For more information and links to the live presentations and additional resources, go to http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/Technology/p.aspx?tabid=880. --Gerry Snyder gsnyder@kdu.edu

Top

GROWING KANSAS LEADERS CAMPAIGN COMPLETE WITH $12.8 MILLION

Thanks to statewide support of the Growing Kansas Leaders campaign, $12.8 million in cash, pledges, in-kind and planned gifts were designated to enhance the future of the Kansas 4-H program. Projects benefitting from the effort include the 4-H program areas, Clovia Scholarship House and Rock Springs 4-H Center.

According to Gordon Hibbard, president of the Kansas 4-H Foundation, what started out as a $10 million goal was exceeded by nearly $3 million in recent months. “Thanks to the Kansas 4-H Foundation’s trustees, campaign committee members, extension professionals, 4-H clubs, volunteers and staff, we have accomplished a great deal during the last three years,” he said.

The Growing Leaders Fund is already providing additional scholarships and internship support for outstanding 4-H’ers, outreach programs for new populations, alumni and volunteer recruitment programs and programming support.

A special thank you to the many KSU Research and Extension professionals who supported the various aspects of the campaign. This includes the 94 current and retired professionals that provided $22,175 in support for the enhancement of the previously endowed Extension Step Ahead Scholarships.

The “Cool Pool” effort was led by members of the State 4-H Youth Council. A total of 144 4-H Clubs and local 4-H councils provided $30,615.33 in support of the complete renovation of the W.S. & E.C. Jones Swimming Pool at Rock Springs 4-H Center.

Completed projects at Clovia Scholarship House include the renovations of the bathrooms and kitchen. In addition, more than $200,000 has been raised for future improvements.

Capital improvement and renovation projects that are completed or in progress at Rock Springs include the W.S. & E.C. Jones Swimming Pool, Williams Dining Hall and the Indoor Activity Building, Heritage Hall, Meditation Chapel, Hansen Cottage and the Spring Plaza area.

"The campaign’s success stands on the shoulders of those who built and sustained the Kansas 4-H Foundation throughout its 62 years," Hibbard said. "The success we are celebrating today should commemorate our rich history, in addition to our vibrant future." --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

Top

STRENGTHENING 4-H CLUBS TRAINNING

Back by popular demand, we’re hosting Strengthening Clubs I and Strengthening Clubs 1– Chapter 2 sessions this spring.

Strengthening 4-H Clubs 1 on March 26, at the Sedgwick County Extension Office

The purpose of this training is to strengthen Extension staff’s capacity to work with volunteer adults and youth to develop and support strong, effective 4-H Clubs. New staff and those who have never attended Strengthening Clubs training are urged to attend. Past evaluations have shown the training to be very valuable and useful.

Strengthening Clubs 1, Chapter 2 on March 27, at the Sedgwick County Extension Office
The purpose of this training is to strengthen your capacity to work with volunteer adults and youth to develop and support strong, effective 4-H Clubs. You will take home new resources and ideas to share with 4-H Club Leaders. If you attended Strengthening Club I training, this is chapter 2 and if you haven’t attended it, you are welcome too. We will again spend time on traits of a strong club and on how to build them. Topics include: Essential Elements; Youth and Adult Partnerships, Getting input from members; Keeping Youth in 4-H-Retention of members; and Club Management including finances, elections and club leader succession plans.

Both trainings will start at 9:45 a.m. and conclude at 3:15 p.m. Area 4-H Youth Development Specialists Beth Hinshaw and Diane Mack will facilitate the trainings. Cost is $25 each day, which includes materials and lunch. Make checks payable to the Kansas 4-H Foundation. Please mail checks to the State 4-H Office, Attn: Mary.

Please register online by March 14, 2014. Click this link to register for one or both of these trainings. --Diane Mack dmack@ksu.edu and Beth Hinshaw bhinshaw@ksu.edu

Top

WALK KANSAS - CELEBRATE HEALTHY LIVING

Warm weather is

coming and so is Walk Kansas! Gather a group of six and register your team before March 16, the first day of the program. One person serves as the team captain, works with teammates to choose a group challenge, and reports weekly on the Walk Kansas website. KSRE employees can participate at no charge through local Extension offices or the KSRE employee program. More information is available at www.walkkansas.org (right side panel, KSRE Employee Registration).

Please contact Sharolyn Jackson, sharolyn@ksu.edu, if you have questions. (Note to employees with state benefits: Walk Kansas is a HealthQuest Approved Activity and you can earn credits for participating.) --Sharolyn Jackson sharolyn@ksu.edu

Top

SPRING JOINT AG PFT MEETING TO BE HELD IN SALINA, KS ON MARCH 26-27, 2014

Register for the Joint Ag PFT meeting by clicking here. We will need everyone that attends to register for our food counts. Direct any registration questions to Katie Golemboski, kgolembo@ksu.edu, 785-462-6281, at the NW Area office. Once you have registered, your county will be invoiced for the appropriate amount ($15 for noon meal and 2 breaks). Registrations are due March 19.

The Livestock PFT invites all who are interested to join us for our initial brainstorming and planning session that will begin on March 26, at 3 p.m. at the Webster Conference Center in Salina. We will start by hearing from Troy Marshall, a Colorado rancher and columnist, who will be helping us review issues influencing the beef industry and how that might impact our programming. Regardless of your PFT affiliation, you are welcome to join us for this presentation and discussion.

Later Merial will be sharing some information about a new extended release dewormer and will be providing dinner for those that are staying overnight (again all welcome, but please register). --Katie Golemboski kgolembo@ksu.edu

Top

ETHANOL USE IN SMALL NON ROAD ENGINES WEBINAR

Ethanol gasoline blends of 10% are ubiquitous. Yet questions and rumors abound about how ethanol blends affect small engines. This presentation will discuss how ethanol blends are different than 100% gasoline and how these changes impact small engines. In particular, this presentation will cover the combustion process and how ethanol blends function in small engines. If you have ever wondered about how ethanol impacts your small engines this presentation is for you. . .

The webinar, “Ethanol use in Small Non Road Engines,” will be Friday, March 28, at 10 a.m. CDT. It will be presented by Edwin Brokesh, PE.

Past web seminars on bioenergy topics are archived at http://farmenergymedia.extension.org/videos or http://bioenergy.unl.edu.

Who Should Attend:

Anyone interested in Bioenergy and renewable energy. Extension Educators, Professors, State Agencies, Federal personnel, Teachers, College Students, Bioenergy industry personnel etc.

How To Connect:
Begin connecting 5 minutes prior to the start time.

At the meeting time, copy and paste this URL into your browser to enter the meeting: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/agenergy/

You will find a login page. Choose "Enter as a Guest" and submit your name, and business or institution and click "Enter Room."The audio portion of the meeting will come through your computer speakers.

Any time before the meeting you can visit the following URL to confirm your ability to connect: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/testconnect/. --Ed Brokesh ebrokesh@ksu.edu

Top

2014 4-H SPRING DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE - OPEN TO ALL KSRE STAFF

The 2014 4-H Spring Development Conference - “Personal & Professional Leadership,” is being co-sponsored by the Kansas Association of Extension 4-H Agents and the K-State Research and Extension Youth Development Program Focus Team, April 14-16, 2014. This exciting three-day, two night program is open to any KSRE staff person. Participants may attend the entire conference, or may attend part-time. The conference will be at Rock Springs 4-H Center.

Ron Alexander will be the featured speaker on Tuesday, April 15, and will present "Exercising Leadership for Growth." Ron is President of R.E. Alexander and Associates, LLC. Additionally, he serves on the faculty of the Kansas Leadership Center in Wichita, KS. For more than 30 years, Ron has directed and facilitated a range of leadership and community development projects and initiatives, including several efforts with K-State Research and Extension and Kansas 4-H Youth Development. He is a proud alumnus of K-State. Ron is passionate about his faith, his family and bicycling.

Molly Thornburgh of the Greater Kansas City YMCA will present “Exploring Science Inquiry” on Wednesday, April 16. Her hands-on interactive session showcases science inquiry. Science inquiry is vastly different from the experiential learning model that 4-H uses. Participants will be guided through an educational activity for a new learning experience. Throughout her presentation, Molly will weave in facilitation tips.

Google forms on-line will be used for the registration system. The cost for each specific conference or the combined conference varies. Please see the cost structure at the bottom of the registration page. Visit http://tinyurl.com/4-HSpringDevelopmentConference.

Please submit your payment to Beth Hinshaw, 2000 N Poplar, Hutchinson, KS, 67502. Checks are to be made payable to the KAE4-HA and are due postmarked by April 1, 2014 or earlier.

To see the 2014 program schedule, visit: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/agent_association/p.aspx?tabid=59.

For more questions about registering, contact Deryl Waldren, 785-462-6281, or email dwaldren@ksu.edu. --Aliesa Woods KAE4-HA Public Relations Coordinator awoods@ksu.edu

Top

THANK YOU FROM BEV DUNNING

Extension Team (local, area, state and retirees) - Thank you for your cards, letters, contributions, and attendance at my Retirement Reception. This has been a fantastic career that I have loved for 50 years, and you are part of the reason. The memories created at the reception and working in this great organization will go with me to Heaven. Thank you for your help, friendship and love. --Bev Dunning bdunning@ksu.edu

Top

HEALTHY YOU: WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE - MYPLATE SUPERTRACKER

Use the MyPlate SuperTracker

Walk Kansas starts in just a few weeks! As you know, this program encourages participants to track their exercise efforts for eight weeks. Why not use these eight weeks to track your food consumption as well? There’s no easier way to do that than with the MyPlate SuperTracker. This free website has many tools to help you lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle:

Food Tracker - Search and add food to view how your daily choices stack up to your food group targets and daily limits. Make tracking and planning ahead simple by using the Copy Meals and Create a Combo features.
Food-A-Pedia - Look up a food to get quick access to nutrition information for over 8,000 foods. Choose and compare 2 foods.
Physical Activity Tracker - Search and add physical activities to view how your activities stack up against your targets.
My Weight Manager - Get weight management guidance; enter your weight and track progress over time.
My Top 5 Goals - Choose up to 5 personal goals; sign up for tips and support from your virtual coach.
My Recipe - Build and save your favorite recipes for tracking, and analyze the nutrition information.

Many experts say that the simple act of keeping a food diary can encourage you to eat fewer calories -- and thus lose weight. Set yourself up for success today with the MyPlate SuperTracker at https://www.supertracker.usda.gov/default.aspx. --Jodi Drake jdrake@ksu.edu

Top

MARIE'S PICKS . . .

This week my picks are success stories from Anna Schremmer, Phillips-Rooks District; Amy Lorenzen, Golden Prairie; and Bill Wood, Douglas County:

**Approximately 300 elementary students attended the Kansas Day Activity held at Logan. Cody and I had a “From Field To Table” learning center on growing, harvesting, grinding, and preparing wheat. New this year was making pancakes out of the ground wheat giving each student a dollar size pancake to try. We coordinated Logan FFA’s exhibit on chickens and eggs with our wheat exhibit and showed how to make noodles from scratch. The students used the pasta maker to roll out and cut the noodles. The Phillipsburg FFA students helped with both of these exhibits.

**Eighty-seven students in grades 4-8, learned how agriculture is related to so many things we use every day. As part of a Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom presentation for area students, participants learned how to make glue, how mold is formed and how to make cottage cheese. One student said that making the cottage cheese was cool, but it tasted "gross!"

**We completed our 13th year of the Slice of Agriculture Program for 4th grade students. We had 45 classes and 997 youth participate in Slice Of Ag. These students learned where their food comes from and the value of agriculture to our community. They learned about soil and water conservation, farm machinery, how crops from their seed kits, what the main crops are in our county are and what food and non-food products come from them, and where milk and meat come from. They also learned about many other by-products that are useful to us that come from livestock, as well as proper hand washing to help prevent the spread of germs and diseases, and healthy nutrition choices.

Here is what one teacher said about the value of Slice of Ag: "We have many students in our school that never have the opportunity to be around a farm setting. They never see what is behind growing plants and raising animals. They have no idea of the parts of animals that are used to make everyday things. Growing up in the state of Kansas, I think it is our responsibility to teach our kids the importance of farming. Also, the House of Germs is an eye opening experience for them. I love to see the look on their faces! I thank you as a teacher for this part as I am always asking if they have washed their hands or used Germ X at school. Now they know why!" --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu

Top

KSRE ONLINE

https://online.ksre.ksu.edu/

Bookmark this URL for access to Action Plans, Impact/Outcome Reporting; KSRE Program Impacts Collection System (K-PICS); Quarterly Effort/Contacts; Professional Development; Agent Performance Review; Master Calendar; and the Tuesday Letter. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu

Top

FROM THE MASTER CALENDAR

Events for the next 2 weeks. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu

Top