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The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 13, No. 1  November 7, 2006


IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Extension Agent Publishes in Journal of Extension
...Diversity Programs Office
...Thank You from Nadine Sigle
...Thank You from the Blecha Family
...Character Counts! Training Workshops
...Master's Degree Program in Community Development
...College of Ag and K-State Research and Extension Holiday Party
...Marie's Pick of the Week
...Sneak Preview of "Charlotte's Web"
...Master Schedule

                                                                                                           ...Tuesday Letter Archives


WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
WHAT IS A PROGRAM FOCUS TEAM TO DO? Program Focus Teams will be organizing this coming February 6 - 8 , 2007. The initial primary purpose for organizing and bringing these teams together is to lay out a series of proposals for in-service subject matter training in that program focus area for 2007, 2008, and beyond. Expectation is that specialists would come prepared to review with the team the past training offerings and any future planned training in the works. Beyond that, this team should organize the learning objectives within that broad program focus area and strategies to accomplish those learning objectives over the next several years.

WHO IS ON EACH TEAM? First off, agents will have selected a program focus area, which automatically places them on that program focus team. State and Area Extension Specialists are to SELF-SELECT among the Program Focus Teams to participate. What this means is that it is UP TO YOU to participate. (Reminds me of annual conference "If it is to be, it is up to me!") Indeed, a specialist may find the need to participate directly on one team, and more peripherally on another because of subject matter overlap and potential involvement in future training. Success will depend on open communication among team members and across teams where complimentary planning is likely to take place.

SO, HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS DONE? Deliberate Extension agent involvement in defining the "learning objectives" and overall subject matter content needs is different from many models of design and implementation of subject matter training in the past. Developing and submitting training proposals for approval to go into an electronic catalog/directory will be helpful to everyone in the system to have a place to find all the subject matter and professional development training opportunities in one website location. Longer range planning among agents and specialists will result in purposeful professional development plans and better learning for all involved. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

 

EXTENSION AGENT PUBLISHES IN JOURNAL OF EXTENSION
Sarah Maass, Lyon County 4-H Youth Development Agent, is co-author of a "Research in Brief" article in the October 2006 issue of the Journal of Extension,
http://www.joe.org . Alumni of the Oklahoma 4-H program participated in the research entitled, "A Comparison of 4-H and Other Youth Development Organizations in the Development of Life Skills." Congratulations to Sarah!

The Journal of Extension (JOE) is the official refereed journal of the U.S. Cooperative Extension System. It's purpose is to expand and update the research and knowledge base for Extension professionals and other adult educators. JOE is an electronic journal, available only on the World Wide Web at http://www.joe.org .  Articles published since 1963 can be found on the site.

The journal is paid for centrally, and as such, is available for everyone to use free of charge. By adding your e-mail address to the subscriber's list, you will receive notification of each new issue as it becomes available. To subscribe, e-mail joelist-on@joe.org  from the account to which you wish to subscribe. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

 

DIVERSITY PROGRAMS OFFICE
This is a reminder that the College of Agriculture has the pleasure of hosting the 2006 Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) Region IV Workshop, which will be held November 17 - 18. Students and professionals from five states (i.e., Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kansas) will be in attendance. The workshop's keynote speaker is our own Dr. Fred Cholick, Dean of K- State's College of Agriculture. We will also be hosting three guest speakers from Monsanto who will address diversity in the workforce, as well as various speakers dealing with career development. All activities will take place at the International Grains Programs Complex (IGP) and we will be offering tours of this complex during the workshop.

This event serves as big tradition to assist students and advisors in preparing for the annual national conference, which will be held March 29 - 31, in Birmingham, AL.

If you are interested in attending this workshop or any of its activities, please contact your Diversity Programs Office by November 10. Thank you for your continued support of our diversity efforts. --Zelia Z. Wiley zwh@ksu.edu

 

THANK YOU FROM NADINE SIGLE
Growing up as a child, I was part of a large family and always appreciated the closeness we shared with each other. Being part of the extension family is like being part of a large family but on a much grander scale. I would like to thank my extension family for the support shown at the death of my mother. Each of your cards, prayers and words of encouragement meant a great deal. --Nadine Sigle and family nsigle@oznet.ksu.edu

 

THANK YOU FROM THE BLECHA FAMILY
I cannot adequately express just how much Lynn and I and our family appreciate the prayers, support and generosity so many of you have shown since my stepson Brian's, death. Your kind words and deeds have helped us get through these difficult days a little more easily. --Mary Lou Peter-Blecha mlpeter@oznet.ksu.edu

 

CHARACTER COUNTS! TRAINING WORKSHOPS
"Character Counts!" is a one day introductory experience to the character education model of the Josephson Institute of Ethics. Kansas 4-H Youth Development is a member of the National Character Counts! Coalition. Every Extension unit, staff, volunteers and youth can take advantage of this collaboration. Two workshops are planned. The first will be held in El Dorado on January 9, 2007 (January 16 - Snow Day), and the second in Hays on January 11, 2007 (January 25 - Snow Day). Registration will be due on-line by January 3. Both workshops will be held at the local Extension office buildings. The workshops will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.

The day's topics include:

An Introduction to Character Counts!
A Preview of Character Education Possibilities in 4-H and Communities
An Understanding of the Six Pillars of Character
Ideas for Implementing Character Counts!

Registration is now available through the On-Line system. The cost is $40 for Extension staff,- which includes lunch and a copy of the "Good Ideas Book," 541 pages filled with 250 activities and lessons organized by the Six Pillars of Character and by age group from Kindergarten through High School (A $40 retail value!). Extension cooperators/partners may attend at a cost of $60 per person.

Justin Wiebers, Rod Buchele, Susan Schlichting, Michelle Perez, and Gary Gerhard will facilitate the program. --Gary W. Gerhard gerhard@ksu.edu

 

MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAM IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Working through the IDEA network, you will be able to learn from community and economic development experts from across the Midwest. This shared degree program allows you to enroll through KSU, and access classes through an on-line learning network. For information on the degree program, visit:
 

 

COLLEGE OF AG AND K-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION HOLIDAY PARTY
Reserve the date of Monday, December 18, for the College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension Holiday Party, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., at the KSU Alumni Center. Details forthcoming. --Fred Cholick fcholick@ksu.edu

 

MARIE’S PICK OF THE WEEK
While continuing to review the Project Accomplishments database for items that are especially effective at helping us understand how our work can be highlighted to share outcomes, impacts, and success stories, this week I’m sharing another success story.

Dan Lekie reported that a Johnson County homeowner experiencing a widespread chipmunk problem contacted a local critter control company. When shocked at the company’s cost to resolve the problem, the homeowner contacted the local Extension office. After learning what size trap to get, how to set and bait the trap, and how to release the animal from the trap through information provided by Extension, he decided to buy a small mammal trap. Several chipmunks later, the homeowner called to express his satisfaction with the information Extension provided that allowed him take care of the problem on his own.

The long term intended impact of the Johnson County Nuisance Wildlife and Home Pest Control Action Plan is to have the citizens of Johnson County become knowledgeable about the different animals, insects, and plants which can cause them discomfort, be a nuisance, or cause damage to their property. With this knowledge, clientele develop the ability to deal with these situations once they have the information needed to diagnose the problem. –Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu

 

SNEAK PREVIEW OF "CHARLOTTE'S WEB"
More than 600 county 4-H agents enjoyed a sneak preview of “Charlotte’s Web” during the NAE4-HA Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Thanks to a partnership between the National 4-H Leadership, Paramount Pictures and Walden Media, many 4-H professionals enjoyed a night at the movies as a thank you for their great work in helping our youth across the country. They had the opportunity to watch this classic story two months prior to the December 20th premiere.

The movie, which features Dakota Fanning as Fern, the voices of Julia Roberts and 4-H alumnus Reba McEntire, and many other noteworthy actors and actresses, showcases the 4-H Emblem multiple times throughout the movie. On top of that, the “Charlotte’s Web” story speaks directly to the great work that 4-H does in developing youth – building friendships, commitment to goals and having fun!

Other opportunities to promote 4-H during the release of “Charlotte’s Web” will be shared in Clover Corner News, http://www.4hblogs.org/ccn/ , and on www.4-HBrandNetwork.org . Stay tuned for more information! As soon as we receive more information, we'll send it your direction. --Pat McNally pmcnally@ksu.edu

 

VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Submit corrections to previously submitted items to jzarger@ksu.edu .

DATES TAKEN FROM THE MASTER SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER 15, 2006, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2006:

Wednesday, November 15
.... Defective Trees Workshop, Junction City/GE (Fire Station #2), Statewide, 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Tim McDonnell
tmcdonne@oznet.ksu.edu

Thursday, November 16
.... KSU Swine Day, Manhattan, Statewide, Jim Nelssen
jnelssen@oznet.ksu.edu
.... Defective Trees Workshop, Burlington/CF (Kelly Park 4-H Bldg.), Statewide, 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Tim McDonnell
tmcdonne@oznet.ksu.edu

Friday, November 17
.... Defective Trees Workshop, Augusta/BU (City Library), Statewide, 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Tim McDonnell
tmcdonne@oznet.ksu.edu

Friday, November 17, through Saturday, November 18
.... Kansas 4-H Master Volunteer Training, Rock Springs 4-H Center, Statewide, 9:00 a.m., Rod Buchele
rbuchele@oznet.ksu.edu

Friday, November 17, through Sunday, November 19
.... Kansas Youth Leadership Forum, Rock Springs 4-H Center, Statewide, Beth Hinshaw
bhinshaw@oznet.ksu.edu and Justin Wiebers jwiebers@ksu.edu

Saturday, November 18, through Sunday, November 19
.... Kansas 4-H Volunteer Forum, Rock Springs 4-H Center, Statewide, 9:30 a.m., Rod Buchele
rbuchele@oznet.ksu.edu

 

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