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IN THIS ISSUE... ...Word from the
Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research WORD FROM THE
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH Program focus teams, and anyone across the system who might be interested and willing to offer a subject matter/professional development training this coming fall or in 2008 should be interested to know that the website for professional development is growing. You can access it through the Employee Resources website. Scrolling down the left side you will find the link to Professional Development. Then check out the various links on that page that will tell you more. I am also pleased to report that the web-based input form for training proposals is nearing its "beta testing" phase. My personal experience was that it took me 15 minutes to input information for an upcoming training being offered through Agronomy. The goal is a simple, straightforward input system that will effectively communicate the training offerings to everyone within the system at one website location. Beta testing for that input form will be happening later in April. This whole system remains focused on helping all of us to improve upon our commitment to and fulfilling a professional development plan. Without it, we may be a bit like Alice:
--Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
K-STATE RESEARCH
AND EXTENSION ANNUAL CONFERENCE CALL FOR PROPOSALS To submit a session proposal or suggest a session topic to the planning committee, go to http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/employee_resources and click on Registrations. The proposal deadline has been extended to April 20. Annual Conference theme is "Planning for Impacts." Wednesday morning will feature the Communications Expo similar to the one in 2005 and a Resource Fair for posters and displays. More information and registration for the Resource Fair will be available later. --Bill Hargrove, program chair bhargrov@oznet.ksu.edu
OPERATION MILITARY KIDS The continuation of the war, and now the surge, is affecting how those left behind are coping. The surge has affected 23 of your counties. Do your schools and communities know how to help these families? Is there a support group in your community? These and other questions are answered during our Ready, Set, Go trainings. For those trainings we ask that you supply us with names of people who touch the lives of kids. We send the letters, put the date on the master calendar, advertise the meeting in The Tuesday Letter, work with the caterer, and pay the bills. April is the Month of the Military Child. Don't you think it is time to do something to help those military children living in your own backyard. If you have questions, contact me. Ann Domsch adomsch@ksu.edu
MARIE'S PICK OF THE WEEK Without the independent agronomic performance information provided by K-State tests, producers would have to depend largely on information developed and provided by the same entities that are selling the seed. A high-quality, unbiased testing program assures that the information available to producers is the best possible for one of their most important management decisions. --Marie Blythe mblythe@ksu.edu
EMPLOYEE RESOURCES WEBSITE
FULBRIGHT
SCHOLAR AWARD FOR 2008-2009 AVAILABLE FOR SOUTH ASIA AND MIDDLE
EAST-NORTH AFRICA South Asian countries include Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, and Maldives. The Middle East and North African region include Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, West Bank, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirate, Oman, and Yemen. In 2008-09, the Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Turkmenistan will be added to this group. Awards for lecturing in South Asia are available in all academic disciplines, with a large number offered in American literature or history, economics, political science, communications, or law. The performing and visual arts, humanities, science, medicine and engineering are also represented among the scholars supported. Awards are available for lecturing, a combination of lecturing and research, or research. Help Fulbright increase international understanding and apply for participation. Visit the website, http://www.cies.org/us_scholars/us_awards . Fulbright Scholar Award may also be available for graduating seniors or recent graduates going for higher studies. These are grouped in Junior category. Check out the website. Complete application materials are due at the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) by August 1, 2007. US citizenship and a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree are required for Senior Fulbright Scholars. --Mahbub Alam malam@ksu.edu
DIVERSITY PROGRAMS OFFICE UPDATE We are pleased to announce that the K-State MANRRS chapter attended the 2007 National MANRRS Conference on March 28 - April 1, 2007. Sixteen students represented the K-State College of Agriculture at the conference in Birmingham, AL. The trip was very beneficial for all and Dr. Zelia Wiley assumed the presidency for the National Society of MANRRS at this meeting. Thanks to Dean Cholick, Dr. Boggs and everyone in the college who assisted our chapter to attend this most important event. Please be aware that the 4th Annual Diversity Summit will take place on Friday, April 6, in the K-State Student Union Ballroom, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. This event is sponsored by The President's Commission on Multicultural Affairs, the Diversity Advisory Council, and the Office of Diversity and Dual Career Development. The theme for this year's summit is "A Time for Institutional Accountability, Strategic Planning and Re-Engagement." We hope you will be able to participate. To make reservations, you may contact Romaine in the Diversity and Dual Careers Office by calling 532-6276, or by e-mail to romaine@ksu.edu . You may also view the Summit's schedule at http://www.k-state.edu/ddcd/SummitSchedule.pdf , and the flyer can be found at http://www.k-state.edu/ddcd/DiversitySummitFlyer.pdf . Hope to see you there! Again, thank you for your continued support of the College of Agriculture and KSRE Diversity Programs Office. As usual, if you have questions, you may contact Dr. Zelia Wiley, Assistant Dean for Diversity, at 785-532-5793 or zwh@ksu.edu . --Zelia Z. Wiley
THANK YOU FROM
RICHARD FECHTER
NATIONAL 4-H CURRICULUM Again this year, Kansas will be providing an order form from Extension Distribution (should be in the mail). By pooling county/district orders we will be able to take advantage of possible volume discounts in addition to the 35% pre-press discount. Any Extension Unit wanting a complete set of materials offered via the e-mail should so indicate. Kansas order forms are due back to Distribution by APRIL 15, so that we can compile orders and submit to National by April 25! Information that may help you decide what you need: 1. Products offered that are not directly associated with a Kansas 4-H project are: * After-School Agriculture 2. Items listed in 2006 that are not available in 2007 are: * Changing Spaces If you have some of these items, you may continue to use them and we will notify you if they will be revised or a new series in the future. 3. Current Cloverbud, Tag-A-Long or Mini 4-H materials available are: * Exploring the Treasures of 4-H 4. Workforce Preparation Materials are listed as references for Self-Determined projects. 5. Look for the latest date of revision (next to the title on the order form) to see if you have the current material. It is okay to use older material before purchasing new unless it is material that is totally out dated and we have suggested deadfiling. REMEMBER---Strongly encourage leaders and parents to take youth through materials slowly with lots of Critical Thinking questions. Most national manuals should last a member 2-3 years. However, if an older member is taking a project for the first time, they should begin in the first level to gain basic knowledge and then advance to their age-appropriate level at their own pace. --Jim Adams jadams@oznet.ksu.edu
TESTING BIRDS AT COUNTY FAIRS TO: County 4-H Extension Agents Dear County Agents: Soon the fair season will be starting again. If you have looked at the county fair requirements, you will note that all poultry (this does not include waterfowl) are required to be tested for Pullorum/Typhoid prior to being exhibited. I know a number of counties have testers that have done this in the past, and hopefully will continue to do this in the future. However, as part our on-going surveillance for H5/H7 subtypes of Avian Influenza, the KAHD may be able to assist with this testing. We are hoping to get birds tested from at least 25 Kansas counties this year prior to the county fairs. We would like to test these birds at least 2 weeks prior to the county fair to have time to run further tests should any positive birds be found on either the Pullorum/Typhoid test or the avian influenza test. All birds not from a certified Pullorum/Typhoid clean flock would be required to be tested for this within 90 days of the county fair. In addition, any consignor that we test birds for Pullorum/Typhoid at this time will have 5 birds from their consignment tested for AI as well. If they have fewer than 5 birds, all birds from the consignment will be tested. AI testing is done by collecting a tracheal swab from these birds. All tests would be conducted without charge to the exhibitors. As mentioned before, we would hope to conduct this testing at least 2 weeks prior to the exhibition. However, if that is not going to be possible, please contact us anyway. We may still be able to help out with testing provided we have enough advance notice. If you are interested in this program, please contact either Chasity Flowers or me at the KAHD office between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM at 785-296-2326. We appreciate your support in our on-going disease surveillance programs. Sincerely: USDA ANNOUNCES NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY LOANS AND GRANTS West Lafayette, Indiana - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has announced the availability of $176.5 million in loan guarantees and $11.4 million in grants to support investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements by agricultural producers and small businesses. “By promoting energy efficiency and development of energy sources that are farm based and renewable, we’re taking another step toward achieving the President’s goal of reducing America’s gasoline consumption by 20 percent in ten years,” said Johanns. “We hope to dramatically expand renewable energy programs like these, as reflected in our 2007 farm bill proposals.” USDA Rural Development State Director Banks commented, “USDA’s energy programs offer Kansas farmers and ranchers, along with rural businesses owners and public entities, the opportunity to receive funding assistance to harness the untapped renewable energy resources and achieve greater energy efficiency. Establishing renewable energy projects and enhancing energy efficiency can also provide additional economic development opportunities for Kansans ." State Director Banks also announced that the Agency is expanding the number of workshops covering USDA’s energy programs during March, April, and May. Details will be made available soon. The Agency workshops are being presented to inform agricultural producers, business owners, public bodies, lenders and individuals of the funding opportunities for projects eligible under USDA Rural Development’s various energy assistance programs. The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency loan and grant program was established under Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill. It provides loan guarantees and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems or for energy efficiency improvements. The Administration’s farm bill proposals recommend a more than $1.6 billion increase in renewable energy related funding. This includes a $2.1 billion loan guarantee program, a $500 million bioenergy and bioproducts research program, $500 million for alternative energy and energy efficiency grants, and other initiatives. Details are available at www.usda.gov/farmbill. The President’s FY 2008 budget proposal for USDA includes $397 million for energy projects, an increase of $161 million over FY 2007. Part of the increase, $132 million, is sought for renewable energy loans and grants. The remainder is sought to fund research and development activities to enhance bioenergy feedstocks and improve conversion technologies for cellulosic ethanol. Kansas applications for grants must be completed and submitted to a Kansas USDA Rural Development office postmarked no later than May 18. The deadline for submitting loan applications as well as for loan and grant combinations is July 2. For more information, refer to the announcement in the March 22 Federal Register or contact the USDA Rural Development state office in Topeka at 785-271-2744. --Dan Kahl dkahl@oznet.ksu.edu
WORKSHOP TO FOCUS ON WORKING
EFFECTIVELY WITH OTHER CULTURES
KSU FOUNDATION UPDATE: LEAVE SAVINGS
WHERE THEY WILL DO THE MOST GOOD Impossible? Not if the asset is your IRA or other retirement account. A combination of estate taxes and income taxes can severely deplete the retirement savings accounts of many people at death, leaving little remaining for heirs. Suppose, on the other hand, that individuals in your community named KSRE (through the KSU Foundation) as beneficiary of their retirement account. All taxes on these assets would be avoided, meaning tremendous benefit to KSRE at little or no cost to heirs. To learn more, contact the KSU Foundation Gift Planning Department at 800-432-1578 to discuss the many ways using retirement accounts can benefit individuals, their family and KSRE. --Lori Rogge lorir@found.ksu.edu
KEY MESSAGES: WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY DO
I NEED THEM?
For more information on this or any marketing communications related topic, please contact Linda Sleichter, lsleicht@ksu.edu ; or Pat Melgares, melgares@ksu.edu ; in the Department of Communications. -- Linda Sleichter
MEXICAN SOCIAL SYSTEMS AND THE
REALITIES OF MIGRATION Historically, there has been a push-pull factor influencing the decision to emigrate (leave country, move, or live elsewhere) to the U.S. and then return to Mexico. The United States depends on human capital (laborers) from Mexico, and Mexico depends on the remittances that workers send to their families. The cost of living is much, much less in Mexico. As I had mentioned previously, a person working in administration in one of the country’s largest sugar factory only brings home an average of 190 pesos per week. That’s $19 a week. Working in the U.S. at a beef processing plant for $13 an hour seems like a dream to Mexican workers. Salgado de Snyder’s study shows that Mexican immigrant workers send only 30% of their entire U.S. earnings back to Mexico (It seems to me if we strengthen the well-being of our neighbors, it strengthens us too). The process of migration to the U.S. begins with the decision to go. Low wages and lack of work opportunities in Mexico are the major reasons for any person to want to make the dangerous and costly journey. There are social and family bonding costs from the time the family or individual begins to think about coming to the U.S. Say a person or family who lives in the State of Morelos wants to come to Kansas. First, he, she, or they makes contact with the community coyote (slang for the person with the connections for migrating.) Traveling from the south central part of the country to Kansas is approximately 1500 miles. There may be stops along the way to work, visit, or make more connections. Social networks are highly evolved because families are closely-knit. The actual migration may take weeks, months, and maybe years. Not the poorest of the poor come to the U.S., because it costs so much to make the trip. Men make the trip much more than women. The majority of the women coming to the U.S. from Mexico have three years or fewer of education. Between 1994 and 2004, 60% of women crossing the border (legally or illegally) were sexually assaulted. Many women beginning the crossing process request long term contraception (though it is against their Catholic religion) to avoid unwanted pregnancies in case of assault. Sexually transmitted diseases have become a rural problem in Mexico. An assaulted woman may acquire an STD, or a man may return to his village after being in the U.S. and not using protection. According to Salgado de Snyder, the most vulnerable groups will continue to migrate because of poverty. The U.S. Border Patrol registered 282 billion crossings between 1994 and 2004. That is slightly skewed, because some people cross several times during the week to work in U.S. border towns. Before the 1970s, Mexican immigrants came to the U.S. to stay. The migrations have become more circular instead of one way. Reasons for that are attributed to increased difficulty in gaining permanent status. The average wait time for legalization and naturalization is 8-21 years with a cost of two to ten-thousand dollars. The dream is to work enough to make money for the family and return, or bring the whole family to live in the U.S. When the husband leaves his family and his village to emigrate to the U.S., there is much pride in his going for those left behind. When he returns with a car and its license plates from the U.S., it provides much prestige for his family and for the village. Twenty-seven million people of Mexican origin live in the U.S. Of the 2,443 municipios (counties) in Mexico, only 93 have no immigrants. Mexico, also, is a country full of immigrants not to mention a country once inhabited by indigenous people then conquered by European colonialists. Migration from Mexico to the U.S. is a continuous, dynamic, circular, and permanent. The most permanent part is the exchange of ideas, culture, language, values, and life styles between immigrants and their adopted country. Mexicans risk their lives every day to come to the U.S. to work. There is not welfare or retirement system in Mexico, so people begin to work at a very young age to advanced ages. They have a saying in Mexico, "No trabajar es morir." Not to work is to die. Next time, I hope to talk about the Autonomous University at Chapingo. Thanks to Epsilon Sigma Phi, SARE, and Daryl Buchholz for making this trip possible. --Debra Bolton dbolton@ksu.edu
Submit corrections to previously submitted items to jzarger@ksu.edu . DATES TAKEN FROM THE MASTER SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 11, 2007, THROUGH APRIL 17, 2007: Wednesday, April 11, through Friday, April 13 Saturday, April 14 .... KSU Open House, Manhattan, Statewide, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Pat Bosco bosco@ksu.edu Sunday, April 15, through Saturday, April 21 Monday, April 16, through Wednesday, April 18 Monday, April 16, through Thursday, April 19
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