Cooperative Extension Service Departments
Administration
Blue Letter - March 2007 No. 3659

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From the Director • Employees of the Quarter • Entre-WHAT? Program Unveiled • Our View on Vista  • Grants and Contracts

From the Director

The Delta District is losing two outstanding professionals and leaders this month. Kent Rorie, district director, and Judy Riley, associate district director, have decided to retire effective

March 1, 2007. They will be missed more than either one can begin to imagine, both professionally and personally.

They have been outstanding leaders and have provided excellent leadership, as a team, since April 1, 2002, when Judy was promoted to associate district director - Delta District from her position as staff chair in White County where she had served since November 7, 1994. Kent has been a district director since December 1, 1999, when he served in the Southeast District at a time when we had four district teams. When the Delta District was established August 1, 2001, with the reorganization, he continued as district director.

Kent began his career with the Cooperative Extension Service on June 1, 1979, as an agricultural county agent in White County. Before he joined Extension, he spent almost five years on active duty in the U.S. Army, entering as a second lieutenant and exiting as a first lieutenant on November 30, 1977.

He spent the remainder of 1977 through 1979 in individual ready reserves while working on his master's degree. Then in the fall of 1979, he joined the Arkansas National Guard as a first lieutenant and served until 1997, when he, as a major, transferred from the Guard to the U.S. Army Reserves.

In the Army Reserves, he taught U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a lieutenant colonel in December 2001.

Kent's career with the Cooperative Extension Service found him in several assignments and in several counties. He transferred from White County to Fulton County on August 16, 1982, where he served until March 31, 1984, as the agricultural and community development agent.

He was promoted to staff chair in Prairie County and served in that position from April 1, 1984, until April 15, 1985, when he became staff chair in Jackson County. In March 1988, he transferred to Miller County where he continued as staff chair until his assignment as staff chair in Jefferson County in April 1991.

Of all of his accomplishments, the one that stands out for Kent is the buffalo gnat abatement program he initiated about 1989. Several failed attempts had been made to control the gnat, mainly through aerial sprayings.

Kent realized a different approach was called for if the pest was ever to be controlled, so he set out, as county staff chair in Miller County, to coordinate efforts in designing a solution in partnership with the staff chair in Bowie County, Texarkana, Texas. Kent pulled together Texas and Arkansas entomologists and engineers to design and build a boat that would allow for treatment directly on the river.

The program proved so successful, it is standard practice today, saving producers from huge losses over the past three decades. What Kent accomplished in this one program stands as a tribute to the county agent who day after day comes up with creative and effective solutions and who teaches new technologies and practices that have elevated the standard of living for Arkansans since Extension began.

On September 15, 1997, Kent was promoted to associate district director in the Southeast District where he worked under the leadership of Brenda Henderson, then district director, and slightly more than two years later was promoted on December 1, 1999, to district director of the Southwest District. He remained in that position until the 2001 reorganization.

Kent earned his B.S. in Animal Science in 1973 from the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, receiving his diploma in May 1974. He completed his M.S. in Animal Science from the UA in 1979.

Judy Riley earned her B.S. in Food and Nutrition in 1969 from the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville and attended graduate school in 1972 at Texas A&M, Commerce, while working as an associate home demonstration agent in Bowie County, Texarkana, Texas. She earned her M.S. from East Texas State University, Commerce, in 1975 while still working for the Texas Extension Service in Texarkana.

She began her career with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service as a county agent in home economics in Miller County where she remained until March 31, 1980, when she transferred to White County, also as a county agent in home economics.

She was promoted to staff chair of White County in November 7, 1994, as the first female staff chair in White County. Through her leadership, she built strong relationships with county and municipal leaders and with key organizations, playing a major role in local community development. Her work in this area strengthened the position of the county office throughout White County.

For her work and its impact, she was named Distinguished Agent in 1999, the first year the Distinguished Agent title was awarded to a professional county agent as recognition of a career devoted to excellence.

When asked what she is most proud of, Judy tells the story of how she responded to learning about a child who died of physical abuse in White County in the 1990s. Rather than simply noting the tragedy and moving on, Judy pulled together a task force that developed "I Will Tell" and acquired a block grant to pay for the educational material. Using "I Will Tell" training materials, volunteers taught school children, using puppets, in all 13 districts within White County how to report to authorities any abuse they might suffer.

Before "I Will Tell" began, Judy checked official police records to determine the number of abuse cases reported in White County, and then she checked the number of cases reported after the "I Will Tell" program. She found that the number of abuse cases reported had tripled. The program was so successful EHC volunteers helped spread the message throughout Arkansas.

"We may have saved some little guys' lives," Judy says when reflecting upon the program as the one that stands out for her.

Not only did Judy act as a major force in making sure our children are safe no matter where they live, she demonstrated by this program the tremendous power and influence county agents have across Arkansas in changing lives through education.

On April 1, 2002, Judy Riley moved from the county office to become the associate district director of the Delta District. She and Kent Rorie have provided outstanding leadership to a district that borders the Mississippi River on the east and covers counties in the Delta region of Arkansas, going from the border of Louisiana to the border of Missouri.

The team of Kent Rorie and Judy Riley will be greatly missed. One county staff chair summed up their careers and the impact they have had when she wrote they are both "Kind, caring, and they have a way of making you feel good about your program. They are easy to work with, and they bring out the best in county agents."

For Kent and Judy, as they reflect back over their careers, they find pleasure in seeing the many successes of counties in the Delta. Kent said, "We are most proud of what our agents have accomplished and what they have done in providing a strong, comprehensive program. We are so proud of the county agents and what they are doing every day."

Individually and as a team, Kent and Judy have done much for the citizens of Arkansas who have benefited, whether they are aware of it or not, from their good work. We appreciate all that Kent and Judy have accomplished, and I wish them well as they move into their retirement years.

- Ivory W. Lyles

Employees of the Quarter for the Quarter Ending December 31, 2006

Delta District

Wes Kirkpatrick, County Extension Agent - Agriculture, Desha County - Wes began his Extension work five years ago in Desha County. He has developed an aggressive agriculture program that is of the quality and quantity of most agents who have worked 10 or more years. He is one of those agents who look for the teachable moments, always trying to find the best solution for the producer. He has developed a rapport with some of the largest row crop producers in the state. His approach is academic, but with a friendly and approachable demeanor.

Roberta Bufford, Administrative Office Supervisor, White County - Roberta has worked for Extension since 1976. During that time, she has been tireless, dedicated, loyal and efficient. She always has the other person's interest at heart. There were few things Roberta would not tackle and almost nothing she would not to do make information available to help clientele. She is one of those rare persons who is always trying to make her coworkers look good. She keeps up with the latest information about Extension's programs and is quick to help agents. She has a great institutional memory and is knowledgeable about people in the organization who have certain skills. She is one of those administrative office supervisors who is called on for her "sage" advice by young agents as well as inexperienced secretaries.

Ouachita District

John Gavin, County Extension Agent - Staff Chair, Bradley County - John has carried on the tradition of testing the most productive and economical tomato practices to keep his county first as the tomato capital of Arkansas. He is heavily involved in the Pink Tomato Festival that is conducted annually with the community leaders. John has earned the respect of county leadership and works not only with his county but has been a part of the Multi-County Forestry Program in the Ouachita District with Calhoun, Cleveland and Dallas County.

Glenda Sutherlin, Secretary II, Union County - Glenda meets each client with a smile, and she continues to meet the secretarial requirements that three agents and two program assistants need to accomplish their jobs in Union County. Glenda has excellent accounting skills and has taken on the workload that two secretaries did not long ago without complaint.

Janice Jones, EFNEP Program Assistant, Pulaski County - Janice continues to enroll at least 75 or more participants and graduates her required participants in the EFNEP program for Pulaski County. She has developed collaborations with other organizations and agencies to broaden her clientele base. She has established a good rapport with and has earned the respect of her peers. Janice is always very cooperative in meeting her deadlines.

Ozark District

Sean Milliken, County Extension Agent - Agriculture, Searcy County - Sean is a dedicated team player who is well respected by his co-workers and clientele in the county. He is an excellent worker who has the ability to get things accomplished. He has provided excellent leadership to the agricultural producers in the county. He has helped initiate several innovative community development and 4-H programs.

Misty Wilson, Secretary, Benton County - Misty does a wonderful job providing support to the county staff and is willing to go the extra mile to assist the clientele in the county. She exhibits professionalism from the first time a client calls or steps in the office. She is a good representative of the Cooperative Extension Service. We are grateful to have a person of such caliber to work with in Benton County.

Charlene Guidotti, 4-H Program Assistant, Carroll County - Charlene has been instrumental in recruiting individuals, families and volunteers for the Carroll County 4-H program. She is also involved in conducting school enrichment activities and events throughout the year. She is a great asset to the staff and clientele in Carroll County.

Little Rock State Office

Ken Smith, Extension Weed Scientist, Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences - Ken is an excellent scientist, Extension educator and team player. He recently chaired the search committee for an Extension entomologist, which was a difficult and time-consuming task involving two searches, several committee meetings, ensuring compliance with Extension policy and requiring a high level of communication. Ken managed the entire process in his usual highly professional and objective manner. He feels each faculty and staff position is important and understands that hiring highly qualified faculty and staff is our best chance of improving our programs for years to come.

Kevin Quinn, Video Specialist, Communications - Kevin does exceptional quality work and is always reliable, efficient and very professional in all aspects of his job. He is always willing to try new techniques and bring new ideas to the table in communicating Extension's mission. For example, he created the Podcasts used during the last O-Ramas. He is extremely pleasant and accommodating to work with and knows how to draw the best from people who are facing the camera. Kevin is a real asset to the Communications team.

Dena Childs, Administrative Office Supervisor, Human Resources - Dena provides administrative support for the Human Resources department and has served as a backup for other HR staff on numerous occasions. She has a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, a friendly and pleasant disposition and is always willing to pitch in and help others. Her excellent customer service skills are a valuable asset in dealing with employees and job applicants. Dena is a highly valued member of the Human Resources team.

Entre-WHAT? Program Unveiled

Agents from ten counties participated in a hands-on in-service training where they learned about a new youth entrepreneurship program called Entre-WHAT? Business Basics for Arkansas Youth. This program, developed by Josh Wright (4-H and Youth Development), Stacey McCullough and Kim Magee (Community and Economic Development) and funded by a grant from Bank of America, is targeted to fourth and fifth graders. It is a variation of Entrepreneur Camp, a three-day camp offered at the Arkansas 4-H Center in August.

The Entre-WHAT? program consists of five 50-minute sessions designed to introduce key concepts related to entrepreneurship and business ownership. It is a hands-on experience where participants come up with an idea for a business, develop a basic business plan, create their product and/or a marketing scheme, sell their product or service and determine if their business was profitable. The program can be conducted in the classroom, as an after-school program or in a camp setting.

County agents attending the training were very enthusiastic about the program. Evaluation comments included:

• "Great program. Appreciate having canned program. This type of program is very timely."
   
• "My mind is going into overload thinking about all the possibilities with this program. I plan to work it up and use it for a summer day camp. I'm so excited!!!"
   
• "I'm so excited about using the curriculum and tools gained today in our county!"

Plans are underway to expand the Entre-WHAT? program so it is suitable for the establishment of 4-H entrepreneurship clubs. Program materials appropriate for other age groups are also in the works.

– Stacey McCullough

Our View on Vista

The new Microsoft Vista is now available for sale. Vista replaces the Windows XP operating system. As with many new releases of complex software, being the first on your block to buy it is not always advisable. Problems are already being identified with the new operating system, and we advise that you wait until after the first major service pack before considering this for your computer.

Information Points on Vista

• Gateway is offering the choice of Vista or Windows XP on new computer orders through December 31, 2007. Beginning January 1, 2008, Vista will become the standard.
   
• There are many versions of Vista. The minimum requirements to run Vista Business version are
  • 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
  • 1 GB of system memory
  • Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum) 2, Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel
  • 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space
  • DVD-ROM Drive3
  • Audio output capability
  • Internet access capability
     
• The standard computers listed on the IT web site meet the minimum requirements.
   
• Service Pack 1 is expected for release in the second half of 2007.
   
• Microsoft's end user license agreement for Vista has raised concerns in the legal community. The agreement grants Microsoft the right to revalidate the users to reactivate it if they make changes to their computer components. It is also said to limit your ability to copy or transfer the software.

Our Plan

New computers will be ordered with Windows XP until Service Pack 1 has been issued, installed and tested. During the interim, the IT Call Center will be trained on Vista to prepare us to better serve you once the transition is made. Unless there is a compelling performance or software-related reason to upgrade, older computers will not be retrofitted with Vista.

If you have any questions on this new offering from Microsoft, please contact the IT Call Center at 501-671-2255 or 866-779-3375. You can also e-mail Call Center when in GroupWise.

- Nina Boston

Grants and Contracts