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Dr. Tony E. Windham |
Southern Risk Management Education Center to Help Shrimpers
The Southern Risk Management Education Center is coming to the aid of shrimpers in the Gulf of Mexico at a time when they need it most.
Thanks to a USDA decision on June 25, shrimpers in the gulf and the south Atlantic states can apply for benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers Program, also known as TAA. The program offers training and payment to help producers implement new business strategies and adjust to increased competition.
In the coming weeks, the Southern Risk Management Education Center will be coordinating curriculum development and training workshops with a team made up of Extension and Sea Grant specialists and industry experts across the South as well as providing resources to help shrimpers navigate the TAA application process.
This is an important time for the center, which was transferred to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture in late 2009. The center coordinates risk management education programs in Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"The shrimp industry in recent years has seen dramatic increases in foreign import competition," said Nathan Kemper, who is the TAA coordinator with the center. "Now, with the unresolved oil spill in the gulf, the future is even more uncertain for these producers."
We're pleased the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, through the center, now has the tools to help these hard-hit producers.
- Tony E. Windham
2011 Division Awards
Be sure to save January 7 on your calendar for the 2011 Division of Agriculture Awards Luncheon at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers.
- Christina Miller
St. Francis 4-H Nets Big Check
St. Francis County 4-H recently received a $2,500 donation from Monsanto,
thanks to local producer Tony Wilkie, left. Wilkie was selected through
Monsanto's "America's Farmers Grow Communities Project" to pick an area youth
group to benefit from the funds.
Receiving the check for St. Francis County 4-H Foundation is Secretary/Treasurer Robyn Pipkin. The check was presented during St. Francis County's 4-H Ag Day.
- Sandra Puckett
Zimbra Changeover: Phase II - Running "Archive To Go"
The second phase of the Zimbra migration will be to ensure that everyone runs the software application "Archive To Go." The software can be found on the recently distributed county CD. We plan to allow two to three months to complete this phase, given the number of employees in Extension.
We understand this is a busy time of the year for you. Call Center personnel will begin contacting you soon to determine if you've already run "Archive To Go" or if you prefer to run it at a future date. Again, the Call Center will be glad to assist if you have any problems running it. We hope to remove GroupWise completely from the system near the end of August.
- Sam Boyster
Arkansas Has Best Bermuda Hay 10 Years Running
It's hard to beat Arkansas when it comes to high-quality forage. Just ask the runners-up in the annual American Forage and Grassland Conference contest.
For the 10th straight year, Arkansas Bermuda hay producers were awarded the Highest Quality award for warm-season grass at the 2010 AFGC annual meeting June 21-23 in Springfield, Mo.
Since the first time they entered the contest in 2000, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Quality Forage producers have won 35 of the 38 AFGC Bermuda hay quality awards.
"This record enables us to promote Arkansas as the home of the nation's best Bermuda hay," according to Jim Singleton, chairman of the Quality Forage program in Benton County.
"Arkansas producers have continually outcompeted Bermuda grass hay growers from all over the South and Southeast," said John Jennings, professor - forages for the division. "When you look at the Bermuda grass samples each year at the national AFGC hay contest, other entries don't even come close to the appearance and quality analysis of the Arkansas entries.
"Our producers and county agents have it down to a science of producing the best quality product," Jennings said.
- Robert Seay
Extension to Close P.O. Box on Dec. 31
When the Cooperative Extension Service stops using P.O. Box 391 on Dec. 31, there will be changes in the way we do business. The street address and the post office box have different zip codes; when using the street address, use 72204-4940 only. Other changes include:
Closing the post office box, located near downtown Little Rock, will save the Extension Service nearly $9,000 a year.
- Bobby Johnson
Broyles Family, Ginger Beebe Headline AEHC Annual Meeting
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| Former University of Arkansas at Fayetteville head coach and athletic director Frank Broyles (right) and his daughter, Becky Arnold, were the keynote speakers during the opening session of the recent Arkansas Extension Homemakers state meeting at Hot Springs. They shared their experiences as caregivers for Broyles' wife, Barbara, a victim of Alzheimer's disease. |
The Broyles family put together an "All-American team" when they became caregivers for Barbara Broyles, a victim of Alzheimer's disease and the late wife of Frank Broyles, the legendary former head football coach and athletic director of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Broyles and his daughter, Becky Arnold, shared their family's experiences as caregivers during the keynote address of the opening session of the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council's annual state meeting held recently at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
Arkansas' first lady, Ginger Beebe, was the speaker at the closing session of the state Council meeting. She talked about her familiarity with EHC and how she was introduced to the group through home demonstration clubs at the county fair. She's a Master Gardener who's been known to pull a weed every now and then in the Governor's Mansion garden.
The Council is a volunteer organization associated with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. "A.E.H.C. - Powered by You" was the theme.
More than 600 members from throughout the state, their guests, vendors and exhibitors and division personnel gathered for the event, which showcased the accomplishments of the 5,800 members.
- Eva Marie Pearson
Employees of the Quarter
State Office - Classified
Tayler Smith, Institutional Printer, Printing Services
Tayler has taken the initiative to learn the new systems in Printing Services. Tayler now has three state-of-the-art printers and software to maintain and operate. He has handled the transition from the old equipment to the new equipment and continues to make improvements where needed. With Tayler's knowledge of computers, he has made the conversions easy and he knows what programs are needed for what jobs. He also keeps up with bindery work to ensure that everything gets out on time. Tayler is a hard worker who has a high work ethic that makes it easy to work with him. He is intelligent, compassionate, respectful and dependable - the kind of employee that is valuable to have.
Non-Faculty Professional Staff
Teresa Henson, EFNEP Technician, Family and Consumer Sciences
Teresa is affectionately known as "Miss Helpful" in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department. She never fails to come to the rescue of her colleagues, regardless of the task. As an example of her dedication, Teresa, in the absence of a staff person to give leadership to the food safety initiative, assumed responsibility for the ServSafe Program. Teresa has given leadership to the ServSafe Program for the past two years. She has arranged training for county extension agents, maintained the program budget, interacted and partnered with representatives of the Restaurant and Hospitality Association and maintained the educational supplies needed for the county staff delivering this program. Even though we now have an assistant professor for food safety, Teresa retains the responsibility for the ServSafe program because of the excellent leadership she has provided. She's a true team player; Teresa is willing to work towards the good of the group. She is an asset to the FCS program.
Faculty
Brian Helms, Instructor - 4-H Youth Development, 4-H Youth Development
Brian is committed to Arkansas youth and the educational process that occurs through Extension's programming efforts. Brian is a recognized leader in the world of 4-H. He works diligently to ensure that our programs and activities are well- organized and structured in a manner that meets the expressed needs of our staff, partners and 4-H'ers. Brian has been instrumental in assisting with and organizing our 4-H journal judging activities. He has also worked tirelessly to implement a new online events registration system. He provided intensive training to county personnel, support staff and program managers. Brian delivered more than seven Centra sessions with users prior to implementing the online registration system. In conjunction with implementing a new online system, he continues to provide support to counties for filing their IRS paperwork for their local 4-H clubs. He is Arkansas' Extension resource and contact person with our national partner to successfully address IRS reporting changes for 4-H clubs. Additionally, Brian serves as the adviser to the state 4-H officers. He prepares them for their leadership role within the state and works tirelessly to provide them with leadership development experiences and training. Brian also implemented a successful three-day Teen Leader Conference within the last week that attracted more than 200 individuals. Brian is very detail oriented and has multiple skill sets that are extremely valuable to the 4-H team. He never fails to lend the support needed in implementing 4-H youth development programs. He is an asset to the county staff and is knowledgeable about all aspects of the 4-H program.
Delta District
Alta Lockley, 4-H Program Assistant, Arkansas County
Alta Lockley is a hardworking individual who works well with all the staff, 4-H leaders, parents and youth of Arkansas County. She is self-motivated and goes beyond the norm to see that programs conducted are of high quality and of interest to everyone involved. She recently organized and provided leadership for the county's annual 4-H Achievement Banquet, which was a huge success. Under Alta's leadership, the county's community club enrollment has increased significantly. She presents a positive image and is a valuable asset to Extension.
Leta Lampkin, Administrative Specialist II, Desha County
Leta loves her job, and it shows. She is trustworthy, always upbeat and easy to work with. Leta is a dedicated employee who will assist coworkers in achieving their goals and do whatever is in her power to aid the clients of Desha County. She recently worked very hard in assisting staff to secure a grant from Monsanto.
Herb Ginn, County Extension Agent, Interim Staff Chair, Lawrence County
Herb Ginn is a very patient and fair staff chair who deals with staff and clients with respect and kindness. He makes each client feel they are the most important client of the day. He starts and ends each day with a smile. In the absence of an FCS agent, Herb has stepped up to the plate and taken on that responsibility with great success. He is a big hit with the EHC ladies. Herb's door is always open, and he serves the people of Lawrence County to the best of his ability and expects the same from the rest of the staff. He is an excellent choice for Employee of the Quarter.
Ouachita District
Judy Bloesch - County Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, Scott County
Judy has an outstanding SNAP-Ed program in Waldron Schools. She has worked hard with 4-H youth at county day camps, photography and O-Rama talks. Judy exhibits professionalism in all of her programs and work with clientele. She has an "above the call of duty" work habit and strives to complete each project with perfection. She has always worked well with a team and allows all team members to complete their various jobs. Judy works above and beyond to get the job done in a professional manner, no matter how tough the job is.
Lindsey White, 4-H Program Assistant, Howard County
Lindsey received an ExCEL award to take 20 youth to program, 17 youth participated in district activities, and she encouraged four youth to participate in national activities. She taught several school groups and organized a school club. Lindsey is pleasant and well-liked by youth, adults and co-workers. She is also friendly, outgoing and well organized. She is willing to pick up the ball and run with it. She is always willing to help out when needed. She does an excellent job conducting work shops and is very creative in her work. Give her an idea and she excels at it. Lindsey is very deserving of this award.
Ozark District
Janice Shofner, County Extension Agent - 4-H, Benton County
Janice is an amazing co-worker and mentor. She has been the backbone of the 4-H program in Benton County for many years. She has grown Benton County's fashion revue contest through "sew much fun on Friday night" workshops from less than 10 total participants four years ago to 25 participants in 2010. Janice puts 4-H and 4-H members first and gives freely of time she may not always have to assist youth and leaders when they ask. She is an expert at getting members to step outside their comfort zone, encouraging and inspiring them to do things, such as an illustrated talk or project workshop. No matter what the project or activity she is working on at the time, you can be sure Janice will give 110 percent effort! Janice loves her job, and through her dedication has made a difference in the lives of many Benton County youth.
Boles Named to National SARE Fellows Program
Jack Boles, Newton County staff chair, was recently named to the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Fellows Program of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. The two-year program provides hands-on experience and materials for agents to study and learn more about sustainable agriculture as well as alternative farm systems. The program helps agents build effective outreach programs to provide assistance to those looking for a transition to sustainable agriculture. Boles was selected as one of four participants for the 2010 program and will represent the NACAA southern region.
"I applied to the program so that I may enhance my knowledge of sustainable agricultural issues and increase my knowledge of how sustainability issues are addressed in different regions of the country," Boles said. "My goal is to advance sustainable agricultural programming on a more local level."
Sustainable agriculture is not a new issue for Boles. He became involved in agricultural sustainability issues in 1992 when he was hired as the Extension's first environmental management specialist. Since returning to county work in 1997, Boles has spent a large percentage of his time working on sustainable and alternative agriculture issues. He has also participated in two international agriculture projects through Winrock International. Boles has taught sustainable livestock management techniques to Borneo's indigenous Dayak tribes.
Boles said he'll use what he learns in the program to benefit extension professionals and clientele in his county and in surrounding areas.
- Elizabeth Fortune
Monthly Gift Total Summary - April 2010
The following chart summarizes gifts and noncash gifts deposited in April 2010 to advance the programs of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.
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Cumulative Giving |
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April 1 - 30, 2010 |
Fiscal Year 2010 |
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Monthly Gift Count |
Monthly Gift Total |
Fiscal |
Fiscal |
| C E S Administration | 3 | $280.00 | 37 | $144,795.53 |
| C E S Finance and Administration | 0 | $0.00 | 1 | $500.00 |
| Delta District | 1 | $500.00 | 62 | $19,503.57 |
| Ouachita District | 0 | $0.00 | 22 | $14,368.82 |
| Ozark District | 3 | $3,642.00 | 13 | $9,461.26 |
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Agriculture and Natural Resources |
18 | $87,825.00 | 135 | $919,409.00 |
| Community and Economic Development | 2 | $325.00 | 93 | $28,061.99 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences | 0 | $0.00 | 12 | $4,910.00 |
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Arkansas 4-H Foundation |
84 |
$78,072.37 |
442 |
$392,874.25 |
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TOTALS |
112 |
$173,144.37 |
818 |
$1,541,980.77 |
Machiavelli for the 21st Century: Social Engineering
Machiavelli's 16th century work The Prince forever associated the author's name with dark social manipulation. Today, he's got thousands of online imitators, and a lot of them have your e-mail address.
Today's version is referred to as "social engineering," the art of exploiting people or groups with malicious intent. One version that extension personnel noticed in June was a phishing expedition from "Mail Administrator," originating from an e-mail with a .cn domain, seeking the recipient's user name, password, date of birth and webmail login.
"I've started warning people that there are no legitimate e-mailed requests for your password or personal information," said IT Director Sam Boyster.
Some of the principles of social engineering were included in a November 2009 article in PCWorld.
1) Familiarity exploit. People are less likely to keep their guard up if they are approached for information by people or organizations they think they know. Examples include e-mails alleged to come from your bank or other utility or services such as Craigslist.
2) Gathering and using information. Detailed personal information is easy to gather online thanks to Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs and MySpace. This information can be used to fool others into giving up even more information about you or complete a profile for ID theft.
3) Appearing to work for the same company. There's no better way to beat the system than joining the system.
If you suspect someone is seeking your personal e-mail through work-related electronic channels, notify the Call Center immediately at 501-671-2255.
LeadAR Program Seeks Candidates for Class 15
LeadAR, the Arkansas agricultural and rural leadership development program, continues recruiting for candidates for its 15th class. LeadAR's two-year study structure offers participants an in-depth and global view of issues facing their communities, state and country. It includes 11 three-day issue-based seminars in the state, a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., to learn the national legislative process and how it can help locally, and a trip overseas to learn about another culture and how it relates to Arkansas and the U.S.
International study tours have been conducted in Greece, Bolivia, Canada, Australia, Vietnam, Scotland, Panama and Costa Rica, and Brazil. The current class is heading to Egypt in February.
"LeadAR gives emerging adult leaders from rural Arkansas communities an increased understanding of economic and social changes affecting Arkansas, improves their leadership skills and expands their network of people resources to improve their communities," said Dr. Joe Waldrum, director of the LeadAR program.
Program tuition is $2,500. The first phase of the application process, the application form, is due online by Friday, July 30. Applications are available online at www.arcommunities.org/leadership/leadar/apply/default.htm.
To learn more about the LeadAR Program and the Arkansas Association of LeadAR Alumni, go to www.uaex.edu/leadar.
Anyone with questions may contact Dr. Waldrum or Dot Temple at (501) 671-2076.
- Joe Waldrum
Grants and Contracts
| Project Title | Award Amount | Principal Investigator | Granting Agency |
| Rice Research Verification Program |
$ 154,000.00 |
Dr. Chuck Wilson | Rice Research Promotion Board |
| A Team Approach to Improved Weed Management in Rice |
$101,507.00 |
Dr. Bob Scott | Rice Research Promotion Board |
| Integrated Rice Disease Management in Arkansas |
$100,000.00 |
Dr. Richard Cartwright | Rice Research Promotion Board |
| Arkansas Rice Performance Trials |
$86,000.00 |
Dr. Chuck Wilson | Rice Research Promotion Board |
| Rice Insect Control |
$40,384.00 |
Dr. Gus Lorenz | Rice Research Promotion Board |
| Continuation of the DD50 Program to Include Seeding Date Affect on Grain Yield and Development of New Cultivars |
$4,382.00 |
Dr. Chuck Wilson | Rice Research Promotion Board |
| Development of On-the-Go Nitrogen Logarithms Based on Active Sensors Across the Cotton-Belt and Spatial Statistical Analysis of Field-Scale Research |
$10,000.00 |
Dr. Terry Griffith | Cotton Incorporated |
| HOPE2 Program |
$27,914.80 |
Dr. Rosemary Rodibaugh | Mississippi Food Network |
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TOTAL |
$524,187.80 |
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ELIS To Replace In-Service Training System
This month our online course website at
http://learn.uaex.edu begins its transition to the Enterprise Learning
Intelligence Suite (ELIS). This new course management system will replace the
current In-Service Training system by October.
ELIS will provide a single website on which employees and the public can view
course descriptions and self-enroll in all types of courses (classroom,
webinars, field, online). Users can take exams, complete evaluations, and access
training records. ELIS also offers a training content repository, advanced
reporting, and prescribed curriculum paths. Because ELIS has a seamless
integration with Moodle, users can easily build or complete online Moodle
courses at the same website.
To prepare for the transition, all online courses at
http://learn.uaex.edu will be closed for enrollment during July.
Instructors and course developers will continue to have access. Online courses
will open again on August 1st.
For enrollment in classroom, field, Centra, and online courses being offered
this July-September, employees should continue to use the In-Service Training
system via the Training tab in Spot or
http://inservice.uaex.edu .
Questions? Contact Alyne Hoover,
ahoover@uaex.edu, or Lisa Ferris,
lferris@uaex.edu.
Change in semi-monthly pay date
Effective July 1, 2010, Financial Services will be changing the Cooperative Extensions’ semi-monthly pay dates to the 15th of the month and the last day of the month for each month. The first pay date for the new fiscal year will be July 15, 2010 for the payroll period July 1- 15, 2010. The change moves the pay date up by one day.
The pay date change is being made to ensure that twenty-four pay periods and twenty-four pay dates occur within a calendar year. You will receive your pay for the last payroll in December on or before December 31 which will ensure that twenty-four pay periods and twenty-four pay dates are reflected on your Internal Revenue Service reporting Form W-2.
The following table identifies the new fiscal year pay periods, and lists the pay dates for each of those periods:
| U OF A
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE FY2011 PAYROLL SCHEDULE Semi-Monthly |
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| Pay ID & No. | PAY PERIOD | PAY DATE |
| SM 13 | 07/01 - 07/15 | 07/15/10 |
| SM 14 | 07/16 - 07/31 | 07/30/10 |
| SM 15 | 08/01 - 08/15 | 08/13/10 |
| SM 16 | 08/16 - 08/31 | 08/31/10 |
| SM 17 | 09/01 - 09/15 | 09/15/10 |
| SM 18 | 09/16 - 09/30 | 0930/10 |
| SM 19 | 10/01 - 10/15 | 10/15/10 |
| SM 20 | 10/16 - 10/31 | 10/29/10 |
| SM 21 | 11/01 - 11/15 | 11/15/10 |
| SM 22 | 11/16 - 11/30 | 11/30/10 |
| SM 23 | 12/01 - 12/15 | 12/15/10 |
| SM 24 | 12/16 - 12/31 | 12/31/10 |
| SM 1 | 01/01 - 01/15 | 01/14/11 |
| SM 2 | 01/16 - 01/31 | 01/31/11 |
| SM 3 | 02/01 - 02/15 | 02/15/11 |
| SM 4 | 02/16 - 02/28 | 02/28/11 |
| SM 5 | 03/01 - 03/15 | 03/15/11 |
| SM 6 | 03/16 - 03/31 | 03/31/11 |
| SM 7 | 04/01 - 04/15 | 04/15/11 |
| SM 8 | 04/16 - 04/30 | 04/29/11 |
| SM 9 | 05/01 - 05/15 | 05/13/11 |
| SM 10 | 05/16 - 05/31 | 05/31/11 |
| SM 11 | 06/01 - 06/15 | 06/15/11 |
| SM 12 | 06/16 - 06/30 | 06/30/11 |
Please contact, Bruce Hankins, Director of Financial Services, at 501-671-2045, if you have any questions.
- Bruce Hankins
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