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Dr. Tony E. Windham |
Zimbra to Replace Groupwise
As you know, information technology is rapidly changing. To keep pace with these changes, Extension must be willing to change too. Starting June 4, Extension will use a new e-mail called Zimbra. Anyone who has used a web-based e-mail such as Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail will find Zimbra very familiar.
The changeover will happen quickly - over a single weekend. IT Director Sam Boyster and a multidisciplinary team are working out a training schedule to prepare us for the change. The team also will be ready to answer any questions you might have after the move to Zimbra.
Six points you should know now:
1. Our e-mail addresses will remain the same.
2. You will not lose your archived Groupwise emails. IT will show you how to preserve them.
3. In preparation for the change, you will be asked to take other steps, such as cleaning out your inbox before a cutoff date.
4. You will be able to import your frequent contacts address book and calendar.
5. The extension-wide address book will already be available, and as with Groupwise, addresses will be autofilled.
6. The changeover will occur after the end of business on Friday, June 4.
If you’d like to get a head start on Zimbra, take a look at the Zimbra product tour and Zimbra how-to posted at http://www.uaex.edu/depts/InfoTech/Zimbra/default.htm.
- Tony E. Windham
Warehouse renovations begin this month
Renovations that will create new meeting space and better quarters at the state office for several departments begin this month in the warehouse and print shop. As the renovation begins, employees will see immediate changes in parking and access to the warehouse, print shop and cages.
The renovation will take place in three phases. Phase I, to be completed by September 1, will:
As the first phase begins, the chain-link fence securing parking for Division vehicles will be removed. Division vehicles will be parked in UALR’s lot No. 16 on the side of the warehouse facing University Avenue. At the same time, parking spaces on the east side of the warehouse will be cordoned off for construction and will not be available for employee parking.
The parking lot in front of the Extension main building will be opened to employees and the red line separating the parking area for employees will be removed. Phase II, set for September 8-December 30, will see renovation of the print shop space to accommodate IT staff and equipment, including the servers that support various functions in Extension.
The third phase will run from February 3 to April 8, 2011, and will:
Construction company VCC will have very strict requirements for their employees during the construction phases. All construction-related employees will be required to wear hard hats and a visible ID badge. They will be directed to park in a specific area and should not be sharing our designated parking spaces.
As a safety issue, we ask that all Extension employees and visitors stay out of clearly marked construction zones. Please contact the physical plant staff if you have business that would possibly overlap with the construction in progress. Someone will assist you with your needs.
If you have questions now or at any time during renovation, please don’t hesitate to ask the physical plant staff, Bernadette Hinkle or Tony Windham.
LeadAR program seeks candidates for Class 15
LeadAR, the Arkansas agricultural and rural leadership development program, is now seeking candidates for its 15th class. Extension employees are encouraged to apply, and the program can accept two faculty members.
LeadAR’s two-year study structure offers participants an in-depth and global view of issues facing their communities, state and country. It includes a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., to gain insight on the legislative process and how it can help locally and a trip overseas to compare rural communities and economies and find opportunities locally.
International study has taken classes to Greece, Bolivia, Canada, Australia, Vietnam, Scotland, Panama and Costa Rica, and Brazil. The current class is heading to India.
“LeadAR gives outstanding adults from rural Arkansas communities increased understanding of economic and social changes affecting Arkansas,” said Joe Waldrum, head of the LeadAR program.
Tuition for the program is $2,500. Interested individuals should go to www.uaex.edu/leadar and follow the “How to Apply” links as well as learn more about the LeadAR Program and the Arkansas Association of LeadAR Alumni. The first phase of the application process, the full application, is due online by Friday, July 30.
Once LeadAR receives a faculty application, the faculty members must have a University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture employer commitment form, available on the web site, that is signed by your staff chair, office supervisor and/or department head, as appropriate. Tuition for Extension participants is now paid by the organization.
Waldrum said he’s particularly interested in having class members from Calhoun, Cleveland, Izard, Johnson, Lafayette and Little River counties.
“We are very interested in receiving applicants from these counties, and we would like to have more applicants who work directly in agriculture,” he said.
Anyone interested in applying may contact Waldrum or Dot Temple at (501) 671-2076.
- Joe Waldrum
2010 NEAFCS Awards
The following awards were presented from the Arkansas Affiliate of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences at Galaxy Conference in March:
Continued Excellence Award
Rebecca Reynolds
Susan PickleExtension Educator of the Year
Romona D. Thieme
Dean Don Felker Financial Management Award
Team – Linda Chappell, Susan Holman, Trudy McManus, Renee Myers, Tanya Yates
Team – Romona Thieme, Debbie Baker, Debra DeRossitte, Debbie Still, Misty Gilbee
Food Safety Award
Team – Linda Chappell, Carroll County Master Gardeners
Communications – Newsletters
Carla Haley
Communications – Written Press Release
Carla Haley
Debra DeRossitteCommunications – Educational Curriculum Package
Team – VeEtta Simmons, Jackie King, Keith Cleek, Sarah Hunter, Ashley Johnson, Graffie Eldridge
Communications – Educational Publication
Linda Chappell
Team – VeEtta Simmons, Jackie King, Keith Cleek, Sarah Hunter, Ashley Johnson, Graffie Eldridge
Community Partnership Award
Team – Linda Chappell, Dr. Margaret Harris, Carroll County Community Partners Team – Theresa James, Mary Ann Kizer, Jane Newton, Kathy May, LaVetta Davis, Diane Clement, Susan Britain, Donna Francis, Robbie McKinnon, Linda Sims, Michelle Carter, Candace Carrié, Iris Phifer, Terrie Treadway
Early Childhood Child Care Training
Linda Chappell
Environmental Education Award
Team – Debra DeRossitte, Debbie Baker, Debbie Still, Romona Thieme
– Diane Clement
Tootle Installed as President of NACDEP
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Congratulations to Dr. Deborah Tootle, associate professor of community development, who was installed as president of the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) at the association’s annual conference in Minneapolis on April 12-14.
The conference, “Building Bridges to Sustainable Communities” attracted extension community development professionals from across the country to participate in local study tours and workshops and to hear of new developments in community development.
Outgoing NACDEP President Edwin Jones of North Carolina University presented Tootle with the presidential gavel.
“Deborah has been very instrumental in the organization,” Jones said. “She is tremendously important to the organization.”
In addition to assuming the presidency, Tootle and Bobby Hall, program associate for community and economic development, were a part of a multi-state team that received the Excellence in Community Development Work Team Award.
Conference presenters included Stacey McCullough and Kim Magee, who presented “Using Social Networking and Web 2.0 Tools to Enhance Small Businesses,” and Mark Peterson with a poster session on “Breakthrough Solutions - Creating Healthy, Sustainable Communities.”
– Mark Peterson
Arkansas takes lead in watershed education using GIS/GPS and web-based tools
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| Dr. Dharmendra Saraswat |
More than three-dozen extension educators across the United States were immersed in the use of the global positioning system to gather field data about watersheds and visualizing spatial data using web-based applications such as Google Earth through two workshops led in part by Dr. Dharmendra Saraswat, assistant professor-geospatial.
The educators took part in the “Introduction to GIS/GPS Tools for Agriculture, Natural Resources, 4-H and Watershed Management” workshop held February 25 during the 2010 National Water Conference at Hilton Head, S.C. It was presented by instructors from the Southern Region Water Resources-Watershed Assessment and Modeling Team.
Instructors walked participants through the basics of GPS using a consumer-grade receiver; use and editing in Google Earth; and an introduction to hydrologic concepts using Natural Resources Conservation Service tools.
The workshop was developed “based on feedback from a survey of more than 200 educators on their needs for visualizing and using spatial data related to watershed, natural resources and forestry purposes,” Saraswat said. The survey was conducted among 1862 and 1890 extension agents in the 13 states that comprise EPA regions 4 and 6.
A similar workshop was held April 12 at the Langston University campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Among the participants in the April workshop were Lonoke County Extension Agent Keith Perkins and Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, program associate-machinery.
Said one participant: “The topics were quite informative, useful, and practical – highly suitable for end users.”
Ferguson earns communications scholarship
Jef Ferguson, 4-H technician with Operation Military Kids and the Tech Team, has been awarded an Aaron Simpson Memorial Scholarship. Ferguson is a senior at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, with a minor in Information Technology. Ferguson said he’s been using the filming techniques he’s learned at the School of Mass Communication to help Tech Team members capture the best images. He said the training has also improved his and his team’s video editing skills. Ferguson said his IT training is paying off in his work with the OMK Mobile Technology lab.
The Aaron Simpson scholarships are named for a School of Mass Communication graduate.
4-H 5-K draws more than 100 runners/walkers
The
2010 4-H 5K run/walk isn’t just about going the distance – it’s about
inspiration and families enjoying the outdoors together.
“I was inspired this year by the 4-year-old boy who won second in the male 8-and-under age division,” said Shannon Caldwell, who served as a marshal at the start and finish of the race. “He was really running as he came toward us at the finish and he was smiling the whole time.
“I really think that's what the race is about: It’s about giving the kids and their families something fun and healthy to do,” she said.
There also was a family entered that had a C25K goal – Couch to 5K.
“The mom and four of her kids were in the 5K,” she said. “I think that’s inspiring.”
The race drew 104 entrants. Race proceeds go to running the following year’s race, plus a $250 grant is awarded to the county that has the most 4-H members and volunteers in the race. This year’s winner was Jefferson County.
The three members of the race committee are Caldwell, 4-H camping coordinator, Tony Baker, 4-H Center operations manager, and Priscella Thomas, 4-H program associate.
Extension employees proved they were contenders too, as James Marshall, family life specialist, Chris Meux, design specialist, and Martha Sartor, Delta District director, all earned medals in their age categories.
FLP Class 4 celebrates graduation
Class 4 of the Faculty Leadership Program celebrated the completion of its 15-month training cycle with a luncheon June 9 at the Mount Eagle Conference Center.
The 14 participants focused on developing seven core competencies, including knowledge of extension, human relationships, communication, professionalism, leadership, programming and resource development.
“So, what is the return on the investment for FLP Class 4?” said Karen Ballard, interim director of the Program and Staff Development department. “FLP Class 4 members have taken a leadership role in retooling the Extension professional development system.”
In early 2009, class members participated in focus groups addressing new employee training needs and Extension recruitment and retention. On June 22, FLP class members presented a white paper to the Extension executive team for consideration of an overall leadership strategy, enhancing recruitment efforts and increasing employee retention.
“Class 4 members have not limited their engagement to opinions; they have consulted on the overall design and process for on-boarding new employees, have recorded 60-second video tips for new employees and supervisors and actively participated in the October 8 and April 15th Check-In and Tune-Up training sessions,” Ballard said. “If leadership really is a scope of influence, not just a role or position, then Extension has a wealth of resources to help chart our future.”
FLP began January 2003 to develop the organization’s talent pool at multiple levels and help future leaders map out long-term goals for their careers.
Reynolds elected president of ESP
Becky
Reynolds, county extension agent in Little River County, will lead the Arkansas
chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi as president during the next year.
Other officers elected during the ESP annual meeting in March include:
Epsilon Sigma Phi is the umbrella Extension Professionals Organization because it encompasses all disciplines in the Extension organization. The Arkansas chapter has 93 members and 44 life members. An Extension professional must have three years of service to the organization to be eligible for membership. To join contact Treasurer Beth at bphelps@uaex.edu.
– Diane Clement
Scott honored by Southern Weed Science Society
Bob Scott accepted the Southern Weed Science Society “Outstanding Young Weed Scientist Award” for 2009.
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| Dr. Bob Scott accepts award |
This award recognizes the early career contributions made by weed scientists. The award was presented by Dr. John Harden, the former president of the SWSS, at the annual meeting held in February in Little Rock.
Scott has been with the Extension Service since 2002 and was promoted to professor last year.
In March, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Alpha Iota Chapter, presented its annual awards at the Galaxy Conference. Congratulations to these recipients for their outstanding work.
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| Bob Reynolds shows ESP award to retirees during the annual luncheon. |
– Diane Clement
Honorary and Memorial Gifts
The following honorary and memorial gifts were recently received in support of programs and funds within the Cooperative Extension Service. This list covers gifts deposited March 1 – 31, 2010.
In memory of Lorea Hoback Jones
Fann J. Woodward
In memory of Kenneth Scott
Bob and Sharon Reynolds
In memory of Jane Thacker
Barbara Singleton
- Lynn R. Russell Endowed Award for Professional Excellence
In memory of Lynn Russell
Jimmie Lee Edwards
Honorary or memorial donations may be forwarded to the Development Office, Cooperative Extension Service, 2301 South University Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72204. To ensure that proper notification is sent, please also include in whose honor or memory the gift is made and the mailing address of the person to receive the notification.
- Merritt Royal
Grants and Contracts for Month Ending March, 2010
| Project Title | Award Amount | Principal Investigator | Granting Agency |
| eXtension Food Safety Community of Science | $5,000.00 | Dr. Denise Brochetti | Auburn University |
| Water Conservation Education Program with Central Arkansas Water | $105,038.51 | Elisabeth Phelps | Central Arkansas Water |
| Agronomic Limitations of Soybean Yield and Seed Quality in U.S. | $65,167.00 | Dr. Jeremy Ross | Iowa State University |
| Determination of Soil Compaction Effects on Cotton Yield in Mid-south Soil Conditions | $10,000.00 | Dr. Subodh Kulkarni | Cotton Incorporated |
| MOA - Storm Water Education Program/EPA | $135,171.00 | Katherine Teague | Northwest Ark Regional Planning Commission |
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TOTAL |
$320,376.51 |
Monthly Gift Total Summary - January and February 2010
The following chart summarizes gifts and noncash gifts deposited in January and February 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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January 1 - February 28, 2010 |
Fiscal Year 2010 |
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Monthly Gift Count |
Monthly Gift Total |
Fiscal |
Fiscal |
| C E S Administration | 4 | $3,878.18 | 19 | $4,517.18 |
| C E S Finance and Administration | 1 | $500.00 | 1 | $500.00 |
| Delta District | 23 | $11,533.33 | 48 | $15,854.24 |
| Ouachita District | 6 | $3,950.00 | 20 | $14,293.82 |
| Ozark District | 1 | $75.00 | 7 | $1,684.00 |
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4-H Youth Development |
0 | $0.00 | 2 | $5,596.35 |
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Agriculture and Natural Resources |
6 | $45,000.00 | 114 | $812,784.00 |
| Community and Economic Development | 13 | $4,464.37 | 88 | $26,511.99 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences | 2 | $125.00 | 9 | $625.00 |
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Arkansas 4-H Foundation |
94 |
$69,576.00 |
283 |
$200,883.74 |
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TOTALS |
150 |
$139,601.88 |
591 |
$1,083,250.32 |
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