* The budget and the implications of the budget cuts for CALS and all of us
continues to be an evolving issue. Once we have better information (like
mid-December) will let you know. Like you, we are getting most of our
information from the news media. "Don't believe everything you read".
"Stay tuned"!
*We are pleased to have over forty faculty and staff Monday and today for
an in-service focusing on 4-H Youth Development Programs. My thanks to
Lisa Lauxman and Curt Peters for putting the program together.
* In 1999, Arizona became one of eight states selected to be a part of the
Change Agent States for Diversity (CASD) nationwide project. The project's
major objective is to transform the organization to become more diverse in
their people, programs and ideas. There have been several steps taken: a
statewide profile assessment, diversity skill development training and
valuing differences education. The next step is a climate assessment which
will be offered to CALS employees this Fall by the CALS Diversity Team
which also serves as the CASD Catalyst Team. The team applied for a Funds
for Rural America training grant and just received $300,000 for the
project. These funds will be managed by Arizona for the other seven states.
If you have questions about this project or its funding, contact Shirley
O'Brien at 621-7145."
* Report Writing Workshop for all Extension Agents, December 12, 9:00 -
4:00, in Tucson. RSVP to Patti B. <pattib@cals.arizona.edu> 621-5308. Details
to follow.
* A month-long mini-course Urban IPM on pest/insect management begins
November 14 at MAC. Contact Dawn Gouge <dhgouge@cals.arizona.edu> or Kirk
Smith <cpt-kirk@cals.arizona.edu>.
* Arizona Ranch to Rail "Conception to Consumer" program, March 20-21, 2002
at the UA Meats Lab. Contact Russ Tronstad <tronstad@cals.arizona.edu>
*Last week we received a memo from Colien Hefferan, Administrator, CSREES,
stating the Arizona Cooperative Extension has been chosen for a civil
rights compliance review March 18 - 22, 2002. Besides the state office,
four counties have been chosen for field reviews: Navajo, Coconino, Pinal
and Graham. There will be a team of four individuals, two from CSREES and
two from Justice and the focus for the state and all four counties will be
on Extension programming for Native Americans residing both on and off
reservation. A team of two (one from CSREES and one from Justice) will
review Coconino and Pinal and the other team will review Navajo and Graham.
The official letter will arrive sometime next week and will be faxed to the
review counties immediately. If you have questions, please contact Shirley
O'Brien who is handling the arrangements for the team's visit.