Congratulations to Dr. Barry Bequette who has accepted a position as
Regional Director in SW Idaho effective November 1, 2004. We thank Barry
for his many contributions to Arizona Extension and wish him well.
I participated in a training session yesterday on Campaign Arizona and
United Way - the overall title is "UA Cares." I encourage you to go online
through your employee link to see the wonderful programs and options both
programs provide. Counties outside of Tucson can contribute to their local
United Way effort. I usually make a contribution to local 4-H through my
United Way contribution.
Barron Orr from UA Arid Lands Studies, in partnership with Phillip
Rasmussen from Utah State Extension, presented the 4th Annual On Target
Seminar in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 4-8. This program provides
information on whole-farm systems through geospatial technologies focusing
on cutting-edge precision agriculture techniques. Linda Masters and
Jeannie Benally, EIRP agents for CRIT and the Navajo Nation, respectively,
attended the seminar and have reported back that it was an exceptional
experience that will dramatically affect their agriculture and natural
resource programs. ANR agents throughout the State should investigate this
program for next year. It is a great opportunity to meet with Extension
professionals from across the country interested in using geospatial
technology in their educational programs, whether its precision
agriculture, natural resource management, 4-H, or youth development. More
information is available at http://extnasa.usu.edu/on_target/index.htm
A national Congressional 4-H Caucus is being formed to be an advocate for
4-H and to directly support the National
4-H Youth In Governance
Initiative. Representative Jim Kolbe has already signed on to be founding
member of this caucus. Other Arizona representatives have been invited to
do so as well. Congressional support of the grassroots effort is an
important opportunity to encourage and mentor tomorrow's
leaders.
The Yavapai County Cooperative Extension website has proven to be an
excellent tool for reaching clientele (120,671 visitors and 473,603 page
views in 2003). The site's primary focus is horticulture programs, but also
includes forest health, natural resource, and 4-H information. The site is
kept simple for reasons of practicality, but new content is added weekly
and the home page often varies in appearance to add interest.