New beginning; new opportunities. As Abraham Lincoln noted around the time
of establishing the Land Grant System, "You can't escape the
responsibilities of tomorrow by evading it today." I'm off with the New
Faculty Tour. We appreciate the hospitality of Yuma, MAC, Graham and all
routes in between. This is a great opportunity for new faculty to see the
state, visit with clientele, and to support the 4-H Youth Development
program in Yuma.
With mixed emotions I announce the retirement of Dr. Bill Peterson,
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development, as of March 31, 2005. Bill is
leaving the University of Arizona after more than 10 years in Arizona and
almost 33 years with Cooperative Extension in five states. We want to wish
him all the best as he moves into retirement to do more with family and
other endeavors. A retirement function for Bill will be held on March 24.
Bill will continue to work on a quarter time basis for a year to help us
with Civil Rights work. I plan to fill his position temporarily by naming an
interim by April 1, 2005. We will conduct a national search to fill an
Assistant Director for 4-H Youth Development position beginning February
2005. We will be looking for someone with human resources skills.
Esther Peterson will retire January 13 from Navajo County and Cooperative
Extension. Her insight of Native American programming and youth development
will be missed. We wish her well and know that she will continue to provide
advice and service as a volunteer.
The Financial Services Office (FSO) has approved an increase to certain
travel reimbursements. Effective for travel conducted on or after December
16, 2004, the mileage reimbursement rate has increased to 37.5 cents per
mile and the in-state lodging rates increased from $55 to $60 per night.
Please note that while other lodging rates have also changed, the state has
not yet updated their website. In the meantime, please contact
FSO-Operations (621-9097) for assistance. The following website provides
additional information about the change:
http://www.gao.state.az.us/news/details.asp?ID=399 .
I am pleased to announce the implementation of two new Regional Specialist
positions. Jim Sprinkle received a second title of Area Associate Regional
Specialist with the Department of Animal Science and Kim McReynolds received
a second title of Area Regional Specialist with the School of Natural
Resources, both effective January 3, 2005. Regional Specialist is a
year-to-year appointment under the Condition of Professional Service.
Department Heads and School Directors, with recommendations of P and CE
committees, approve these departmental positions which are also submitted to
the Executive Council within CALS for approval along with final submission
to the Provost. Expectations include: 1) increased dialogue and cooperation
between counties and department/schools, 2) participation in departmental
faculty meetings, 3) serving on graduate student committees, 4)
participation and cooperation in appropriate research and Extension
activities, 5) being identified as a member of the department's faculty and
6) participation in teaching courses, seminars and workshops as appropriate.
These positions will be provided with up to $1,000 for travel related to
departmental activities. Salaries will be adjusted to put these county
faculty in line with appropriate campus faculty.
Coconino County Cooperative Extension held a Grandparent simulation workshop
in December. Thirty-three people attended an orientation to prepare them to
become facilitators and agency resource representatives for the simulation
on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.
Two primary graphic programs used to create web graphics, Fireworks (sold by
Macromedia) and Photoshop (sold by Adobe) will be given as two separate
distance classes this semester by Linda Ffolliott (ffolinda@ag.arizona.edu).
Registration for the Fireworks class closes this coming Thursday, January 6.
Registration for the Photoshop class closes on January 19. For details about
class dates and links for more class information and the registration forms,
go to http://cals.arizona.edu/ecat/classes . Both classes have a $50
registration fee. At present, these classes are not expected to be repeated
until this fall. Both classes assume a basic knowledge of placing images on
a webpage and uploading pages to a server location, although you can use any
web editor and uploading procedure.
UPCOMING DATES:
January 16-19: Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short
Course, sponsored by CEAC, Arizona Cooperative Extension, the College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences and the University of Arizona. The short
course will attract those interested in Crop Production, Engineering,
Marketing, Pest Management, and Environmental Control. January's short
course will be held at the Doubletree Hotel (across from Reid Park) and will
not only be expanded by half a day, but will also include the first ever
exhibitor's gallery and an optional field trip to a large-scale commercial
greenhouse. You can access the schedule of speakers and events, registration
forms, and more at
http://ag.arizona.edu/ceac/extension/shortcourse001.htm .
February 7-9: Workshop on Climate Variability & Ecosystem Impacts in
Southwestern Forests/Woodlands, Sedona Hilton. Early registration rate
deadline is January 10. For more information, go to
http://cals.arizona.edu/gila/naturalresources/index.html .
February 22: Please find registration and program details for the 20th annual Arizona
Agribusiness Forum that will address Urbanization and Agriculture at
http://cals.arizona.edu/arec/dept/agbusforum2005.html . The one-day
conference will be held on Tuesday, February 22 in Mesa, Arizona at the
Phoenix Hilton East (Highway 60 and Alma School Road). Registration costs
are:$60 by February 15th, $85 after February 15th, $30 for students.The
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and the College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Arizona, with major
sponsorship from Risk Management Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
and the Cardon Endowment for Agricultural and Resource Economics, are
pleased to bring this conference opportunity to you. This is a unique
opportunity to hear presenters with local, regional, and national view
points and expertise address Urbanization and Agriculture.
February 22: A one-day conference on Urbanization and Agriculture, will be
held at Phoenix Hilton East-Mesa (Highway 60 and Alma School Road) from
9:00-3:00. For more information, contact Russell Tronstad
(tronstad@ag.arizona.edu). Registration costs $60 by February 15, $85 after
February 15, and students are $30.00. The Department of Agricultural and
Resource Economics and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the
University of Arizona, with major sponsorship from Risk Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Cardon Endowment for Agricultural
and Resource Economics, are pleased to bring this conference opportunity to
you. This is a unique opportunity to hear presenters with local, regional,
and national view points and expertise address Urbanization and Agriculture.