FOCUS ON FACULTY:
- I'd like to welcome Pedro Andrade-Snchez , Assistant Specialist in Precision Agriculture and Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. His first day was August 23 . He will be located at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. His contact information is pandrade@ag.arizona.edu / 520.381.2278 (520.568.2273, ext. 278).
- Congratulations to Russ Tronstad for his award as a Contributing Team Member on the Distinguished Extension/Outreach Program Award given by the American Agricultural Economics Association ( AAEA ). The award was given at their 2007 AAEA Awards Program in Portland, Oregon on July 31.
FOCUS ON PROGRAMS:
- SmartScape, the very popular landscape water conservation program funded by Tucson Water, successfully negotiated a new three-year contract with the City of Tucson. A substantial increase in program funding will enable approximately 15-20 new WaterSmart (homeowner) and SmartScape (professional) classes and workshops to be developed and added to the current curriculum over the 2007-2010 contract period. The primary program objectives are to 1) increase irrigation efficiencies (design, maintenance, management) in the residential, multi-family, commercial, and industrial user classes; 2) increase awareness of water-conserving (Xeriscape) landscape concepts and practices; and 3) promote Best Management Practices for the urban Sonoran Desert landscape. Further information regarding the program content and schedule of classes is available through the SmartScape website.
- The V-V had a very successful turn out for their Ranch Explorers Day last Saturday. Over 200 people congregated at Mahan Park to participate in the educational programs. A neighbor rancher provided representative animals from a dozen breeds of horses and Mark Arns gave a clinic on the various breeds, their origin and usefulness. Dave Schafer presented a similar program for several breeds of cattle. The program would never happen without considerable effort from the Yavapai County Extension office and the V-V staff. Provost Gene Sander was in attendance and helped host Regent Ernie Calderon. Mr. Calderon and all of the attendees seemed very pleased with the program. A great event and wonderful PR for the College.
2007 OUTSTANDING STAFF IN COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AWARD NOMINATIONS:
In about six weeks, the CALS Staff In-Service 2007 will take place (October 11-12, Tanque Verde Ranch & Hilton Tucson East ). During the noontime luncheon, the 2007 Outstanding Staff in Cooperative Extension Award will be presented. As first announced on July 31, the deadline to submit nominations is Friday, September 7 (just over 3 weeks away). Nominations are coming in, but there is still time to send in more. As a faculty member, CED, staff person or department head/school director in your unit, I encourage you to meet with others and nominate someone you know is deserving of this award. We have a lot of good people both on- and off-campus supporting Extension. Please read through the nomination criteria ( http://cals.arizona.edu/awards/extstaffawd.html ) and be aware of the strength of peer-to-peer nominations and support letters and the need to follow and address the areas noted in the nomination criteria. Nominations can be sent to Steven Crofts, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, PO Box 210036, Tucson, AZ, 85721. If you have any questions, contact Steve (520.621.7145).
WEB CASTING PRESENTATIONS:
The web casting presentations for Assistant/Associate Agent, Urban Horticulture position in Yuma County (for Stacey Bealmear ) and the Assistant/Associate Agent, 4-H Youth Development in Graham County (for Lauren Romig ) can be viewed at http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/webcasts.html using Internet Explorer (NOT Netscape) and Windows Media Player. For more information or questions, contact Glenda Thompson (520.621.3621).
NEW PUBLICATIONS:
There are two new CALS publications that have been posted:
- Cotton: A College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Report. Contributors can be found on page 2 of the summary.
- Understanding Arizona's Riparian Areas by George Zaimes .
In addition, the second issue of Backyards & Beyond has just come out and it looks great. Please encourage people to subscribe to this magazine on Rural Living in Arizona.
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES:
- Peter Gleick (co-founder and president of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security) will discuss innovate strategies for achieving sustainable water use at a public lecture at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club, Tucson, Thursday, August 30 , 7:30pm. The lecture is free and open to the public. Sponsors of the event include Pima County, Arizona Hydrological Society, Southwest Hydrology, Temple Emanu-El, the Water Resources Research Center and the Institute for the Study of Planet Earth. For more information, contact Sharon Megdal (Water Resources Research Center) or Gregg Garfin (Institute for the Study of Planet Earth).
- The University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC) and the USDA Arid Lands Agricultural Research Center will present the 2007 MAC Field Day on Wednesday, October 3 at MAC. As in past years, we are sending out a call for posters for our Poster Session. The Poster Session is a unique opportunity for researchers, extensionists and companies to showcase their projects, programs and products. This year the Poster Session will take place under the covered parking area on the North side of the building. Tables (3x8) will be available as well as poster boards (4x8). Electricity is available for those who need it. Wireless Internet service is available on request. To include your poster, fill out and submit the form found at http://cals.arizona.edu/aes/mac/Forms/MACfieldday07/MACfieldday07.html by Monday, September 24 . For questions or additional information, contact Ed Martin (520.381.2244).
- The Arizona Dairy Production Conference will be held on Thursday, October 11 at the Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport, 3422 E. Elwood, Phoenix. The purpose of this conference is to provide industry updates and information about current research to dairy producers and their employees, extension personnel, veterinarians, nutritionists, milk quality specialists and others involved in dairy operations. If you would like to view a conference brochure or download a registration form, go to http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/dairy/ and click on the Arizona Dairy Production Conference logo. If you need further information, contact Laura Rittenbach (520.626.9382).
ADDENDUM
WESTERN REGION TEACHING SYMPOSIUM:
CALS Office of Academic Programs is sponsoring the Western Region Teaching Symposium (Educational Excellence: Rooted in Research), September 21-22 , at the UA Memorial Student Union. I encourage Extension faculty to explore participation in this teaching program. Dr. Dave Cox will cover the registration fee. Session topics at the symposium will be Teaching With Flair, Applications for Effective Teaching & Learning, Brain-Based Research: Messages for Teaching, Preferences in the Classroom: The Contribution of Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences to Student Learning, Creative Learning, and Problem Solving. For more information, registration and a downloadable pamphlet, go to http://cals.arizona.edu/aed/wrts/ or contact the Office of Academic Programs (520.621.3612).
ARIZONA 4-H YOUTH FOUNDATION MOU :
The Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation has announced that it now has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) approved with the University of Arizona. This document (dated August 20, 2007) has been approved by the Foundations Board of Trustees and signed by Foundation Board President Tim Knutson. Eugene G. Sander, Executive Vice President and Provost of the University, signed on behalf of the University. This document officially establishes the obligations of both the Foundation and the University. The MOU also notes approved operating activities, financial responsibilities, accountability, communication and coordination, names and marks, liability, and insurance of both parties. The Agreement remains in effect from year to year unless terminated with 90 days notice.