NEW ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS OF PROGRAMS:
I am pleased to welcome both Linda Houtkooper and Ed Martin who join our state administrative team as Associate Directors of Programs (pending University approval). Their initial duties will consist of broadening the scope of information that goes into Extension decisions; decision making authority for programmatic issues and program budget; enhancing work group focus and activities; identifying and funding state initiatives; encouraging funding and helping plan campus/county in-services and workshops; providing guidance on web site, publication and marketing material; providing guidance on professional development; representing Extension and CALS at critical state, regional and national meetings; and assisting in faculty peer review and promotion processes. In addition to these roles as Associate Directors, they will continue to fulfill other commitments associated with their faculty programs. Ed will begin immediately and Linda will join our team as of February 1, 2008. These positions are expected to continue through June 30, 2009.
FOCUS ON FACULTY:
I would like to thank Russ Tronstad, George Frisvold and the entire faculty in Agricultural and Resource Economics (especially the
students) for the excellent job they did with the 22nd Annual Arizona Agribusiness Forum held on Thursday, November 15 in Maricopa. Great program.
CONDOLENCES:
Otis Lough passed away on the evening of Thursday, November 22, 2007. Otis was the Dairy Extension Specialist in Maricopa County for more than twenty years before his retirement. Services for Otis will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, December 1, at Crossroads United Methodist Church (7901 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85020; 602.944.1524). Our thoughts are with his wife Martha and their family.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS:
The Arizona Pest Management Center (APMC) announces the call for 2008 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) proposals. This intramural program supports applied research and education to move IPM knowledge and technologies from researchers into the hands of diverse clientele. Proposals are due to Al Fournier by Thursday, January 31, 2008 . Approximately $50,000 is available and funds will be distributed shortly after decisions are made by the IPM Coordinating Committee early in 2008. Funds should be expended by September 30, 2008. The full Request for Proposals (RFP) is available on the Arizona Pest Management Center website at http://cals.arizona.edu/apmc/. Funded projects from previous years can be viewed on their IPM projects page. Contact Al Fournier (520.381.2240) if you have any questions.
EXTENSION WEBSITE SEARCH ENGINE HAS CHANGED:
The search engine for the Cooperative Extension websites has been changed to Google. Please test out the new system to ensure that your program information shows up correctly. Contact Kelly Arizmendi (520.626.9174) with any concerns or questions.
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES:
COMPLIMENTARY REGISTRATION National Livestock Emergency Response Conference , December 5-7, 2007. The Arizona Livestock Incident Response Team (ALIRT) is offering complimentary registration to attend any or all of the programs at the National Livestock Emergency Response Conference for all Extension Faculty. Those taking advantage of this special offer will only be responsible for the cost of meals they wish to attend. The will be held at the University Marriott (12/5), the University of Arizona Meats Lab and the Double Bar R Ranch (12/6) and the University of Arizona Meats Lab and Feedlot (12/7). Please go to our website for detailed program information. All registrations must be received by Friday, November 30 . Just fill out the printable registration form provided on our website and send it to Debbie Reed (Phone: 520.626.7107, Fax: 520.621.9435).
Annual AAEA Winter In-Service , December 13-14, 2007 . The Arizona Agriculture Extension Association (AAEA) will be hosting its annual Winter In-Service Meetings on December 13th and 14th at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. The meetings will begin at noon on the 13th with lunch being provided followed by a general session of presentations. A business meeting will be held immediately following the general session. That evening, a BBQ and auction will be held. The in-service will continue on the morning of the 14th with breakout sessions featuring submitted presentations by members highlighting Extension programs across the state. The meetings will conclude at noon on the 14th. We encourage all members and potential members of AAEA to participate. We are still accepting titles for presentations, even though the deadline has passed. If you would like to make a presentation, please make every effort to get your title to either Eric Norton or Kai Umeda by November 30th. Abstracts for presentations are due on December 7th. Registration materials will be available soon.
Greenhouse Crop Production & Engineering Design Short Course , January 20-23, 2008 . This course is an opportunity to learn how to increase crop yields and quality with the least amount of necessary investment, how to brand your products, and how to successfully target and sell to your markets. There will be presentations on the financial tools for greenhouse businesses and how to apply them for profitable decision making, along with visits to commercial greenhouses at Eurofresh Farms in Willcox (a major producer of greenhouse vegetables in the U.S.). Guest speakers include UA Plant Physiologist, Dr. Chieri Kubota, speaking about Grafted Transplant Seedlings for Improved Production and University of Florida Senior Biological Scientist, Nicole Shaw, speaking about Successful Production of Specialty Greenhouse Crops. For more information and to register, go to http://ag.arizona.edu/ceac/CEACoutreach/SC001.htm.