FOCUS ON FACULTY:
Congratulations to Bob Kattnig , Peder Cuneo and the other faculty from Animal Sciences, Veterinary Science and the counties involved in the Second Annual National Livestock Emergency Response Conference that took place last week (December 5-7) at the Campus Agricultural Center. The sessions were excellent!!
EXTENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOTES:
The Extension Advisory Committee had their second meeting on November 20. Committee members are Jim Christenson (chair), Tom Cordell , Kevin Fitzsimmons , Cynthia Flynn , Joe Hiller , Linda Houtkooper , Chuck Hutchinson , Lisa Lauxman , Ed Martin , Barron Orr , Mike Proctor , Jim Sprinkle , Patti Baciewicz and Steven Crofts . Guests at this meeting were Monica Pastor and Rick Gibson .
The purpose of this committee is to give advice, explore issues and options to provide input to decision making at the administrative level. Concerns and issues from the Department Heads/School Director/CEDs/Ag Center Directors at the June 27 meeting in Casa Grande were discussed at the first initial advisory meetings. At the first meeting, marketing to target audiences was the focus. This November agenda focused on another issue, the Urban Agenda.
Cynthia Flynn led the discussion on Our Vision for Metropolitan Extension. She has been a member of the National Urban Task Force and was recently a part of an invitational meeting called by Western Regional Program Leadership Committee of extension educators and urban partners to provide their perspectives on urban issues to develop a blueprint for Urban Extension.
The urban agenda is different in the west than the other regions of the country. While urban areas in the east and midwest struggle with decline, cities in the west are concerned with rampant growth. Arizona has experienced a large population serge in the past 20 years with most of the population centering in the urban areas of Phoenix and Tucson. There are many challenges and successes that Extension is dealing within the urban areas. There is a need to conduct research to look at the factors that would lead to success in an urban extension model. Some of the elements that could be looked at are: 1) Urban Extension as the front door to the University; 2) Urban Extension programs need to be issue driven; 3) Access to University research; 4) Urban Extension programs embrace the delivery of applied research on issues of interest to urban decision-makers; 5) Non-formal education is a mainstay of Extension programming; however, the target audience may change - less direct delivery of program and more of train the trainer; 6) Access to degree programs and/or certificate programs; 7) Staffing approach the Extension Educator is a project developer, communicator, convener, and manager, not necessarily delivering direct programs; 8) Expanded Funding Model; and 9) Urban program development should be a part of Extension, not separate.
Some next steps and ideas for the future to facilitate the urban agenda are: 1) Explore a fellowship or internship with Extension to do the research on successful urban Extension models; 2) For our urban CED leaders (Rick, Monica, Cynthia and others interested in the subject) to meet and explore commonalities and connections with the School of Medicine, College of Public Health, and other appropriate colleges; and 3) One-day conference that Extension would convene on one issue, bringing together all the parties involved in that issue (other colleges, community college, and other potential partners).
TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION NEEDS SURVEY:
A reminder that the State Extension Office is conducting a Technology and Information Needs survey. This survey is being sent to all Extension personnel (administrators, faculty & staff) and is anonymous. We very much appreciate your time and feedback for this survey! We are hoping that results of this survey will help us serve you better. Results of the survey will be used to: 1) provide better tools and trainings to meet your needs, 2) identify needs and allocate funding, and 3) provide the basis for scholarly works. You may access the survey by going to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=0KnQmGAew4JReWKLdOk5rQ_3d_3d
We estimate that it will take approximately 15 minutes to complete the survey. Please complete the survey by December 19 . If you have questions, please contact Sheila Merrigan (520.626.6543).
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES:
Greenhouse Crop Production & Engineering Design Short Course , January 20-23, 2008 . Learn how to increase crop yields and quality with the least investment, brand your products, and successfully target and sell to your markets. Attend presentations on the financial tools for greenhouse businesses and how to apply them for profitable decision making. Visit commercial greenhouses at Eurofresh Farms in Willcox, a major producer of greenhouse vegetables in the U.S. Guest speakers include Jennifer Nelkin of New York Sun Works Center for Sustainable Engineering who will discuss her work on The Science Barge: A Sustainable Urban Greenhouse, and Paul Selina, Research and Development Manager of Village Farms, who has 40 years experience in greenhouse growing. For more information, contact Lourdes Perkins (520.621.1607).