HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
FOCUS ON FACULTY & STAFF:
- As of last Wednesday, Kirk Astroth has accepted the position of Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development. He and his family will be traveling from Montana to Tucson for a visit the week of January 21 and Kirk will begin working with us on March 10.
- I'd like to welcome Stacey Bealmer who joined the Yuma County faculty as Assistant Agent, Urban Horticulture as of January 2.
- Dan McDonald and Evelyn Whitmer had an article in the December issue of the Journal of Extension The Role of Extension in Assisting School Districts to Implement and Monitor Their Local Wellness Policies [Article No. 6IAW6].
- On December 5, Kurt Nolte , Yuma County Cooperative Extension Director, was recognized by the Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association with a plaque "In Appreciation of Your Outstanding Service To Our Industry. Congratulations, Kurt!
- The Cochise County Cooperative Extension Water Wise and Energy Smart Program welcomes a new instructional specialist, Tom Wood . He will provide community outreach services, youth education programs, and water audits on Fort Huachuca.
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS:
APRs for county agents are due next week, Tuesday, January 15 . For evaluation and other purposes, please make sure your position description is up to date. If you have any questions, contact Patti B. (520.621.5308) or Robert Armstrong (520.621.3872).
PIMA COUNTY SEEKS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE:
Pima County has an opening for an Administrative Associate. The position offers a pleasant and challenging work environment, private office, and free parking. If you know of someone who is interested, have them apply through UA Human Resources. The screening for the position will start January 9 and continue until the position is filled. For questions, contact Cynthia Flynn (520.626.5161).
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES:
- MLK DAY 2008 Community Volunteer Project: The Governors Commission on Service and Volunteerism invites all Arizonans to make this years Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday, January 21, 2008 , a DAY ON of service to community through volunteerism. Congress has charged the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to promote the King holiday as a day for volunteering. To make the most of MLK Day 2008 and to connect with this national movement, visit www.mlkday.gov, a site that provides many useful, free resources. Community volunteer project funding will be offered to help pay for materials and supplies to promote community volunteer efforts throughout the year, starting with MLK Day and continuing for an additional three days of service throughout the year. In addition, you can download a free copy of an MLK Day service learning curriculum developed by California State Fullerton. To learn more, go to http://www.mlkday.gov/resources/servicelearning/servicelearning_fullerton.pdf. "Lifes urgent and most pressing question is, what are you doing for others?" Dr. M. L. King, Jr.
- Greenhouse Crop Production & Engineering Design Short Course: The Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC) is offering a short course from January 20-23. The course will include opportunities to learn how to increase crop yields and quality with CEACs Hydroponics Specialist, Dr. Pat Rorabaugh; provide useful tips on how to brand your products and successfully target and sell to your markets with Farmers Market Manager, Leticia Saldivar from AJs Fine Foods; along with presentations by special invited speaker Mary Donnell on developing financial tools for greenhouse businesses and how to apply them for profitable decision making. There will also be an optional tour to visit commercial greenhouses at Eurofresh Farms in Willcox. Go to CEACs main webpage ( http://ag.arizona.edu/ceac/ ) for Short Course links to the online event management system (Cvent) and to the agenda, a list of invited speakers and registered attendees, a summary of the event and more. For additional information, contact Lourdes Perkins, coordinator (520.626.9566).
- 2008 Xeriscape Contest: This is the eighth annual contest held in Tucson and is sponsored in part by Tucson Water, the major sponsor for the SmartScape Program. The contest is open to landscape projects that are at least 2 years old or have an established/mature look. Winning entries will incorporate Sonoran/Chihuahuan Desert natives and/or low-water use plants, be well maintained with an efficient irrigation system, and incorporate rainwater harvesting or other water-conserving features. Entry forms are available through the Tucson Botanical Gardens or Arizona Department of Water Resources. If you aren't familiar with Xeriscape or Water Harvesting, contact the SmartScape Program (520.626.5161) to find out about these and other upcoming workshops.