POLICY CHANGE IN ERE - UPDATED:
As reported in November, Extension central administration has been paying ERE for the total budget allocated through the county based formula. Some counties have maximized the impact of ERE by putting all formula funds on personnel. Because of budget cuts the past few years, it is no longer possible for Extension central administration to pick up ERE on 100% of the county allocations. The “update” is a “revenue neutral plan” to keep the ERE pool consistent. This plan will begin with the 2008-2009 budget year and we will allocate county formula funds of 85% to personnel and 15% to operations (vs. the originally reported 80/20). We will cover the ERE on the 85% allocation to personnel, but if you choose to transfer any of your operations dollars to cover personnel costs, you will also have to cover the associated ERE. You should also note the Dean's memo sent to all unit leaders earlier today regarding the 4% projected budget cut for next year. This will be reflected in the new county allocation formula and will be discussed at the County Directors ' meeting next week (4/29-30).
FOCUS ON FACULTY:
- Sabrina Tuttle , Gerald Moore , Linda Masters , Jeannie Benally , Melvina Adolf and Joe Hiller presented a paper, "Distinctive Characteristics of FRTEP Extension Programs on Five Indian Reservations in Arizona and New Mexico ," at the Association of International Agricultural Extension Education Conference at EARTH University , Costa Rica , on March 10-13. Matt Livingston was also a coauthor on the paper.
- A thank you goes to Channah Rock and the Water Sustainability Program, Education and Outreach Committee for coordinating and facilitating the Reclaimed Water Workshop held at the Maricopa Agricultural Center last week. Over 80 people attended, learning about the benefits and precautions of using reclaimed water in turf, landscape and agriculture. Presenters from the UA, the USDA Arid Lands Agricultural Research Center , ASU, Global Water, ADEQ and others gave insightful information on the use of reclaimed water.
FOCUS ON PROGRAMS:
At a meeting of the Natural Resource Education Working group on April 17, faculty decided to create an Arizona Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (AzANREP). ANREP is a national association for Cooperative Extension professionals working in environmental education, fisheries, forestry, wood sciences, range, recreation, waste management, water, wildlife, and related disciplines. Members are active and retired CE employees at the county, area, state, or national level. ANREP is a member of the Joint Council of Extension Professionals and has been in existence since 2000 and will be having their national meeting in Madison , WI , May 20-23. For more information about ANREP, visit anrep.org or contact Jeff Schalau.
ON LINE UPDATES:
Linda Ffolliott and ECAT plan to change the CALS employee page so there is a database behind it. This should facilitate people finding web pages that are aimed at employees. The current page is at http://cals.arizona.edu/employees/ and the revised page is at http://cals.arizona.edu/employeesnew (for now). If you have suggestions for pages to add to the database or resources that would be useful to other CALS employees, send them by email to Linda. They expect to make the switch in mid May.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Annual Spring Awards Banquet , Friday, May 2 , Student Union South Ballroom. The event will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. in the Tucson Room, followed by the banquet at 6:30 p.m. in the South Ballroom. Cost is $40.00 per person. For more information or to make reservations, contact Joanne Eader (520.626.3036). Awards will be presented as follows: 1) for Outstanding Achievers - Dr. Johnson Bia (Ag Education), Dr. Beth Manke (FCS), Patti Schmalzel (FCS), Dr. Alexander T. Vazsonyi (FCS); 2) for Lifetime Achievement - Sharon Rovey Petterson (FCS), Karl Ronstadt (Animal Sciences), Charlotte Harris (FCS), Dr. Frank Whiting (Animal Sciences), David S. "Sid" Wilson, Jr. (SNR); 3) for Lifetime Organization - Arizona Department of Agriculture; 4) for CALS Alumni Achievement - Mike Chrisman (AREC), Robyn DeBell (Nutritional Sciences); The Honorable John C. Gemmill (AREC and Animal Sciences); and 5) for the Heritage Family Award – the Groseta family.
- National Plant Diagnostics Network Training-the-Trainers of “First Detectors” Workshop , Tuesday, May 27 , 11:00-3:00, Maricopa Agricultural Center. Lunch and refreshments will be provided and there is no registration fee. The workshop will target Extension Professionals and AZPDN Research Faculty and Specialists, and provide training and educational resources on new and emerging pest (insects, weeds) and pathogen (fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses) issues in Arizona . This will help to better prepare clientele and stakeholder groups to be “on the lookout” for new and emerging pests and pathogens, as well as threats already of timely importance. Dr. Richard Hoenisch from UC Davis (NPDN) will conduct the training session. At the end of this workshop, participants will be certified “First-Detectors” and can serve as trainers of additional 'First Detectors', and receive access to resource materials that can be incorporated into outreach programs. For more information or to register, contact Al Fournier (520.381.2240).