In just 12 days, or Monday, October 19, we "go live" with the new Cooperative Extension web site. Do you have your information in the site? While nearly 100 people have been trained in Drupal content entry, of the 63 state program areas only 21 of those areas have people trained. Two Drupal trainings are currently scheduled on campus. To sign up for training, go to the Doodle survey site http://www.doodle.com/tcxi25yg74qd7mt7. For all those who have been trained, we are asking that you add content to the database by October 19. If you have questions, contact Sheila Merrigan merrigan@cals.arizona.edu (520.626.6543).
On Friday, October 2, Kurt Nolte (Yuma County Director), Melinda Burke (Director, Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing) and Anita Bhappu (Associate Professor & Chair, Retailing & Consumer Sciences) gave presentations at the recent Ag 100 Council Meeting in Phoenix titled "Developing Trace Back Technologies for Produce & Enhancing Public Awareness," "The Future of the Retailing Industry: Leadership, Brand Equity and Technology," and "Arizona Consumer Perceptions: Food & U.S. Agriculture," respectively.
As part of the continuing Ranching in the Future series, a workshop on renewable energy options for ranches and farms, co-sponsored by the Arizona Land and Water Trust and co-hosted by Dennis Moroney, owner of the 47 Ranch, was held September 16 in McNeal. A total of 47 participants attended for a morning of presentations and an afternoon of demonstrations at the 47 Ranch. Mark Apel and Kim McReynolds, Area Agents in Cochise County, organized this workshop. Thanks.
On September 29 I attended the "Small Grains and Late Season Cotton Field Day" at the Maricopa Ag Center. I really enjoyed the "up front and personal" field tour at MAC. Al Fournier, Pedro Andrade, Mike Ottman, Peter Ellsworth, Sam Wang, and Erin Taylor plus a host of support staff provided excellent presentations at the event.
Essential Elements of the 4-H Youth Experience: Overview http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/family/az1495.pdf, Essential Elements of the 4-H Youth Experience: Mastery http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/family/az1495a.pdf, Essential Elements of the 4-H Youth Experience: Belonging http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/family/az1495b.pdf, Essential Elements of the 4-H Youth Experience: Independence http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/family/az1495c.pdf, and Essential Elements of the 4-H Youth Experience: Generosity http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/family/az1495d.pdf by Kimberly Gressley, Lani Hall, Amy Parrott and Darcy Tessman.
October 7 - Families Facing Uncertainty in Agriculture Webinar, 9:00am PT. The series begins with an exploration of what was learned from working with farm and ranch families during the ag crises of the 80's that can apply today. No preregistration is required and participation is on a "first come" basis for the 500 available seats. Equipment needed includes a computer with speakers and a high speed Internet connection (LAN, DSL/cable modem, high speed wireless). Go to the web link http://www.msuextensionconnect.org/aginuncertaintimes/ for this or any in the series. The link will open a screen that has the "Enter as a Guest" option selected. Use this option and enter your name and then click on the "Enter Room" button.
November 23-25 - 4th Annual Arizona Agriculture Literacy Days. Do children really know where our food comes from? Unfortunately, many only think of the supermarket and forget (or are oblivious to the fact) that it all starts on the farms and ranches. This year, during the 4th Annual Arizona Agriculture Literacy Days, take 20 minutes to visit a nearby elementary school and read Living on Farms to a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade classroom. By briefly giving of yourself, you will help the upcoming generation see how connected we all are to agriculture. Think of the children in your life and then contact the school's librarian to coordinate a visit with a classroom (or you can contact a teacher directly). Then, contact Brandon Moak BMoak@cals.arizona.edu (602.827.8200, x389) no later than November 12 with your name, mailing address and the school's name and district to receive the book to read and donate.
James A. Christenson, Ph.D.
(jimc@cals.arizona.edu)
Associate Dean and Director
Arizona Cooperative Extension
Forbes, Room 301
Tucson, Arizona 85721
520/621-7205
520/621-1314 FAX
TMN submittal: http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/tuesday/submittal_form.html