Extension Updates

To assure that all of you are kept up to date on a regular basis, the three regional directors and the state Extension Administration Office provides bi-weekly Extension Updates. This forum is for all Extension announcements, so if you have something to distribute, please forward it to Lori Bates with FOR EXTENSION UPDATE noted.

February 12, 2014

On Behalf of CJ Mucklow:


Ranching and West That Works Conference

Thanks to Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) and Colorado State University, I am helping host a conference at CSU on April 24 and 25 on the future of ranching. The conference is for people interested in learning more about food production and more about today's livestock ranching. Please see the link below for the agenda/details and pass this along to anyone in your county that might be interested in attending or attend yourself! There is no registration fee. http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/WR/Ranching.shtml

Performance Appraisals

It's that time of year when your supervisor will set up a time to do annual performance reviews (for administrative professional positions not state classified employees). Go to the following link for the forms. Remember you need to fill out a lot of the form prior to meeting with your supervisor. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pas/index.html

Western Region Vacancies

  • Regional agriculture and business management specialist, Rod Sharp, announced his retirement after working for CSU Extension since 1985. Rod will be missed. The position is under review and we intend to keep the position; look for an announcement in the future.
  • Tri River Area (TRA) director, Rhonda Follman, is returning full-time to the Extension agent, family and consumer science position in the Tri River Area effective March 1. The TRA director position has been reviewed and will be announced very shortly.
  • Garfield 4-H program assistant, Jennifer Hood, accepted this position effective March 31. Jennifer has a B.S. degree in animal science from Auburn and a master’s degree in science education from Montana State University. Welcome Jennifer!
  • Dolores county director, Gus Westerman, started this position on January 1. Gus is a native of Dolores County. He has a B.S. degree in biology and is excited to be working in his home county. Welcome Gus!

County/Area Directors’ (CAD) Meeting

There were several good presentations at the recent CAD meeting. If you didn’t get an update from your supervisor send me an email and I'll send you all my handouts.

Perceived Value Questionnaire

I'm in the process of getting Institutional Review Board approval for a new perceived value questionnaire. It will be the same questionnaire as last year but with one additional question. Look for it soon. We received 567 responses from 36 programs across the state in 2013. Thanks for your help distributing this at your workshops and gathering this valuable data. A summary of the 2013 results will be available soon.

Plans to Invest (PTI) – Tip Sheet for Supervisors Reviewing/Approving PTIs – Jan Carroll

A tip sheet is posted for supervisors as they are reviewing and approving Plans to Invest (PTIs) http://www.ext.colostate.edu. If you are unsure about what is required in your PTI, you could open the tip sheet and see what your supervisor will be looking for. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.

High Altitude Food Preparation Guide – Joanne Littlefield

We recently printed the redesigned ‘High Altitude Food Preparation Guide’. In Friday mail this week, each county/area office will be receiving a sampling of 10 brochures. You’ll be able to order more for your office through the University Resource Center. A pdf of the guide is attached. Please contact me with any questions.

Extension Clothing and Accessories - Joanne Littlefield

If you are looking to order any of the items on the new Extension Clothing and Accessories order form there is a note of ‘minimum order of 12’. That restriction doesn’t mean that you or your office needs to order 12; the vendor, Crider and Company, is holding orders until they reach 12 of any of the apparel items. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Certified Gardener Badging Program – Joanne Littlefield

Colorado State University's OnlinePlus is launching the Certified Gardener badging program. Registration is now open. See the flyer or go to CertifiedGardenerCSU.com. Distribute the flyer freely in your communities.


Specialists' Introductions

Allan Andales

Meet CSU Extension Specialist
Allan Andales

Title: Associate Professor
College: Agricultural Sciences
Department: Soil and Crop Sciences
% Extension Time: 32%
Years with CSU: 6
Extension/Outreach Involvement: Extension/outreach programming in Irrigation Water Management; member of the Water Resources Work Team
Research Area: Irrigation water management; irrigation scheduling; crop consumptive water use (evapotranspiration); precision irrigation; water resources; agricultural systems computer modeling (crop and rangeland-livestock systems)
Teaching Responsibilities: Irrigation Principles (SOCR 370); Irrigation of Field Crops (SOCR 371)
Hobbies/Interests: Walking/hiking; cycling; playing the guitar; gardening; computer programming
Contact Information: C106 Plant Sciences, 1170 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1170, 970-491-6516 allan.andales@colostate.edu

 

David Staats

Meet CSU Extension Specialist
David Staats

Title: Research Associate II
College: Agricultural Sciences
Department: Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
% Extension Time: 33%
Years with CSU: 23
Extension/Outreach Involvement: Work with Dr. Jim Klett on education and outreach at the Colorado Garden and Home Show, ProGreen Expo, Twilight Garden Series, CSU Short Course, group tours of the Annual Flower Trials and other miscellaneous projects.
Research Area: Annuals, perennials and woody plants
Teaching Responsibilities: None
Hobbies/Interests: Plants, road trips
Contact Information: 0203 Shepardson, 1173 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173, 970-491-2843 david.staats@colostate.edu

Updated