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.

June 16, 2014

On Behalf of Bill Nobles:


President Tony Frank's Visits

President Tony Frank toured the Eastern Plains on June 9-13 and will visit the San Luis Valley Research Center on June 26. I have heard a lot of great feedback and appreciate all the agents who took part in attending Tony Frank’s tour so far. If you get an opportunity to meet with any of the CSU tours it is a great experience to build relationships with campus personnel and clientele across the state.

Peaks and Plains Region Positions Filled

  • Carl Beeman was hired for Huerfano County 4-H Youth Development agent and county director position and started June 2.
  • Mallory Sikes was hired for the Extension agent, 4-H Youth Development and Range/Livestock Management position in Baca County (Southeast Area) and starts July 1.

Congratulations to both new Extension employees!

Peaks and Plains Region Vacancies

  • The Peaks and Plains Region Agriculture Economist position located in Sterling and Akron interviews are June 19 and 20.
  • Kiowa County Agriculture/Natural Resources position is under review.
  • Elbert County Agriculture/Natural Resources/4-H Livestock position is under review.
  • Logan County 4-H Youth Development and Agriculture position is under review.
  • Morgan County Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development position is under review.

County Fairs

Good luck with county fairs this season. I know a few kick off right after the July 4th.

STEM Kit Opportunity

Thank you for getting back with me on the need for these STEM kits in your counties. I have heard from 9 counties. I helped cover half the cost of buying a set so your cost will be $100/set. I want to thank those agents for moving forward with this opportunity. If anyone else is still interested, please contact me in case we can do this again in the future.

  1. Amy Henschen - SLV
  2. Robin Young - Custer County
  3. Deb Lester - Park County
  4. Carl Beeman - Huerfano County
  5. Lorri Arnhold - Las Animas
  6. Mark Platten - Teller County
  7. Verla Noakes - Fremont County
  8. Sheila Kelly - Elbert County
  9. Megan Jedlicka - Logan County

Future of Extension Articles

If you have a few minutes I would highly suggest a very insightful read. This article by Choices Magazine just published issue is dedicated to the future of Extension. Below is an article by Scott Peters I think you will find useful and interesting. Lou shared this with the regional directors and I think it may help you reflect on the way we focus on our work. The link is below with other information associated with Extension. I would appreciate your comments. http://www.choicesmagazine.org/choices-magazine/theme-articles/higher-educations-roles-in-supporting-a-rural-renaissance/extension-reconsidered

Have a great summer and 4th of July! If you are interested in signing up to ride in Pedal the Plains, let Jeff Goodwin know. We are always looking for more Extension representation. It is a great way to promote Colorado agriculture and the 4-H program. If you are signed up, it is “time to get to pedaling” and don’t forget to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather we are having in Colorado.

Specialists' Introductions

Dr. Delwin Benson

Meet CSU Extension Specialist
Dr. Delwin Benson

Title: Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist
College: Warner College of Natural Resources
Department: Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
% Extension Time: 50%
Years with CSU: 39
Extension/Outreach Involvement: Chairman, leader and administrator for planning and implementation of the 8th International Congress for Wildlife and Livelihoods on Private and Communal Lands. Developed, tested, and produced national curricula for youth and teacher manuals for advanced hunter education, home study hunter education, 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP), 4-H fish and wildlife, and started the 4-H shooting sports program in Colorado. http://www.LandHelp.info
Research Area: Private land management for wildlife, conservation education, shooting sports education, and international program development.
Teaching Responsibilities: Courses have been taught at Colorado State University for upper level students about public relations in natural resources, leadership, wildlife policy, and field wildlife studies. Freshman students learned about “Science, Society and the Environment.”
Hobbies/Interests: Hunting, playing drums, people problems, CSU sports, Broncos
Contact Information: Room 114C Wager, 1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1474, 970-217-6411 Delwin.Benson@colostate.edu

 

Stephen Koontz

Meet CSU Extension Specialist
Stephen Koontz

Title: Professor
College: Agricultural Sciences
Department: Agricultural and Resource Economics
% Extension Time: 43%
Years with CSU: 15
Extension/Outreach Involvement: Commodity market economist with the Agribusiness Management Team. Commodity market outlook, general economic outlook, market price risk management strategies for agricultural producers, livestock market policy.
Research Area: Agricultural market structure, commodity markets, market and price risk management, and secondary data and econometric tools.
Teaching Responsibilities: AREC 412 Agricultural Commodities Markets & AREC-ECON 535 Applied Econometrics
Contact Information: B324 Clark , 1172 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1172, 970-491-7032 stephen.koontz@colostate.edu

Updated