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.
July 22, 2015
On Behalf of Bill Nobles:
- CSU Extension and AmeriCorps extend STEM opportunities
- SARE Mini Grants Available
- Support Staff Training
- County & Area Directors (CAD) Meeting – December 2015:
- Peaks and Plains Vacancies and Hires
- Native Plant Master Program making a difference
It’s county fair time!! For 4-H families summer means county fair and that means rushing to complete projects, getting animals ready, community, friends and family, good food and good times.
Fairs and 4-H programs consume a great deal of time and energy. Often leaving agents to wonder if their time would be better spent doing other youth development programming. Traditionally, the county 4-H fair is viewed as a way for 4-H youth to showcase their project work, receive recognition, and develop leadership and teamwork skills. We know that the 4-H program can help build life skills and increase developmental outcomes in youth, but it also provides opportunities for growth and development for agents and volunteers as well.
As the agents and volunteers, you may visualize the County and State Fairs as work and conflict. When you begin to feel like this, take a minute to stop, breath and reflect. Try to visualize the success of another year of hard work and what the benefits and positive outcomes are for all those involved. Now is the time to get out and build relationships, listen and visualize just how much of a difference we make in the leaders, kids and clientele that we touch. Make sure you take a minute and write down those success stories so you can let others know.
CSU Extension and AmeriCorps extend STEM opportunities
Thanks to a new partnership between AmeriCorps and Colorado State University Extension, youth in communities across Colorado will have the opportunity to do experiments, reflect upon results, and apply what they have learned in 4-H Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) projects. The new program focuses on out-of-school time education that encourages youth to develop 21st century workforce skills and consider STEM academic and career choices. Read more by clicking on the following link: http://source.colostate.edu/csu-extension-and-americorps-extend-stem-opportunities/
SARE Mini Grants Available
WSARE is offering up to $2000.00 mini grants for educational programming and training. These grant applications will be reviewed and awarded on a first come basis. There are two types of applications – Professional Development Travel Scholarship Application and Professional Development Mini-Grant Application. I have included the website to help those interested in determining eligibility. Send your applications to Bill Nobles or Steve Newman. If you have any questions please contact me. http://www.westernsare.org/
SARE’s vision is an enduring American agriculture of the highest quality. This agriculture is profitable, protects the nation’s land and water and is a force for a rewarding way of life for farmers and ranchers whose quality products and operations sustain their communities and society.
SARE’s mission is to advance—to the whole of American agriculture—innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and education.
Support Staff Training
Support staff training is scheduled for October 5-7 in Keystone, CO. Some of the topics of interest include the following. The agenda is still very fluid but here are some of the opportunities discussed.
Main Topics
- Crucial Conversations – Sonjia Graham
- Conflict Management – JoAnn Powell
- Contact Your Administrator (CYA) – Bill Nobles
- Panel Discussion – Role of Agent & Support Staff – CJ Mucklow, Sonjia Graham, Oma Fleming
- Time Management – Sonjia Graham (Office of Training & Development)
Possible Breakout Sessions
- 4-H Online
- Chartering & Foundations
- Background Checks
- Travel/Fiscal/Leave
- Office Etiquette
- Using Social Media
- New Website
- CSU Benefits for Support Staff
- Discussion on Millennials
If you have any further ideas please contact Sonjia Graham, Kellie Clark, Joan Jordan or the regional directors.
County & Area Directors (CAD) Meeting – December 2015
The CAD meeting is scheduled for December 7-9 in Pueblo. The initial stages of planning are in the process so we will be sending out more information soon.
Peaks and Plains Vacancies and Hires
- Extension Program Associate 4-H Youth Development Kit Carson County, Burlington was filled by Scott Stinnett. He started July 1, 2015.
- Southeast Area Extension Agent (Agriculture/Natural Resources and 4-H Youth Development) Kiowa County, Eads, filled by Brittany Bowman with a start date of August 17, 2015.
- ½-time 4-H Program Coordinator in Sedgwick County, Julesburg, filled by Sedgwick County is Jessica Harrington.
- Agronomy/Cropping Systems Extension Agent, Logan and Morgan Counties, Sterling and Fort Morgan, CO interviews are on August 11 and 12th.
- Area Extension Agent, Weed Science/Agronomy Golden Plains Area (GPA) Sedgwick County, Julesburg, TBA soon.
- Area Extension Agent (4-H Youth Development), Crowley and Otero Counties, Ordway, CO. Southeast Area closed on July 16th.
Native Plant Master Program making a difference
Saving water, money and time is what CSU Extension’s Native Plant Master Program is all about. The educational and volunteer-driven effort, which began in 1997, has led to the adoption of sustainable landscaping and natural resource conservation practices in a dozen counties across the state.
