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Extension News
February 2009
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USU Mandatory Furlough Likely To Bring Changes for Extension
A mandatory furlough from March 9-13 was announced by USU President Stan L. Albrecht for all full- and part-time USU employees in response to the second round of budget cuts for fiscal year 2009.
Vice President for Extension Noelle Cockett said there will likely be
changes to the schedule of Extension programs held during this time, and a notice
will be sent out when they are determined.
"The budget cuts facing USU have an incredible reach, an
incredible impact," Cockett said. "In addition to the mandatory 5-day furlough, USU
Extension has returned $1 million from the FY09 budget ($632,000 for state
budget cuts and $372,000 for internal budget recycling), with the return of
more money from the FY10 and beyond budgets. Clearly, we will not be able
to do all that we have done in the past. However, I'm confident that USU
Extension will continue to serve the needs to the citizens of Utah, albeit in a
different way and scope."
Cockett further discussed the implementation and impacts of the upcoming
furlough during a State of Extension Webcast on February 4. To listen to the Webcast, click here.
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New Online USU Tree Browser
Utah State
University Extension Forestry released a new online tree browser,
www.treebrowser.org, in January 2009 to replace the Utah Tree Browser
CD-ROM available from USU since 2002.
This new interactive browser contains more
than 1,000 full-color photographs of and information about 241 native and
introduced trees growing in Utah and the Intermountain West. Users can browse
through a complete list of trees or narrow their choices by selecting from 21
general, growth-related, cultural and ornamental characteristics, including
whether a tree is native or introduced.
The USU Tree
Browser was created by USU Extension forestry specialist Mike Kuhns and Box
Elder County Extension agriculture/4-H youth agent Lyle Holmgren, with
programming by Scott McCallister and Robert Holloway and graphic design by
Annie Jensen of USU. Partial funding was provided by U.S. Forest Service State
and Private Forestry.
Click here for information on DVD availability, or contact Mike Kuhns at mike.kuhns@usu.edu for more information.
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USU Extension
Co-sponsors Sixth Annual Diversified Ag Conference
Utah State University Extension,
along with the Millard County Economic Development
Association and the USDA Risk Management Agency, co-sponsor the sixth
annual Diversified Agriculture Conference Feb. 25-27 in Delta.
The conference
is designed to benefit agriculture producers who are interested in more than
traditional agriculture, including recreation, tourism, direct marketing,
farmers' markets and further processing. Several of this year's conference
sessions will focus on issues that affect agriculture and small businesses in
today's changing economy.
Adult registration is $60 per
person, which includes meals from Wednesday dinner through Friday breakfast. For
the early bird discount and other conference information, visit www.diverseag.org or call the Millard
County Economic Development Association at 435-864-1407,
your local USU County Extension Office or Ward at 435-797-2323.
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Utah Teachers Use Gardening As Tool
Twelve Utah teachers
traveled to the National Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) Conference in
Costa Mesa, Calif., in June 2008 to share ideas and resources on planting
school and youth gardens - thanks, in part, to the Extension Applied Research
Program, a Utah State University Extension grant.
At the
conference, these "green thumb" teachers attended workshops and shared
resources and tips with other teachers and AITC staff. After they returned, the teachers
and the Utah AITC staff held three workshops throughout the state to encourage and motivate other teachers to use gardens. More than 90
teachers from 50 schools received gardening resources and plant grow lights
to use in their classrooms.
For information on how to
start a garden, where to find resources and funding, curriculum and a
garden blog, visit Utah AITC's new garden
site, the Utah School & Youth Garden Network, at www.gardennetwork.org.
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$25 Million For Biomass Research and Development Announced
USDA and the U.S. Department of Energy announced, January
30, up to $25 million in grant funding for the biomass research and development
initiative.
"The project will aim to create a diverse group of
economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass,"
stated the memorandum. "Advanced biofuels produced from these types of sources
are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emission by a minimum of 50 percent."
The application for this joint funding opportunity
announcement is due March 6, 2009. Projects will be funded in three areas:
feedstocks development, biofuels and biobased products development, and
biofuels development analysis. For more information, visit grants.gov.
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Extension Employees Successful With USU's "Be Well" Holiday Challenge
Many USU Extension employees took on the Utah State University "Be Well" Holiday Challenge, Nov. 17, 2008 to Jan. 11, 2009.
All USU and county Extension employees were encouraged to
increase water, fruit and vegetable consumption and engage in daily exercise
through a point system for prizes. Anita Kingdon, staff assistant for the associate vice president and Extension marketing director, was one of the six overall winners who earned the maximum 1,232 points, winning a 2 GB iPod shuffle.
The Weber County Extension office employees (pictured) adopted the challenge with a twist. They chose to also earn
or lose points for weight loss or gain.
"It's
nice to have a workplace be a supportive environment for healthy living, rather
than an obstacle to overcome in the pursuit of health," said Donna
Carter, Weber County 4-H youth Extension agent.
During the five-week holiday challenge, the
office staff cumulatively drank 88 gallons of water, exercised for 65 hours, ate 800 servings of fruits and veggies and, rather than gaining weight during the holidays, had a cumulative weight loss of one pound.
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Extension Welcomes Seth Ohms
Seth
Ohms joined Extension in June 2008 as an agriculture/4-H youth agent in Millard
County. Ohms received his bachelor's degree in biology, with an emphasis in
botany, from Southern Utah University in 2001 and his master's degree in range
science, studying aspen regeneration, from Utah State University in 2003.
Ohms grew up in Cedar City and
enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, and enjoys all aspects of
the outdoors.
"I have enjoyed working for
Extension, as well as meeting and assisting the residents of Millard County,"
he said.
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Extension Welcomes Rachel Rudd
Extension
welcomes Rachel Rudd as our new 4-H Agent in Davis County. She earned her
bachelor's degree in family and human development from Utah State University in
2004, and is currently finishing her master's degree in human development.
Before coming to Extension, Rudd worked for the non-profit organization,
Utah Afterschool Network, where she conducted trainings for program
administrators.
"I hope to see my head getting clearer as I
settle in, but I do pledge my heart to 4-H and the lives it touches," Rudd
said. "I pledge my hands to the service needed and my health to better living
for all of you, my clubs, my community, my country and my world. I will do
my best to make the best even better!"
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Recent Extension Publications Extension Publications are completed frequently. Please take a look at these posted recently.
Mexican Cliffrose in the Landscape
Calendula in the Garden
Planting Landscape Trees
Financial Simulations for Young Adults: Making the "Real World" Real
Visit the USU Extension publication site by clicking here. |
Help Spread the Word About
Extension Career Opportunities
Professional positions within Utah State Extension are currently open and we would like your help in spreading the word. Below is a list of open positions. Please forward this list to anyone you know who might be interested in applying.
Northern Region
Military Saves Intern - Davis County
Weber County Camp Director - 4-H Aggie Adventures for Kids
Student Researcher - Salt Lake County
Resident Services/Computer Lab Assistant - Davis County
Southeast Region
Middle School Afterschool Mentoring Coordinator
Family and Consumer Sciences Assistant - Utah County
Southwest Region
Visit the USU Extension employment site by clicking here. |
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