Tuesday Morning Notes

June 10, 2008

O'BRIEN ENDOWMENT AWARD CALL FOR PROPOSALS:

A reminder that the O'Brien Endowment Award proposal submission deadline was extended to Monday, June 30. The award is being offered in our support of diversity efforts within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Cooperative Extension. The CALS James P. & Shirley J. O'Brien Endowment proposal guidelines and instructions and examples of previous award proposals and reports are available at: Proposal Guidelines and Instructions, Endowment Gift Agreement, Previous Award Proposals and Reports. Please note that this award differs from the Shirley O'Brien Diversity Award (administered through the Dean's Office) that was designed to honor individuals who have contributed significantly to the advancement of diversity within CALS. If you have any questions, contact Jim Christenson or Steven Crofts (520.621.7145).

NEW PUBLICATIONS:

Several CALS publications have been recently revised and are now available online:

Irradiation of Food, Biotechnology and Food, Microwave Cooking, Vegetarian Diets: Build on the Basics, Diabetes -- Meal Planning, the First Step, and Sugar Substitutes - Are They Safe? by Scottie Misner, Carol Curtis & Evelyn Whitmer.
The Latest in Kitchen Sanitation Issues, Egg and Egg Product Safety and Quality, and Nine Food Safety Strategies by Scottie Misner & Evelyn Whitmer.

INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY SURVEY RESULTS – Week 2 of 7:

Results, Conclusions, and Recommendations

Extension provided Web and graphics support. RESULTS: Regarding requesting Web site assistance for state-wide programs, county programs, and county sites, overall responses (totally competent or could figure it out) were; 58%, 58%, and 60%, respectively. Off campus faculty gave responses of 44%, 49%, and 54%; off campus staff said 62%, 68%, and 70%. However, when asked about creating overall Web site or site components, a majority of the respondents felt totally lost or needed more training. CONCLUSIONS: Faculty and staff combined are generally uncomfortable in creating websites or Web site components on their own, but are comfortable in asking for help. Faculty tend to rely on staff for Web site development rather than create it themselves. RECOMMENDATIONS: Continue providing Web site support; look for ways that off campus personnel, with little experience, can create and/or update sites.
Other Extension provided support and services. RESULTS: Results were highly variable for other Extension provided support and services. For example, 76% of all Extension personnel felt totally competent or could figure out the Extension directory, whereas the Extension poster request process was more evenly divided between those totally competent or could figure it out (30%), and those needing more training or totally lost (31%). Some specific comments indicate that not everyone is aware of services provided within our Extension staff, including computer support and poster printing. CONCLUSIONS : It is likely that personnel, especially those who have been in Extension for some time, do feel more comfortable with the more commonly used services. A better job of "getting the word out" about support and service options should be done. RECOMMENDATIONS : Create a support reference document, which shows what services are offered, and who to contact.

This is part of a 7 week series to provide results of the Information and Technology Needs survey. The complete summary document is available upon request. To request the document or ask questions, contact Sheila Merrigan (520.626.6543) or Robert Armstrong (520.621.3872).

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Financial Literacy Strategic Planning Session, Wednesday, June 11 , 10:00am-2:00pm, 'New' Norton School , 650 N. Park Avenue . The program is in collaboration with UA Cooperative Extension, Take Charge America Institute for Consumer Financial Education & Research (TCAI), Family Economics and Financial Education (FEFE), Credit Wise Cats, and Arizona Saves. The purpose is to learn about several of the financial programs on campus/around the state and how we might collaborate beyond Tucson to expand financial literacy for youth and adults. The program will include a welcome by Soyeon Shim ; Program Overviews by Nicole Chinadle (FEFE), Linda Block (Small Steps to Health & Wealth), Juan Ciscomani (Credit Wise Cats), and Patrick Jordan (Arizona Saves); a working lunch, and Strategic Planning on Financial Literacy Outreach for Youth and Adults. Travel and parking will be covered by funding with TCAI for Extension personnel and it is suggested to park in the Tyndall Garage and keep track of mileage expenses. For overnight lodging, the Windmill Inn at Campbell Avenue/River Road (520.577.0007) is suggested.

Women in Agriculture Conference, Friday, July 11, Quality Inn & Suites, Prescott. "From Our Farm to Your Family" is the theme for this year's conference. The registration fee is $40.00. The conference will address the issues women face on and off the farm. Keynote speakers will be Troy and Stacy Hadrick, a young farmer and rancher couple from Vale, South Dakota , who will inspire participants with "Discovering Your Influential Power." Accommodations are available now at the Prescott Quality Inn & Suites ( 4499 E State Route 69) for $109 per night, single or double occupancy. To guarantee the special reduced rate, call the hotel (928.777.0770) by June 19. For more information, contact Peggy Jo Goodfellow (480.635.3609). Registration forms, agenda and additional information are available at http://azfb.org/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&rowid=189.

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