TUESDAY MORNING NOTES - October 16, 2012

Tue Oct 16 08:55:10 MST 2012

TMN submittal:
http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/tuesday/form/submittal_form.html 

Tuesday Morning Notes 

October 16, 2012

FROM THE DIRECTOR:

I am writing this note from my desk in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.  I have
the privilege of working here this week (7-14 October) and participating in
a plant nutrition symposium (Simposio Internacional de Nutrición Vegetal).
I am personally responsible for two, one-hour presentations (en Español)
along with attending all other sessions and engaging in the many
interactions with the symposium attendees. I am also getting out and
visiting some of the crop production systems in Jalisco.  So needless to
say, I have my hands full this week and my full share of challenge.  But I
have to also say that this and similar experiences are quite enjoyable to
me.

There are more than 300 people here this week attending this event
consisting primarily of agronomists, agricultural technicians, and crop
managers from many parts of Mexico. They have paid handsomely to attend this
symposium.  Most, if not all of them, are engaged in high level production
systems that are producing a broad range of crops, mostly fruits and
vegetables that are going into the export market, much of which is bound for
the United States.  Thus, the people at the symposium are very good at their
business and they expect a high quality program with current scientifically
based information that is clearly translated for direct implementation into
their crop production systems.  This is really no different than what we
expect of symposiums in the United States, but there are some significant
differences that I recognize, besides the cultural and language differences.
My hope is that I bring something worthwhile to contribute to this symposium
but as I often find with trips like this I usually learn as much or more
from the experience myself.

One of the differences or striking features that come to mind this week is
the unique value of our normal Cooperative Extension education programs in
the U.S., where people providing the educational programs are experts in the
science and research that provides the basis for these educational programs.
In fact, the Extension faculty and staff in our system are often the same
people conducting the research.  This provides the foundation for good
programs and the value of the Cooperative Extension system is very clear and
distinctive whenever I am working internationally.  Having Extension
educators that are knowledgeable and up to date in their science as well as
functioning comfortably at the level of application in the field, industry,
family, or community, is a valuable asset to this and similar land grant
institutions.  Perhaps because of my current position in CALS I am very
alert and aware of these relationships this week.  Plus, I have had several
conversations with folks from Mexico that are very clear in their
recognition of what Cooperative Extension provides and their interests in
having the benefit of a similar organization in Mexico. 

Thus, I am reminded this week of the unique value of Cooperative Extension
and what this organization represents for CALS, the UA, the State of Arizona
and beyond.  Our challenge is to make CALS Cooperative Extension robust,
efficient, and fiscally sustainable.  It is important for us to not take our
Cooperative Extension system for granted but rather to make it stronger for
future generations.  

FOCUS ON PROGRAMS:

VISTA Sarah Renkhert garnered $11,103 to promote the Globe-Miami Farmer’s
Market in historic Globe.  Serving the rural communities of Globe, Miami,
and San Carlos Apache Tribe, the market was awarded the USDA Market
Promotion grant to reach other rural communities such as Superior and Lake
Roosevelt.  As rural areas across the country struggle with dwindling
economic opportunities and declining populations, the Globe-Miami Farmer's
Market offers opportunity.  The local economy benefits from the market's
support of local vendors and the market provides a gathering opportunity for
community members thus strengthening these rural areas.  Promoting and
increasing access to produce also has far-reaching community health
benefits. 

O’BRIEN ENDOWMENT AWARD CALL FOR PROPOSALS:

There are about 2½ weeks left to submit a proposal for the College of
Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) James P. & Shirley J. O’Brien Endowment –
the extended deadline for proposal submission is Friday, November 2.  For
detailed information, go to the Proposal Submission Guidelines
<https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resourcefil
e/resource/scrofts/ProjectProposalGuidelines.pdf>  and/or the Endowment Gift
Agreement
<http://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resourcefile
/resource/scrofts/O%27Brien_Gift_Agreement.pdf>  or view previous award
winners
<http://extension.arizona.edu/state/james-p-shirley-j-obrien-endowment-award
> .  It is important to note that there was an incorrect file loaded for the
submission guidelines and that has been corrected – so please recheck the
guidelines file.  Also note that this award differs from the “Shirley
O’Brien Diversity Award” offered through CALS.  If you have any questions,
contact Steven Crofts <mailto:scrofts at cals.arizona.edu>  (520.621.7145). 

NEW 4-H CURRICULUM PROMOTED BY CHILDREN & NATURE NETWORK:

The new 4-H curriculum to get kids and families outdoors exploring nature
called "Backyards & Beyond:  Neighborhood Nature Clubs" was promoted this
week to teachers around the nation in the C
<http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/new_backyards_beyond_curriculu
m_from_arizona_4-h_helps_kids_connect_to_the_/> &NN weekly newsletter.  

ARIZONA 4-H CENTENNIAL FEATURES ON U OF A WEB PAGE:

Arizona 4-H is being featured on the University of Arizona's main web page
<http://www.arizona.edu/>  this month because of our upcoming centennial.
The story features photos of the Phoenix-based robotics club called the Beep
Patrol that came down last spring for the Tucson Festival of Books.  Check
it the 100 Years of Arizona 4-H
<http://www.arizona.edu/features/100-years-arizona-4-h>  article.  

TECH TIP OF THE WEEK – HOW TECH SUPPORT SCAMS WORK:

Scammers have been peddling bogus security software for years.  They set up
fake websites, offer free security scans, and send alarming messages to try
to convince you that your computer is infected.  Then, they try to sell you
software to fix the problem.  At best, the software is worthless or
available elsewhere for free.  At worst, it could be malware software
designed to give criminals access to your computer and your personal
information.  The latest version of the scam begins with a phone call.
Scammers can get your name and other basic information from public
directories.  They might even guess what computer software you’re using.
Once they have you on the phone, they often try to gain your trust by
pretending to be associated with well-known companies or confusing you with
a barrage of technical terms.  They may ask you to go to your computer and
perform a series of complex tasks.  Sometimes, they target legitimate
computer files and claim that they are viruses.  Their tactics are designed
to scare you into believing they can help fix your problem. 

Once they've gained your trust, they may ask you to give them remote access
to your computer and then make changes to your settings that could leave
your computer vulnerable, try to enroll you in a worthless computer
maintenance or warranty program, ask for credit card information so they can
bill you for phony services or services you could get elsewhere for free,
trick you into installing malware that could steal sensitive data (like user
names and passwords), and/or direct you to websites and ask you to enter
your credit card number and other personal information.  Regardless of the
tactics they use, they have one purpose - to make money. 

If you get a call from someone who claims to be a tech support person, hang
up and call the company yourself on a phone number you know to be genuine.
A caller who creates a sense of urgency or uses high-pressure tactics is
probably a scam artist.  

Other things to keep in mind:

*	Do not give control of your computer to a third party who calls you
out of the blue.
*	Do not rely on caller ID alone to authenticate a caller (criminals
spoof caller ID numbers and may appear to be calling from a legitimate
company or a local number, when they're not even in the same country as
you).
*	Do not provide your credit card or financial information to someone
who calls and claims to be from tech support or give your password over the
phone (no legitimate organization calls you and asks for your password).
*	Online search results might not be the best way to find technical
support or get a company’s contact information (scammers sometimes place
online ads to convince you to call them and pay to boost their ranking in
search results so their websites and phone numbers appear above those of
legitimate companies).  If you want tech support, look for a company's
contact information on their software package or on your receipt.
*	If a caller pressures you to buy a computer security product or says
there is a subscription fee associated with the call, hang up.  If you're
concerned about your computer, call your security software company directly
and ask for help.
*	Do put your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry and
then report illegal sales calls.

If you have responded to a scam, think you may have downloaded malware from
a scam site or allowed a cybercriminal to access your computer, don’t panic.
Instead:

*	Get rid of malware. Update or download legitimate security software
and scan your computer.  Delete anything it identifies as a problem. 
*	Change any passwords that you gave out.  If you use these passwords
for other accounts, change those accounts, too. 
*	If you paid for bogus services with a credit card, call your credit
card provider and ask to reverse the charges. Check your statements for any
other charges you didn't make, and ask to reverse those, too. 
*	If you believe that someone may have accessed your personal or
financial information, visit the FTCs identity theft website
<http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft2012/> .  You can minimize
your risk of further damage and repair any problems already in place. 
*	File a complaint with the FTC.

NEW PUBLICATION:

Wheat and Barley Varieties for Arizona 2012
<http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/crops/az1265.pdf>  by Michael Ottman  

UPCOMING EVENT: 

The annual Intensive Greenhouse Crop Production Courses will be offered
January 2-9, 2013 at the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC),
1951 East Roger Road, Tucson.  Course emphasis will be on greenhouse
hydroponic production of tomato and lettuce with instructors Dr. Pat
Rorabaugh (Tomato & Hydroponic Specialist), Mr. Myles Lewis (Award-Winning
Production Business Specialist), and Dr. Merle Jensen (Special Guest
Lecturer & CEAC Consultant).  For a flyer, program and registration
information, check the 2013 Hydroponic Greenhouse Crop Production Intensive
website
<https://ag.arizona.edu/ceac/2013-hydroponic-greenhouse-crop-production-inte
nsive> .

Jeffrey C. Silvertooth
Associate Dean

Director for Economic Development & Extension
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
PO Box 210036
Tucson, AZ  85721-0036
520.621.7205
520.621.1314 (fax)

To submit tips, suggestions, ideas for changes and anything that could help
us be more effective, use  the “Director
<http://extension.arizona.edu/state/directors-suggestion-box> ’s Suggestion
Box” – all submissions are anonymous.  

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