TUESDAY MORNING NOTES - JANUARY 14, 2014

Tue Jan 14 11:04:38 MST 2014

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

Tuesday Morning Notes 

January 14, 2014

FROM THE DIRECTOR - Controversial Issues:

In a land grant institution, an important part of the mission is to bring
science to bear on practical problems.  In CALS, Cooperative Extension (CE)
has the direct responsibility for the application of science in the realm of
"real world" problems.  As CE works in this interface between the university
and real world settings, we are often working to challenge or change the
status quo.  As a result, it is not at all uncommon to encounter
controversial issues and/or generate challenging discussions in the process
of bringing new information to bear on a practical problem or issue.

For faculty and staff working in CE, we need people who have the capacity to
work comfortably in the scientific arena but also to work comfortably in a
public setting beyond the bounds of the university.  This professional
dexterity turns out to be a critical aspect of faculty and staff who are
successful in working in CE.  Those CE faculty who most effectively apply
good science in practical situations provide a solid foundation of
fact-based evidence to address a problem or a question and interpret the
information appropriately within the context of the situation at hand.  In
other words, they make the application from the realm of pure science to the
problem they face.  That requires not only a good science foundation but the
skill to put it in practice as well. 

Due to the fact that we are often dealing with controversial issues or
encountering some degree of controversy in the application of new
information, we also have to be alert to public issues and sensitivities and
be able to address them appropriately in this educational process, which
includes listening to and respecting other perspectives.  As we evaluate CE
programs in CALS, I'm alert to the demands that are placed on faculty and
staff who are working to apply good science to practical problems for the
benefit of the public within which we live and work.  I am also aware of the
controversial nature of many of the issues we work with and the challenges
our faculty and staff face in delivering these programs effectively.  I
always appreciate the skill and dexterity that many of our faculty and staff
demonstrate in working from a solid foundation of science-based information
and delivering that information effectively in a practical setting, often in
the midst of controversy and challenge.  Accordingly, I am supportive of CE
faculty and staff engaging effectively in these issues and I am confident
that they understand the importance of working from a base of evidence to
support their positions and the need for good science to back them up.

YUMA AG FIELD TOUR:

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Cooperative Extension, Arizona
Cooperative Extension is hosting a Yuma Agriculture Field tour in
conjunction with the 2014 Southwest Ag Summit.  Ag Summit participants are
invited to attend this tour, which will include transportation to and from
Yuma, a one night hotel stay and a box lunch for the tour.  All other meals
will be provided as part of your registration for the Summit.

On February 26, the Cooperative Extension bus will leave UA Main Campus at
7:00 a.m. to arrive in Yuma in time for lunch and the afternoon field tour.
After a stop at the hotel, the bus will deliver attendees to the 5:30 p.m.
Ag Summit reception at Arizona Western College.   After attending the
Southwest Ag Summit on February 27 [7:00-3:30], the bus will leave Yuma at
4:00 p.m., returning to Tucson at approximately 9:00 p.m.  PLEASE NOTE:  The
Harvest Dinner on February 27 is not part of the general Summit
registration.  The bus will leave for Tucson before the Harvest Dinner.

Please contact Steven Crofts at scrofts at cals.arizona.edu by January 31 if
you plan on attending this event.

UPDATE ON FACULTY:

Juanita Waits stepped down as the Director for Navajo County Cooperative
Extension, effective 1 January.  This change will allow her to spend more
time in oversight of grants and area FCHS programs.  She will continue in
her role as Area Agent Family Consumer and Health Sciences.  Many thanks to
Juanita for her excellent work and contributions to Navajo County
Cooperative Extension during her time as the County Director.  Based on this
change, Steve Campbell will step into the role of County Director, also
effective immediately.

SEMINAR ANNOUNCEMENT:

Paula Kahn-Rivadeneira, Ph.D., candidate for the Extension Specialist in
Fresh Produce Safety, Yuma position, will be presenting a seminar on Friday,
January 24 at 12:00 pm in VSM 129. Seminar title: "Developing a
Translational Research and Extension Program in Fresh Produce Safety for
Desert Specialty Crop Producers."  Lunch will be provided.

COUNTY OFFICE COMPUTER SUPPORT:

An annual reminder for county office locations that support continues to be
available through either our remote access system or from on-site visits by
Andy Medina.  As before, on-site visits can still be requested through my
office but all travel costs must be paid for by the requesting county.
Andy's time will continue to be covered by this office.  To manage the
on-site support requests, email your request to me
<mailto:silver at ag.arizona.edu>  with a cc to Andy Medina and Steven Crofts.

Also, don't forget that when county offices order new computers (desktop or
laptop), please work with and send questions to Andy
<mailto:gamedina at cals.arizona.edu>  (520.626.8395) before you make a
purchase.  This way, we can be sure you are getting the right technology for
your location and that we are able to support it (whether by remote access
or in person).  

O'BRIEN ENDOWMENT AWARD CALL FOR PROPOSALS:

In support of diversity efforts within the College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences and Cooperative Extension, we are announcing a Call for Proposals
for the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) James P. & Shirley J.
O'Brien Endowment.  For detailed information, go to the Proposal Submission
Guidelines
<https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resources/O
brien-endowment-guidelines.pdf>  and/or the Endowment Gift Agreement
<https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resources/O
Brien_Gift_Agreement.pdf>  or view previous award proposals and winners
<https://extension.arizona.edu/james-p-shirley-j-obrien-endowment-award> .
Please note that this award differs from the "Shirley O'Brien Diversity
Award" that was designed to honor individuals who have contributed
significantly to promoting diversity and an inclusive environment within
CALS and across campus.  The deadline for proposal submission is Friday,
February 28.  If you have any questions, contact Steven Crofts
<mailto:scrofts at cals.arizona.edu>  (520.621.7145).

POSTAL INCREASE REMINDER:

The US Postal Service will be increasing the price of a First-Class Mail
single-piece letter from 46 cents to 49 cents as of January 26 (with
additional ounces increasing to 21 cents).  Also, the first ounce for
international will increase to $1.15 and postcards to 34 cents.  

Jeffrey C. Silvertooth
Associate Dean

Director for Extension & Economic Development 

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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