July 28, 2020
Edition Topics
- Message from Dr. Silvertooth
- Diabetes Prevention Program
- Global CEA Census
- Associate Director ANR Interview Zoom Presentations
- New WebAuth Login Page - August 2
- Arizona Cotton Growers Request for Proposals
- New Extension Publications
- Educational Communication: Cooperative Extension YouTube Channel
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Message from the Associate Dean and Extension Director
On Thursday, 23 July, University of Arizona President Dr. Robert Robbins announced the institution’s plan to bring students back to campus and ways they are set up to mitigate the COVID-19 virus. Over the past few months, Arizona’s Cooperative Extension System (CES) has been formulating our own plan, in conjunction with the UA’s.
The CES plan does have some nuances that I would like to address as we progress and prior to executing:
1. Much of our language has included the term, “re-open.” However, in reality, we never closed.
Extension programming has been ongoing, simply in an alternate format. Our programs are still
engaging our clients and stakeholders, and our personnel are continuing to support all
programs. Moving forward, we will transition away from using “re-open” on our communications
and call this what it really is: “Operational Transition.” And the only transition is slowly and
carefully initiating in-person programming again.
2. The sole purpose of our plan is to allow ALL operations to return to pre-COVID-19 procedures in
the safest way possible. At this time, and as President Robbins mentioned, there are no plans
that are zero-risk. We must be cautious and deliberate as we phase back in-person
programming, and flexible enough to pull back if we feel conditions do not foster safety.
3. We are collaborating with several on-campus teams to scale resources to our remote locations
across the state. This includes testing for employees. I have included a table below which
illustrates what and when testing will be available. It’s worth noting that testing is strictly
voluntary.
As responsible stewards of scientific research, our mission is to deliver science-based information to the people of Arizona. Never has that been more important than it is today. Taking precautions consistent with what we have been discussing is our way of continuing to deliver on our mission for the people of Arizona.
Face coverings, social distancing, and enhanced hygiene have been proven to limit the impact of this deadly disease and Extension personnel are expected to adhere. These are consistent expectations with the University of Arizona guidelines and its employees. The sooner we all practice and adopt these behaviors, the sooner we can transition through our operational phases.
I thank you all for your commitment to Extension stakeholders, excellent programming, and most-importantly, to each other.
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| Diabetes Prevention Program
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| Global CEA Census
The 2nd Annual Global CEA Census is open until August 10, and the findings will be published in a free report later in the year.
All CEA farms are welcome to participate. See more information in the press release.
Contact Gene A. Giacomelli, giacomel@ag.arizona.edu if there are questions.
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| Associate Director Ag & Natural Resources Candidate's Zoom Presentations
If you missed the presentations, see the links below. (Use the UA NetID in the dropdown menu)
Please send in your evaluations to Trent Teegerstrom by July 30.
Presentation Title: How will your leadership, management, and professional skills allow you to address and meet the needs for ANR in Arizona?
“Please address what you see as two important issues ANR will face in the next five years, one involving your area of expertise in ANR and one in an area within ANR with which you are less familiar and not directly involved.”
Presentations:
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| New WebAuth Login Page - August 2
Starting August 2, You'll notice a new look when you log into online services protected by WebAuth. UITS is upgrading the software behind WebAuth to improve security and apply styling that matches the UArizona branding.
See this PDF for the new WebAuth look.
You will continue to use your NetID and password to sign in, as usual. After the update, you will also have the option to dismiss alert messages that appear in a banner above the username and password textboxes.
Once you dismiss the banner, it will no longer appear in that browser on that machine until a new banner is posted.
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| Arizona Cotton Growers Association Request for Proposals
Request for Proposals - 2021
Arizona Cotton Growers Association
Arizona State Support Committee
The Arizona Cotton Growers Association State Support Committee (Ag Research) is requesting research proposals for funding under the Cotton Incorporated State Support Program to benefit the Arizona Cotton Industry. As in the past the ACRPC will be in attendance and will consider supporting research in partnership with us.
The ACGA/State Support Committee is requesting that all research proposals be submitted to the Association by no later than the close of business on Friday, September 4, 2020. The proposals can be submitted via e-mail to Kevin Rogers, kevin@azcottongrowers.com or by mail: 9885 S. Priest Drive, Suite 102, Tempe, Arizona 85284.
We will entertain proposals addressing a broad spectrum of topics. However, due to a reduction in the 2020 research budget, it is highly likely that we will need to focus only on programs that are currently being funded by the ACGA.
Research Priorities: The ACGA/State Support Committee is continuing its current Research Priorities, as follows:
Cotton Production Activities
Insect Control
Water/Water Conservation
Dust Control in Pinal County
Advanced Strains Trials
Herbicide Resistance Management
Format: The Association further requests that all proposals be submitted on no more than two pages with the following information:
1. Research Project Title
2. Researcher(s)
3. Amount Requested (although the Association funds on a one-year basis, please indicate
whether this project will involve multiple years)
4. Brief description of the project and objectives
5. How this research project will benefit the Arizona Cotton Industry
Presentation: The presentation of projects to the Committee has not be scheduled as of yet, and as soon as I have a date I will get it to you.
If you have any questions, please call Kevin Rogers at (602) 437-1344.
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New Extension Publications
The internet, in general, and social media specifically, can offer a sense of connectedness to those friends and family members with whom we are not able to connect during the quarantine. This is not to say that young people should have carte blanche to engage unrestricted online. However, instead here are a few things to consider ensuring that children are kept safe while engaging in social media.
Guidance for Virtual 4-H Meetings
Jeremy Elliott-Engel, Peter Hooper, Caroline Werkhoven, Dominic Rodriguez, Joshua Moore, Ashley Parra
Virtual 4-H meetings can help keep 4-H members connected and on track with their 4-H projects. A virtual 4-H meeting may feel different than in-person programming. As with in-person programming, there are best practices for keeping youth safe. This guidance is prepared to help you reduce potential risks for virtual meetings which have their own unique considerations.
Elizabeth A Greene, Wendy Hein, Carissa L Wickens & Danielle N Smarsh
A journal article in Translational Animal Science describing the fast actions taken to create and disseminate COVID-19 related educational information to horse clientele by the national group of extension specialists and colleagues (Extension Horses) has been published.
Dr. Jeanne Rankin, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician and Specialist at Montana State University expressed it very nicely:
Congratulations! There were many wonderful pieces of information for horse owners and you all did a terrific job in collaboration, publishing and distribution of this critical information. Way to Go Extension!
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| Educational Communication: Cooperative Extension YouTube Channel
In the "digital age" - with the quest for information, but shorter attention spans - educational organizations are communicating more and more via social media, websites, and using digital communications, like Zoom.
Arizona Cooperative Extension is working to be at the forefront of this trend, in communicating with short, to-the-point videos.
Check out the Arizona Cooperative Extension YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/azcoopextension
Please make sure you're helping us advance the Cooperative Extension message. Please like, share and link through your social media channels, and help us do all we can to share with all stakeholders and communities.
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