May 5, 2020
Edition Topics


  1. Message from Dr. Silvertooth
  2. Congratulations - Hope Wilson
  3. Yavapai County Cooperative Extension Report
  4. Desert Horticulture Conference
  5. Vegetation Management Video Series
  6. Funding Opportunity
  7. AmeriCorps Member 2020-2021 Requests
  8. New Monthly Story Lead Contest!
  9. New Extension Publications
  10. Associate Director, Ag & Natural Resources Opening
  11. Educational Communication - Cooperative Extension YouTube Channel

Message from the Associate Dean and Extension Director

We are now in our eighth week since the University of Arizona (UA) began a new working model, followed and Governor Ducey’s executive orders were first issued on 30 March.

On 29 April Governor Ducey issued Executive Order 2020-33 extending the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, and Stay Connected” until 15 May.  The UA is also continuing with the remote operations.

The UA is campus-focused but we can follow the parameters that are being defined in that arena.  President Robbins has stated on several occasions that the University of Arizona (UA) is planning to conduct classes on campus in the fall semester of 2020.  Based on statements in an Arizona Republic article on 30 April, the university will encourage face masks and likely hold off on large gatherings.  Consideration will be taken for all UA personnel who are older or have underlying conditions that place them at higher-risk of infection allowing them to stay home and do their work remotely.  On Friday, 1 May Provost Folks sent a message stating that in-person classes would not be conducted during summer sessions but that classes would be on-line.

Our primary concerns continue to be:

  1.         Ensure the health, safety, and welfare of every single Extension family member. 

  2.         Support our continued delivery of research-based content and program delivery through
              virtual means, safely, in areas of Cooperative Extension operations.

This is not easy, but neither are these times.  As the state and nation begin to transition, we are experiencing some tests in American civil liberties.  As a public organization, we have responsibilities regarding how we manage this process in Cooperative Extension with broad considerations for everyone involved.  I care deeply about what Extension is doing and continues to do, but I also care a great deal about the people who are doing the Extension work. 

I am extremely grateful for all the great work and engagement that continues to happen across the entire state.  Things have a tendency to get a little hectic these days and the management of your life/work balance is important.  Please continue to take care of yourselves, your family, and colleagues.  Keep up the great work!

___________________

COVID-19: Employee Resources 
 
FAQ - Follow the questions we are getting at Knowledgebase  
Please enter any questions, comments, concerns, or additions you'd like to see on this space in the comments section on the FAQ page!

Congratulations - Hope Wilson

Hope Wilson has received notification of her promotion to Area Associate Agent with Continuing Status which will become effective July 1, 2020. Cooperative Extension appreciates Ms. Wilson’s contributions to learning and scholarship in the field of Family, Consumer, and Health Sciences and we look forward to her continued advancement, scholarship, and service. Congratulations on this accomplishment!


Yavapai County Cooperative Extension Report

Check out the latest Yavapai County report.

Desert Horticulture Conference

The 29th Annual Desert Horticulture Conference which was to be held on May 29, 2020 in Tucson is now ONLINE from May 29 to June 4, 2020. Participants can watch 15 presentations online over 7 days at their convenience, first time ever you can see all three tracks! For professionals holding licenses or certifications, earn CEU's for ADA PMD and ISA.

60 Second Vegetation Management Video Series

Watch vegetation management tips hosted by  Elise S. Gornish, Cooperative Extension Specialist in Ecological Restoration.  The videos are relevant to dryland gardening and restoration.

Funding Opportunity

FCHS Extension Development funds are available for Professional Development. The objective of the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Development Fund is to provide support and enhance FCHS programs where regular annual university budget allocations are unavailable. Funds are to be utilized by or through FCHS Extension programs to enhance county or statewide Extension educational program efforts.

Up to $1,000 total will be made available to fund at least one person’s professional development. 

Eligibility: FCHS agent, FCHS specialist, full-time
FCHS program staff; program staff must have their supervisor approve their application).

Funds must be expended between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 (details regarding access to funds will be sent to those funded). In the event that the professional development opportunity is cancelled or altered, recipient(s) will be asked to submit a revised proposal and budget.

The deadline for submitting proposals is May 29, 2020 at 5pm. Apply for these funds through the following link: https://bit.ly/2zZdZ4W

An announcement of the winning proposals will be made after June 26, 2020 in
TMN

For more information please contact Kate Speirs (kspeirs@email.arizona.edu).


AmeriCorps Member 2020-2021 Requests

Would you like an AmeriCorps Member to assist with addressing your community outreach needs?  Wildcat Corps is now accepting service site member slot requests for the 2020-2021 grant year.  If you would like more information about how members can serve in your program; service site requirement and costs; or how to apply, contact Christina Lipin at clipin@arizona.edu

Application deadline is May 29, 2020. 

NEW Monthly Story Lead Contest!

The eXtension Foundation, in partnership with Farm Journal, is pleased to bring this opportunity to Cooperative Extension.

Each month, we will offer a story lead contest right here in Connect Extension in the new Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead Contest group. Monthly winners, along with their Extension Directors and Administrators, will have the chance to work with Farm Journal to further develop their story and have it published in Farm Journal media.

Submissions for the contest are simply story leads, not full narratives. Farm Journal staff will review all submissions. Topic areas for story leads will change for each monthly contest. 

Please join the Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead Contest group in Connect Extension to submit your story.  It's fast and easy to do, and available to all Cooperative Extension professionals!

The topic area for the May 2020 contest is about the important work you're doing to help farmers and rural communities create, conserve, or otherwise manage wildlife habitat. Click here to learn more about the format, and details about how to submit your story lead in Connect Extension!

New Extension Publications

A Turfgrass Maintenance Guide for Residential and Commercial Lawns in the Low Elevation Arizona Desert
Kai Umeda and David Kopec

Homeowners commonly desire to have a functional lawn for children to play upon and for their pets. Lawns also contribute to the aesthetics and value of residential or commercial properties as well as offering many environmental advantages. The right-sized lawn in the right place with an efficient irrigation system can provide all of these benefits.

 Hops are an essential crop in the world for beer production and are mostly grown between latitudes 35° to 55° north, which includes northern Arizona. The U.S. leads world hop production (40%) and is closely followed by Germany (38%). In the U.S., Washington state is the highest producer (68%), followed by Idaho and Oregon in the second and third positions, respectively, with a total of about 28%. Local craft breweries are driving local hop production expansion to most states in the USA with promising opportunities for small-scale, beginner farmers, and other related stakeholders. This could open a new frontier to the large population of small-scale growers in Northern Arizona. 

False Chinch Bugs In Cotton
Naomi Pier, W. Eugene Hall, Peter C. Ellsworth

This IPM Short provides information on proper identification of False Chinch Bugs occurring in cotton and best management practices.


Associate Director, Ag & Natural Resources Opening

Agriculture and Natural Resources Associate Director position has been posted.  Please check and pass along to those internal candidates that might be interested.

              https://talent.arizona.edu/
                             Upper right corner --  I am : “a current UArizona employee”  (dropdown menu)
                             Log in
                             Go to “Career Center”
                             Search   “req851”  Associate Director, Programs ANR


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.


TMN Submittal Process

Please submit your news by 4:00pm Monday to TMN [tmn@cals.arizona.edu].

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