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Edition TopicsJanuary 11, 2022
- Message from Interim Director Ed Martin
- Welcome Matt Swanson
- Welcome Dr. Lance Northey
- International Cotton Advisory Council Award to Dr. Bruce Tabashnik
- Recent Passing of Ed Nigh
- New Publication
- Yavapai County Extension Director / Assist/Assoc ANR Agent
- Director, Cooperative Extension Posting
- Call for Nominations
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Message from the Interim Director of Extension
Happy 2022! Welcome back to a new year, which by the way, feels a lot like the old year, with masks updates, COVID tests, and scheduling changes. However, in Extension, we are flexible and work with our community partners to ensure the delivery of programs while following policies and guidelines. I heard this morning that many people are getting pandemic fatigue. The truth is you may be done with the pandemic, but the pandemic is not entirely done – not yet, at least. I ask our clientele, volunteers, and employees to use patience and understanding as we navigate through yet another surge or wave of COVID. Always know that we are thinking safety first and doing our best under the conditions. I have faith that faculty and staff in Arizona Extension will continue to meet the needs of our communities and get through this current surge.
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| Welcome Matt Swanson, Associate in Extension, 4-H Curriculum Development
Matt is a lifelong Arizona resident and educator with more than 15 years' experience teaching science at the middle school and high school levels. He received both his undergraduate degree in philosophy and his graduate degree in science education at the University of Arizona. Matt is also a certified environmental educator through the Arizona Association for Environmental Education and has worked on various agricultural and environmental science projects in the state of Arizona. Creating hands on, experiential learning opportunities is Matt’s passion, and he is excited to be working with this state’s amazing cooperative extension professionals and volunteers to help them create the best possible learning experiences for Arizona’s youth.
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Welcome Dr. Lance Northey, Mohave County 4-H YD Associate Agent
Please help me welcome Dr. Lance Northey, 4-H YD Associate Agent, Mohave County! Dr. Northey has been involved with youth education his entire professional career as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. Dr. Northey recently graduated with his PhD from Cardinal Stritch University with expertise in community building, communication, and leadership.
We are delighted to have Dr. Northey join our Mohave County Cooperative Extension team and I know he is looking forward to meeting his colleagues around the state. Dr. Northey can be reached at: lnorthey@arizona.edu or (928) 753-3788 x15.
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| International Cotton Advisory Council Award to Dr. Bruce Tabashnik
The International Cotton Advisory Council recognized Dr. Bruce Tabashnik as the 2021 Researcher of the year. Each year the ICAC honors a leading cotton researcher. The award was presented at the 79th ICAC Plenary Meeting, in December 2021. Dr. Tabashnik was selected by an independent panel of six eminent experts from six different countries.
Prof. Bruce Tabashnik, Head of the Department of Entomology at the University of Arizona, is one of the most influential scientists of our times in entomology and biological sciences, having led the Department of Entomology at University of Arizona for the last 24 years. Tabashnik’s research has provided fundamental knowledge about insects for enhancing agricultural sustainability and reducing the use of harmful insecticides. Current work focuses on evolution of resistance to insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Web of Science/Clarivate Analytics recognized his work as highly cited in 2018 and 2019. Tabashnik is Fellow of the Royal Society of Entomology, UK and is the recipient of several awards including the Nan-Yao Su Award for Innovation and Creativity in Entomology, Entomological Society of America: and the Koffler Prize in Research/Scholarship/Creative Activity, University of Arizona. He recently won the Plant-Insect Ecosystems Lifetime Achievement Award in Entomology from the Entomological Society of America.
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| Recent passing of Ed Nigh, Professor Emeritus
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New Publication
Isaac K. Mpanga
In semi-arid croplands, water and organic matter in the soil are limiting factors affecting soil fertility, health, and crop productivity. Climate change with increasing temperatures, limited precipitations, and increasing drought stress negatively affected soil water and organic matter availability in arid soils. This situation calls for innovative and alternative on-farm management strategies with water and on-farm waste to regenerate arid cropland through a circular agricultural approach where by-products and waste are turned into resources such as inputs for the farm.
In Arizona, wine production increased from 65,413 gallons (2007) to 297,145 gallons 2017) (Murphree, 2018), with an estimated 354% increase in grape pomace production within the same period. The grape pomace is a by-product of the wineries, which is obtained after crashing the grape fruits, fermenting and pressing the juice.
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Yavapai County Extension Director / Assist/Assoc ANR Agent
This position includes administrative responsibility as County Extension Director and will represent Arizona Cooperative Extension at county and state levels. This includes attending college and county level department head meetings, negotiating county budgets, interfacing with Extension Advisory Board and other community groups, assuming responsibilities of vacant county positions, and resolving issues of concern with volunteers and community partners.
Assistant/Associate Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources. The primary purpose of the Agriculture & Natural Resources position is to provide leadership in research-based education to increase the knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of agricultural producers, ranchers, local nursery owners, landscape professionals, and citizens interested in agriculture, natural resources, and horticulture/plant sciences to solve their own problems and improve the quality of their lives.
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| Director, Cooperative Extension Posting
The Arizona CES Director reports directly to the Vice President of the Division of Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension (ALVSCE) and is responsible and accountable for managing and leading the CES including: responding to federal and state legislation relating to CES and addressing federal and state compliance requirements; developing a vision and implementing a plan for the CES to contribute to every aspect of Arizona’s economy, human wellness, and health equity that increases its economic and social impact; directly addressing Arizona’s future demographics; identifying and delivering on key metrics and benchmarks to measure progress towards CES’ strategic goals and its contribution to the goals of the division, university, and Arizona Board of Regents.
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| Call for Nominations
Each year we recognize our faculty, staff and strong contributors to Cooperative Extension with the Extension Faculty of the Year Award, the Outstanding Staff in Cooperative Extension Award, and the Extensionist of the Year Award.
The Cooperative Extension Faculty of the Year award recipient will receive $1,000 and an award. Click here for Extension Faculty of the Year Award criteria and nomination instructions. Submission deadline – February 16, 2022
The Outstanding Staff in Cooperative Extension award recipient will receive $500 and an award. Click here for award nomination criteria.
Submission deadline – February 16, 2022
The Extensionist of the Year award recognizes and honors a resident of the State of Arizona who has demonstrated extraordinary contributions, through UACE, to improving the lives of people in their community and state. The award will be presented at an appropriate division-wide event. Letters of nomination from UACE or non-UACE faculty and staff and/or peers should focus on the following criteria: 1) the nature and extent of the contribution provided by the individual (35%), 2) how this contribution has benefitted people in the community (15%) and the state (15%), 3) leadership qualities (25%), and 4) support for UACE (10%).
Submission deadline – February 16, 2022
All awards will be presented at an appropriate Extension or ALVSCE event. Please read the criteria carefully, submitting only the materials noted. Submit your nominations and support letters to gallardk@arizona.edu. If you have any questions, contact Kristie (520-621-7145).
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