April 18, 2008
Topics in today's issue of Extension Update:
2008 WESTERN EXTENSION DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION (WEDA) AWARDS ANNOUNCED
I am very proud to announce the 2008 WEDA Excellence in Extension Award winners and that WSU Extension has two winners! Steve Harbell of WSU Grays Harbor County Extension was the top regional award winner for his submission in the state program category on the Commercial Crabber Towboat Lane Agreement Program. WSU also was a winner in the multi-state category for their collaborative entry with Utah and Idaho on 4-H Volunteer E-Learning, with Jan Hiller leading the Washington 4-H E-Learning team.
These winners will be honored at the Summer Directors Meeting on July 9th in Fairbanks, Alaska. The presentation will be at the breakfast session at 8:00 a.m. and winners are asked to give a presentation on their award winning program. The presentation will be given to all attendees of the meeting, which includes extension directors, experiment station directors, ag and extension deans and CARET members. A list of all of the award winners follows. Thanks to all who submitted entries and congratulations to the winners!
State programs to be recognized and make a presentation at the Alaska summer meeting:
- Commercial Crabber Towboat Lane Agreement Program (Washington State
University, Grays Harbor)
- Farm Water Quality Planning Project (University of California Cooperative
Extension, Central Coast)
Multi-state program to be recognized and make a presentation at the Alaska summer meeting:
- 4-H Volunteer E-learning (Utah, Washington, Idaho)
Programs receiving honorable mention (in the written awards program):
- Meth in Montana (Montana State University)
- Seniors CAN (University of Nevada)
WSU PESTICIDE POLICY MANUAL REVISED
The WSU Pesticide Policy manual http://ext.wsu.edu/admin/PDF/PesticidePolicy.pdf has been recently revised; the updated version is posted on the Extension Policies and Procedures web page (http://ext.wsu.edu/admin/ ) scroll down to Ag and Natural Resource Programs.
The manual compiles information on WSU's pesticide policies and procedures into one reference document, which, if followed, will keep individuals and the institution in compliance with state and federal laws.
This policy is binding on all WSU personnel, regardless of the college or unit in which their position resides. Administrators, faculty, staff, and students, whether working in a paid or unpaid capacity, are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with procedures regarding pesticide safety, use, recommendation, testing, recordkeeping and disposal.
Benefits of following this policy include:
- A clear understanding of institutional expectations for individual behaviors
- Coverage by WSU in the case of legal action
- Safety protection for employees and prevention of pesticide misuse
- A reduction in potential numbers and severity of accidents involving pesticides
- Improved or sustained environmental stewardship
Questions can be directed to Catherine H. Daniels, Pesticide Coordinator, at cdaniels@wsu.edu or 253-445-4611.
COUNTY BUDGET GUIDELINES UPDATED
The County Budget Guidelines have been updated for the next year. This information is used to develop the local county Extension office calendar year budget. County Directors and authorized staff can access the information at http://bfo.cahe.wsu.edu/cobudget_logon.htm. We would like to thank Trudy Kenny, Jane Allenby, Tucson Smith, Lisa Clyde and Jim Boyer for all of their hard work on this update.
MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER WEEK
Governor Christine O. Gregoire has proclaimed the week of May 11 - 17, 2008 as Washington State University Master Gardener Volunteer Week. This proclamation was signed by the Governor on April 2, 2008 to celebrate the Washington State University Master Gardener volunteer program’s 35 years of service. This model of volunteer service has been emulated in all fifty states and numerous foreign countries. There are over 3,500 WSU Master Gardener volunteers who serve more than 330,000 Washington residents each year. We salute these dedicated volunteer educators for their love of gardening used to address critical issues throughout the state. The Master Gardener program sets a remarkable example of voluntary community service by returning to Washington residents over 10 times the funds expended on the program’s maintenance. Thank you for all of your dedicated service!
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EXTENSION 4-H AGENTS (NAE4-HA) SERVICE AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Washington's NAE4-HA Service Award Winners for 2008 have been announced. Phoebe Bachleda, 4-H Program Coordinator in Snohomish County, will receive the Achievement in Service Award, Jan Klein, State 4-H Teen Leadership Program Coordinator, will receive the Distinguished Service Award and Dan Fagerlie, County Director in Ferry County, will receive the Meritorious Service Award at the 2008 Galaxy III Conference in Indianapolis, IN this September. Congratulations to Phoebe, Jan and Dan.
FOOD SAFETY: FARM-TO-TABLE CONFERENCE
The Food Safety: Farm-to-Table Conference is back! The conference was initiated in 1991 and is offered through a collaborative effort between Washington State University and the University of Idaho. National and regional speakers present information on a variety of food safety issues, offering a professional development opportunity for state and local health authorities, Extension employees and food industry professionals. The conference offers networking opportunities to strengthen food safety partnerships in the Pacific Northwest. Topics reviewed at previous conferences include the following:
- Foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 and
Campylobacter
- Food Safety Management Programs, such as HACCP and Good Agricultural
Practices (GAPs)
- Food-specific Food Safety Concerns, including produce and seafood
- Regulatory aspects of food production
- Foodborne outbreaks
For conference information and online registration please visit our website:
http://foodsafety.wsu.edu/conference. If you have any questions about conference please contact: Cathy Blood, Conference Coordinator, 509-335-2845, blood@wsu.edu.
WASHINGTON STATE SALES TAX REGULATION CHANGES UPCOMING
Effective July 1, 2008, the State of Washington will change how sales tax will be calculated. These changes affect both sellers and buyers. Sweeping changes are being made to the Washington State sales tax regulations.
A training session to be facilitated by representatives from the Washington State Department of Revenue has been scheduled (see below) to help you learn pertinent details and to ask questions. Area Finance Officers or representatives should attend. Contact Terry Ely, Associate Controller, (509) 335-2008 or via e-mail at terrye@wsu.edu if you have any questions.
The upcoming training is:
WA State Destination-Based Sales Tax Changes
April 22, 2008, 10:00am-12:00pm, Lighty 405, WSU Pullman campus
It is important to pre-register:
- Click the following link to access the course description page;
http://www.hrs.wsu.edu/skillsoft/viewclass.aspx?c=ilt_wsu_FIN_584
- Click the 'Sessions' link at the top of course description page
- Scroll to the bottom of the next page and click Session Number 873;
- Scroll to the bottom of the next page and click 'Enroll Me.'
If you have an email address associated with your WSU Online Learning Account you will receive an immediate confirmation of registration as well as an emailed reminder shortly before the session date. Need help? Contact hrstraining@wsu.edu.
REMINDER - NEW WSU PHONE BRIDGE SYSTEM IN PLACE MONDAY, APRIL 21
WSU is implementing a new version of Meeting Place, the system used to set up phone bridges. This new change will be in effect for ALL new phone bridges set up starting Monday, April 21, 2008. In addition to the contact information below, please feel free to contact Kathy Stilwell at extension@wsu.edu or 509-335-2933 if you have questions.
The new version of Meeting Place will become available on Monday, April 21st at 7:00am. The new web conferencing page can be accessed via the following URL: https://mpweb.it.wsu.edu/mpweb/scripts/mpx.dll. Please add this new bookmark and delete the old URL.
You will be required to use a new phone number to dial into the system (509-335-4700). However, you will still be able to use the ‘old’ phone number (509 335-1700) for the immediate future as it will be forwarded to the new system.
PERSONNEL
Separations:
Anita Raddatz, Extension Coordinator, Center to Bridge the Digital Divide and Spokane County
Effective April 18, 2008, 100% Extension Grant, AP, Resignation
Nancy Sanders, Extension Coordinator Supervisor, Spokane County
Effective April 4, 2008, 100% Extension, AP, Resignation
SCHEDULE
Linda will be in Pullman Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. She will be in Walla Walla on Tuesday meeting with the president of Walla Walla Community College.
John will be Pullman Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Monday and Tuesday he will be in Reno attending multi-state research project meetings at the University of Nevada Reno Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences.
Linda Kirk Fox, PhD
Dean and Director
Washington State University Extension
411 Hulbert Hall, PO Box 646248
Pullman, WA 99164-6248
509-335-2933 Office
509-335-9223 Desk/Voicemail
509-335-2926 FAX
lkfox@wsu.edu
ext.wsu.edu
WSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. |
