Navigational Notes: Structure and Status Report

This week, we have posted online information about the latest budget update, brief talking points, FAQs, and the restructuring process. It includes information about making the correct contacts if you have specific questions. Please, ask whatever questions you have; there's a good chance that someone else will have the same question too, and we would rather be able to pass along correct answers to everyone than have many incorrect ideas circulating. We will post and date any updates to the FAQs regularly. You can find this information at http://extadmin-cms.ag.ohio-state.edu/navigational-notes-structure-status-report.

Please understand, this is still an ongoing discussion as we move forward at the college level, and no final decision has been made yet. I realize this is an extremely challenging time, but I ask that you continue to do your best work while we work through this process on main campus. We are working as quickly as we can.

As I updated the County Extension Directors earlier today, I took a basic plan to Bobby Moser and the Vice President’s Cabinet this past Monday (February 9). The plan was well-received, and we were given the green light by the Vice President to move ahead. A small group is now adding more detail to the plan, using the information that was given to me by the restructuring task force and the Administrative Cabinet. I will be working with this group first thing next week as well. Remember, this plan needs to be expanded upon and then examined with our clientele and the university. We need their support and endorsement to make this work.

In fact, this very morning, Bobby Moser and I met with representatives from the major Ohio commodity organizations to explain the situation, outline some of our worst budget impact scenarios, and get their input and support on some of the overall restructuring plan ideas. Bobby then joined me at a similar meeting with a few key staff of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio and a group of county commissioners to discuss the same things. These were excellent meetings with positive suggestions and overall support.

I really can’t list very specific information yet, because we need to see if/how some of the thoughts might work. There are so many variables, I’m sure you can understand this challenge of putting the right pieces together to continue making OSU Extension a viable resource for Ohio citizens. We want to do it right the first time.

The general information that I can share at this point is this:

• We will have to reduce the number of employees across the state who are paid with state and federal money.
• We are developing a plan centered around education and research delivery areas - approximately 8 to 10 Delivery Areas (DAs) across the state.
• There will be shared educator expertise within each DA. For example, at least one educator would be housed in each county, but would work within the entire DA.
• We will offer programming from all four program areas in each county - 4-H Youth Development, ANR, CD and FCS - focusing upon our four impact areas and six signature programs. We will use metrics to determine more specific programming needs within each DA (ag statistics, Ohio Department of Development statistics, Health and Human Services Statistics, etc).
• There will be program assistants/coordinators in each county to “manage” local 4-H program activities.
• We will maintain county cost share.
• Program availability will be proportionate to funding from the individual counties within the DA. Counties that provide more financial support will receive more from OSU Extension. While our mission remains to educate all Ohioans - in keeping with the land-grant model, we must also work more cooperatively with local entities that support our work financially. We cannot do this alone.
• Counties that can afford additional educators can still do that if they have the need.
• There will be shared administrative services within support staff functions (fiscal, etc) within the DA. What this looks like is still to be determined.

Once again, the parameters of this process are listed here for your review. These DO guide the discussions and the decisions that are being made.

Parameters

• Use OSU Extension mission/vision, strategic plan as our guide
• Continue with four program areas included
• Presence (flexible) in every county
• Interact with the larger University
• Best infrastructure to maintain and increase support
• Partnership between federal/state/county
• Partnership between OSUE/CFAES/OARDC/Other Colleges
• Final recommendations go to CFAES VP Cabinet/University - plan could change and/or be tweaked
• Cuts made only once
• Savings used to advance strategic plan, technology, etc
• Decisions for the betterment of organization without biases
• Holistic view - systemic
• Err on the side of saving the organization
• Flexibility to make decisions/changes
• START implementation by mid-February; will continue to progress with actual pieces over possibly one year
• Keep FNP and EFNEP

Again, please be patient as we work through the details of how best to make this happen. We know this is not an easy process for anyone, but PLEASE, continue the good work you are doing for the organization and the citizens of Ohio. You are all doing great things in every county; we know these challenges are because of the economy and not our work, and we must continue to show our relevance and importance to all Ohioans in the midst of the fiscal challenges we are facing. Extension will survive and thrive, regardless of what our exact structure looks like - and we must keep looking forward and be guided by our strategic plan, even while we’re looking to restructure ourselves to meet our fiscal challenges.

Agronomic Crops Signature Program - Increasing Profitable Crop Yields, 2014

Agronomic Crops is a signature program which develops multi-system approaches to incorporate technology, genetics and other information into plant production systems to increase productivity to meet the food, feed, fiber and industrial demand for Ohio crops. Ohio crop acres for corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay totaled 10.3 million acres and accounted for $2.5 billion dollars of income in 2006.

Participation in the Agronomic Crops signature program can happen in six areas. Brief descriptions are listed here; more details and URS reporting information are included in the attached documents.

1. Crop Observation and Recommendation Network (C.O.R.N.) newsletter and Amazing Graze newsletter. Increase clientele awareness of these resources.
2. Pesticide Applicator Training as a programming opportunity to make a wider audience aware of resources through Extension. (A key agronomic recommendations handout that can be adapted for use at your local meetings is attached.)
3. Workshops, seminars, agronomy days, and other meeting formats. Working with area educators to promote and develop agronomy events to meet clientele needs. Extension-wide promotions of these events so clientele are well aware of events within a 60-minute drive from them.
4. Applied research projects will provide a format and resources for project development and reporting. Some protocols are available and assistance for local project development. This distributes good research to a wider clientele audience.
5. Development of programs to help farmers evaluate financial decisions or risk management on their operation. These programs will provide more documentation of profitability changes and management practice implementation at the producer level.
6. As an Extension organization, we need to incorporate precision agricultural technologies to help improve profitability. Is this an area in which you want to improve your capacities to meet clientele in the future? Training is available to enhance and add to your ability to put precision technologies into agronomic decision making.

Both 4-H and FCS educators can be involved in the agronomic crops signature program through advertisement of the various newsletters that were mentioned as they work with clientele that graze animals or have cropping projects. A postcard that could be used to inform clientele about C.O.R.N. is linked to this article, plus clientele can be directed to the Web sites: http://corn.osu.edu/ or http://forages.osu.edu/. Using either of these processes to encourage clientele to access C.O.R.N. will provide a subscription list which can be sorted by zip code for reporting back to counties.

The Agronomic Crop signature program is not a set one-time curriculum, but a multi-programmatic opportunity to work with clientele. There may be a variety of ways to incorporate this signature program into your Extension work. Past programs such as “Women in Agriculture” or “Annie’s Project” could have some application to this program area. Organizing new groups who work in and around grazing, hay production or row crop production will apply as well.

As you go through this information, please give us your feedback on tools and items that can make you more effective in reaching the needs of the target clientele. In-service opportunities are being planned, and your input will feed into these programs.

The team leaders are:
1) Co-coordinators - Agronomic Crops Team: Greg LaBarge -- labarge.1@osu.edu; 419-337-9210; Harold Watters -- watters.35@osu.edu; 937-484-1526; and
2) Co-coordinators - Forages Team: Cliff Little -- little.16@osu.edu; 740-389-5300; Mark Sulc -- sulc.2@osu.edu; 614-292-9084

Pulse Survey - Third Year!

We have begun the third year of offering participation in the monthly pulse survey to all members of our Extension organization. The first survey was distributed in January 2007, and an electronic copy has been distributed to one-sixth of the organization each month since then. Over the past 25 months, we have sought your insights and opinions on working with clientele, identifying impact areas, determining needs and priorities, and developing the organization’s statewide strategic plan. Each month, survey findings are reviewed by the Administrative Cabinet and shared through issues of the Communiqué; individual participants remain anonymous. We will continue to utilize the pulse survey process through the year ahead as one of several tools established to keep us communicating and connected across the organization. If you have not had the opportunity to participate in the Pulse Survey, please contact Debby Lewis (lewis.205@osu.edu); she’ll work to assure that your name is included on the mailing list.

Pulse Survey Results

As we compiled responses received in the November 2008 survey, we found that your peers and colleagues shared the following opinions:

*Mean scores could indicate strong agreement … 

• There are generational differences that influence the way clientele want to receive information.
  (mean score of 9.24)
• I am committed to the Extension impact area of Enhancing Agriculture and the Environment.
  (mean score of 8.44)
• I am committed to the Extension impact area of Strengthening Families and Communities. (mean score of 8.27)
• I am committed to the Extension impact area of Preparing Youth for Success. (mean score of 8.30)
• I access the Communiqué for organizational information. (mean score of 7.74)

*Mean scores could indicate agreement...

• We have discussed implementation steps of the strategic plan in my office. (mean score of 7.44)
• I am committed to the Extension impact area of Advancing Employment and Income Opportunities. (mean score of 7.42)
• I understand what is expected of me in meeting the goals of OSU Extension for the year ahead.
  (mean score of 6.99) 

*Using a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agree)

NASS Releases 2007 Census of Agriculture - Ohio Summary

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released the long-awaited results of the 2007 Census of Agriculture. The census, conducted every 5 years, is the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county in the nation. Every agency and every mission area within USDA uses census data on a daily basis. The census provides the factual data that underpins all of our programs and services. It tells us where the producers are, who they are, how they are changing, what they are producing, and how they are producing it. Visit the 2007 Census of Agriculture Web site (http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/) to access the results, or contact NASS at nass@nass.usda.gov for more information.

This would be good infomration to utilize as we share the impact of OSU Extension's work with legislators, other funders, stakeholders and clientele this spring. You can access Ohio's two-page summary at: http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/County_Profiles/Ohio/cp99039.pdf.
Find your county's summary at: http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/County_Profiles/Ohio/index.asp.

Mileage Rate Reimbursement Update

Effective January 1, 2009, the mileage rate for reimbursement is now $0.55 per mile. See the University Travel site for more information (http://busops.osu.edu/travel.php). Updated forms are available on the Business Office Web site (http://osuebusiness.ag.ohio-state.edu/).

Upcoming OSU Extension Conference Dates

The 2009 Annual Conference is scheduled for December 16-17. There will be no spring conferences this year, but Administration will provide regular Structure and Status updates via e-mail. There are also five Video Communiqués scheduled; they will be available on March 2, late April, late June, mid-September, and early November.

Get CDs, DVDs Duplicated Through CommTech

Communications and Technology offers high-quality CD and DVD duplication services at competitive prices. Color images are printed directly on the discs during duplication -- no labels to gum up machinery. Design services are available. Prices range from a low of $1.60 per CD (500 or more with a simple title and single logo) to a high of $3.50 per DVD (less than 100 discs with a full-color image).

You must own the rights to the work being duplicated. If you need any quantity of discs for a class, a training session or other purposes, get a quick price quote from Walter Warkus at warkus.1@cfaes.osu.edu or 614-688-3090.

Leadership for Tomorrow Conference - April 2009

The time to lead is now. More than ever, your staff and clientele look to you for leadership. The Leadership for Tomorrow: Exploring New Approaches conference will provide an opportunity to cultivate new leadership skills and learn fresh new ways to handle today's challenges with focus, resilience, and sensitivity. Registration for the Leadership for Tomorrow Conference will be open by early next week at http://www.leadershipfortomorrow.osu.edu/. The conference will be held on April 28-30 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Columbus.

ATECH Newsletter Available Online

The newest issue of ATECH’s newsletter, The Delta, can be found at the online link: http://www.imakenews.com/atech/. ATECH is an arm of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and Ohio State University Extension.

AEE Spring Quarter Class Offerings

Ag and Extension Education 795.02 - Problems and Issues in Volunteerism (Call number: 00681-5)

3 credit hours; Tuesdays 12:00-2:48 p.m.
104 Kottman Hall; Instructor: Kristi Lekies, Ph.D. (Lekies.1@osu.edu)

Across the United States, people of all ages are contributing their time and talents to causes they believe in and to serve existing organizational and community needs. Volunteerism can take many forms, from assisting with the work of an organization, helping other individuals and groups, serving on boards and committees, working in ways that address critical issues in schools and communities, and many others. This course will examine volunteerism in the United States - what it is, its impacts, the process of working as a volunteer, and the process of working with volunteers. The course is designed to foster a greater understanding of volunteerism in American society. Attention will also be given to the practical issues of working with volunteers in programs and organizations.

Topics will include:

• Volunteers in American society
• Impacts of volunteerism
• Contemporary forms of volunteerism
• Working as a volunteer
• Working with volunteers
• Youth philanthropy and volunteerism
• Recruitment, retention, and management of volunteers

Ag and Extension Education 794 - Special Topics:  Grant Writing (Call number:  00679-1)

3 credit hours; Mondays, 3:00-5:48 p.m.; March 30-June 1, 2009
210 Animal Science; Instructor:  Kristi Lekies, Ph.D. (Lekies.1@osu.edu)

Grant writing increasingly is an important and necessary skill to have in many different professions. Many opportunities, such as research funding, fellowships, and pre-doctoral internships, exist for graduate students. The purpose of this course is to learn and practice strategies for successful grant writing. Students will understand the grant writing process and be able to apply this knowledge through the development of a written proposal that can be submitted to a funding source for a program, project, or research study.

Topics will include:

• Public and private sources of funding
• The Request for Proposal (RFP) process
• The components of a grant proposal
• Budgeting
• Evaluating the quality of grant proposals
• The review process
• Ensuring program continuity after a funded project ends

Kristi Lekies, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor in the Department of Human and Community Resource Development, and a State Specialist in Leadership and Program Evaluation with Ohio State University Extension. Her interests include youth leadership, youth participation and community engagement, and environmental sustainability. Her background in volunteerism includes work as a coordinator of a county foster parent program, participation on organizational boards and advisory committees, and involvement in numerous informal activities to improve neighborhoods and communities. She has 15+ years of proposal and grant writing experience, including competitive student fellowships, foundation funding, and government funding that have supported a range of educational, human service, and policy activities.

Ag Comm Spring Quarter Class Offering

Communication and International Development (Call number: 21539-6)
5 credit hours; Tuesday/Thursday 8-10:18am;
131 Stillman Hal; Instructor: Robert Agunga, FAES

This course looks at  the vast potential of communication in promoting food security, poverty reduction, economic growth, and sustainable development. See attached flyer for details or contact Professor Agunga at agunga.1@osu.edu.

Coca-Cola "Critical Difference for Women" Research Grants

Please see the attached file for information about opportunities for the Coca-Cola Critical Difference for Women Research on Women Grants for faculty and advanced graduate students.

Workshop on Departmental Climate - June 2009

A one-day workshop on improving the departmental “climate” for women and minority faculty will be held June 2 in Madison,Wisconsin. Overview: Do you want to improve departmental climate on your campus, especially for women and minority faculty, but do not know where to start? Are you frustrated when, despite your efforts to improve campus climate, yet another faculty member leaves your institution due to “climate issues” at the department level? The UW-Madison Women in Science & Engineering Leadership Institute (WISELI), with funding from the National Science Foundation, developed a workshop for department chairs that addresses these issues and provides advice and support to department chairs seeking to enhance departmental climate.

In this “train the trainer” session, the UW-Madison team will share their experiences implementing a workshop entitled “Enhancing Department Climate: A Chair’s Role,” familiarize participants with the process and materials used at UW-Madison, and review alternative approaches that might work at participants’ own campuses. More information is available at: http://www.cic.net/Home/Calendar/Conferences/Upcoming/ClimateWorkshop2009.aspx. The registration fee is $360.

February Professional Development Opportunities From eXtension

eXtension's professional development opportunities are open to all Cooperative Extension faculty, staff and employees. No pre-registration is necessary. The February "30-Minute Sessions" include:

* February 17 at 2pm ET - How eXtension Developers use Subversion by James Robinson. Subversion (SVN) is used daily by eXtension developers. This session will be an overview of eXtension's workflow and other features that make SVN an invaluable source code revision tool for our needs.

* February 19 at 2pm ET - on Drop.io. This free online application (pronounced "drop-ee-o") is a very useful tool for sharing files, distributing podcasts, recording spontaneous messages, publishing email messages, and even hosting conference calls. Join Larry Lippke in exploring these features of Drop.io and more.

* February 24 at 2pm ET - Google Analytics by Ben MacNeill, eXtension User Interface Designer. Learn how to use Google Analytics to gain an understanding of visitor activity and trends on your Web site.

* February 25 at 2pm ET - eXtension People application by Kevin Gamble, eXtension Associate Director. Learn the new features available in People application to help enhance your profile, discover your colleagues with similar interests, and form your own communities for collaboration and sharing. Practical examples will be demonstrated, and participants will leave the session ready to form new groups.

* February 26 at 2pm ET - Getting Started In Second Life by LuAnn Phillips, eXtension Virtual Worlds coordinator. A brief overview of educational projects in Second Life, the registration and orientation process, and take a look at Second Life via desktop share.

These sessions are held in the Web Conferencing Center at http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/learn. Plan to join the session 5 minutes before the starting time. Instructions are attached.

Recordings of many past professional development sessions can be found at the main eXtension wiki at http://about.eXtension.org/wiki. Scroll down under the Professional Development heading to find "Recordings of eXtension Professional Development Sessions" or search on the word Recordings.