Volume 16, Number 17
October 21, 2016

NOTES FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

CURRENT EVENTS

Herbicide Symptomology Clinic: Mark your calendar for the upcoming Herbicide Symptomology Clinic. Slated Nov. 4 at 9:00 a.m. at the Agronomy Research Station in Stillwater, the clinic will bring together producers, Extension Educators, and Research and Extension personnel to learn about the key visual symptoms of common herbicides used in winter wheat and canola production systems. Demonstrations will include common preemergence and postemergence, as well as herbicide symptomology and simulated drift. Please RSVP to Misha Manuchehri at 405-744-9588 or misha.manuchehri@okstate.edu.

Global Horticulture Conference: The OSU Global Horticulture Conference will take place Nov. 17 at the Wes Watkins Center in Stillwater. This conference is designed to allow attendees a better appreciation of horticulture and related disciplines throughout the world. Speakers will address both ornamental and edible crops.  Program and registration information is available here.  For additional information, please contact Stephanie Larimer at 405-744-5404 or stephanie.larimer@okstate.edu.

Enrollment Still Open for Horse Science Academy: This workshop is designed for high school aged students to incorporate STEM disciplines with their interest in horses. It focuses on using math and science to make economical, ethical and sustainable decisions regarding equine health care and management. Material will be delivered via short (20 minute) classroom lecture, followed immediately by a laboratory session incorporating active application of the material.  This is the second year the program will be offered, with the intention of an annual offering and a rotation of topics. Topics covered include equine anatomy, fitness assessment, and feed selection. Registration is $40 and due by Nov. 4. After that date, registration is $50. Participants may register here. For more information, please contact Kris Hiney at khiney@okstate.edu or 405-744-9291.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Train the Trainers for Master Composters: Several individuals or groups around the state, particularly those connected with the Master Gardener programs, are considering starting Master Composter programs. If you are thinking about doing this or have started to plan for such a group or know someone who has, please send an email to Lynn Malley by next week and she will set up a conference call so everyone involved will be getting the same information. Lynn’s email is lynn.malley@okstate.edu.

2017 Distinguished Educator Award Applications Due Dec. 1:  This award is presented annually to recognize outstanding career-long service as a county educator, district program specialist, or area specialist for OCES employees with 20 or more years of DASNR Service.  Our goal is to have at least one award winner announced annually.  Please complete and submit your nomination packet electronically to Lynette Nelson at lynette.nelson@okstate.edu by 5:00 p.m., Thurs., December 1, 2016.

ESP Award Nominees Due Dec. 1: Epsilon Sigma Phi award nominations will be submitted online and are due Dec. 1, 2016. This DOCUMENT  provides general information about the different awards, criteria, and links to the online applications. Last year the Omicron Chapter of ESP had nominations in only five categories.  ?Lets raise the bar for the upcoming award cycle. OCES has excellent programming and can compete against any other state on a national scale. The application and process are not complicated. Review the award categories and make a commitment to submit an application and encourage co-workers to do the same.
     ESP is one of the oldest and is the largest organization of Extension professionals that brings together all program areas to foster and recognize excellence in Extension programming. Membership in the Omicron Chapter of ESP is open to all OCES staff with five or more years of service with the Cooperative Extension System. More information on ESP is available here.  

Save the Date: The 2017 No-till Oklahoma Conference will take place March 7-8, 2017, at The Grand Casino Hotel and Resort, 777 Grand Casino Blvd, Shawnee. Early registration is $125 and due by Feb. 17. After that date, registration is $150. Registration information is available here.

New/Updated Publications on PODS: There are a number of new and updated publications available on the Print on Demand System at http://osufacts.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/HomePage. New publications include:

PSS-2594 Plan Grazing Management Using the Oklahoma Grazing Stick

• Revised publications include:

• HLA-6009 Fall Gardening
• L-278 Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches: Information and Care
• T-4149 The Financial Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together

Congratulations to: Tari Lee, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Craig County, on the birth of her granddaughter. Brooklyn was born Oct. 17, weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 20 inches long. Proud parents are Austin and Tricia Lee.

Congratulations to: Mary Ann McCarley, Extension Administrative Support Specialist, Duncan Area Extension Office, and her husband, David, on the birth of their grandson. Kolt Dennis McCarley was born Oct.19, weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces, and was 19 inches long. He joins big sisters Kimber and Kalvary. Proud parents are Blake and Kristy McCarley.

Condolences to: Shirley Wilson, retired Extension Administrative Support Specialist, on the death of her husband. Lyndol Ray Wilson passed away Oct. 8. Funeral services took place Oct. 14 in Okemah. Cards may be sent to Shirley at 405 Finch St., Norman, OK  73071.

AWARDS

National Champs: Congratulations to a group of 4-H’ers from Marshall County for being named the national champions of the National 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl competition that took place recently during the Arksarben Stock Show and Rodeo in Omaha, Nebraska. Team members include Rio Bonham, Will Shelby, J.B. Bell, and Chancey Pearson. This is the first national championship for a team from Oklahoma. A second team, also from Marshall County, comprised of Kristen Chapa, Ashlynn Arnold, Trey Hughes, and Janna Reid also participated in the competition. The teams are coached by David Sorrell, Extension Educator, Agriculture/4-H Youth Development, and CED, Marshall County.  Congratulations to all of you!

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

Appointments

None to report

Title Changes/Transfers

Greg Highfill, Extension Educator, Agriculture/4-H Youth Development, and CED, effective 9-1-16 (was: Extension Educator, Agriculture/4-H Youth Development, and Interim CED)

Separations/Retirements

Carol Laverty, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development, Harper County, effective 1-10-17 (retirement)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development, Kingfisher County

None at this time

Agriculture

Extension Educator, Agriculture/4-H Youth Development, Blaine County

Extension Educator, Agriculture/4-H Youth Development, Grady County

Extension Educator, Agriculture/4-H Youth Development, Logan

Area Positions

Area Extension Agronomy Specialist, Southeast District, (Ada)

Area Agricultural Economics Specialist, Southwest District, (Duncan)

Internal Applicants Only

Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development, Alfalfa County

COMING EVENTS

October 22: State 4-H Trap Shoot (El Reno)
October 24: Oklahoma State Turf Club Annual Golf Tournament (Stillwater)
October 25: CPR/First Aid Training (Stillwater)
October 29: OSU Homecoming (Stillwater)
November 3: CPR/First Aid Training (Stillwater)
November 4: Herbicide Symptomology Clinic (Stillwater)
November 5: State 4-H Outdoor Archery Contest (Stillwater)
November 6: Hunger and Health Issue Teams Annual Meeting (Norman)
November 11-13: Blast Off with 4-H – Special Clovers Camp (Guthrie)
November 15: Southeast District Family and Consumer Sciences In-service (Ada)
November 17: Global Horticulture Conference (Stillwater)
November 18: Free Science Night at the Museum (Oklahoma City)
November 19: Horse Science Academy (Stillwater)
November 25-29: National 4-H Congress (Atlanta)
November 29-30: 71^st Oklahoma Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show (Stillwater)