Empowerment for Family, Personal and Organizational Change is our theme for KEAFCS in 2006. We are both receiving and extending the empowerment. 

             PILD – KEAFCS was well represented by Jan Dougan and Kim Adams Leger at the recent PILD conference.  Our congressional delegation and staff certainly know more about Kentucky FCS programs after the visit.  Kim and Jan are further empowered to teach public advocacy in new ways.

             KEAFCS Life Members Committee are looking at ways to be more involved in our association after retirement as well as maintaining communication with each other.  Kentucky ESP is looking at maintaining an electronic distribution list for sending life members electronic communications.  Should we consider this?  See the newsletter for a special summer event for retirees planned by Martha Lee and Linda Stephens.

             NEAFCS – We are excited about the super educational opportunities in Denver .  Hopefully Kentucky will have a huge delegation.  Jennifer Bridges has graciously offered to plan a state’s night out event for us in Denver .  It will include a registration fee that is reimbursable.  Plan to attend.

             KEHA – Kentucky Extension Homemakers continue to be a strong organization for the education of families and public advocacy.  Attending their board meeting to represent KEAFCS was an exciting opportunity.  Relevant information for your use includes:

                        KEHA Annual Meeting – Future Dates

                        2007 KEHA will be April 20-May 3 in Bowling Green

                        2008 KEHA is being planned in Louisville with possible date being April 21-24

                        2009  anticipated dates April 19-22 at Draw Bridge Inn in Northern, KY

                        Site visits for 2008 & 2009 have not been made.

                         KEHA International Project – 2006-2007 - toys with light weight filling .  Idea will be for soldiers to give to kids in Iraq .  Items will be collected all year and taken to KEHA Annual Meeting and spring and fall board meeting.

                         NVON – 2007 -  Kentucky will host the NVON (National Volunteer Outreach Network) Meeting on July 19-21, 2007 at the Lexington Crown Plaza (formerly Campbell House Inn). Volunteers will be recruited for 12 committees.  There will be a sales room for Kentucky items.

             CAREER LADDER – The College of Agriculture administration is to be commended for their development and support of the Extension Initiative.  According to Drew Graham, the 2006-2007 Kentucky budget offered language that encouraged the University of Kentucky to fund the “extension initiative.”  Both the House and the Senate had asked for 1.5 million dollars.  President Lee Todd has agreed that extension agents will receive an average 3.5% merit increase in July 2006 with some catch up monies in January 2007 and funding for the 3^rd and 4^th levels of the career ladder to be funded in July 2007.  Dr. Todd and Drew Graham are most appreciative of extension advocacy with the Legislature and the support statewide by Extension leaders for the University of Kentucky, Top 20 Business Plan.

             FRIENDS OF EXTENSION – Just a reminder that the KEAFCS Friends of Family & Consumer Science award winners will be from Lake Cumberland and Northern Kentucky. Past President Diana Doggett will be providing leadership for this recognition.

             JCEP – The Joint Council of Extension Professionals continues to be an excellent opportunity for dialog with administrators and personal and organizational and professional development.  Please submit issues, opinions and questions to me by June 16 for the summer JCEP meeting.  I will not hesitate to relate any and all concerns.

             BENEFITS – One of the ways you empower yourself is to maximize your University of Kentucky individual and family benefits.  You do this by scheduling personal counseling sessions, attending benefit lectures, scheduling family time to discuss benefits, reviewing your TIAA/CREF statements and options and participating in tax sheltering assets.  Dr. Joey Payne, UK Director of Employee Benefits was excellent in his group remarks at last year’s annual meeting, but he will also identify appropriate staff to provide other personal help.  One of the sessions from PILD was “Create Wealth Not Debt.”  One of our tools for doing that is to maximize our benefits.

             COMMUNICATION – Thanks to all of those who communicated with me on KEAFCS business and organizational concerns and accomplishments.  Your leadership and participation are so appreciated.

            MISTER ROGERS – Continuing to share from “The World According to Mister Rogers” – Important Things to Remember:

Some days, doing “the best we can” may still fall short of what we would like to be able to do, but life isn’t perfect – on any front –  and doing what we can with what we have is the most we should expect of ourselves or anyone else.

·       President Todd has demonstrated outstanding support for County Extension by approving our plan to fully implement the Initiative over the two year budget cycle.

·       The President had approved the plan even before the Governor's veto process was finalized

·       A very tight University budget in the first year has forced several compromises and some temporary delays in funding critical priorities during the 06-07 year.  However, the University and the College will join together to share funding responsibility for progressively phasing in some elements of the Initiative during the first year.  

·       Agents will be included in the 3.5% regular merit pool recently announced for faculty and staff for July 1, 2006.

·       A second round of promotions to “Level 2” will be approved for implementation July 1, 2006.

·       Details on a new Professional Development Fund to support educational and training costs will be provided after July 1, 2006. 

·       Mid-year, a modest increase in starting salaries will take effect. 

·       Finally, a 1.5% supplemental Market Catch-up Pool will be allocated on January 1, 2007.  This distribution will be merit-linked but broadly based.

·       During fiscal year 07-08, we will fully implement and fund salary increments for all four levels in the career ladder and distribute a second Market Catch-up Pool.  We expect this to be possible on July 1, 2007. 

·       The total University plus College recurring commitment to the Initiative is actually projected to be somewhat larger than the $1.5M “encouraged” by the Legislature.  Note that virtually all of the budget will go directly to agent compensation and benefits. 

·       The President and Dean Smith are well aware of the support you mobilized for the University Top 20 Business Plan as you worked with local leadership over the last few months and those efforts were appreciated.

Mark November 28^th, 29^th,30^th 2006 on your calendar for our State Meeting at the Marriott, 1903 Embassy Square Blvd, in Louisville .  You have attended a State Meeting at this hotel in the past.  I have tried to incorporate as many of your suggestions into this year’s program for the state meeting.

            Our inservice on the 28^th will be a planning meeting with a consultant.  We will have specialist and FCS associates present at the meeting, also.  The 29^th will provide agents opportunities to present 20-30 minute presentations on outstanding programs they have presented either county or district wide.  This year we will provide an opportunity for award winning applications to be viewed.  Award winners can present their award winning programs as part of the agent presentations.  The 30^th will provide us the opportunity to formally recognize our award winners at the brunch.  There will be additional information on the State meeting in the fall newsletter.

            We will have a line item on this year’s registration for the NEAFCS Endowment.  We have several Kentucky agents that have contributed but would like to offer other agents the opportunity.  Receipts will be provided by the treasurer if you decide to make a contribution.  The interest will be used for awards, fellowships, scholarships and marketing and advocacy of NEAFCS and its members.

            We should have all received our information about the National Meeting by now.  I noticed that the deadline for early bird registration was July 7^th.  Colorado is a beautiful state and the program looked good.  National meetings are a good opportunity to network and acquire new programming ideas.  Hope to see you there.

            I would encourage you to complete the Principles of Professional Ethics slide show.  Go to the members only section of the National Web site.  It will not take you a long time to view the slide show.  We have until May 1^st to complete this activity.

Mark December 4^th, 5^th, 6^th 2007 for the Annual KEAFCS in Lexington at the Holiday Inn North.  We need to decide as an association how much we want to pay for registration for our meeting.  If we wish to host the meeting in Lexington at another hotel we need to be prepared to increase registration.  Registration would have to increase at least $10.00 per agent and probably more.  This would make meeting registration at least $100.00.  This $10.00 doesn’t include hotel room cost.  Hotel rooms are between $89.00-$114.00.  We base our numbers on 95 agents attending the meeting and 45 sleeping rooms.  Hotels also request that you spend at least $6,000.00 on food or you start paying for meeting rooms.  Please discuss this in your meetings and share your thoughts with the next President Elect.

KEAFCS Web page updated for 2006 Awards program by Mindy McCulley and her wonderful staff assistants.

State deadline for award entries was changed to February 15.

A total of 74 state entries were received for state judging. Attached is a report of awards received.

Judging was held at the Henderson County Extension office on Friday, February 24. FCS Agents from Indiana and Kentucky volunteered time to judge entries. A salad luncheon was provided by Green River FCS Agents.

NEAFCS reports all but 3 affiliates sent entries for the regional and national Awards program. Regional and national award winners will be notified in June. Kentucky submitted ­­­­­­­­­45 entries for regional and national consideration.

Program chairs have been contacted and will be notifying members of award status electronically. KEAFCS will save postage costs using electronic notification.

Report from Capitol Hill…

Kim Adams-Leger and Jan Dougan want to thank the Association for the opportunity to represent KEAFCS at the 2006 Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) conference held recently in Washington , D.C. Our capitol experience verified our feelings that Kentucky Cooperative Extension is leading the states when it comes to networking with public officials. We need to keep up the good work and tell our story often and loudly! As we shared program impacts in face-to-face meetings with Congressmen, Senators and their staff, it was obvious they are interested in understanding our role with the University and how we are making a difference across the Commonwealth. Everyone was very appreciative of the handmade white oak basket filled with a 4-H pottery candy jar, Bourbon Balls and Makers’ Mark Barbecue sauce.

Things I learned at PILD…

In 1963, the American Association of Land-Grant Colleges and State Universities merged with the National Association of State Universities to create the association in its present configuration as the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges . Its acronym is NASULGC (pronounced na SUL jick). To keep up on policy issues check out:

http://www.nasulgc.org/Washington_Watch/wash_watch.htm

CSREES, the federal partner in the Cooperative Extension System (CES). CSREES plays a key role in the land-grant extension mission by distributing annual Congressionally appropriated formula funding to supplement state and county funds. CSREES affects how these formula funds are used through national program leadership to help identify timely national priorities and ways to address them. Explore this site for a look at  Extension impact across the states:

http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impacts/05index_pdf.html

We need to keep working together to tell the FCS story and encourage our volunteers to tell our story too!

Is there something you would like to see included in this newsletter or on the website that isn't?  Please share with me any comments or suggestions (mindy.mcculley@uky.edu)!  This is your newsletter and it is up to you to make it be the best that it can be.  Refer to the Calendar on the website for deadlines, but I will try to send you reminders! 

District & Area News

The Ft. Harrod Area has seen several personnel changes.  We have said “Good Bye and Happy Retirement” to Nancy Edwards and Carolyn Royalty and “Welcome to Extension” to Tamara Thomas, new Franklin County Agent.  Ft. Harrod Agents also threw Donna Clore a personal shower in honor of her marriage which took place the end of April.  As a group, the Ft. Harrod Agents have toured historic Ward Hall in Scott County. Connie Minch joined us and arranged for us to learn the details of this community development and historic restoration success story. In November, Agents toured the Patton Museum at Ft. Knox and places of interest in Elizabethtown.  The FDM Assistant Recognition Day is traditionally planned by the area association and this year included a tour of the Louisville Slugger Museum and Louisville Glassworks in addition to the recognition ceremony held at the Old Spaghetti Factory. A trip to the Lewis Furniture Company in Carter County was made in March by Agents from both Ft. Harrod and Bluegrass Areas learning about quality furniture construction and consumerism.

Since our last newsletter we have had two new additions to the MCA FCS Extension family.  

First, Lynn Blankenship has joined our team as County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in Metcalfe County.   Originally from Connecticut, Lynn received her BS in Child Family Services/Child Care Management from the State University of New York at Plattsburg.   Lynn and her husband, Jimmie Lee have lived in Metcalfe County for three years.  They came to this area from Durham, North Carolina where Lynn worked as a director for a child care center.    Lynn has also been a nanny, an Early Childhood Teacher, a consultant for the USDA Food Program and a Parent Referral Counselor for a Child Care Resource and Referral agency.  We welcome Lynn and look forward to working with her for many years.

Rachel Hance (Logan County) and husband Bill, welcomed Chloe Elise into the world on February 18, 2006.  Weighing in at 6 lbs. 11.5 oz. and  20 in. long, we anticipate that this sweet little button will add much to our team, as it has been many, many years since we've had a baby in our group!  Rachel reports that Chloe is "doing great and growing like a weed!"

We are currently working with the northern part of District 6 to improve our health and wellness.  Get Moving District 6 was initiated by FCS agents but includes agents from all program areas, staff support, and administrators and focuses on increasing exercise and losing weight.  After one month of competition, 15,167 minutes of activity were logged.  Monthly premiums and overall grand prizes help to motivate us to stick with the plan!

Pat Margolis and Mindy McCulley received the Kentucky  Cooperative Extension 2005 Diversity Team Award at Western Regional Conference for their work organizing and implementing an Hispanic/Latino Health Fair for Hart and Barren Counties.  They also received the Diversity Award for ESP for the same event.

We have just participated in a Professional Improvement meeting with all program areas.  Our program was an administrative update from assistant directors.  This event served to help us to discern the direction our leadership feels our Extension Program is heading into the future.

District 5 welcomes Audrey Wolff, the new FCS Agent in Green County .  Audrey is a graduate of the University of Kentucky .

Kathy Brannon, FCS Agent in McCreary County , and Becky Nash, FCS Agent in Taylor County , received $500 scholarships from Epsilon Sigma Phi.  Kathy will use her scholarship to attend the John Campbell Folkschool in Brasstown , North Carolina to learn the art of Pine Needle Basketry. 

The FCS Agents enjoyed a day touring the Artisan Center at Berea and Bybee Pottery at Waco .  Brenda Cook, retiree from Green County , joined the agents for the tour and luncheon. 

The Pennyrile Area hosted a luncheon in honor of Elaine Clift, retiring Trigg County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences. The event was held at the home of Laura Wilson, with special guests Carolyn Ham and Sally Snyder Fourqurean, both retired Pennyrile Agents. Elaine retired with 43 years of service and her knowledge of “all FCS topics” will be greatly missed in the western part of the state.  

PERSONNEL

Welcome to new FCS agent in Calloway County , LaDawn Hale.  LaDawn has recently moved from Texas to Kentucky with her husband, Shawn and 4 ½ year-old son, Jackson.  She has a BA degree in Apparel Design and Historic Costume from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green , Ohio .  She also has a MA degree in Apparel Design from Texas Women’s University.  LaDawn grew up in Calloway County and was involved in the 4-H program. 

Farewell to Phyllis Simmons, retired FCS agent for Hickman County .  Phyllis has been enjoying traveling and spending time with her twin granddaughters.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Carol Vinyard, FCS agent in Carlisle County , is now a certified trainer for Pattern Master Boutique, created by Wild Ginger Software, Inc.  She attended training in Nashville with specialist, Marjorie Baker and helped train other Kentucky agents.

Purchase Area FCS agents held a Professional Improvement Day on Dec. 2, 2005 when they toured historic home, Magnolia Manor at Cairo , IL and held their PEAFCS meeting as well.

On March 14, 2006, agents held Professional Improvement Day at Fulton County , where they toured the historic home of Sally and Karl Ivey in Fulton . After lunch, agents toured the two local pecan industries, Kentucky Nut Co. and Black Pecans in Hickman. 

On May 16, Purchase Area FCS agents held Professional Improvement Day by touring the Amish Community in Crittendon County.  They also traveled across the Ohio River on the ferry and visited Cave-in –Rock, IL.  This was a most interesting day. 

left to right - Sara Bogle, Vicki Wynn, LaDawn Hale , Virginia Langford, Denise Wooley and Carol Vinyard.

Sara Bogle and Debbie Colvin attended the 2005 KEAFCS Annual meeting. 

PROGRAMS

Debbie Colvin is participating in the Kentucky Public Health Leadership Institute.  This multi-disciplinary leadership development opportunity is for individuals involved in public health within Kentucky .

FCS agents in Carlisle, Ballard, Fulton and Hickman Counties collaborated with Farm Service Agency staff to host the annual Four River Counties Women in Agriculture Seminar at Columbus Belmont State Park . 

Extension staff from the Pennyrile and Purchase Areas (District 7) teamed up to help staff the Colossal Colon Exhibit at Kentucky Oaks Mall in Paducah on February 17, 2006.  This 5-day exhibit was an effort of the Purchase Region Cancer Coalition to educate about colorectal cancer and the importance of timely screenings. 

The (Northeast Area and Licking River) FCS Agents from District 1 traveled to Holmes County , Ohio for an Agents retreat held November 1-3, 2005.  Everyone enjoyed seeing the beautiful fertile farmland and the agri-tourism industries in that area. The group dined with an Amish family for dinner one evening.  

 Agents gathered for a Holiday Get Together hosted by Carole Rison in December.  Agents and family members held a “family night out” at the home of Stephanie Derifield in January.  On May 5^th the Annual Paraprofessional Recognition Day was held at DH Resorts in Fleming County .  This event thanks EFNEP and FCS Program Assistants for their exceptional service and serves as a special day of recognition from their supervising FCS Agents in the District.  

 We also would like to say farewell to Leslie Workman, Pike County FCS Agent will be leaving Extension at the end of May.  Leslie will be a full-time Mother, Wife and Homemaker.  Best wishes Leslie and thanks for ten years of service.  More news from Pike County from Cristy Honaker, Pike County FCS Agent and her husband Patrick) are expecting their first child in October.  Congratulations Cristy.    

Stephanie Derifield, Lawrence County FCS Agent  and Brenda Cockerham, Johnson County FCS Agent  were recognized for 20 years of service at the East Regional Extension Conference.  As colleagues, we can truly appreciate their contributions and wish them 20 more.    

On June 29, 2006 the UK College of Ag and HES Alumni Association will hold a special event for AG/HES Alumni at the McConnell House in Greenup County .  Dr. Ann Vail is confirmed at the guest speaker.  Tours of the historic McConnel Home will be conducted at 5:00 pm.  Individuals and families can enjoy playing cro  quet on the lawn prior to the banquet event.  Individuals from surrounding counties are invited to attend.  Contact Rita Spence for further information.

Martha Perkins was elected Treasurer of KAFCS at their annual meeting in March.