e-Directions: 2/14/2006

e-Directions is an information-sharing newsletter issued at least bi-monthly to help keep you updated on Extension-related issues covering restructuring, programming opportunities, strategic plan initiatives and enhancements and other information.

If you have any comments or suggestions to improve e-Directions or the Director’s Web site, please contact me at pcoreil@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Because of the length of this newsletter, it has been divided into sections that are available from the list provided below.

• President's FY 2007 Budget Released
• LSU AgCenter Announces Value-added Producer Grant Program
• Ralph L. Tabor Extension Fellowship 2006-2007
• 2005 Class Completes Master Cattle Producer Program
• eXtension Announces Second Call for Engagement
• National eXtension Video Conferences Set for 2006
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• Morrison Named Distinguished Mississippi State Alumnus
• Louisiana 4-H Fact Sheet (2004-2005) Preliminary Statistics
• AgCenter Communications
• Taken from Ann Landers

President's FY 2007 Budget Released

The President's FY 2007 Budget Request was made public February 6, 2006. We are studying the details in the proposal and will send updates throughout the budget process. Proposals to move some base research funding to competitive funding are again contained in the 2007 budget. Other changes and reductions are delineated in the summary below.

Below are several documents concerning funding for the USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES). These documents are posted to the Web site at the following locations:

• USDA Portion of Budget
• CSREES (and ARS) Excerpts from the USDA Appendix
• CSREES Information from USDA Budget Brief
• CSREES Spreadsheet (a BRT document)
• Statement about Competitive Research

Additionally, Colien Hefferan, Administrator of CSREES released the following information:

On Monday, February 6, 2006, President George W. Bush forwarded the fiscal year (FY) 2007 budget to Congress. The FY 2007 budget for the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) includes discretionary funding totaling $1,038,057,000. This represents a decrease of $161,264,000 or approximately 13.44 percent below the FY 2006 Appropriations Act post-rescission amount of $1,199,321,000. However, this is an increase of $5,358,000 or approximately 0.52 percent above the FY 2006 President’s Budget amount of $1,032,699,000. The FY 2007 budget includes $11,880,000 for the Native American Endowment Fund and an estimated $3,100,000 for interest earned on the endowment. Additional mandatory funding of $5,000,000 for the Community Food Projects grant program and $3,000,000 for the Organic Research and Extension Initiative is included in the FY 2007 budget.

The FY 2007 budget supports the Administration’s commitment to competitive programs and to the streamlining of program delivery and responds to stakeholder input. In a time of limited resources this is accomplished by: a) increasing funding for the National Research Initiative (NRI); b) maintaining funding, but restructuring the allocation of the Hatch Act and McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry programs by redirecting a portion of the formula funds to nationally, competitively awarded multi-state/multi-institutional projects while retaining a portion to be awarded on the formula basis; c) eliminating the Animal Health and Disease, Section 1433 Research Program; and d) transferring programs authorized by Section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 to the NRI.

The budget proposes funding of $247,500,000 for the NRI to support: a) increases in genomics, emerging issues in food and agriculture biosecurity, ecology and economics of biological invasions and plant biotechnology and water security; b) water quality, food safety, pest related, methyl bromide transition and organic transition programs formerly funded under Integrated Activities; and c) ongoing research activities under the program. This is an increase of $66,330,000 (including $42.3 million for the 406 programs) over the FY 2006 Appropriations Act post-rescission amount.

The budget proposal includes $2,970,000 for the New Technologies for Ag Extension Program to support systems that will make available research-based education offered by the eXtension network. Increases are proposed for the Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative, the new Higher Education Agrosecurity Program to expand current efforts that address agricultural security issues, and the Asian Soybean Rust program. Increases also are proposed for the 1890 research and extension programs, Graduate Fellowship Program, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and the Outreach and Technical Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers grants program under Section 2501.

The budget also proposes to change the name of the Extension Indian Reservation Program to the Federal-Recognized Tribes Extension Program and proposes a funding increase.

The FY 2007 Budget includes funding to continue current program activities for most of the other CSREES programs and in some cases proposes funding for programs at approximately 1 percent below FY 2006 President’s Budget level, reflecting the Congressional 2006 rescission enacted at the end of last year.

Earmarked Special Research Grants, Extension and Research Federal Administration projects and grants and several specific, targeted programs are not proposed for funding in FY 2007.

The FY 2007 budget proposes changes in the general provisions including increasing the amount provided for the NRI that may be used for competitive integrated activities from a maximum of 22 percent to a maximum of 30 percent. Also proposed is the elimination of the cap on indirect costs for competitively awarded grants. This elimination allows full indirect cost recovery under competitive awards.

At this time, the Research, Education and Economics agencies Senate hearing is scheduled for March 16 and the House hearing is scheduled for March 30. We will provide additional information on Congressional hearings and action as it becomes available.

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The LSU AgCenter recently sponsored eight informational sessions to assist Louisiana producers interested in applying for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development’s Value-added Producer Grant Program. A total of $19.475 million is available through the program nationwide to assist producers in adding value to their crops and livestock.

The informational sessions were broadcast at distance education sites at the following LSU AgCenter locations: Acadia Conference Room in Crowley, Deal Lee in Alexandria, Knapp Hall at LSU in Baton Rouge, Red River in Shreveport, Delta Rural Development Center in Oak Grove, Scott Center in Winnsboro, St. Tammany in Mandeville, and Jefferson in Metairie.

During the sessions facilitated by Dr. Deborah Tootle, Judy Meche from USDA explained the value added producer grant application, and Dr. James Barnes, Director of the LSU AgCenter’s Delta Rural Development Center in Oak Grove, discussed grant writing.

The application deadline is March 31.

To further assist clientele, the LSU AgCenter CED Agents will be available on February 23-24 by appointment to meet with clientele who decide to purse the grant.

The Value-added Producer Grant program provides matching grants to agricultural producers and producer organizations interested in pursuing a new or enhanced value-added enterprise as part of their operation. Matching funds must be spent at a rate equal to or greater than the rate at which grant funds are expended. Matching funds are to be provided by the applicant and can be either cash or in-kind. Examples of matching funds are cash, a loan or line of credit to the applicant, goods or services to be donated from the applicant, cash from a third party or goods or services to be donated from a third party. All matching funds must be verified, available for the time period of the grant and not significantly overvalued.

For more information on the informational sessions, contact LSU AgCenter community economic development agents Dora Ann Hatch at 318-927-9654 ext. 229, Dr. Cynthia Pilcher at 318-435-7551, Dr. Kay Lynn Tettleton at 318-644-5980 or Dr. James Barnes at the Delta Rural Development Center at 318-428-3571 for more information.

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The National Association of Counties (NACo), in partnership with the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), offers a unique fellowship program for extension faculty and staff.

The Ralph L. Tabor Extension Fellowship offers the opportunity to live and work in Washington, D.C., to lend expertise to the nation’s 3,066 counties, learn first-hand about the workings of Congress and federal agencies and take a lead role in enhancing the national partnership between NACo, CSREES and the nation’s land-grant universities. It provides a professional development opportunity to work at a national legislative and public affairs, research and technical services organization – NACo. The Extension Fellow also works closely with CSREES to gain insight into Extension’s federal partner and with NASULGC to enhance the relationship between counties and higher education.

The deadline to apply is March 31.

For more information on overview, responsibilities, qualifications, terms of service, and application procedure, please visit http://anrep.org/news/news-43d8f4fe2f6ae.pdf.

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2005 Class Completes Master Cattle Producer Program

The 2005 class of the Master Cattle Producer program received diplomas at the recent Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association Convention in Alexandria on January 13. Each graduate also received a sign to hang on their front property acknowledging a Master Cattleman.

The Master Cattle Producer program, coordinated by Dr. Jason Rowntree, is designed to help cattle producers learn how to increase their profitability while producing animals in the most environmentally friendly methods. It is similar to the highly successful Master Farmer program, which focuses on teaching farmers to minimize environmental effects while maximizing productivity.

Since the Master Cattle Producer program started in 2004, 380 students across the state have completed the program, including 280 during 2005. In all, the program enlists more than 450 participants.

To become a Master Cattle Producer, one must complete 10 classes with topics in pasture management, breeding, reproduction, animal health, animal handling, nutrition, end product and financial management. A producer must also complete the Master Farmer Phase 1 program and the Beef Quality Assurance.

Congratulations to all Master Cattleman graduates in your interest and initiative to learn more about Louisiana cattle. With your efforts and knowledge, Louisiana has become very successful in the cattle industry. Also, thanks goes out to Dr. Rowntree for his dedicated service teaching and sharing knowledge about cattle production with many Louisiana farmers.

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eXtension Announces Second Call for Engagement

eXtension, the Internet-based land-grant university education and information project, has released its second call for engagement requesting proposals for new and existing Communities of Practice (CoPs), effective February 1. As mentioned in the budget article, the President’s 2007 budget proposal includes $2,970,000 for the New Technologies for Ag Extension program to support systems that will make available research-based education offered by the eXtension network.

Up to $500,000 will be awarded in amounts of up to $75,000 for proposals in: Production Agriculture, Diet, Nutrition and Health; Youth Development; Business and Community; Home and Family; Natural Resources and Environment; Lawn and Garden; and Interdisciplinary topics. Specifically targeted

in this Call for Engagement are proposals in: Production Agriculture; Diet, Nutrition and Health; and Youth Development.

Pre-proposals are due to eXtension on March 24, 2006, and full applications from finalists following the pre-proposal review will be due June 26. Final awards for this CFE will be announced on September 1. A complete description of and the submission process for the Call for Engagement is found at: http://cop.extension.org/wiki/Call_for_Engagement. eXtension is led by the State Cooperative Extension System nationwide and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) in cooperation with the USDA’s Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES).

Any LSU AgCenter faculty member interested in leading or being part of a CoP team should coordinate grant application preparation and submission with Sponsored Programs (Joy Bagur or Lyda Gatewood).

For more information contact: Craig Wood, craig.wood@extension.org or Carla Craycraft, carla.craycraft@extension.org, Associate Directors of Content, eXtension Initiative, University of Kentucky, 236 Scovell Hall, Lexington, Kentucky, 40546-0064, telephone: 859.257.4736 x 495, fax: 859.323.1006.

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National eXtension Video Conferences Set for 2006

Reminder: eXtension National Videoconferences for 2006 are scheduled for February 28, May 23, July 25 and October 24 from 2:30 – 4 p.m. Eastern time. If you have questions about the schedule, please contact Dan Cotton at dan_cotton@extension.org. For more information, go to: http://intranet.extension.org.

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Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations to Kenneth Maki, horticulturist in Ouachita Parish, who was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana State Horticulture Society during the state meeting on January 20 at the North Louisiana Agri-Business Council's Ag Expo. Presenting Maki with the award were Dr. Sid Guedry of Southeastern Louisiana University, Rafash Brew, an LSU AgCenter agent in Union Parish, and Annie Coco, an LSU AgCenter agent in Tangipahoa Parish and Louisiana State Horticulture Society president.

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Morrison Named Distinguished Mississippi State Alumnus

Congratulations to Associate Vice Chancellor David Morrison, who was named the 2006 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumnus of the year at Mississippi State University during a ceremony sponsored by the MSU Alumni Association on February 3 in Starkville. Morrison received his B.S. from Mississippi State in 1973.

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Louisiana 4-H Fact Sheet (2004-2005) Preliminary Statistics

Some 180,321 youth, K-12, participated in 4-H last year (club members and participants receiving 6 hours or more of sequential curricula in a year).

• 52,904 club members in 1991 clubs
• 4,624 EFNEP participants
• 104,595 school enrichment - character education

Other ways youth participated in 4-H:

• 4,032 summer campers grades 3-6
• 19,271 school enrichment- other

Reaching Diverse Populations:

• 57 percent (104,275) Caucasian, not of Hispanic origin
• 39 percent (70,327) African American, not of Hispanic origin
• 1 percent ( 2,214) Hispanic
• 3 percent (3,505) Asian/Pacific Islander/American Indian/Other

Grade levels included:

• 27 percent (48,897) Grades K-3
• 40 percent (72,453) Grades 4-6
• 20 percent (36,480) Grades 7-9
• 13 percent (22,491) Grades 10-12

Of the 180,321 youth in 4-H:

• 29 percent live in towns under 10,000 and open country
• 37 percent live on farms
• 18 percent live in towns and cities of 10,000-50,000
• 2 percent live in central cities 50,000 +
• 14 percent live in suburbs of cities of over 50,000

Volunteers in 4-H

• 6,961 volunteers, adults and youth working directly and indirectly with youth

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AgCenter Communications

Denise Coolman has submitted a letter of resignation to LSU AgCenter Communications. Her last day of employment is February 15, 2006.

Denise and her husband Rance have accepted positions in the Baton Rouge area. We wish them the best and thank Denise for her dedication in promoting the LSU AgCenter. Unfortunately AgCenter Communications will not be able to fill that position because of the budget situation. Please make any media relations requests for the media markets that Denise covered to Linda Benedict. I would like to thank Denise for her dedicated service to the LSU AgCenter, specifically her excellent coverage of Cooperative Extension Service events across the state. We wish her luck in her new career.

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Taken from Ann Landers

Very often I receive great tidbits that help me in my life and I thought I would share this information with you. The following was taken from a very old Ann Landers column but the message is still very applicable during these uncertain times:

Maturity is the ability to control anger and settle differences without violence.

Maturity is patience, the willingness to pass up immediate pleasure for long-term gain.

Maturity is perseverance, the ability to sweat out a project or a situation in spite of heavy opposition and setbacks.

Maturity is the capacity to face unpleasantness and frustration, discomfort and defeat, without complaint or collapse.

Maturity is being big enough to say, “I was wrong.” And, when right the mature person need not say, “I told you so.”

Maturity is the ability to make a decision and stand by it.

Maturity means dependability, keeping one’s word and coming through in a crisis. The immature are masters of the alibi. They are the confused and the conflicted. Their lives are a maze of broken promises, former friends, unfinished business and good intentions that never materialized.

Maturity is the art of living in peace with what we cannot change the courage to change what should be changed and the wisdom to know the difference.

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