MAEA Messenger - February 2002

Michigan Association of Extension Agents MAEA Messenger
February, 2002

President’s Corner

By Stan Moore

This year will mark growth in a significant part of our membership. That segment, of course, is our Life Members. These members have contributed much to both MSU Extension as well as MAEA. We would like to honor these members in a significant way. To start, MAEA will continue to pay retiring member’s life member dues to NACAA despite an increase from $25 to $50 this year. At our January board meeting, the board recognized the important contributions these retiring members have made by improving this increase. Secondly, we will be recognizing retiring members at our Spring Conference this year. At our Fish Boil on Monday night (March 4th), we will honor our retirees in a special ceremony. Please join me in honoring our colleagues by registering for and attending Spring Conference and the Fish Boil.

I would also like to see MAEA better meet the needs of our retirees. One of MAEA’s objectives is to determine and communicate members’ ideas, concerns and suggestions to MSU Extension Administration. If you as a retiree have issues that need to be communicated with Administration, please let your regional director or I know. MAEA can and should also play a significant role for our regular members in this objective. In a time of reduced budgets and extra demands on agents, Administration and MAEA need to be in close communication on issues that are important to you. Please keep your membership active this year and encourage others to join MAEA, and please share your concerns with our board. As an association we can have more impact together than as individuals.

A Reminder about Membership Dues

Paul Wylie, MAEA Treasurer, Allegan County MSUE

MAEA membership is due by no later than March 1, 2002 in the Allegan County Extension office. At that time, I will notify NACAA about membership for the year and pay for the national membership. MAEA dues forms are available on the web at www.msue.msu.edu/maea. Last year, we had 151 regular members, but that number is projected to decline to about 135-140 due to retirements. To maintain the number of voting delegates to the national meeting and demonstrate our strength to MSUE administration, we need all available agents to join.

Several agents have sent in only $60 instead of $75 for their regular membership dues and I have contacted them for the balance. We have some agents that are regular members of other MCEA associations and they can join MAEA also for a reduced rate of $60. MSUE Administration can join for $37.50 as an associate member. Please contact your regional director or others in administration that you know and invite them to join MAEA.

In January, the board of MAEA voted to pay the $50 one-time fee for life members to NACAA. If you are or know of agents retiring please let me know. The magazine subscription to "The County Agent" will be billed separately to the life member.

Congratulations to Michigan’s DSA and AA Winners

Submitted by Jeanne Himmelein

Chair Awards and Recognition Committee

DSA (Distinguished Service Award) over 10 years of service

Mr. Roger Peacock whom has continued to educate the Michigan citizens in several areas of extension over the past 22 years of service.

Ms. Hanna Stevens’s enthusiasm to educated the commercial and residential green industry over the past 20 years has earned her this distinguished award

Mr. Thomas Dudek’s multi-regional position allows him to provide exceptional programming as well staying in tune with the needs of the Ornamental industry.

AA (Achievement Award) 10 years or less of service

Ron Goldy’s excellent work as an extension educator as well as a researcher at the Southwest Research Station awards him this noteworthy Achievement award.
Amy Irish-Brown’s 10 years of service of delivering exemplary education to clientele that has evolved over the years from consumer horticulture to the fruit industry qualifies Amy to receive the Achievement Award.

The Communication Awards information packets should be in your hands as you read this. The board felt this packet should ease the process of submitting for an award.

Good Luck.

Due to me by MARCH 15^th

Jeanne Himmelein MSUE

201 W Kalamazoo Ave

Room 302

Kalamazoo MI 49009

MAEA Spring Conference

Submitted by Mary Dunckel

Chair Professional Improvement Committee

A GREAT professional development opportunity is coming your way! The MAEA Spring Conference will begin Monday, March 4^th at noon and will conclude with the Dean’s Luncheon on Tuesday, March 5^th.

Director Bethel will present the keynote address "Strategic Directions for MSU Extension" during Monday’s luncheon. Afternoon sessions include a general session on Global Agriculture presented by Dr. David Schweikhardt, Associate Professor in Agriculture Economics. Following the presentation, Dr. Arlen Leholm will facilitate a panel discussion with Agents who have had International Extension experiences.

Tuesday’s breakout sessions include:

MSU Benefits Update

Public Perceptions of Plant Biotechnology

Time and Work Management

Library Resources Update

Livestock Disease Update

Land Use: What every agent should know

Biofuels: On the road to a cleaner future

In addition to the educational sessions, there will be time for fellowship and fun. An evening reception is planned for Agents and Specialists. Following the reception, the Association is hosting a Great Lakes Fish Boil and retiree recognition. The Dean’s Luncheon is another highlight of the Conference. There is no charge for the luncheon if you are registered for the Conference.

Please take this opportunity to write the dates on your calendar, and watch your email for additional highlights of the conference. The complete agenda and a registration form are included in this newsletter. Please note that the registration deadline for this power packed training is February 22^nd!

A Great Lakes Fish Boil

Submitted by Mary Dunckel

Chair Professional Development Committee

Legend has it that the Scandinavians brought this custom to the early settlements around Lake Michigan. It uses foods that are plentiful in the Lakes area, especially whitefish.

While fish boils differ somewhat depending on the boiler and the ingredients available, they all start with a pot of salted water over a fire. Potatoes, carrots, onions and whitefish are added to the pot. The final

product is drizzled with fresh butter, resulting in a delicious lobster-like fish dinner.

Please join us in testing this culinary delight on Monday, March 4^th at the MSU Pavilion. MAEA is hosting an evening reception for Agents and Specialists at 5:30 p.m. and a Great Lakes Fish Boil at 6:30 p.m. There is no charge for either event if you are registered for the Spring Conference. The cost for non-MAEA members and guests is $15.00/person. MAEA Life Members can attend for $10.00/person.

The Great Lakes Fish Boil will provide an opportunity to taste the delicious traditional dinner and to generate enthusiasm for hosting a similar meal at the National Association’s Annual meeting in Green Bay in 2003. Plan to Attend!

MAEA Spring Conference

March 4^th and 5^th, 2002

Kellogg Conference Center and Hotel – Michigan State University

Agenda

Monday, March 4, 2002

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Conference Registration

12:00 noon Lunch

12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Strategic Directions for MSU Extension

Maggie Bethel, MSU Extension Director

General Sessions:

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Global Agriculture, Today and Tomorrow

David Schweikhardt, Associate Professor, Agricultural Economics

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. International Experiences

A panel discussion with Agents, facilitated by Arlen Leholm

5:30 p.m. Building Connections

A reception for Specialists and Agents

6:30 p.m. Great Lakes Fish Boil and Retiree Recognition

Please join fellow agents to recognize our new retirees and to

celebrate their outstanding Extension careers.

Tuesday, March 5, 2002

7:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Good Morning, MAEA!!

Association Business and Breakfast Meeting

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Breakout Sessions:

A. MSU Benefits Update

Jonnie Lilly, Administrative Assistant, Benefits Office

B. Public Perceptions of Plant Biotechnology

Jo Ann Beckwith, Assistant Professor, Resource Development

C. Time and Work Management

Edita Herbstova, Coordinator Human Resource Development

10:15 a.m. –11:15 a.m. Breakout Sessions:

A. Library Resources

Amy Blair, Librarian, Library Resources

B. Livestock Disease Update

Dan Grooms, Assistant Professor, Large Animal Clinical Sciences

C. Land Use: What every agent should know

Wayne Beyea, Coordinator, Citizen Planner Program

D. Biofuels:On the road to a cleaner future (note: begins at 10:30 a.m., not 10:15) Jody Pollok, Executive Director of Corn Marketing Program of Michigan

12:00 noon Dean’s Luncheon

MAEA Spring Conference

A Professional Improvement Opportunity

Registration Form

Agent’s Name: ______________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

County: ______________________________________________________

Phone: ________________ Email address: ______________________

Registration Costs (please check one)

o Full Registration (includes all meals and breaks) $60

o Partial Registration-Monday afternoon and evening $35

o Partial Registration-Tuesday morning and Dean’s Luncheon $35

Registration Deadline: Friday, February 22^nd

or

Add $10.00 for late registration

Please make checks payable to MAEA and send to: Mary Dunckel

Alpena County MSU Extension

603 S. 11^th Ave.

Alpena, MI 49707

o MSU Account #__________________

Registration from can be sent by FAX with check under separate cover to meet the February 22^nd deadline. FAX # (989) 354-5411

Lodging available at the Kellogg Center {(517) 432-4000} for $72.00/night for MAEA Conference attendees.

Questions???? Contact Mary Dunckel at (989) 354-3636 or by email at dunckelm@msue.msu.edu

The Michigan Association of Extension Agents

Presents

A Great Lakes Fish Boil

Reception: 5:30 p.m. Dinner: 6:30 p.m.

In conjunction with its Professional Improvement Spring Conference, MAEA is hosting a Great Lakes Fish Boil on Monday March 4^th, 2002 at the Pavilion on the campus of MSU.

Legend has it that the Scandinavians brought the custom to the early settlements around Lake Michigan. It uses foods that are plentiful in the Lakes area, especially whitefish.

Please join us in this 100 year old Great Lakes traditional feast.

Name: ______________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Phone: ________________ Email address: _____________________

Guest’s Name: ______________________________________________________

Meal Cost

o Non-MAEA member $15.00/person

o MAEA Life Member $10.00/person

*MAEA Members: the cost of this meal is included in the Spring Conference registration fee

Please make checks payable to MAEA and send to: Mary Dunckel

Alpena County MSU Extension

603 S. 11^th Ave.

Alpena, MI 49707

MSU Account #__________________

Please RSVP by Friday, February 22^nd

Reservations accepted by mail: (address above), fax: (989) 354-5411

or email: dunckelm@msue.msu.edu.

Kindly direct questions to:

Mary Dunckel, Chair: (989) 354-3636 or Stan Moore, President (231) 533-8818