The First National Protecting Pollinators in Ornamental Landscapes Conference

The First National Protecting Pollinators in
Ornamental Landscapes Conference
Save the Date—Registration Opening Soon!
Date: October 13, 2015 and October 14, 2015

The First National Conference on Protecting Pollinators in the Ornamental Landscape will take place October 13 and 14, 2015 at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC. Hosted by Michigan State University and North Carolina State University, this conference is intended for extension educators, academic and industry researchers, growers, and representatives of related industries interested in or involved with ornamental plant production or maintenance.

Sessions will include research presentations and discussions on topics such as: Function of urban pollinators, threats to pollinators, impacts of neonicotinoids and other pesticides, pollinator-safe products and strategies, and educating the public about pollinators. Registration will be opening in May 2015. For more information, visit www.ornamentalpollinators.org and look for more details to come!

Hosted by Michigan State University and North Carolina State University

2015 NACAA AM/PIC “First Timers” Webinar

2015 NACAA AM/PIC “First Timers” Webinar

Presented by NACAA – Early Career Development Committee

Thursday, April 30, 2015

12:00 PM Central Time

Join WebEx meeting

Meeting number:	743 125 300
Meeting password:	NACAA2015

 Click on the Join WebEx meeting above or click on the link to participate: 

 https://umn.webex.com/umn/j.php?MTID=md19568223d1502774de3d54b133303ea

To test your technology follow the Join a Meeting Test link: https://www.webex.com/test-meeting.html

Have you ever wondered about some of the opportunities at an Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement? Have you ever wondered exactly what do I get for attending these conferences? This webinar can be helpful if you answered yes to either question. The NACAA Early Career Development Committee will provide a presentation regarding the NACAA AM/PIC to be held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from July 12-16^th.

The South Dakota Association of Agricultural Extension Professionals (SDAAEP) and the NACAA Early Career Development Committee would like to extend an invitation and encourage you to attend the 2015 NACAA AM/PIC. We are very excited about this year’s event and confident that the program offers opportunities for program sharing, motivational speakers, and meeting others from across the U.S. Plus, the registration fee for any first timer with less than 10 years of experience is FREE!

The first step you need to take is getting registered. For someone new to the NACAA AM/PIC, this can be somewhat of a daunting task. There is a very comprehensive schedule to navigate through and numerous decisions that need to be made on what to attend. The NACAA Early Career Development Committee is offering a free webinar that will hopefully make your decision to attend the NACAA AM/PIC process much easier.

An hour-long webinar will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. Central Time. We plan to highlight the benefits of attending the NACAA AM/PIC, what events and activities first timers and others can and should attend throughout the week and finally we will take you through the steps of the registration process. This will be a live webinar so be sure to ask questions. We are planning to record the webinar and will provide details on how to access the recorded presentation. Further questions can be directed to Nathan Winter at 320-484-4303 or by e-mail at wint0146@umn.edu. 

Also, NEW in 2015 the first timer orientation and welcome will be fun, fast-paced, and energizing to learn more about NACAA AM/PIC. You will not need to worry about feeling confused or lost as a first timer as you will be matched up with an experienced mentor for the conference! Yes, you will meet a fellow Extension professional that will help you successfully navigate your first AM/PIC. Excited yet? I know we certainly are as these are new things previously never offered to first timers!! For someone new to the AM/PIC registration process, we understand that there are many decisions that must be made. To aid in your registration process, there are various resources available. The County Agent magazine is a great place to start along with the Ag Agent’s conference website (https://agagents.wordpress.com/).

Two events that First Timer’s are encouraged to attend are:

First Timer’s Reception on Sunday July 12th, 2015

First Timer’s Luncheon on Monday July 13th, 2015

Questions regarding these events can be directed to Lindsay or Jenny:

Co-Chair:  Lindsay Chichester, Nebraska, lindsay.chichester@unl.edu

Co-Chair:  Jenny Rees, Nebraska, jenny.rees@unl.edu

Thank you,

Nathan Winter 

Early Career Development Committee, Chair

NACAA 2015 AM/PIC Registration Now Open - Magazine in the Mail

Early-Bird Registration for the 2015 AM/PIC in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (July 12-16, 2015) - is now officially open and will run through May 15, 2015.  The April, 2015 edition of The County Agent was placed in the mail today.  Realizing that it may take several days for the magazine to travel across the country and be in everyone's hands - an electronic copy of the magazine can be found at http://www.nacaa.com/countyagent/2015-01.pdf.  This edition of the magazine highlights AM/PIC activities and includes the registration form.  On-line registration can also now be completed at the following link https://okzyhxiuzf.formstack.com/forms/?1959638-MIUG7m8VIw

 

This link can also be accessed at the NACAA website at www.nacaa.com  underneath the AM/PIC logo where it says "2015 AM/PIC Registration".

 

In the printed edition of the magazine soon to arrive in the mail, there is one modification to the registration form which has been made in the online version (as well as in the on-line registration).  The Soils Pre-Tour mentioned in the magazine - was supposed to have a spot on the registration form (page 36) to pay the registration fee.  The line was inadvertently left out of the printed magazine.  If you plan to submit a paper copy of your registration forms and plan attend this pre-tour - you will need to go to the magazine link listed above - and download the revised registration form - which shows this change.  As mentioned above, this change has already been added to the on-line registration, so for the 85-90% of you who register on-line....there is no change, the option to participate in the Pre-Tour is listed.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions or problems with the online registration process.  We do our best to make sure there aren't any "bugs" in the registration system, so if you find any, please let me know and I'll do my best to get it fixed as quick as possible.

 

 

 

NACAA Executive Director
Scott Hawbaker
6584 W. Duroc Road
Maroa, IL 61756
Phone: 217-794-3700
Fax: 217-794-5901
Email: nacaaemail@aol.com
Web: http://nacaa.com

Recording of Public Relations & Ag Issues Webinar on GMO now available

The recent Webinar held by the Public Relations & Ag Issues Committee on "GMO's" is now available at http://breeze.wsu.edu/p7pwkr5s0em/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal

This Webinar - along with other webinars held by NACAA in the past can be found at:  http://www.nacaa.com/countyagent/Webinars.php

Ag Issues & Public Relations Webinar - March 18th at noon PST

Ag Issues & Public Relations Webinar - March 18^th at noon PST

Webinar Topic: GMO

Food Choices and GMO.

Genetically engineered crops, better known as GMOs, have become an item of interest and controversy for consumers, farmers, food companies and policy makers. What are the concerns from the consumer perspective and what are scientists saying about GMOs? How is food labeling impacting consumer choice and purchasing patterns? Join this session to explore the history of GMOs and why they are an important part of food production today. Identify foods commonly containing GMOs and understand the risks and benefits of genetic engineered crops from different perspectives of nutrition, crop yield, and the environment.

Understanding the Facts and Issues Surrounding Genetically Engineered Crops and Foods.

Are current engineered crops safe and beneficial?  Are they being used in a sustainable manner?  How are they regulated by the federal government? Can they coexist with organic crops?  And what do consumers really know about them?  This talk will cut through the rhetoric espoused by proponents and opponents of GE crops and provide the facts surrounding the current GE crops grown in the United States.  While answering each of those questions, Greg Jaffe will bring the Center for Science in the Public Interest's unique science-based consumer perspective to this topic in a way that is both informative and relevant to different professionals involved in agriculture.    

March 18^th at noon PST

To participate on March 18th – please log-in to http://breeze.wsu.edu/foodchoice/

About the speakers

Diane Smith is WSU Extension Regional Food Access and Nutrition Specialist for Skagit and Whatcom counties in western Washington. Her work includes community food planning, nutrition education and health promotion. Recent ballot initiatives on GMOs and food labeling raised questions from local residents which prompted Ms. Smith to explore the subject to help better understand the risks and benefits of GMOs and provide information to consumers to help in their decision-making process.  

Gregory Jaffe is the Director of the Project on Biotechnology for the Center for Science in the Public Interest (“CSPI”), a non-profit consumer organization located in the United States.  Mr. Jaffe came to CSPI in 2001 after a long and distinguished career in government service as a Trial Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division and as Senior Counsel with the U.S. EPA, Air Enforcement Division.  He is a recognized international expert on agricultural biotechnology and biosafety and has published numerous articles and reports on those topics.  He was worked on biosafety regulatory issues in the United States and throughout the world, including the countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Malawi, South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Nigeria.  He was a member of the Secretary of Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology and 21^st Century Agriculture from 2003-2008 and was reappointed for a new term in 2011.  He was also a member of FDA’s Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee from 2004-2008.  Gregory Jaffe earned his BA with High Honors from Wesleyan University in Biology and Government and then received a law degree from Harvard Law School. 

For questions –please contact National Agricultural Issues & Public Relations Chair Don McMoran at dmcmoran@wsu.edu or by calling Don at (360) 428-4270, ext 225

$100 for the 100th Fund Drive Update

$100 for the 100^th Fund Drive Update

Back in the October, 2014 issue of the County Agent Magazine, a special fund drive was announced to help celebrate the 100^th anniversary of NACAA.  The “$100 for the 100^th” fund drive has a goal of helping the NACAA Educational Foundation reach their financial goal of $1 Million by 2025.  The NACAA Educational Foundation is the organization which funds the NACAA Scholarship Program.

We have great news!  Since the program has been announced, we have received over $2,100 towards this effort.  Donations have been recorded from both active and life members alike…although the life members are currently leading in the $100 contributions!  Thank you very much to those members who have already contributed to our special fundraising campaign.

The NACAA Educational Foundation has now issued a special incentive tied to the $100 for the 100^th.  Here are the details:

·        *   For every $25,000 in donations received, the Foundation will reimburse (1) early-bird registration fee for the 2015 AM/PIC in Sioux Falls, SD!

·         *  Up to 4 registration fees will be reimbursed:  1 reimbursement for $25,000; 2 for $50,000; 3 for $75,000; and 4 for $100,000 and over

·        *  Incentive is open to both active and life members

·        *  Only individuals donating at the $100 level or above are eligible (no state association donations are eligible) 

      *   Incentive is open to members who do not get their reimbursement through NACAA (ex: committee chairs/vice chairs already get registration fee waived)

Donations for the $100 for the 100^th will continue to be received through June 1.  At that time, those who have contributed at the $100 level will be entered into the drawing, and the NACAA Educational Foundation will select the winners.  All levels of contributions are appreciated…from $1 to $100 or more; it all helps the Foundation reach their goal.

If you are not vested in the NACAA Scholarship program, this is a great way to become vested!  A $100 contribution means you are fully vested in the program, and are eligible to receive up to $2,000 in scholarships….where else can you get that kind of return on an investment?  Scholarships can be used for advanced education, attend specialized training or conferences, group tours, giving a presentation at a conference (both domestically and abroad), the list goes on and on…. With travel budgets being reduced in many states, this is one way for you to receive funds to receive your much needed professional development.

How do I make a donation?  You can pay by either credit card or check.  To pay by credit card, simply visit the NACAA homepage (www.nacaa.com) and click on “Donate to the NACAA Educational Foundation - Scholarship” at the bottom of the page.  

Checks should be made payable to the NACAA Educational Foundation and sent to:
Dwane Miller, NACAA Scholarship Chair
1202 Ag Center Drive
Pottsville, PA 17901
Please include $100 for the 100^th on the memo line of your check, so we can accurately track contributions toward this effort.

Thank you for being a special part of NACAA’s 100^th Anniversary!

Cynthia Gregg, NACAA President Elect
Frank FitzSimons, President, NACAA Educational Foundation
Dwane Miller, NACAA Scholarship Committee

DAIReXNET Formulating Diets for Groups of Lactating Cows Webinar

Formulating Diets for Groups of Lactating Cows 

Bill Weiss, The Ohio State University  

 February 26, 2015 

 12:00 PM Central Time 

Formulating accurate diets for lactating dairy cows requires users to input body weight, milk production, milk composition and perhaps other factors such as days in milk and parity. If you are only feeding one cow, those numbers are easy to get, but if you are formulating for a group of cows, what numbers should you use?



This webinar will discuss:



· Proper cow specification inputs for various nutrients

· Factors affecting those inputs

· Grouping criteria that result in more accurate diets

Top Ways to Tweak Dairy Nutrition Management to Improve Profitability: Part 2

Excellent dairy managers are always looking for and finding ways to improve the performance and profitability of their dairy herds. Often, the primary emphasis is placed on considering changes to the nutritional program for the milking herd as suggested by current research. In last month’s feature article, some of these potential management areas were explored. Although these areas are extremely important, tweaking the nutritional and management programs for heifers and dry cows is just as important, and sometimes more so. In addition, other components of a herd management program affect the nutrition program and, ultimately, profitability. Here you will find information on some of the areas to consider fine-tuning management programs for dairy heifers, calves, and dry cows and how the nutrition program is affected by other management practices.

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