Marshall and Hutchinson Regional Office Blog

Good Morning: This week's message comes a day early due to the Holiday, and there will not be a blog message next week from me due to the University Winter Closure. Let me quickly cover a few items.

Winter closure messaging: Please refer to the University web site for direction on signage and voice mail messages for the winter closure.

PPAT: 2011 Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Workshops have been scheduled around our regions. For details including locations and times, visit the website.

Varietal Trials: We have received a supply of Varietal Trials. Let me know if you need a supply for your office, and I will deliver them on my next office visit.

Title change for NEA's: The following message from Sue Letourneau and Renee Obrecht-Como explains the new title for the NEA's:

Greetings!
We would like, at last, to announce a name change for NEAs which will begin January 1, 2011.
Drum roll please.... NEAs will now be called Community Nutrition Educators!
You may have some questions which we have tried to address below:
• Why change the name?
Community Nutrition Educator more accurately reflects your work in community nutrition
education and parallels the title Community Health Educator title in public health. "Assistant" has
frequently been confusing for community partners and participants. While it is a paraprofessional
position and NEAs work under the supervision of Extension Educators and Program Coordinators,
an NEA receives training, uses evidence based curricula, and establishes program sites and
relationships with partners. NEAs provide direct delivery of the Simply Good Eating program and
Community Nutrition Educator describes this work.
• Does the new name change my work?
No, it does not change your work. This is not a job code change, but just a change in your working
title.
• What about business cards and name tags?
Name tags can be ordered anytime as the Extension logo has also changed. Business cards should
be ordered once your old cards are used up. We don't need to unnecessarily incur expenses.
• What do I tell community partners?
Simply tell them that we have changed the name to reflect your work in community nutrition
education.
• Do I need to do anything else?
No, we will be sending out a broader communication to Extension staff, County Extension
Committees and other stakeholders. As with any change, it will take some time to bring all our
forms, web pages, and other materials up to date. You will still see "NEA" here and there for some
time to come.
We sincerely hope you find this a positive change. We look forward to the coming year. While we do face
some challenges, there are many exciting opportunities in the health and nutrition area.
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication in providing nutrition education to Minnesotans across
the state. We are very proud of the fine work you do and are pleased that our programs have positive
outcomes and make a difference in Minnesota.
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year!
Sue Letourneau and Renee Obrecht-Como
Written by: Sue Letourneau and Renee Obrecht

On a Personal note: Several of you have asked about my son's condition. I am pleased to report that his surgury this week at HCMC went very well and we are looking forward to a good outcome.

Year-end message: The following message was shared with me by a community colleague, and I want to share it with you:

As one year closes another begins. It's important to quiet ourselves
and consider the blessings we do have in our lives. This is a
familiar reflection:

Mend a quarrel, Remember a forgotten friend, Share some
treasure, Keep a promise, Find the time, Forgo a grudge,
Forgive an enemy, Apologize if you were wrong, Think first of
someone else, Laugh a little, Laugh a little more, Say a prayer,
Welcome a stranger, Gladden the heart of a child, Speak your
love, Speak it again, Speak it still once again.

My thoughts are with you during the upcoming holiday time. I
know for some it will be a joyful time; for some a sad time perhaps
as it is the first Christmas without a loved one; for others a time of
simple reflection. Please know that whatever the season brings for
you, I hold you warmly in my thoughts.

Merry Christmas! Talk to you next year!

Bob

Posted by byrne007 at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Good Morning: My apologies for those of you who are receiving this message twice. Some sad news to share from Kami and Mark Schoenfeld, (Kami is 4H PC - Chippewa County). The following e-mail is from Mark:

I apologize for the communication via mass email. However, this is the best way I can figure to send this information out. Please forward to anyone you think may appreciate this.

At 7 p.m. Last night Kami went into labor. I got home at 2:30 a.m. from the Vikings game. She explained to me her labor pains and we decided to go the hospital. They were struggling to find a heartbeat for the baby. In the past week Kami noticed the baby was not moving as much and we passed it off as no more room. At 8:30 this morning it was confirmed that we did loose the baby. We are still not sure what happened and we may never find out. They are running tests to try and determine what happened.
At 11:20 am this morning Siera Jo was born into the hands of our Lord. She was 4 lbs 7 oz. and 21 inches long.

Kami is doing fine. We are handling this as best we can. We are surrounded by family and friends. Please keep us in your prayers.

Merry christmas to each and everyone of you and give each of your children a big hug as they truly are a gift from God.

Kami & Mark Schoenfeld
Circle S Cattle Co.
2524 331 Ave
Dawson, MN 56232
Home Phone 320.752.4487

Posted by byrne007 at 2:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Good Afternoon: I hope you have all had a good week. A few things to share this week:

Winter closure communication: Please read the recommended communication for the furlough period / winter closure.

I encourage you to use the sign template and suggested voicemails for offices that will be closed (Regional Offices and County offices depending on Support staff schedules) and suggested voice mails.

Not to seem like a Grinch, but this is the time of year to remind ourselves of some office operational guidelines:

Holiday Greetings: Public resources, (postage, color copies etc) should not be used to send holiday greetings.

Toll free numbers: When calling between County or Regional Offices, do not use the toll free numbers.

Winter Weather closures: Follow work location direction.

Questions? Give me a call.

Have a good remainder of the week and weekend.

Bob

Posted by byrne007 at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Good Morning: Another snowy day. I hope you have all had a good week. A few things to share today:

Closure and Furlough: Later this month the University offices will be closed for Holiday's and the mandatory furlough. This week's E News has details about the closure and furlough. This link which is referenced in E News gives details for Civil Service and Bargaining Unit staff. 2011 Extension Committee meeting schedule:

Big Stone: 5:00 p.m. January 27, April 28 (third and fourth quarter meetings yet to be scheduled)
Chippewa: 5:00 p.m. January 10, April 11, July 11, November 7
Kandiyohi: 12:00 noon, January 10, April 11, July 11, November 7
Lac qui Parle: 4:30 p.m. February 15, April 19, July 19, November 15
Lincoln: 7:30 p.m. January 10, April 11, July 11, November 7
Lyon: 7:00 p.m. February 10, April 7, July 14, November 10
Redwood: 4:00 p.m. February 3, April 14, July 21, December 1
Renville: 7:00 p.m. January 24, March 28, July 18, November 28
Swift: 5:30 p.m. January 26, April 27, July 27, October 26
Yellow Medicine: 7:00 p.m. February 3, April 14, July 21, December 1

Message from Trish Sheehan:

I am pleased to inform you that Shelly Kooima has accepted the position of Redwood County 4-H Program Coordinator. The news is official from the University of Minnesota Extension Service as of today. Shelly will start her position on Monday, December 6, 2010.

Shelly is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Agricultural Marketing. She has worked as a summer intern for two summers in Redwood County. She has most recently worked in the livestock field in various positions.

Have a nice weekend,

Bob

Posted by byrne007 at 4:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)