Solving Problems Using Creativitiy

Most of you know that I am a twitter user, I don't tweet much but do follow mostly news sources that I am interested in personally and professionally, one of the individuals I do follow is John Maxwell, a author of several Leadership books, and well known leadership speaker etc.. He provides short blogs on helpful leadership topics I find useful. Today his topic is titled Complicated problems need creative solutions.   I would suggest that you take a look at this site when you have time. John Maxwell provides some good points and ways to establish discipline of creative thinking when faced with challenges.  Clearly Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service is being challenged with changes. I would consider our Partial Cost Recovery Initiative just initiated this month to be a creative solution to a very complicated situation. Below are the points that John Maxwell writes about in his blog today.   http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/

1. Spend time with creative people.
2. Look for the obvious.
3. Be unreasonable.
4. Practice mental agility.
5. Dare to be different.
6. See problems as opportunities.

District 11 Quarterly Legislative Email One Pagers

Thank you for your diligence in completing these reports, I am extremely pleased in the quality of these interpretation pieces that you and your support staff have completed. Some of you have commented that you have received positive comments from contacts.We need to continue to provide positive information to all of our stakeholders. I also continue to see some really creative new way you are implementing our cost recovery imitative this is one of the best things you can do right now.

Historic Day in Dewitt County 

Anthony (Old Dog) Netardus

Anthony Netardus officially became the longest tenured County Extension Agent in DeWitt County history.  The previous Agent who held this distinction was Gilbert Heidemann, who was an Agent in DeWitt County for 15 years, 8 months and 15 days.  Netardus surpassed that today, currently serving DeWitt County for 15 years, 8 months and 16 days, and counting.  Congratulations to Anthony!!!

4-H News from Jodi's Desk

CONGRATULATIONS TO STATE QUALIFIERS

Hats off to the District 11 Dairy Judging Teams that recently competed in Houston and qualified for the Texas 4-H Dairy Judging Contest to be held in April.  State qualifiers include the Fayette County 4-H team of Amber Matula, Jennifer Drabek, Dillan Drabek, and Dakota Zapalac, Washington County team of Kristian Kasprowicz, Samantha Meyer, Kyle Bentke, and Laramie Naumann, and Wharton County team of Hannah Weinheimer, Danielle Valenta, and Shelby Stary.

Congratulations to the Matagorda County Wool Judging Team of Chasidi Jackson, Faith Grisham, and Dillon Bramble.  They competed in the Houston Livestock Show Wool Judging Contest and qualified for the Texas 4-H Wool Judging Contest in June.

Wildlife Conservation Camp

The Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society invites you to the best week of your summer.  Wildlife Conservation Camp will be held July 17-23, 2011 at Welder Wildlife Refuge in Sinton, Texas.  The Conservation Camp focuses on exciting, hands-on, outdoor experiences and activities with presentations led by wildlife professionals from across the state.  Students must be nominated by a Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society member, teacher, county Extension agent, youth leader, or local Farm Bureau.  Student must be in high school at the time of nomination.  Cost for each student is $250.  The application deadline is May 1, 2011.  You many download an application at www.tctws.org For more information, contact Dr. Megan Dominguez  mkdominguez@ag.tamu.edu

NEEDED:  4-H Volunteer Award Applications

We realize this is a very busy time of year for agents; however, it is important not to forget to recognize our volunteers!  Each year, Texas 4-H provides awards and recognition for various individuals and groups that provide support to the 4-H program.  All awards are presented at the Salute to Excellence banquet during Texas 4-H Roundup. 

PLEASE FIND JUST A FEW MINUTES BEFORE MARCH 23 to complete the short nomination form to recognize a volunteer from your county.  There are 5 nomination categories:  Citation for Outstanding Service to 4-H, Texas 4-H Alumni Award, Meritorious Service Award, Salute to Excellence Award, and Leader’s Legacy Award.  To find out more details about each category and to download a nomination form, please visit:

http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/volunteers/recognition_volunteer/index_recognition_volunteer.php

Each district gets to recognize two Salute to Excellence winners and we have only received 1 application/nomination for this year!  Please consider nominating a volunteer from your county!  If you have any questions, or need any help, please contact Jodi.