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| NACAA - 252 N. Park Street - Decatur, IL 62523 (217) 424-5144 | |
| nacaaemail@aol.com | www.nacaa.com |
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| NACAA - 252 N. Park Street - Decatur, IL 62523 (217) 424-5144 | |
| nacaaemail@aol.com | www.nacaa.com |
Registration is well-underway for the upcoming NACAA AM/PIC. Just a friendly reminder that the early registration deadline is May 15, 2008. Beginning May 16, 2008 - all fees will be an additional $100/person - so don't miss out on the lower fee. Registration can be completed on-line at http://www.ncacaa.org/2008ampic/ or mailing your registration form from the April edition of "The County Agent" to 252 N. Park Street, Decatur, IL 62523 or faxing to 217-424-5115.
Early Bird registration is currently in process for the Galaxy III conference. Join many of your co-workers in Indianapolis between September 15th and the 19th, for great educational speakers, concurrent sessions, exhibits, fun and friendship. Registration can be found at www.ces.purdue.edu/galaxy. You will need your housing reservation number. Early bird registration ends June 15th.
Randy R. Mills, PAS
NACAA Animal Science Committee, Vice-Chair, Western Region
Oregon State University Extension Service
Pendleton, OR 97801
randy.mills@oregonstate.edu
Do you consider yourself an animal science professional? Are you seeking additional recognition of your animal science expertise, continuing professional development, documented ethical standards, and increased public confidence? If so, the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) may be for you. ARPAS is the organization which provides certification of animal scientists through examination, continuing education, and commitment to a code of ethics. ARPAS membership has always been available to county extension educators. However, in recent years the NACAA Animal Science Committee has provided NACAA membership with the opportunity to complete the certification exam during our annual meeting / professional improvement conference (AM/PIC). ARPAS exams will again be offered to NACAA members during the 2008 AM/PIC on Thursday, July 17, 1:30 PM (location to be announced your AM/PIC program). Exams are also available on an appointment basis during the AM/PIC. Additional information, including sample exam questions, is available on the ARPAS website (http://www.arpas.org/).
All successful certification and licensing programs are targeted to serve and protect the public's interest. Modern agriculture is becoming more complex. More government regulations and controls require that practicing professionals establish accountability by means of registry and certification programs. In today's business climate, producer and industry clients want assurance that they are getting advice from certified professionals who stay on the cutting edge. By completing the requirements of registration, maintaining your continuing education units, and adhering to the code of ethics, ARPAS registration provides you with a new level of recognition to help distinguish yourself to your clientele as a Professional Animal Scientist (PAS). Members also receive the Professional Animal Scientist journal. ARPAS membership is required to publish in the Professional Animal Scientist.
ARPAS is a society formed to strengthen and promote professional and ethical consultation and teaching for animal scientists and animal product specialists through profession certification. It is a self-governing, self-supporting organization with affiliation with the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), American Meat Science Association (AMSA), American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), Equine Science Society (ESS), and Poultry Science Association (PSA).
Levels of certification for Professional Animal Scientist (PAS) are based on degree, experience, examination, and Continuing Education Units (CEU's). A key component of qualifying for membership in ARPAS is passing a comprehensive examination. Currently, ARPAS offers qualifying exams in 12 species or product areas: aquaculture, beef cattle, companion animals, dairy cattle, horses, laboratory animals, poultry, sheep & goats, swine, meat science, dairy product science, and poultry products. Each exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that represent a random draw from a data bank of questions for that area of specialization. ARPAS leadership is currently developing a study guide for potential members, but until that is available, sample questions can be found on the ARPAS website.
Annual membership dues are $85 (electronic journal only) or $130 (electronic journal plus printed copies). A $25 non-fundable per specie exam fee is required. The first $25 will be applied to your membership fee. College transcripts are required to complete the application. To maintain registration, 16 hours of CEU's are required each year. One CEU equals one hour of participation in an approved educational event. Up to 16 hours may be carried to the following year. In my experience, for extension educators, meeting the CEU requirement is not difficult.
Professional certification programs have two major objectives. One is to provide professional recognition to members for their professional expertise and achievements. The other is to provide assurance to the public being served that they have confidence that the certified professionals providing professional service for them have a high level of professional expertise, are professionally current, and practice a high level of professional ethics.
We are experiencing increased interest in both the private and public sectors for professional certification. Some universities are now requiring graduating animal science seniors to complete an ARPAS exam. We have experienced increased interest among extension professionals as we have administered the ARPAS exam to 10-15 county extension educators at each of the last three NACAA AM/PIC. Check out the ARPAS website. If you have questions please feel free to contact the ARPAS office or myself. To register for the exam attend the Animal Science Committee meeting on Monday afternoon of the AM/PIC or email me prior to the meetings. Join the growing ranks of extension animal science educators that have received recognition of their animal science expertise through certification with ARPAS.
We've got room for 10 more individuals to attend this years Animal Science Committee Pre-AM/PIC Seminar & Tour. As indicated in the January edition of "The County Agent" this program is designed to provide the opportunity for NACAA members to study and analyze livestock systems in North Carolina. Topics to be featured on the tour will include swine production and processing, small ruminants, and forage utilization. Participants will also have a chance for one on one exchange of ideas with local producers, industry personnel, and your peers from around the country.
Who's Eligible:
NACAA members in good standing with responsibilities in livestock and/or alternative markets are eligible to participate in this Pre-AM/PIC tour. The event will take place on Friday-Saturday, July 11-12, 2008 and will depart from the Greensboro area on Friday morning July 11, 2008.
ENTRY & JUDGING CRITERIA
Complete the "General Application Form" found on page 2 or on the NACAA web site. Also, applicant must prepare a written plan, not to exceed one single spaced typewritten page on:
AWARDS
The tour is offered to extension educators on a scholarship basis, with the only cost to the participant being transportation to Greensboro. Donor support has been confirmed, please contact the Animal Science Committee Chair to confirm the availability of scholarships (contact information listed below).,/p>
Each successful applicant is responsible for their transportation to Greensboro and should arrive on Thursday, July 10. Two nights of double occupancy lodging (Thursday & Friday) will be included in the tour scholarship as well as tour transportation and most meals. A maximum of 20 participants will be selected for the tour. Submit entries no later than May 15, 2008 to Gene Schurman, Animal Science Committee Chair, 827 Water Street, Indiana, PA 15701-1755, or email to exs10@psu.edu.
The NACAA Teaching & Educational Technologies committee is planning the following activities for the upcoming NACAA AM/PIC. If you are interested in the activities on Sunday (2 offerings) and Thursday - you'll need to pre-register - as space is limited to the size of the computer lab. These offerings have recently been added to the on-line registration. If you have already registered on-line, you can simply go back in and only select these activities (don't register for everything again). Your updated registration will merge with the old (as long as you don't duplicate something you've already registered for). You can also send an email to Karen Vines at kvines@psu.edu and she will get you on the list.
Teaching & Educational Technologies Programs for 2008 NACAA AMPIC
Sunday - 7/13 -
Monday - 7/14
Tuesday - 7/15 - Committee Workshops
Thursday - 7/17
The purpose of this award is to acknowledge accomplishments in achieving organizational changes that support diversity, pluralism and innovation in programs that impact our Extension audiences. The Award for Diversity is presented at the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges' (NASULGC) annual meeting.
Eligibility
The recipient can be an individual, team or Extension organization. The Award for Diversity supports efforts that go beyond simply meeting EEO/AA program requirements. Extension efforts should support that creation of a diverse and pluralistic organization at the local, regional, state or national level.
The successful recipient of the Award for Diversity will be recognized with a commemorative plaque from CSREES and a $5,000 monetary award from ECOP.
Deadline for nominations is June 2, 2008. Email submissions only to Willene Buffett - University of Illinois Extension at wbuffett@uiuc.edu. Questions? Call 708-481-0111 or visit http://www.extension.org/diversity.