The University of Arizona

The University of Arizona
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Faculty Sabbatical Leave Results
2007 Summary Report

This report was designed to provide an overview of activities and accomplishments of College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) faculty who took sabbatical leave at various times over the last two years. All faculty must submit a two-part report by the end of the second semester following return from leave. Part II is meant to be a short version highlighting accomplishments in language addressed to the general public. This summary was compiled from Part II of the sabbatical reports submitted during CY 2007, some of which may have been condensed or edited for purposes of this report. Please contact individual faculty for more detailed information.

Reports from the following faculty are included in the 2007 Summary Report:

Sherry Betts, Specialist, Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences
Sherry Betts was on sabbatical leave from January to December 2006. She explored international models of community development and ways they might be useful in Cooperative Extension’s work with children, youth, families, and communities in Arizona.

Internationalizing the work of Cooperative Extension is of importance to Arizona and the nation. As we work to take the research and knowledge of the University to the people, we need to be aware of the global nature of our world and the changing faces of our state and local communities. This sabbatical leave was designed to allow Betts to explore models of international community development and share that information with Arizona colleagues in such a way that they could apply a new perspective to work at home. Because she was an officer in an international organization, she had access to faculty members from around the world. This allowed her to visit programs, become immersed in another language and culture, and invite other University of Arizona faculty to accompany her on a study tour to Romania and Moldova to learn about community development in rural areas there. This leave has been the beginning of journal articles, conference presentations, new applied research projects between Arizona and Ireland, Jamaica, and perhaps other countries. In addition, the work of Arizona Cooperative Extension and the School have become better known throughout a broad international network.

John Begeman, Associate Agent, Agriculture, Pima County Cooperative Extension
John Begeman utilized a split sabbatical leave from September 1 - November 30, 2006 and January 1 - March 31, 2007 to strengthen his knowledge and experience in all aspects of vineyard management and wine making to better assist home and commercial grape growers and wine makers in Arizona. His other objective was to develop a gardening and landscaping book for the general gardening public of the desert Southwest.

Through management of the UA Campus Ag Center vineyard, development of the volunteer vine to wine program, experience in wine production, evaluation of wine grape varieties, visits to commercial wine grape growers around the state, involvement with the Arizona Wine Grape Association, a study tour of the California wine grape industry, and short courses on viticulture and enology at the University of California Davis Campus, Begeman gained knowledge and developed inroads into the commercial wine industry in Arizona. In addition, as a result of these sabbatical efforts, a comprehensive Arizona wine grape industry survey has been developed and will soon be completed, the results to be released as a UA Extension publication. This will be of great benefit to the industry and to those individuals contemplating starting commercial vineyards and wine production in Arizona.

His gardening book is a compilation of some 600 landscaping and gardening columns written for The Arizona Daily Star; selected, arranged, modified and where needed rewritten to adapt to a book format and expanded to meet the needs of gardeners throughout the desert Southwest, not just southern Arizona. Titled Southwest Yard & Garden Guide, the book provides concise information on how to select, site and grow plants to maximize success. It also covers common cultural and pest problems of gardens and landscapes. Most importantly, the book provides that information most requested, and most needed by newcomers unfamiliar with growing plants in the Southwest and by novice home gardeners looking to advance their knowledge and avoid common mistakes.

Bryan Chadd, Associate Agent, 4-H Youth Development, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension
Bryan Chadd used a split sabbatical leave from March 15 - June 15, 2006 and from July 1 - September 30, 2006 to evaluate and compare the attributes, components and functions of effective teen camps and the future implications for 4-H youth development programs.

Following computer, website and library literature searches, little data was found relating to the essential elements of effective teen camps. The literature also revealed many fewer camps available for teens than for young children. Eight camps were identified as having the possible wide breadth of programming, clientele, and fee structures to make them good choices to visit and interview staff/directors... A set of questions was developed to identify a variety of camp factors to be discussed... At the last minute, directors from three of the camps in Ohio, New York and New Jersey declined to allow a visit, but did provide an interview over the phone. Interviews were conducted with paid and volunteer staff - adults and young adults, and camp support staff such as cooks and maintenance.

The answers to four key questions summarized below show there are factors that are important in all teen camps regardless of the setting, facilities, fees or staffing. There are also effectiveness factors that vary widely and inhibit replicability in all settings and demographics.

What are the most critical elements of a successful teen camp?
Every person interviewed identified selecting and hiring quality staff and then implementing high quality training of that staff as paramount to the camp’s success. Each camp had a training curriculum, a format for staff input on programming, and focused on behavioral and interaction issues with staff and campers. The second most effective element was creating a structured environment that has caring and supportive staff and adults. The structure should be one which meets the needs of that particular camp’s goals and objectives... Finally, on everyone’s list of success factors was a creative and quality schedule, one which provides for choices, stimulates discussion, highlights personal interests and most importantly - fun!

What is the basic premise of a successful teen camp?
There were a variety of answers to this question. Interactions, exploration, behavior management, fun, a get away place, or a place for parents to put their kids for the summer - or some combination of these premises were offered as choices. It was obvious some of the East Coast teen camps were offered as a place for the wealthy to put their children for the summer. There were also camps where the youth were there to meet other teens, have fun, learn things and in the adventure camps - to “get a rush”... Again, funding sources and fee structure were key factors.

What characteristics would you say all of your staff have in common?
Three things that all staff had in common were passion for the camping experience and joy in working with young people in that environment; ability to be flexible and work around unplanned situations that arise; and, ability to work on and contribute to a team. Again, all staff reiterated the need for an intense selection process in developing an effective working team.

Would your camp effectiveness be replicable elsewhere?
The answers to this question were mostly no. While most of the essential elements to a successful camp were common and related, the differences in camp facilities and fee structures were paramount to the success of each of these camps. Camps visited which offered opportunities like silver jewelry and stained glass making, recording studio, ropes course, horse stables and a lake with sailing and boating were much different than one with a unique geographic setting allowing a unique camping experience where campers made a 6-day journey from the top of the mountain to the Atlantic Ocean following the watershed of the area or one limited to more traditional activities of hiking, sports, workshops, crafts, etc. Some components of the camps could be replicable - a daily workshop schedule change, or a hike down a watershed, but would be dictated by staff number and creativity and environment of the camp setting...

After visits, interviews and observations, Chadd concluded that the camps are emphatically a tool for changing teens lives and have great impacts through a combination of tradition and innovation. This sabbatic identified components of effective teen camps, characteristics of effective and competent staff, staffing patterns and skills, and ways in which we can structure 4-H camps for Arizona teens and younger campers that are effective in changing lives, building character, developing contributing citizens and leaders through well designed staff development training. It also allows for a future study on actual impacts on campers over an extended period of time focusing on most likely three specific camps and camp clientele.

Darcy Dixon, Area Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, Santa Cruz County Cooperative Extension
Darcy Dixon was on sabbatical leave July - December 2006. Her sabbatical project provided training about early brain development to social workers and orphanage directors, who in turn, train direct-care staff members who work in orphanages in Ecuador, South America.

The first phase of the sabbatical entailed adapting the Brain Waves Curriculum materials to meet the cultural and environmental needs of the Ecuadorian orphanages and staff. This required two phases: first, the materials were translated into Spanish prior to travel to Ecuador; second, once in Ecuador the materials were reviewed and edited to ensure that appropriate vocabulary, verb tenses/persons were used and that the materials were culturally sensitive to Ecuadorian audiences. This was accomplished by having the materials reviewed and edited by a native Ecuadorian social worker. Curriculum adaptations for the environment included changing some of the participant activities to utilize locally available materials.

The second phase of the sabbatical involved travel to Ecuador to train trainers, volunteers and decision-makers in early brain development. The trainers consisted of Ecuadorian social workers, psychologists and orphanage directors. These professionals were trained in how to present the materials and then they were observed implementing the training to their orphanage staff members by the extension agent to insure the integrity of the educational materials. Both the train-the-trainer and the orphanage staff training were evaluated using an already developed instrument.

Phase three involved compiling and analyzing the evaluation data and making curriculum and presentation adjustments, as needed. The outcomes of this sabbatical leave include the following:

  • 75 caregivers in Ecuadorian Orphanages gained knowledge of basic early brain development and the importance of meeting babies needs vs. leaving them to cry until they stop.
  • 25 U.S. volunteers gained knowledge of basic early brain development.
  • 32 Ecuadorian decision-makers gained knowledge of basic early brain development resulting in policy changes at two large Ecuadorian orphanages.
  • 40 trainers were prepared to train orphanage staff in basic early brain development.

Bentley Fane, Professor, Department of Veterinary Sciences and Microbiology
During his sabbatical leave from August - December 2006, Bentley Fane focused on experimental techniques in virus evolution.

The assembly of proteins and nucleic acids into viruses involves numerous molecular interactions. Often assembly is dependent on scaffolding proteins. Analogous to scaffoldings used in building construction, these proteins assist assembly, but are not found in the final product. Alterations (mutations) in the external scaffolding protein often result in dominant lethal effects. When the mutant protein is present in infected cells, it is able to interact with other viral proteins and unaltered (wild-type) external scaffolding proteins. These interactions block viral replication in a manner similar to anti­viral chemicals. However, the virus can accrue additional mutations that overcome the lethal effects of the originally altered protein, providing insights into viral resistance mechanisms. During the sabbatical, the wild-type virus was continually propagated in the presence of an inhibitory external scaffolding protein. Initially, the inhibitory protein was expressed at a very low level. As the viruses in the culture became resistant, the expression of the inhibitory protein was steadily increased. After 180 rounds of viral replication, the virus gained five resistance mutations. While evolving resistance, the virus developed a degree of dependence on the inhibitory protein, which is now required for optimal growth. The broader implications, vis-à-vis the use of prolonged anti-viral therapies, are readily apparent.

Although curriculum development was not an objective of the sabbatical, the sabbatical did result in the development and implementation of an undergraduate virology laboratory course. As stated above, there were approximately 180 rounds of viral replication in the generation of the multiple resistant mutant. Sixty of these replication cycles were conducted by the students enrolled in MIC 424, which was taught during the first summer session of 2007. This project allowed students to learn some of the fundamental techniques and theories in virology, evolutionary biology and DNA biochemistry within the context of a hypothesis driven research project.

Billye Foster, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Education
Despite or perhaps because of the need to redirect her objectives during a January - June 2006 sabbatical, Billye Foster was able to develop new opportunities related to diversity issues in academic agriculture.

"No plan is a failure when the ultimate outcome is positive." Although Foster's sabbatical was planned to advance her research, due to serious family issues, she redirected her efforts toward the development of a general education, Tier II course. Since the fall of 2006, that course has served 231 students. In addition, the realization that an adequate text was not available for the class led to the development of a text book to meet class needs. Currently that text, Imagine--Diversity in Contemporary Society, is scheduled to be in print, Kendall-Hunt Publishers, in the fall of 2008.

While dealing with family issues, she was able to re-focus her commitment to teaching and the need for further research in gender and ethnicity status as it relates to academic agriculture. Having the time to think through the development of AED 408, "Diversity Issues in Contemporary Society" and create a structure that works for both campus-based and distance delivery of the material was instrumental in the success of the class. Currently two sections of the class are offered each spring and fall with distance offerings over the winter session and in the summer. There is an ongoing waiting list for seats in the class.

Another opportunity spawned during the sabbatical came in the form of an editorship for The Agricultural Education Magazine. Foster was selected for this honor late in her sabbatical. The position has a three-year term and began in January 2007. She believes that based on workload and family concerns, if she had not had the opportunity to re-group and re-focus her career she might have declined the opportunity.

Maureen Kelly, Associate Professor, Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences
During sabbatical leave from July - December 2006, Maureen Kelly worked with Pima Community College to develop a "2 plus 2"transfer program to help increase the number of Family and Consumer Science majors preparing to be teachers in Arizona.

There is a severe shortage of Family and Consumer Science (FACS) teachers in Arizona. For the past five years, Arizona FACS teacher vacancies have averaged 35-40 per year, yet the undergraduate program at UA remains surprisingly modest, graduating an average of six majors per year. While the major itself is small, the quality of the graduates is high, with most receiving two or three job offers prior to graduation. Since the UA program could easily accommodate many more FACS majors, alternate recruitment strategies must be employed. Kelly first looked at possible feeder programs at the Arizona community colleges. Normally, her responsibilities at UA prohibit taking the time to educate people about job opportunities in a little known field like FACS as this takes time and persistence. During her sabbatical she was able to work with Pima Community College through the Pima-Santa Cruz Tech Prep Board, identifying possible transfer courses benefiting the FACS major. By working with PCC career counselors and faculty in culinary arts, design and merchandising, hospitality, and early childhood education she developed a two-year transfer program to UA as a FACS major, known as a "2 plus 2 program."

The other two accomplishments of this sabbatical were related to the process of teacher training (FACS teacher preparation standards) and the content of the FACS major (financial resource management). These experiences allowed her to remain current in my field and gain depth and expertise through reading, writing and interacting with valued new colleagues.

Alan Ker, Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Alan Ker was on sabbatical leave during fall 2006. His objectives were to expand his knowledge in pure math, applied math, and asymptotic theory with specific focus on nonparametric methods.

Ker visited the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. As per his objectives, he sat in on an analysis course from the Applied Math Department, and a probability theory course and a statistical inference course from the Statistics and Actuarial Sciences Department. As a result of these courses Ker believes he was in a much better position to develop the asymptotic theory with respect to research projects in nonparametric methods. This has led to a working paper that will be submitted for peer review in the very near future. In addition to the statistical theory work, he finished three articles related to the empirical analysis of the effect of institutions on water transfers in the American West. This has led to publications with coauthors in the University of Washington Journal of Law and Policy, Economic Inquiry, and University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform.

Mitchel P. McClaran, Professor, School of Natural Resources
Mitchel McClaran used sabbatical leave from August 2005 to May 2006 to improve his ability to collect, manage, deliver, and analyze long-term ecological data.

As Director for Research at the UA Santa Rita Experimental Range and Professor of Range Management in the School of Natural Resources, McClaran must use and interpret long-term ecological data to describe how humans impact ecosystems. During his sabbatical, he improved his ability to collect, manage, deliver, and analyze long-term ecological data. As a result, he can more effectively complete his responsibilities and provide greater assistance to colleagues and students.

Ecological data has been collected on the Santa Rita since 1902, and more than 200 separate research projects have been performed there to determine how to sustainably manage desert grasslands. Without these long-term measurements, it is extremely difficult to distinguish whether, for example, the abundance of grass is influenced more by the amount of rain in the summer versus the intensity of cattle grazing. This is difficult because each year a different amount of rainfall occurs in the summer. Until the rainfall record is long enough to clearly illustrate the relationship between rainfall and grass production, it will be very difficult to determine the role of livestock grazing intensity in reducing grass production. This is a simple, but representative illustration of how long-term data is essential in placing current conditions in an historic context, and to support better judgments of cause and effect.

Although the utility of long-term data is unquestioned, there are persistent challenges to i) insuring the data is collected, ii) organizing and managing the data so it can be efficiently retrieved, iii) delivering the data to users with modern tools like the Internet, and iv) using appropriate analytical tools to discover relationships between human activities and the response of ecosystems.

During sabbatical, McClaran improved his skills in long-term data collection, management, delivery, and synthesis by a) attending and/or organizing professional meetings and workshops, b) an extended stay at a research station with significant accomplishments in this area, c) initiating data-gathering and archiving projects, d) learning new analytical and presentation skills, e) participating in a proposal for a significant research program, and f) completing several publications.

Gerald Olson, Agent, 4-H Youth Development, Mohave County Cooperative Extension
Gerald Olson used a split sabbatical leave (March 1 - May 31, 2005; Dec. 1, 2005 - Jan 11, 2006; Feb. 18, 2006 - April 5, 2006) to evaluate the form, function and effectiveness of 4-H youth development websites in the western states and determine who is responsible for content, design and maintenance of these websites.

Websites in the Western States are currently being developed and maintained by faculty and staff that have been for the most part self trained and 30-57% of those currently working with websites may be leaving the work force and retiring within the next 5-10 years. It is undisputable that websites will be relied on more and more as technology improves and high speed web availability becomes more prevalent in rural areas. Extension faculty and staff will rely on web-based media and curriculum to carry out the Extension mission. Funds should be allocated specifically for training of faculty and staff to adequately support the thousands of web pages that will have to be updated and maintained regularly.

A 25.4% response rate was obtained with 116 responses to the survey. Of those completing the survey 39% were 4-H Extension professionals, 21% program assistants, 16% webmasters and 14% volunteer leaders. The experience level of those working with websites was over three years for 70% of the Extension professionals and volunteers and 75% of webmasters; only program assistants had less experience with 50% reporting between two and three years experience and 33% one year or less. Roughly half of those working with websites reported no formal classroom training...

Website objectives showed consistency across the board for Extension websites, State 4-H, County 4-H and Club websites, in that marketing 4-H, distribution of information and materials were important to very important. Interactive teaching and educational web-based curriculum were only important in 50% or less of the websites.

4-H Club and Cooperative Extension websites ranked highest in meeting their objectives of marketing and information and material distribution. Club sites received high marks of 68% for distribution of information, 61% for marketing and 44% for material distribution while Cooperative Extension websites rated high for distribution of information (73%) and marketing and distribution of materials, both at 56%. State 4-H websites met their marketing objective 40% of the time and distribution of information and material 50% and 60%. County websites were the least effective in meeting their marketing objectives with 34%, even though it was highly important as an objective of 92%. Distribution of information and materials on county websites was highly important (100% and 92%) but was only somewhat effective at 56% and 42%.

When asked if their website was creating more interest in 4-H programming, 47% said yes, 13% said no, and 40% were unsure. A majority felt their websites were answering client/member/leader questions (State 4-H sites-70%, Cooperative Extension sites-65% and County 4-H sites-61%) and the sites were providing needed/requested information (County-74%, Cooperative Extension-73% and State 4-H websites-60%).

Request a copy of Olson's report for a more detailed analysis of topics highlighted below:

  • Table 1 in the report shows types of content among Cooperative Extension, State 4-H, and County 4-H websites.
  • Articles in newsletters was the most widely used method of publicizing websites at 51%...
  • Website content on 70% of State 4-H websites is the responsibility of faculty, while faculty are responsible for 41% of County 4-H website content. Staff are responsible for content in 77.4% of Cooperative Extension websites...
  • All of the Extension professionals and program assistants believed the time spent on the websites was worthwhile...

Bob Peterson, Associate Agent, 4-H Youth Development, Pima County Cooperative Extension
Bob Peterson took a split sabbatical leave from September 1 - November 30, 2005 and September 1 - November 30, 2006, during which he focused on evaluation practices for volunteers in Extension.

4-H volunteers are interested in knowing when they do a good job. They want to know how they can be a better 4-H volunteer. Using evaluation as a tool to both recognize volunteers and to identify training needs is acceptable to the volunteers interviewed in this study. Volunteers in the study are open to being evaluated. They and professional faculty tended to undervalue informal evaluation and recognition. The two tend to go hand-in-hand.

Volunteers understand the value of being formally evaluated. In general a good evaluation was consistent with open communication in which suggestions for improvement, changes and new programs flowed both ways, used established and known criteria and the main goal of the evaluation was the improvement of both the individual and the organization. When evaluating volunteers, best practices must be utilized for greatest effectiveness. This may include adapting an evaluation to match the volunteers’ position description. Each volunteer has an area of expertise and wants to be evaluated on competency-based criteria rather than feel good items.

The evaluation process identified in the study may be applicable to all Extension and University volunteers regardless of their role. Volunteerism has identified the same “best practices” in the private sector and volunteer mangers/directors use these practices when evaluating their volunteers. All Extension professionals that utilize volunteers in their programs should investigate the potential of evaluating those volunteers using established criteria and best practices outlined above.

Robert Steidl, Associate Professor, School of Natural Resources
Robert Steidl used sabbatical leave in Spring 2006 to outline and begin writing a textbook related to methods of surveying biological populations which will be used for an undergraduate course.

On his sabbatical, Steidl worked to develop a textbook that will be suitable for students and professional land managers that will help them to efficiently and effectively survey populations of animals and plants. Because surveying natural populations provides a unique and complex set of challenges, this book is intended to provide a framework within which to collect and evaluate this type of information. Consequently, our understanding of these resources as well as the decisions necessary for their management can be approached reliably.

A secondary objective which was completed was to synthesize data collected between 1999 and 2005 on the effects of fire and nonnative grasses on populations and communities of plants and animals. Based on this effort, he submitted two papers for publication as well as a portion of the final report to the funding agency.

Gary Thompson, Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Gary Thompson was on sabbatical leave spring 2006. His objective was to lecture on applied econometrics to undergraduate and graduate students in Italy as well as conduct research in advanced econometric methods .

As part of a Fulbright Distinguished Research/Lecturing Award, two courses were taught at the Università della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy. A three-month introductory course in econometrics was taught to undergraduate students. A second advanced course was taught to graduate students from Viterbo, Roma and Napoli. As a result of teaching these courses, several Italian students are now pursing graduate degrees in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Arizona.

Research was also conducted on econometric methods for analysis of duration or survival models in the presence of non-random sampling. Teaching techniques and research results have been directly incorporated into graduate classes.

Barry Tickes, Area Agent, Agriculture, Yuma County Cooperative Extension
Barry Tickes took sabbatical leave from July - December 2006. His goal was to collect and organize weed control information from multiple sources into a single manual for greater ease of use by agricultural producers in the region.

The objective of this project was to produce a Growers Weed Control Manual for producers in the southwestern deserts. This manual is based upon the knowledge, experience and observations of University weed control specialists in Arizona and California.

The desert regions of the U.S. contain some of the most intensively managed and productive farming operations in the world. The highest yields of more than 40 field, vegetable, tree and vine crops are produced in this region. This is achieved by the development and application of increasingly sophisticated technology to grow and harvest these crops. Both chemical and non-chemical weed control techniques are described in this manual. The efficient and safe use of weed control technology is in the best interest of producers and consumers alike who depend upon an affordable and safe supply of food.

James Walworth, Specialist, Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science
Jim Walworth was on sabbatical leave from July 1-December 31, 2006. He worked on impacts of oxygen and nitrogen management on biological remediation of petroleum-contaminated soils in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic.

Petroleum contamination poses a major threat to Antarctic and Arctic ecosystems because these products are persistent and potentially toxic in the environment. Un-enhanced natural biological degradation in these environments is very slow (decades or longer), thus intervention is required if environmental damage from spills is to be reduced or prevented. Studies of biodegradation in Antarctic and Arctic regions demonstrate that low nutrient levels, lack of available water, limited oxygen, and low temperatures are the main rate-limiting factors to natural biodegradation of petroleum contaminants. Our previous research has demonstrated that, although nitrogen is often the limiting factor in Arctic soils, excess nitrogen can inhibit biodegradation, so precise nitrogen application is critical. The goal of his research, conducted in conjunction with the Human Impacts Division of the Australian Government Antarctic Division (AGAD), Department of the Environment and Heritage in Kingston, Tasmania, was to quantify nitrogen and oxygen requirements for maximizing the rate of microbial mineralization of petroleum in contaminated Antarctic and sub-Antarctic soils. Our data have provided target levels for nitrogen and oxygen delivery for remediation of contaminated field sites and will be used to design and operate nutrient and oxygen delivery systems for petroleum contaminated sites on Macquarie Island, in sub-Antarctic. Full-scale cleanup is scheduled for 2008.

More broadly, our studies provide further understanding of the role of nitrogen in bioremediation systems and how nitrogen, oxygen, and the microbial community interact.

Knowledge provided by this research will be part of a larger matrix of information being developed in a ten year AGAD project for Antarctic ecological restoration and will be used to develop site restoration plans for Australian Antarctic sites. Ultimately, successful technologies will be packaged for use on other contaminated sites in both the Antarctic and Arctic.

This report consists primarily of Part II of the sabbatical reports submitted by CALS faculty during 2007 and was prepared and edited in January 2008 by Kathleen Miller, Coordinator, Employee Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Previous summaries also are available online:
Document located at http://cals.arizona.edu/dean/sabbatsum2007.html
Maintained by Kathleen Miller, ukmiller@ag.arizona.edu
Coordinator, Employee Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences