Busy, Busy, Busy

This week I have had to meet with a new member of the team, write a survey, get IRB Certified, plant seeds, work out problems with the hiring freeze, and fix a problem with our media used to plant the seed. That is the short version.

The longer version, I met with Sarah Ratermann about the possibility of the surveys we need done working for her Master's Program. We think it will, just not this semester. So, that puts the onus on me to write a survey. As this progressed I found out I need to be IRB certified. I still have paper work to fill out to be a student group, and for an EBT machine grant so we can take food stamps.

Sally, Brad, and I planted seeds on Monday afternoon. We are using soil blocks. This is relatively new to people here. Nobody seems to have heard of it. The problem we discovered was that the media we were using was for bedding plants, not germination. Yes, lots of LOL. It's either that or cry. So, Friday I went to Morgan County Seed and got the right stuff. I made the fertilizer mix for the soil block mix on Saturday. Green sand was the limiting reagent.

Also this week, went and talked to some people who could help me understand the hiring freeze. It is negatively affecting this student project. I went to schedule an appointment with Bryan Garton, the Interim Associate Dean and Director of CAFNR, and got right in and talked with him. I am grateful he took the time for us. I hope he can help the way he thinks he might be able to help.

This next week I have to have a rough draft of the survey to the board by Monday night and, finish the paperwork for the grant. When it comes to the paperwork for the student group, I am wondering if maybe we shouldn’t join Sustain Mizzou. Maybe that would be the best for all. I don’t know yet. I will be thinking much on this topic as I fill out the paperwork. I will still need to help plant seed this week, on Monday and Friday. Oh and then there is school and all the work that goes with it. I have a test and a paper due. I also have to have my graduation plan done before I see Dr. Spain on Wednesday morning.

Busy, Busy, Busy,

Andrew