June 20, 2003 Highlights
Book
Critic Enjoys Highlighting Work of Regional Authors
 When
avid reader Charlene Hirschi saw the ad for a book critic for
the Logan Herald Journal's Cache Magazine, she was
thrilled. "I'd been looking for a column opportunity for
some time, and had honed my reviewing and critiquing skills
in various classes, especially Helen Cannon's New Yorker
class," said Hirschi.
To win the position Hirschi had to compete with many other
writers before Cache Magazine editor Jeremy Pugh made
his decision. "Out of many qualified applicants, Hirschi's
clear writing style and obvious love of reading stood out,"
said Pugh.
Hirschi got the job. She's been writing a regular book review
column since August 2002.
"My interests in western history, folklore and fiction
were a big plus in my favor," said Hirschi, who holds a
master's degree in English, a minor in folklore, and has done
extensive course work in western literature.
"The opportunity to highlight the work of regional writers
who are often first-time or little-known authors, is one of
the most enjoyable aspects of this job," said Hirschi.
She doesn't just review regional authors, however.
"It is like Christmas every week or so, as I receive packages
of books in the mail from publishers," she said. "This
gives me the opportunity to read a variety of works and genres
I might otherwise have not encountered."
Hirschi, who teaches courses in Utah State University's Department
of English and is interim director of its Writing Center, cites
a few other perks of the job. "For one thing, it gives
me more credibility with my students," she said. "It
also provides good networking opportunities, and gives me occasion
to chat with the authors of the books I review from time to
time."
Hirschi also enjoys the satisfaction of being noticed for her
work. "Now, when I meet new people, they’ll often
say ask, 'aren't you the woman who writes the book column?'"
Other opportunities have arisen from her work as a book critic.
"Because of the Cache Magazine column, I have
been invited to be a regular contributor to Irreantium,
the quarterly magazine of the Association of Mormon Letters,"
Hirschi said.
For more information on Hirschi or the Department of English
at Utah State, contact (435) 797-3858.
Utah
State Extension in Grand County: Lessons
in Profitability
 The
300-acre DayStar Adventist Academy ranch was primarily designed
as a teaching tool for students who live, work and go to school
at the facility in Castle Valley. The farm was mainly used to
grow alfalfa, but recently, principal Jerry Harris has been
trying to make the farm more diverse and profitable.
He says he started working with Grand County Extension agent
Michael Johnson about five years ago toward that end.
"Mike has been great in helping use work in new crops
such as pumpkins, corn, tomatoes and asparagus," he said.
"These have not only made us more money but we have been
able to connect to the community more by selling fresh produce
to Moab businesses and at the Farmers Market.
" He also helped us with a marketing survey of local businesses
and we are now looking at the feasibility of building a commercial
kitchen so we can sell more processed foods such as bread and
dried tomatoes.
"I really appreciate Extension being able to provide research-based
answers."
To find out more about Grand
County, click
here. For more about Extension in other counties take the
Extension
tour of Utah.
New
Book Looks at Water Wise Plants
 Native
plants and water conservation are subjects of vital interest
to cities, offices, homeowners and agriculture alike, as all
are affected by the growing shortage of water in the Intermountain
region
A new book published by Utah State University Press provides
specific information about shrubs, trees, grasses, forbs and
cacti that are native to most states in the Intermountain West,
and that can be used in landscaping to conserve water, reflect
and preserve the region's landscape character, and help protect
its ecological integrity.
Water Wise Native Plants for Intermountain Landscapes
is an invaluable guide for the professional landscaper, horticulturist
and others in the Intermountain nursery industry, as well as
for the student, general reader, gardener and homeowner,"
said Michael Spooner, director of Utah State University Press.
Water Wise is both convenient and comprehensive. The
heart of the book presents hundreds of species, devoting a full
page to each, with a description of appearance, habitat, landscape
use and other comments. Color photographs illustrate each plant
described. A reader-friendly introduction provides important
background on the ecology of the Intermountain West, along with
full descriptions of native plant habitats and associations.
The volume has been written by Wendy Mee, Jared Barnes, Roger
Kjelgren, Richard Sutton, Teresa Cerny and Craig Johnson.
An accessible resource of accurate native plant information
for all readers, "Water Wise is indispensable
to professional landscapers and amateurs alike," said Spooner.
For more information on Water Wise Native Plants for Intermountain
Landscapes, call Brooke Bigelow at Utah State University
Press, 1-800-239-9974.
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