ECOP Monday Minute will return on 9.8.14. Happy Labor Day!
Power of Land-grant Impacts Database (by Deborah J. Maddy, Associate Director, Oregon State University Extension) – Did you know that Clemson University Extension offers a Carolina Yards Online Guide to Environmentally Friendly Gardening Practices that changes gardeners’ behaviors? Or that Clemson Extension’s Food2Market program, a “one stop” resource for food safety, product testing and food regulations information, led to an economic impact for South Carolina food entrepreneurs? These are just examples of quality impact statements that Della Baker, Extension Associate for Staff Development at Clemson University, provided to the land-grant impacts database at www.landgrantimpacts.org, formerly www.excellenceinextension.org. This is the place to brag about the good work Extension is doing in your state through the public portion of the web site, plus enter password protected data about Extension personnel, funding, and other management practices. If you have entered data this year, thank you. For others, there is still opportunity. For assistance, contact Scott Cummings s-cummings@tamu.edu.
USDA Agricultural Act of 2014 Update – See http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/c879e7 for a summary of progress on the law signed February 7, 2014. Note especially reference in Title I where USDA awarded $3 million to the University of Illinois, the University of Missouri and Texas A&M to develop online tools and outreach training that will help farmers and ranchers determine which new risk management options can best protect their businesses. USDA also is in the process of awarding $3 million to state Cooperative Extension Services to provide in-person education to help producers make the most educated decisions regarding new farm bill programs.
West Virginia to Celebrate Extension Centennial – “Century Beyond the Campus: Past, Present and Future of Extension” is the theme of a symposium September 24-25, 2014 hosted by West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. To register and view the agenda, see http://smithlever.wvu.edu/symposium. Extension professionals and partners are invited to attend.
Centennial Ice Cream – Just in time to wind down summer, University of Connecticut Extension announces a new ice cream flavor for its Centennial Dinner on September 19th and then offered at the UConn Dairy Bar as part of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resource Cornucopia Celebration and Family Weekend. The Big Scoop award-winning Centennial Caramel Crunch flavor was originally developed by Bill Sciturro, Department of Animal Science Creamery, and adapted with suggestions by Mike O'Neill, Extension Director.
4-H Makes STEM Fun – 4-H and Philips, a diversified health and well-being company, will work together to "light up" youth interest in science and technology using 4-H's Magic of Electricity program. The focus is on technical and scientific literacy, as well as life skills like creative thinking, problem solving and decision making. Philips employee volunteers will join Cooperative Extension 4-H volunteers to offer the program at select locations in Texas, Kansas, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
