National 4-H Council Congressional Breakfast
All Cooperative Extension directors and administrators are invited to attend the Congressional Breakfast, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 13, 2016, Dirksen Senate Building Room G-50, Washington, DC. Two youth from each state or institution’s 4-H program are welcome to accompany you at the breakfast. Registration is required at http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GTLWeekRSVP. Additional information has been provided directly to directors and administrators from National 4-H Council about this and other events of interest during 2016 National 4-H Youth Advocacy Day. Direct questions to Kelly Baird at kbaird@4-H.org or 530.354.4287.
National Health Outreach Conference – The 2016 National Health Outreach Conference, hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension, is April 6-8, 2016 in Roanoke, VA. The theme “All Aboard: Building Partnerships for a Healthy America” joins health professionals, health educators and health policy makers to address issues of physical and mental wellness. See http://www.cpe.vt.edu/2016nhoc/ for details. Early registration is extended until March 9.
Human Sciences Engagement Award – The APLU Board on Human Sciences announces a call for nominations for the 2016 Outstanding Engagement Award. The award recognizes an individual who is a “campus based” or a “state level faculty member” for exceptional creativity and scholarship in the development, application, and evaluation of outreach, Extension, and public service programs. Nominations are due 5.23.16. For details, see http://www.thebohs.org/outstanding_engagement_award0.aspx.
eXtension at USDA Ag Outlook Forum – Unmanned Aerial Systems, Wearable Technology, and Oculus Rift provided a high-tech, interactive experience for participants at the USDA Ag Outlook Forum http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/ last week in the Crystal City, VA. Pictured left, USDA-NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy learns about preparing his home against wildfire via an Oculus Rift program showcased at the USDA Ag Outlook Forum last week in Crystal City, VA. The program was developed by University of Idaho Extension professional Joey Peutz. This work was funded as an innovation grant by eXtension in 2015.
USDA to Release Urban Ag Toolkit – The USDA Urban Agriculture Toolkit will be launched this spring. To get an online alert, send your email address to knowyourfarmer@usda.gov and enter “Urban Ag” on the subject line. The toolkit will include resources on business planning, land access, soil quality, water access and use, capital and financing, infrastructure, and market development. Comments for additional information in the toolkit may be sent to the email address above.
Awards Reminder - Nominate by 5.1.16 – ECOP in partnership with USDA-NIFA offers the 2016 nomination process for the national Excellence in Extension and Diversity awards. The due date for on-line nominations is May 1, 2016 at 5:00p.m. Pacific Time. For details and to access the online nomination forms go to: http://www.aplu.org/CESawards. Questions can be directed to Sandy Ruble sandy.ruble@extension.org, ECOP Staff Associate.
