Monday, March 28, 2016

Buchholz Represents Extension at Board Meeting

Daryl Buchholz, Kansas State University
The APLU Board on Agriculture Assembly Policy Board of Directors (PBD) met last week in San Antonio. Daryl Buchholz, Kansas State University, represents Cooperative Extension. Actions related to FY 2017 budget and advocacy, preparation for the next farm bill slated for 2018, the Healthy Food Systems, Healthy People budget request, and the 2016 Joint COPs meeting. All PBD agendas and meeting minutes, including the Cooperative Extension Section report can be found at http://www.aplu.org/members/commissions/food-environment-and-renewable-resources/board-on-agriculture-assembly/policy-board-of-directors/baapbd-minutes/index.html

Doug Steele, Texas A&M University
eXtension Draws 320 Participants to Conference – Doug Steele, Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and member of the eXtension Foundation Board of Directors, welcomed Extension professionals from across the nation to San Antonio last week for the National eXtension Conference. Learning tracks for professional development and the new I-Three Corps (Issues, Innovation, Impact) were wrapped around keynote speakers on “working out loud” and “designing for conversation”. Capstone speakers Michelle Rodgers, ECOP Chair, University of Delaware, and Keith Smith, Chair of the ECOP Innovation Task Force, Ohio State University (retired), showed how innovation will be a theme of Cooperative Extension over the next several years. See http://nexc2016.sched.org/ info for the complete program. 
Mike O’Neill, University of Connecticut, Ami Smith, West Virginia State University,
and Tony Windham, University of Arkansas
ECOP Names Representatives – One function of ECOP is to assure Cooperative Extension is appropriately represented with critical partners. In recent action, Mike O’Neill, University of Connecticut, was named to the LEAD21 Board of Directors, replacing Nick Place, University of Florida; Ami Smith, West Virginia State University, to the Journal of Extension Board of Directors replacing Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware, and Tony Windham, University of Arkansas, as the ECOP liaison to ESCOP, replacing Beverly Durgan, University of Minnesota. These commitments to national leadership are appreciated.

The Grow True Leaders Campaign – A Special Invitation for Extension Leaders – The nationwide launch of the Grow True Leaders brand campaign is less  than a month away. Extension Directors/Administrators, 4-H Program Leaders and university communications professionals are invited to join Artis Stevens, Chief Marketing Officer, National 4-H Council, for a special pre-launch update on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 from 2:00-3:00 pm ET. Hear late breaking news on national media outreach, the Shout Out for True Leaders and the steps you can take to make sure your state is ready for the campaign launch and beyond. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TrueLeaders to register for this webinar. 

Webinar: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps 101 – Want to learn more about the county health rankings that are an important part of the Culture of Health initiative led by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation? You are invited to attend or encourage others to participate in a RWJF supported webinar on April 5, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. ET. The webinar will highlight reasons and ways to use the rankings, understanding the rankings model and measures, and how to use the Roadmaps to Health Action Center tools and resources. Register at: http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/webinars/county-health-rankings-roadmaps-101-9

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.

Monday, March 21, 2016

RESERVE NOW: ESS-CES/NEDA 2016 Joint Meeting

“Partnership: Power and Possibilities” is the theme of the 2016 National Extension Directors and Administrators (NEDA) and Cooperative Extension Section (CES) meeting, this year held jointly with the Experiment Station Section (ESS). All details about registration and lodging are available at https://conferencereg.colostate.edu/Jackson2016. Since this is the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service with high demand on the conference venue, you are encouraged to make lodging reservations promptly. The meeting begins 3:30 p.m. on Monday, September 19, 2016 with an orientation for ESS/CES new directors and administrators. The opening dinner for all is at 6:00 p.m. on Monday with programming through the closing banquet Wednesday evening, September 21, 2016. ECOP continues with a meeting Thursday, September 22, 2016 which ends at noon. ECOP thanks ESCOP colleagues for securing this special venue for the meeting in Grand Teton National Park and working with Cooperative Extension on an engaging agenda celebrating our joint work. ECOP also thanks planning team members from Cooperative Extension – Delbert Foster, ECOP immediate past-chair, South Carolina State University; Bev Durgan, University of Minnesota; Tony Windham, University of Arkansas; Glen Whipple, University of Wyoming, and Steve Bonanno, West Virginia University. 

ECOP to Launch Innovation Task Force
Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware, &
Keith Smith, The Ohio State University (retired)
– During the National eXtension Conference next week in San Antonio, TX, ECOP Chair Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware, and Keith Smith, Ohio State University (retired), will launch ECOP’s new Innovation Task Force. The Task Force, chaired by Smith, will have its first meeting while in San Antonio. It is charged with using the Extension Innovation Inventory http://bit.ly/ExtInnovSummary and other related research and tools to provide guidelines for implementing innovative strategies in the Extension system. Focus areas will be learner engagement, innovation environment/criteria for innovation, and employment issues for existing and new hires related to innovation. 

4-H Grow True Leaders Campaign: Invitation for Extension Leaders – The nationwide launch of the Grow True Leaders brand campaign is less than a month away. Extension Directors/Administrators, 4-H Program Leaders and university communications professionals are invited to join Artis Stevens, Chief Marketing Officer, National 4-H Council, for a special pre-launch update on Tuesday, April 5th from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET. Hear late breaking news on national media outreach, the Shout Out for True Leaders and the steps you can take to make sure your state is ready for the campaign launch and beyond. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TrueLeaders to register for this webinar.  

County Health Rankings Available – The 2016 County Health Rankings, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, were released last week. Every county in the nation is ranked within its state using a set of 10 health indicators such as adult smoking and obesity. Cooperative Extension professionals can use the rankings to guide health programming. Learn more at http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/reports/key-findings-2016

ECOP Chair Keynotes EFNEP Conference – Michelle Rodgers, ECOP Chair, University of Delaware, (pictured above) was a featured speaker at the EFNEP National Conference last week in Crystal City, VA. Her message of ECOP IS YOU focused on the ECOP 2016 goals related to private resource mobilization, urban programming, professional development, innovation and working as a national system. To view the presentation slides, see http://bit.ly/ECOP2016EFNEP

Extension Shout-out at Federal Hearing – USDA-NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy calls your attention to comments by U.S. Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) at a hearing last week of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. Scroll to 1:15.40 at http://www.c-span.org/video/?406159-1/appropriations-state-foreign-operations-related-programs for positive comments about the Land-grant University System and Cooperative Extension.  

Respond to Chronic Disease Survey: DEADLINE- Friday, March 25 – The Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Action Team, one of six teams making up the ECOP-ESCOP Health Implementation Committee, needs your help to determine current Extension education related to chronic disease prevention and management. Responses will be used to identify gaps and make recommendations to equip Extension “to do for the nation’s health what it did for American agriculture,” according to action team chair, David Buys, Mississippi State University. The survey, available HERE, asks questions about program characteristics and process, partnerships, and barriers. Please encourage participation by colleagues at state, regional and local levels. Some participants may be asked for additional information based on their responses to the original survey. Direct questions to Buys at david.buys@msstate.edu or 662.325.3060.  

Awards Reminder - Nominate by 5.1.16ECOP 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.

Monday, March 14, 2016

ECOP Meets in Delaware

ECOP Chair Michelle Rodgers welcomed ECOP members, liaisons and guests to the University of Delaware last week for robust discussion and decisions related to the ECOP 2016 goals of private resource mobilization, urban programming, innovation, professional development, and national system. For details on the goals, see http://www.aplu.org/CESGoals. Amongst actions were developing a work group to recommend a plan for private fundraising, charging the National Urban Extension Leaders www.nuelaction.org to continue strong alliance with ECOP, announcing a task force on innovation focused on learned engagement, finalizing plans for professional development at the September 2016 national meeting in Jackson Lake Lodge, Wyoming, and encouraging continued dialogue on how to work more effectively as a national system. Minutes of ECOP meetings and other documents outlining the national leadership of ECOP on behalf of state and local programming can be found at www.extension.org/ecop

L-R: Pat Bebo (Ohio State University), Dawn Contreras (Michigan State University), Jennifer
McCaffrey (University of Illinois), Paula Peters (Kansas State University), Angie Abbott
(Purdue University), Suzanne Stluka (South Dakota State University), Trish Olsen
(University of Minnesota), Deb Gebeke (North Dakota State University)
USDA-NIFA Features North Central FCS Battelle Study – A comprehensive study of Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) programs conducted in the north central region http://www.nccea.org/multistate-activities/fcs-battelle-report-2015/ was the topic of a USDA-NIFA session last week in Washington, DC. Focusing on economic value of programs, FCS leaders referenced programs on family and human development, food, nutrition and health, and family resource management. For recording of the session, see http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/p3xfm995g3h/

Crowell Encourages Social Media Engagement – CARET liaison to ECOP, Susan Crowell, Ohio, was a featured speaker at the 2016 Joint CARET/AHS Meeting last week in Alexandria, VA on Connecting the Dots for More Effective Advocacy. Her encouragement to communicate with Congress using social media, especially Twitter, was confirmed by other panelists representing both the U.S. House and Senate. FY 2017 USDA-NIFA federal budget advocacy documents are available at http://land-grant.org/appropriations_docs.html. An additional document supports restoration of New Technologies for Agriculture Education (eXtension) https://extension.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/NewTechnologiesforAgExtensionNTAE-Final.pdf

USDA-NIFA Names State Liaisons – During the ECOP meeting last week in Delaware, NIFA Associate Director for Operations Robert Holland announced renewed emphasis on state liaisons. These NIFA staff are primarily charged with working with universities to attain approval for plans of work and accomplishment reports. To find the liaison to your institution, see http://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/NPL%20Liaison%20Assignments%20FY16%20FINAL.pdf

eXtension Offers Innovation Team Support – Premiere eXtension members now have opportunity to benefit from expert help with Innovation Teams. These teams provide facilitation of an Extension’s local efforts to advance new initiatives, particularly those that involve introducing and accelerating use of new technologies. The process includes choosing the innovation(s), setting goals, building a team, and planning and integrating tasks into plans of work for immeasurable impact. eXtension supplements its onsite consulting with regularly scheduled webinars and other special custom-education activities. For more information, see extension.org/i-three-initiatives/innovation-teams/, or contact Terry Meisenbach at tmeisenbach@extension.org or Jerry Thomas at jthomas@extension.org

APLU Highlights Extension in 2015 Annual Report – APLU has released its report of 2015 accomplishments based on the three pillars of increasing degree completion and academic success, advancing scientific research, and expanding engagement. Cooperative Extension is highlighted on page 13 of the report at http://www.aplu.org/library/2015-annual-report/file.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Respond to Chronic Disease Survey

Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Action Team
Standing: Daniel Remley-The Ohio State University, Valerie Duffy-University of Connecticut, Bernestine
McGee-Southern University, Linda Cronk-Michigan State University, Betty Greer-University of Tennessee,
Julie Garden-Robinson-North Dakota State University, Tamara Warren-Alabama A&M University, David
Buys-Mississippi State University, Chair. Kneeling: Cindy Nelson-Utah State University, Marla Reicks-University of
Minnesota, Marcel Horowitz-University of California, Suzanne Prevedel-Extension-Utah State University
The Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Action Team, one of five teams making up the ECOP-ESCOP Health Implementation Team, needs your help to determine current Extension education related to chronic disease prevention and management. Responses will be used to identify gaps and make recommendations to equip Extension “to do for the nation’s health what it did for American agriculture,” according to action team chair, David Buys, Mississippi State University. The survey https://msudafvm.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bBnfv3eNsmku6C9 asks questions about program characteristics and process, partnerships, and barriers. Please encourage participation by colleagues at state, regional and local levels. Some participants may be asked for additional information based on their responses to the original survey. Direct questions to Buys at david.buys@msstate.edu or 662.325.3060. 

Value of FCS Webinar 3.9.16 – USDA-NIFA invites you to a webinar 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. this Wednesday on the North Central Cooperative Extension Association (NCCEA) new study highlighting the importance of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension in the region. Prepared by the research organization Battelle, the study reviewed the impact of 107 FCS Extension programs and was organized around three primary areas of impact: Family and Human Development; Food, Nutrition, and Health; and Family Resource Management. FCS Extension programs help individuals, families, and communities change behavior, increase their life knowledge, and develop useful life skills, from stress management techniques to making healthy food choices for a family on a limited food budget. To join via Adobe Connect, go to http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/r1vpcdhjhdr/ or by phone at 888.844.9904, Code 6042732.

Nominate “Horizon” Panelists by 3.10.16 – As part of the new ECOP Task Force on Innovation, chaired by Keith Smith (retired), Ohio State University, eXtension is leading an effort with the New Media Consortium to develop an Extension Horizon report about emerging technologies and methods between 2016-2021. For details see https://extension.org/2016/02/25/a-new-tool-for-looking-beyond-the-horizon-in-cooperative-extension/. In order to build a 45-person panel to determine trends, you are asked to nominate panelists by March 10, 2016 at https://vte.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0B4hdEtHFXxy7c1. In addition to Extension professionals, including self-nominations, you are encouraged to include others with a working knowledge of Cooperative Extension. For questions, contact Jerry Thomas, Leader, eXtension i-Three Labs at jthomas@extension.org or 419.306.9400. 

Health Conference Early Registration Closes 3.9.16 – The 2016 National Health Outreach Conference will be held in Roanoke, VA this year hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension. The theme is All Aboard: Building Partnerships for a Healthy America. The goal is to offer a participatory and collaborative conference joining organizations and agencies working across systems to address current and future health issues. The conference will be of interest to health professionals, health educators, health policy makers and anyone interested in learning more about physical and mental wellness. The conference begins on April 6 at 12:30 p.m. with participants having the choice of either several tours or the preconference. The main conference kicks off with a banquet at 6:00 p.m. Plenary and concurrent sessions continue through noon on April 8. For early registration rates through 3.9.16 and more information, see http://www.cpe.vt.edu/2016nhoc/.

4-H Grow True Leaders Week – National 4-H Council invites Extension Leadership to three events, April 12-13, 2016, during the inaugural Grow True Leaders Week in Washington, DC.
These events will help launch the Grow True Leaders Campaign and highlight Extension’s positive impact for a national audience. A Youth Rally on April 12 at 9:00 a.m. at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, MD will highlight youth issues and 4-H youth-driven solutions and feature a performance by award-winning recording artist Jennifer Nettles. The National 4-H Council Legacy Awards on April 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Union Station in Washington, DC honors the collective accomplishments of Extension professionals and volunteers. A Legacy Extension Leader gift of $1,000 provides two tickets to the event. Purchase tickets online via credit card at www.4-h.org/extension. National 4-H Council Congressional Breakfast on April 13 at 9:00 a.m. at Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room G-50 brings together Members of Congress, Extension leadership and youth to highlight 4-H programs and recognize bipartisan support on Capitol Hill; all Extension Directors and Administrators are invited to attend, along with two youth from each institution. Subsequently, 4-H delegations from National 4-H Conference will visit with Members of Congress on the Hill as part of this powerful youth advocacy day. For more information on these events, see http://www.4-h.org/extension/grow-true-leaders-week/. To RSVP to any or all of the events above, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GTLWeekRSVP

Healthy Food Systems, Healthy People (HFSHP) Report – The APLU Boards on Agriculture and Human Sciences announces release of the report Healthy Food Systems, Healthy People www.aplu.org/healthy-food-systems. The report calls for collaboration and integration amongst agriculture, food, nutrition, and health care systems to address issues related to human health and chronic disease prevention. The effort got its launch at the July 2014 Joint COPs meeting with impetus from the report http://www.aplu.org/members/commissions/food-environment-and-renewable-resources/CFERR_Library/national-framework-for-health-and-wellness/file of the ECOP Health Task Force, which completed its work in March of 2014 under the leadership of Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware. The HFSHP Steering Committee was co-chaired by Chris Ladisch, Purdue University, and Rich Linton, North Carolina State University. Cooperative Extension was represented on the committee by Celvia Stovall, Alabama A&M University, and Rick Klemme, University of Wisconsin, who now co-chairs the ECOP-ESCOP Health Implementation Team. The next step in the HFSHP effort is to determine an appropriate budget requirements to address the programmatic priorities outlined in the report – integration across systems; drivers of food choices and consumer behavior; impact of food on consumer health; definition and accessibility of quality food, and education, outreach and engagement. 

University of Delaware Welcomes ECOP – Michelle Rodgers, ECOP Chair, welcomes colleagues to the University of Delaware this week for an intense two-day ECOP meeting. Key agenda items relate to the 2016 goals of private resource mobilization, urban programming, innovation, professional development, and national system. For more information about the ECOP goals and ongoing priorities, see www.extension.org/ecop. Minutes of ECOP meetings are located at this site, along with other details of how ECOP is organized to provide national leadership of benefit to state and local programming. 

Rick Klemme, University of Wisconsin, and
Gary Thompson, Pennsylvania State University
ESCOP-ECOP Work Together on Budget – Gary Thompson, Pennsylvania State University, and Rick Klemme, University of Wisconsin, chairs respectively of the ESCOP and ECOP Budget and Legislative Committees will engage in a joint meeting today. While the chairs serve as liaisons to the other COP, engaging in a joint meeting is a strategic new development. Amongst agenda items will be a discussion of a strategy for advocating for the “both-and” of competitive and capacity funding and creating broad-based support for major initiatives, such as water security.