eXtension What’s New Webinar 5.4.16

All Extension professionals are invited to join a webinar 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET, this Wednesday, 5.4.16 to review recent changes and new opportunities now available for member institutions. eXtension Foundation CEO Christine Geith and members of the leadership team will answer questions and provide examples of how to use new tools and services. For details, see https://learn.extension.org/events/2621. 

SNAP-Ed Program Development Team Meets in DC – ECOP Chair Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware, met last week with the Land-grant SNAP-Ed Program Development Team (PDT) in Washington, DC. Work of the PDT is funded through assessments to Cooperative Extension Services providing education to SNAP recipients. Rogers and PDT members had a conversation about accomplishments to date and what is required by ECOP, specifically expected outcomes and budget with justification, in order to make a decision about continuing assessments in 2017.  

NC-FAR Features Board on Agriculture Assembly (BAA) – In ECOP’s role as a member of the National Coalition for Food and Agriculture Research (NC-FAR), it recommended an update of efforts underway by the APLU Board on Agriculture Assembly of which the Cooperative Extension Section is a part. During the NC-FAR annual meeting last week in Washington, DC, APLU’s Wendy Fink summarized work related to the agriculture workforce pipeline, antimicrobial resistance, healthy food systems and healthy people, infrastructure and deferred maintenance, and a pending APLU commission on food and nutrition 2050. Tim Cross, University of Tennessee, represents Cooperative Extension/ECOP on the NC-FAR Board of Directors. See www.ncfar.org for details.

eXtension Seeks Chief Operating Officer (COO) – The eXtension Foundation announces recruitment for a half-time COO. Since eXtension operates as a virtual organization, functioning in this environment from anywhere in the United States is an important qualification. The COO has overall strategic and operational responsibility for eXtension Foundation programs and services and will manage staff leaders. The deadline for application is 6.1.16. For more information, see https://extension.org/coo-position-announcement/. 

Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP) Competitive Grants Webinar – Applications are due 6.2.16 for the Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP) http://nifa.usda.gov/food-safety-outreach-program . Listen to a recent webinar recording https://nifa.usda.gov/event/food-safety-outreach-program-rfa-webinar for an overview of the program at pilot, community, and multi-state funding levels; goals, objectives, and evaluation criteria, and matching and eligibility requirements.