4-H on APLU Council of President’s Agenda

Cathann Kress, Iowa State University,
and Ed Jones, Virginia Tech

Cathann Kress, Iowa State University, and Ed Jones, Virginia Tech, are part of the APLU Council of President’s agenda tomorrow in Alexandria, VA, speaking about 4-H and its role in preparing youth for higher education. Following an introduction by Gordon Gee, President, West Virginia University, and member, National 4-H Council Board of Trustees, Kress and Jones will engage the Council in a conversation about how 4-H might expand its efforts to encourage youth to pursue post-secondary education and involve faculty/staff in engaging youth. Both Kress and Jones are on the ECOP 4-H National Leadership Committee. 

Jo Britt-Rankin,
University of Missouri

Extension on House SNAP-Ed Hearing Panel – At the request of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Jo Britt-Rankin, University of Missouri, will be a panelist representing Cooperative Extension/ECOP on a SNAP-Ed hearing at 10 a.m. ET Wednesday this week. Britt-Rankin has worked closely with the ECOP National Office, Cornerstone Government Affairs and the Land-grant University Cooperative Extension Program Development Team to develop the written testimony. The hearing, titled Past, Present and Future of SNAP: Evaluating Effectiveness and Outcomes in Nutrition Education, can be viewed live or recorded at http://agriculture.house.gov. 

Ian Maw, Vice President,
Food, Agriculture & Natural Resources, APLU

APLU Responds to SoAR Report –  Ian Maw, APLU Vice President for Food, Agriculture & Natural Resources, emphasized the value of capacity funding, together with competitive funding in a press release responding to the Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation’s new report Retaking the Field: The Case for a Surge in Agricultural Research http://supportagresearch.org/retakingthefield/. The APLU release at http://www.aplu.org/news-and-media/News/aplu-statement-on-release-of-soars-new-report--for-increased-agricultural-research-funding is in alignment with the ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee advocacy for both capacity and competitive funds in order to address the Nation’s issues related to food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences. 

Join Webinars on Capacity Funds Project – USDA-NIFA invites partners to discuss the upcoming evaluation of its Capacity Programs portfolio, which represents nearly half of NIFA’s budget. In process is an evidence-based analysis of the value and return on investment of these programs. It is expected the project will result in a showcase of the impacts these programs make on food, agriculture, natural resource, and human sciences issues facing the Nation. The evaluation is to be undertaken by a contractor, TEConomy, in collaboration with APLU. Join one of two webinars to find out about the goals and outcomes of the evaluation, get answers to your questions, determine who is best suited to complete evaluation instruments and discuss ways to reduce burden on respondents. Webinars are 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET Thursdays, June 30 and July 7, 2016 at at http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/cesls, dial-in at 888-8449904, access code 6710407#. Register via email to Karl Maxwell, NIFA Project Officer, with your preferred session, e-mail, and phone number. You may also contact him if you have any additional questions. 

Connect With 4-H Alumni – Are you a 4-H alum? Do you want to keep up with the latest 4-H news, stories and learn about other 4-H alumni who are making a difference? Show your 4-H pride and raise your hand as a member of the 4-H alumni community. You will receive regular updates about events and information for 4-H alumni and ways you can stay involved with 4-H. Sign up at www.4-H.org/4Hgrowshere-alumni.