Monday, June 24, 2019

Funding Opportunity: Military-Connected Youth/Families Program

The purpose of the CYFAR 4-H Military Partnership Professional Development and Technical Assistance Program is to support the implementation and capacity of the 4-H Military Partnership and Outreach Support Program. Professional development and technical assistance are provided to the Land-Grant institutions and Cooperative Extension System, so that, in collaboration with other organizations, they can develop and deliver educational programs for military-connected youth. Eligibility to apply - Cooperative Extension at 1890, 1862, and 1994 Land-grant Colleges and Universities (one per institution). See Request for Applications for more information. The closing date is Friday, July 26, 2019 and the Estimated Total Program Funding is $550,000. To apply go to Apply for Grant.


2020 Dietary Guidelines – Background, Importance and LGU Connects - The 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has recently been populated with Rachel Novotny, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, serving as a Land-Grant Faculty representative. Rachel has provided leadership with the USDA NIFA funded Regional Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Center of Excellence Policy Systems Environment (RNECE PSE) to support community coalition readiness assessment and planning for limited resource nutrition education programs across the nation. The work of this advisory committee and resulting changes in the guidelines will definitely impact the underlying curriculum for EFNEP, SNAP-Ed and other nutrition education programming. Extension Directors and Administrators should note that there are multiple opportunities for the Public to become involved; next Public meeting in DC takes place on July 10-11.


Extension Featured in NCFAR Seminar - The National Coalition for Food and Agriculture Research, of which ECOP and ESCOP are members, sponsors a series of seminars for House and Senate Ag Staffers. On June 17, 2019, Bob Craven, Extension Economist and Director of the Center for Farm Financial Management, Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, presented two seminars (65 attendees) entitled Extension and Partner Response to Farm Financial and Mental Health Stress. The presentation addressed two of the most challenging issues facing farmers (and by connection; youth, families and communities) - farm financial and mental stress. These issues are clearly interrelated with farm profitability issues exacerbating challenging mental health and a growing number of suicides across the country. Bob showcased how a University, a Department of Agriculture and other partners’ are addressing these issues in Minnesota. He pointed out the importance of leveraging federal, state and county investments to address these and other critical issues.


Use of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software Examined by eXtension - Cooperative Extension professionals are invited to complete a survey about the use of customer relationship management (CRM) software within their organizations. The 5-minute survey is available here. Results will be shared within the Cooperative Extension System. As Cooperative Extension organizations assess or implement new software tools and strategies, it is often useful for them to communicate with other Extension organizations that have similar objectives and experiences. This survey is intended to identify what Extension organizations are doing or considering when it comes to CRM platforms. The results will be available through the eXtension website. This work is part of the eXtension CRM Fellow program. Any questions or comments can be directed to Stephen Judd, eXtension CRM Fellow.


Leadership in the City Course for Urban Extension Professionals - The Leadership in the City 10-month comprehensive online professional development program prepares Extension professionals working in urban areas, to be relevant locally, responsive statewide, and recognized nationally. The program was developed based on a foundation of entrepreneurial theory and urban Extension practice and builds upon existing leadership experiences, management training, and Extension professional development. Participants have represented 27 states during the first two years of the program. This course is led by Julie Fox from the Ohio State University Extension. The investment in the program is $500. Multiple participants from the same institute are entitled to a $100 discount (Discount code: LITC19-100). Complete details and registration can be found at https://cityextension.osu.edu/leadership.