Last week ECOP approved moving forward with the next steps in a new ECOP strategic directions process. The idea stems from Extension Resource and Partnership Development Committee and earlier Systems initiatives, citing the need for
focused Cooperative Extension System priorities on emerging issues in ECOP's Year to Year guiding document, www.aplu.org/CESgoals. ECOP Chair Mark Latimore, Jr. (Fort Valley State University) delegated leadership for "Strategic Directirion" to ECOP Chair-elect Chuck Ross (University of Vermont). What is most exciting about "Strategic Directions" is that it will build out plans of action in specific timeframes. Next step is an important survey of all 1890 Extension Administrators, 1862 Extension Directors and 1994 Extension leaders to be released later this week.
All are urged to participate! More updates are expected this summer with final approval at the 2020 NEDA - Save the dates September 22-24; Detroit, MI!
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| 4-H Alum Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), right, addresses audience during briefing. 60+ Congressional staff members attended the briefing, most of whom were not 4-H alumni, to hear stories about 4-H and Extension. |
4-H Congressional Briefing Held on 1/15/2020 - On July 22, 2019, ECOP approved a new strategy that was unanimously endorsed by the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee (
Mission MOU here), the formation of a subcommittee of the ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee for 4-H to "increase funding for Extension and increase government funding outside of USDA" in Washington, DC. On January 15, 2020, the "Subcommittee" (
listed here, page 5) partnered with the
4-H Congressional Caucus to host a 4-H Congressional Briefing on the Hill to raise awareness of the diversity and relevance of today’s Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program and to thank Congress for their support of 4-H funding through 1890 Extension and Smith-Lever (
NIFA), the
4-H Mentoring (
OJJDP) funding, and other opportunities. Speakers included ECOP Chair Mark Latimore, Jr. (Fort Valley State University), Past ECOP Chair and National 4-H Council Trustee, Ed Jones (Virginia Tech), Jennifer Sirangelo (National 4-H Council), and Josh Stull (NIFA).
NERAOC 2020 Conference - This year’s annual National Extension and Research Administrative Officers Conference (NERAOC) to occur
April 19-22 in St. Louis is an especially important conference for Extension business officers and human resource colleagues, as well as Extension Administrators and Directors. NIFA’s transition to Kansas City, NIFA plans moving forward and updates on the POW and REEport system will provide many opportunities for positive engagement with NIFA staff. Gina Eubanks, Louisiana State University, ECOP Liaison to NERAOC Planning Committee, says, "At the end of day, none of us know everything about the internal functions of our organizations. So, I have found value in attending NERAOC because it is an opportunity to learn and network with others in similar positions, as well as gain meaningful knowledge that is applicable to our leadership. The Land-grant system in its complexity can be overwhelming, but this conference has helped me through the years." See
NERAOC 2020 Website for purpose, mission and registration details.
NC-FAR Update - The National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NC-FAR) is comprised of many organizations that advocate for research, education and extension funding; particularly with USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. NC-FAR has been very attentive to the Board on Agriculture Assembly federal budget priorities, particularly the Extension Smith-Lever and 1890 Extension lines in the NIFA budget. Jason Henderson (Purdue University) serves as the ECOP liaison to NC-FAR and is very active in promoting Extension items for the Lunch-n-Learn Seminar series held on the Hill. Jason recently attended the annual NC-zFAR Board meeting. For more information visit the website
https://www.ncfar.org and direct questions to
Jason or Rick Klemme.
