Strategic Directions Underway With a Survey

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!

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.

Positioning 4-H and Extension for Investment

The ECOP Monday Minute returns January 27 to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Martha Bernadett, M.D., MBA, President and
CEO of The Molina Foundation

On Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, Dr. Martha Bernadett, National 4-H Council (Council) Board of Trustees, and Andy Ferrin, Council’s SVP, Chief Strategy Officer, gave a presentation that all Directors and Administrators ought to review; a comprehensive overview of 4-H (assets and recent alumni survey). Please contribute to conversations on how Cooperative Extension can position its high-quality 4-H programs for growth -- and for increased investment from public and private sources. Everyone is encouraged to use the links below to view/review the session and keep the conversation going!
   -  Recording: https://youtu.be/6TP_jxaju7I
   -  Dr. Bernadett’s remarks 
   -  Slide presentation
   -  Information on the alumni survey - www.4-h.org/alumnisurvey 
   -  Send questions and comments to ecopblog@gmail.com



NIFA Working Group for Reporting - ECOP announces the 2020 NIFA Extension Working Group for Reporting (page 10 here) and an informational webinar set for this Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, 2PM ET (Click here for more info). The Extension Working Group was formed by the 2015 Panel of Experts to streamline reporting, reduce burden, and add a module that highlights the accomplishments of Extension capacity-funded programs. The new group is being re-engaged to specifically advise NIFA on the design of the new Extension reporting module given the integration of POW and REEport. Contact Executive Director Rick Klemme, rickklemme@extension.org, if there are questions. 



DC Connections in Nutrition Education - SNAP-Ed and EFNEP leaders from Land Grant Universities are planning trips to Washington, DC for the upcoming ASNNA (February 4-6) and EFNEP (March 3-5) Conferences. Additionally, a variety of Extension staff may attend the PILD Conference (April 5-8). Attendees are likely to make visits to your state’s legislators to provide program updates/outcomes resulting from USDA Smith-Lever, 1890s Extension, EFNEP and SNAP-Ed investments in Cooperative Extension. The SNAP-Ed Program Development Team (see pg. 3 here) encourages Extension leaders to inform conference participants about your institution’s policies around legislative education and supports that may be in place. Nutrition specialists and educators can learn more about getting started with legislative education and making visits to Capitol Hill by contacting Christine Hradek, Hradek@iastate.edu, Legislative Education Committee Chair.



Recording of Economic Diversification in Coal-reliant Communities Webinar - The webinar recording for “Putting the Challenge in Perspective: Lessons Learned from Coal Communities Across the Country” is now available for viewing on-demand. This recording of the webinar, hosted by the University of Illinois Extension, discusses how rural coal-reliant communities in the West and in Appalachia are setting a new course in a variety of ways, including through workforce development and retraining, entrepreneurship, outdoor recreation, cultural heritage, renewable energy, and more. Presenters Brett Schwartz from the NADO Research Foundation and Jack Morgan from the National Association of Counties have spent the past five years visiting and collaborating with coal-reliant counties and regions as they work to build stronger economies by tapping into local assets and strengths. While every place is unique with its own set of challenges and opportunities, these case studies can serve as inspiration for communities across the country as they explore ways to create a more prosperous future. Click here to access the recording and slides.

Natural Resources Conference - Oregon State University Extension is hosting the 12^th biennial Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP) conference in central Oregon May 3-6, 2020 www.anrep2020.org. The ANREP conference attracts more than 300 Extension professionals from around the country and offers great opportunities for professional growth and sharing new ideas. Extension agents, specialists, and program coordinators work every day to share knowledge about the latest techniques and state-of-the science in natural resources management, and ensure that this critical information can be used by landowners, managers, decision makers, and students. ANREP 2020 will highlight conversations about innovation and the importance of this work in a rapidly changing world with the theme “Place-Based and Future-Focused: Fulfilling the land grant mission in an evolving landscape.”

Important National Health Outreach Conference Updates

Note. Links to the 2020 ECOP Calendar (with updates) and the Calendar of National and Regional Significance may be found at www.extension/org/ecop. Please send updates to Assistant Director Sandy Ruble at sandyruble@extension.org. Thank you.

The 2020 National Health Outreach Conference, May 13-15, 2020, will focus on the strategies and actions which must be taken today to ensure that all people have an opportunity to experience optimal health and well-being across the life span. The conference planning committee encourages participation by Extension faculty and staff, their cross-campus collaborators, and external partners. The deadline to submit proposals is January 21, 2020. Extension Directors and Administrators are asked to share this information today! The venue is the Marriott on the Plaza in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Please visit https://cvent.me/Ygg1N0 for additional information and to register.

Registration Now Open for the 2020 JCEP Extension Leadership Conference - The Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) Board developed the Extension Leadership Conference to provide leadership training for professional association officers around the country. It has evolved into a premier conference for any extension professional seeking leadership development, updates in national initiatives and networking. The conference theme, A Vision For The Future will be woven throughout the 32 concurrent sessions and general session speakers. Visit https://www.jcep.org to register and learn more about the conference which will be held February 12 -13, 2020, on the San Antonio Riverwalk. Please share this with all Extension professionals interested in this advanced opportunity for leadership development. Early Bird Registration ends January 20!

Working Together for Greater Impact, eXtension in 2020 - Last year, project and program teams that incubated with the Impact Collaborative secured $750K in funding. 92% of those that participated with the Impact Collaborative recommend it to others and reported new innovations, team growth, and better informed projects and programs. Members invested $1.1 million into eXtension, and Cooperative Extension received $2.4 million in return through the Impact Collaborative, and Cooperative Agreements with USDA-NIFA and the EPA. In 2020, eXtension will remove barriers for members wishing to participate in the Impact Collaborative by delivering its popular offerings virtually. Learn more about partnering with eXtension in 2020 here.



FSA/Extension Partnership - USDA’s Farm Service Agency strives to deliver its programs while building long-term working relationships with customers. Farm Service Agency has been working closely with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Michigan State University Extension, and the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development to develop training for USDA employees and other agricultural service providers who work with farmers and ranchers experiencing stress. Training is focused on helping agricultural service providers manage stressful situations and take care of themselves, develop key communication skills, and improve producer awareness of available stress assistance programs—including resources that will be developed through the new Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. For more information contact Executive Director Rick Klemme at rickklemme@extension.org.