USDA’s Rural Community Action Guide: Building Stronger, Healthy Drug-Free Rural Communities was released last month to arm rural leaders with information they can put into immediate action to create change. The new tool features “Evidence-Based Prevention Strategies That Work” by Cooperative Extension (Section 3, p. 42) and provides background information, recommended action steps, and promising practices to help manage the impact of substance use disorder on local communities and help persons with the disease of addiction. Stay tuned to
ECOP Monday Minute to learn about regional roundtables opportunities with USDA Rural Development and programs that work across the country.
eXtension's Impact Collaborative Program Trains 45 New Innovation Facilitators - The Impact Collaborative trained 45 new Innovation Facilitators representing 18 Land-Grant universities, joining 107 others that represent 49 Land-Grant Universities. Participants spent three days learning the Impact Collaborative’s Innovation Skill-Building methodology and obtained skills and tools that will help catalyze innovation with local project and program teams. This particular training session was unique as it marks the first time that the Impact Collaborative has delivered the Innovation Facilitator training virtually. Some highlights from this training include:
• 100% of participants responded that they would likely or possibly recommend this training to others.
• 98% of participants stated they would definitely or probably use the information presented in the training.
Learn more about this training session
here.
A Survey Says: Land-grant faculty prioritize public engagement activities, but feel isolated. - Using results from the first comprehensive, census survey of 46 land-grant institutions across the U.S., a team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Massachusetts Amherst examined faculty views and participation in public engagement activities and the role of science in society. Results based on 10,706 faculty spread across multiple fields reveal that most faculty prioritize engaging with the public about science but feel isolated in their outreach work. The report also explores the institutional climate surrounding public communication and factors that may encourage or discourage involvement in outreach and engagement. To see more highlights about views and attitudes from land-grant faculty, go to
the full report,
PNAS brief, and
press release.
USDA NASS Data Collections - The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is currently collecting data for its
March Agricultural Survey. A quarterly survey, it asks about acres planted, planting intentions, and the amount of grain and oilseed stored. Data collection
ends March 18. Survey results will be released March 31. Please help NASS authorities spread the word. NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer recently published a
blog about the 2020 crop season and what to expect from NASS numbers. It’s an informative read about NASS’ estimation process that’s definitely of interest to producers and worth a share. A recent
article by
Farm Week continues the discussion about March Ag, the importance of response, and NASS’ record of accuracy.
