During the 2021 NEDA and the Cooperative Extension Section Business Meeting on October 14, Chris Watkins, 2020-2021 ECOP Chair, recognized several ECOP members and partners for their exemplary work in support of Cooperative Extension. A mahogany and maple clock was presented to Gary B. Jackson, Mississippi State University, for serving a full 4-year term on ECOP with thanks for his national service. Other recognitions included:
- Brent Elrod, National Science Liaison, Institute of Youth, Family, and Community, USDA NIFA, for dedicated support of NTAE and NIFA's support of the ECOP Program Committee and for service to the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee.
- Jon Boren, New Mexico State University for leadership of the 4-H Leadership Committee as Co-chair since 2019. Jon continues to serve as ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee (BLC) Chair and the Section/ECOP's representative to the BAA Policy Board of Directors' Budget and Advocacy Committee.
- Andy Turner, Cornell University for leadership of the 4-H Leadership Committee as Co-chair since 2017.
- Lyla Houglum, WEDA Executive Director for service on the EDA Team for more than a decade in various national efforts, second only to Ron Brown of Southern Region in terms of longevity. Lyla retired in August 2021.
- Jason Henderson, Purdue University for leadership as Cooperative Extension Section/ECOP Appointee to NC-FAR Board of Directors since 2017. Jason continues to serve as a member of ECOP and Vice-chair of the ECOP BLC.
- Debby Sheely, University of Rhode Island for service as a member of ECOP since October 2019 and as interim Chair of the ECOP Professional Development Committee. Debby retired in June 2021.
Thank you all for your outstanding contribution and efforts in the advancement of Cooperative Extension!
First Friday Conversation Reaction - Last Friday, ECOP Chair Wendy Powers, University of California, conducted the first in a series of monthly chats with 25 colleagues from all 5 Regions. The main topic was about for capacity funding for Extension. Here are just a few quotes from the anonymous post-meeting survey:
-- "I liked ample time to discuss rather than just updates and presentations. Thank you!"
-- "Dialogue is richer when all can relate to topic and have skin in the game."
-- "Succinct and focused meeting!"
The 76 Members of the Cooperative Extension Section are encouraged to attend the next conversation on Friday, December 3, 2021, 3-4:00 p.m. ET. Contact National Office Assistant Director Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org for details.
Ag Outlook Registration Now Open - Registration is now open for the 98th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, USDA's largest annual meeting and premiere event. This virtual two-day event will be held on February 24-25, 2022, and features a keynote address by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a presentation on the 2022 agricultural economy by USDA’s Chief Economist Seth Meyer, a panel of distinguished guest speakers, and 30 breakout sessions organized by agencies across USDA and covering a range of timely issues impacting the sector. More than 100 government, industry, and academic leaders will share their perspectives and insights on a wide array of topics including commodity and food price outlooks, U.S. and global agricultural trade developments, climate change, and innovations in agricultural production and sustainability. The 2022 Forum theme and full program will be announced soon. For more information, read this USDA press release.
Cooperative Extension System Partners with the Ad Council on Vaccine Education - Rural communities have been hit hard by COVID-19. In September alone, incidence rates of COVID-19 were roughly 54% higher in rural America than elsewhere. As part of its ongoing rural vaccine outreach, the Cooperative Extension System and the CDC EXCITE Program have partnered with the Ad Council to release a set of nine new rural-focused PSAs. Backed by research showing the power of personal stories, the videos aim to meet rural Americans where they are with clear and accurate information. From the farm to the football field to the pharmacy, every story is unique and unscripted -- the stories of how COVID-19 and vaccines have impacted rural America. View all nine stories, including messages in Spanish, here. To access the Ad Council’s rural community toolkit, including messaging guidance, radio content, social graphics and more, click here. See the press release detailing the breadth of rural-focused work here.
