Congratulations Michigan State Extension Housing Policy Team - 2024 Diversity in Extension Award Winner

 

Invitation Reminder: 2025 CARET/BAA Washington Conference 

Join us for the 2025 Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET)/Board on Agriculture Assembly (BAA) Joint Washington Conference on February 23-26, 2025, at the Watergate Hotel. The event will bring together CARET delegates and BAA members to engage in dynamic programming, hear from food and agriculture leaders from across the country, and go to Capitol Hill to deliver the ask of the BAA. It is also a prime opportunity at which CARET delegates can gather with their associated Administrative Head Section members. 

Registration for the event will open Monday, December 16th. In the meantime, please feel free make your hotel accommodations with this link.  

ECOP Monday Minute on Hiatus for the Holiday Season

The next issue of the ECOP Monday Minute will be published on January 6, 2025. Have a joyous and restful holiday season. 

Congratulations Daryl Jones - 2024 Excellence in Extension Award Winner

 

Upcoming NAAAN Webinar

The North American Agricultural Advisory Network (NAAAN) will take an in-depth look at how Canada’s Living Labs bring together farmers, scientists, innovators and leaders to collaboratively tackle some of agriculture’s biggest challenges. The webinar, CONVERSATION on NAAAN CONNECT on Canada’s Living Labs, will be Thursday, Dec.12 at noon EST.

The Living Labs are leading the way in sustainable farming solutions, focusing on critical issues like soil health, water quality and biodiversity. The webinar will explore this network of more than 1,000 active participants and 200+ innovation activities.

This session will be accessible in English, Spanish and French. Register here.

NIFA Outlines Progress and Sets New Goals on Advancing Climate Change Science in New Report

In May 2022, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) outlined an ambitious action agenda for how the agency would address the climate crisis.

More than two years on, a new report outlines the various initiatives NIFA has since undertaken to advance climate-related research, strengthen food supply chains and support communities responding to climate challenges.

Published earlier this month, the NIFA Climate Change Priority Team: Accomplishments and Action Agenda Report highlights the agency’s progress on the 44 unique actions outlined in the NIFA Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan. These concrete, near-term actions, developed through several rounds of staff and external stakeholder input, were identified to reflect a coordinated, collaborative response to the vulnerabilities and impacts caused by a changing climate.

The new report provides descriptions and overviews of NIFA’s accomplishments in the following categories: climate change programming; strategic planning; organizational effectiveness; and stakeholder outreach and engagement. It highlights NIFA’s broad climate change-relevant funding opportunities, exciting projects spearheaded by our partners and stakeholders, actions NIFA has taken to support staff and grantees, and where we plan to go next. Learn more about the report.

Congratulations Tennessee Turfgrass Team: Winner of the 2024 Excellence in Extension Team Award

NIFA WEBINAR December 11, 2024 @ 1pm ET – Reviewing and Evaluating Transdisciplinary and Engaged Research Projects: Perspectives from Funding Programs

As more research funding agencies begin to support the use of transdisciplinary and engaged research practices in their programs, to help generate tangible, positive societal impacts, we can take advantage of opportunities to learn from programs that have been early adopters of these modes of research. In this webinar, we will hear from program leaders who have been soliciting, reviewing, funding, and evaluating transdisciplinary and engaged research for several years. They will share what they have learned about crafting requests for proposals to encourage the inclusion of transdisciplinary research practices, how their programs review and rate proposals, and the criteria and tools they use to evaluate the outcomes of individual projects and the impacts of their programs.



The National 4-H Partners Want to Hear from You: Pulse Survey Deadline November 26

Extension Directors and Administrators are invited to participate in a pulse survey to inform an updated MOU between the Partners (ECOP 4-H, USDA-NIFA and National 4-H Council) and their continued support for the Beyond Ready Initiative.

The survey is anonymous and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Results will be shared with Extension Leadership as well as National 4-H Council’s Board of Trustees.

Contact Jen McIver, Vice President of Extension Engagement at jmciver@fourhcouncil.edu if you have questions or encounter any issues completing the survey.

USDA, Cooperative Extension & APLU Award Top Honors in Extension Excellence and Diversity

Recognizing visionary leadership and diversity in educational programming, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Cooperative Extension, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) today announced the following 2024 national awards:

• Excellence in Extension Award for an Individual: Daryl Jones, Mississippi State University
• Excellence in Extension Team Award: University of Tennessee Turfgrass Team
• National Extension Diversity Award: Michigan State University Extension Housing Policy Team

The awards were presented at the APLU Annual Meeting last week, which USDA-NIFA and Cooperative Extension have sponsored since 1991.

“Each year, these awards showcase the fundamental, transformative difference Cooperative Extension continues to make in our society,” said Dr. Manjit Misra, NIFA Director. “This important partnership and excellent programs like these are a testament to the true value of Cooperative Extension capacity funds more than a century after the Smith-Lever Act created this unparalleled system of outreach and education that enriches every community across the nation.”

The Excellence in Extension Award for an Individual is given annually to one Cooperative Extension professional who excels at science-based programming, provides visionary leadership, and makes a positive impact on constituents. Daryl Jones is an Extension Professor of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University. His programming involves innovative engagement with private landowners and producers to diversify incomes and enhance conservation on the land base. Nearly 12,000 landowners have attended his workshops. Using gained knowledge, they have initiated over 2,500 wildlife recreational enterprises on 3 million acres across 28 US states while earning $39 million annually.

National Excellence in Extension Team Award recognizes excellence of an Extension team in performing the work of Extension research, technical assistance, and outreach education. The University of Tennessee (UT) Turfgrass Team exemplifies the land-grant mission by integrating teaching, research, and Extension to serve the expansive turfgrass industry, which contributes over $5.8 billion annually to Tennessee’s economy. The team addresses the needs of the state’s golf courses, sports fields, home lawns, and parks. This includes an industry recognized the UT Certified Lawn Care Professional program, an online weed identification app, and TN Turf Tuesday.

National Diversity in Extension Award recognizes significant contributions and accomplishments in achieving and sustaining diversity and pluralism. The Michigan State Housing Policy Team is a group of Extension educators, specialists, and faculty who developed and delivered a suite of local housing policy learning opportunities that integrate issues of diversity, equity, and a legacy of discrimination into group discussions, scenario-based activities, and local examples.

Regional Awards for Individual Excellence in Extension

NIFA, Cooperative Extension, and APLU will also present five regional awards to individual professionals for excellence this year. The recipients are:1890s Region: Jason de Koff serves as a professor, statewide Extension specialist in agronomy and soil science, and Extension Program Leader at Tennessee State University. Throughout his career, he has worked to demonstrate new, agriculture-based technologies to farmers, Extension agents, and youth audiences.

• Northeast Region: Claudia Schmidt, Penn State Assistant Professor of Marketing and Local/Regional Food Systems, has exemplary agritourism programming. This education explores practical strategies to enhance the sustainability and success of agritourism and direct sales ventures.
• Southern Region: David Lalman, Professor and Extension Specialist – Beef Cattle, Oklahoma State University, conducts impactful beef cattle Extension programs, including Oklahoma Master Cattleman, Ranchers’ Thursday Lunchtime Series webinar, and the Cowculator beef cattle ration evaluation software.
• North Central Region: Brian Wibby is an educator with Michigan State University Extension. He is a co-founder and co-director of the World Food Prize, Michigan Youth Institute, and the Michigan 4-H Spectacular Youth Leadership Institute, and is a certified Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid instructor.
• Western Region: Michael Wierda, Extension Specialist and Director – Pesticide Safety Education Program, Utah State University, helps applicators understand health concerns related to pesticides and how pesticides move, work, persist, and break down in the applicators themselves, their families, their communities, and the environment.

“Congratulations to the outstanding Extension professionals who will be honored on November 10th” said the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) Chair, Vonda Richardson, Director/Associate Administrator, Cooperative Extension, Florida A&M University. “These leaders are making a difference by connecting community needs and university resources to address critical issues across the nation.”

Call for Proposals - 2025 National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference

The planning committee for the 2025 National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference invites proposals for presentations, workshops, panels, and posters that explore innovative approaches to advancing health through collaboration and partnerships. The conference will be held April 29 – May 1 in Omaha, NE and is hosted by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

Important Dates:

• December 15, 2024: Presentation proposals due by 11:59 PM CT
• January 31, 2025: Notice of acceptance by 5:00 PM CT
• March 1, 2025: All presenters and co-presenters must be registered for the conference by 5:00 PM CT to remain on the program
• April 20, 2025: Accepted presentations uploaded to a designated digital location (to be announced) by 11:59 PM CT

More information and a link to the submission portal is available at https://go.unl.edu/nhoc2025. The deadline for submission is December 15


New Report Examines Land-Grant University Capacity to Support Outdoor Recreation Economies

A new report sheds light on the readiness of Land-Grant Universities (LGU) to support the development of outdoor recreation economies around U.S. national forests, and identifies the places best positioned to allocate resources for recreation economy programming. It was developed to gauge the extent to which the LGU system can respond to a USDA memorandum of understanding that positions the outdoor recreation economy as one of the agency’s top priorities. The report draws on an assessment conducted earlier this year by West Virginia University Rural Tourism Specialist Doug Arbogast in partnership with the National Extension Outdoor Recreation Working Group (NEORWG) and the Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs), with support from the Extension Foundation’s New Technologies for Ag Extension program. Learn more and access the report and related maps at: https://bit.ly/3NrZ2e8


New Family and Consumer Sciences Resources Available

The October 23 webinar (passcode: ?O0ts1L^), Relevance and Relationships: The Role of FCS in Improving the Nation's Health, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, is now available for asynchronous replay. Further, a key related Board on Health and Human Sciences white paper, The Intersection of Health and Human Sciences: Today, Tomorrow and our Future Opportunities is also available.


National Impacts Database Training Webinar

A recording of the National Impacts Database (NIDB) training webinar, which took place on November 1, 2024, is now available online for asynchronous replay. The accompanying slide-set is also available.

LEAD 21 Call for Applications

The LEAD21 program is intended to meet the future needs for leadership development of faculty, specialists, district and regional directors, program and team leaders, research station and center directors, department heads and chairs, and others in the universities’ colleges of agricultural, environmental, natural resources, veterinary sciences, and human sciences and USDA/NIFA. Individuals from land-grant, NARRU institutions, and USDA are encouraged to participate. Read more here.



4-H Reputation Management 101 – October 30 (12:30-2 pm ET)

Effective reputation management is mission critical to responding to unexpected events and to preserving the integrity, reputation and trust that 4-H has worked hard to earn.

Join the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee and National 4-H Council for a training covering reputation management best practices for 4-H, including a refresher on the 4-H Crisis Communications Playbook, breakout sessions for scenario practice, and how to collaborate on reputational issues.

This training is intended for Extension Directors and Administrators, State 4-H Program Leaders, 4-H Foundation Executives and University/Extension Communication Professionals. Advanced registration is required. Register Here.



Nielsen to Deliver Morrill Lecture at National APLU Meeting

Dr. Larry Nielsen, Professor Emeritus of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University, will deliver the Justin Smith Morrill Memorial Lecture Nov. 10 at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) national meeting in Orlando.



New Journal of Extension Article Available

An excellent crop of Cooperative Extension scholarship is available at the Journal of Extension.

National Impacts Database (NIDB)

The National Impacts Database (NIDB) is an important platform for documenting and demonstrating the collective impacts of land-grant university teaching, research, and Extension.

 
NIDB Virtual Training: October 30, 2024 | 2:00-3:00pm ET
This training is for new and returning inputters to the National Impacts Database (NIDB), and will cover the basics of the NIDB, how submitted statements are used, and how to write effective impact statements. This webinar will be recorded. A copy will be sent to all registrants after the training.

2024 Priority Topic Areas:  public health, climate-smart solutions, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, workforce development/readiness, youth development/4-H, diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, water resilience/management
NIDB Improvements/Updates
Updating Authorized Inputters


The Growing Crisis in Our Communities: Can 4-H Answer the Call?

Consider giving the Farm Journal Article on 4-H a look today:

Gen Z’s challenges aren’t just academic; they’re personal, says Jill Bramble, president and CEO of 4-H. Many young people say they are falling short, unable to envision a successful future where they feel connected to their friends, families, and communities.


USDA Offers Resources, Adds Flexibilities to Disaster Assistance Programs to Help Hurricane Helene-Impacted Farmers, Foresters and Communities

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, USDA has deployed staff to assist with response and recovery efforts. USDA is also putting in place contingency plans and program flexibilities to ensure farmers, and foresters and communities are able to get the support they need. Read more about resources that may be available.

EFNEP Legend Inducted into NIFA Hall of Fame

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently inducted Helen Chipman, NIFA’s national program leader for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), into the NIFA Hall of Fame. As the lone inductee for 2024, the Cooperative Extension system at large shares Chipman’s honor.

The NIFA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to NIFA and the Land-grant University System and who, throughout their careers, engaged in activities that exemplify NIFA’s excellence in any combination of research, education and Extension delivered locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.



Food Loss and Waste Liaison Moves to NIFA

The USDA Food Loss and Waste (FLW) program has a new home in the Research, Education and Economics mission area under USDA NIFA.

The FLW program, formerly with the USDA Office of the Chief Economist, joins NIFA’s Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition’s program portfolio. USDA is in a unique position to help address the problems of FLW across the nation, including harmful impacts on climate heating and resources wasted throughout the food supply, from farm to fork.

Read more about the work of the FLW program and its liaison.



U.S. Global Change Research Program Seeks Public Comment on First National Nature Assessment

The U.S. Global Change Research Program is requesting public feedback on the proposed themes and topics of the first National Nature Assessment, a report aimed at assessing the condition of nature as an aspect of global change. The input received, due Nov. 4, will guide chapter author teams in developing their draft chapters. Read the Federal Register notice for more information.

Welcome Finn Thomas Dunigan!

Late in the evening on September 22, 2024, Ali Mitchell gave birth to a healthy, nine-pound and two-ounce baby boy. The lad was born 21” long. Mother and Finn came home the following Tuesday and are doing well. As of this writing, Finn is 1,813 days away from becoming eligible for Cloverbuds. Just in Time Parenting could provide Ali with sound advice for his well being until that time. 

Gavel passed at NEDA

 

The gavel of the ECOP Chair was officially passed from Damona Doye to Vonda Richardson. Lisa Townson is now Chair Elect of the organization. Thank you, Dr. Doye, for your year of service as ECOP Chair.  

NIFA to Host Special Event Honoring EFNEP Para and Other Professionals

NIFA is inviting Extension Directors to a special event hosted by NIFA in early November to recognize the frontline staff in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

While job titles vary across the 50 states, U.S. territories and District of Columbia, the paraprofessional/peer educator staff and those who supervise and provide leadership are essential to EFNEP’s success. The time, dedication, and service that these individuals provide is inspiring. Stated directly, the lives of historically underserved individuals, families, and communities are forever changed by the positive impact of EFNEP’s relationship-focused, hands-on nutritional educational approach that frontline staff are entrusted to deliver.

During this 60-minute event NIFA will spotlight the success of EFNEP across the country, include keynote remarks of appreciation from the NIFA leadership, and lift-up individuals who may not realize how great a difference they are making.

The event will be offered three times to give as many options as possible for frontline staff, their supervisors, and university leadership to participate. All three sessions will be the same so that individuals can attend the one that best fits their schedule.

Universities are invited to extend this recognition event by convening a watch party on campus, hosting a pre- or post-event, or doing something else of their choosing. We would appreciate hearing how universities plan to recognize these amazing individuals.

Event Dates & Times with Registration Links:
Monday Nov. 4th at 3 PM (ET) / 2 PM (CT): Register Here
Wednesday Nov. 6th at 7 PM (ET) / 6 PM (CT): Register Here
Thursday Nov. 7th at 12 PM (ET) / 11 AM (CT): Register Here

NEDA: Know before you go

APLU/ECOP has published “Know before you go“ instructions for the National Extension Directors and Administrators conference.

Please note: 

From the Louisville International Airport is available via a courtesy shuttle through the Embassy Suites. You may call the front desk at the Embassy Suites at 502-813-3800 to request shuttle service, and please check the NEDA Hotel & Transportation page for additional information.

Event check in will be open Tuesday, 1:00-6:00pm and Wednesday, 8:00am-5:00pm. There will be no onsite registration.

Check the most current version of the 2024 NEDA Meeting Agenda. Please note, this agenda is subject to change.

Please see the Cooperative Extension Section Agenda for Thursday morning, which will take place in Edison Square at the Embassy Suites. Note there are extensive read ahead materials.

Any additional meetings with their own agenda will be distributed separately.


Connecting with National 4-H Council this Fall

The next National 4-H Council quarterly update from CEO, Jill Bramble, will arrive in inboxes on September 30th. It will be sent to Extension Directors/Administrators, 4-H Program Leaders and 4-H Foundation Executives.

Directors and Administrators are also invited to the next National 4-H Council Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, October 2nd at 12 pm ET. Get a sneak peek at insights from the latest youth voice survey on readiness, just in time for National 4-H Week and the launch of the Beyond Ready campaign. Special guests will include Dr. Vonda Richardson, incoming ECOP Chair and Director, Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension, and Dana McNabb, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, General Mills. Advanced registration is required. Register Here.



USDA Seeks Nominations for Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council

USDA is soliciting nominations for membership on the new Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council. The Council serves as an advisory committee in support of its eponymous program in “facilitating the participation in voluntary environmental credit markets of farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners, including beginning, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and veteran farmers.” Nominations for the Council must be postmarked on or before October 15. Read the Federal Register notice for more information.

Dr. Rubella Goswami Named NIFA’s New IYFC Deputy Director

Dr. Rubella Goswami joined the USDA NIFA Institute of Youth, Family, and Community (IYFC) as Deputy Director on August 25. Previously, she served as the Division Director for Plant Systems-Protection in the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability, where she was also a National Program Leader. IYFC includes the Division of Community and Education, the Division of Youth and 4-H, and the Division of Family and Consumer Sciences.

With over 25 years of experience across academia, industry and government, Dr. Goswami has a distinguished career in research, Extension, and education.

NRCS Funding Opportunity: Apply to Lead Study Supporting USDA’s Greenhouse Gas Quantification Efforts

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is seeking applications for a $1.9 million, four-year cooperative agreement to support the coordination, implementation, and management of model intercomparison studies in agricultural systems.

The purpose of the research is to assess and advance the state of science for carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emission modeling for agriculture. The awardee will work with up to eight independent modeling groups to implement the study.

Eligibility is limited to institutions in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit network. Applications are due Oct. 4.



Advancing Disaster Education in America Grant Applications open through November 1

The purpose of the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Development Grants Program (“Mini-Grants”) is to invest in the development of innovative educational resources and Extension initiatives that can advance the work of EDEN and support the broader land-grant and sea-grant systems across the nation in addressing the preparation for, response to, and recovery from hazards and disasters. Four focus areas were developed during EDEN’s Strategic Planning process led by the EDEN Executive Committee. This document outlines the 1) focus areas, and 2) process(es) for applying, and 3) review, award, and monitoring processes.

Applications must be submitted by Extension professionals employed by land-grant or sea-grant universities that are members of the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN). At least one individual on any proposed project must be an EDEN delegate or Point of Contact. For (2024-2025), up to six $25,000 grants are available. If you have questions about any EDEN Development Grants Program, please contact Fred Schlutt at fredschlutt@extension.org.



2024 SciComm Identities Project Fellowships Available

The University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute, Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, and the URI Science and Story Lab are now recruiting for the 2024 SciComm Identities Project Fellowship.

The program is seeking applicants for the third and final Fellowship cohort, which runs from Jan-Dec 2025, and focuses on faculty who study food issues (agriculture, aquaculture, and/or food insecurity) related to climate change. The Fellowship includes two one-week immersive workshops, as well as five remote training modules. Fellows receive a $5,000 stipend, travel reimbursement, and editorial mentorship and support to develop and produce science-focused podcast episodes. Pre-tenure faculty at U.S. institutions who identify as a member of an underrepresented racial and/or ethnic group are encouraged to apply by September 23, 2024. To learn more about the program and to apply, visit SciCommIdentities.org.

NIFA Now Recruiting for 2025 National 4-H Conference Leaders

NIFA is accepting leadership applications submissions for the 2025 National 4-H Conference. This conference would not be possible without the Youth Leadership Team, Collegiate Facilitators, and Adult Advisors.

Learn more about the 2025 National 4-H Conference and how to apply for a leadership role. Leadership Interest Form Part A and a resume must be submitted to National4-Hconference@usda.gov using subject line “National 4-H Conference Leadership Interest,” and in the cc line include the State 4-H Program Leader/contact for the Land-grant University you plan to represent. Interest forms are due by 11:59 P.M. EDT Wednesday, September 4.


USDA Appoints New Members to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

USDA announced the appointment of 20 new members to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. This committee is part of USDA’s support for equitable access to USDA’s services and programs and creating more market opportunities for local and regional production. New members include Denis Ebodaghe, long-time NIFA National Program Leader; E'licia Chaverest, Alabama A&M; Greg Goins, North Carolina A&T; and Jon LaPorte, Michigan State.

Committee members represent ranching and farming producers, related state and Tribal agricultural entities, academic institutions, commercial banking entities, trade associations, and related nonprofit enterprises. All committee members have previously demonstrated the ability to serve on behalf of new and beginning farmers, minorities, women and persons with disabilities, and to represent small establishments and geographic diversity.


OneOp Launches 2024 Military Family Readiness Academy to Enhance Economic Security for Military Families

OneOp is a virtual professional development platform for service providers who serve military families. Programming is created in collaboration with subject matter experts from the Defense Department (DoD) and land-grant universities spanning a wide variety of family subject areas. OneOp is proud to announce the 2024 Military Family Readiness Academy (MFRA), a series that includes an online course, webinars, and engagement opportunities focused on nurturing the economic well-being of military service members, spouses, and their families. The Academy launched this month with free professional development resources available to military service providers nationwide. To learn more and register for the 2024 Military Family Readiness Academy, visit https://oneop.org/mfra.

Read more about the appointments and the role of the advisory committee.

Vice President meets with 4-H’ers, Leveraging Extension & University Engagement, Washington Update from Lewis Burke, Time is Running Out: NEDA Registration Reminder

Recently, the White House invited 4-H’ers to join Vice President Kamala Harris on the tarmac of Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield, MA for an official visit. A group of 33 Massachusetts 4-H youth and volunteers, proudly represented the 4-H community, receiving gratitude and encouragement from the Vice President. This recognition highlights the importance of 4-H in nurturing future leaders and fostering a strong, vibrant America.

This opportunity was made possible by the leadership of Dr. Bill Miller, Massachusetts Extension Director, Meaghan McDermott, Massachusetts 4-H State Program Leader, and the support of National 4-H Council.



Leveraging Extension and University Engagement: Developing and Implementing Novel Projects Using Transdisciplinary Approaches

September 9, 2024 | 1:00pm ET | Virtual

You're invited to a webinar series highlighting opportunities and challenges of transdisciplinary approaches within agricultural research. Presented by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the National Agricultural Library, the seminar series will examine strategies for implementing transdisciplinary approaches, team-building and overcoming challenges to encourage the adoption of and training in transdisciplinary systems.

Speakers:

Marshall Stewart (Moderator)
Kansas State University
Senior Vice President for Executive Affairs, University Engagement and Partnerships, and Chief of Staff

Chancellor Robert Jones
University of Illinois
Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Wendy Powers
Washington State University
Dean, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

Jay Akridge
Purdue University
Trustee Chair in Teaching and Learning Excellence and Professor of Agricultural Economics

See more information and register here.



Washington Update from Lewis-Burke 

The most recent update from Lewis-Burke provides states of play for both Farm Bill and FY 2025 appropriations as well as simple messages to use when engaging with your delegation. As always, we strongly encourage you to connect with your campus’s government relations office to coordinate any meetings, visits, or other events that might involve your delegation. Thank you for all your efforts, it is making a difference!

Time is Running Out: NEDA Registration Reminder

Time is running out to register for the National Extension Director and Administrator's Conference. While the deadline is technically August 29th, if you wait until after this week, your access to the River Cruise and hotel options will be limited. Go to neda.extension.org today to register.

National Land-Grant Impacts Database Webinar, Morrill Lecture Nominations, NASS Watersheds Report

On August 2nd, Incoming ECOP Chair Vonda Richardson hosted a team to present an update on the National Land-Grant Impacts Database (NIDB). NIDB is the nation’s most extensive repository of the land-grant system’s collective impacts statements in research, education, and Extension. It serves as a comprehensive and important resource for the land-grant system to tell their stories. 


Nominations Now Being Accepted for Morrill Lecture: Each year, NIFA joins with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) to sponsor a lecture presented at the APLU Annual Meeting. The lecture honors one of the three most important historical figures of the Land-grant University System: William Henry Hatch for research; Seaman A. Knapp for Extension; and Justin Smith Morrill for whom the Morrill Act, which created the Land-grant University System, is named.

NIFA and APLU are seeking nominations to honor Justin Smith Morrill - the U.S. Senator primarily responsible for enactment of the historic legislation establishing the Land-grant University System. The Justin Smith Morrill Memorial Lectureship is awarded to honor outstanding contemporary leadership in teaching and significant contributions as an educator. Nominations will be accepted by August 23. Learn more about the Morrill Lecture and how to submit a nomination.

NASS releases 2022 Census of Agriculture Watersheds Report: USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released recently the Watersheds report, which provides data that supplements the 2022 Census of Agriculture, Volume 1. Watersheds is the first of six Subject Series reports to be released for this Census of Agriculture. The Watersheds report breaks down select ag census data – including farms, land in farms, land use and practices, fertilizer and chemical use, and select commodities – by the 6-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (watershed) boundaries, providing data users yet another way to review and compare ag census information.

The type of data provided in the Watersheds report can be used by researchers, community organizations, policymakers and producers to help assess the impact or potential impact of agriculture on the environment and surrounding bodies of water. The data can help inform decisions about government programs and grants and policies affecting producers, communities, and the agriculture industry. Read more and access the full report.

JCEP Announces Dates, Locations for 2025 Conferences

The Joint Commission of Extension Professionals (JCEP) provides learning opportunities for Extension professionals. Please mark calendars and/or share information for the 2025 conferences. Details will be posted at www.jcep.org. 

• Extension Leadership Conference (ELC) will be held February 19-20, 2025 in Savannah, GA.
  
  
• Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) will be held April 7-9, 2025 in Arlington, VA, with April 9 reserved for Hill visits.

Environmental Justice Listening Session Set for August 20 - NIFA is holding a listening session Tuesday, August 20 at 3:00 p.m. ET to receive input on potential agency actions related to environmental justice. Input and insights collected through this session will be used to strengthen NIFA’s program delivery. Read more here about the listening session and how to register here.

The Federal Appropriations Ask for FY2026 In Process

In a recent series of meetings, the ECOP approved the ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee's recommendation for the Board on Agriculture Assembly's Unified Ask for Appropriations (capacity funding) for Fiscal Year 2026. The following is a summary of the 4 Extension lines of the Unified Ask that was put forward to the BAA Policy Board of of Director's sub-committee on Budget and Advocacy for consideration and approval. To see the complete list of 13 lines, review the FY2025 Budget here.

NEDA Meeting Reminder - Challenges and Opportunities of Integrating Extension into the Land-grant University Learning Ecosystem - On Wednesday, September 18 during the National Extension Directors and Administrators (NEDA) meeting in Louisville, a panel of experts will delve into a case study on microcredentials. An increasing number of higher education institutions are offering nondegree credentials to expand educational opportunities to working adults. Increasingly, employers want their employees to upskill and reskill through microcredential programs. The panel will present the issues and variability across the system regarding the integration of Extension into Land-grant University learning ecosystems that must be addressed. The goal of the session is to initiate a system-wide discussion that will lead to better integration of Extension in university learning ecosystems. Go to neda.extension.org today to check out all of the sessions for the 2024 NEDA meeting, and to register and book a hotel room by August 26 to avoid paying higher rates.

Extension AFRI Commodity Board Co-funding Topic: Pork (A1811) - The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative offers commodity board co-funded awards. For the first time, there is one that is completely Extension oriented. The goal is to educate Extension agents, health professionals and community leaders on: 1) the role of fresh lean meats, such as pork, in averting nutritional deficiencies and promoting optimal health while adhering to dietary guidelines; 2) the economic advantages associated with accessible low-cost animal protein choices; and 3) availability of environmentally-friendly animal source protein options, such as pork. a. Projects covering this commodity board topic must not exceed $300,000 total per project for extension projects (including indirect costs) for project periods of two to three years. Search for A1811.

AFRI Animal Systems Technical Assistance Webinar Recording Now Available - The Agriculture Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is the flagship funding program for NIFA. In this recorded webinar, you will learn more about the Animal Systems Division programs within the AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Request For Applications (RFA). Information covered includes RFA due dates, program priorities, eligibility and application details.

4-H Congress Board of Advisors News

  

Last month, the ECOP Executive Committee affirmed the recommendation by the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee to appoint Jeffrey Hyde, Associate Dean College of Agricultural Sciences and Director of Penn State Extension, (pictured above/right) as the Cooperative Extension Section/ECOP representative to the 4-H Congress Board of Advisors. ECOP Chair Damona Doye, Oklahoma State University, states, "ECOP is grateful to Jeff for accepting this role and to Gregg Hadley, Kansas State University, (pictured above left) for his dedication to same since his appointment in 2019. ECOP appreciates Gregg’s leadership and service in this role to help elevate the 4-H program and looks forward to Jeff’s contributions."

New EDA Team Member Announced - The Association of Southern Region Extension Directors have chosen Rich Bonanno (pictured left/above) as that organization’s newest Executive Director, effective September 1, 2024. Rich will succeed Ron Brown, who will continue on limited duty until Rich’s onboarding. Click Here to learn more about the national responsibilities of the Executive Directors and Administrator Team (EDA Team) in support of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) and Cooperative Extension Section. 




Latest from the Journal of Extension - Cooperative Extension’s own scholarly Journal of Extension, has a new issue. Featured articles found in Volume 62, Issue 1 are:

What Do Extension and Public Health Educators Need to Address Substance Misuse?

How to Build Community Networks and Resources Necessary for a Successful 4-H Program

Exploring Land-grant Institution Partnerships to Better Serve Audiences

South Carolina Master Naturalist Program Evaluation: A Mixed Methods Approach

Check out the scholarly contributions from (State Abbreviation - Institution):

CA - University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and Cooperative Extension,

CT - University of Connecticut,

FL - Florida A&M University, and University of Florida (2 & 3),

IA - Iowa State University,

LA - Louisiana State University,

MO - University of Missouri (2, 3 & 4),

MS - Auburn University,

NC - North Carolina State University,

SC - Clemson University,

TN - University of Tennessee (2),

VT - University of Vermont,

WA - Washington State University, and

WV - West Virginia University.

USDA Announces Opportunity for Three Additional Nutrition Hubs - On July 11, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of $4.5 million in funding to establish three additional USDA Nutrition Hubs in communities across the country. The new Nutrition Hubs will provide tailored and scalable approaches to equitably advance food and nutrition security and help prevent diet-related chronic diseases, especially in historically underserved communities. The additional Hubs will create a network that builds on the work of the pilot Nutrition Hub established last year in partnership with Southern University and A&M College under USDA’s Agricultural Science Center of Excellence for Nutrition and Diet for Better Health (ASCEND for Better Health) initiative. Applications for this new competitive award program are being accepted through October 3, 2024. The complete Request for Applications, including eligibility information, is available online.

National Office Staffing Update - Sandy Ruble is retiring in early August after serving the Cooperative Extension System and the ECOP for the past 10 years. Sandy started at APLU in 2014 by providing administrative support to the National Office Executive Director. She quickly progressed to Program Assistant and then to Assistant Director by taking more initiative for key roles and strategic communications. Sandy enjoyed devoting herself to the technical integrity of Cooperative Extension Section/ECOP’s member-driven communications and activities. Her efforts helped new and emerging leaders with seamless transitions into national roles in a complex system. As Sandy winds down her 42-year career, she will spend more time volunteering, visiting with family and friends, and traveling. 

Cooperative Extension System Climate Action Plan

With support from USDA-NIFA, the Extension Foundation has released a climate action plan white paper that outlines innovative solutions uniquely tailored to combat the climate crisis. This work was the result of a NIFA-supported convening that took place in early 2024 in Tucson, where national Extension leaders gathered to accelerate climate-related applied research and programming and elevate Extension’s contribution to climate resiliency, mitigation and adaptation efforts.

The recently released white paper builds on NIFA-supported work undertaken by researchers at Colorado State University to produce a National Climate Change Roadmap that provides a science agenda to help inform the next decade of research.




Agri-Pulse Webinar: What Happens When Animal Diseases Cross Boundaries? - Since the bird flu was first reported in dairy cows on March 25, farmers and ranchers have been looking for more ways to protect their animals and understand the spread of the virus. Agri-Pulse will host a webinar on July 11, 2024 at 1 p.m. ET that is focused on what can be done to protect against highly pathogenic avian influenza and other zoonotic diseases that have the potential to disrupt not only our food supply but the entire agriculture economy.

During this webinar, Agri-Pulse will discuss how federal policies like the farm bill’s National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank and vaccine research being done by the USDA are critical to protecting livestock and safeguarding the world’s food supply both now and into the future.
This virtual event is free, courtesy of Boehringer Ingelheim, which is the webinar sponsor. Sign up and review the list of distinguished speakers for the webinar here.




Surgeon General Declares Firearm Violence a Public Health Crisis - The U.S. Surgeon General has declared firearm violence to be a public health crisis through an advisory issued on June 25. A Surgeon General’s Advisory is a public statement that calls the American people’s attention to an urgent public health issue. Advisories are reserved for significant public health challenges that require the nation’s immediate awareness and action. According to the report "this Advisory describes the public health crisis of firearm violence in America and describes strategies for firearm injury and violence prevention, with a focus on the health and well-being of children, families, and communities.” Read the full advisory here.




USDA Expands Insurance Options for Specialty and Organic Growers - The USDA is expanding crop insurance options for specialty and organic growers beginning with the 2025 crop year. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is expanding coverage options by allowing enterprise units by organic farming practice, adding enterprise unit eligibility for several crops, and making additional policy updates. This is the first of several announcements this summer, which will include the expansion of the shellfish policy in the Northeast and new coverage for grape growers in the West and beyond. These expansions and other improvements build on other recent RMA efforts to better serve specialty crop producers and reach a broader group of producers.

Note: Due to Independence Day holiday celebrations, the ECOP Monday Minute

will be on hiatus until July 15, 2024. Stay safe!

New Funding Opportunity: Adult Immunization Integration Projects with EXCITE

There is a new funding opportunity through the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE) for further integrating immunization education awareness and messaging across various projects and programs within Extension. This initiative is a step toward building a holistic health approach with Extension Programming. This is available for any program area across Cooperative Extension. There are two separate RFA's. One is for $125,000, and the other is for $40,000. The details can be found at: https://extension.org/2024/06/14/new-funding-opportunity-adult-immunization-integration-projects-with-excite. Application Deadline is August 7, 2024.

EDEN Annual Conference Early Bird Registration Ends June 30 -The 2024 Extension Disaster Education Network EDEN Conference is fast approaching and will be held October 22 – 25, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Speakers will include Extension educators, federal and state leaders, and subject matter experts from across the nation. Topics discussed include emergency planning, preparedness, response, recovery and resilience. An optional pre-tour will explore Utah’s unique landmarks and an optional post-conference professional development tabletop exercise will focus on coping with an extreme flooding event. Please share the information especially with EDEN delegates that early bird registration rates are available until June 30. Rates increase incrementally on July 1, September 1, and October 16.

USDA Releases Updated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan: Biden-Harris Administration expands agency efforts to ensure operations are increasingly resilient to climate change impacts - On June 20, the USDA joined more than 20 federal agencies to release its updated Climate Adaptation Plan and expand the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to ensure federal operations are increasingly resilient to climate change impacts. The updated adaptation plans advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Climate Resilience Framework, which helps to align climate resilience investments across the public and private sector through common principles and opportunities for action to build a climate resilient nation.

About the ECOP Monday Minute - This week, the ECOP Monday Minute begins its twelfth year! The purpose of the weekly is to provide clear, consistent communications to the members of Board on Agriculture Assembly Cooperative Extension Section (CES). The quick-read content elevates member-driven opportunities to enhance resources, relationships and recognition for the Cooperative Extension System nationally. The weekly click-through email messages appeal to the work of Cooperative Extension Directors and Administrators in the USA underpinned by the CES/ECOP Strategic Directions. Be sure to check out the full version of the website and the powerful "search" tool in the upper right to browse by topic and sort by relevance or date! Contact Bill Hoffman for more information. 

Beyond Ready: Laying the foundation for lifelong success.

Dr. Robert J. Jones (pictured left/above), Chancellor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, will address Cooperative Extension Leaders from across the system on Tuesday, September 17 at the Annual National Extension Directors and Administrators (NEDA) Meeting neda.extension.org in Louisville, Kentucky. The keynote entitled Beyond Ready: Laying the foundation for lifelong success, will be presented during a dinner hosted by National 4-H Council and the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee. 

There are several other informative and leadership enrichment sessions to look forward to at this year's NEDA meeting themed Innovations & Disruptions: Strategies for Success. Register here by August 26, 2024 and save!

Secretary Vilsack Announces USDA and FFAR Innovation Challenge to Catalyze Agricultural Solutions - On June 11, the USDA and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) launched a global challenge to advance scientific research that will produce major breakthroughs for nutrition security while mitigating climate change impacts and advancing equity for underserved communities. The Nourishing Next Generation Agrifood Breakthroughs (Innovation Challenge) funding opportunity will fund transdisciplinary teams led by early-career scientists (those who have received a Ph.D. within the past ten years) to catalyze new discoveries and mobilize transformative research that simultaneously tackle our most important societal challenges. Applications found here are due Monday, July 29, 2024.



FY 2025 Appropriations: House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture/FDA Markup Advances FY 2025 Bill - On June 11, the House Appropriations Agriculture/FDA Subcommittee held its markup for its fiscal year (FY) 2025 appropriations bill and advanced it to the full Committee on a party line vote. The bill text has been released along with accompanying summaries from both Republicans and Democrats. The markup devotes $1,714,850 to NIFA for FY 2025, $5M lower than FY 2024. The integrated category, which contains the Crop Protection and Pest Management line item, is flat funded. No line-by-line analysis is available, as of this writing.



Funding Opportunity from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service - USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service has announced a funding opportunity to support technical assistance to enhance the capacity of women farmers to participate in school meals value chains in one or two of the following three African countries: Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. This opportunity is available to state cooperative institutions or other colleges and universities in the United States, as defined at 7 USC 3103. It is intended to enhance African women farmers’ capacity to participate in school meals value chains, through agricultural education following a Home Grown School Feeding program approach. For more information on this funding opportunity including application procedures, visit the funding notice on Grants.gov. Application deadline is August 9.

The National Office is closed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 as APLU commemorates the Juneteeth Federal Holiday. The USDA AgLearn website makes available several resources about the historic, cultural celebration.  

Artificial Intelligence in Cooperative Extension

On June 7, 2024, Extension Directors from across the System joined ECOP Chair Damona Doye (Oklahoma State University) and her special guest David Warren, Senior Director Integrated Digital Strategies at Oklahoma State University, and AI Program Leader at the Extension Foundation. Dr. Doye updated the delegation on several important Section-related Action Plan objectives. Then, Members were introduced to basic understanding of AI and to the dynamic ExtensionBot that has been piloted in several states. Slides to accompany the follow 1-hour YouTube Recording posted below are available here. David will also facilitate a deeper dive into this topic at the 2024 NEDA Meeting. Proceed to learn more and register for the NEDA meeting here by August 26. The next First Friday event will not take place until August 2, 3-4:00 p.m. ET. 

JCEP seeking Administrator input on Hill Visits - The Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) is gathering information about Hill Visits associated with the Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) conference, to assess the value of those experiences. Response to this form by June 30, 2024,will help the JCEP Board form future activities and opportunities for our member Associations. Please take a couple of minutes to provide input. The ECOP members who have already submitted their own input during the Spring Meeting in Oklahoma City, are asked to share the form with others with PILD conference experience. 




Webinar Exploring Linkages Between Soil Health and Human Health -The National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine will be releasing their report entitled Exploring Linkages Between Soil Health and Human Health next Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Members of the study committee will be sharing where to locate the report and present key takeaways and recommendations. The audience will be able to submit questions during the webinar. Register for the webinar here.




USDA Publishes Request for Information to Support Next Steps in Implementing the Growing Climate Solutions Act - USDA is seeking information from the public on protocols that may be considered for inclusion in a new Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program, the main program of the Growing Climate Solutions Act. The input is being collected through a Request for Information and will be considered in the preparation of a proposed rule to establish the program. Read more here, about how to provide feedback here.




USDA Announces Expansion of Interagency Collaboration to Help Reduce Food Loss and Waste - USDA has signed a formal agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to renew their Federal Interagency Collaboration to Reduce Food Loss and Waste. The U.S. Agency for International Development also joined the collaboration to help reduce food loss and waste internationally. Read more here, about USDA food loss and waste reduction efforts, which includes a $10M partnership with National 4-H Council.

2024 NEDA Registration

Last week, members of the Cooperative Extension Section and partners received an invitation to the 2024 National Extension Directors and Administrators (NEDA) meeting. The NEDA Meeting is September 17-19, 2024. The meeting is organized by the ECOP and will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Louisville Downtown, located at 501 South Fourth St., Louisville, KY 40202. The theme of this year's meeting is "Innovations and Disruptions: Strategies for Success." Check out the registration website with links to Hotel & Transportation, Information, Fees and Policies, the River Excursion, and FAQs. Take action by August 26 and save on fees!

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education Program Development Team (SNAP-Ed) Report - The Land-Grant University SNAP-Ed Program Development Team (PDT) convened in Las Vegas, NV, April 23-25 to meet with federal partners, hear updates from Western Region SNAP-Ed programs, review Farm Bill talking points, update strategic plan implementation, and develop action steps for the upcoming year. Work is conducted through monthly conference calls, subcommittee work, and an annual face-to-face meeting. This year, a particular focus was building and maintaining relationships within the LGU system and with state and federal partners and advocating for LGU SNAP-Ed Programs with legislators and government affairs liaisons. Check out the highly informative  complete report.




WIC National Workforce Strategy Grants - In support of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Workforce National Strategy, USDA NIFA has published two new funding opportunities open now to eligible applicants. 

• The WIC Workforce Development Implementation Projects grant program, funded at approximately $19,365,790, seeks projects that will increase the diversity and cultural competency of the WIC workforce and address barriers to recruitment and retention of WIC staff. Projects will develop outreach plans for engaging with WIC State and local agencies, Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and territories, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority Serving Institutes (MSIs) and/or underserved communities. Applications are due July 1, and there is a technical assistance webinar for applicants tomorrow, June 6, 2024, 3:00 PM ET.
  
  
• A second funding opportunity is available for a WIC Workforce Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center Cooperative Agreement. The amount available is approximately $10 million for a Cooperative Agreement for a center to provide technical assistance and evaluation oversight to implementation projects that are funded to respond to the National Strategy. Applications are due July 1 and there is a technical assistance webinar, for applicants today, June 3, 3:00 PM.

NAAAN Connection Opportunity – National Climate Change Roadmap - The North American Agricultural Advisory Network North American Agricultural Advisory Network (NAAAN) Connect community receives regular invitations to a series of events called, The Conversation. The next event is June 13, 2024, Noon-1:00 PM ET, when NAAAN will converse with the two scientists behind USDA's 2023 resource entitled National Climate Change Roadmap: a research framework for U.S. agriculture, forestry and working lands. Click here to learn more and to register. The NAAAN promotes engagement among Canadian, Mexican, and U.S. agricultural and rural development advisory services and their counterparts worldwide – three countries, one agricultural partnership.

Andy Turner Joins ECOP

The Association of Northeast Extension Directors (NEED) has selected Andy Turner (pictured above/left), Ed.D., Associate Dean and Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension, to serve ECOP for a term ending in the fall of 2025. Turner, who also joins the ECOP Professional Development Committee, began his term as Associate Dean and Director of Extension at Cornell in December 2023. He leads a team of thirty-four in Extension Administration at Cornell and provides leadership for Cornell Cooperative Extension, one of the largest and most decentralized Extension systems in the USA. Prior to this appointment, Andy served as the New York State 4-H Program Leader (2014 - 2023) and has 35 years of experience in Extension overall. He attended Cornell as an undergraduate and graduate student and holds a Doctorate in Education from St. John Fisher College, developing a study that examined disruptive innovation and change leadership in Extension. Andy has provided leadership for change and evolution in Extension as Co-Chair of the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee (2017 - 2021), and Co-Chair of the former ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion design team. Welcome, Andy Turner!

New NIFA Extension Master Gardener Impact Update - For over 50 years, the Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) program has been training volunteers across the nation who have a passion for horticulture and assisting with gardening education in their community. Today, EMG programs are established in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This work is supported in part by the USDA-NIFA’s capacity funding. Read more in a recent write-up about the program, which features capacity funding’s role.

2024 Urban Food Systems Symposium - The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) hosts the 2024 Urban Food Systems Symposium in Columbus, Ohio on June 11-13. The event includes keynotes, a grower panel, 40 presentations, a reception with more than 30 posters, a choice of off-site educational tours, and dinner at The Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory, a unique 261-acre university facility for teaching, research, and community engagement. Registration prices increase on May 25 and hotel reservations close May 21.

USDA-NIFA Annual Report Highlights Programs and Projects - USDA-NIFA provides leadership and funding for innovative programs that feed people and fuel progress advancing agricultural sciences. It was created to spur scientific innovation, education and Extension programs enhancing the work carried out by colleges and universities across the USA. NIFA’s investments play a critical role in inspiring innovations and providing the crucial funding needed to pursue those innovations. Read more about NIFA’s work across six broad topic areas in the FY2023 Annual Report. This year’s Annual Report highlights how the agency is funding collaborative projects that are delivering real solutions and making a difference in the lives of the people of the United States and the world.

The ECOP Monday Minute is on hiatus until June, 3, 2024. Wishing all a safe Memorial Day weekend.