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.

Dobbins Returns to ECOP

The ASRED has named Tom Dobbins (pictured left), Associate Dean of Outreach and Engagement, and Director of Cooperative Extension, Clemson University, to complete a term on the ECOP and the Program Committee that ends later this year. Dr. Dobbins is experienced with the assignment as he served a full term from 2016 through 2019. His national service also includes appointments by ECOP as the Liaison to the Journal of Extension and the National Integrated Pest Management Coordinating Committee. To learn more, click here for his biography. Thank you, Dr. Dobbins!



Combatting Avian Influenza: A One Health Event - The current Avian Influenza crisis has impacted agriculture, wildlife, conservation, and public health and is a planetary issue. On May 16, 2024, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET, the University of California Davis’ Grand Challenges and the School of Veterinary Medicine is holding an emergency consultation aiming to inform policy and inspire coordinated action on combating Avian Influenza. Through a One Health approach the organizers of the event will develop a pathway for cross-sector collaboration in infectious disease preparedness and response efforts by virtually bringing together members of academic, government, and private sectors to engage with, discuss the current situation, and learn from our collective pandemic preparedness and response expertise. The link to register is found here.

Health Infrastructure Survey Infographic - Thanks to the Extension Foundation, the results of Cooperative Extension’s Health and Well-Being Infrastructure Survey have now been published in this easy-to-read, visually appealing infographic. The survey was conducted in the fall of 2023 to document changes that have occurred in the Cooperative Extension’s capacity to support health-related programming over the last five years. More specifically, the survey tracked increases in internal and external funding for health-related work, changes in structure and staffing, work with community coalitions, and the health health topics most frequently addressed through our work. The study was conducted by the Center for Community Health and Evaluation at Kaiser Permanente in Seattle with funding provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. For more information, contact Roger Rennekamp, Extension Health Director, at rogerrennekamp@extension.org.



USDA Seeks Members for Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production - According to a recent press release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. USDA will accept nominations until July 7, 2024. Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified individuals for membership, including self-nominations. The 12-member Committee, which first convened in March 2022, is part of USDA’s efforts to increase support for urban agriculture and innovative production. Members of the Committee provide input on policy development and help identify barriers to urban agriculture as USDA works to promote urban farming and the economic opportunities it provides in cities across the country. Membership composition is described here.

Political Landscape and Extramural Funding Programs

On May 3, 2024, ECOP hosted their monthly First Friday leadership enrichment session with members of the Cooperative Extension Section and 1994 Extension Directors. Political Landscape and Extramural Funding Program with Dr. Elizabeth Stulberg, Principal from Lewis-Burke Associates. Elizabeth offered a compelling explanation of USDA Budget process, who to talk to when, situational awareness of FY2025 federal budget and the farm bill, and valuable tips on advocacy. The slide presentation is available here. The following video is posted on ECOP's First Friday YouTube Playlist.

Remembering Ivory Lyles - Dr. Ivory W. Lyles (picture left) passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2024. He served as a voting member of ECOP 2006-2009, (University of Arkansas), and 2019-2024, (University of Nevada-Reno and Oregon State University). In all, he served on the ECOP Program Committee. Other national system leadership roles include:

   • Lead for the ECOP Workforce PAT

   • Co-chair of ECOP 4-H Youth Development Task Force, 2005-2006

   • Extension Foundation Finance Committee, 2008-2009

Donations in Dr. Lyles’ memory may be made to the Ivory and Paulette Lyles Endowed Scholarship Fund at Alcorn State University at this link by debit/credit card or e-check. To give via check or money, make payable to Alcorn State University Foundation, Inc. and include "Ivory and Paulette Lyles ESF" on the memo line of the check. 

Mail to:

Alcorn State University Foundation, Inc.

1000 ASU Drive #810

Lorman, MS 39096

Contact information - Casey C. Mock, Finance and Accounting Manager, Alcorn State University Foundation, Inc., 601-877-6693 (Office), casey@alcorn.edu.

SARE Food Loss and Food Waste Initiative - The Southern region SARE program is soliciting a national Call for Proposals for the Food Loss and Waste Training and Technical Assistance Grants. The purpose of this one-time grant opportunity is to implement outreach, training, and technical assistance efforts to build capacity for food loss and waste initiatives.

Application deadline is June 28, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET. Projects will span three (3) years, beginning on September 1, 2024. Roughly two (2) to four (4) projects, capped at $1 million per proposal with an expected grant size of $500,000, are anticipated to be funded per SARE region: Southern SARE, North Central SARE, Northeast SARE, and Western SARE, so that regional priorities to addressing food loss and waste can be augmented, while allowing for national coordination and impacts. A total of $8 million is being funded nationally for the CFP Food Loss and Waste Training and Technical Assistance Grants effort.




New Financial Module for NIFA Reporting System - The NIFA Reporting System (NRS) Financial Module was released on May 1. The link to the Guidance Webinar Recording is found here. and is described in this YouTube recording. This release will give NRS Financial Administrators the ability to add, edit and submit FY 2023 Financial Reports for Capacity Funds in NRS.

Users will now submit all financial reports required for capacity funds in NRS. Financial Administrators will download the financial report template and upload the completed file directly into NRS, importing all FY 2023 financial data. The financial report template is an easy-to-use Excel file with project/program data prepopulated for ease of use. This streamlined report will cross reference and validate financial reporting information and alert the institution of potential report errors.

The FY 2023 Financial Report for Capacity Funds will be due on July 1. All financial reports must be submitted in NRS. Direct questions or concerns to the NRS Help Desk at nrs@usda.gov.




Extension Discount for Points of Light Volunteer Conference - The global organization Points of Light, is offering discounted registration for a professional development opportunity for Extension Volunteer, Master Gardener, 4-H and other Specialists. The 2024 Points of Light Conference, June 11-14, 2024, in Houston is a unique chance to network with 1,500 peers and choose from 70 workshops focused on volunteer engagement and volunteer management best practices. Over 2-and-a-half days, attendees gain full access to compelling discussions around Jumpstarting Strategic Volunteer Engagement Through Self-Assessment and Asset Sharing; Managing Through Uncertainty for Volunteers, Staff and Communities; Rural Volunteer Engagement; Building volunteer persona strategies for individuals, companies, and donors; and more.

This global event is for volunteer management experts who are looking for new ideas and approaches for leveling up their volunteer program.

Points of Light is offering Extension professionals a 10% discount off the $750 nonprofit registration rate, utilizing the discount code 4HPOL.Please share Registration today to lock in this special rate.