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.