NIFA Director Hamby Speaks at Successful PILD Conference

On April 7-9, the Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) conference was held in Chrystal City, VA. It was a great success. The new NIFA Director, Jaye Hamby, provided opening remarks. Among his many points, he indicated that “they could not have found a greater supporter of Cooperative Extension to serve as NIFA Director.” It was an excellent program that was well executed, which prepared Cooperative Extension Professionals to more impactfully interact with legislators and other public officials. 

A large part of 2025 PILD’s success is attributable to Joint Council of Extension Professionals President Phil Durst (Michigan State), PILD co-chair Daphnie Richards (Texas A&M), and Ali Mitchell (Northeast Extension Executive Director).

Lewis-Burke Washington Update Available  

APLU recently distributed its FANR FOCUS, which included a Lewis Burke Washington Update. Key points include: 

• Republicans Begin Negotiations on Reconciliation
• USDA Nominee Update
  
• HHS Reductions in Force (RIFs) with USDA RIFs to Follow

NIFA Staff at 2025 NERAOC

NIFA brought key staff to the annual National Extension and Research Administrative Officers Conference (NERAOC) held recently in Reno, NV. More than 500 participants attended the conference which provides a venue for professional development, information sharing and networking to state Cooperative Extension, agInnovation and USDA NIFA staff.

Through the opportunity to share and discuss information related to fiscal, grant (competitive and capacity), administrative, communications and human resources management, NERAOC participants gain important professional development.



HHS and USDA Hold First Public MAHA Event, Outline Vision for Healthier America

On April 4, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary (USDA) Brooke L. Rollins collaborated on their first Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) event during a visit to Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School in Alexandria, VA where they participated in a healthy snack time with students and met facility staff. The event was an opportunity to learn more about the impact that federally funded nutrition programs have on children and signaled their strong partnership to work together to effectuate their vision for a healthier America.

“Secretary Kennedy and I have a unique once in a generation opportunity to better align our vision on nutrition related programs to ensure we are working together to advance President Trump’s vision to make our kids, our families, and our communities healthy again,” said Secretary Rollins. “Our farmers, ranchers, and producers dedicate their lives to growing the safest most abundant food supply in the world and we need to make sure our kids and families are consuming the healthiest food we produce. There is a chronic health problem in our country, and American agriculture is at the core of the solution.”

2025 Borlaug CAST Communications Award: Celebrating Excellence in Agricultural Communication

The Borlaug CAST Communication Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes individuals whose dedication to advancing and promoting agricultural science echoes the transformative legacies of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug and Dr. Charles A. Black. Dr. Borlaug—revered as “The Man Who Fed the World”—authored CAST’s first publication in 1973, while Dr. Black served as CAST’s first President, first Executive Vice President, and a founding committee member. Their shared vision for innovative research, effective communication, and global food security lives on through this award.

Nominations are due no later than May 1, 2025. The Borlaug CAST Communication Award celebrates those who:

• Are actively engaged in agricultural or food production science and technology.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting agriculture through research, teaching, extension, or public outreach.
• Have made significant contributions to their field or discipline.
• Are passionate about conveying the importance of agriculture and food production to policymakers, media, and the public.
• Exhibit exceptional communication skills, showcased by written publications, public presentations, and effective use of media platforms.

USDA RFAs Begin to Appear

While none of these RFAs are offered by our main funding partner, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), announcements about at least five USDA requests for applications were made last week. Four were Foreign Agricultural Service and associated with trade: Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC), and Emerging Markets Program (EMP). The fifth RFA, announced by NIFA, is an APHIS program related to Avian Influenza.



4‑H Full Page Ad in USA Today's Special Agriculture Edition

For National Agriculture Week in March, a 4‑H Beyond Ready full‑page ad (pages 82‑84) was included in the USA Today's Agriculture Special Edition! It's the ultimate resource for farmers, growers, ranchers, and anyone engaged in agriculture. Our full‑page ad promotes our Beyond Ready theme, "How It Started ‑ How It's Going."