Webinar on the National Impacts Database Available

On December 5, the ECOP Professional Development Committee sponsored a Learning for Leaders Session titled: Telling the Extension Story - making sure your institution is well represented in the National Impacts Database. The recording of the webinar is now available for asynchronous viewing.

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

As 2025 comes to a close, the BAA Communications and Marketing Committee request that each institution begin planning and finalizing their 2025 submissions.

In early 2026, a group of land-grant university communicators will review all 2025 submissions and create educational materials highlighting exemplary impact statements.

To be included for consideration in this team's efforts, please submit your statements by Thursday, January 15, 2026. Any statements received after this date will be considered for the 2027 materials.

New Farm Journal Foundation Report Outlines “The Mean Sixteen” 

A new Farm Journal Foundation Report was released last week: THE MEAN SIXTEEN – Major Biosecurity Threats Facing U.S. Agriculture and How Policy Solutions Can Help (By Dr. Stephanie Mercier). The threats include threats to livestock, aquaculture, row crops, and horticulture crops. In addition to the Mean Sixteen, the report also list dozens of “Dishonorable Mentions” and calls for greater investment in public research and development, including education for Cooperative Extension Agents.

Extension Foundation Releases National AI Report Highlighting Systemwide Priorities for Cooperative Extension and agInnovation 

The Extension Foundation has released the 2025 National AI Report, presenting a comprehensive picture of how Cooperative Extension and agInnovation leaders across the Land-grant system are preparing for artificial intelligence. The report synthesizes a national landscape assessment, virtual focus groups, and an in-person convening in 2025, engaging leaders across the Land-grant system. 

Read more.

Growing Together: Conversations with CEOs 

APLU’s Board of Agriculture’s interview series “Growing Together: Conversations with CEOs” showcases Presidents and CEOs of national agricultural associations, commodity groups, and other organizations and explores their powerful synergies with land-grant universities.

Adam Putnam, Chief Executive Officer, Ducks Unlimited

Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam is a fifth-generation Floridian and a graduate of the University of Florida where he obtained a bachelor's degree in food and resource economics. He has also been awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and served as a Rodel Fellow at the Aspen Institute. In 2010, he was the E.T. York Distinguished Lecturer at the University of Florida. Putnam and his wife of 20 years, Melissa, reside in Memphis, Tenn. with their four children.

He is a hunter, angler, conservationist, and third-generation farmer who owns Putnam Groves Inc. Putnam Groves is a family owned and operated citrus farm and cattle ranch located in Central Florida.

“I consider myself to be a land grant baby – I was a 10-year 4-H'er, grew up on a family farm, got a degree from the University of Florida, and truly benefited from all three legs of the stool - teaching, research, and Extension. I truly believe the U.S. land grant model should be replicated around the world.”  - Adam Putnam 

Read the full interview.

National Impacts Database (NIDB) Call for Submissions

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

As 2025 comes to a close, we request that each institution begin planning and finalizing their 2025 submissions. 

In early 2026, a group of land-grant university communicators will review all 2025 submissions and create educational materials highlighting exemplary impact statements. 

To be included for consideration in this team's efforts, please submit your statements by Thursday, January 15, 2026. Any statements received after this date will be considered for the 2027 materials.

Please see these resources for inputters:

• 2025 Inputter Training Presentation | Recording
• Impact Writing Resources
• 2025 Priority Topic Areas
• Full Call for Submissions

Please contact Kim Scotto at agcomms@aplu.org with questions or authorized inputter update requests.

APLU Food Systems Leadership Award Nominations Open

The Association for Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Food Systems annually recognizes a leader who has made an extraordinary impact on the food system through leadership and service and who exemplifies the core principles established by the Food Systems Leadership Institute (FSLI), including personal leadership, organizational leadership, and food systems leadership. The award also recognizes the leadership, innovation, engagement, and service that APLU promotes through its programs.

The APLU Food Systems Leadership Award will be presented at the APLU Annual Meeting held in November. The recipient will be invited to address the current cohort of FSLI Fellows during one of the webinar sessions.

The criteria for the award, the directions for submitting it, and the nomination form can be found on the FSLI website here. To get a sense of the caliber of the person who would be competitive for this award, you can visit the FSLI website.

The deadline for submittal is February 27, 2026.

Please don't hesitate to contact Dr. Sarah Kotzian, FSLI Program Manager, with any questions. Sarah can be reached by email at sarah_kotzian@ncsu.edu.

Dates Set for CARET & JCEP/PILD Meetings

The dates for two spring annual Washington, DC based meetings have been set.

Council for Agriculture Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET)/BAA Washington Conference: February 22-25, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Washington DC

Joint Council of Extension Professionals Public (JCEP) Issues Leadership Development (PILD) Conference: April 20-22, Bethesda, MD. 

USDA Ag Outlook Forum is requesting exhibitors, one page proposal due December 5

Do you have an Innovation that you want to feature at the next Agricultural Outlook Forum?

Does it benefit farmers, or directly impact consumers?

The breadth and timeliness of the Ag Outlook Forum’s programs have consistently drawn a diverse group of farmers and ranchers, food and ag industry representatives, policymakers, government officials and non-governmental organizations. Each year, over 1,700 people attend the Forum in person and thousands more online from all over the U.S. and around the world.

One page proposal should include:

• A description of the innovation
• Describe how the innovation links to the USDA mission of maximizing and promoting American agriculture, en-suring a safe, nutritious and secure food supply, enhancing rural prosperity, and protecting our National Forests
• Description of items brought for display
• to fit on a table or within a 6ft x 5ft space
• Link to USDA – How was the research funded or conducted by USDA Scientists?
• Current and projected impact

Submissions are due by December 5, 2025, via email to Melanie.Abley@usda.gov

Cox Delivers Hatch Lecture

Yesterday, at the APLU Annual meeting in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Nancy Cox delivered the Hatch Memorial Lecture titled: The Hatch Act of 1887 - Central to a Robust System Facing Challenges to its Relevance. 

Nancy Cox is a well-respected leader in agriculture research and education and across the industry. This honor recognizes her continuing vision for the future of ag innovation and discovery to serve the people, improve agriculture and enhance the lives and livelihoods of American Farmers. 

Dr. Cox joined the University of Kentucky as the associate dean of research for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment from Mississippi State University. She became dean in 2014 and in 2020, Cox was named Kentucky's first vice President for Land-grant engagement. As vice president, she initiated a process to consider how the university extends the ethos of Land-grant service and mission throughout every corner of the campus community. 

New USDA Study Projects Strong Job Opportunities in Food, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources, and Environmental Sectors 

A new United States Department of Agriculture-funded study undertaken by Purdue University projects that employment opportunities will remain strong for new college graduates with interest and expertise in the food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and environmental sectors (FARNRE). The report forecasts an average of over 104,00 FARNRE job openings annually between 2025 – 2030 for individuals with college degrees. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture supported the research.

Public agricultural schools exist in every U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia, forming a robust network through the Land-grant University system that collectively offers unparalleled educational opportunities. The system was established by landmark legislation in 1862, 1890, and 1994 and includes state flagship institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and tribal colleges. Land-grant universities are uniquely positioned and prepared to collaborate closely with USDA NIFA to attract, educate, and graduate the skilled professionals needed to meet the demands of tomorrow’s workforce, ensuring the U.S. remains a global leader in agricultural innovation and sustainability. 

National Urban Extension Conference (NUEC) in Detroit, Michigan

We invite you to attend the 2026 National Urban Extension Conference, “Driving Innovation Ahead,” in Detroit, MI from May 11-14, 2026. NUEC unites Extension staff to share research and educational strategies that support urban and suburban populations, as well as urban-rural interdependencies. Conference highlights include keynote addresses, educational workshops, poster sessions, and Workshops on the Move. Workshop proposals are now being collected, and registration information will be released soon. Visit canr.msu.edu/nuec for updates.

North American Agricultural Advisory Network & APLU Webinar November 5

Join us on Wednesday, November 5th from 10-11 a.m. MST for the CONVERSATION on NAAAN CONNECT with the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities(APLU). The association represents more than 250 universities and affiliated organizations across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This CONVERSATION will focus on the cross-border efforts of APLU and invite a discussion around new opportunities for collaboration in agricultural extension and rural advisory services for strengthened food security. 

Featured speakers include Waded Cruzado, President of APLU, and Doug Steele, Vice President of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources at APLU.

NASS to release key reports despite shutdown

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will release key data in November for the following reports:

• Milk Production – November 10, 2025 (previously scheduled for October 22, 2025)
• Crop Production – November 14, 2025 (previously scheduled for November 10, 2025)
• Cattle on Feed – November 21, 2025 (as previously scheduled)
• Milk Production – November 21, 2025 (as previously scheduled)
• The World Agricultural Outlook Board will release the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) in conjunction with the Crop Production release on November 14th.

Keystone Policy Center RFP – Due November 15

Keystone Policy Center has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on enhancing agricultural technical assistance (TA) to achieve conservation outcomes and efficiencies. The RFP deadline is November 15, and the anticipated award size is $30,000. The group is looking for a research team to identify the appropriate tools, new technologies, as well as potential opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance TA delivery.  The selected research team will:

• Identify key technology and data challenges that impact TA delivery

• Conduct a landscape analysis of AI applications relevant to conservation TA

• Conduct a landscape analysis of technology and data applications that can streamline delivery

• Engage with Keystone’s working group to refine research questions and share interim findings

• Develop a draft white paper that includes the following: streamlining technical aspects of TA delivery, data access and compatibility, information access for producers, AI tools for producer use, risks/tradeoffs, and potential pilots