Extension Foundation’s Karl Bradley to Keynote at Seattle NEDA Meeting

Navigating Uncertainty will be the keynote address at the National Extension Directors and Administrators meeting in Seattle, Washington, delivered by Karl Bradley. Karl connects with people through many roles—as a teacher, musician, football coach, yoga instructor, veteran, and leadership junkie. Originally from Branson, Missouri, Karl holds a bachelor’s in education from Arizona State University and a master’s in education from The University of Northern Colorado. Over his career, he has led teams ranging from 5 to 250 and held leadership positions in public relations, operations, fundraising, finance, human resources, corporate training, and procurement. He joined the Extension Foundation in 2020.

Register for the National Extension Director and Administrators meeting here. 

Making a Difference 4-H'ers Create Quilts for Display in Washington, D.C.

Young people in 4-H from Alaska, New Jersey, Utah and West Virginia collaborated with nationally known textile artist Susie Brandt to create two quilts. Brandt assembled quilt blocks made by the youths into large, finished pieces, now displayed at the American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. The quilts are part of the “4-H Interaction of Color Quilts Project” and featured in the exhibition “State Fairs: Growing American Craft” through Sept. 7. 

Read more about this multistate 4-H project.

Secretary Rollins Announces Continued Growth of USDA’s Product of USA Label with Six Additional Companies Joining Initiative

On Friday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced six additional meat and poultry companies have adopted USDA’s voluntary Product of USA (POTUSA) label, continuing the strong momentum behind the Trump Administration’s efforts to help consumers easily identify products that are truly born, raised, harvested, and processed in the United States.

The newest companies to adopt USDA’s Product of USA label include:

• Creekstone Farms – Kansas
• Caviness Beef Packers
• CS Beef Packers – Texas
• Greener Pastures – Texas
• Lone Star Beef Processors – Texas
• Claxton Poultry Farms – Georgia

Senate finalizes funding patch that would block Trump’s grant overhaul

Senate appropriators released text Sunday of a stopgap funding bill to avert a shutdown come Oct. 1 and punt broader government funding negotiations until after the midterms. Language is included to delay the president’s move to put political appointees in charge of grant approval.

Under the bipartisan plan, federal agencies would be funded through Dec. 11 at current levels, with some exceptions. Senate leaders have set an initial procedural vote for Monday night and want to pass the bill by the end of the week — just before senators are scheduled to leave town for a five-week recess.

Read the full article here. 

NEDA Speaker Named: Mary Snapp

Taking advantage of NEDA 2026’s Seattle location, the National 4-H Council dinner on Monday evening will feature a longtime technology executive. Mary Sapp brings her experience and perspective from over 35 years at Microsoft to lead strategic initiatives. She formerly led the team responsible for Microsoft’s philanthropic efforts, which seeks to invest the company’s strongest assets – technology, money, employee talent, and its voice – to partner with nonprofits and communities to create lasting positive impact. Prior to Microsoft Philanthropies, Mary was Deputy General Counsel leading legal support for engineering and services. She led legal support for Bing as a start-up and Microsoft Windows as an established operating system. Mary is an active board leader and community volunteer for nonprofit organizations in Seattle and around the country. She currently serves on the board of directors of the YWCA of Seattle, King, and Snohomish Counties, the Seattle Art Museum, the National 4-H Council, the Farm Foundation, and Emerging Prairie. She also serves on National FFA's Corporate Sponsors' Board and in the President’s Advisory Group for her alma mater, the University of Michigan. Mary joined Microsoft in 1988 as the company's fourth attorney, and its first female attorney.
Register for the NEDA Conference today!

4-H Helping to Boost Trust in Public Universities

As trust and public confidence in higher education recently hit a record low of 36%, university presidents and chancellors are focusing on how to ensure their value to students and communities remains strong. The low confidence is attributed to rising tuition costs and perceptions that colleges fail to teach relevant work skills.

Not long ago, Jill Bramble, President and CEO of the National 4-H Council, joined university presidents at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Council of Presidents Summer meeting to discuss how 4-H is driving college and career readiness. Jill is appreciative to APLU President Waded Cruzado for her vision in advancing this conversation forward.

She is grateful for the opportunity to speak with three 4-H alumni: Dr. Tracy M. Cook President of Alcorn State University; Dr. Gordon Gee President Emeritus of West Virginia University and Chair of National 4-H Council's Emeritus Council; and Richard Maltsbarger, National 4-H Council Trustee, and Executive in Residence at the University of Central Florida. Their stories reflect the long-term impact of investing in young people.

Read more about the event here.

Five for Five Reminder

At last year’s joint agInnovation and Extension conference in St. Louis, the Five for Five program was featured.

As a reminder, Five for Five is a physical activity ad-on curriculum designed to easily integrate movement into existing educational programming. The curriculum provides engaging, evidence-informed activities that help youth and adults increase physical activity while enhancing the learning process. Five for Five has been successfully implemented across a variety of settings and has been well received by educators and participants alike.

To help your Extension team get started, the Five for Five team has developed an interactive one-hour virtual training that introduces educators to the curriculum, demonstrates how it can be integrated into current programs, and provides practical implementation strategies. We would be excited to offer this training to Extension faculty and staff within your state.

Another benefit of Five for Five is its accessibility. Nearly the entire curriculum is available free of charge, at the following QR Code:

The only materials available at cost are the player cards, which have consistently been one of the most popular and highly rated components of the curriculum. Participants and educators alike enjoy the interactive nature of the cards, and we currently have a healthy inventory of player card decks available for purchase.

Learning for Leaders First Friday: CARET 101

Learn the basics of the Council on Agriculture Research Extension and Teaching. Hear from the APLU leader of the program, CARET representatives from Tennessee and Kansas, and a panel of Extension Directors.

Nominations for Individual and Team Excellence in Extension Awards Being Accepted
Please be alert for a contact from your Regional Executive Director or Administrator regarding your region’s nomination process for the Excellence in Extension Individual and Team Awards.

Funding Opportunity: Beyond Ready—Financial Literacy

This competitive subgrant opportunity will support Cooperative Extension 4 H programs within land grant universities in delivering high quality financial literacy programming that helps young people build the skills they need to be Beyond Ready for the future.

Funding Overview

• Award amount: $132,000 per project
• Project period: April 13, 2026–November 22, 2028 (32 months)
• Total awards: Up to six (6) subgrants

Key Dates

• RFA released: February 9, 2026
• Informational call/office hours: February 19 at 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT)
• Applications due: March 20 by 11:59 PM ET 
• Award notifications: On or before April 3, 2026

Extension Foundation Announces Five Projects Selected for $1M in AgriProspects Funding.

The AgriProspects Workforce Development Network, a national program of the Extension Foundation, is pleased to announce the award of $1 million to five projects through the second round of AgriProspects grants. Funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through the AFRI–National Extension Clearinghouse for Industry and the Workforce, this round supports innovative efforts focused on digital credential infrastructure, AI education, and integrated workforce solutions for Extension and the communities it serves. Selected projects span various agricultural sectors and emphasize practical, industry-informed training, ranging from AI-enabled forestry and farm operations to food processing and workforce upskilling. Chosen from 74 competitive proposals, these awardees reflect the depth, creativity, and impact of Extension-led workforce development nationwide. Learn More here.

National 4-H Council's Winter Update Celebrates Alignment and Impact Achieved through the Landmark Gift

Extension and 4-H leaders recently joined National 4-H Council President and CEO, Jill Bramble and Dr. Juliette Bell, former President of University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Vice Chair of Council's Board of Trustees, for a virtual update and dialog on the outcomes from the first three years of the $50 million Landmark Gift to Council from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Special thanks to Dr. Bell for her leadership of the of the Task Force (comprised of Extension, Council, and youth) that established recommendations on the highest and best use of the gift in this first three years. 

·         View the recording HERE

·         Read the Landmark Gift Task Force’s Three-Year Progress Report

·         Download the Report’s Executive Summary

USDA Accepting Applications for the 1890 National Scholars Program

USDA is now accepting applications for the 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890 Land-grant Universities to pursue careers in food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences. The application deadline is March 8. Read more about the program and how to apply.

Have a Joyous MLK Day!

This message and its accompanying email were preset to be distributed today.

Registration Open for PILD

Registration is now open for the Public Issues Leadership Development conference. The early bird registration deadline (saves $100) for April 20-22 conference is March 15. Lodging reservations must be made separately.

USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Registration Open

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that registration is now open for the 102nd Agricultural Outlook Forum. The event will be held at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on Feb. 19-20, 2026, and all Forum sessions will be livestreamed on a virtual platform.

4-H Council to Hold Winter 2026 Q&A

The National 4-H Council will hold its winter 2026 Q&A Session on January 27 at 3:00 pm. Topics will include:

·       Celebration of their and the Extension System’s collective work on the Beyond Ready initiative,

·       Resources available to you as a result of that initiative, and

·       An Outline of the next steps for Landmark Gift investments.

When you register, you can also share any additional items you'd like to discuss or questions you have for Jill Bramble. 

Register for the Board on Health and Human Sciences Spring Meeting  

Registration is now open for the 2026 Board on Health and Human Sciences (BHHS) Spring Meeting, hosted by the College of Health and Human Sciences at Colorado State University, March 24-26 in Denver, CO. Held at the CSU Spur Campus, a national hub for collaboration at the intersection of health, food, water, and community, the meeting’s setting reflects BHHS’s commitment to interdisciplinary solutions and public impact. This year's keynote address features Dr. Temple Grandin, internationally renowned professor, author, and innovator. Dr. Grandin’s work—spanning systems thinking, neurodiversity, and applied problem-solving—offers powerful insights into translating research and lived experience into meaningful, real-world outcomes. 

Event Locations:

• Colorado State University Spur Campus: 4777 National Western Drive, Denver, CO 80216
• Vīb Hotel by Best Western Denver RiNo: 2560 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216 (Lodging will also be at this hotel)

Follow this link to register, find information on accommodations and transportation, and explore the agenda. We look forward to seeing you there! 

 

Is your SNAP-ED Information Up-to-Date?

Legislation has been proposed in the House funding bill to eliminate the SNAP-Ed program. This cut would end SNAP-Ed programming at 58 LGUs across the system and negatively impact the 6.6 million people reached through SNAP-Ed delivered by land-grant universities. Sharing our outcomes and impacts in a visually appealing, concise manner, such as infographics or one-pagers is the best way to combat questions about the efficacy of the program. If your university has not shared your most recent SNAP-Ed data or impact report here, please send it to Lauren Sweeney at lauren.sweeney@sdstate.edu.

Save the Date: 4-H Council CEO Q&A and Spring 2025 Outlook

• National 4-H Council CEO Jill Bramble's next virtual Q&A with the 4-H system will be on May 27th from 3:30 -4:30 pm ET.
• After brief updates on Council’s priorities and operations, there will be time for Q&A with Jill and other Council leaders.
• Advanced registration is required. REGISTER HERE

Interested in Serving as a NIFA Peer Reviewer?

There are few things that as economical and professionally developmental than serving as a NIFA peer reviewer. If you are interested in serving on a peer-review panel, you can provide your contact information by visiting the NIFA Peer Reviewer System (PRS) and clicking the Panelist Recruitment link. You will be asked to provide your contact information and expertise.


Save the Date – September 15-18

The joint National Extension Directors and Administrators and agInnovation meeting will be held in St. Louis beginning with a late afternoon/evening reception on September 15 (travel day) and concluding with Western and Northeastern Regional Cooperative Extension meetings on September 18. Registration information will be available at a later date.

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."

Special Invitation: National 4-H Council Winter Town Hall (Virtual) – January 30th (3-4 pm ET)

Extension Directors and Administrators are invited to join National 4-H Council CEO, Jill Bramble, to learn more about how 4-H will rally supporters and tell our Beyond Ready story this spring and summer. The Virtual Town Hall will take place January 30, at 3:00 PM Eastern. Jill will be joined by three special guests:

• Dr. Lisa Diaz, National 4-H Beyond Ready Initiative Director (Illinois 4-H),
  
  
• Madison Powell, Young Alumni Advisor Committee Member (Indiana 4-H) and member of the National 4-H Beyond Ready Leadership Team, and
  
  
• Mark Berven, Chair, National 4-H Council Board of Trustees and President and COO, Nationwide Property and Casualty

You are welcome and encouraged to invite your institution’s Extension and 4-H communications professionals to attend along with you. Advanced registration is required. Register HERE.

 

Introducing NIFA’s New Acting Associate Director for Programs and Acting Chief of Staff

NIFA announces two important changes in agency leadership. Dr. Kevin Kephart will assume the role of Acting Associate Director for Programs and Brent Elrod is the agency’s new Acting Chief of Staff.

Dr. Kevin Kephart

Kevin Kephart, who currently serves as NIFA’s Deputy Director of the Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment, joined the agency in 2020. Prior to his role as deputy director, he was the division director for NIFA's Agricultural Systems Division. He succeeds Dr. Dionne Toombs, who accepted a position with USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Brent Elrod

In the vital role of Acting Chief of Staff, Brent Elrod will work closely with NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra to synchronize and facilitate a wide range of activities that ensure the smooth operation of the agency. As the central point of coordination for both internal and external requests for information, Brent will play a pivotal role in aligning efforts and supporting the agency's mission.

Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) 2025 Conferences

The Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) provides learning opportunities for Extension professionals. 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.

Latest from the Journal of Extension

Cooperative Extension’s own scholarly Journal of Extension, has a new issue. See articles authored by Extension Professionals from:

• University of Georgia,
• University of Wisconsin,
• North Dakota State University,
• University of Minnesota,
• Kansas State University,
• University of Illinois,
• Auburn University,
• The Ohio State University,
• University of Maryland,
• University of Florida,
• University of Maine,
• West Virginia State University,
• Iowa State University,
• Michigan State University,
• University of Nevada - Reno,
• University of Vermont,
• Oklahoma State University,
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff,
• University of Arizona,
• University of the Virgin Islands,
• North Carolina State University, and
• Other organizations.

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.

National Program Leadership, Partnerships and Capacity

Members and liaisons to the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) assembled in Oklahoma City last week. During the day-and-a-half-long meeting the group addressed support for sustainable Program Leadership, partnership enrichment, and the approach to increasing capacity funding for Cooperative Extension. The ECOP agreed to continue meeting in-person three times per year around strategic directions and Annual Action Plan.

Blayne Arthur, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, President of the Oklahoma State Board of Agriculture, and President of NASDA Foundation Board of Directors warmly welcomed ECOP members March 13, 2024.

The delegation of voting members, EDA Team, Liaisons and guests at the Sheraton OKC Downtown.

Oklahoma State Extension hosted, Oklahoma Farm Bureau sponsored dinner at the Petroleum Club.

(L-R) ECOP Chair Damona Doye presented Laura Perry Johnson (University of Georgia), with an engraved clock, for service to ECOP since 2021. Laura will retire in April 2024. Damona also led a standing ovation for Southern Region Executive Director Ron Brown for his service to ECOP for the past two decades. Ron will retire at the end of June 2024. 

Resolution Passed by the Section - Eighty-three percent of the membership of the Cooperative Extension Section participated during the two-week voting period last month. The final tally, 61 yeses, 2 no's, was recorded in the minutes of the 2024 ECOP Spring Meeting to approve the following. Billing for ECOP by APLU in 2024 (April) will remain the same dating back to 2019. The temporary, three-year resolution will be implemented in 2025.

Resolved: ECOP assessments for state-based 1862 institutions will be proportionally based on the amount that each institution receives in capacity funds (Smith Lever 3.b&c, Smith Lever Special Needs, EFNEP and RREA), calculated using a three-year rolling average. Assessments for 1890 institutions, American Samoa Community College, University of Guam, Northern Marianas College, College of Micronesia, Puerto Rico Agricultural Extension, University of the Virgin Islands, and the University of the District of Columbia will remain at 2024 baseline levels. This calculation method will remain in effect through the 2027 assessment year, at which time the issue will be reevaluated. If the total ECOP budget changes, this will proportionally change the assessment for all 76 institutions.

4-H Work Readiness Reaches 10M+ in USA Today Special Edition - On March 15, USA TODAY published a U.S. Department of Agriculture Special Edition that included a National 4-H Council full-page ad (page 79) to bring visibility to 4-H among corporate prospects, farmers, growers & ranchers, highlighting how 4-H is preparing youth to be work ready. In addition, 100,000 hard copies of the publication was sent directly to key officials at USDA. 

Registration for the 2024 Urban Food Systems Symposium - On June 11-13, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) hosts the Urban Food Systems Symposium in Columbus, Ohio. The event includes keynotes, a grower panel, 40 presentations, a reception with approximately 50 posters, a choice of six off-site educational tours, and dinner at The Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory. This symposium brings together a national and international audience of academic, non-profit, government, and research-oriented professionals to share and gain knowledge on how we can build coalitions to adapt to this changing world and how urban food systems contribute to these solutions. Please share now to take advantage of early registration prices through April 13. Visit UrbanFoodSystemsSymposium.org for complete information.




Globalizing Extension Innovation Network Seeks Participation - The Globalizing Extension Innovation Network (GEIN), accessible through Connect Extension, is open to Cooperative Extension and other Land-grant University professionals, their community partners, and federal partners, as a network of professionals interested in globalizing Extension innovation. GEIN shares and develops best practices for augmenting extension programs through cross-cultural and international experiences. The network supports the engagement of extension professionals through educational programs emphasizing understanding of global dynamics and using cultural knowledge. shares and develops best practices for augmenting extension programs through cross-cultural and international experiences. GEIN leadership team represents over a dozen extension systems, and is committed to connecting and supporting the global engagement of extension professionals. Extension Directors and Administrators are invited to nominate someone from their system to participate in GEIN if there isn't already a participating member. GEIN Council currently meets monthly on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. ET. For more information, contact GEIN Chair, Taryn Devereux, Affiliate, University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Celebrating Black History Month

To celebrate Black History Month, the National Office is pleased to spotlight the many accomplishments and tremendous inspiration of the following ECOP Chairs.

2000 - The late Dr. Daniel D. Godfrey, North Carolina A&T State University, pictured left: Charges were given to 4 taskforces, 1) Health and Well-Being, 2) Employability, 3) Ag/Natural Resources/Environment Interface, 4) Resilient Children, Youth and Families. The NEDA Meeting was held February 22-24, in New Orleans and included a workshop, Knowing Impact When You See It. 

2005 - The late Dr. Clyde E. Chesney, Tennessee State University, photo unavailable: The Cooperative Extension Section approved a 2005 budget of $25,000 to support the advocacy needs of the ECOP Forestry Task Force. The eXtension (Extension Foundation) Implementation plan was completed.

2010 - Dr. M. Ray McKinnie, Virginia State University, pictured left: While leading from North Carolina A&T State University, the current regional/national staffing pattern was implemented, a search for a new ECOP Executive Director was held; the Managing in Tough Times National Initiative was moved forward, the Marketing and Communications Task Force completed the implementation phase of their work. Dr. McKinnie is still very active in national leadership, serving on the ECOP Budget & Legislative Committee and is involved in numerous national dialogues.

2015 - Mr. Delbert T. Foster, South Carolina State University: Go here for photo and list of accomplishments. 

2020 - Dr. Mark Latimore, Jr., Fort Valley State University, pictured left:  Go here for the list of accomplishments. Dr. Latimore continues to faithfully serve in a national role on the ECOP Executive Committee and represents the Cooperative Extension Section on the Communications and Marketing Committee.

Through the pioneering leadership and dedication of these individuals, the Cooperative Extension System is positioned for the future to empower the people and changes lives more than ever before. -- We thank you!

Landmark Gift to 4-H Recognizes Extension Impact - National 4-H Council has received a transformational, unrestricted, $50 million gift from writer and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in support of Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program. This landmark gift recognizes your outstanding 4-H programs and their unparalleled outcomes for youth, families, and communities. It affirms the dedicated efforts of thousands of local Cooperative Extension 4-H educators, hundreds of thousands of volunteers, and millions of 4-H youth, alumni, and donors. And it leverages decades of public investment in Cooperative Extension from counties, states, and USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.



March 4 Learning for Leaders Focuses on Extension’s Role in Climate Resiliency - On 2/7/2022 USDA announced $1 billion of new funding for climate smart commodities. The ECOP Climate Priority Action Team (PAT) has been meeting for nearly two years. Given the new USDA program, now is the best time to identify national opportunities for Cooperative Extension to play a leadership role in Climate Resiliency. These 76 Extension Directors and Administrators are reminded to connect on 3/4/2022, 3:00 p.m. ET, to learn about the emerging details of the USDA Climate Smart Agriculture program and the opportunity for national collaboration along the lines of a significant multi-state grant. Contact Sandy Ruble, Assistant Director, at sandyruble@extension.org for more information.

Navigating National Identity for Local Impact - The Public Issues Leadership Development Conference (PILD) Conference sponsored by the Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP), April 3-6 in Arlington, VA has the theme, All Systems Go - Navigating National Identity for Local Impact. Participants will focus on building Extension’s national culture of creativity and collaboration for local solutions to national issues and learn how to communicate and engage with stakeholders and elected officials in advocating for Extension at the local, state, and national level. Information and registration are available at www.jcep.org/pild. National leaders contributing to General Sessions are ECOP Chair Wendy Powers, University of California, ECOP Budget & Legislative Committee Chair Jon Boren, New Mexico State University, and Caroline Henney, Cooperative Extension System ECOP Executive Director. A special breakout session for Extension Directors and Administrators will take place on Tuesday, April 6, immediately following breakfast. 

Extension Foundation Offers National Registry of Cooperative Extension Programs - The National Registry of Cooperative Extension Programs & Assets (NRCEPA) provides ready-access to a living database of efforts across the system to rapidly respond to system-wide funding opportunities. Over 200 Cooperative Extension programs & projects have been registered. Several improvements were made to the NRCEPA through feedback received from the system including improved design to show multiple questions per screen, reduced redundancy on question condition logic, and improved form accessibility for ADA compliance. The Extension Foundation would like to thank numerous individuals and organizations that have provided feedback for the past year to help us improve this technology. This includes NET, NECI, SRDC, NEAFCS, NUEL, EXCITE, and individual users across Cooperative Extension. To register a program, project, curriculum, or resource, please visit extension.org/registry.

Investing in Rural Recovery

Today the nation’s four Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs) released Investing in Rural Recovery: Findings from a Rapid Assessment of Stakeholder Priorities for Rural Development from a national survey of rural development stakeholders. Conducted in the fall of 2021, the survey is part of a year-long Listening Session Initiative aimed at identifying key priorities and critical investments for rural communities’ recovery and growth. The questionnaire served as a rapid appraisal of key informants’ perceptions about priorities, capacities, and potential to expand programming in eight critical topic areas. Respondents also reported the types of programs found to be most valuable and the resources, challenges, and opportunities they perceive for rural communities. The report marks the close of the first stage in the consultative feedback process being led by the RRDCs and will provide a basis for a series of facilitated dialogues in the initiative’s second phase in March and April of 2022.

Prioritizing Nutrition Security - Learn about the latest updates to the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 3-4:30 p.m. ET. The virtual session will be led by the Framework authors and attendees are highly encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback during the live Q&A segment and the virtual breakout sessions. This event is the sixth installment of NIFA’s new monthly Nutrition Security Webinar Series. To register and for more information, visit the Prioritizing Nutrition Security webinar announcement.

New Deadline for 4-H Executive Position - Extended to Friday, January 28, 2022. The ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee (ECOP 4-H) seeks an Executive Director who is passionate about building partnership and policy foundations for future 4-H Youth Development programs and initiatives nationwide. The Executive Director will support the work of the Committee, including a bold vision and plan for engaging more youth in the 4-H program that also reflects the diversity of youth in the United States. The ideal candidate would be an experienced Extension Director/Administrator or State 4-H Program Leader with demonstrated past success in collaborative leadership and coordination of Extension system resources. Full description is here. To apply, send cover letter and resume to ECOP4-H@4-H.org.

Big Idea on Health Event - The ECOP Health Innovation Taskforce will conduct a "Big Idea" virtual event on February 10, 2022 from 2-4:00 p.m. ET to connect the dots of business, education, and health with the Cooperative Extension System. Please share the opportunity with university's colleges of agriculture, public health, and education, and with health industry leaders, and organizations invested in community development or the education pipeline. Task Force member Dr. Erik Porfeli, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, is providing leadership for the event. Read more and register at pages.extension.org/big-idea. Questions may be directed to Cooperative Extension's Health Director Dr. Roger Rennekamp rogerrennekamp@extension.org, or EDA Team member, Ali Mitchell amitchell@northeastextension.org.

Anyone seeking enlightenment about the nexus of the APLU, the Land-grant University System, the Board on Agriculture Assembly, and USDA-NIFA may register here for an orientation starting February 8 and running through February 10, 2022, from 2:30-5:00 p.m. ET. There is $25 fee to cover the sessions for all three days.

Equity Strategic Plan for 4-H

All Extension Directors and Administrators are invited to attend the next Learning for Leaders, Friday, May 7, 2021, 3-4:00 p.m. ET, to explore the National 4-H Equity Design Team Strategic Planning Report. with their colleagues, 1 per region, listed on page 13 here. The event will reinforce and build upon the collective mindset of these Extension Leaders that establishes short- and long-range goals for system change for diversity, equity, and inclusion at national, state, and local levels.  Portions of the program will be recorded and made available here in the ECOP Monday Minute. 4-H Department faculty and Administrative Leadership Teams are welcome. To register, email Sandy Ruble. 

Brent Hales, Director, Penn 
State Extension

Hales to Liaise with Urban Extension Leaders - Last week at their April Meeting, ECOP affirmed Brent Hales, Penn State, to represent the Cooperative Extension Section with the National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL) steering committee. Brent has served on ECOP since September 2020. The  steering committee of 17 meets virtually each month to 1) advance the strategic importance and long-term value of urban Extension activities, and 2) to foster collaboration at the local, regional and national levels that create greater capacity within the Cooperative Extension System to serve urban communities. Jason Henderson, Purdue University, served as ECOP Liaison to NUEL 2018-2021, and continues to serve the Section/ECOP as Vice-chair of the Budget & Legislative Committee. 

2021 National Urban Extension Leaders Virtual Summit - NUEL’s 2021 Virtual Summit will be held May 17-20, 2021. The purpose of NUEL is to advocate and advance the strategic importance and long-term value of urban Extension activities by being relevant locally, responsive statewide, and recognized nationally. Register for the Summit here.

$10 Million for Partnerships/Collaborations with Climate Hubs - USDA NIFA will award approximately $10 million in competitive awards (AFRI) to support Cooperative Extension partnerships and collaborations with the USDA Climate Hubs. This program area priority will support projects that provide effective, translatable, and scalable approaches to address climate change through regional partnerships including the USDA Climate Hubs and Extension. This is a new program priority (program is A1721) in the current AFRI Foundational and Applied Science RFA – it is on page 71. The RFA is located here.

Farm of the Future Integrated Research and Extension Competitive Grant Planning - USDA NIFA is seeking input to establish a new Farm of the Future competitive grant program. Section 799 of the FY2021 Omnibus Appropriations Bill provided $4,000,000 to NIFA “for a competitive grant to an institution in the land-grant university system to establish a Farm of the Future testbed and demonstration site.” NIFA plans to implement this program by supporting an integrated research and Extension project. At this stage of planning, the agency is seeking expert stakeholders, customers, and partners opinions on how Federal investments can best address current needs and challenges facing farms of the future. Today, there are 2 ways to provide input (see below). Direct general questions to NIFA.FarmOfTheFuture@usda.gov

    -- Register here to attend a virtual stakeholder listening session on
        Thursday, May 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. (CT).
        Each participant who wishes to speak will be unmuted for up to
        3 minutes. 

    -- Submit written comments (2-page limit) to:
        FarmoftheFuture@USDA.gov by May 6, 2021.

National Leaders Announced

ECOP Chair Chris Watkins-Cornell University, welcomes the newest member of ECOP, Rich Bonanno-North Carolina State University. Welcome also to the newest ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee (BLC) members, Karl Martin-University of Wisconsin, Blake Naughton-Colorado State University, Dan Lerner-University of Vermont, and Gina Eubanks-Louisiana State University. To all mentioned here, thank you for your national leadership and dedication to the Cooperative Extension System! Click here to view/download the current lists of Board of Agriculture Assembly affiliated Cooperative Extension Section National leadership. Contact Cooperative Extension System/ECOP Assistant Director Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org to provide updates. 

FY2021 Budget Process Update - Last week's post by Cornerstone Government Affairs at www.land-grant.org is a response to the release of the Fiscal Year 2021 Agriculture Appropriations bill by the Committee on Appropriations of the United States Senate. Persons not receiving these messages directly from Cornerstone may contact Maggie Earle to sign up.

2021 National Health Outreach Conference - The NHOC conference will be held virtually May 3-7, 2021. With the theme of “The Grand Challenge: Building a Healthy Future for All,” there will be sessions related to health equity, effective behavior-change messaging, policy system and environmental change, health behavior, and pandemic response programming. Keynote speakers, concurrent and posters sessions will be relevant for professionals who address health, nutrition, youth development, workforce development, and human development. Organized by Cooperative Extension professionals, invitees include faculty in human sciences, food sciences, medical and other academic institutions across public and private colleges, and universities; public health professionals; youth development professionals; local, state and federal agency partners; practitioners in the health care industry; and students. Click Here for additional details about the conference and help spread the word to save the dates.

USDA-NIFA Invests Millions to Support Educators, 4-H and Others in Workforce Training During Pandemic - USDA-NIFA has announced an investment of more than $10.5 million to support educators at technical schools, community and junior colleges, and youth development programs, including Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program. USDA-NIFA will invest in eight regional and national projects, including a $3 million grant to National 4-H Council to support the continued development of 4-H at Home, Cooperative Extension’s positive youth development digital platform on 4-H.org. 4-H at Home is a dynamic resource designed to meet the growing needs for virtual and non-virtual education resources that can be rapidly adopted at home or by various educators and Extension specialists. It is intended to level the playing field and address the widening opportunity gap for youth and families as a result of the pandemic. Details about the award recipients and initiatives can be found here.

Final 2020 Military Family Readiness Academy Session - Planning for the Worst, Hoping for the Best: The final session of the Disaster and Hazard Readiness Foundations series, Planning for the Worst, Hoping for the Best, will be held Wednesday, November 18 from 11:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. ET. This final session ties together all planning aspects involved in military family readiness from both family and service professional perspectives. Dr. Angie Lindsey, University of Florida/IFAS, shares strategies, resources, and templates, with a focus on the who, what, when, where, and why of preparation, mitigation, and recovery. Nancy Beers, Director of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Midwest Early Recovery Fund, will be the guest speaker. Nancy oversees The CDP Early Recovery Fund, which focuses on supporting vulnerable populations in 10 states in the Midwest, following a disaster. Her presentation will focus on a Minnesota flooding event and how some specific military families were impacted by it in different ways. The 90-minute session is free and several continuing education credits are also available. To register and get more information go to: https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/event/mfra2020/

Nominations for the 2020 Seaman A. Knapp Lecture Due by August 21

Each year NIFA and APLU sponsor a lecture presented at the APLU Annual Meeting. NIFA and APLU are seeking nominations of an insightful topic and a dynamic speaker who can provoke discussion among meeting participants and prepare a formal lecture to be presented prior to the virtual APLU annual meeting in November to honor Seaman A. Knapp, the father of the Cooperative Extension concept. While seeking recommendations from those within the Land-grant University system, nominations are encouraged from all sources. Recommendations should include the name of the nominee, title, address, telephone number, and e-mail address and topic that could be discussed. Please submit your potential topic and/or presenter on or before August 21, 2020. Recommendations should be forwarded electronically to Bill Hoffman at whoffman4@usda.gov. A committee will review submissions and narrow the scope of the recommendations in order to make a final decision. 

National Action Dialogue (NAD) Report Available - In partnership with ECOP, two National Action Dialogues focused on Extension Futures were held on July 13 & 14, 2020. The purpose was to imagine near-future possibilities for how Extension can better serve individuals and communities in the face of evolving needs. The outcome will support the transitional aspect of Extension to a more-virtual delivery platform and will inform the need for funding of infrastructure/equipment needed for the future. Two themes emerged in all breakout groups: (1) the need for universal, affordable broadband access (2) the need to strengthen existing and pursue new partnerships within local communities. Additionally, Infrastructure and Training needs were identified along with suggestions for new solutions. Read the full report here. 

  

AFRI Agricultural Workforce Training Priority Area - The Agricultural Workforce Training Priority Area, part the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development, addresses the need for training or retraining of agricultural workforce by providing institutional training grants to develop a technology- and data-savvy workforce, ready for the field and industrial jobs. These include opportunities for the development of new workforce training programs, and the expansion, improvement, or renewal of existing workforce training programs and curriculum. Projects must be developed by or for community/junior/technical colleges/institutes and their industry partners. All applications to this program area must demonstrate committed and active partnership with and/or relevance to industry. The application deadline is September 24, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. (ET). For more information about the program area priority, check the AFRI EWD RFA. Interested applicants are invited to register for an informational AFRI EWD webinar on August 19, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. (ET).

Closing the Opportunity Gap- Opportunity4All Forum - The proven impact of Cooperative Extension’s 4-H positive youth development program in addressing the nation’s opportunity gap was the focus of the Opportunity4All Forum on August 5, a one-hour virtual program produced by National 4-H Council. Highlights included youth perspectives on social justice and mental health. Extension, celebrity, corporate and foundation leaders shared their views and expertise on the action needed to create more opportunities for youth and communities. In addition, a powerful new white paper, Beyond the Gap, co-authored by Oregon State University Professor and Youth Development Specialist Mary Arnold, is available here. The Opportunity4All Forum recording can be watched here. Forum interest was high with 1,142 registrants, including 657 Extension professionals. Click here for more information about the Opportunity4All Campaign.

American Journal of Public Health Includes Commentary on Cooperative Extension - Cooperative Extension is the subject of an article in a special issue of the American Journal of Public Health focused on rural health. The commentary, co-authored by David Buys and Roger Rennekamp, "advances the notion that Extension, by working hand-in-hand with public health professionals, has an important role to play in addressing the health needs of rural communities." The article highlights five key steps that Extension can take with its public health partners to improve health and well-being across the nation. These include addressing the determinants of health through local coalitions, connecting communities to land grant resources, restoring public confidence in science, utilizing new technologies to support lifelong learning and collaboration, and capitalizing on youth voice and action. To read the abstract or obtain copies of the full text of the article visit https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305767.