APLU/ECOP Seeks Senior Associate

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, is seeking a Senior Associate, Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources to provide logistical and administrative support to the Cooperative Extension Section and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). Please send a letter of interest and resume to APLU’s Human Resources Department at resume@aplu.org with “Senior Associate, FANR” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled, with preference given to those received by Monday, March 24, 2025. More details can be found here.



Federal Government Continuing Resolution Passed

In a press release dated March 14, USDA applauded the passage of a year-long FY 2025 continuing resolution, which will allow the department to operate at or near FY 2024 funding levels.



ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee Seeks Executive Director

The ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee (ECOP 4-H) seeks an Executive Director skilled in fostering alignment, building partnerships, and strengthening communications to advance 4-H Youth Development programs nationwide. The Executive Director will support ECOP 4-H and the 4-H Program Leaders’ Working Group (PLWG) in leading the Cooperative Extension System for 4-H Youth Development, including a vision for engaging youth across the United States.

Applicants should submit the following to executive.director@4-H.org by April 11th:

• Letter of Interest
• Current Vitae
• List and Contact Information for 3-5 Professional References

Please direct questions to Dr. Cody Stone, ECOP 4-H Co-Chair cstone@montana.edu (406-994-1750)

In honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday,
ECOP Monday Minute will return on 1.25.16. 

4-H Engagement Campaign Webinar 1.20.16 – The ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee, Ed Jones, Virginia Tech, and Renee McKee, Purdue University, invites you to a webinar 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET, January 20, 2016 to review and clarify aspects of the 4-H Engagement Campaign, including campaign deliverables and individual institution participation. Registration is required through Sarah Hunt shunt@fourhcouncil.edu. The meeting URL is https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ecop. You are encouraged to confirm connection capability in advance at www.extension.iastate.edu/testconnect. For the web browser, Firefox or Internet Explorer, not Chrome, is recommended. Audio is via phone through the call-back function in Adobe Connect. If this is not available to you, call directly at 866.433.4616, Code 882477. 

SNAP-ED, Rural Development Webinar 1.15.16 – The SNAP-ED Program Development Team, in partnership with the Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs), is offering a webinar 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET, January 15, 2016 on “Linking Community Development to Individual Choices: SNAP-ED and Community Development Working Together.” Presenters are Rachel Welborn, Program Manager, Southern Rural Development Center, and Don Albrecht, Director of the Western Rural Development Center. Participants will learn how positive changes in communities can affect individual food choices and physical activities. To connect, go to https://msues.adobeconnect.com/_a828402417/srdc/. 

Mary Jane Willis
(1948-2015)

Memorial Fund to Honor Mary Jane Willis – ECOP Chair Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware, calls your attention to an opportunity to honor the legacy of ECOP member Mary Jane Willis, Rutgers University, who passed away last month. Rutgers Extension Director Larry Katz says, “Mary Jane dedicated herself to Rutgers Cooperative Extension for nearly 40 years. She gave her heart and soul to the betterment of our communities on a state and national level. To honor her, efforts are now underway to raise $50,000 to create a memorial endowment to provide stipends to seed, expand, and enhance projects that serve urban and diverse populations. This endowment will ensure that Mary Jane’s legacy will forever serve as a guidepost to do more for our underserved communities.” Contributions may be made payable to “Rutgers University Foundation,” with the words “MJW Endowment” in the memo line. Mail checks to Rutgers Cooperative Extension c/o Rachel Karl, 88 Lipman Drive, 3rd Floor, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Please direct additional questions to Rachel at (848) 932-3593, rachel.karl@rutgers.edu. 

NEW eXtension Completes Major 2015 Milestones – The NEW eXtension is a knowledge-to-action service that is an integral part of the U.S. Cooperative Extension System. It is designed to help Extension professionals increase program visibility and measurable impact locally and system wide. eXtension completed 2015 having passed major milestones toward advancing innovation and professional development for the Cooperative Extension System. For more information see 2015 Reflections: Creating the NEW eXtension.

JCEP Leadership Conference Registration Due 1.15.16 – The Joint Council on Extension Professionals (JCEP) hosts the annual leadership conference, this year themed “Leading Across Generations” February 10-11, 2016 in Las Vegas. Early bird registration and the room block at the Tropicana Hotel ends January 15th. See www.jcep.org for details. 

Antimicrobial Stewardship Summit Next Week – A national summit highlighting policy, education and economic issues surrounding the stewardship of antimicrobial drug use in food-producing animals will take place January 20-21, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. A collaboration of Farm Foundation, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), the Association of American Veterinary Medicine Colleges (AAVMC) and USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS), this summit will highlight the diverse issues involved in antimicrobial stewardship. Targeted to livestock producers, feed suppliers, veterinarians, academics and government agency staff, the summit is an opportunity to advance the conversation on the industry's adaptation to the changing landscape of antimicrobial drug use. Included in the program is a discussion of a report Addressing Antibiotic Resistance http://www.aplu.org/library/addressing-antibiotic-resistance/file issued in October 2015 by a joint task force of APLU and AAVMC. The agenda is available HERE. There is no fee to attend the summit. Registration is requested and can be completed online by CLICKING HERE. The summit is preceded by a Farm Foundation Forum on the topic: Antibiotic Use in Humans and Animals. 

FFAR Advisory Council Nominations Due 1.20.16 – The Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR) announces a call for nominations to inaugural Advisory Councils designed to advise programming decisions addressing today’s agricultural challenges. Expertise is needed in one or more of FFAR’s research focus areas: optimizing agricultural water use; transforming soil health; enhancing sustainable farm animal productivity, resilience, and health; improving plant efficiency; achieving a deeper understanding of nutrition and healthy food choices; managing food production systems to enhance human nutritional outcomes, and spurring food system innovation. Further directions are available at www.foundationfar.org/advisory-councils. Nominations are due January 20, 2016. 

FFAR New Innovator Award Nominations Due 1.20.16 – The Foundation of Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) announces a call for nominations for the “New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award.” This program seeks to support, through grants of up to $200,000 per year over three years, standout food and agriculture scientists within the first three years of their tenure-track career. Further directions are available at www.foundationfar.org/new-innovator. Nominations are due January 20, 2016. 

USDA Ag Outlook Forum Early Registration 1.20.16 – The USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum February 25-26 2016 in Arlington, VA carries the theme “Transforming Agriculture: Blending Technology and Tradition.” See http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/ for details. Registration at a reduced fee continues through January 20, 2016.

NEDA 2015 to Debut Innovation Video

Attend NEDA 2015 and be the first to see Cooperative’s Extension new video on innovation. Ten Cooperative Extension Directors/Administrators have been selected by the NEDA 2015 Planning Committee, Jimmy Henning, Chair, to be interviewed at the National Extension Directors and Administrators (NEDA) Meeting October 12-14, 2015 in St. Louis. Colleagues from University of Missouri Extension will tape, edit, and produce the video on site. It will be aired as NEDA 2015 wraps up at noon on October 14th. Registration is available www.cvent.com/d/wrq424. 

ECOP Endorses 4-H Brand Project – At its July 2015 face-to-face meeting in Providence, RI, ECOP unanimously endorsed in concept the proposed 4-H field marketing project as recommended by the 4-H National Leadership Committee co-chaired by Ed Jones, Virginia Tech, and Renee McKee, Purdue University. The project is expected to mobilize nearly one million 4-H alumni, broaden the 4-H reach to underserved youth, especially in suburbs and urban centers, and generate national awareness for Cooperative Extension’s premiere positive youth development program. To find out more on building the 4-H brand, join a webinar hosted by National 4-H Council offered twice on 8.11.15 and 8.19.15. Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N4HCouncil-Summer-Webinars. 

ECOP Resolution on Urban Programming Lauds North Central Region – At its July 2015 face-to-face meeting in Providence, RI, ECOP passed a motion from the Program Committee co-chaired by Mary Jane Willis, Rutgers University, and Jon Boren, New Mexico State University, to recognize the North Central Region for its organizational commitment to urban programming. The resolution pointed out how the North Central Region has “provided effective leadership in organizing, hosting and promoting the National Urban Extension Conference for several years and providing opportunities for sharing best practices and professional networking.” The next conference in 2017 will take place in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota locality. 

USDA-NIFA Partnership Awards Nominations Due 8.31.15 – USDA-NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy reminds Cooperative Extension colleagues to submit applications for the Partnership Awards Program. Awards this year recognize mission integration (research, education, and Extension), multistate efforts, innovative programs and projects, effective and efficient use of resources, and program improvement through global engagement. Nominations can be submitted for individuals and teams of up to 20 members. Nomination details were provided via direct correspondence to Cooperative Extension Directors/Administrators in July 2015. Award presentations will be made in October 2015. 

Journal of Higher Education Outreach & Engagement – See www.jheoe.uga.edu for guidelines on submitting scholarly papers to the Journal of Higher Education Outreach & Engagement, a publication of the University of Georgia’s Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, Institute of Higher Education, College of Education & Extension Service. The mission of the JHEOE is to serve as the premier peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal to advance theory and practice related to all forms of engagement and outreach between higher education institutions and communities. Manuscripts from Cooperative Extension professionals are welcomed.

NACo Webinar Features EDEN

NACo Webinar Features EDEN – The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) is the focus of a National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET, Thursday, June 25, 2015. Registration is required at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8952778193842903297. The webinar resulted from work of the NACo-Cooperative
Extension National Leadership Team created during Daryl Buchholz’s term as ECOP chair in 2013. In addition to Buchholz, Kansas State University, Rick Klemme, University of Wisconsin, and Cooperative Extension Executive Directors Robin Shepard, Lyla Houglum, and Jane Schuchardt participate in the quarterly meetings with NACo legislative and program directors. 

USDA-NIFA Convenes Plan of Work Expert Panel  – The five Cooperative Extension regions have named representatives for the USDA-NIFA 2015 Panel of Experts meeting this week in Washington, DC. They are Lisa Townson, University of New Hampshire; Deborah Lewis, Ohio State University; Scott Cummings, Texas A&M University; Debbie Carter, University of Alaska, and Benjamin Forbes, North Carolina A&T University. These panelists join regional representatives from the Experiment Stations and USDA-NIFA to review and make recommendations for implementing the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) Plan of Work requirements. This review occurs every five years. Townson, together with Cameron Faustman, University of Connecticut, representing the northeast region Experiment Stations, will work with other Extension and Experiment Station panel members to provide a report to ECOP and the Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP). 

1890 Universities 125th Celebration Hotel Block Update –

The block of rooms for the 1890s 125th celebration at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill closes today, and has been extended until 6.22.15 at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel. Book a room under the name of 125th Anniversary of the 1890 Morrill Act by calling the Hyatt at 1-888-421-1442 or the Liaison at 1-866-233-4642. The rate is $209.00 per night plus tax. Registration, which is required for all of the 125th events July 14-16, 2015 in Washington, DC, is at http://www.1890universities.org/node/298. The welcome reception Tuesday evening and the dinner on Wednesday evening will be at the Hyatt Hotel. The Exhibition at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday and the Convocation from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Thursday are at the Library of Congress. Direct questions to L. Washington Lyons, Executive Administrator, Association of Executive Administrators, lwlyons@ncat.edu or 336-340-6465.

Ed Jones, Virginia Tech; Renee McKee, Purdue Univ.

ECOP 4-H National Leadership Committee Meets in St. Louis – Engaging more youth to ensure 4-H grows into the future was among items for discussion at a recent meeting of the 4-H National Leadership Committee, chaired by Ed Jones, Virginia Tech, and Renee McKee, Purdue University. Other priorities of the committee made up of Cooperative Extension, USDA-NIFA, and National 4-H Council representatives relate to marketing, resources, and governance. The two-day meeting at Monsanto Headquarters in St. Louis supported the continued goal of exemplary communications about 4-H, a youth development program of Cooperative Extension, as outline in the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2014. Chuck Hibberd, University of Nebraska, serves as ECOP liaison to the committee. 

FFAR Names First Executive Director – The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, a private foundation formed by the Agriculture Act of 2014 (farm bill) to catalyze innovation in agricultural research, has named its first executive director. Sally Rockey, the current deputy of extramural research at the National Institutes of Health, will lead the foundation starting in September. For more information, see this press release.

10.20.14 - ECOP 4-H National Leadership Committee Names Co-chairs

ECOP 4-H National Leadership Committee Names Co-chairs – Renée McKee, Program Leader, 4-H and Youth Development, Purdue University, and Ed Jones, Extension Director, Virginia Tech, are co-chairs of the new ECOP 4-H National Leadership Committee. The committee’s charge is to engage in regular and substantive discussion about issues of national importance related to the LGU Cooperative Extension System’s implementation of the 4-H program, and to develop recommendations for consideration by ECOP. Click Here to view a progress report. Charlotte Eberlein, Extension Director, University of Idaho, and an ECOP member, served as the inaugural, interim chair of the team. Chuck Hibberd, Extension Director, University of Nebraska, is ECOP liaison to the team. 

ECOP Meets in Lexington, KY – ECOP Chair Jimmy Henning, University of Kentucky, welcomed ECOP members, liaisons, and guests to his home state last week for a robust session focusing on significant agenda items including the future of eXtension, implementation plans related to the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health and Wellness, and formalization of the National Impacts Database Committee. ECOP also approved the goals, calendar and budget for the new ECOP year effective November 4, 2014 when Delbert Foster, South Carolina State University, becomes chair. 

International Extension Webinar 11.7.14 – In celebration of the U.S. Cooperative Extension’s 100th year, the Global Forum on Rural Advisory Services www.g-fras.org and USDA-NIFA are hosting a webinar November 7, 2014, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm ET. The title is What is the Role of a Country’s Universities in Pluralistic Rural Advisory Services? The U.S. Land-Grant Model and Other Examples. The session is designed for policy makers, government and non-government organizations, university leaders, donors, and agricultural service providers as they work to strengthen extension/outreach services in the U.S. and around the world. If you plan to join the webinar, technically facilitated by eXtension, please send an email to CIP@nif.usda.gov. 

USDA-NIFA Federal Assistance Policy Guide – Comments continue to be solicited by USDA on the policy guide, which is based on laws, regulations, and USDA and NIFA guidance. See www.nifa.usda.gov/business/managing_grant.html. Send comments to policyguide@nifa.usda.gov with “NIFA Policy Guide” in the subject line of the email message. 

Energy and Federal Financing – Guide to Federal Financing of Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Deployment has been released by the U.S. Department of Energy, USDA, the U.S. Treasury and other agencies. See http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/10/f18/Federal%20Financing%20Guide%2009%2026%2014.pdf. 

Future of Extension – ECOP member Michael Ouart, University of Missouri, calls your attention to the panel discussion Extension: Taking the Long View http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83c61_rvlGg. The 2014 National Excellence in Extension award winner, Robert Kallenbach, Plant Sciences Extension Specialist and Program Leader, University of Missouri, is one of the panelists. 

Extension Embraces Change – Cathann Kress, ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee member, Iowa State University, recommends an article about the changing Extension at 100 years http://m.iowafarmertoday.com/news/crop/extension-embraces-change-at/article_0661eac8-4f1e-11e4-b4c7-6b5bfc500c20.html?mobile_touch=true.

ECOP Monday Minute - 5.5.14

Marking 100 Years – While the Cooperative Extension Centennial Celebration lasts all this year, the BIG DAY is May 8th when the founding legislation, the Smith-Lever Act, was signed in 1914. For those heading to DC for the Extension Centennial Convocation, be sure to stop by the National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, to see the original document in the East Rotunda Gallery, open seven days a week 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If you are not in DC, the convocation can be viewed live and via recording for three months at http://www.windrosemedia.com/windstream/ext100years/. ECOP sincerely appreciates the efforts of the Centennial Task Force Doug Steele, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and Frankie Gould, Louisiana State University AgCenter, co-chairs; Chrystal Checketts, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; Jimmy Henning, University of Kentucky; Judy Rude and Bill Hoffman, USDA-NIFA; Bill Woodrum, contractor, and Sandy Ruble and Jane Schuchardt, ECOP National Office.

ECOP Names 4-H National Leadership Committee – The Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), Jimmy Henning, Chair, University of Kentucky, has named five directors/administrators, five 4-H program leaders, and representatives from USDA-NIFA and the National 4-H Council to its new 4-H National Leadership Committee. The purpose of the committee is to discuss issues of national importance to the 4-H youth development program and make recommendations to ECOP. Initial topics for discussion might include how to expand the 4-H program to reach more urban and rural underserved audiences; how to recruit a more diverse 4-H workforce; how to increase the cultural competency of existing paid staff and volunteers, and how to develop sustainable, new resources to support the expansion of the 4-H program.

ECOP member Charlotte Eberlein, University of Idaho, will convene the committee until co-chairs can be named. Committee members are North Centrol Region – Cathann Kress, Iowa State University, and Renee McKee, Purdue University; 1890s Institutions – Edmund Buchner, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Woodie Hughes, Jr., Fort Valley State University; Southern Region – Ed Jones, Virginia Tech, and Chris Boleman, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; Western Region, Glen Whipple, University of Wyoming, and Deb Jones, University of Alaska; Northeast Region, Steve Bonanno, West Virginia University, and Christy Bartley, Pennsylvania State University; USDA-NIFA – Lisa Lauxman, and National 4-H Council, Jennifer Sirangelo. Extension Executive Directors working with the committee are Lyla Houglum, Western Extension Directors Association, and Nancy Bull, Northeast Extension Directors.

The Memorandum of Understanding designed to establish a structure for identifying and openly communicating about issues of importance to the 4-H program by all partners is scheduled to be signed by Cooperative Extension Section/ECOP, USDA-NIFA and National 4-H Council officials during the Extension Convocation May 8, 2014 in Washington, DC. Details will appear in the next issue of the ECOP Monday Minute.

Extension Award Nominations Due 5.30.14 – Take time now to submit nominations for the Excellence in Extension and Diversity Awards. To prepare a nomination for submission, use the handy pdf version which includes criteria found at https://www.aplu.org/document.doc?id=5116. Then submit the nomination at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ECOPAwards2014. For questions, contact Sandy Ruble at sandy.ruble@extension.org. Supporting documents for Diversity and Excellence awards are available at https://www.aplu.org/document.doc?id=5165 and https://www.aplu.org/document.doc?id=5166, respectively.

Executive Directors/Administrators Meet in DC – APLU Vice President for Food, Agriculture and the Environment Ian Maw called a meeting of the AES and CES Executive Directors and Administrators this week in Washington, DC. Among agenda items were joint marketing and impacts projects, alignment of support for federal budget priorities, and orientation for new deans/directors/administrators. The ECOP Executive Directors and Administrative Team met separately and engaged in discussion with NACo, USDA-NIFA community development and family and consumer sciences, and USDA climate hub representatives.

Borlaug Award Nominations Due 6.30.14 – Nominate an individual less than 40 years of age for the 2014 Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation. Please click on this link to learn more.

California Science Project Notes Centennial – In celebration of Cooperative Extension’s 100 years on May 8, University of California is inviting everyone in the state to a participate in a one-day science project. Go to http://100.ucanr.edu/Day_of_Science_and_Service/ and answer three questions: • How many pollinators do you see? • How are you conserving water? • Where is food grown in your community? On May 8, data maps will automatically populate with answers from all over the state at beascientist.ucanr.edu. Help spread the word by joining our Facebook event and pledging a social media update with Thunderclap campaign. For information or questions, contact Marissa Stein, UCCE Centennial Coordinator, at mpstein@ucanr.edu.