USDA Reaffirms Ties with 1890s with New MOU

On June 14, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Dr. Paul Jones, Fort Valley State University, Chair of APLU's Council of 1890 Universities Presidents signed an MOU to reaffirm and strengthen the ongoing relationship between the 1890s community and USDA through cooperation and partnership. This MOU also establishes a new 1890 Task Force that will inject energy into USDA’s efforts to collaborate with 1890s institutions in the food, agriculture, and forestry sectors. The document underscores USDA’s commitment under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities to advance the goals of equity to better serve the needs of traditionally underserved institutions and communities. The 1890s system has played an important role in building STEM programming for our nation’s youth. 1890s institutions also strengthen research, Extension, and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences and expand the number of students attracted to careers in agriculture, food, natural resources, and human sciences. Read more here.



Listening Session on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health - Nearly 100 individuals recently participated in a virtual listening session summarized here providing input for the upcoming White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health to be held this September. The listening session was hosted by ECOP and the Board on Human Sciences with support of the Extension Foundation. The majority of the participants were state-level coordinators of Cooperative Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and work done by implementing agencies of SNAP-Ed. Information regarding the Conference will be released in the near future. Information gathered through the listening session can be reviewed [here]. For more information, contact Roger Rennekamp, ECOP's Extension Health Director, at rogerrennekamp@extension.org.

Cooperative Extension in Urban America: Place-Based Approaches for Improving Health - A new article was published in a special issue of the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension focused on Cooperative Extension’s role in the nation’s cities. Authors are Dawn Burton (Prairie View A&M University), LaToya O’Neal (University of Florida), Erin Yelland (Kansas State University), Suzanne Stluka (USDA-NIFA), and Roger Rennekamp (ECOP's Extension Health Director). The article is available at https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/jhse/vol10/iss2/1/

SNAP-Ed PDT Update - The annual meeting of the land-grant universities SNAP-Ed Program Development Team (PDT) was held in April. Representatives from USDA Food Nutrition Service, and NIFA, and Cooperative Extension met with current and incoming members of the PDT. The seventeen-member PDT for 2022-2023 includes 3 Extension professionals from 1890's institutions. The PDT conducts monthly conference calls, subcommittee work, and an annual face-to-face meeting to improve the consistency and effectiveness of Extension SNAP-Ed programming to address national health and nutrition-related problems facing low-income populations in the context of Extension’s broader low-income nutrition education portfolio. This year there is particular focus was Nutrition Security and Health Equity to align with USDA priorities. Highlights of the meeting and the past year are available here to view/download. In a series of agreements with ECOP/APLU to support the PDT dating back to 2002, the PDT has been headquartered at South Dakota State University.  

Captured from Last Week's ECOP Meeting at JointCOPs - 

Candid photos from 7/20/2022 ECOP Meeting at Historic Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC
- L-R, top to bottom. Executive Committee: Chris 
Watkins, Bev Durgan, Wendy Powers, Caroline
Henney, Mark Latimore; also, John Lawrence  
Brent Hales, Allen Malone, Vonda Richardson,
Damona Doye.                                                       
- $600K 2023 Assessment-Driven Budget Approved     
- ECOP was not asked to contribute $ to support CMC 
or landgrantimpacts.org.                                          
- Consensus Achieved on 2022-2023 Priorities               

JointCOPs General Session on Federal Budget, 7/21/2022
 - Bridget Krieger, Lewis Burke Associates, lower left                      
- Marshall Stewart, University of Missouri, CLP Chair, lower right 

Status of FY 2023 Appropriations Before Senate Action in Late July. 
Cooperative Extension Section/ECOP will respond to a BAC FY24 survey by 9/12/2022.

Background on Farm Bill

.

Provocative Learning for Leaders Event June 4

The ECOP Monday Minute will be on hiatus on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021.

Distinguishing Urban Extension in the System Landscape – Thought leaders’ exchange for future planning and policy is the title of the next ECOP Learning for Leaders conversation, Friday, June 4, 2021, 3-4:00 p.m. Explore the basis of administrative and system-oriented aspects of Urban Extension Programming! Experts from NUEL and WCMER are back with members of the Cooperative Extension Section to expand beyond Ag focus and delve deeper into Extension and LGU policy, Staffing Ratios, Solutions and Outcomes! Middle managers and heads of HR may accompany Directors and Administrators to this event. All Directors and Administrators of Extension with interest in system change in Extension Policy and Organization may contribute to and will benefit from the provocative discussion. Contact Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org for connection details.

Volunteer Reviewers Sought for $1.5 Billion in Broadband Connectivity - The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce is soliciting experts to evaluate grant proposals for three broadband connectivity programs that will award over $1.5 billion to further national broadband goals and assist with COVID response and recovery efforts in 3 areas - Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, the Broadband Infrastructure Grants Program, and the Connection Minority Communities Program. To learn more and respond by May 31, click here. Help America advance its national objective of broadband access for ALL! - Please spread the word about this opportunity.

Integrated Pest Management Papers Released For Distribution by Extension - The National Integrated Pest Management Coordinating Committee (NIPMCC) has released the following series of papers on IPM and invasive pests. 
  • US Agriculture is Vulnerable to Weeds, Diseases, Insects, and Other Pest Threats (Full-text, April 2021)
  • US Agriculture is Vulnerable (One-Pager)
  • The Growing Threat of Pests Resistant to Pesticides and Other Management Tactics (Full-text, April 2021)
  • The Growing Threat (One-Pager)
  • Invasive Pests: A $120 Billion-a-Year Threat to America’s Farms and Lands (Full-text, April 2021)
  • Invasive Pests (One-Pager)
Thank you to John Lawrence, Iowa State University, who represents the Cooperative Extension Section on the NIPMCC for sharing this information. Additional contact information is found here. 

Call for BoHS Awards Nominations - The Board on Human Sciences invites nominations of individual, faculty, or staff member for one of four Board on Human Sciences (BoHS) awards presented at APLU's Annual Meeting on November 2021. Deadline is June 28, 2021. Links to more info:
  * Ellen Swallow Richards Public Service Award
  * Lifetime Achievement Award
  * Outstanding Engagement Award
  * Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
Please contact Florencia Drumwright, Senior Associate, or Doug Steele, Vice President for Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources, if you have any questions.

Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Meeting Registration Update

September 23-26, 2019, marks the dates for the joint meeting of the Experiment Station Section (ESS) and Cooperative Extension Section (CES) in Nashville, TN. The purpose of meeting together is to strengthen research/extension alliances and increase the quality and number of relationships within and the Extension and Experiment Station functions of the Land-grant university system. Every member's participation during the annual CES Business Meeting on the morning of September 25 is vital to the future of Extension. Today, exactly 1/2 (38) of the CES is registered - thank you! The remaining Extension Directors and Administrators are urged to complete their arrangements to attend using this link http://www.cvent.com/d/66qy1n by Labor Day to avoid displaced lodging and higher fees. Questions/concerns? Contact ECOP Assistant Director Sandy Ruble at 202-478-6088.



Outcomes to Encourage 4-H for All - On July 8, 2019, Extension Directors and Administrators received an update related new tools and resources for the System from ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee Co-chairs, Jon Boren, New Mexico State University, and Andy Turner, Cornell University. The True Leaders in Equity Institute is a year-long plan of work for community-based, equity-related projects, and the Equity Toolkit for is now available for use by Extension professionals. Details are available through National 4-H Council and made possible by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Bechtel Foundation and others who are committed to 4-H’s diversity strategy. Primary contact is Dorothy Freeman, dfreeman@fourhcouncil.edu. Click Here to view the full letter.

Readiness is Theme of Military Families Learning Network Virtual Conference - “Relationships for Readiness” is the theme of the Military Families Learning Network’s 2019 Virtual Conference, September 17-19. Top professionals from diverse fields will address various aspects of network building—from building relationships to creativity, communication, and collaboratively working together across specialties and disciplines. Cooperative Extension educators and service providers working with military families come from diverse roles, locations, disciplines, and organizations. Participants will learn together in this unique virtual experience and begin rethinking their work with military families by re-aligning themselves as connected and collaborative professionals, organizations, and agencies. Directors and Administrators, please forward the RSVP link: https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/vc2019/, to respective personnel! Thank you.

BoHS Award Nominations Deadline Announced - The deadline for submitting nominations for the awards that will be presented by the Board on Human Sciences (BoHS) at the 132^nd APLU Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA on November 11, 2019 has been extended to July 22, 2019. All award materials should be submitted to Eddie Gouge, BoHS Executive Director (egouge@aplu.org). For further information on past award winners, eligibility requirements, and the nomination procedure, click on the link provided with each award.

• Ellen Swallow Richards Public Service Award
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• Outstanding Engagement Award
• Undergraduate Research Mentor Award

BoHS and CAFCS Meeting March 5-8, 2019 in Arlington, VA

The ECOP Monday Minute returns January 28 to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Extension Directors and Administrators and their colleagues are invited to the Board on Human Sciences (BoHS) and the Council of Administrators of Family and Consumer Sciences (CAFCS) Joint Meeting, The Human Sciences’ Role in Promoting Rural Prosperity and Quality of Life. Participants will take a closer look at issues confronting rural communities throughout the country—opioid addiction, mental and physical wellness, affordable housing, and discrimination revolving around sexual/gender orientation—and the unique role of the Human Sciences to research, educate, and engage our communities to promote the science and art of living well in our complex world. Click here to view a meeting schedule. Registration details:  http://www.cvent.com/d/qbqjqw.



National Extension Awards Request for Nominations Begins 2/1/19 - Save the date of Friday, February 1, 2019, 3-4:00 p.m. ET for the Next Generation Extension - Learning for Leaders Zoom Meeting. ECOP Members Carolyn Williams, Prairie View A&M University, and Vonda Richardson, Florida State A&M University, will join Chair Ed Jones, Virginia Tech, to launch the annual call for nominations. Colleagues who have succeeded with nominations will be invited to share their experiences and given ample time to ask questions. The 1-hour session will feature a segment on "Winning Words" from experienced writers Suzanne Deatherage and Ann Kellett (formerly from Texas A&M University). Directors and Administrators are encouraged to participate and share the invitation with associates with responsibility for preparing award nominations. Stay tuned to email for connection details.


Announcement and Action Item: True Leaders in Equity Institute - The newly formed True Leaders in Equity Institute will equip 26 youth-adult pairs to be change agents within the Cooperative Extension System as it seeks to create a more inclusive environment for all youth. Youth and adults who exhibit the following characteristics are invite to apply to participate in this three-day convening and training at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, MD, April 5-7, 2019.

•   Aged 15 and up 
•   A desire to champion equity in your community 
•   A passion for an experience to create belonging for marginalized groups 
•   Connection to the Cooperative Extension System through 4-H, Well Connected Communities, SNAP-ED volunteering, National Mentoring Project volunteering or other Extension programs 

Applications available at www.4-h.org/trueleadersinequity are due February 2, 2019. Interested parties may register to join the Q&A call January 17, 2019, 2:00 p.m. ET, for additional information and/or inquire with Dr. Dorothy Freeman, Equity Director, National 4-H Council, at dfreeman@fourhcouncil.edu.

eXtension's Impact Collaborative: Statewide and Institution-Wide Events - eXtension members are invited to schedule an Innovation Skill-Building experience by state or institution to help develop innovative programs to strengthen local and statewide impact. Members provide their own venue, food, and teams. eXtension provides the staffing and support for prior planning with leadership teams on designing an experience contextualized to specifically meet each members' needs. Plus during the event, eXtension works with project and program teams on building skills in innovation, ideating using design thinking and lean experimentation methodology, and helping the teams create action plans for their projects and programs ready for incubation. To learn more about scheduling an event, please click here or contact Chris Geith at christinegeith@eXtension.org.

NEDA Begins Today

The 2018 NEDA and Cooperative Extension Section (CES) Business Meeting begins today in Portland Oregon! To date there are 96 individuals from 50 States/US Territories/District of Columbia, with 60 of the 76 Section Member institutions gathering in Portland. To kick off the event participants are asked to:

• Review the sessions and links to materials listed in the online Program before arriving. 
• Voting members of the CES are asked to review the suggested changes to the Rules of Operation, the proposed 2019 CES Budget, and Calendar. 
• Begin reading background materials at www.bit.ly/CESpioneer. (List will be updated throughout the meeting.) 

Former ECOP Member Tim Cross,
University of Tennessee.

Tim Cross is the 2018 ESP Ruby Award Winner - Epsilon Sigma Phi’s most prestigious level of recognition, the Distinguished Service Ruby award, is designed to recognize outstanding leadership, innovative thinking and sustained exceptional performance across a lifetime of career service in Extension. Former ECOP Member Tim Cross, Chancellor-University of Tennessee, Institute of Agriculture, will accept the 2018 Epsilon Sigma Phi Distinguished Service Ruby award on Tuesday, October 2nd. To experience his presentation, "To Every Extension Program There is a Session," at 12:15 p.m. Central Time, register for this event at https://epsilonsigmaphi.wildapricot.org/event-3072323/Registration and a link will be provided.

Extension Community Nutrition Education Visioning Web Retreat - The SNAP-Ed Program Development Team (PDT) has developed a framework to help prepare us as a Land Grant System to meet the challenges and opportunity for our collective work in limited resource nutrition education. This on-line, 2-hour retreat is intended to facilitate discussion to strengthen nutrition programming through shared expertise, state agency relationships, financial accountability and collective evaluation. SNAP-Ed and EFNEP leaders are invited to this event that will occur on October 26, 2018, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET. Directors and Administrators are asked to encourage participation and registration by October 19, 2018 through this link Extension Community Nutrition Education Visioning Web Retreat Registration. A link and passcode will be received by email after registration. After an initial overview of PDT committee chairs, participants will be randomly assigned into discussion rooms with 10-12 people and a facilitator.

Caroline Crocoll, USDA-NIFA

Caroline Crocoll Receives Board on Human Sciences 2018 Ellen Swallow Richards Public Service Award - Caroline E. Crocoll, Director of the Division of Family and Consumer Sciences at the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), who currently represents NIFA on the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee, is the winner of the Ellen Swallow Richards Public Service Award. The Board on Human Sciences award honors a nationally-recognized leader who has a significant history of promoting and advancing the human sciences. As Director of the Division of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) at NIFA for the past eight years, Crocoll has demonstrated a dedication to creating and facilitating a national agenda for human and community sciences research, education and Extension programs to promote the well-being of families and rural communities. She has served the Extension community at the county, state and federal level in FCS and 4-H since 1993. She is currently the Chair of the Alliance for Family & Consumer Sciences, past Foreign Agricultural Service and State Department Embassy Science Fellow, Corporation for National and Community Service National Service Fellow, and is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute focusing on Leadership in a Democratic Society.


Agricultural Resource Management Survey Participation Opportunity - National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) requests cooperation in alerting growers to an upcoming survey opportunity. In the next few weeks, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) representatives may contact corn, soybean and/or peanut growers to participate in the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). ARMS is the only USDA survey that assesses farm production practices and resource use, and the economic well-being of America’s farm businesses and households. This is an opportunity to have a voice heard! If a grower is contacted, encourage them to provide input on their nutrient and fertilizer use, tillage practices, and pest management practices, as well as production costs for soybean farmers. Thank you for your cooperation in encouraging grower participation! To learn more about this survey opportunity, visit: www.nass.usda.gov/go/arms. To learn more about this survey and its benefits, go to: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2018/08/30/nass-economic-data-help-farmers-and-those-who-support-and-serve-them

National 4-H Council Congressional Breakfast

All Cooperative Extension directors and administrators are invited to attend the Congressional Breakfast, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 13, 2016, Dirksen Senate Building Room G-50, Washington, DC. Two youth from each state or institution’s 4-H program are welcome to accompany you at the breakfast. Registration is required at http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GTLWeekRSVP. Additional information has been provided directly to directors and administrators from National 4-H Council about this and other events of interest during 2016 National 4-H Youth Advocacy Day. Direct questions to Kelly Baird at kbaird@4-H.org or 530.354.4287.

National Health Outreach Conference – The 2016 National Health Outreach Conference, hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension, is April 6-8, 2016 in Roanoke, VA. The theme “All Aboard: Building Partnerships for a Healthy America” joins health professionals, health educators and health policy makers to address issues of physical and mental wellness. See http://www.cpe.vt.edu/2016nhoc/ for details. Early registration is extended until March 9. 

Human Sciences Engagement Award – The APLU Board on Human Sciences announces a call for nominations for the 2016 Outstanding Engagement Award. The award recognizes an individual who is a “campus based” or a “state level faculty member” for exceptional creativity and scholarship in the development, application, and evaluation of outreach, Extension, and public service programs. Nominations are due 5.23.16. For details, see http://www.thebohs.org/outstanding_engagement_award0.aspx. 

eXtension at USDA Ag Outlook Forum – Unmanned Aerial Systems, Wearable Technology, and Oculus Rift provided a high-tech, interactive experience for participants at the USDA Ag Outlook Forum http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/ last week in the Crystal City, VA. Pictured  left, USDA-NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy learns about preparing his home against wildfire via an Oculus Rift program showcased at the USDA Ag Outlook Forum last week in Crystal City, VA. The program was developed by University of Idaho Extension professional Joey Peutz. This work was funded as an innovation grant by eXtension in 2015.

USDA to Release Urban Ag Toolkit – The USDA Urban Agriculture Toolkit will be launched this spring. To get an online alert, send your email address to knowyourfarmer@usda.gov and enter “Urban Ag” on the subject line. The toolkit will include resources on business planning, land access, soil quality, water access and use, capital and financing, infrastructure, and market development. Comments for additional information in the toolkit may be sent to the email address above.  

Awards Reminder - Nominate by 5.1.16 – ECOP in partnership with USDA-NIFA offers the 2016 nomination process for the national Excellence in Extension and Diversity awards. The due date for on-line nominations is May 1, 2016 at 5:00p.m. Pacific Time. For details and to access the online nomination forms go to: http://www.aplu.org/CESawards. Questions can be directed to Sandy Ruble sandy.ruble@extension.org, ECOP Staff Associate.

9.22.14 - SNAP-ED Information Needed by 9.26.14

SNAP-ED Information Needed by 9.26.14 – The annual request for information to set the SNAP-Ed assessment for the coming year has been sent. This assessment to support the SNAP-ED National Office at South Dakota State University and the Program Development Team was approved by ECOP for a three-year period through 2016. Institutions are asked to report if they participated in SNAP-Ed for FY 2014 and the amount received. Please respond to sandra.jensen@sdstate.edu at the LGU SNAP-Ed Office by September 26, 2014. 

Stronger Economies Together Gets New Funding – USDA-NIFA National Program Leader Brent Elrod reports USDA Rural Development has provided an additional $1.5 million to continue the program Stronger Economies Together (SET), http://www.srdc.msstate.edu/set/ primarily led by the Regional Rural Development Centers. The SET planning team meets in Washington, DC in early November 2014. 

Emerging Administrator Award – This award, co-sponsored by the APLU Board on Human Sciences (BoHS) and the Council of Administrators of Family and Consumer Sciences (CAFCS), recognizes significant potential as a new administrator in academia or Cooperative Extension. A call for nominations, due October 8, 2014, and selection criteria are available at http://thebohs.org/emerging_administrator_award.aspx. For further information, contact the BoHS Executive Director Carol Kellett at carol.kellett@thebohs.org. The award, which includes an honorarium, will be presented biannually at the BoHS/CAFCS joint conference. 

Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Annual Report – This program served 10,700 youth and families at risk in 42 states and U.S. territories during the 2013 program year. The Annual Report highlights stories, outcomes and program impacts across the four CYFAR national outcomes of Early Childhood, School Age, Teens, and Parent and Family. The overall CYFAR Program aligns with the USDA-REE mission areas of Education and Science Literacy, and Rural-Urban Interdependence and Prosperity. CYFAR is supporting the mission of educating the next generation of scientists through STEM projects that include hands-on activities that promote inquiry and thinking. CYFAR is building and enhancing partnerships with underserved and non-traditional populations. See http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/family/cyfar/annual_report.html. 

Food and Poverty – In its Choices magazine, the Agriculture and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) has a series on poverty and the relationship between poverty and food. For an overview of the articles, see Rural Poverty and Food.

ECOP Monday Minute 3.31.14

ECOP Meets in Sacramento – ECOP Chair Jimmy Henning, University of Kentucky, facilitated a face-to-face meeting of ECOP following the National Extension Directors and Administrators meeting in Sacramento last week. Among action highlights were the acceptance of the ECOP Task Force on Health report and plans for an implementation team, establishment of the 4-H National Leadership Committee, approval of funding recommendations for the Agriculture Act of 2014 Title I requirement for crop insurance education, and acceptance of the ECOP 2013 financial report.

Board on Human Sciences Awards (BHS) Competition (by Linda Kirk Fox, University of Georgia, BHS liaison to ECOP) -- The purpose of the BHS Outstanding Engagement Award is to recognize an individual "campus based" or "state level faculty member" for exceptional creativity and scholarship in the development, application, and evaluation of outreach, extension, and public service programs http://www.thebohs.org/outstanding_engagement_award0.aspx. Nominations are due 5.21.14 to Carol Kellett, Executive Director, BOHS, Carol.Kellett@TheBoHS.org or (785) 760-7134. Instructions for the awards  nomination packet can be found at the BOHS web site www.thebohs.org.

Extension Award Nominations Due 5.30.14 – The deadline for Extension in Excellence and Diversity awards was reported incorrectly in the last ECOP Monday Minute. The deadline is 5.30.14.  ECOP Program Subcommittee Chair, Jon Boren, New Mexico State University, and ECOP Personnel Subcommittee Co-Chairs, James Trapp, Oklahoma State University, and Chuck Hibberd, University of Nebraska, together with Sandy Ruble in the ECOP National Office, have developed an electronic submission, review, and notification process. To prepare a nomination for submission, use the pdf version found at https://www.aplu.org/document.doc?id=5116 which includes criteria. Then submit the nomination at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ECOPAwards2014. 

JCEP to Consider National Meeting – ECOP approved Chuck Hibberd, University of Nebraska, to serve on a Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) exploratory committee to consider options for a system-wide Cooperative Extension conference. The JCEP Board voted against a fifth Galaxy Conference in 2018. Hibberd serves as the ECOP liaison to ECOP.

Extension Centennial Convocation Update – This is a reminder that the Extension Centennial Convocation May 7-8, 2014 in Washington, DC, values participation from every institution in order to make this the celebration event of the century. Here’s how to participate –

      1) Register at http://www.cvent.com/d/g4qqj5 by 4.18.14. Hotel reservations are due 4.15.14.

2)      Nominate a poster by 4.4.14 (deadline extended). Click Here to download Poster Nomination Details.

3)      Name a representative to carry the state/territory/DC flag in the Centennial Opening Ceremony by 4.15.14. Send name, title and contact information to extensioncentennial@gmail.com.

News About APLU 2014 Annual Meeting -- APLU is seeking proposals for a series of three Sunday afternoon sessions at the 2014 Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL. Proposals must be submitted by April 12, 2014. For details, see the APLU 2014 Annual Meeting Request For Proposals.  Register at http://www.aplu.org/page.aspx?pid=1462.

Engaging for Impact – Oregon State University Vice Provost for University Outreach and Engagement Scott Reed shares a new flier developed as an insert to the alumni association’s periodical, the Oregon Stater. Check it out at www.osualum.com/s/359/file_lib/1/47/OutreachAndEngagement_201312_635223737675796847.pdf.  

ECOP Monday Minute 12.16.13

Congratulations, Chrystal – Please join the National ECOP Office in celebrating the exemplary contributions of Chrystal Checketts who has accepted a position at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension effective January 6, 2014. Since March 2011, Chrystal has been a critical member of the Executive Director and Administrator Team providing leadership for revamping the financial reporting system, updating the ECOP website at www.extension.org/ECOP, transitioning the Extension awards to an online process, establishing a consistent appearance for all ECOP communications, and assuming a substantial role on the ECOP Extension Centennial Task Force. She can be reached at chrystal.checketts(at)extension.org through January 3, 2014. Thank you, Chrystal, for your commitment to excellence, your attention to detail, your consistent professionalism, and for choosing Cooperative Extension for your next career move.

ACTION: NEDA 2014 Registration Open  – Register at http://muconf.missouri.edu/NeXC-NEDA2014/ for the National Extension Directors and Administrators (NEDA) Meeting, planned by the ECOP Executive Subcommittee, March 24-27 at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento in Sacramento, CA. NEDA will meet jointly with the National eXtension Conference (NeXC). These two events will highlight shared programming and independent business meetings and networking. NEDA will begin Monday evening with a reception and continue through midday Wednesday. An optional session Monday afternoon will provide tips and tools for engaging with social media. ECOP will meet Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Other NEDA participants are welcome to attend additional NeXC programming through Thursday.

ECOP Announces 2014 Directory – Appointments for ECOP and its various committees and task forces have been made by Cooperative Extension regions as shown in the 2014 directory at https://www.aplu.org/document.doc?id=4977. ECOP Chair Jimmy Henning, University of Kentucky, together with immediate past chair, Daryl Buchholz, Kansas State University, sincerely thank those who completed terms of service and those who have accepted new responsibilities. ECOP’s key role is representing Cooperative Extension as a national system. See www.extension.org/ECOP for details.

World Hunger Summit – Auburn University and the Board on Human Sciences invites you to the 9th Annual Universities Fighting World Hunger Summit on February 28-March 2, 2014. For details, see www.universitiesfightingworldhunger.org.

USDA Ag Outlook Forum – Registration is open for the 2014 USDA Ag Outlook Forum February 20-21, 2014 in the Washington, DC area. See http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/. The Extension Centennial will be featured in an opening video, an exhibit and a session setting the stage for the next 100 years of Cooperative Extension excellence.

APLU 2014 Annual Meeting Early Registration – The pre-registration rate for the 2014 APLU Annual Meeting, November 2-4 in Orlando, FL, runs through January 31, 2014. To register, go to http://www.cvent.com/d/t4q93z.

Opportunity to Feature 4-H Talent – Doug Steele, Co-chair of the Extension Centennial Task Force, encourages directors and administrators to consider the Millennium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC, as a way to feature 4-H and other talent from your Cooperative Extension programming during the centennial year. The Millennium Stage www.kennedy-center.org/millennium features free performances every day of the year at the Kennedy Center. For details, contact Diana Ezerins, Community Engagement Programming Coordinator, Millennium Stage, 202.416.8043, dmezerins@kennedy-center.org.