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.

Message From New Executive Director

Greetings Extension Leaders -  

I am delighted to begin my service as your National Executive Director of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). I’m also humbled by the faith you have placed in me to undertake this responsibility. 

I plan to do a lot of listening in the coming weeks and months. Luckily, CES’ leaders are some of the world’s best teachers. I’m looking forward to building on the knowledge that I’ve gained over the years as your federal NIFA partner.   

I look forward to a long tenure of effective service to the CES and ECOP. Please feel free to reach out to me by email (whoffman@aplu.org) or cell phone: (202) 897-9994. 

Dobbins to Represent Extension on NIPMCC - On Thursday, June 29, 2023, the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) appointed Tom Dobbins, Director of the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service and Associate Dean of Outreach and Engagement, to represent the Cooperative Extension System on the National Integrated Pest Management Coordinating Committee (NIPMCC).

Registration for the 2023 EDEN Annual Conference - Once a year, EDEN delegates assemble at the EDEN Annual Conference to share best practices, developing research, showcase projects that have been completed throughout the year, and enhance skill sets through professional development opportunities. The conference will offer guest speakers, breakout sessions, educational excursions, networking opportunities and a professional development training. This year, the host is the University of Georgia in Savannah, from September 26-29. To view the agenda, find hotel information, register for the conference, or learn more, visit EDEN’s Annual Conference webpage at extensiondisaster.net/news-events/annual-meeting.

Urban Research and Extension Opportunity - The Western Center for Metropolitan Extension and Research, which is in the process of a rebranding itself to the National Urban Research and Extension Center (NUREC), is accepting applications for their Fellows program (Deep Dive, Urban Sabbatical, and Graduate Fellows). The organization has been dedicated to developing resources to guide metropolitan Extension organizations since 2006. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2023. For more information, see: metroextension.wsu.edu/fellows. Funding for fellowships is dependent on membership explained at metroextension.wsu.edu/wcmer-member-benefits. A fellow from a non-member institution could receive non-monetary benefits (support, connections, etc.).

NEDA Theme and Location Announcement

The 2023 National Extension Directors and Administrators (NEDA) Meeting October 10-12 will be held in Tucson, Arizona. The Planning Committee chaired by Barbara Petty, University of Idaho, is pleased to announce the theme, Transforming Extension: People, Partners, and the Profession. 

Pre-meeting activities for groups of participants begin the morning of Tuesday, October 10 -- ECOP Business Meeting and late afternoon New Director and Administrator Orientation. All attendees may join the grand welcome reception and a dinner event sponsored by National 4-H Council. All day October 11 and half day on October 12, attendees will participate in 2 essential business meetings and several leadership development sessions. The launch of registration with instructions to book hotel rooms and a detailed agenda is scheduled for release in May. Find out more about Tucson at www.visittucson.org. Contact Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org to answer any questions.  

Workforce Development in the Cooperative Extension System - On Friday, March 3, 2023, leaders from every region of the Cooperative Extension System participated in a discussion of the current work of the Economic & Workforce Development Program Action Team (PAT). PAT Lead Ivory Lyles, Oregon State University, and 3 Fellows, gave an overview of the assessment funded by NIFA and highlights of existing workforce development Extension programs being conducted across the Extension system. To review the presentation:

--> Click here for the YouTube video recording

--> Click here access the Slides and most recent Workforce PAT Report

Learning for Leaders is organized by ECOP for members of the Cooperative Extension Section. 

NIFA Funding Opportunity: Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative Extension Disaster Education Network (FADI-EDEN) - In FY 2023, NIFA requests applications for the Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative Extension Disaster Education Network (FADI-EDEN) program. The goal of the FADI-EDEN program is to maximize the resilience of the U.S. food and agriculture sector to biosecurity risks, extreme weather events and disasters, cyber threats, and other shocks. Historically, a strength of the FADI-EDEN program has been its ties to the Extension Disaster Education Network, which is a national, collaborative network of extension professionals who are dedicated to improved all-hazards management of domestic disasters. The FADI-EDEN program will fund one Extension project that will address its priorities. To learn more about the FY 2023 funding opportunity, download the FY 2023 RFA; the RFA page also includes a pre-recorded program overview video and an informational slide deck. For additional information about the FADI-EDEN program, visit the NIFA program page. The Letter of Intent deadline is March 23, 2023, at 5:00 pm ET, and the application deadline is May 11, 2023, at 5:00 pm ET. Direct questions to Dr. Ashley Mueller, National Program Leader, at ashley.mueller@usda.gov.

RRDCs Release Findings from National Listening Sessions on Rural Community, Economic, and Workforce Development - The Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs) have released findings from a comprehensive initiative aimed at identifying the critical investments needed to build community capacity and improve quality of life in rural America. Their report can be used by a broad audience of practitioners, decision makers, and government agencies to inform where programmatic efforts and resources may be most effective in tackling key issues facing rural communities. It summarizes results from eight listening sessions, which convened stakeholders in facilitated dialogues focused on regional and national issues. It also integrates qualitative data from a national survey conducted in Fall 2021, building on the quantitative survey findings published in 2021. Access the executive summary, full report, or topical and regional reports by clicking the report image or here.

Virtual National Awards Event Registration

The Cooperative Extension System is invited to register for A Community of Scholars Celebrating Excellence: USDA Teaching and Extension Awards Ceremony, Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 3:00-5:30 PM, ET, at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gHQn8SMBSvWLa8ck07Ch-g. Wendy Powers, University of California, who will then be ECOP Chair, will join USDA-NIFA Officials during the first portion of the event for presentation of the esteemed Extension Awards. Recipients are preparing ignite-style briefings to share their impacts during the session. The official media release announcing the 2021 recipients of these awards will be released closer to the actual date. Contact either Sandy Ruble, sandyruble@extension.org, regarding the Extension Awards and Tara Westington, twestington@aplu.org, regarding the Teaching Awards for more information. Other November 2021 dates/times of interest to the Cooperative Extension Section are found here.

Invitation to Participate in National Survey on Rural Community, Economic, and Workforce Development Priorities - The four Regional Rural Development Centers invite rural-focused leadership and professionals working on issues of community, economic, and workforce development to participate in a national survey. The survey is the first phase of a listening sessions process aimed at identifying key priorities and critical investments for rural communities' recovery and growth. The process is implemented by the RRDCs with support from the Extension Foundation through the New Technologies for Agricultural Extension accelerator program. The RRDCs ask that rural development research and Extension/outreach leaders (1) complete the survey no later than October 6 and (2) share the survey with those in their networks engaged in community and economic development activities. Timely completion will ensure that responses inform a preliminary report that will be shared by the RRDCs with USDA NIFA and other federal partners as stakeholder feedback. To access the survey and submit responses, visit: https://bit.ly/RuralPrioritiesSurvey. Please pardon any duplication of effort to inform readers of this opportunity.

USDA Releases Resource Guide for Rural Disaster Resiliency and Recovery - USDA Rural Development (RD) has announced the launch of a new resource guide to help rural communities seeking disaster resiliency and recovery assistance. This resource guide outlines RD programs, services and information on technical assistance for rural preparedness and recovery. Resources of the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) are included. This guide seeks to strengthen local resiliency, provide resources that help build capacity to identify and manage risks to minimize the impact of disasters on residents and businesses. USDA RD’s disaster resiliency and recovery guide provides a matrix categorizing RD programs by the following four key assistance types:
   · Community and Economic Development Planning and Housing
   · Infrastructure and Equipment including wastewater systems, broadband, and healthcare
   · Local Business Development
   · Education and Training



2021 FCS State Program Leaders Meeting Announcement - Extension Directors and Administrators are invited to share that the Annual FCS State Program Leaders Meeting will be held virtually on November 4-5, 2021, in conjunction with the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Meeting. Go to https://www.neafcs.org/2021-annual-session for more information.

Opportunity to Host 2021 National Health Outreach Conference

Although the 2020 National Health Outreach Conference (NHOC) hosted by Missouri is still a couple of months away, now is the time for institutions to consider hosting the 2021 conference. Originally known as the Priester Conference, NHOC is an annual gathering of Extension faculty and staff, cross-campus collaborators, and external partners focused on the role that they can collectively play in improving the health of the nation. Please contact ECOP Health Extension Director Roger Rennekamp rogerrennekamp@extension.org for more information about hosting the 2021 conference or to obtain a copy of the request for proposals. Completed proposals are due by April 15, 2020.



2020 Learning For Leaders Dates - ECOP Leaders appreciate wide-spread participation in the Learning for Leaders Sessions. The 3/6/2020 Session is cancelled. Please save the following Fridays, 3-4:00 p.m. ET, that are found on the updated ECOP Calendar.
   • May 1, 2020
   • June 5, 2020
   • September 4, 2020 
The last session was held on January 10, 2020 - Positioning 4-H and Extension for Investment. Browse almost 20 current topics here and here that are of interest.



National Awards Process in Full Swing - There are 9 weeks left to devote system resources for the Diversity in Extension (team or individual) and/or the Excellence in Extension Award (individual) nominations. For all of the details visit www.aplu.org/cesawards. Contact Assistant Director Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org, 202-478-6088, for more information.


FY21 Budget Process - APLU's Policy Board of Directors approved the Budget and Advocacy Committee’s (BAC) Recommendation to move forward with 8% increase in capacity funding and AFRI and a $5M increase for the 1994 Tribal colleges' line from the enacted FY20 funding levels. The table below should be of interest to Directors and Administrators. Materials for use at the upcoming CARET/AHS and PILD Conferences as well as in conversations with other NIFA supporting organizations, go to www.land-grant.org/appropriations-documents.

All in Millions

EDEN Resources to Address Epidemics - With coronavirus spreading, now is a great time to use the Extension Disaster Education Network’s Epidemic Preparedness for Community-based Organizations program. This program provides PowerPoints, a draft script and templates that community organizations can use to develop their epidemic plans. An Extension educator or other local facilitator would bring together organizations and agencies to talk about which ones would provide which community services – in addition to serving their regular clients or members – during an epidemic. The program focuses on process more than content so no special training is needed to facilitate it. Please share this resource with Extension educators/agents. Send successes or suggestions for improvement to Becky Koch, North Dakota State University.

A Leader's Guide to Natural Disasters In Review

Extension Directors and Administrators from the 5 regions of the Cooperative Extension Section participated in last Friday's Next Generation Extension - Learning for Leaders', A Leader's Guide to Natural Disasters. Nick Place, University of Florida Dean and Director of Extension and ECOP's Liaison to the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Executive Committee, guided the conversation. To explore how Florida's Extension leaders leveraged EDEN resources to reduce the impact of Hurricanes Michael and Irma and how Nebraska Extension leaders are relying on EDEN to lift up volunteer centers to help relieve the effects of the recent "bomb cyclone" related flooding, go to recording go to https://youtu.be/XJefcUoKujc and view the PowerPoint. ECOP thanks all of the presenters and participants for demonstrating how federal, state, community, and land-grant university post-disaster resources are linked to a proactively well-prepared Extension workforce. Stay tuned for the release of EDEN's new website and quarterly newsletter. Save the date of 5/3/19, 3-4:00 p.m. ET for the next CES conversation; the topic is Well Connected Communities, Wave 2.

ECOP Meets This Week - The the representative leadership of the  Cooperative Extension Section is meeting this week, April 11-12 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Ed Jones, Chair and host, will lead the meeting of national decision-makers; 3 representatives from each region. National office staffing 2020 and beyond, resource and partnership development, and the futuring of Extension are the featured agenda items. Click here to view the complete agenda and collection of written reports. Stay tuned when next week's ECOP Monday Minute will feature the actions taken during the meeting. The ECOP Calendar lists the remaining meetings of 2019. Send agenda inquiries to your ECOP Representative or to Executive Director Rick Klemme at rickklemme@extension.org.



Countdown to Award Nominations Continues - Remember to move the nominations along for the National Cooperative Extension Awards. Only about 15 working days left to submit. The deadline is 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, May 1, 2019. Go to www.aplu.org/CESawards or contact Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org for more information.

The 4‑H club in Quincy, Washington gathering data from their peers,
parents, teachers and community members to help them determine how
they want to pursue digital skills training in their communities.
Click Here for more examples.

4-H and Microsoft Bridging the Digital Divide through 4-H Tech Changemakers - According to the Federal Communications Commission at least 24 million people in America’s rural communities don’t have access to high speed broadband internet, and millions more lack the digital skills needed to utilize this important tool. National 4-H Council and Microsoft, in partnership with the Southern Rural Development Center, the National Digital Education Extension Team and Cooperative Extension, including Georgia 4-H, are working together to help teens address this issue through the 4-H Tech Changemakers program. In this program, 4-H teens in 15 states are working with their communities to identify local needs and create action plans for using digital skills to help people thrive in a digital economy and benefit from high-speed connectivity. This summer Tech Changemakers stories along with materials for teaching your communities and 4-H’ers digital skills will be shared through the 4-H.org website and other platforms. For more information please contact Jennifer DePasquale at National 4-H Council at jdepasquale@fourhcouncil.edu.


Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program) - Recently Acting Assistant to Agriculture Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley announced that USDA Rural Development will begin accepting the first round of application for the Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program) on April 23, 2019. USDA is making available up to $200 million in grants, $200 million in loan and grant combinations, and $200 million in low-interest loans. Use the link https://www.usda.gov/reconnect to note deadlines, learn more and to apply.

Extension Leaders’ Response to Disasters: Join the Conversation 4/5/19

On Friday, April 5, 2019, 3-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Directors and Administrators will convene the Next Generation Extension – Learning for Leaders conversation, Extension Leaders’ Response to Disasters: Effectively Utilizing our EDEN Network. ECOP Chair Ed Jones encourages all 76 of his colleagues to please join! ECOP’s Liaison to EDEN, Nick Place, University of Florida, will be on hand to help facilitate the discussion. Connection details:
   • Join Zoom Meeting https://extension.zoom.us/j/129450710 
   • Or join by phone, dial by your location
        646-876-9923 US (New York)
        669-900-6833 US (San Jose)
            Meeting ID: 129 450 710

Award Nominations Deadline 5/1/19 Closes In - There is one month left to draft and submit nominations for the National Extension Awards. Go to www.aplu.org/CESawards to begin. Recipients of either the National Excellence in Extension or the National Extension Diversity Award will be featured in a coordinated national press release (NIFA, ECOP, APLU) and receive $5,000 cash. Typically, a travel stipend is included to attend the APLU Annual Meeting to receive these award. This year the meeting will be held in San Diego. The contact is Assistant Director Sandy Ruble at 202-478-6088.

eXtension Quarterly Report Available - eXtension would like to share with you some of the exciting things they have going on in their first quarter 2019 update. You can find that information in this attachment. This attachment includes:
   • Membership & Funding
   • Training Innovation Facilitators Around the Nation
   • Helping Members Catalyze Innovation Across Their States & Institutions
   • The Impact Collaborative Summit • National Collaborations
   • New Technology



Federal Legislation Re-Introduced to Create Tax Exemption for FFA and 4-H Projects - National 4-H Council wants to make Directors and Administrators aware that legislation (H.R. 1770) to create a tax exemption for the first $5,000 in proceeds on the sale of livestock or agricultural projects by 4-H'ers and FFA participants was re-introduced by Congressmen McCaul (R-TX) and Cuella (D-TX) on March 27 - National Ag Day. The National FFA Organization, the American Farm Bureau Federation and National 4-H Council have supported the Student Agriculture Protection Act since it was first introduced to the House in 2017. The bill has had major bi-partisan support but has never passed the House.



Grant Availability to Decrease Impact of Disasters - Last week USDA-NIFA announced $462,000 in available funding through Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program (SLSNCGP) to decrease the impact of disasters through Cooperative Extension programming. SLSNCGP supports innovative, education-based projects that address disaster or emergency preparedness and specific responses related to natural and human-made disasters. SLSNCGP sponsors targeted projects that enable Cooperative Extension System to assist in preparing for, providing an educational response to, and recovering from disasters. This RFA includes a new component for a Conference Grant or Training Workshop. Eligibility is limited to 1862 Land-grant Institutions in the 50 states and the US territories, American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The deadline for applications is May 28, 2019. See https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/smith-lever-special-needs-competitive-grants-program for details.