ECOP Gavel Passed from Townson to Stone, Hadley on Deck

At last week’s National Extension Director and Administrator meeting in Seattle, Lisa Townson concluded her year as ECOP Chair. During her tenure, she co-led the Health Tiger Team, led the development of strategic communications with Adaptive Roots Consulting, and kept Cooperative Extension issues at the forefront of our partnership with Lewis-Burke. As he accepted the gavel, Cody Stone told the participants about himself, including how 4-H influenced him as he grew up in a small Texas town, and his commitment to choosing the most important actions to pursue ECOP’s priorities. Gregg Hadley will bring his considerable national leadership to bear, including chairmanship of the ECOP Professional Development Committee and the Extension Foundation Board. 

Thank you Jon, Welcome Jake!

Rotating off ECOP from the Western region, Jon Borne concludes a long tenure of service to the system. Jake DeDecker will capably represent the region after national service on the ECOP Health Tiger Team.

Thank you Bev, Welcome Quentin!

Beverly Durgun concluded her service to ECOP from the North Central region at last week’s annual meeting, which included a year as ECOP Chair and stalwart support for increased capacity funding. Quentin Tyler will represent the region, drawing on his experience serving on the Board on Agriculture Assembly Board of Directors.

No First Friday in October

ECOP will not conduct an October “First Friday.” The next First Friday will take place November 6 at 3:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.

ECOP First Friday Update Available

On April 3^rd, ECOP held an informative First Friday Update.

• Lisa Townson discussed the progress of the Nutrition and Health Tiger Team
• Gregg Hadley provided an update from the Professional Development Committee, which included information on expanded recognition of Extension awardees at the September NEDA Meeting
• Tom Dobbins shared information about future Program Committee investments in the Program Action Teams
• Justin Rhinehart gave an update on the newly formed Artificial Intelligence Program Action Team
• APLU’s Doug Steele and Lewis Burke’s Dominique Foster provided a briefing on recent happenings in Washington, DC.

Webinar: A Comprehensive Overview of "A Study of Land-grant University Federal Capacity Funding"

Thursday, April 9 | 4:00-5:15 pm ET

This webinar is designed for individuals who have not yet had the opportunity to hear Wendy Fink’s presentation on the Tripp Umbach, Phase 1 report on federal capacity funding and would like to learn more about the Board on Agriculture Assembly's Federal Capacity Funding Initiative. The analysis and key findings are based upon survey results from 94 capacity-eligible institutions. The webinar will cover:

• What are USDA Capacity Funding Grant Programs?
• What does Capacity Funding Enable?
• BAA’s Capacity Initiative’s Three Phases​
• Phase One: Key Takeaways​
• What Can You Do to Help with This Effort?

Welcome:
Christopher Daubert, Chair, BAA’s Administrative Heads Section
Vice Chancellor and Dean
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
University of Missouri 

James Pritchett, Chair, BAA’s Communications and Marketing Committee
Vice President for Engagement and Extension
Colorado State University

Presenters:
Wendy Fink
Executive Director - Academic Programs Section, BAA and
Associate Vice President, Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources 
APLU

Marcus Glassman
Executive Director, Council on Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET)
Director, Governmental Affairs
APLU

Register here.

USDA NIFA Releases 2027 President’s Budget

USDA NIFA released the 2027 President’s Budget Request. The line by line is available here (see pages 21-42, 21-43, and 21-44). A full analysis is currently being conducted by Lewis Burke and will be available later this week. 

USDA General Terms & Conditions Update, NIFA GT&Cs Webinar Scheduled for April 15

NIFA will host a webinar on Wednesday, April 15 at 1:00 p.m. CDT to introduce the newly established USDA General Terms and Conditions and discuss updates to NIFA’s agency‑specific Terms and Conditions. 

Register here: USDA’s New General Terms and Conditions and NIFA’s Updated Requirements: A Comprehensive Overview

National Land-Grant Impacts Database Webinar, Morrill Lecture Nominations, NASS Watersheds Report

On August 2nd, Incoming ECOP Chair Vonda Richardson hosted a team to present an update on the National Land-Grant Impacts Database (NIDB). NIDB is the nation’s most extensive repository of the land-grant system’s collective impacts statements in research, education, and Extension. It serves as a comprehensive and important resource for the land-grant system to tell their stories. 


Nominations Now Being Accepted for Morrill Lecture: Each year, NIFA joins with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) to sponsor a lecture presented at the APLU Annual Meeting. The lecture honors one of the three most important historical figures of the Land-grant University System: William Henry Hatch for research; Seaman A. Knapp for Extension; and Justin Smith Morrill for whom the Morrill Act, which created the Land-grant University System, is named.

NIFA and APLU are seeking nominations to honor Justin Smith Morrill - the U.S. Senator primarily responsible for enactment of the historic legislation establishing the Land-grant University System. The Justin Smith Morrill Memorial Lectureship is awarded to honor outstanding contemporary leadership in teaching and significant contributions as an educator. Nominations will be accepted by August 23. Learn more about the Morrill Lecture and how to submit a nomination.

NASS releases 2022 Census of Agriculture Watersheds Report: USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released recently the Watersheds report, which provides data that supplements the 2022 Census of Agriculture, Volume 1. Watersheds is the first of six Subject Series reports to be released for this Census of Agriculture. The Watersheds report breaks down select ag census data – including farms, land in farms, land use and practices, fertilizer and chemical use, and select commodities – by the 6-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (watershed) boundaries, providing data users yet another way to review and compare ag census information.

The type of data provided in the Watersheds report can be used by researchers, community organizations, policymakers and producers to help assess the impact or potential impact of agriculture on the environment and surrounding bodies of water. The data can help inform decisions about government programs and grants and policies affecting producers, communities, and the agriculture industry. Read more and access the full report.

Call for Nominations for 2024 Awards

Last Thursday, the call for nominations for the 2024 Cooperative Extension Awards by ECOP and USDA-NIFA was sent to all Extension Directors and Administrators urging them to share the opportunity with leadership teams and potential nominees. Online submissions are required by May 1. Award recipients are selected by the end of July and will receive cash awards. The announcement of the winners will occur in Fall 2024 just prior to, and travel to the APLU Annual Meeting in November to accept their awards. Learn more at awards.extension.org. The website hosted by Extension Foundation, is a gateway to full details and provides answers to frequently asked questions.

First Friday Recap: Assessments Ballot Overview and Budget and Legislative Matters - Last Friday, Extension Directors and Administrators from over 30 land-grant institutions joined ECOP Chair Damona Doye for an informative briefing on an upcoming vote by the Cooperative Extension Section. Consultant Christina Laridaen, Lewis-Burke Associates, shared what was happening with Federal Budgets and the next Farm Bill. Links from land-grant.org shared during the briefing: 

--> Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Request aka "2025 Unified Ask"

--> 2023 Farm Bill Title VII Policy Recommendations

The concise 30-minute recording is available below. 

Registration for USDA’s 100^th Agricultural Outlook Forum (REMOTE PARTICIPATION AVAILABLE) - The Agricultural Outlook Forum, USDA’s largest and premier annual gathering, will take place February 15-16. The breadth and timeliness of the forum’s programs have consistently drawn a diverse group of participants. The 2024 Program will feature a keynote address by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a presentation on the outlook for agricultural markets and trade, and 30 breakout sessions covering a wide range of agricultural, food market and environmental issues. This is a hybrid event.



Health and Human Sciences Leadership Fellows Program - Applications are being accepted here for the third iteration of the Board on Health and Human Sciences (BHHS) Leadership Fellows program now through February 16, 2024. Faculty and Extension Specialists with interest in becoming administrative leaders in the health and human sciences field are encouraged to apply. Information on the program can be found in the 2024 Leadership Fellows Brochure. Selected fellows will receive up to $3,000 to support their projects and assigned mentors to support their activities. Project funds (including travel stipends) will be awarded to the fellows for a period of one year, to begin immediately following the BHHS annual meeting and to culminate in attending and presenting at the following BHHS annual meeting. Questions may be directed to bhhs@aplu.org. 



MyPlate Helps Make Every Bite Count - MyPlate.gov is the Federal symbol for healthy eating, and it offers a collection of easy-to-use tools and resources that promote healthy eating habits for people of all ages, budgets, and cultural backgrounds. The MyPlate Quiz (available in English and Spanish) provides resources that fit any need, and the MyPlate Plan (also available in English and Spanish) can be personalized for age, sex, height, weight, and activity level. There are also tools for on-the-go lifestyles: Shop Simple with MyPlate offers money-saving tips for grocery shopping and new ideas for preparing those foods, while the Start Simple mobile app helps set food group goals and track progress.



Registration Open for 2024 National 4-H Conference - Registration for the 2024 National 4-H Conference opened February 1. National 4-H Conference, the flagship youth development opportunity of USDA and hosted by NIFA, will be April 19 through 24. Read more about National 4-H Conference including registration details here.

Civil Rights Reviews – What to Know Ahead of Time

Civil Rights Reviews – What to Know Ahead of Time held on November 3, 2023, is a resource for what Extension Directors and Administrators should consider as they prepare for a civil right review for USDA-NIFA. It was one in a series of ECOP's First Friday sessions coordinated by the ECOP Professional Development Committee. This session is a general overview of what to expect and the importance of communicating externally with NIFA and internally with a review team. In addition to the link to the YouTube recording, slides from last Friday's session are available to view/download here. Dates for two more First Friday sessions on Civil Rights Reviews will be announced to Members of the Section and 1994 Extension Directors during the first part of 2024. Working titles:   

   (1) Language Access and Translational Services/Needs 

   (2) What an institution learns from the process? 

Watch for an invitation to ECOP Chair Damona Doye's First Friday Conversation on December 1, 2023, 3-4:00 p.m. ET. Skip January 2024!

Pesticide Safety Education Funds Program Application, Due January 1, 2024 - The EPA has awarded a cooperative agreement to the Extension Foundation (EXF) to administer a national subaward program supporting Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs). The new project will receive up to $15 million over five years. It will build upon a previous PSEP subaward program, also managed by EXF, which concluded in July 2023. The application for the Empowered Up: A Comprehensive PSEFMP Promoting Efficiency & Environmental Justice (PSEFMP) is now available. In order to be eligible for this funding applicants must be affiliated with a U.S. Land Grant University. Only one application per state or territory is eligible for funding. Learn more here.

Technical Assistance Webinar: Specialty Crop Research Initiative 2024 Request for Pre-Applications - A NIFA webinar on November 8, 2023, 4:00 p.m. ET will provide technical information about the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) Request for Pre-Applications for 2024. The purpose of the SCRI program is to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by awarding grants to support research and Extension that address key challenges of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems.




2024 National 4-H Conference Information Session - The 2024 National 4-H Conference will be held April 19-24 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. Known as “the Secretary’s Conference,” this Conference is the flagship youth development opportunity of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Registration for a NIFA informational session on November 15, 2023, 4:00 p.m. ET is an opportunity to learn about the National 4-H Conference history, objectives, schedule, chaperone roles, policies and registration process. Click here to read about the conference.

Extension System Workforce Survey Coming Soon

ECOP is undertaking a new survey to identify trends in the Extension System's workforce. The information gathered will be used to update data found in this article from almost a decade ago, and to fortify opportunities for funding. Last week during ECOP's First Friday event, Chair Bev Durgan, University of Minnesota, announced the survey to the Cooperative Extension Section and 1994 Extension Directors. On June 15, each land-grant university will be invited to contribute. A survey link will be sent directly to each CES voting member. This week would be a good time to alert HR departments or similar to prepare. The last day to complete the is July 14. Contact Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org for a link to a limited-time recording of the presentation that also includes exciting details about the 2023 NEDA Meeting in Tucson, Arizona, October 10-12, and the status of filling the vacancy of Executive Director of the System/ECOP.  

Extension Foundation Position Announcement: Chief Executive Officer - The Extension Foundation Board of Directors, chaired by Gregg Hadley, Kansas State University, seeks an exceptional entrepreneurial leader from educational institutions, government agencies, businesses and non-profits, and industry to serve as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO will set the pace and structure for a thriving 21st-century organization invested in ensuring CES has a broad range of engaged learners. The CEO is a Liaison to ECOP with the Board Chair and works closely with the Board of Directors, to create a vision and align systems to accomplish its goals. Please click here to read the full position description. The closing date for the position is 5 p.m. Pacific Time, July 28, 2023, or until a suitable candidate is found.

New Grant Report by 4-H Program Leaders - In 2021 the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP) allocated $100,000 to be awarded as competitive grants to state 4-H program leaders in furtherance of their programs access, equity, and belonging or diversity, equity, and inclusion programming. Grants were awarded to 14 states. The approaches were varied and covered a variety of topics. The grant summary that shares approaches by individual states and their work is found on the NAE4-HYDP website. 

Leadership in the City Online Professional Development Program Registration Announced - Leadership in the City, is a 6-month online professional development program that prepares Extension professionals working in urban areas to be locally relevant, responsive statewide, and recognized nationally. To date 127 Extension professionals from 31 states have participated. This online professional development program offers learning about leadership, networks, innovation, marketing, management, and more. The program is based on a foundation of entrepreneurial theory and urban Extension practice and will build upon existing leadership experiences. This year the course instructor is Ramona Madhosingh-Hector University of Florida/IFAS Extension and course advisor is Julie Fox, Ohio State University Extension. The investment in the program is $500. Multiple participants from the same institute are entitled to a $100 discount (Discount code: LITC24-MULT). Complete details and registration can be found at go.osu.edu/urbanleadership.

Grassroots Meeting of Land-grants Underway

The annual joint meeting of Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET-Volunteers) and the APLU Board on Agricultural Assembly's Administrative Heads Section (Deans and Heads of the Colleges of Agriculture) officially begins this morning at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in DC. During the last 2 days of this meeting CARET volunteers go the Hill to present the collective voice of research, Extension, and teaching to ask members of the 118th US Congress to support federal funding for land-grant universities. View the FY2024 Appropriations and 2023 Farm Bill Reauthorization documents showcased at www.land-grant.org. Best wishes to participating CARET volunteers and Extension Section Members who will be delivering the message that Ag is the Answer through land-grant universities! 

First Friday Event Update -  The Friday, April 7, 3-4:00 p.m. ET session is cancelled. Don't miss the next session on May 5, 3-4:00 p.m. ET when 2 Sections of the BAA, Academic Programs and Cooperative Extension, convene to expand awareness of innovative, collaborative efforts between Extension and academic programs. Contact Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org for more information. 

Land-grant University Impacts Video and Statements - Check out the latest media that demonstrate the individual and collective impacts of the land-grant system in research, education, and Extension. The 2023 Land Grant Impacts YouTube Video featured below. Search the database by states, institutions, years, funding sources, focus areas, and other parameters at landgrantimpacts.org.
See 2022 impact summaries and stories in these areas:
· Food Security
· Nutrition & Health
· Youth, Family, & Communities
· Environmental Stewardship
· Agricultural Systems
· Energy & Bioproducts

Registration Now Open for the 2023 National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference - NHOC will be held May 22-24 in Ithaca, NY. The 2023 conference is being hosted by Cornell University. All Extension faculty and staff and their community partners should know about this extraordinary opportunity to connect with individuals from across the country who share a passion for ensuring that all people have the opportunity to experience lifelong health. Support for these professional to attend is greatly appreciated. The conference will begin at 1:00 PM on Monday, May 22 and will end at NOON on Wednesday, May 24. The conference will feature more than 80 concurrent sessions and poster presentations as well as keynote speakers and the presentation of the 2023 Priester Health Awards. Deadline for early registration rate is March 17 and hotel room reservation is by April 30 to receive the group rate. Visit https://nhoc2023.cce.cornell.edu for more information and relevant links.

Leadership Transition and New MOU

On September 27, 2022, during the Cooperative Extension Section Business Meeting portion of Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Meeting in Baltimore, Members who were present witnessed the official passing of the Section/ECOP Chair's gavel from Wendy Powers, Dean, Washington State University, (right) to Beverly R. Durgan, University of Minnesota Extension (left). Bev's goal as Chair is to advance the ECOP Strategic Directions, by focusing on priorities identified by member institutions, and building on successes and recent lessons learned. The intended outcome is a cohesive Cooperative Extension System and stronger member programs, inclusive of all. Bev's Action Plan for the coming year can be found at www.aplu.org/cesgoals. Future editions of the ECOP Monday Minute will share more details regarding the year ahead. Members of the Section and 1994 Extension Directors are encouraged to save 3-4:00 p.m. ET every first Friday of the month for conversations with the ECOP Chair and occasional Learning for Leaders Sessions. Stay tuned to email for connection details. 

System MOU Aimed to Resource Development - On September 26, 2022, a new Memorandum of Understanding was established by ECOP, National 4-H Council, and the Extension Foundation. Please review the document here. Three members of the Section representing each partner in the agreement were the signers. Pictured L-R, Wendy Powers, Washington State University, ECOP Chair, Courtney Owens, Kentucky State University, Vice-chair of the Extension Foundation Board of Directors, and Jon Boren, New Mexico State University, Trustee of National 4-H Council.

2021-2022 Report and Celebration - Don't miss the Cooperative Extension Section's return on investment spelled out the interactive document version of the Annual Report available here and in this interactive slide presentation which includes Finance Update and notable expressions of appreciation to:

• Char Wenham (Michigan), CARET Liaison to ECOP;
• Edmund Buckner, Alcorn State University, and Arch Smith, University of Georgia for service on the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee;
• Chris Watkins, Cornell University, for service on ECOP;
• Karla Trautman, South Dakota State University, for leadership of National Impact Database Committee and Communications and Marketing Committee, and 
• Jon Boren, New Mexico State University, for chairing the ECOP Budget & Legislative Committee. 

Join ECOP and the EDA Team to celebrate the outstanding leadership and commitment to the mission of Extension over the past year by Wendy Powers, Washington State University, and for the dedication by Caroline Henney (Crocoll) as Executive Director of the National Office who retired on September 30, 2022. 

National Leadership 101 Recording and Slides Available - On September 9, 2022 26 Extension Directors, joined ECOP's latest monthly Friday Zoom event. All 5 regions and the 1994 Tribal Universities participated in the Learning for Leaders Program developed by the ECOP Professional Development Committee. To share and experience the 45-minute session, which included presentation by Brent Elrod, USDA-NIFA and Doug Steele, APLU, use https://youtu.be/MuwwSxu_kMc.Slides from the presentation are available here.

Extension Foundation Selected by USDA-NIFA as Technical Provider for NEXTGEN Funding Opportunity - The primary goal of the From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals Program (NEXTGEN) is to enable 1890 LGUs, 1994 LGUs, Alaska Native-serving and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, and insular area institutions of higher education located in the U.S. territories to engage, recruit, retain, train, and support students to help build and sustain the next generation of the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH) workforce including the future USDA workforce. The Foundation will raise awareness of the NEXTGEN program and provide technical assistance for eligible institutions to develop teams, partners, program strategies and to connect with USDA and other career opportunities. The APLU will support the Foundation in their role to help connect potential institutional partners to one another. Read more here.

Learning for Leaders Events

Save the Dates - ECOP Professional Development Committee Chair John Lawrence, Vice President for Extension and Outreach, Iowa State University, is leading the effort for the return of Learning for Leaders for the Section events in 2022. Here are the First Friday dates: 3-4:30 p.m. ET on January 7, March 4, May 6, and July 1, 2022. The January event will be New and Interim Director and Administrator Orientation: What I Know Now that I Wish I Knew Then, with a moderated panel of experienced Extension Leaders sharing advice and answering questions. All members of the Section are invited and encouraged to join the newest members and well-seasoned panelists (to be determined). Last week a survey was released to new and interim leaders to solicit their most burning questions/concerns. Zoom connection details will soon be released by National Office Assistant Director Sandy Ruble. For more information, contact either Albert Essel aeessel@ncat.edu or Robin Shepard robin.shepard@wisc.edu of the Committee.

2021 Awards Video Recap - Last week, ECOP Chair Wendy Powers, University of California, and NIFA Director Carrie Castille presented the 2021 Cooperative Extension Awards during the virtual ceremony hosted by APLU. 

• The Playlist of 7, 5-6 minutes video presentations by the winners is available for sharing on ECOP Office YouTube Channel. 
  
  
• Click here to view the  Dropbox version of the annual awards booklet where 2021 Extension Awards are referenced on pages 23-34. 

The call for nominations for 2022 Awards is as always on February 1 with a deadline of May 1. A new Team Excellence in Extension Award for is added to the mix! To learn more visit www.aplu.org/CESAwards.

Hearing for Consideration of Under Secretary - The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry posted the hearing notice for consideration of Dr. Jacobs-Young to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics. This will occur next Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 10:30 am ET. The hearing will not be webcast.

 

USDA NIFA AgrAbility Program - Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities: The AgrAbility program increases the likelihood that farmers, ranchers, farm workers and farm family members with disabilities will experience success in agricultural production. The program supports projects between State Cooperative Extension System and private, non-profit disability organizations who work in partnership to provide agricultural education and assistance directed at accommodating disability in farm operations for individuals with disabilities, and their families, who engage in farming and farm-related occupations. Applications may be submitted only by Cooperative Extension at 1862 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities including University of the District of Columbia, and 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities, including the Central State University, Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University. Proposals are due January 13, 2022. Visit the RFA here.

2020-2021 National Recognitions

During the 2021 NEDA and the Cooperative Extension Section Business Meeting on October 14, Chris Watkins, 2020-2021 ECOP Chair, recognized several ECOP members and partners for their exemplary work in support of Cooperative Extension. A mahogany and maple clock was presented to Gary B. Jackson, Mississippi State University, for serving a full 4-year term on ECOP with thanks for his national service. Other recognitions included: 

• Brent Elrod, National Science Liaison, Institute of Youth, Family, and Community, USDA NIFA, for dedicated support of NTAE and NIFA's support of the ECOP Program Committee and for service to the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee.
• Jon Boren, New Mexico State University for leadership of the 4-H Leadership Committee as Co-chair since 2019. Jon continues to serve as ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee (BLC) Chair and the Section/ECOP's representative to the BAA Policy Board of Directors' Budget and Advocacy Committee.
• Andy Turner, Cornell University for leadership of the 4-H Leadership Committee as Co-chair since 2017.
• Lyla Houglum, WEDA Executive Director for service on the EDA Team for more than a decade in various national efforts, second only to Ron Brown of Southern Region in terms of longevity. Lyla retired in August 2021.
• Jason Henderson, Purdue University for leadership as Cooperative Extension Section/ECOP Appointee to NC-FAR Board of Directors since 2017. Jason continues to serve as a member of ECOP and Vice-chair of the ECOP BLC.
• Debby Sheely, University of Rhode Island for service as a member of ECOP since October 2019 and as interim Chair of the ECOP Professional Development Committee. Debby retired in June 2021. 

Thank you all for your outstanding contribution and efforts in the advancement of Cooperative Extension!

First Friday Conversation Reaction - Last Friday, ECOP Chair Wendy Powers, University of California, conducted the first in a series of monthly chats with 25 colleagues from all 5 Regions. The main topic was about for capacity funding for Extension. Here are just a few quotes from the anonymous post-meeting survey:

-- "I liked ample time to discuss rather than just updates and presentations. Thank you!"

-- "Dialogue is richer when all can relate to topic and have skin in the game."

-- "Succinct and focused meeting!"

The 76 Members of the Cooperative Extension Section are encouraged to attend the next conversation on Friday, December 3, 2021, 3-4:00 p.m. ET. Contact National Office Assistant Director Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org for details.

Ag Outlook Registration Now Open - Registration is now open for the 98^th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, USDA's largest annual meeting and premiere event. This virtual two-day event will be held on February 24-25, 2022, and features a keynote address by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a presentation on the 2022 agricultural economy by USDA’s Chief Economist Seth Meyer, a panel of distinguished guest speakers, and 30 breakout sessions organized by agencies across USDA and covering a range of timely issues impacting the sector. More than 100 government, industry, and academic leaders will share their perspectives and insights on a wide array of topics including commodity and food price outlooks, U.S. and global agricultural trade developments, climate change, and innovations in agricultural production and sustainability. The 2022 Forum theme and full program will be announced soon. For more information, read this USDA press release.

Cooperative Extension System Partners with the Ad Council on Vaccine Education - Rural communities have been hit hard by COVID-19. In September alone, incidence rates of COVID-19 were roughly 54% higher in rural America than elsewhere. As part of its ongoing rural vaccine outreach, the Cooperative Extension System and the CDC EXCITE Program have partnered with the Ad Council to release a set of nine new rural-focused PSAs. Backed by research showing the power of personal stories, the videos aim to meet rural Americans where they are with clear and accurate information. From the farm to the football field to the pharmacy, every story is unique and unscripted -- the stories of how COVID-19 and vaccines have impacted rural America. View all nine stories, including messages in Spanish, here. To access the Ad Council’s rural community toolkit, including messaging guidance, radio content, social graphics and more, click here. See the press release detailing the breadth of rural-focused work here.

2021 Cooperative Extension Awards

Recognizing visionary leadership and diversity in educational programming, ECOP is pleased to share the following awards to be presented at this virtual event next Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 3:00 p.m. ET. Please register at the link provided today to hear the impacts from each winner! 

Dr. Ann Allgood Berry (pictured left) of the University of Tennessee will receive the 15^th Annual Excellence in Extension Award while the Coming Together for Racial Understanding Team will receive the 30^th Annual National Extension Diversity Award.

The Excellence in Extension Award is given to Cooperative Extension professionals who excel at programming, provides visionary leadership, and makes a positive impact on constituents served. Dr. Berry is an Extension specialist responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating consumer economics programs to support outreach through the University of Tennessee’s network of family and consumer science and 4-H youth development agents in 95 counties across the state. By conducting 124 teacher workshops, personal finance instruction reached 1.2 million high school students. The estimated impact of this Consumer Economics program is $297,261,026 since 2007.

The National Diversity Award recognizes significant contributions and accomplishments in achieving and sustaining diversity and pluralism. The Coming Together for Racial Understanding Team, comprised of Extension specialists and administrators from 22 land-grant universities from 17 states, and other national representatives, is the winner. The team helped train facilitators who guided community dialogues across the country around issues of race and discrimination. The effort involved 29 states sending teams for national training, with more than 100 participants completing train-the-trainer workshops. All told, over 900 Cooperative Extension System staff completed some portion of the trainings. The principal for the CTRU Team, Rachel Welborn, Associate Director for the Southern Region Rural Development, will accept the award on behalf of the Team.

Regional Excellence in Extension Awards:

• 1890s Region: Michelle L. Eley, Community and Economic Development Specialist, North Carolina A&T State University, for communication and economic development for underserved agricultural and rural audiences.
• North Central Region: Ashley L. Mueller, Extension Specialist, Disaster Education Coordinator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, for disaster education leading to increased community preparedness and resilience.
• Northeast Region: Harry Crissy, Business and Community Vitality Extension Educator, The Pennsylvania State University, for promoting access to broadband Internet.
• Southern Region: Robert C. Kemerait, Jr., Extension Specialist, Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, for advancing public understanding of managing major disease threats to Agronomic Crops.
• Western Region: Ana Lucia Fonseca, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist, Oregon State University, for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for all learners.

Member Updates with Wendy Powers, ECOP Chair - Last week Members of the Cooperative Extension Section, were cordially invited to participate in ECOP’s First Friday Section Update event on November 5^th from 3:00-4:00 PM ET. Important information will be shared directly with members with ample time discuss ideas, concerns, and emerging opportunities. These opportunities are part of Dr. Powers’ 2021-2022 Action Plan: To continue to develop and improve upon the understanding about the role of ECOP and ECOP activities, providing regular updates on ECOP activities, through the ECOP Monday Minute and virtual Section briefings. Extension Directors and Administrators are asked to keep the first Friday of each month (except August) open on their calendars from 3-4:30 PM ET for these sessions. Connection details may be obtained by contacting Sandy Ruble at sandyruble@extenssion.org, 




Two Events Slated on Sustainability of Forest and Rangeland Resources - The 2021 McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research (MCSFR) and the Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA) programs will hold two events (fall and spring) to identify opportunities, discuss challenges, and collaborate in addressing the sustainability of forest and rangeland resources through research, education, and extension strategies. The first meeting November 15 at 1 p.m. (ET) intends to connect MCSFR administrative technical representatives and RREA project directors through a series of talks, breakout groups, webinars, and guest speakers to learn about the latest changes in the reporting system, financial, and administrative management of the programs. For more information, go to the MSCFR and RREA webinar announcement.




USDA NIFA Civil Rights Compliance Review Schedule for FY 2022-2025 - Civil Rights (CR) compliance reviews are a tool to determine how benefits and services are delivered by NIFA-funded programs and activities. The collaborative reviews provide recipients of NIFA funding with technical assistance and strategies to improve access, equal opportunity, and program delivery. Onsite compliance reviews are conducted annually on a rotational basis for recipients in the U.S. and territories. The NIFA CR Compliance Review Schedule for 2022-2025 is available here.

Exploring Evidence-Based Programming in Cooperative Extension

The Extension Foundation is convening interested stakeholders to explore what evidence-based programming means to Cooperative Extension professionals and to determine how Extension can refer to these efforts. If you are interested in joining the conversation, we invite you to opt-in to receive information about upcoming focus groups to frame this important work by filling out this form. The goals of these conversations include:
· Explore questions and gather ideas to inform and shape this work
· Define what is an evidence-based program
· Identify the language for naming evidence-based programs
· Build a taxonomy of programming models
· Define the ways evidence-based programs can be communicated
· Establish an advisory committee. Learn more here.



First Fridays-Updates, Dialogue, and Learning for Leaders Opportunities for Extension Directors and Administrators - In an effort to better communicate the work of ECOP, address emerging issues, and provide opportunities for professional development, ECOP Chair Wendy Powers will host a series Cooperative Extension Section Updates and Learning for Leaders events over the coming year for Extension Directors and Administrators. These events will take place on the first Friday of each month beginning November 5, 2021, at 3:00 PM ET. Section Updates will be no longer that 1 hour and Learning for Leaders no longer than 90 minutes. Hold the dates/times now for First Friday events through September 2022 except for August when there is a regional conflict. More details - topics and connection details - to come.


Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Reaffirms Commitment to 4-H and Cooperative Extension - National 4-H Council is pleased to announce that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has renewed its partnership with 4-H and Cooperative Extension with a commitment of an additional $5 million to support the advancement of health equity and well-being across the nation. This two-year investment will build upon prior efforts to catalyze change at the community-level by creating system level supports that facilitate the implementation of the recommendations contained in Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being. Special attention will be given to system-wide interventions that amplify the role of young people in addressing health-related issues, advance Cooperative Extension’s work to addressing barriers to life-long health, and position equitable development as a strategy for creating communities in which all people thrive. For more information, contact Roger Rennekamp, Extension Health Director at rogerrennekamp@extension.org.



U.S. Senate Recognition for 4-H - The U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating October 3-9, 2021, as “National 4-H Week”, encouraging all citizens to recognize the significant impact of 4-H in providing opportunities for America’s youth and “empowering young people with the skills needed to lead for a lifetime.” The resolution received support from 46 Senate co-sponsors, including 4-H Caucus Co-Chairs Senators Debbie Stabenow and John Boozman. “We need a strong and engaged next generation of leaders, both on and off the farm. 4-H provides our young people with opportunities to lead hands-on health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement projects,” said Senate Ag Committee Chair Stabenow. “As a former 4-H’er myself, I know 4-H equips young people with the skills they need to thrive in any career. I am glad my colleagues came together on a bipartisan basis to officially recognize National 4-H Week.” Click here to read more. In its role as the non-profit partner to Cooperative Extension, National 4-H Council supports the Congressional & Senate 4-H Caucuses, which includes 66 members across both chambers. For more information, contact Eliza Hernandez, National 4-H Council Chief of Staff at eherhandez@fourhcouncil.edu.

New Health Framework Serves as Roadmap

Health Program Action Team Update - Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being outlines a bold and ambitious plan by which the Cooperative Extension System can advanced its work to improve population health and achieve equity in health status. The Framework includes five high-level recommendations and a robust set of specific recommendations for achieving this goal. National 4-H Council, through the generous support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, along with the Extension Foundation and USDA-NIFA have joined forces to provide funding to support implementation of the recommendations. Leadership for implementation of the recommendations will be provided by the Health Program Action Team of the ECOP Program Committee. The Health Program Action Team is currently being established through a transitional process that will incorporate membership of several existing groups (including the Health Innovation Task Force) into a consolidated leadership group. Messaging information about this work is located here. For more information, contact Roger Rennekamp, Extension Health Director, at rogerrennekamp@extension.org.

Thank You! to the 55 Members of the Section plus 2, 1994 Extension Directors, from 44 states and 1 US territory, who participated in 2021 NEDA last week! - Watch for highlights and Leadership Resources. Have a look during the week at ECOP Chair Wendy Powers's 2021-2022 Action Plan at www.aplu.org/CESgoals and hold 3-4:30 p.m. ET every first Friday beginning November 5 (except August 2022) to virtually meet with Wendy for member-driven updates and/or Learning for Leaders events. 

Leadership Development for the 21st Century (LEAD21) Call for Application Deadline November 30 - 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. The primary purpose of LEAD21 is to develop leaders in land grant institutions and their strategic partners who link research, academics, and extension in order to lead more effectively in an increasingly complex environment, either in their current position or as they aspire to other positions. Learn about the program goals, components, and costs here.




DEI Professional Development Opportunity for Extension Professionals - Michigan State University Extension’s Tollgate Farm and Education Center is hosting a virtual professional development panel discussion series for Extension and educational professionals about learning to better incorporate the perspectives of diverse groups in educational programs. Moderators and panelists from each community provide a chance for educators to deepen their teaching practice in a safe online space for open conversation and community. Interested parties may register here for upcoming sessions, including:

• November 4: Incorporating Indigenous Perspectives and Maple Sugaring Experiences in Place-based Teaching and Learning
• December 2: Incorporating Black Perspectives in Place-Based Teaching and Learning
• February 3: Special Needs Perspectives and PBE In and Beyond the Classroom
• March 3: Engaging with LGTBQ+IA Communities in PBE in Formal and Non-Formal Settings
• April 7: A Latinx Lens: Incorporating Latinx Perspectives through Place-Based Educational Programming
• May 5: Incorporating Asian Principles, Practices, and People in Community- and Place-Based Learning

RFA Vaccine Hesitancy of the Cooperative Extension System: PROPOSAL DEADLINE EXTENDED - The EXCITE team invites all Land-grant Institutions to apply for up to $300,000 funding for Dec. 1, 2021- April 30, 2023, to: 1) assess vaccine hesitancy of Extension field educators, specialists, and administrators, and 2) create and implement a strategy to reduce vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 and other adult immunizations to increase confidence and willingness to become immunization educators in their community. The goal of this project is to reduce hesitancy around vaccination and increase willingness to serve in educational roles around adult vaccination among Cooperative Extension personnel at all three types of Land-grant institutions (1862, 1890, 1994). View the Vaccine Hesitancy of the Cooperative Extension RFA, and view the application guide. The deadline for the RFA is now November 12, 2021.