#SaveSNAPEd: SNAP-Ed Advocacy Webinar

On June 18, a SNAP-Ed Advocacy webinar was hosted by Southern California based Leah’s Pantry, the Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators (ASNNA – which includes many Cooperative Extension Educators), and a Philadelphia based organization, The Food Trust. The goal of the webinar was to coordinate efforts to communicate with United States Senators to delay the elimination of the SNAP-Ed program.

The Senate reconvenes today and aims to finalize their reconciliation spending bill soon, no later than the 4^th of July. The group’s strategic ask is a two-year delay in implementation/elimination, to secure Republican support, and to share language that would provide such a delay. The call to action includes scheduling a meeting with Republican Senators or staff as soon as possible, making the ask outlined in the group’s talking points and advocacy toolkit, secure a clear commitment from Senator(s) to support the delay, and report back using the following form.

Lewis-Burke and other members of the advocacy team at the national office have been coordinating with ASNNA. This includes, but is not limited to, the national office co-signing a letter to Senators Thune and Boozman in support of the above strategy.

Coming Soon: Artificial Intelligence Survey

Be on the lookout for an Artificial Intelligence activity survey, which will be directed to Cooperative Extension Directors and Agricultural Experiment Station Directors. The Extension Foundation is a key cooperating entity within this effort.

SARE Seeks Outreach Products to Advance Sustainable Agriculture

Do you have an idea for an outreach product or project that could help farmers or ranchers improve their profitability, environmental stewardship and/or quality of life?  Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Outreach is seeking recommendations for information products or outreach initiatives that extend research-based innovations to improve the sustainability of American agriculture. Submit your ideas by June 30. 

President Releases Abbreviated (skinny) FY 2026 Budget Request

Last week, President Trump released abbreviated highlights of the administration’s FY 2026 Federal budget. The budget request (also sometimes known as the skinny budget) calls for a $602 million decrease in National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) budget. The document describes the decrease as follows (see the bottom of page 31 in the linked document):

“The Budget eliminates wasteful, woke programming in NIFA, such as activities related to climate change, renewable energy, and promoting DEI in education that were prioritized under the Biden Administration. In addition, the Budget reduces funding for formula grants because they generally do not achieve the same results as competitive programs. Instead, the Budget focuses on the President’s goal of advancing the competitiveness of American agriculture through the merit-based Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. The Budget protects funding to youth and K-12 programs such as 4-H clubs, tribal colleges, and universities. This investment would help prepare future generations of farmers. It also ensures HBCUs are amply funded.”

The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities released a statement about the entire document, specifically mentioning the USDA/NIFA portion. Analysis from APLU’s consulting firm, Lewis-Burke, states that cuts of this magnitude and nature are unlikely to be upheld by the US Congress. The status of each individual NIFA line item is currently unknown.


ECOP Signs on to Letter in Support of SNAP-ED

Last week, the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) signed onto a letter in support of SNAP-Education (ED), which was addressed to the following important federal lawmakers:

• The Honorable John Boozman, Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
• The Honorable Any Klobuchar, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
• The Honorable Glen “GT” Thompson, Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture
• The Honorable Angie Craig, Ranking Member, House Committee on Agriculture

The letter shares information highlighting the critical role of the SNAP-ED program in advancing national food security and nutrition goals. It also discusses how the program helps individuals and families make more nutritious food choices, stretch limited food budgets, increase physical activity, and make healthy choices easier in the community.


NIFA Director Makes First Land-grant University Visit

Dr. Jaye Hamby’s first Land-grant University trip as NIFA Director was a bit of a homecoming when he visited Oklahoma State University (OSU) recently. Dr. Hamby completed his master’s and doctoral studies at OSU.

Dr. Hamby toured OSU agriculture research facilities and units, including the Food and Agricultural Products Center, a 96,000-square-foot facility that houses animal harvesting, food manufacturing, grain milling, sensory profiling, food microbiology and application laboratories for demonstration and prototype testing, as well as education and training capabilities. Additionally, Dr. Bee Chim guided him through the Soil, Water and Forage Laboratory (SWFAL), which handles more than 60,000 samples annually.

During his visit, Dr. Hamby was recognized as OSU’s 2025 Distinguished Alumni in Agricultural Education.


National 4-H Conference Photos Now Available on USDA Flickr

More than 300 images from the recent 2025 National 4-H Conference are available at USDA Flickr. If your state 4-H program sent delegates to the conference, check out the National 4-H Conference photo album to see if there are images of your delegation.

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

.

Senate Confirms USDA REE Under Secretary

The ECOP Monday Minute will be on hiatus on June 20, 2022, to commemorate Juneteenth, the day the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, in 1865.

Senate Confirms USDA REE Under Secretary - ECOP and the Cooperative Extension Section congratulates Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young on her U.S. Senate confirmation to serve as Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) at the United States Department of Agriculture. Dr. Jacobs-Young recently served as the Acting Deputy Under Secretary of the REE mission area. Previously, she served as Agricultural Research Service Associate Administrator, where she led the Office of National Programs which manages the research objectives of the Agency. See more information here.



Celebrating 30 Years of SNAP-Ed - May 2022 marked 30 years of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed). ECOP and the Cooperative Extension Section joins the USDA to celebrate SNAP-Ed for providing evidence-based nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions and projects for those eligible for SNAP benefits. Through complementary direct education, multi-level interventions, and community and public health approaches to improve nutritional health of historically underserved populations, this federally funded grant program has impacted lives for three decades. See SNAP-Ed Works from USDA-Food Nutrition Service and the NIFA Blog that highlights the 30 years of SNAP-Ed. For a good number of years, ECOP has maintained a valuable alliance with a program development team in support of land-grant university Extension led SNAP-Ed programs and its impact evaluation. 



Advocacy Updates from Lewis-Burke Associates - APLU Office of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) is stepping up efforts to provide regular advocacy updates to the land-grant university system. Last week Doug Steele, APLU Vice-president of FANR,  announced that Lewis-Burke Associates will provide a monthly summary of highlights and key points to be included in his FANR Focus email messages. The most prominent updates in the last five months are the passage of fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations in March; the release of the President’s FY 2023 Budget Request a few weeks later; ongoing Congressional negotiations on the FY 2023 budget, and the official start of the 2023 Farm Bill process. To view the June update available at www.land-grant.org, please go here. If you are not receiving Doug's messages and would like to sign up, email Suzette Robinson at srobinson@aplu.org with your contact information.

2022 CECE-CGA Summer Meeting - The APLU Commission on Economic & Community Engagement (CECE) summer meeting, themed Inclusive Community and Economic Engagement: The Path to Social Mobility, will be held from August 2-5 in Detroit, Michigan. Cooperative Extension leaders who are members of CECE are invited to join senior university economic development and community engagement administrators, presidents and chancellors, provosts, senior research officers, and communications administrators at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit. Participants will look to the future and collaborate on expansive efforts promoting equity–both in process and outcomes–amongst  practitioners’ work. The event agenda features tours of local economic growth engines, interactive sessions, and special programming for Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) Universities. Professionals employed by APLU member institutions may join CECE for free here and then proceed to register here. 

Two Valuable Orientations in Early 2022

New Extension Directors Orientation - All members of the Cooperative Extension Section are invited and encouraged to join our newest members and well-seasoned panelists for this Learning for Leaders Event, What I Know Now That I Wish I Knew Then. This virtual event, sponsored by the ECOP Professional Development Committee, will be held on Friday, January 7, 2022, 3:00-4:30 PM ET. Chair John Lawrence, Iowa State University, will moderate a panel of experienced, successful Directors who will be sharing advice and answering questions. The results of a recent Professional Development Committee survey of new and interim Directors will guide the discussion. Inquiries for this event will be addressed by Sandy Ruble, Assistant Director, Cooperative Extension System/ECOP at sandyruble@extension.org.  

Save the Date-2022 New Administrators’ Orientation - A Virtual Event is set for February 8-10, 2022, 2:30-5:00 PM ET. This event is intended for individuals on the APLU Board on Agriculture Assembly (BAA) and their supporting administrators or faculty, who have entered an administrative position since 2019; USDA-NIFA personnel who are interested; and any others who would like to learn more about APLU, the Land-grant University System, the BAA, and USDA. Information presented will be particularly useful to administrative heads, directors, associate/assistant directors, and USDA-NIFA national program leaders and administrators. According to Wendy Fink, Executive Director, Academic Programs Section & Assistant Vice President, Food, Agriculture & Natural Resources (FANR), registration will be released to the BAA in early January. 

  

New SNAP-Ed Talking Points Infographic Released - To highlight the value Land-grant Universities bring to SNAP-Ed, the SNAP-Ed LGU Program Development Team has created a one-page infographic to share with key stakeholders. The infographic found at the bottom of the website snap-ed.extension.org emphasizes the LGU structure and system, local connection, added value, experience, and key program outcomes. If you have any questions about the infographic, please contact the SNAP-Ed LGU Program Development Team Assistant, Lauren Sweeney at lauren.sweeney@sdstate.edu.



3^rd NAPA Biennial International Scientific Conference 2022 - The Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA) is a organizing an international scientific conference from May 27-29, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia with the theme is ‘Advancing Agriculture in a Changing World’. The conference provides a scientific forum for students, researchers, academicians, and professionals who are engaged in but not limited to teaching, research, Extension, rural development, and entrepreneurial activities in the field of agricultural and allied sciences across America and beyond. Participants will have an opportunity to present research findings, share experiences, exchange ideas, explore professional collaborations, and engage in networking activities that foster impactful collaboration. Find more information about this conference at the following links:
· Call for abstracts (professionals and students)
· Call for essays-student writing contest
· Click here for more details about the NAPA conference

Registration Ends 2/3/2021 for DEI Learning for Leaders Event

Since 1984 the third Monday in January is set apart from every other Monday as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to celebrate the birth and life of a leader who served as chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement. Please join the Cooperative Extension System/ECOP Office to remember Dr. King’s legacy and honor his dream. Normal office hours resume on January 19, 2021. 

Attention - To all Land-grant 1890 Extension Administrators and 1862 and 1994 Extension Directors who have not yet registered for the Learning for Leaders event, Improving Inclusivity in Our Institutions and ECOP, on Friday, February 5, 2021, 3-4:30 p.m. ET, registration IS required. Contact Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org to register and receive connection details before close of business February 3, 2021. This is required. Why attend?

“Please plan to join me at the Learning for Leaders Session on February 5^th.  Advancing our understanding, sharing successes, and challenging ourselves on how we embrace diversity, inclusivity and equity within our own organizations is critical to the success of the Cooperative Extension System.  This session is designed to support the work of Extension Directors around these critically important issues.” – Dr. Karl Martin, University of Wisconsin

“Given our strong Extension network and our passion for meaningful change, it’s time to combine our expertise and experiences to become part of the solution. I encourage you influential leaders to join us for a rich dialogue as we seek to advance the cause for diversity, equity and inclusion.” – Dr. Carolyn Williams, Prairie View A&M University (Texas)

“Dr. Archibeque-Engle gave me several things to think about, in addition to great examples from her own life story. I look forward to working in this upcoming session with her and especially with my fellow colleagues, to implement new ways to deliver vibrant, inclusive learning programs locally. I might only need to go as far as my own diverse network of colleagues, Directors and Administrators, to grasp and establish real change.” – Dr. Wendy Powers, University of California

National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) Annual Report Released - NCFAR’s vital mission is to sustain and increase federal funding in food and agricultural research, Extension and education (RE&E). NCFAR leads through unique roles—the only coalition in which ‘Customers’— stakeholders who need and benefit from RE&E outcomes—are the leading voices in making an effective case for federal funding; provides a common forum and a unified voice, for diverse stakeholders; the only coalition whose focused mission is advocacy for federal funding for BOTH inter- and intra-mural food and agriculture RE&E. Read the report here. ECOP is a long-standing member of NCFAR and regularly contribute to the Lunch-n-Learn Series. Jason Henderson, Purdue University, is ECOP's appointed member of NCFAR Board of Directors. 




USDA Releases U.S. Ag Innovation Strategy Summary Report and Interactive Dashboard - The U.S. Ag Innovation Strategy and Dashboard was developed to provide a vision of Discovery Goals and to ensure a transparent and inclusive approach to addressing both challenges and opportunities in U.S. Agriculture consistent with the goal of the Ag Innovation Agenda to increase production/productivity by 40% and reduce the environmental footprint in half by 2050. The RFI process -- designed to hear the voice of the customer – provided a rich and compelling vision for how innovation and advanced technology can truly transform agriculture for the future. A complement to the strategy is the USDA Science Blueprint, which outlines the 5 key themes we believe USDA must expand as capabilities to bring many of the Discovery Goals to life. The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) has formed cross-agency theme teams to formulate the narrative, priorities, and strategies to build these capabilities. OCS will also be the home of the U.S. Ag Innovation Strategy for next versions and implementation oversight.



2019 SNAP-Ed Report Now Available - The 2019 SNAP-Ed through the Land-Grant University System Report and Infographic are now available here. The report features the outcomes and impacts of LGU SNAP-Ed programs representing 42 institutions and 37 states.



APLU Releases 2020 Annual Report - APLU has released its 2020 report, outlining the association’s work to support public universities in the midst of the pandemic, including through major advocacy efforts in Washington throughout the year. The report also details APLU's work to help an array of projects and initiatives centered on the three pillars of its agenda: expanding access and improving equity and student success to deliver the innovative workforce of tomorrow; advancing and promoting research and discovery to improve society, foster economic growth, and address global challenges; and building healthy, prosperous, equitable, and vibrant communities locally and globally.

Funding Opportunity: Military-Connected Youth/Families Program

The purpose of the CYFAR 4-H Military Partnership Professional Development and Technical Assistance Program is to support the implementation and capacity of the 4-H Military Partnership and Outreach Support Program. Professional development and technical assistance are provided to the Land-Grant institutions and Cooperative Extension System, so that, in collaboration with other organizations, they can develop and deliver educational programs for military-connected youth. Eligibility to apply - Cooperative Extension at 1890, 1862, and 1994 Land-grant Colleges and Universities (one per institution). See Request for Applications for more information. The closing date is Friday, July 26, 2019 and the Estimated Total Program Funding is $550,000. To apply go to Apply for Grant.

2020 Dietary Guidelines – Background, Importance and LGU Connects - The 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has recently been populated with Rachel Novotny, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, serving as a Land-Grant Faculty representative. Rachel has provided leadership with the USDA NIFA funded Regional Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Center of Excellence Policy Systems Environment (RNECE PSE) to support community coalition readiness assessment and planning for limited resource nutrition education programs across the nation. The work of this advisory committee and resulting changes in the guidelines will definitely impact the underlying curriculum for EFNEP, SNAP-Ed and other nutrition education programming. Extension Directors and Administrators should note that there are multiple opportunities for the Public to become involved; next Public meeting in DC takes place on July 10-11.

Extension Featured in NCFAR Seminar - The National Coalition for Food and Agriculture Research, of which ECOP and ESCOP are members, sponsors a series of seminars for House and Senate Ag Staffers. On June 17, 2019, Bob Craven, Extension Economist and Director of the Center for Farm Financial Management, Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, presented two seminars (65 attendees) entitled Extension and Partner Response to Farm Financial and Mental Health Stress. The presentation addressed two of the most challenging issues facing farmers (and by connection; youth, families and communities) - farm financial and mental stress. These issues are clearly interrelated with farm profitability issues exacerbating challenging mental health and a growing number of suicides across the country. Bob showcased how a University, a Department of Agriculture and other partners’ are addressing these issues in Minnesota. He pointed out the importance of leveraging federal, state and county investments to address these and other critical issues.


Use of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software Examined by eXtension - Cooperative Extension professionals are invited to complete a survey about the use of customer relationship management (CRM) software within their organizations. The 5-minute survey is available here. Results will be shared within the Cooperative Extension System. As Cooperative Extension organizations assess or implement new software tools and strategies, it is often useful for them to communicate with other Extension organizations that have similar objectives and experiences. This survey is intended to identify what Extension organizations are doing or considering when it comes to CRM platforms. The results will be available through the eXtension website. This work is part of the eXtension CRM Fellow program. Any questions or comments can be directed to Stephen Judd, eXtension CRM Fellow.


Leadership in the City Course for Urban Extension Professionals - The Leadership in the City 10-month comprehensive online professional development program prepares Extension professionals working in urban areas, to be relevant locally, responsive statewide, and recognized nationally. The program was developed based on a foundation of entrepreneurial theory and urban Extension practice and builds upon existing leadership experiences, management training, and Extension professional development. Participants have represented 27 states during the first two years of the program. This course is led by Julie Fox from the 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: LITC19-100). Complete details and registration can be found at https://cityextension.osu.edu/leadership.

2019 Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Meeting Registration

Extension Administrators and Directors are encouraged to promptly register for the Joint Experiment Station (ESS) Cooperative Extension Section (CES-NEDA) meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, September 23-26, 2019. The Sections' leaders, who have mutual interests in scientific research and application, are from the 76, 1862 and 1890 Land-Grant University (LGU) institutions who receive a portion of their funding through USDA-NIFA. The theme of their meeting to be held at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University, is LEADING THE FUTURE: CHANGES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND RELATIONSHIPS. Details for registering for the meeting are found at http://www.cvent.com/d/66qy1n. Co-chairs of the Planning Committee are ECOP Past-chair Chuck Hibberd, University of Nebraska, and ESCOP Chair-elect George Hopper, Mississippi State University. Stay tuned for more details regarding the Joint Sessions and the annual CES-NEDA business meeting agenda. 

Dicamba is Topic of Next Generation Extension - Learning for Leaders - ECOP Chair Ed Jones invites Extension Directors and Administrators to learn about challenges in public policy outreach and Extension programming in agriculture and natural resources – the case of  dicamba, on Friday, June 14, 2019, 3-4:00 p.m. ET. The June Learning for Leaders meeting occurs 1 week later than normal. Presenters will soon be announced by email. Connection details: Join Zoom Meeting https://extension.zoom.us/j/129450710 or Dial by your location 646-876-9923 (New York) 669-900-6833 (San Jose) Meeting ID: 129 450 710. The wealth of the previously recorded Learning for Leaders’ sessions may be accessed here.


2020 NERAOC Topics Due by June 28 - According to Gina Eubanks, Louisiana State University, ECOP Representative to National Extension and Research Administrative Officers Conference (NERAOC) National Planning Committee, the University of Missouri and Lincoln University will host the 2020 NERAOC, April 19-22 in St. Louis, Missouri. The purpose of the conference is to provide a professional development opportunity to exchange current and relevant best practices, discuss policy, obtain definitive interpretation of regulations, and discuss future issues pertinent to operating the LGU system and other cooperating institutions. The Committee seeks input and ideas for potential topics by June 28 using the online form. Tracks include Diversity and Inclusion, Finance/Capacity Grant, HR/Organizational Development, Minority Serving Institutions, and Program Reporting and Accountability. Contact Gina at GEubanks@agcenter.lsu.edu for more information.


SNAP-Ed and EFNEP Core Competency RFP Announcement - With an awareness of the importance to continue to build capacity in low-income nutrition education programs, the LGU SNAP-Ed Program Development Team is seeking to update core competencies. SNAP-Ed and EFNEP state coordinators and program supervisors use core competencies in hiring, training, and performance management decisions for systematic program effectiveness nationwide. The intent of this project is to conduct a thorough review of existing competencies and associated resources and to revise and update so that they are current and relevant for the future. Proposals due June 27, 2019. Direct questions to Vicki Soren, 605-688-4989. The posting can be found at https://www.mercurycommerce.com/secure/SourcingEventPostingBoard/default.asp?sID=%7B1CFAA89E7-35C9-49B9-B091-AF5C3C0EEED1%7D&PagingID=&RefreshOption=3. Scroll to CORE Competency RFP # 1721.


NIFA Granstmanship Webinar Announced for Next Week - NIFA's Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition will present a grantsmanship webinar entitled 2019 AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Food Safety, Nutrition & Health Program Areas, on June 11, 2019. Click Here for all of the details and to register.

New Census of Agriculture Products - Please share these new products and information with producers and other local data users – NASS just released (May 30) the much anticipated 2017 Census of Agriculture State and County Profiles. On June 26, NASS will release another popular Census product, the Congressional District Profiles and Rankings. More Census products, such as the watershed report, zip code tabulations, and race, ethnicity and gender profiles, will follow throughout the summer. Access the full 2017 Census of Agriculture report and other associated products (e.g. highlight videos and publications) here. Stay connected with NASS on Twitter @usda_nass for the latest data released and information about NASS’ upcoming surveys and censuses.

Extension Lauded by the Nation in New Orleans

The 2018 National Cooperative Extension program culminated yesterday in New Orleans with a celebration by the Board on Agriculture Assembly and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) during the 131st APLU Annual Meeting. Policy Board of Directors Chair Orlando McMeans, West Virginia State University, and new NIFA Director Scott Angle officiated. Click Here to read more about each recipient and their programs. Directors and Administrators are reminded to save the date of Friday, 2/1/2019, 3-4:00 p.m. ET for the Zoom meeting launch the next round of nominations. Read more at www.aplu.org/CESAwards.

L-R: Scott Angle, Director of USDA-NIFA; Ron Cox, Oklahoma State University; Joe Luck, University of Nebraska; Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University; Jason de Koff, Tennessee State University; Lesia Oesterriech, Iowa State University; Ken La Valley accepting on behalf of Molly Donovan, University of New Hampshire, and Ed Jones, ECOP Chair, Virginia Tech.

SNAP-Ed & EFNEP Core Compentancy RFP Deadline Extended - In response to time concerns, the proposal deadline for the Core Competency Project RFP has been extended to November 30, 2018. To view/download the updated RFP and Addendum us the link found below and scroll down the page to Event ID #1512. More details are found in the October 29, 2018 ECOP Monday Minute post. Please share with those who might be interested. Direct question to to Vicki Soren, South Dakota State University, 605-688-4989. Go to: https://www.mercurycommerce.com/secure/SourcingEventPostingBoard/default.asp?sID=%7B1CFAA89E7-35C9-49B9-B091-AF5C3C0EEED1%7D&PagingID=&RefreshOption=3


15th Annual National Land-Grant Diversity Conference - The National Land-Grant Diversity committee is excited for you to join them at their 15th Annual National Land-Grant Diversity Conference happening February 6th-8th 2019. The theme is Do The Right Thing: Transforming Diversity; the keynote speaker is Dionardo Pizaña from Michigan State University Extension. The Pre-Conference and Capnote will be presented by Bleuzette Marshall, University of Cincinnati Office of Equity, Inclusion & Community Impact.

• Click here for  periodic updates, additional information on the conference diversity award application, call for proposals, and poster presentations
• Click here for registration
• Click here to reserve your hotel

Extension Opioid Crisis Response Workgroup Update—New Information on Extension Opioid Programming Available

The Extension Opioid Crisis Response Workgroup has completed its goal of providing information about Extension substance abuse programming that can be quickly shared across state lines to help address the opioid crisis. The new Opioid Response website provides content on eight existing opioid-related programs. The following summary information is available for each of the programs: 1) brief description; 2) format, duration, and approach, 3) target audience; 4) degree to which the program is research-based/evidence-based; and 5) costs of adoption and use. Contact information, links to key resources and webinar recordings offer more detailed descriptions of the programs. ECOP and Workgroup members believe these resources are useful to those seeking opportunities to address the opioid crisis in their states. Over time, new content will be added. Directors and Administrators may access details on this initiative and others in the "Learning and Initiatives" section of this blog - see menu, right found on the full view of this blog.

LGU SNAP-Ed Marketing Brochure Published - A newly developed tri-fold brochure is available featuring results of the most recent Land-grant University (LGU) SNAP-Ed report designed to share the collective successes of the nationwide system in limited-resource nutrition education. The LGU SNAP-Ed Program Development Team created the handout highlighting the impacts of LGU SNAP-Ed outreach. The one-page legal-size trifold document lists quick facts about the program, behavior and health outcomes, and how partnerships and collaboration enhance the work. Copies have been sent to each of the LGU coordinators. The document can be viewed and printed on the Community Nutrition Education community of practice on eXtension.org at http://articles.extension.org/pages/74699/snap-ed-brochure. Additional printed copies are available by contacting Sandra Jensen at Sandra.jensen@sdstate.edu.

Breakthroughs 2030 Report to be Released on July 18 - The National Academies of Science-Engineering-Medicine (NASEM) are pleased to announce that Science Breakthroughs to Advance Food and Agricultural Research by 2030 (Breakthroughs 2030) - a study to identify the greatest research opportunities in food and agricultural science for the next 10 years - will be released on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. This unprecedented report communicates a compelling vision and rationale for additional investment in Food and Ag research for Congress and other research funders to consider. In June 2017 ECOP and ESCOP each provided support funding for the study due to the broad definition of Ag research and the element of applied science (Extension). An in-depth, live public webinar with members of the report’s authoring committee will be hosted by NASEM on July 18, 1-2:00 PM EDT. For a list of presenters, other details, and to register, Click Here.

Supporting Economic Diversification in Coal-Reliant Communities - The National Association of Counties (NACo) and the NADO Research Foundation (NADO RF) are collaborating on a multi-year project funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Denver Regional Office to support economic resilience and diversification in coal-reliant communities in Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. This project delivers a mix of in-person workshops, conference calls, webinars, and a bi-weekly newsletter, “Growing Stronger Economies in Our Nation’s Coal Communities.” Learn more about this project at www.diversifyeconomies.org. Sign-up for the free newsletter (relevant for coal communities across the country) that has news, funding information, and other resources at: www.nado.org/readytodiversify. Questions or ideas? Contact NADO RF Associate Director Brett Schwartz at bschwartz@nado.org.

ECOP National Leadership Transition

Doug Steele, Director for International
Extension Outreach and Education,
Borlaug Institute for
International Agriculture

Doug Steele has accepted a position as Director for International Extension Outreach and Education with the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture. Doug served in a number of national leadership roles, including ECOP Chair in 2012 and Chair for the Centennial Task Force 2013-2014. Until further action by the ECOP Executive Committee meeting, Jon Boren, New Mexico State University, will take the lead of ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee and represent ECOP on the Budget and Advocacy Committee, and Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware, will step in to fulfill her duty as Alternate Cooperative Extension Section representative to the of the Board on Agriculture Assembly Policy Board of Directors. ECOP is grateful to all for their national leadership and devotion to the System.



Next Generation Extension - Learning for Leaders Special: Framing Cooperative Extension's Response to the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity - ECOP Chair Chuck Hibberd and 3 deep-thinking, distinguished presenters explore this emerging opportunity. The Land-grant Cooperative Extension Section (CES) is strongly positioned to address the challenging issues in Rural America. Highlights:

• Develop a shared template intended to showcase efforts
• Generate a single CES report telling the story holistically
• Each state/university tell own story in its own way

The link to the presentation is provided below and comments and questions are welcome at ecopblog@gmail.com.

Ali Mitchell, Executive Director
Northeast Regional Extension Directors

Ali Mitchell Joins EDA Team - Ali Mitchell has been named Executive Director of the Association of Northeast Extension Directors (NEED). Ms. Mitchell most recently served as a NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Transportation in a dual role as Policy Liaison to the Executive Director of the U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System and Advisor to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ Port Performance Freight Statistics Program. Ms. Mitchell graduated with a BA from Williams College where she majored in religion and earned a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from Brown University where she focused on the power of storytelling for policy goals and the integration of data analytics and social science to create, evaluate, and implement effective public policy. Her interdisciplinary professional experiences include working as a blacksmith, as a documentarian, as part of the executive team for the Williams Mystic Maritime Studies Program, and as an independent public policy consultant, among others. Please join ECOP Chair Chuck Hibberd and the EDA Team welcoming Ali! Her email is amitchell@northeastextension.org.


Opportunity – National Cooperative Extension Award Nominations Are Due May 1 - Stellar Programs and Extension Educators Wanted! Go to: www.aplu.org/CESawards for full details before time runs out by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, May 1. All nominations must be submitted electronically using the designated online platform, JotForm.com. Contact Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org with questions or concerns.


Farm Bill Proposes Changes in Nutrition Education - The version of the Farm Bill that passed out of the House Agriculture Committee last week proposes changes to nutrition education for people with low income. The changes pose opportunities and challenges for the Land-grant University (LGU) System. The LGU SNAP-Ed Program Development Team (PDT) is a group of Extension professionals from each region working in nutrition education for individuals with low income. The aim of the PDT is to maintain and improve the consistency and effectiveness of SNAP-Ed programming that is delivered through the LGU System and address challenges in this work through a national lens. The PDT is committed to supporting our colleagues throughout the Farm Bill process. The PDT's first step was an informational webcast, Nutrition Education Program for Limited Resource Audiences: House Ag Committee Farm Bill Proposal, held on April 18. A graphic illustrates the legislative process of the Farm Bill outlines the Farm Bill process, including its future once approved by the House Ag Committee.

Highlights of Extension Activities from 130th APLU Annual Meeting in DC

ECOP Monday Minute will return on December 4, 2017 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Fred Schlutt, University of Alaska (L) passed ECOP gavel to
Chuck Hibberd (R), University of Nebraska on 11.13.17

On 11.12.17 Fred Schlutt (far left; 2017 ECOP Chair) and Sonny Ramaswamy (third from right;
USDA-NIFA Director) celebrated with Cooperative Extension Award Recipients: L-R front-Cody Stone,
Montana State University (accepting on behalf of Marsha Goetting), Misty Blue-Terry, North
Carolina A&T State University, Patricia Dawson, Oregon State University (accepting on behalf
of 4-H Youth Development, "Attitudes for Success Youth Leadership Program"); L-R back-
Louie Rivers, Jr., Kentucky State University, Damona Doye, Oklahoma State University, Kevin Erb,
University of Wisconsin and Chet Arnold, University of Connecticut

2018 ECOP Chair Chuck Hibberd thanks 2017 Chair
Fred Schlutt for his leadership

Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware, received
recognition of 5 consecutive years of service to ECOP

ECOP Executive Director Search - After considering the input the from the NEDA presentations by the two finalists and lengthy interviews, the 2017 Executive Director Search Committee has declared a failed search. Rick Klemme has agreed to continue serving as the Executive Director (0.60 FTE) with a focus on building and maintaining partnerships. In addition, a process is under way by the National ECOP Office to determine which program related, Director level responsibilities can be contracted out or placed on hold until a full-time Executive Director is hired. ECOP Chair Chuck Hibberd is accepting ideas for the construction and tactics of the next Search Committee. CLICK HERE to send a message by Thursday, December 7. The ECOP Executive Committee will meet on December 14 and consider next steps.


eXtension’s Impact Collaboratives Are Around the Corner - Extension Directors and Administrators learned more about the Impact Collaboratives during the recent NEDA meetings. As promised, the 2018 Impact Collaboratives, focusing on food systems, behavioral health, and diversity & inclusion, will kick off with eight regional “Designathon One” events in February and March 2018. These events are open to eXtension member institutions only and will promote design thinking and use Adobe’ Kickbox Innovation Kit as a tool for developing and iterating program ideas to maximize measurable local impact. The list of host institutions, locations, and dates is available at https://www.extension.org/designathon-one/. Encourage your faculty and staff to attend the event most convenient for them! The RFA for the Food Systems Impact Collaborative will be released by December 1, 2017. To become a member for the 2018 calendar year and to take full advantage of the “Designathon One” events, contact Chris Geith at christinegeith@extension.org.


In the Pursuit of Excellence of Health and Human Services - Connecting Leaders. Shaping the Future. was the theme of the 2017 annual American Public Human Services Association Education (APHSA) Conference recently held in Memphis, TN. This conference is attended by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Directors from across the nation. The SNAP-Ed Program Development Team (PDT) shared an exhibit featuring Land-grant Universities (LGUs) efforts to implement SNAP-Ed across the nation with conference participants. Program outcome fact sheets from individual states, educational resources, as well as the SNAP-Ed LGU National Report - Executive Summary were shared. During the conference, participants focused on shaping a two-generational approach for reducing poverty and development strategies for private-public collaboration. SNAP-Ed PDT members at the display purposefully engaged in conversation to promote the capacity of Land-grant Universities to be effective partners with state agencies in these approaches and strategies. For more information, please contact Laura Stephenson laura.stephenson@utk.edu of the Executive Committee of the LGU SNAP-Ed Program Development Team.

Next Generation Extension – Learning for Leaders #1: Opioids and Extension

On Friday, December 1, 2017, 3:00 p.m. ET, the first in a series of web-based meetings will take place for the Cooperative Extension Section called Next Generation Extension – Learning for Leaders. In communities across the Nation, opioid addiction is increasing rapidly with dreadful results – hospitalization and death, weakened parenting and increasing out-of-home child placements, and family and workplace economic collapse. Incidence of opioid abuse has risen dramatically across geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic groups. Can Extension make a difference? Chris Boerboom, North Dakota State University, and the ECOP Program Committee, Anne R. Lindsay, University of Nevada-Reno, and Mark Skidmore, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, will provide an overview of the national situation related to abuse of opioids and will highlight examples of current Extension strategies. They will also collect relevant resources and curricula from interested participants, which will be shared with the System. Directors and Administrators have received the invitation with connection details and are encouraged to participate and/or share the invite with interested faculty and staff. The session will be recorded and electronically archived. Resources are available at http://articles.extension.org/pages/74079/opioid-resources-for-extension-professionals.


REMINDER: Passing of the Gavel - The Cooperative Extension Section (CES) gathers this evening, November 13, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. ET, at the APLU Annual Meeting at the Wardman Park Marriott, Washington, DC. ECOP Chair Fred Schlutt, University of Alaska will preside and hand over leadership to Chuck Hibberd, University of Nebraska. Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware will receive recognition for her service, 2013-2017. The meeting will be highlighted by presentation of the 2017 CES Annual Report and the brand new CES Strategic Agenda. Follow CES activities on Twitter at @Ext100Years #leadext #CoopExtAward during the #APLU2017 meeting @APLU_News.

Promoting SNAP-Ed at LGUs - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) is a vital contributor to the Land-grant University (LGU) mission; it provides evidence based and evaluated nutrition education and obesity prevention service to high need audiences. It is critical that LGUs and Extension play an active role in the support and promotion of the strong impacts realized as a result of SNAP-Ed to ensure its continued funding. As the Federal Fiscal Year 2018 begins, please take a moment to plan how to promote, educate, and advocate on behalf of SNAP-Ed. Consider the following options to formulate a plan:

• Convene a meeting between Extension and SNAP-Ed leadership to discuss the importance of SNAP-Ed at your LGU, promotion and educational priorities, and strategies for sharing the impacts of SNAP-Ed with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Connect SNAP-Ed staff with your institution’s legislative liaisons to ensure SNAP-Ed impacts and value are part of educational and advocacy priorities for the coming year. 
• Engage critical SNAP-Ed partners as advocates for SNAP-Ed within and beyond your state. 

For more information, please review national reports, and state reports, about SNAP-Ed within the LGU system, or contact Christine Hradek (hradek@iastate.edu) of the Legislative Education Committee of the LGU SNAP-Ed Program Development Team.

eXtension Offers Course on Civil Rights Training and Ensuring Inclusiveness - Civil rights are front and center in our nation’s news, which makes Extension professionals' responsibility for understanding the importance of civil rights training and ensuring inclusiveness in programming more important than ever. A new online course developed by more than 40 University of Minnesota Extension faculty and staff and led by Renee Pardello, Key Informant for the eXtension Impact Collaborative, is now available nationwide through eXtension. The course, which works best as a small-group activity, can be accessed at: https://campus.extension.org/course/view.php?id=1481

Beverly Samuel, NIFA and
NEAFCS President Theresa Mayhew

Beverly Samuel Receives NEAFCS Award - National Program Leader Beverly Samuel of USDA NIFA in Division of Family & Consumer Sciences was honored at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) 2017 Annual Session. She received the “Friend of NEAFCS Award” at the conference held September 16-20, in Omaha, Nebraska. Initiated in 2005, the annual “Friend of NEAFCS Award” is the highest honor bestowed by the Association in recognition of an individual or organization, who has made significant contributions to Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Science education programs across the nation. To read full article, CLICK HERE.

Celebrating Extension Excellence and Diversity

Standing L-R:Terry Messmer, Utah State University; Fe Moncloa, University of California; Nozella Brown, Kansas State University;
Sonny Ramaswamy, USDA-NIFA; Michelle Rodgers (ECOP Chair) and Richard Taylor, University of Delaware. Seated L-R: Stanley
Culpepper, University of Georgia, Russell Hill, University of California; Karnita Garner, Alabama A&M University,
and Steve Green, Texas A&M University

ECOP Chair Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware, together with USDA-NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy and land-grant administrators, faculty and friends cheered the accomplishments of the Extension excellence and diversity award winners Sunday at the APLU Annual Meeting in Austin, TX. Information about the 2017 award process is available at www.aplu.org/CESawards. The deadline for nominations is 5.1.17. 

ECOP Highlights 2016 Accomplishments – Significant outcomes of ECOP national leadership occurred this year under the direction of Michelle Rodgers, ECOP Chair, University of Delaware. ECOP, in its effort to engage in discussion and decision-making benefiting state and local programming, focused work on private resource mobilization, innovation, national system, and urban and health programming, amongst other priorities. See bit.ly/ECOP2016Report for the 2016 ECOP Annual Report infographic. 

ECOP Announces 2017 Emphasis Areas – As Fred Schlutt, University of Alaska, accepts the gavel at a dinner meeting today in Austin, TX, he will outline ECOP emphasis areas and ongoing priorities for his year as ECOP chair. Work related to national system, private resource mobilization, urban programming and innovation will continue to new levels. Additional emphasis areas focus on more robust advocacy approaches for capacity funding and improved communications by ECOP with all Extension directors and administrators. For details, see www.aplu.org/CESGoals. 

SNAP-Ed Report Summarizes 2015 Outcomes – The national SNAP-Ed Program Development Team provides Cooperative Extension with national coordination, resources, training, and reporting. The most recent report shows Extension received $179.9 million in SNAP-Ed funding in FY 2015, employed 3,620 staff, reached 2.5 million participants and demonstrated positive program outcomes. The full report, executive summary, and infographic are available at: http://articles.extension.org/pages/73228/national-snap-ed-program-impact-reports. 

Riley Memorial Lecture Nominations Due 12.1.16 – The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) invites nominations for the 2017 AAAS Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Lecture for presentation next spring in Washington, DC. Nominees must show outstanding scientific contributions and/or significant policy accomplishments related to research and innovation in agriculture with demonstrated societal impact. More information is available at www.aaas.org/riley-lecture. To submit nominations, email Anne Moraske at amoraske@aaas.org or call 202.326.6759.