ERS Releases Publication on Cooperative Extension

In mid-September, the Economic Research Service released a study titled "Cooperative Extension in Transition: Trends Through 2024.” The study discusses funding, personnel, and allocation of resources across program areas. The ECOP National Office consulted with the authors in 2024.

 

Innovation Proposals Being Accepted for Ag Outlook Forum

Innovation proposals for USDA-funded projects are now being accepted for the 2027 Agricultural Outlook Forum’s Science Innovation Exhibits, taking place Feb. 18–19 in Arlington, VA. Applicants must submit a one‑page proposal by Oct. 9 describing their innovation, its alignment with USDA priorities, its USDA funding support, and its current and projected impact. Send proposals to Dr. Rich Derksen (rich.derksen@usda.gov) and include the subject line 2027 AOF Science Innovation Proposal.

 

ECOP National Office on Capitol Hill

As a part of the Annual NCFAR Fly-In, Bill Hoffman met with staff from three Congressional offices:

• Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL)
• Rep. April McClain-Delaney (D-MD)
• Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA)

These were three of 39 visits conducted by NCFAR members. APLU was one of five event sponsors.

 

Save the Date for the 2027 National Extension Director and Administrator Annual Meeting

The 2027 NEDA meeting will take place the week of September 13 in Charlotte, NC. The planning committee meets for the first time today!

Have a Joyous MLK Day!

This message and its accompanying email were preset to be distributed today.

Registration Open for PILD

Registration is now open for the Public Issues Leadership Development conference. The early bird registration deadline (saves $100) for April 20-22 conference is March 15. Lodging reservations must be made separately.

USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Registration Open

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that registration is now open for the 102nd Agricultural Outlook Forum. The event will be held at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on Feb. 19-20, 2026, and all Forum sessions will be livestreamed on a virtual platform.

4-H Council to Hold Winter 2026 Q&A

The National 4-H Council will hold its winter 2026 Q&A Session on January 27 at 3:00 pm. Topics will include:

·       Celebration of their and the Extension System’s collective work on the Beyond Ready initiative,

·       Resources available to you as a result of that initiative, and

·       An Outline of the next steps for Landmark Gift investments.

When you register, you can also share any additional items you'd like to discuss or questions you have for Jill Bramble. 

Register for the Board on Health and Human Sciences Spring Meeting  

Registration is now open for the 2026 Board on Health and Human Sciences (BHHS) Spring Meeting, hosted by the College of Health and Human Sciences at Colorado State University, March 24-26 in Denver, CO. Held at the CSU Spur Campus, a national hub for collaboration at the intersection of health, food, water, and community, the meeting’s setting reflects BHHS’s commitment to interdisciplinary solutions and public impact. This year's keynote address features Dr. Temple Grandin, internationally renowned professor, author, and innovator. Dr. Grandin’s work—spanning systems thinking, neurodiversity, and applied problem-solving—offers powerful insights into translating research and lived experience into meaningful, real-world outcomes. 

Event Locations:

• Colorado State University Spur Campus: 4777 National Western Drive, Denver, CO 80216
• Vīb Hotel by Best Western Denver RiNo: 2560 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216 (Lodging will also be at this hotel)

Follow this link to register, find information on accommodations and transportation, and explore the agenda. We look forward to seeing you there! 

 

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.

Workforce PAT Opportunity

The ECOP Monday Minute will be on hiatus until January 9, 2023.

 

Workforce PAT Opportunity - ECOP Program Committee's Economic & Workforce Program Action Team (Workforce PAT) developed a new organizational structure designed to enhance their work and build Extension’s presence in workforce development. Learn more here. The new subcommittees are:

• National Oversight
• National Engagement
• Program Inventory
• Credentials

The Workforce PAT is looking for new members, especially from North Central, Northeast, and 1890s Regions and 1994 Extension Programs, who are ready to dig in and help move Extension’s efforts in workforce development forward. Please contact Brittain Avants at brittainavants@extension.org for more information. Over the past few months, the Workforce PAT created a Connect Extension group (join here) to share program ideas and answer questions about workforce development. The National Registry of Cooperative Extension Programs & Assets found here is the collection point for Extension workforce programs.

National Impacts Database Update - Karla Trautman, South Dakota State University, is pleased to share with fellow Extension Directors and Administrators the informative presentation made to the new Communications and Marketing Committee (CMC) on November 17 about the National Impacts Database (NIDB) landgrantimpacts.org. In 2023 the CMC becomes a sub-committee of the Policy Board of Directors and NIDB becomes an important part of the CMC. The link to the presentation with live links to video training and talking points is found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CfqvwU2cbQatWFckgy4PA8CC6L5cAz8x/view?usp=sharing. All are encouraged to share the information with all communications staff. 

Consider the 2023 USDA Ag Outlook Forum - USDA says that the Ag Outlook Forum is its oldest and largest annual gathering that it hosts. The next event takes place at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on February 23-24, 2023, and all sessions will be livestreamed on a virtual platform. To learn more and register, visit https://www.usda.gov/oce/ag-outlook-forum.

Climate Topic Learning for Leaders

Last Friday, 31 of the 76 members of the Cooperative Extension Section, plus 1, 1994 Extension Director participated in the Learning for Leaders organized by the ECOP Professional Development Committee. Participants learned about the national collaboration between National Extension Climate Initiative (NECI) grassroots effort and ECOP Program Action Team (PAT) grasstops effort on Climate programming. The 2 organizations are still recruiting while considering next steps to determining the role of Extension in Climate Resiliency. The 2 groups will work together to continually inform the Advocacy Toolkit on Climate Mitigation, Resiliency, and Adaptation. The recording of the session is available for review at https://youtu.be/Esd5gi90qZQ and slides with active links is found here. 

Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities - ECOP wants to assure that the Cooperative Extension Section is aware of this important development and funding opportunity. On Feb. 7, 2022, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $1 billion in partnerships to support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities will finance pilot projects that create market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forestry products that use climate-smart practices and include innovative, cost-effective ways to measure and verify greenhouse gas benefits. USDA is now accepting project applications here for fiscal year 2022. A range of public and private entities may apply including Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education. Please note that the Notice of Funding Opportunity (page 11) specifically lists university Extension as eligible to apply. Grant deadlines are: April 8, 2022, for the first funding pool (proposals from $5 million to $100 million), and May 27, 2022, for the second funding pool (proposals from $250,000 to $4,999,999). 

Military Families Learning Network is Now OneOp - OneOp continues a tradition of free quality information and education for professionals helping military families. OneOp is a single-point-of-entry professional development resource for service providers. For more than 10 years OneOp has collaborated with DoD and the US Department of Agriculture to provide free and open-access learning opportunities within a full spectrum of family service subject areas. This long-standing DoD partnership allows OneOp to meet the professional development needs of service providers with programming that reflects complex and dynamic DoD priority areas. As a virtual organization with global reach, OneOp facilitates the connections and shared knowledge required of providers within DoD’s Military Family Readiness System. Please share this announcement, recommend bookmarking of the new website oneop.org, and connecting with OneOp on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Recap of 2022 Agricultural Outlook Forum - 5,900 people attended our 98th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum last month. In case you missed it, a recap is available using the links to speeches and slides embedded into the program here. This year’s event included: The release of the 2022 Outlook for the U.S. Ag Economy and Trade, Keynote address by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and discussion on China, and 25 sessions covering topics ranging from commodity outlooks and supply chain resilience to climate change adaptation and ag innovation.

The ECOP Calendar is updated frequently and found here. Contact Caroline Henney carolinecrocoll@extension.org if you have any questions. Thank you.

Broadband Access & Digital Skills Priority Update

Broadband access and digital skills, vital to quality of life in today's world, is a national programmatic priority as explained in ECOP's Advocacy Toolkit adovcacy.extension.org. The ECOP Program Committee is pleased to spotlight the work of its Broadband Access and Digital Skills Program Action Team (PAT) consisting of the National Digital Extension Education Team and Southern Rural Development Center. The PAT welcomes Extension Professionals to join a new Community of Practice on Extension Foundation’s Connect Extension platform. This virtual space of co-learning is dedicated to helping people thrive in a digital world. The PATs list of goals in 2022 includes implementing Community Planning and Digital Skills Teaching Toolkits, growing a repository for existing Extension efforts, establishing common metrics, and researching impacts of broadband use on quality of life. For more information log into/join the platform or contact Rachel Welborn (rachel.welborn@msstate.edu) or Kenny Sherin (kmsherin@ncsu.edu).

Booster for EXCITE Project from CDC - The Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases and the Center’s Deputy Director for Science, has expressed gratitude for the partnership with the U.S. Cooperative Extension System (CES) in this letter on the EXCITE project – which CDC is proud to feature as a spotlight on its Health Equity in Action page. The CDC awarded funds to USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture to partner with CES, because Extension field agents are known to be trusted messengers with the competency to apply knowledge in nearly every county, parish, city, or municipality across the nation, both big and small. 

Welcome Lewis-Burke Associates - Please join ECOP, the rest of the Board on Agriculture Assembly, the Board on Human Sciences, and APLU's Office of Food Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) to welcome Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC as our new Washington, DC-based federal relations consulting and lobbying partner for the land-grant university's collective tripartite mission. Lewis-Burke, with a successful 29-year track record in advocacy on behalf of colleges and universities, has a team of experts with extensive experience with House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations as well as the Farm Bill. Lewis-Burke will work in close coordination with FANR to engage with members of Congress, authorizing committees, and staff responsible for funding agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. The firm will also advocate for increased funding levels for agricultural research, teaching, and Extension in USDA and other federal agencies. This week the ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee will have their first introduction to a Lewis-Burke expert.

Cooperative Extension Highlights from 2021 APLU Annual Report - Check out the following mentions of the important work of Extension recently published the 2021 APLU Annual Report.

• Federal Policy Engagement, page 7
• Driving Equitable Student Success, pages 18 & 19
• Building Prosperous, Equitable, and Vibrant Communities Locally and Globally, page 25

Don't Forget the Ag Outlook Forum's Registration is Available - As was previous announced in the ECOP Monday Minute (November 8, 2021), registration is open to attend USDA's 98th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, February 24-25, 2022. Learn more at www.labroots.com/ms/virtual-event/usda-aof-2022. 

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.

Creating an Inclusive, Equitable Cooperative Extension System

The ECOP Monday Minute will be on hiatus on Presidents' Day, February 15, 2021.

Last Friday’s Learning for Leaders event, Improving Inclusivity in Our Institutions and ECOP, was a launching point by 36 Extension Directors and Administrators from 1890, 1862,  and 1994 Land-grants to create an inclusive, equitable Cooperative Extension System. Organizers of this event and last month's, hope their colleagues can say in 2022, "I finally saw change." For anyone listed here who was unable to attend and for participants wishing to review, links to the 5-minute dynamic topical presentations, slides, and survey are found below.  Save the Date, March 5, 2021, 3-4:00 p.m. ET. Details of the next Learning for Leaders will soon be released.
-- Programming–A Path Forward
-- Hiring/Recruitment/Pipeline/Retention
-- Professional Development for Leaders and Personnel
-- Support for New/Existing Diverse Employees
-- 1890/1862 Relationship – Lessons Learned
-- Best Practices, and Collaboration Between 1862/1994 Institutions
-- Click Here to view/download Power Point
-- Complete Survey at bit.ly/CES-DEI-Survey

USDA’s Forum Building Resilience in Agricultural & Food Systems through Innovative and Strategic Partnerships - Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 1:00-4:30 pm EST -  Presenters include leaders from USDA, Ag industry and community organizations followed by open Q&A discussion. This forum discussion will highlight how innovative and strategic partnerships between federal, state, local and private partners support the building of resilience in agricultural and food systems, with a focus on food systems and disaster recovery. Held in conjunction with USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum, this Microsoft Teams Live Event is hosted by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) and Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Mission Area. Click here to register! The link to the event will be provided upon registration.

2021 Renewable Resources Extension Act Programming Webinars - For Extension Directors and Administrators with direct dealings in renewable resources, the Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA) Programming website features informative webinars. Coming February 23, 2021 at 1 p.m. (EST), is one that deals with the uncertainty about the future transfer of family forest or rangeland enterprises. To learn more and/or to register, go to https://globalrangelands.org/rreasp/webinars.

Webinar: Applying for NEW AFRI “Education and Workforce Development” Funding on February 26 -  In FY 2021, the AFRI Education and Workforce Development (EWD) applications cover seven areas: agricultural workforce training, professional development for agricultural literacy, training of undergraduate students in research and extension, fellowships for predoctoral candidates, fellowships for postdoctoral scholars, a new program for food and agricultural non-formal education (FANE), and a FY 2021-only program for evaluation of NIFA’s agricultural literacy and workforce development portfolio. 1890, 1994, and 1862 Land-Grant Institutions, and a host of others are eligible to apply. On February 26 from 2-3:00 PM Eastern Time, NIFA staff will provide an overview of 2 New! EWD programs, FANE and Civic Engagement Experience for Youth (CEEY). Learn more/register here.  

2021 Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) Virtual Conference April 12-13 - Registration is now open for the virtual Extension PILD Conference. PILD is sponsored by JCEP (Joint Council of Extension Professionals) and is conducted by and for Extension professionals. This year’s conference theme is “Building Our Future Together”.  Early registration is available through April 2. Speakers include Dr. Waded Cruzado, President of Montana State University, and Dr. Chuck Hibberd, Extension Dean & Director Emeritus, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. A special session especially for Extension Directors and Administrators will be organized by the ECOP Budget & Legislative Committee. Through speakers, workshops and panels, participants will learn how to communicate and engage with stakeholders and elected officials in advocating for Extension at the local, state, and national level. Information and registration is available at www.jcep.org/pild.

Urban Ag Event 12/10/2020

The ECOP Monday Minute is on hiatus on November 30^th and returns on December 7^th. Have a safe and pleasant Thanksgiving.

Urban Agriculture: Needs, Opportunities, and Actions - Last Thursday members of the Cooperative Extension Section were personally invited to a Zoom event set for December 10^th, 3-4:00 p.m. ET organized by the Cooperative Extension System/ECOP National Office. A special Thursday edition of  Learning for Leaders is planned to network and engage with a panel of experts who will present multiple strategies that support the sustainable development of commercial and community-focused urban agriculture. ECOP Chair Chris Watkins will moderate the conversation with his colleagues and 2 experts to reveal findings of a NIFA-funded research study and for engaging current opportunities at the state, region, and national levels. To receive complete details and connection information, contact Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org. 

USDA Ag Outlook Forum in 2021- USDA announced that its 2021 Agricultural Outlook Forum will be a virtual event, and registration will be free. The two-day forum will take place February 18-21. Its theme is “Building on Innovation: A Pathway to Resilience,” and builds on the current administration’s Agriculture Innovation Agenda, launched earlier this year to align USDA’s resources, programs, and research toward the goal of increasing U.S. agricultural production by 40% while cutting the environmental footprint of U.S. agriculture in half by 2050. Agricultural Outlook Forum registration ▪ USDA – Agriculture Innovation Agenda




Safety Matters: Cybersecurity Put First for Youth - The FEMA Region 5 (out of Chicago) Regional Youth Preparedness Council is hosting a youth preparedness webinar next Monday, November 23,^rd from 6:00 – 7:00 PM CT. This webinar is open to anyone interested. Please feel free to register for this informational webinar and share with any interested youth or youth-serving organizations in your network. Guest speakers include Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Amanda J. Knutson, Supervisory Special Agent and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): Tony Enriquez, Cybersecurity Advisor (CSA) Registration Link: https://fema.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_RXZo2NsNQaulxPijx8euwg



Sustainable Ag Funding Opportunity - Applications to the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable Agricultural Systems program focuses on approaches that promote transformational changes in the U.S. food and agriculture system. NIFA seeks creative and visionary applications that take a systems approach for projects focused on the themes in the USDA Science Blueprint: sustainable agricultural intensification; agricultural climate adaptation; value-added innovation; and/or food and nutrition translation. These projects are expected to significantly improve the supply of affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible agricultural products, while fostering economic development and rural prosperity in America. These approaches must demonstrate current needs and anticipate future social, cultural, behavioral, economic, health, and environmental impacts. For more information, read the AFRI SAS funding opportunity.

10 Big Ideas to Think Differently About the Future of Extension

ECOP Monday Minute will return on January 22, 2018 so as to observe Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

10 Big Ideas to Think Differently About the Future of Extension: Last Friday’s web conference included 5 Extension Administrators or Directors each sharing 2 big ideas about what they see in the future of Cooperative Extension in their respective state and nationally. More than 30 institutions participated. You can view this conference at https://youtu.be/IXcCDGggf3U. ECOP Chair Chuck Hibberd encourages Extension Administrators and Directors  to continue the dialogue on this topic by reviewing the recording and sending your questions/comments to ECOP Executive Director Rick Klemme at rickklemme@extension.org. Each Learning For Leaders web conference is archived and available via the ECOP Monday Minute (see Learning Center menu on Right). Stay tuned for the calendar invitation for the next web conference scheduled for February 2. The topic and other details will soon be determined.


Granting Emeritus Status to Non-Tenured Extension Educators - Scott Reed, Oregon State University, administered a survey on the granted of emeritus status to non-tenured Extension Educators last fall. The following summarizes what was reported to Scott. Of 76 Land-grant institutions 41 (54% response). Of the respondents, 25 (61%) do not award emeritus status to non-tenured and 16 (39%) do award this status. While all universities have an established process for approval, conferring emeritus title to non-tenured faculty is conditioned on special requirements at some universities. Examples include:

• Ten years or more experience and senior rank (Colorado State University)
• Ten years or more in professor rank or five years and qualifying time elsewhere (Rutgers)
• Only with district supervisor, dean, senior VP and provost approval (University of Florida)
• Only professor rank (Mississippi State University)
• Dean approval as an exception that is regularly exercised (Washington State University)
• Only to central campus-based faculty (Auburn)

The most progressive policy described was provided by West Virginia University where approval is expected next month by the Board of Governors for long-serving classified staff and the university president qualify for emeritus status.

The Food Systems Impact Collaborative Is Now Accepting Applications - The Impact Collaborative (IC) is designed to catalyze next-level Extension programs and professionals. The experience includes professional development, Designathon events, networking and much more! Through the IC, Extension professionals will follow a process for developing programs for visible and measurable local impact. Anyone at an eXtension member institution is eligible to apply. The request for applications is available at: https://publish.extension.org/impactcollab2018/food-systems-request-for-applications/ (RFAs for Behavioral Health and Diversity & Inclusion are coming soon!) Extension Directors and Administrators are asked to please share this opportunity with Extension faculty and staff interested in Food Systems in your state.

Ag Outlook Forum Registration Available - The 94th annual 2018 U.S. Department of Agriculture Outlook Forum, “The Roots of Prosperity” is Thursday and Friday, February 22-23, 2018 and will be held at the Marriott Crystal Gateway in Arlington, Virginia. The Forum, which has been hosted by USDA since 1923, serves as a platform to facilitate discussion of key issues and topics within the agricultural community, both domestic and international. ECOP, ESCOP, and NIFA worked together in developing several Forum sessions to be considered for this year’s Forum program. We are delighted that our sessions “Livestock Reproduction Meets Modern Technology” and “Helping Consumers to Make Informed Food Safety Choices” were selected for this year’s program. We expect a Forum attendance of 1,600, with attendees drawn from farm organizations, agribusiness, academia, and international organizations as well as domestic and foreign government officials and members of the press. The Forum program and registration information can be found at https://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/. The registration direct link is at http://www.youreventinfo.org/USDA_AgOutlook_Forum2018/reginfo.html.

Ag Census Questionnaires Are Due Back in Less than a Month - The 2017 Census of Agriculture questionnaire was mailed to nearly all of our nation’s farmers and ranchers in December, and there are only four weeks left to respond!* Every response to the census matters and is required by law (Title 7, U.S. Code, and Public Law 107-347), even if the person did not operate a farm or ranch in 2017 (there are just a few quick questions, in this case). The Census of Agriculture is the most complete agricultural data resource in the country. The data play a vital role in the future of U.S. agriculture – from farm advocacy and assistance programs to community planning, ag education, extension, research, rural development, even disaster relief – which is why every voice, every operation needs to be represented. Better data mean better decisions. The deadline to respond to the census is February 5. Producers can respond online at www.agcounts.usda.gov or by mail. For more information, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov. For questions or assistance filling out the census, call 888-424-7828. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOqqJOcsX_c to learn more about why and how to respond to the ag census online.

*More than 35,000 producers of select commodities will receive the Agricultural Resource Management Survey, or ARMS, this month. Completing the ARMS survey fulfills the 2017 Census of Agriculture requirement.

Extension Health Expert on USDA Ag Outlook Forum Panel

David Buys, Mississippi State University

David Buys, Mississippi State University, chair of the ECOP Health Action Team on Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, is a panelist for a session on Nutritional Security through Agricultural Production at the USDA 2017 Agricultural Outlook Forum February 23-24 in the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, VA www.usda.gov/oce/forum. Early registration USDA 2017 Agricultural Outlook Forum Registration ends January 26. The forum is USDA’s largest annual meeting, attracting 1,800 attendees. It offers 30 sessions with more than 80 speakers and a host of agriculture-related exhibitors. 

USDA-NIFA Releases Report on 1994-1862 Cooperation Meeting – See https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/1994-and-1862-land-grant-cooperation-progress-report for a summary of the September 22-23, 2016 meeting in Jackson Hole, WY on Engagement and Success of Land-Grant Universities and Colleges - Respecting Sovereignty, Serving the People and the Land. According to NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy, the meeting resulted in six action items with identified champions for each. Ten current 1862 Extension directors attended, plus two former directors who have transitioned to roles as a university president and a dean of agriculture at land-grant universities. 

Brian Higginbotham, Utah State
University

Nominations Due for Extension Family Life Awards – Brian Higginbotham, Utah State University, and chair of the National Awards Committee for Family Life and Human Development State Specialists, asks your assistance in submitting nominations by the December 20th deadline to recognize state Extension specialists who have made important contributions to the work of Cooperative Extension and who provide clear evidence of program impacts. Awards will be presented during a NIFA/USDA sponsored national webinar. Details are available at https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/2016-family-life-and-human-development-state-specialists-awards. 

eXtension Issues call for Proposals for 2017 Innovation Projects – The eXtension Foundation has issued a Call for Prescreening Proposals for its 2017 Innovation Projects initiative. Innovation Projects are part of eXtension’s mission to support experimental projects that will drive opportunities to adopt innovation in the Cooperative Extension System. In 2017, grants of up to $10,000 each will be awarded for up to 10 projects to be completed over a one-year period. Recipients will also receive support of their project from eXtension’s Innovation Lab. Applicants must be a faculty member, Extension specialist, educator or agent of an eXtension Foundation premium member institution. The prescreening proposal deadline is December 19th. For complete details, visit https://extension.org/innovation-lab/announcing-call-for-2017-innovation-projects/. 

CYFAR 2015 Report Available – The 2015 Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Annual Report is a compilation of funded sustainable community sites across the United States and its territories, plus a summary of CYFAR’s professional development and technical assistance and work with 4-H military efforts. See the report at https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/2015-cyfar-annual-report. 

Foundation Offers Matching Funds for Rapid Response to Agricultural Emergencies – The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports innovative science, invites groups to self-organize around a commodity or commodities to take advantage of matching funds for emergency research and outreach through the Foundation’s Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) program. ROAR provides nimble deployment of funds to support one-year grants in the event of emerging or unanticipated threats to the nation’s food supply or agricultural systems. If and when a threat arises, ROAR consortia will be able to apply for FFAR matching funds and receive a decision within one week. Consortia members may include researchers, Extension agents, institutions, commodity and industry representatives, diagnostic laboratories, and relevant state and local government representatives. Pre-establishing expert teams for research and outreach will accelerate first response to agricultural emergencies. When emergency situations arise, response time is critical. ROAR fills the gap until traditional, longer-term funding sources can be secured. Learn more at www.foundationfar.org/ROAR.

National 4-H Council Congressional Breakfast

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

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

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

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

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

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

ACTION: FY 2017 Appropriation Requests

ECOP representatives Rick Klemme, BAA Budget and Advocacy Committee (BAC), and Daryl Buchholz, BAA Policy Board of Directors, urge immediate action as outlined last week by Cornerstone Government Affairs related to the proposed FY 2017 USDA-NIFA budget. Deadlines to submit programmatic funding requests are March 15th for the U.S. House of Representatives and March 17th for the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. The BAC USDA-NIFA priorities are found on the individual fact sheets at http://land-grant.org/appropriations_docs.html. In addition, the eXtension Board of Directors, Dennis Calvin, Chair, has developed a one-pager found at https://extension.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/NewTechnologiesforAgExtensionNTAE-Final.pdf designed to help you advocate for protection of the New Technologies in Ag Extension (NTAE) funding. The FY 2017 proposed budget documents are posted at http://nifa.usda.gov/budget. 

4-H Engagement Campaign – 4-H Grows Here! – The ECOP National 4-H Leadership Committee co-chaired by Ed Jones, Virginia Tech, and Renee McKee, Purdue University, encourages your engagement with this campaign (known both as 4-H Engagement and 4-H Grows Here!). The vision is to engage 10 million youth in 4-H by 2025. Details are available at http://n4h.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=23972.0&dlv_id=38162. March 14th is the deadline for completed applications. The cost per institution is outlined at http://bit.ly/4HGrowsSched. 

eXtension at USDA Ag Outlook Forum – New eXtension Innovation Lab projects, including Unmanned Aerial Systems, Wearable Technology, and Oculus Rift, will be on hand for the USDA Ag Outlook Forum http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/ February 25-26 in the Crystal City, VA. The focus will be on how these technologies can be used to solve issues related to climate and food systems. USDA-NIFA also will host the showcase on February 24th. 

Urban Extension Strategic Plan – In support of an ECOP goal for 2016 http://www.aplu.org/CESGoals to support urban programming, learn more about Florida’s Urban Extension Strategic Plan. Register for the 9:00 a.m. ET, February 25th webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2111051702380768257. Taking a bold step toward active and deliberate engagement of the state’s urban regions, University of Florida’s Strategic Plan for Urban Extension Initiative is organized to use an adaptive management approach that promotes flexible, adjustable decision-making in the face of uncertainty. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. 

ECOP-ESCOP Align on Capitol Hill Event

Suat Irmak, University of Nebraska, and
Steve Slack, The Ohio State University

– Impacts of the Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Network http://water.unl.edu/cropswater/nawmn drew significant interest at the NC-FAR Lunch and Learn series “More Crop for the Drop” earlier this month in Washington, DC. Co-hosted by ECOP and ESCOP, the seminar for U.S. Senate and House of Representative staffers and others was augmented by social media coverage (@agisamerica) on February 8th. Speakers were Steve Slack, Ohio State University (retired), and Suat Irmak, University of Nebraska. For a recording of the presentation, go to http://www.ncfar.org/Hill_Seminar_Series_2016.asp. 

Suat Irmak, University of Nebraska, speaks to a crowd gathered on Capitol Hill

USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, center left, and Laura Perry Johnson,
center right, associate dean for UGA Cooperative Extension, welcome panelists
including, from left, Cindy Ayers Elliott, CEO of Footprint Farms in Jackson,
Mississippi; Caroline Hoffland Bakker, CEO of CBH International in Suwannee,
Georgia; Caula Beyl, dean of the University of Tennessee College of Agricultural
Sciences and Natural Resources; and Camille Young, senior professional at Cornerstone
Government Affairs in Jackson, Mississippi. (Credit: Blane Marable)

South Focuses on Women in Agriculture – More than 150 agricultural leaders from across 13 Southern states and Washington, D.C., converged on the University of Georgia’s campus in Athens on Feb. 8 to discuss leadership roles for women in agriculture. Women representing government agencies, farms, the Cooperative Extension System and agriculture-related industries were invited to participate in the UGA-led Southern Region Women’s Agricultural Leadership Summit. Participants were chosen because of the leadership roles they play in their home states. One of the goals of this summit, which was sponsored by the UGA President’s Venture Fund, the UGA Women’s Leadership Initiative and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, was to put these agriculturally minded women together to share their leadership experiences and document the barriers they have overcome. For more information, see www.caes.uga.edu/events/womensagleadershipsummit.
 
Awards Reminder - Nominate by 5.1.16 – ECOP in partnership with USDA-NIFA offers the 2016 nomination process for the national Excellence in Extension and Diversity awards. The due date for on-line nominations is May 1, 2016 at 5:00p.m. Pacific Time. For details and to access the online nomination forms go to: http://www.aplu.org/CESawards. Questions can be directed to Sandy Ruble sandy.ruble@extension.org, ECOP Staff Associate.

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

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

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

Mary Jane Willis
(1948-2015)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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