New Member of ECOP Karl Martin

The North Central Region has appointed Karl Martin, Dean and Director, Division of Extension, University of Wisconsin-Madison, as their latest member of ECOP. Early in his tenure as Director of Extension, Karl participated in ECOP's CES Capital Quest Event in Washington. From then on, he has amplified his capacity for national leadership by serving as a voting member of the ECOP Budget & Legislative Committee, Chair of the Executive Director Search and Screen Committee, and as a panelist in thought leadership sessions for NEDA Meetings and First Friday Events related DEI and Climate Resiliency. Karl has agreed to serve on ECOP until the fall of 2027. Thank you for your national leadership, Karl!

Diversity Catalyst At-Large - Brian Raison, Extension Field Specialist, Community and Organizational Leadership at Ohio State University, (pictured left) was appointed by ECOP in 2017 to represent the Cooperative Extension Section on ESCOP's Diversity Catalyst Committee. Today, he serves as Chair! Of his appointment, Brian writes, "Our DCC team wishes to promote the great value that’s found in diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Expanding perspectives improves our work, strengthens research, and multiplies impact. Our focus is on uniting Experiment Station leaders (along with our Extension colleagues) in promoting a more diverse and inclusive future that will absolutely improve lives of individuals in our country and around the world." Brian is a well-respected, active member of ECOP Program Committee's DEI Program Action Team, also. Thank you for your national leadership, Brian!

NIFA Stakeholder Listening Session - Research Facilities Act Program - On April 13 at 3 p.m. ET, NIFA will hold a virtual, open, public listening session with remote participation only to collect stakeholder input on the implementation of a new competitive grant. The purpose of the Research Facilities Act Program (RFAP) is to assist eligible institutions with the construction, modification, acquisition, modernization, refurbishment, or remodeling of their agricultural research facility to conduct research in the fields of food and agricultural sciences. NIFA is particularly interested in achieving the most impact and identifying suggested priorities in the program. Written comments (two-page limit) may be sent to REE.NIFA.RFAP@usda.gov by April 17 at 5 p.m. ET. Register listening sesseion here.

Annual Passing of the Gavel

Wendy Powers,
University of California

On October 14, 2021, during the Cooperative Extension Section Business Meeting portion of NEDA, Members will witness the official passing of their Chair's gavel from Chris Watkins, Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell University to Wendy Powers, Associate Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Dr. Powers’ vision as ECOP Chair is to advance the ECOP Strategic Directions, focusing on priorities, as identified by member institutions, and building on successes and lessons learned during the recent past. The intended outcome is a cohesive Cooperative Extension System and stronger member programs, inclusive of all. Our sincere appreciation for outstanding leadership and commitment to the mission of Extension over the past year is extended to Dr. Watkins.



NIH Requests Information from Extension on Research Opportunities to End Hunger, Food and Nutrition Insecurity - NIH has posted NOT-OD-21-183 - Request for Information (RFI): Research Opportunities to End Hunger, Food and Nutrition Insecurity. Through this RFI input is invited on the approaches NIH can take to address hunger, food insecurity and nutrition insecurity through innovative and multidisciplinary research - including implementation science and health outcomes-based research. Several areas of investigation could potentially reveal strategies to advance nutrition science, and improve coordination of federal food and nutrition policy, along with strategies and tactics to integrate nutrition with healthcare. This RFI is intended to solicit input from a broad array of stakeholder communities beyond the biomedical research community and healthcare sector. Responses can be provided by email or an email attachment. There are no forms or page limits. Responses will be accepted until November 1, 2021. Please direct all inquiries to Christopher Lynch, Ph.D., OD/Office of Nutrition Research (ONR), Telephone: 301-827-3988, and Email: nutritionresearch@nih.gov.



Competitive Nutrition/Health Grant Program Listening Session - The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) brings together stakeholders from various parts of the food and healthcare systems. The competitive grant program portfolio includes nutrition incentive projects, produce prescription projects, training, technical assistance, evaluation, and information centers which provide support services to both nutrition incentive and produce prescription projects. NIFA will host a webinar to listen to stakeholder feedback regarding all aspects of the GusNIP program. Go online here for more information or to register for the October 20, at 2:00 p.m. ET session.



Final Call for Editor for Youth Development Journal - The Publications Committee of the Journal of Youth Development: Bridging Research and Practice (JYD) is searching for their next Editor. JYD is an established open access, peer-reviewed journal in which neither authors nor readers pay anything for access. JYD is hosted by the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP) and the National Afterschool Association (NAA) with a collective membership of over 35,000 practitioners, researchers and leaders in child and youth learning and development throughout communities across the country including state affiliates. JYD’s editorial policies and practices are set by the Publication Committee in consultation with the Editor. Nominations (including self-nominations) for Editorship should send a brief (one- to two-page) statement of interest and vision for the journal and a letter of support from the head of the institution or department where the individual works by November 1 and request two letters of reference from individuals who can comment on the qualifications of the candidate for meeting the job qualifications outlined above. All materials should be submitted to Dale Blyth, Chair of the Search Committee at blyth004@umn.edu.