National Extension Award for Innovative Programming that Addresses New Audiences

The purpose of this award is for Extension efforts that go above and beyond in reaching new audiences. It recognizes innovative teaching models and techniques that ensure Extension programs reach all audiences, especially new and those that have not been participating in traditional Extension education. The programming should reflect how a systematic needs assessment identified the audience and influenced teaching methods, created mutual respect among audiences, promoted acceptance, fostered teamwork, and improved overall effectiveness of the programming.

Nominations must be submitted online by June 1, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Early Bird Deadline Approaching for PILD Conference – APLU President to Speak

Take the opportunity to save $100 and register for the JCEP Public Issues Leadership Development Conference by March 15. Hotel reservations must be made separately. APLU President Wadded Cruzado is scheduled to speak on day two of the conference. President Cruzado gave a great speech recently at the Council on Agriculture Research, Education, and Teaching conference.

North American Agricultural Advisory Network Multi-Language Connection

Join the North American Agricultural Advisory Network (NAAAN) from 10-11 a.m. MDT on Thursday, March 12 for the CONVERSATION on NAAAN CONNECT with Mexico. Moderated by Luis Martinez, Counselor for Agricultural Affairs at the Embassy of Mexico in Washington D.C., this session will feature a Group of Native Maize Producers from Acaxochitlán sharing about their experiences. The producers are part of a “Territorial Development of Indigenous Peoples Safeguarding Native Maize Races of Mexico” project through Mexico’s department of agriculture – AGRICULTURA. The goal of this project is to strengthen capacity, add value, and promote fair commercialization of native maize varieties.

This session will be conducted in Spanish with Wordly translation available in English and French. We look forward to seeing you there – register to join us!

Growing Together: Conversation with Krysta Harden, President and CEO, U.S. Dairy Export Council

Krysta Harden's journey from being a student at University of Georgia to become a national agricultural leader shows the power of 4‑H roots and a land‑grant education.  As president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), she leverages her experience with agriculture, sustainability, food policy, and the federal government to help fulfill USDEC’s mission to promote dairy exports and enrich the well-being of people, communities, and the planet.  Learn about Harden's perspectives at Growing Together: Conversation with Krysta Harden, President and CEO, U.S. Dairy Export Council.

Learning for Leaders First Friday: CARET 101

Learn the basics of the Council on Agriculture Research Extension and Teaching. Hear from the APLU leader of the program, CARET representatives from Tennessee and Kansas, and a panel of Extension Directors.

Nominations for Individual and Team Excellence in Extension Awards Being Accepted
Please be alert for a contact from your Regional Executive Director or Administrator regarding your region’s nomination process for the Excellence in Extension Individual and Team Awards.

Funding Opportunity: Beyond Ready—Financial Literacy

This competitive subgrant opportunity will support Cooperative Extension 4 H programs within land grant universities in delivering high quality financial literacy programming that helps young people build the skills they need to be Beyond Ready for the future.

Funding Overview

• Award amount: $132,000 per project
• Project period: April 13, 2026–November 22, 2028 (32 months)
• Total awards: Up to six (6) subgrants

Key Dates

• RFA released: February 9, 2026
• Informational call/office hours: February 19 at 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT)
• Applications due: March 20 by 11:59 PM ET 
• Award notifications: On or before April 3, 2026

Extension Foundation Announces Five Projects Selected for $1M in AgriProspects Funding.

The AgriProspects Workforce Development Network, a national program of the Extension Foundation, is pleased to announce the award of $1 million to five projects through the second round of AgriProspects grants. Funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through the AFRI–National Extension Clearinghouse for Industry and the Workforce, this round supports innovative efforts focused on digital credential infrastructure, AI education, and integrated workforce solutions for Extension and the communities it serves. Selected projects span various agricultural sectors and emphasize practical, industry-informed training, ranging from AI-enabled forestry and farm operations to food processing and workforce upskilling. Chosen from 74 competitive proposals, these awardees reflect the depth, creativity, and impact of Extension-led workforce development nationwide. Learn More here.

National 4-H Council's Winter Update Celebrates Alignment and Impact Achieved through the Landmark Gift

Extension and 4-H leaders recently joined National 4-H Council President and CEO, Jill Bramble and Dr. Juliette Bell, former President of University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Vice Chair of Council's Board of Trustees, for a virtual update and dialog on the outcomes from the first three years of the $50 million Landmark Gift to Council from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Special thanks to Dr. Bell for her leadership of the of the Task Force (comprised of Extension, Council, and youth) that established recommendations on the highest and best use of the gift in this first three years. 

·         View the recording HERE

·         Read the Landmark Gift Task Force’s Three-Year Progress Report

·         Download the Report’s Executive Summary

USDA Accepting Applications for the 1890 National Scholars Program

USDA is now accepting applications for the 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890 Land-grant Universities to pursue careers in food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences. The application deadline is March 8. Read more about the program and how to apply.

NIFA seeking input on FY 2026 Research Facilities Act Program

NIFA will be holding a virtual listening session on Feb. 5 at noon EST to solicit public input on the implementation of the FY 2026 Research Facilities Act Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (RFAP). The RFAP program aims to assist Land-grant Institutions with the construction, modification, acquisition, modernization, refurbishment, or remodeling of agricultural research facilities to conduct research in the food and agricultural sciences.

In reauthorizing the program last year, Congress increased its annual funding level to $125 million in mandatory spending. In addition to the listening session, NIFA Program staff will also accept written comments before Feb. 12. Visit the NIFA website for more information.

ECOP has outlined its position on this issue, which includes the following:

“It is vital that stakeholders, particularly but not exclusively farmers and ranchers, achieve the maximum benefit from this historic investment. While every institution is different, for most institutions this will mean balancing research facility investments on campus and off campus. These off-campus facilities are an important part of demonstrating an innovation’s relevance to local conditions, including soil types, weather patterns, and ecosystems. They provide context specific knowledge that can directly lead to the next logical adoption step, on-operation trial. Investment in these off-campus facilities has the added benefit of widening the perceived value to a broader cross section of the state’s or territory’s citizenry.

Further, as we invest in off-campus research facilities, it is important that these investments include state of the art Extension facilities, capable of demonstrating innovations in the most effective possible manner. Any investment in research facilities without a clear vision and plan to ultimately communicate the resulting innovation to producers would be short-sighted.”

The ECOP National Office will communicate its position through the above and other channels.

GROWING TOGETHER: CONVERSATIONS WITH CEOS – Ducks Unlimited

APLU’s Board of Agriculture’s interview series “Growing Together: Conversations with CEOs” showcases Presidents and CEOs of national agricultural associations, commodity groups, and other organizations and explores their powerful synergies with land-grant universities.

Adam Putnam, Chief Executive Officer, Ducks Unlimited

Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam is a fifth-generation Floridian and a graduate of the University of Florida where he obtained a bachelor's degree in Food and Resource Economics. He has also been awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and served as a Rodel Fellow at the Aspen Institute. In 2010, he was the E.T. York Distinguished Lecturer at the University of Florida. Putnam and his wife of 20 years, Melissa, reside in Memphis, Tenn. with their four children.

He is a hunter, angler, conservationist, and third-generation farmer who owns Putnam Groves Inc. Putnam Groves is a family owned and operated citrus farm and cattle ranch located in Central Florida.

“I consider myself to be a land grant baby – I was a 10-year 4-H'er, grew up on a family farm, got a degree from the University of Florida, and truly benefited from all three legs of the stool - teaching, research, and Extension. I truly believe the U.S. land grant model should be replicated around the world.” 

Specifically, regarding Cooperative Extension: DU is exploring much more work understanding social and economic values of conservation practices for landowners and to work to tailor conservation programs to best suit the needs of producers. There is enormous collaborative potential to explore these topics with Cooperative Extension.
Read the full interview.

USDA Launches New Online Portal for Reporting Foreign-Owned Agricultural Land Transactions

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching a new online portal to streamline reporting of transactions involving U.S. agricultural land by foreign persons, which can include businesses and governments, under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA). The new online portal is part of a broader effort to strengthen enforcement and protect American farmland as USDA continues its implementation of the National Farm Security Action Plan (PDF, 1.2 MB).