Rockefeller Foundation, OpenAI Foundation Announce $50 Million Partnership to Help Cities Improve Public Services Through AI

The Rockefeller Foundation and OpenAI Foundation launched Cities Deliver: AI Solutions for Public Services, a $50 million initiative to support organizations that help cities around the world use artificial intelligence to better anticipate and meet residents’ needs. Through a globalopen call, the initiative will identify and support eligible nonprofit and civil society institutions working with city governments to improve public health, economic mobility, environmental resilience, and civic engagement. Cities Deliver will award grants ranging from $500,000 to $2 million, aiming to reach up to 100 million city residents globally. Applications open on October 14 and close on November 29, 2026.

2026 New Administrators Orientation: Leading with Conviction, Courage, and Confidence

December 8-10, 2026 | Alexandria, VA

Presented by the APLU Office of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR), the New Administrators Orientation (NAO) is designed to help new administrators build the knowledge, connections, and leadership skills needed to succeed in their roles.

The program is intended for individuals who are new to administrative leadership positions within colleges and programs related to food, agriculture, natural resources, and the life sciences, including deans, associate deans, department heads, directors, experiment station leaders, and Extension administrators.

No matter your administrative position, NAO provides practical guidance for navigating the responsibilities and opportunities of academic administration.

Through discussions, expert perspectives, and peer engagement, participants will explore topics such as leadership and organizational culture, employee engagement, strategic communication, decision-making, and managing change. Participants will also gain a deeper understanding of the Board on Agriculture Assembly (BAA), including its policy, advocacy, and communications activities, and will have opportunities to engage directly with leaders from USDA.

By the end of the program, participants will have strengthened their leadership capabilities, expanded their professional network, and gained practical insights they can apply immediately to support their institutions' teaching, research, Extension, and service missions.

See more information about the NAO and register here.

NIFA Soliciting FY27 Commodity Board Topics

NIFA is inviting commodity board organizations to propose research topics for potential co‑funding through future AFRI competitive grant programs. To qualify, boards must align their topics with AFRI’s priority areas and meet federal or state definitions of a commodity board. Topics must be submitted by Nov. 19 and will then be reviewed for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2027 AFRI Foundational and Applied Science funding opportunity, while later submissions may be considered in future years. Boards must use NIFA’s online submission form and email the completed topic to the agency, which will confirm receipt. FAQs and additional guidance are available on the NIFA website. Findmore information here.

Texas A&M Discovery Leads to Citrus Greening Treatment

Texas A&M AgriLife Research has developed a spinach‑derived antimicrobial peptide treatment that protects citrus trees from citrus greening disease, and it has now received full EPA registration. The technology, commercialized by Silvec Biologics, uses a modified, naturally occurring citrus tristeza virus strain to prompt trees to produce the protective peptide. The approval reflects extensive safety data and marks a major step toward offering growers a new tool against a disease that has devastated U.S. citrus production. The breakthrough stems from long‑term collaborations among Texas A&M, the University of Florida, and citrus industry partners, supported in part by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Read more about the project here.

LEAD21 Applications Open Until November 15, 2026

LEAD21 is currently accepting applications for Class 23 (2027-2028). The primary purpose of LEAD21 is to develop leaders in land-grant institutions and their strategic partners to link research, academics and extension to lead more effectively in an increasingly complex environment, either in their current position or as they aspire to new roles.

The LEAD21 Board of Directors (BOD) consists of representatives from the various Board of Agriculture Assembly Section's Committees on Organization and Policy (headquartered at APLU) and strategic partners. More information and the link to apply is found here.

https://lead-21.org/apply/instructions/

The ECOP appointees to LEAD21 BOD are Program Chair Amy Loader, University of New Hampshire, and Andrew Turner, Cornell University.

New Technologies for Ag Extension Funding Opportunity

The Extension Foundation (EXF) is pleased to announce a funding opportunity for Incubation and Accelerated projects across the Cooperative Extension System (CES). This funding opportunity is made available through NTAE (New Technologies for Ag Extension), a grant from USDA-NIFA (United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture) to fund new and high impact potential projects within CES. Projects should have focus areas that lead to local impact and align with USDA Research Priorities. Project leaders can apply for one of the two types of projects this grant will support: Incubation and Acceleration.

Applications are due November 11, 2026.

See the full announcement.

Growing Together: Conversations with CEOs

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.

Corey Rosenbusch, President and CEO, The Fertilizer Institute

Corey Rosenbusch serves as The Fertilizer Institute’s (TFI) President and CEO, where he is responsible for leading efforts to advance the fertilizer industry. Since joining TFI in 2020, Rosenbusch has spearheaded several initiatives aimed at strengthening TFI’s voice with the agriculture community and increasing member value through innovative programs, such as the Biostimulant Certification and low-carbon ammonia manufacturing standard.

"Land-grant universities are essential partners in advancing solutions that help producers remain competitive while meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing agricultural landscape. The greatest opportunities exist where research, education, and implementation come together." - Corey Rosenbusch

Read the full interview.

USDA NASS to Host Virtual Data Users’ Meeting for Public Input on Statistical Programs

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting virtually Oct. 14 from Noon to 4 p.m. ET. The event is free and open to the public. The meeting provides updates on recent and pending changes to statistical programs and invites feedback from stakeholders on programs important to agriculture. The agenda includes agency updates followed by a question-and-comment session. Find detailed agenda and registration information here.

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!

ECOP Gavel Passed from Townson to Stone, Hadley on Deck

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

Thank you Jon, Welcome Jake!

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

Thank you Bev, Welcome Quentin!

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

No First Friday in October

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