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.

USDA, Cooperative Extension, & APLU Award Top Honors in Extension Excellence

Washington, DC – The US Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Cooperative Extension, and the Association of Public and Lang-grant University (APLU) announce the following winners for the 2026 national Excellence in Extension awards. These awards are given annually and recognize Cooperative Extension individuals and teams demonstrating outstanding community leadership, innovative programming, and measurable impact. This year’s winners are as follows:

Excellence in Extension Award for an Individual: Mr. Paul Goeringer, University of Maryland

Excellence in Extension Team Award: Resilient Engaged Active Community Health (REACH), West Virginia University

Excellence in Extension for Innovative Programming that Addresses New Audience Award:
Ms. Mynda Tracy, University of Illinois- Urbana Campaign

“This year’s awardees truly reflect the strength and dedication of the Cooperative Extension System. Their leadership shows how powerful it can be when universities and communities work side‑by‑side to share knowledge and put it into action,” said USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Director Dr. Jaye Hamby. “Together, they’re creating meaningful, lasting change across the country.”

The National Excellence in Extension Award for an Individual is awarded annually to one Cooperative Extension professional who demonstrates outstanding scientific programming, visionary leadership, and positive impact in their community. Over the course of his career, he has built a nationally recognized Extension outreach program centered on plain-language legal education, covering farm leasing, succession planning, environmental law, right-to-farm laws, employment law, renewable energy contracting, and other issues affecting Maryland producers.

The National Excellence in Extension Team Award recognizes an Extension team performing work above and beyond their peers in research, technical assistance, and outreach education. Coordinated by Penn State University, Resilient Engaged Active Community Health (REACH), is a five-state partnership that addresses critical behavioral health challenges, including substance use disorders, opioid overdose, mental health concerns, stigma, and limited access to evidence-based services.

The Excellence in Extension for Innovative Programming that Addresses New Audience Award distinguishes a group or individual for significant achievement in Extension outreach to underserved communities. Lead by Mynda Tracy, the Extension Dual Credit & Credentialing Pathway demonstrates how Cooperative Extension can drive systemic change that expands access to college and career readiness opportunities. In Illinois, rural and under-resourced schools often face barriers to offering dual credit courses and industry-recognized credentials due to shortages of qualified instructors, limited Career and Technical Education (CTE) infrastructure, and fragmented connections among educational institutions and workforce partners. University of Illinois Extension sought to overcome these challenges by building educator capacity and creating new opportunities.

NIFA, Cooperative Extension, and APLU will also present four regional awards to individuals. This year’s recipients are:

·         1890s Region: Dr. Niki Whitley is an Extension Specialist at Fort Valley State University and serves producers across Georgia as the State Small Ruminant Specialist. With 26 years of Cooperative Extension experience at three 1890 land-grant universities, she has developed collaborative programs in small ruminants, beef cattle, pasture pork, rabbit production, equine health, and parasite management. Her work emphasizes practical, research-based solutions for small-scale and limited-resource livestock producers.

·         Southern Region: Dr. Daryl Brian Arnall is a Professor and Extension Precision Nutrient Management Specialist in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at Oklahoma State University, where he also serves as the Sitlington Endowed Chair and Director of the Soil Research Services Laboratory. Throughout his career, he has advanced science based nutrient management by helping producers improve profitability while enhancing nutrient use efficiency and environmental stewardship through precision agriculture.

·         North Central Region: Dr. Timothy McDermott is an Extension Educator and Assistant Professor, Agriculture and Natural Resources, in the Department of Extension, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Ohio State University. His Urban agriculture/Local food production teaching focused on agricultural workforce development, controlled environment agriculture, soil health, specialty crops, family food security, and economic sustainability.

·         Western Region: Dr. Steven Worker is a 4-H Youth Development Advisor with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. In the San Francsico north Bay, Dr. Worker has cultivated a STEM Learning Ecosystem that expands equitable access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning.

“Extension professionals work hard every day to make a difference in the lives of people they work with.  It is such an honor to celebrate excellence in this work and recognize Extension professionals as changemakers in their communities,” said 2026 ECOP Chair Lisa Townson. “We are pleased to recognize this year’s winners and humbled by their dedication to the land grant mission.”

 

Pre-NEDA First Friday: Overview of Beyond Ready, Capacity, Health Tiger Team

The purpose of this “First Friday” webinar was to brief Cooperative Extension Directors and Administrators about three topics that will be discussed at their national conference this week. However, many others in the Cooperative Extension system could benefit from hearing these messages. 

Please follow this link to view the recording (Passcode: U9#s!iQ0). 

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.

Meet “JD:" John Deere’s New AI Assistant for Operations Center (From AgWeb Daily)

Designed as a conversational partner, the artificial intelligence assistant answers farmers’ questions in real time using customized insights generated from their own field, machine and operational data.

September 2026, ECOP approved an Artificial Intelligence Program Action Team. That PAT will give an ECOP report at the National Extension and Administrators Conference this week in Seattle, Washington.