National AI Legislative Framework Calls Out Land-grant Institutions

On March 20, the White House released its National AI Legislative Framework via an Executive Order. The Executive Order mentioned the Land-grant system’s role in creating an artificial intelligence ready work force.

“Congress should bolster capabilities at land-grant institutions to provide technical assistance, launch demonstration projects, and develop AI youth development programs.”

In a post on X, APLU featured the Executive Order:

“APLU thanks the @WhiteHouse for recognizing the mission of land-grant institutions in its AI policy proposal. Cooperative Extension programs provide trusted, practical education to help communities solve problems, develop skills, & build a better future.”

NIFA Director Hamby Comments on NIFA’s Role in USDA’s Recently Released Research Priorities

From the March 18 NIFA Update:

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins recently introduced priorities for future USDA funded research and development. These priorities reflect a focused effort to strengthen national security, protect U.S. agriculture and support American farmers, ranchers and consumers.

USDA’s Research, Education and Economics Mission (REE) area and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) form the heart of this effort. While our fellow REE agency, the Agricultural Research Service, conducts intramural research, NIFA is the extramural funding agency that partners with Land-grant Universities (LGUs) and others to conduct research across the nation that is locally relevant and applied.

NIFA serves as the bridge between federal investments and on-the-ground impact, supporting the scientists, Extension experts and producers who turn research into results for American agriculture.

Agriculture is a cornerstone of national security, rural prosperity and food security. The work funded and coordinated by NIFA ensures that research is not just theoretical, but practical and responsive to the needs of farmers, ranchers and producers.

The Secretary’s priorities provide a clear path forward for how NIFA-funded research, education and outreach will move America forward.

Details on NIFA’s role in the five priorities below can be found in the March 18 NIFA Update:

• Increasing the profitability of farmers and ranchers
• Expanding markets and creating new uses for U.S. agricultural products
• Protecting the integrity of American agriculture from invasive species and disease
• Promoting soil health to regenerate long-term productivity of the land
• Improving human health through precision nutrition and food quality

USDA General Terms & Conditions Update, NIFA GT&Cs Webinar Scheduled for April 15

On December 31, 2025, USDA released the first set of USDA General Terms and Conditions (GT&Cs) for all future awards. Per the Secretarial Memorandum establishing this change, USDA agencies had 45 days to begin implementation of the new GT&Cs for all new awards and significant modifications to existing awards. APLU’s Office of Food, Agriculture, & Natural Resources (FANR) and Office of Government Affairs (OGA) have been coordinating internally and with other stakeholders to better understand impacts of the new GT&Cs for our community. Numerous questions have arisen, and for the last several weeks APLU has engaged with USDA and Capitol Hill to share these questions and seek clarifications.

Most recently, NIFA released in its March 18th newsletter NIFA-specific terms and conditions that, “will be applied to all awards supporting research, education, Extension or integrated activities which are issued or significantly modified on or after March 18, 2026.” A webinar on these new NIFA GT&Cs is scheduled for April 15th at 1:00 PM (CDT). Please click the March 18th newsletter link above for the entire T&C paragraph from the NIFA newsletter.

APLU will review the new NIFA GT&Cs and continue to engage with USDA and Capitol Hill about both the GT&Cs and the NIFA GT&Cs. We encourage you to consult with your research officers to understand implications of the new terms and conditions and continue to share questions and concerns with us.

Save the Date: 2026 National Extension Directors & Administrators Annual Meeting

The 2026 NEDA meeting is scheduled for September 15-17 in Seattle, WA. Monday, September 14 will be a travel day for those attending the ECOP meeting on Tuesday, September 15. New administrator orientation will take place the afternoon of Tuesday, September 15, followed by a reception and dinner featuring a 4-H speaker.

Hadley to Chair ECOP Professional Development Committee

Gregg Hadley, Associate Professor and Kansas State University’s Assistant Vice President Director for Extension, has assumed the chairmanship of the ECOP Professional Development Committee. Gregg succeeds former chair Karl Martin, dean and director of the UW-Madison Division of Extension. Karl will join the ECOP Program Committee.

Webinar: A Comprehensive Overview of "A Study of Land-grant University Federal Capacity Funding"

Thursday, April 9 | 4:00-5:15 pm ET

This webinar is designed for individuals who have not yet had the opportunity to hear Wendy Fink’s presentation on the Tripp Umbach, Phase 1 report on federal capacity funding and would like to learn more about the Board on Agriculture Assembly's Federal Capacity Funding Initiative. The analysis and key findings are based upon survey results from 94 capacity-eligible institutions. The webinar will cover:

1. What are USDA Capacity Funding Grant Programs?
2. What does Capacity Funding Enable?
3. BAA’s Capacity Initiative’s Three Phases
4. Phase One: Key Takeaways
5. What Can You Do to Help with This Effort?

Welcome:

Christopher Daubert, Chair, BAA’s Administrative Heads Section
Vice Chancellor and Dean College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources University of Missouri

James Pritchett, Chair, BAA’s Communications and Marketing Committee Vice President for Engagement and Extension Colorado State University

Presenters:
Wendy Fink, Executive Director - Academic Programs Section, BAA and Associate Vice President, Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources APLU

Marcus Glassman, Executive Director, Council on Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET) Director, Governmental Affairs APLU 

Register here!

Contribute to the National AI Asset Map for Cooperative Extension

In partnership with the National Digital Extension Education Technology (NDEET) initiative and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) Broadband Program Action Team, the Extension Foundation is asking for your help in cataloging efforts related to the use and adoption of artificial intelligence across the Cooperative Extension system.

NDEET is leading the development of a National AI Asset Map, a comprehensive inventory of AI-related work happening across Extension.

The survey collects information across a broad range of AI-related activities, including:

• Trainings, workshops, webinars, and presentations
• Publications, papers, and news articles
• Research projects and data sets (e.g., crop data, applied analytics)
• AI specialists and personnel
• Partnerships and collaborative initiatives
• Tools and technologies (e.g., websites, chatbots, applications)
• Governance, ethics, and policy efforts
• Events, videos, and outreach materials

Submissions may serve both internal and external audiences and may span all program areas. 

Learn more and complete the survey.

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