Monday, July 29, 2019

ECOP Meeting Actions

As noted in last week’s blog, ECOP met this past week in Park City, Utah in conjunction with the Joint COPs meeting. Actions include:
  • Executive Director, Cooperative Extension System, ECOP, search process and position description were approved. Position will be advertised soon. 
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded, Well-Connected Communities initiative enhancements were endorsed as part of Cooperative Extension Section’s Strategic Agenda
  • An ECOP Budget Legislative Committee sub-committee will be identified to develop strategies for 4-H and others to engage in capacity funding advocacy. 
  • SNAP-Ed Professional Development Team’s report was received, and the National Office will continue to provide support for the Team’s financial transactions. 
  • Beverly Durgan, University of Minnesota, was appointed Chair of the ECOP International Extension Committee. 
For more information contact Rick Klemme, rickklemme@extension.org.


Accessing eXtension Membership Benefits through Engage & Empower Online - Engage & Empower Online (EEO) is a one-stop-shop for continuing professional development beyond face-to-face events. Within EEO, Extension professionals from eXtension members institutions have access to exclusive publications, presentations, and eFieldbook content to fuel program and project development. Professional development opportunities (webinars and Learning Circles) centered upon strategically themed topics are provided regularly, bringing together a national cohort of Extension professionals to co-create solutions for community impact. Members also have access to an online version of our Innovation Skill Builder tool to help develop impactful programs. External partners contribute to EEO professional development offerings, providing unique insights into developing strategic partnership opportunities. Additionally, the EEO platform is a social intranet designed to connect Extension professionals across states to share experiences, resources, and collaborate on similar projects. Learn more and register at https://impact.extension.org/engage-empower-online/



Western Rural Development Center and Regional Extension Faculty Deliver - Economic Development Strategies Throughout Western U.S. - The four Regional Rural Development Centers work collaboratively on national Extension initiatives and these efforts serve the regional work of each Center. One example from the West comes from the Western Rural Development Center’s award-winning, economic development program, Area Sector Analysis Process (ASAP). ASAP has now been applied in over 40 rural, western communities across Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah, and over 750 citizens have served on ASAP community committees. ASAP recently launched in new communities in Kauai, Hawaii, and Parachute and Silt, Colorado. ASAP is managed by the Western Rural Development Center at Utah State University and is comprised of western Extension faculty/professionals from the University of Idaho, University of Nevada-Reno, University of Arizona, and Utah State University. For ASAP details, visit http://wrdc.usu.edu/programs/asap.



Latest Census of Agriculture Product - USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) just released the 2017 Census of Agriculture Watersheds Report. Produced in service to agricultural and environmental data users, this publication compiles Census data at the water basin, or watershed, level according to boundaries set by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). A supplement to the Census of Agriculture, the Watersheds Report can be used by farmers, community planners, conservation districts, environmental engineers, researchers, and others interested in how land and water resources are being used and how these uses are changing. Data are available for each of the 20 USGS watersheds and 381 water basins in the United States. Information from the 2012 Census of Agriculture Watersheds Report is published alongside the 2017 Census results to show changes in land use, production practices, and livestock distribution in these geographic areas over the past five years. Other 2017 Census of Agriculture products recently released include the full report, State and County Profiles, and Congressional District Profiles. For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture and to access the Watersheds Report and other Census products, visit www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.

Monday, July 22, 2019

Establishing the Future of Extension at Joint COPs Meeting

Today, ECOP Chair Ed Jones, Virginia Tech, is in Utah presiding at ECOP's 2nd face-to-face meeting of 2019. Board members from every Region will be making decisions that are crucial to the future of Extension. Typically, this is the meeting when the following year Assessments and Calendar are solidified and the agenda is set for the Annual Section Business Meeting (morning of September 25, 2019, in Nashville). The docket includes Communications and Marketing, Resource Development Partnerships, how to best support and lift up our System that will be impacted by the move of NIFA to Kansas City, and stand up a Search Committee to hire a full-time Executive Director for Cooperative Extension System/ECOP (new title) by April 2020. View the ECOP meeting agenda here and the Joint COPs meeting agenda (AHS, ACOP, ESCOP and ECOP) here. The contact for this meeting is Executive Director Rick Klemme.


Inspire Kids to Learn Computer Science with the 2019 4-H NYSD Challenge, Game Changers - Now in its 12th year, 4-H National Youth Science Day (NYSD) was created by National 4-H Council, USDA-NIFA and Cooperative Extension to ignite an early interest in STEM learning among young people. Game Changers, co-developed by West Virginia University and Google, teaches kids ages 8-14 how to use computer science (CS) to create games, solve problems and engage with topics they’re passionate about. The challenge kit activities do not require Internet. The NYSD celebration kicks off October 1st, and coding events can take place throughout the month of October. Supporters include: Donaldson Filtration Solutions, HughesNet, Lockheed Martin, and the US Air Force. Please share these links:
   • Learn more and purchase NYSD kits
   • Access to a recorded webinar training
   • More professional development opportunities


Higher Ed Economic and Community Development Executive Committee Seeks Cooperative Extension Leader Involvement - APLU’s Commission on Economic and Community Engagement (CECE) is engaging Cooperative Extension leadership on issues in common on public engagement, particularly regarding issues facing rural America – most notably rural broadband. Colleagues, Jorge Atiles, Oklahoma State University; Shelly Nickols-Richardson, University of Illinois; Marshall Stewart, University of Missouri, and Ashley Stokes, Colorado State University, currently serve on the Executive Committee. The Commission seeks 7 new members. Interested individuals who meet the following requirements may Click Here to apply by July 31st. Contact Rick Klemme or Shalin Jyotishi for more information.
   • Serve a 3-year term, November 2019 - November 2022.
   • Must have campus-wide responsibility for economic development, community engagement or Cooperative Extension at an APLU member institution.
   • Must be able to join quarterly meetings; 2 in person, 2 via conference call.


View/download at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bIhiWdjxmlPyGAMBbfQHE7w1BRVnBZjX/view
Master Gardener Program Has Major Impacts - The biennial 2018 Extension Master Gardener (EMG) report conservatively estimates there are 86,076 EMG volunteers throughout the United States and Washington, D.C., contributing 5.6 million hours educating the public, providing youth programming, and facilitating produce donated to local food banks. While this is only the beginning of the value EMGs provided in their communities, these efforts are estimated to have contributed 140 million dollars in value to the general public. Our volunteers reported over 8.6 million contacts and continue to be the front line of Extension’s consumer horticulture efforts.

Monday, July 15, 2019

Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Meeting Registration Update

September 23-26, 2019, marks the dates for the joint meeting of the Experiment Station Section (ESS) and Cooperative Extension Section (CES) in Nashville, TN. The purpose of meeting together is to strengthen research/extension alliances and increase the quality and number of relationships within and the Extension and Experiment Station functions of the Land-grant university system. Every member's participation during the annual CES Business Meeting on the morning of September 25 is vital to the future of Extension. Today, exactly 1/2 (38) of the CES is registered - thank you! The remaining Extension Directors and Administrators are urged to complete their arrangements to attend using this link http://www.cvent.com/d/66qy1n by Labor Day to avoid displaced lodging and higher fees. Questions/concerns? Contact ECOP Assistant Director Sandy Ruble at 202-478-6088.



Outcomes to Encourage 4-H for All - On July 8, 2019, Extension Directors and Administrators received an update related new tools and resources for the System from ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee Co-chairs, Jon Boren, New Mexico State University, and Andy Turner, Cornell University. The True Leaders in Equity Institute is a year-long plan of work for community-based, equity-related projects, and the Equity Toolkit for is now available for use by Extension professionals. Details are available through National 4-H Council and made possible by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Bechtel Foundation and others who are committed to 4-H’s diversity strategy. Primary contact is Dorothy Freeman, dfreeman@fourhcouncil.edu. Click Here to view the full letter.



Readiness is Theme of Military Families Learning Network Virtual Conference - “Relationships for Readiness” is the theme of the Military Families Learning Network’s 2019 Virtual Conference, September 17-19. Top professionals from diverse fields will address various aspects of network building—from building relationships to creativity, communication, and collaboratively working together across specialties and disciplines. Cooperative Extension educators and service providers working with military families come from diverse roles, locations, disciplines, and organizations. Participants will learn together in this unique virtual experience and begin rethinking their work with military families by re-aligning themselves as connected and collaborative professionals, organizations, and agencies. Directors and Administrators, please forward the RSVP link: https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/vc2019/, to respective personnel! Thank you.



BoHS Award Nominations Deadline Announced - The deadline for submitting nominations for the awards that will be presented by the Board on Human Sciences (BoHS) at the 132nd APLU Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA on November 11, 2019 has been extended to July 22, 2019. All award materials should be submitted to Eddie Gouge, BoHS Executive Director (egouge@aplu.org). For further information on past award winners, eligibility requirements, and the nomination procedure, click on the link provided with each award.

Monday, July 1, 2019

Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network RFA Webinar July 9

The ECOP Monday Minute will return on July 15, 2019.
Have a safe and pleasant Independence Day holiday!

The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network funding opportunity is intended to provide resources to address the challenging issue of farm and ranch stress. The closing date is July 25! Applications must be submitted by a collaborative state; tribal; local or regionally-based network, or partnership of qualified public and/or private entities, as determined by the Secretary. These collaborations may include the following entities: Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); State departments of agriculture, State cooperative extension services; and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). An interested applicant webinar will be held Tuesday, July 9, 2019, 2:00 PM-3:30 PM ETClick Here to join webinar or Here to listen to webinar recording after July 9; meeting number 967 884 412, or by phone at 1-888-844-9904 (US/Canada), Access code 584 544 7. Learn more at NIFA Funding Opportunity Page and apply at the Grants.gov Page.



NACD Offers Free, Electronic Publications - The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is a nonprofit representing America's 3,000 locally-led conservation districts, that helps millions of landowners and operators to manage and protect land and water resources on private and public lands through grassroots advocacy, education and partnerships. NACD offers free publications covering a range of agriculture, conservation and natural resource related topics, including NACD's activities, the latest conservation news affecting conservation districts and their customers, and newly available tools and resources. Click Here to view the list of NACD’s free publications to which Extension specialists and leader may subscribe.



Latest Census of Agriculture Product - USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently released Congressional District Profiles and Rankings with an interactive data visualization. These profiles are often used by producers, congressional leaders, and others in support of agriculture in their districts. Still to be released is the Watersheds Report on July 25; the American Indian Reservations Report on August 26; Zip Code Tabulations on September 18; and Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Profiles on October 1. All products are or will be available at www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. Other products to be released this summer include weekly, state-specific Census blogs are showcased on www.usda.gov and additional Census Highlights publications on the NASS website. Already preparing for the 2022 Census of Agriculture, NASS is asking for content change suggestions and for new producers who did not receive a 2017 Census of Agriculture form last year to sign up to be counted in future censuses and surveys. Both forms can be found at www.nass.usda.gov. NASS appreciates Extension leaders consideration to spread the word!


NACAA Annual Meeting - The National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) 104th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference (AM/PIC) will be held in Fort Wayne, IN on September 8 - 12, 2019. Registration is now open. Early, discounted registration ends July 15! Five “super seminars” will provide in depth focus on current, relevant topics. Poster session will feature 140 Extension educators presenting their research and education posters and another 130+ members will deliver oral presentations during the week. Four pre-conference educational subject matter tours are offered, and  24 professional improvement tours covering a wide array of agricultural topics and enterprises will be available to participants.