Monday, April 19, 2021

Upfront Conversation - Extension and NIFA

For a quick read on what the "new" NIFA looks like, the ways Extension leaders can serve as a resource to ensure support for programmatic and advocacy priorities, and the future of Interagency Agreements for funding for Extension, click here and see what was shared at the last ECOP Meeting.

Photo caption: USDA-NIFA Liaisons to ECOP, (L) Parag Chitnis, Associate Director, and (R) Mike Fitzner, Science Program and Analysis Officer.


Cooperative Extension Federal Budget and Legislative Update - As promised, below are the products of the annual Cooperative Extension Directors and Administrators Budget and Legislative Session at PILD. All are encouraged to review them and know their members of the ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee by Region listed on page 4 of the ECOP List Resource
    --> Video - https://youtu.be/mqb6upMrifA
    --> Slide Presentation - View/Download
Contact Executive Director Caroline Henney or Assistant Director Sandy Ruble for more info.




White House Releases State-by-State Sheets on Jobs Plan - The White House on Monday released facts sheets to highlight the needs in each state that it says would be addressed by President Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure proposal known as the American Jobs Plan. The state-by-state documents note the number of bridges and miles of road in poor condition, the percentage of households without access to broadband internet access, the billions of dollars required for water infrastructure, among other infrastructure needs, the White House said. The White House previously released fact sheets  found here on how Biden’s plan would address issues important to rural America and racial inequity.



Earth Day Webinar Reminder - As announced by APLU, Extension Directors and Administrators may still sign up to attend Cultivating Climate Resiliency - How North American Public Universities Are Addressing Climate Change on April 22, 2021 from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM ET.  The event will include a list of special presenters and conclude with a panel representing the North American Knowledge Zone featuring speakers from Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Register for the event here.



NIFA Program Plan/Report Learning Event - On May 20, 2021, 12-1:30 p.m. ET, the National Association of Extension Program & Staff Development Professions (NAEPSDP) will host a panel discussion on LGU experiences and tips for preparing NIFA Plans and Report. Lynn Khadiagala, NIFA's Planning and Evaluation Lead, will outline the requirements for the reports and the value of the data received. The panel will feature representatives from both 1862 and 1890 institutions. Panelists will share their process for developing their plan and report and how that process contributes to the success of their report. Example recent plans and reports will be shared with registrants of this webinar. Register here.