Monday, November 22, 2021

Organizational and Delivery Response Resources

The ECOP Monday Minute will be on hiatus on November 29, 2021. Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.

Organizational and Delivery Response Resources -  As a result of robust national network dialogue by a majority of the members of the Cooperative Extension Section during the 2021 National Extension Directors and Administrators meeting on October 13, 2021, these 2 reports are available for review. 
More assets from the the entire 3 day meeting are found at neda.extension.org.



Workforce and Economic Development Programming Uplift in 2 Steps - The ECOP Program Committee, led by Ivory Lyles, Oregon State University, has launched a Program Action Team (PAT) to refine programming and generate resources for Cooperative Extension System's Workforce and Economic Development response for the nation. ECOP, NIFA, and Extension Foundation are investing with implementation-oriented resources; funding, involvement by Carlos Ortiz, National Program Leader, Division of Community and Education, and more. A Workforce Development Fellow will soon be hired to orchestrate strategic planning and programmatic structure geared toward national funding. Today Dr. Lyles invites the rest of his colleagues, all Extension Directors and Administrators, to get involved to lift up Workforce and Economic Development in their state/territory/tribal community in 2 easy steps explained in this important one-page memo. Please review the memo at the link provided and take action today! Thank you.



Executive Director, ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee to be Hired in 2022 - The ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee (Committee) led by Laura Stephenson, University of Kentucky, and Lisa Diaz, University of Illinois, provides leadership for Extension’s 4-H Positive Youth Development Program, by convening national partners on policy issues of national importance, facilitating systematic responses to critical challenges, coordinated implementation of national priorities, and by making timely recommendations to ECOP that inform collaborative efforts. Staffing support is needed for programs and initiatives of the Committee, and to ensure positive impact for the 4-H program nationally and locally. An Executive Director for the Committee is essential to maintaining the significant progress and momentum achieved in recent years. This position will be open for applications in early 2022. This will be an 18-month contractual position funded by both Cooperative Extension and National 4-H Council, reporting directly to the Co-chairs of the Committee. A core deliverable of the Executive Director will be to develop a sustainability plan, i.e., to pursue revenue generating opportunities to support Committee staff and initiatives beyond the initial 18-month phase. More information on hiring process will be shared soon. 



Webinar Addresses Antifungal Resistance - The National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research & Education (NIAMRRE) is pleased to offer a webinar - Starting Conversations: Antifungal Resistance and its Impact on Food Production and Human and Animal Health on December 9, 2021, at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm (ET). Goal: Learn what growers and practitioners are doing to improve antifungal use, and be part of the conversation to assure the continued health around human, animal, and plant sectors. Read more here or proceed to register here.

Monday, November 15, 2021

Learning for Leaders Events

Save the Dates - ECOP Professional Development Committee Chair John Lawrence, Vice President for Extension and Outreach, Iowa State University, is leading the effort for the return of Learning for Leaders for the Section events in 2022. Here are the First Friday dates: 3-4:30 p.m. ET on January 7, March 4, May 6, and July 1, 2022. The January event will be New and Interim Director and Administrator Orientation: What I Know Now that I Wish I Knew Then, with a moderated panel of experienced Extension Leaders sharing advice and answering questions. All members of the Section are invited and encouraged to join the newest members and well-seasoned panelists (to be determined). Last week a survey was released to new and interim leaders to solicit their most burning questions/concerns. Zoom connection details will soon be released by National Office Assistant Director Sandy Ruble. For more information, contact either Albert Essel aeessel@ncat.edu or Robin Shepard robin.shepard@wisc.edu of the Committee.



2021 Awards Video Recap - Last week, ECOP Chair Wendy Powers, University of California, and NIFA Director Carrie Castille presented the 2021 Cooperative Extension Awards during the virtual ceremony hosted by APLU. 
  • The Playlist of 7, 5-6 minutes video presentations by the winners is available for sharing on ECOP Office YouTube Channel

  • Click here to view the  Dropbox version of the annual awards booklet where 2021 Extension Awards are referenced on pages 23-34. 
The call for nominations for 2022 Awards is as always on February 1 with a deadline of May 1. A new Team Excellence in Extension Award for is added to the mix! To learn more visit www.aplu.org/CESAwards.



Hearing for Consideration of Under Secretary - The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry posted the hearing notice for consideration of Dr. Jacobs-Young to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics. This will occur next Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 10:30 am ET. The hearing will not be webcast.

 

USDA NIFA AgrAbility Program - Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities: The AgrAbility program increases the likelihood that farmers, ranchers, farm workers and farm family members with disabilities will experience success in agricultural production. The program supports projects between State Cooperative Extension System and private, non-profit disability organizations who work in partnership to provide agricultural education and assistance directed at accommodating disability in farm operations for individuals with disabilities, and their families, who engage in farming and farm-related occupations. Applications may be submitted only by Cooperative Extension at 1862 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities including University of the District of Columbia, and 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities, including the Central State University, Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University. Proposals are due January 13, 2022. Visit the RFA here.

Monday, November 8, 2021

2020-2021 National Recognitions


During the 2021 NEDA and the Cooperative Extension Section Business Meeting on October 14, Chris Watkins, 2020-2021 ECOP Chair, recognized several ECOP members and partners for their exemplary work in support of Cooperative Extension. A mahogany and maple clock was presented to Gary B. Jackson, Mississippi State University, for serving a full 4-year term on ECOP with thanks for his national service. Other recognitions included: 
  • Brent Elrod, National Science Liaison, Institute of Youth, Family, and Community, USDA NIFA, for dedicated support of NTAE and NIFA's support of the ECOP Program Committee and for service to the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee.
  • Jon Boren, New Mexico State University for leadership of the 4-H Leadership Committee as Co-chair since 2019. Jon continues to serve as ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee (BLC) Chair and the Section/ECOP's representative to the BAA Policy Board of Directors' Budget and Advocacy Committee.
  • Andy Turner, Cornell University for leadership of the 4-H Leadership Committee as Co-chair since 2017.
  • Lyla Houglum, WEDA Executive Director for service on the EDA Team for more than a decade in various national efforts, second only to Ron Brown of Southern Region in terms of longevity. Lyla retired in August 2021.
  • Jason Henderson, Purdue University for leadership as Cooperative Extension Section/ECOP Appointee to NC-FAR Board of Directors since 2017. Jason continues to serve as a member of ECOP and Vice-chair of the ECOP BLC.
  • Debby Sheely, University of Rhode Island for service as a member of ECOP since October 2019 and as interim Chair of the ECOP Professional Development Committee. Debby retired in June 2021. 
Thank you all for your outstanding contribution and efforts in the advancement of Cooperative Extension!




First Friday Conversation Reaction - Last Friday, ECOP Chair Wendy Powers, University of California, conducted the first in a series of monthly chats with 25 colleagues from all 5 Regions. The main topic was about for capacity funding for Extension. Here are just a few quotes from the anonymous post-meeting survey:
-- "I liked ample time to discuss rather than just updates and presentations. Thank you!"
-- "Dialogue is richer when all can relate to topic and have skin in the game."
-- "Succinct and focused meeting!"
The 76 Members of the Cooperative Extension Section are encouraged to attend the next conversation on Friday, December 3, 2021, 3-4:00 p.m. ET. Contact National Office Assistant Director Sandy Ruble sandyruble@extension.org for details.




Ag Outlook Registration Now OpenRegistration is now open for the 98th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, USDA's largest annual meeting and premiere event. This virtual two-day event will be held on February 24-25, 2022, and features a keynote address by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a presentation on the 2022 agricultural economy by USDA’s Chief Economist Seth Meyer, a panel of distinguished guest speakers, and 30 breakout sessions organized by agencies across USDA and covering a range of timely issues impacting the sector. More than 100 government, industry, and academic leaders will share their perspectives and insights on a wide array of topics including commodity and food price outlooks, U.S. and global agricultural trade developments, climate change, and innovations in agricultural production and sustainability. The 2022 Forum theme and full program will be announced soon. For more information, read this USDA press release.




Cooperative Extension System Partners with the Ad Council on Vaccine Education - Rural communities have been hit hard by COVID-19. In September alone, incidence rates of COVID-19 were roughly 54% higher in rural America than elsewhere. As part of its ongoing rural vaccine outreach, the Cooperative Extension System and the CDC EXCITE Program have partnered with the Ad Council to release a set of nine new rural-focused PSAs. Backed by research showing the power of personal stories, the videos aim to meet rural Americans where they are with clear and accurate information. From the farm to the football field to the pharmacy, every story is unique and unscripted -- the stories of how COVID-19 and vaccines have impacted rural America. View all nine stories, including messages in Spanish, here. To access the Ad Council’s rural community toolkit, including messaging guidance, radio content, social graphics and more, click here. See the press release detailing the breadth of rural-focused work here.

Monday, November 1, 2021

2021 Cooperative Extension Awards

Recognizing visionary leadership and diversity in educational programming, ECOP is pleased to share the following awards to be presented at this virtual event next Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 3:00 p.m. ET. Please register at the link provided today to hear the impacts from each winner! 

Dr. Ann Allgood Berry (pictured left) of the University of Tennessee will receive the 15th Annual Excellence in Extension Award while the Coming Together for Racial Understanding Team will receive the 30th Annual National Extension Diversity Award.

The Excellence in Extension Award is given to Cooperative Extension professionals who excel at programming, provides visionary leadership, and makes a positive impact on constituents served. Dr. Berry is an Extension specialist responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating consumer economics programs to support outreach through the University of Tennessee’s network of family and consumer science and 4-H youth development agents in 95 counties across the state. By conducting 124 teacher workshops, personal finance instruction reached 1.2 million high school students. The estimated impact of this Consumer Economics program is $297,261,026 since 2007.

The National Diversity Award recognizes significant contributions and accomplishments in achieving and sustaining diversity and pluralism. The Coming Together for Racial Understanding Team, comprised of Extension specialists and administrators from 22 land-grant universities from 17 states, and other national representatives, is the winner. The team helped train facilitators who guided community dialogues across the country around issues of race and discrimination. The effort involved 29 states sending teams for national training, with more than 100 participants completing train-the-trainer workshops. All told, over 900 Cooperative Extension System staff completed some portion of the trainings. The principal for the CTRU Team, Rachel Welborn, Associate Director for the Southern Region Rural Development, will accept the award on behalf of the Team.

Regional Excellence in Extension Awards:
  • 1890s Region: Michelle L. Eley, Community and Economic Development Specialist, North Carolina A&T State University, for communication and economic development for underserved agricultural and rural audiences.
  • North Central Region: Ashley L. Mueller, Extension Specialist, Disaster Education Coordinator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, for disaster education leading to increased community preparedness and resilience.
  • Northeast Region: Harry Crissy, Business and Community Vitality Extension Educator, The Pennsylvania State University, for promoting access to broadband Internet.
  • Southern Region: Robert C. Kemerait, Jr., Extension Specialist, Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, for advancing public understanding of managing major disease threats to Agronomic Crops.
  • Western Region: Ana Lucia Fonseca, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist, Oregon State University, for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for all learners.



Member Updates with Wendy Powers, ECOP Chair - Last week Members of the Cooperative Extension Section, were cordially invited to participate in ECOP’s First Friday Section Update event on November 5th from 3:00-4:00 PM ET. Important information will be shared directly with members with ample time discuss ideas, concerns, and emerging opportunities. These opportunities are part of Dr. Powers’ 2021-2022 Action Plan: To continue to develop and improve upon the understanding about the role of ECOP and ECOP activities, providing regular updates on ECOP activities, through the ECOP Monday Minute and virtual Section briefings. Extension Directors and Administrators are asked to keep the first Friday of each month (except August) open on their calendars from 3-4:30 PM ET for these sessions. Connection details may be obtained by contacting Sandy Ruble at sandyruble@extenssion.org




Two Events Slated on Sustainability of Forest and Rangeland Resources - The 2021 McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research (MCSFR) and the Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA) programs will hold two events (fall and spring) to identify opportunities, discuss challenges, and collaborate in addressing the sustainability of forest and rangeland resources through research, education, and extension strategies. The first meeting November 15 at 1 p.m. (ET) intends to connect MCSFR administrative technical representatives and RREA project directors through a series of talks, breakout groups, webinars, and guest speakers to learn about the latest changes in the reporting system, financial, and administrative management of the programs. For more information, go to the MSCFR and RREA webinar announcement.




USDA NIFA Civil Rights Compliance Review Schedule for FY 2022-2025 - Civil Rights (CR) compliance reviews are a tool to determine how benefits and services are delivered by NIFA-funded programs and activities. The collaborative reviews provide recipients of NIFA funding with technical assistance and strategies to improve access, equal opportunity, and program delivery. Onsite compliance reviews are conducted annually on a rotational basis for recipients in the U.S. and territories. The NIFA CR Compliance Review Schedule for 2022-2025 is available here.