Civil Rights Reviews – What to Know Ahead of Time

Civil Rights Reviews – What to Know Ahead of Time held on November 3, 2023, is a resource for what Extension Directors and Administrators should consider as they prepare for a civil right review for USDA-NIFA. It was one in a series of ECOP's First Friday sessions coordinated by the ECOP Professional Development Committee. This session is a general overview of what to expect and the importance of communicating externally with NIFA and internally with a review team. In addition to the link to the YouTube recording, slides from last Friday's session are available to view/download here. Dates for two more First Friday sessions on Civil Rights Reviews will be announced to Members of the Section and 1994 Extension Directors during the first part of 2024. Working titles:   

   (1) Language Access and Translational Services/Needs 

   (2) What an institution learns from the process? 

Watch for an invitation to ECOP Chair Damona Doye's First Friday Conversation on December 1, 2023, 3-4:00 p.m. ET. Skip January 2024!

Pesticide Safety Education Funds Program Application, Due January 1, 2024 - The EPA has awarded a cooperative agreement to the Extension Foundation (EXF) to administer a national subaward program supporting Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs). The new project will receive up to $15 million over five years. It will build upon a previous PSEP subaward program, also managed by EXF, which concluded in July 2023. The application for the Empowered Up: A Comprehensive PSEFMP Promoting Efficiency & Environmental Justice (PSEFMP) is now available. In order to be eligible for this funding applicants must be affiliated with a U.S. Land Grant University. Only one application per state or territory is eligible for funding. Learn more here.

Technical Assistance Webinar: Specialty Crop Research Initiative 2024 Request for Pre-Applications - A NIFA webinar on November 8, 2023, 4:00 p.m. ET will provide technical information about the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) Request for Pre-Applications for 2024. The purpose of the SCRI program is to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by awarding grants to support research and Extension that address key challenges of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems.




2024 National 4-H Conference Information Session - The 2024 National 4-H Conference will be held April 19-24 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. Known as “the Secretary’s Conference,” this Conference is the flagship youth development opportunity of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Registration for a NIFA informational session on November 15, 2023, 4:00 p.m. ET is an opportunity to learn about the National 4-H Conference history, objectives, schedule, chaperone roles, policies and registration process. Click here to read about the conference.