ECOP Climate Mitigation, Resiliency, and Adaptation PAT Update

The ECOP Climate Mitigation, Resiliency, and Adaptation Program Action Team (Climate PAT) recently hosted a gathering from 1862, 1890, and 1994 land-grant institutions and leaders from the USDA. Through focused conversations, participants identified opportunities in three areas where Extension is uniquely suited to deliver climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions: communities, natural resources, and working lands. For more information, click here.

Innovations and Disruptions: Strategies for Success - The National Extension Directors and Administrators (NEDA) meeting planning committee recently has decided on a theme for 2024 even, Innovations and Disruptions: Strategies for Success. The following leaders are hard at work organizing meaningful, interactive sessions for Members of the Section. More details on topics such as artificial intelligence and Extension's evolving role in outreach and engagement by institutions of higher education. Stay tuned for more details.

>> North Central Region – Bev Durgan, Chair, University of Minnesota

>> 1890s Region – De'Shoin York, Southern University

>> Northeast Region – Jenn Volk, University of Delaware

>> Southern Region – Mike Gutter, Virginia Tech

>> Western – Kris Elliott, Oregon State University

Energy Department Regional Resource Hubs for Purpose Grown Energy Crops - The US Department of Energy (DOE) recently released an RFP for a program titled Regional Resource Hubs for Purpose Grown Energy Crops. These are going to be very large, multi-million dollar and multi-institutional hubs. Team Partners - like Cooperative Extension Services - can sign up here today! The earlier potential partners sign on, the better the outcome to get involved.

2024 National Health Outreach & Engagement Conference - Registration is now open for the 2024 National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference to be held May 13-15 in Greenville, South Carolina. The conference is co-hosted by Clemson University, University of Georgia, and North Carolina State University. The conference schedule is packed full of keynote speakers, educational workshops, poster presentations, and an awards banquet. The early bird rate of $450 is available from now through April 15. Special lodging rates are available at the Westin Poinsett and SpringHill Suites in downtown Greenville. For more information and to register for the conference, visit https://t.uga.edu/9FF.




AMS Infrastructure Grants to/from State Departments of Agriculture - States and territories are partnering with USDA to competitively subaward Infrastructure Grants to projects that support infrastructure in the middle of the supply chain for domestic food and farm businesses and other eligible entities. Individual states and territories are opening their Request for Applications (RFA) as state plans become finalized. Interested applicants must apply through their state’s department of agriculture. While the application widow has closed for some states, it is still open for many states and territories.