Andy Turner Joins ECOP

The Association of Northeast Extension Directors (NEED) has selected Andy Turner (pictured above/left), Ed.D., Associate Dean and Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension, to serve ECOP for a term ending in the fall of 2025. Turner, who also joins the ECOP Professional Development Committee, began his term as Associate Dean and Director of Extension at Cornell in December 2023. He leads a team of thirty-four in Extension Administration at Cornell and provides leadership for Cornell Cooperative Extension, one of the largest and most decentralized Extension systems in the USA. Prior to this appointment, Andy served as the New York State 4-H Program Leader (2014 - 2023) and has 35 years of experience in Extension overall. He attended Cornell as an undergraduate and graduate student and holds a Doctorate in Education from St. John Fisher College, developing a study that examined disruptive innovation and change leadership in Extension. Andy has provided leadership for change and evolution in Extension as Co-Chair of the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee (2017 - 2021), and Co-Chair of the former ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion design team. Welcome, Andy Turner!

New NIFA Extension Master Gardener Impact Update - For over 50 years, the Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) program has been training volunteers across the nation who have a passion for horticulture and assisting with gardening education in their community. Today, EMG programs are established in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This work is supported in part by the USDA-NIFA’s capacity funding. Read more in a recent write-up about the program, which features capacity funding’s role.

2024 Urban Food Systems Symposium - The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) hosts the 2024 Urban Food Systems Symposium in Columbus, Ohio on June 11-13. The event includes keynotes, a grower panel, 40 presentations, a reception with more than 30 posters, a choice of off-site educational tours, and dinner at The Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory, a unique 261-acre university facility for teaching, research, and community engagement. Registration prices increase on May 25 and hotel reservations close May 21.

USDA-NIFA Annual Report Highlights Programs and Projects - USDA-NIFA provides leadership and funding for innovative programs that feed people and fuel progress advancing agricultural sciences. It was created to spur scientific innovation, education and Extension programs enhancing the work carried out by colleges and universities across the USA. NIFA’s investments play a critical role in inspiring innovations and providing the crucial funding needed to pursue those innovations. Read more about NIFA’s work across six broad topic areas in the FY2023 Annual Report. This year’s Annual Report highlights how the agency is funding collaborative projects that are delivering real solutions and making a difference in the lives of the people of the United States and the world.

The ECOP Monday Minute is on hiatus until June, 3, 2024. Wishing all a safe Memorial Day weekend.