Monday, October 21, 2024

LEAD 21 Call for Applications

The LEAD21 program is intended to meet the future needs for leadership development of faculty, specialists, district and regional directors, program and team leaders, research station and center directors, department heads and chairs, and others in the universities’ colleges of agricultural, environmental, natural resources, veterinary sciences, and human sciences and USDA/NIFA. Individuals from land-grant, NARRU institutions, and USDA are encouraged to participate. Read more here.



4-H Reputation Management 101 – October 30 (12:30-2 pm ET)

Effective reputation management is mission critical to responding to unexpected events and to preserving the integrity, reputation and trust that 4-H has worked hard to earn.

Join the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee and National 4-H Council for a training covering reputation management best practices for 4-H, including a refresher on the 4-H Crisis Communications Playbook, breakout sessions for scenario practice, and how to collaborate on reputational issues.

This training is intended for Extension Directors and Administrators, State 4-H Program Leaders, 4-H Foundation Executives and University/Extension Communication Professionals. Advanced registration is required. Register Here.



Nielsen to Deliver Morrill Lecture at National APLU Meeting

Dr. Larry Nielsen, Professor Emeritus of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University, will deliver the Justin Smith Morrill Memorial Lecture Nov. 10 at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) national meeting in Orlando.



New Journal of Extension Article Available

An excellent crop of Cooperative Extension scholarship is available at the Journal of Extension.


Monday, October 14, 2024

National Impacts Database (NIDB)

The National Impacts Database (NIDB) is an important platform for documenting and demonstrating the collective impacts of land-grant university teaching, research, and Extension.
 
NIDB Virtual Training: October 30, 2024 | 2:00-3:00pm ET
This training is for new and returning inputters to the National Impacts Database (NIDB), and will cover the basics of the NIDB, how submitted statements are used, and how to write effective impact statements. This webinar will be recorded. A copy will be sent to all registrants after the training.
2024 Priority Topic Areas:  public health, climate-smart solutions, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, workforce development/readiness, youth development/4-H, diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, water resilience/management
NIDB Improvements/Updates
Updating Authorized Inputters



The Growing Crisis in Our Communities: Can 4-H Answer the Call?

Consider giving the Farm Journal Article on 4-H a look today:

Gen Z’s challenges aren’t just academic; they’re personal, says Jill Bramble, president and CEO of 4-H. Many young people say they are falling short, unable to envision a successful future where they feel connected to their friends, families, and communities.


USDA Offers Resources, Adds Flexibilities to Disaster Assistance Programs to Help Hurricane Helene-Impacted Farmers, Foresters and Communities

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, USDA has deployed staff to assist with response and recovery efforts. USDA is also putting in place contingency plans and program flexibilities to ensure farmers, and foresters and communities are able to get the support they need. Read more about resources that may be available.

Monday, October 7, 2024

EFNEP Legend Inducted into NIFA Hall of Fame




USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently inducted Helen Chipman, NIFA’s national program leader for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), into the NIFA Hall of Fame. As the lone inductee for 2024, the Cooperative Extension system at large shares Chipman’s honor.

The NIFA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to NIFA and the Land-grant University System and who, throughout their careers, engaged in activities that exemplify NIFA’s excellence in any combination of research, education and Extension delivered locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.



Food Loss and Waste Liaison Moves to NIFA

The USDA Food Loss and Waste (FLW) program has a new home in the Research, Education and Economics mission area under USDA NIFA.

The FLW program, formerly with the USDA Office of the Chief Economist, joins NIFA’s Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition’s program portfolio. USDA is in a unique position to help address the problems of FLW across the nation, including harmful impacts on climate heating and resources wasted throughout the food supply, from farm to fork.

Read more about the work of the FLW program and its liaison.



U.S. Global Change Research Program Seeks Public Comment on First National Nature Assessment

The U.S. Global Change Research Program is requesting public feedback on the proposed themes and topics of the first National Nature Assessment, a report aimed at assessing the condition of nature as an aspect of global change. The input received, due Nov. 4, will guide chapter author teams in developing their draft chapters. Read the Federal Register notice for more information.