Cox Delivers Hatch Lecture

Yesterday, at the APLU Annual meeting in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Nancy Cox delivered the Hatch Memorial Lecture titled: The Hatch Act of 1887 - Central to a Robust System Facing Challenges to its Relevance. 

Nancy Cox is a well-respected leader in agriculture research and education and across the industry. This honor recognizes her continuing vision for the future of ag innovation and discovery to serve the people, improve agriculture and enhance the lives and livelihoods of American Farmers. 

Dr. Cox joined the University of Kentucky as the associate dean of research for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment from Mississippi State University. She became dean in 2014 and in 2020, Cox was named Kentucky's first vice President for Land-grant engagement. As vice president, she initiated a process to consider how the university extends the ethos of Land-grant service and mission throughout every corner of the campus community. 

New USDA Study Projects Strong Job Opportunities in Food, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources, and Environmental Sectors 

A new United States Department of Agriculture-funded study undertaken by Purdue University projects that employment opportunities will remain strong for new college graduates with interest and expertise in the food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and environmental sectors (FARNRE). The report forecasts an average of over 104,00 FARNRE job openings annually between 2025 – 2030 for individuals with college degrees. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture supported the research.

Public agricultural schools exist in every U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia, forming a robust network through the Land-grant University system that collectively offers unparalleled educational opportunities. The system was established by landmark legislation in 1862, 1890, and 1994 and includes state flagship institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and tribal colleges. Land-grant universities are uniquely positioned and prepared to collaborate closely with USDA NIFA to attract, educate, and graduate the skilled professionals needed to meet the demands of tomorrow’s workforce, ensuring the U.S. remains a global leader in agricultural innovation and sustainability. 

National Urban Extension Conference (NUEC) in Detroit, Michigan

We invite you to attend the 2026 National Urban Extension Conference, “Driving Innovation Ahead,” in Detroit, MI from May 11-14, 2026. NUEC unites Extension staff to share research and educational strategies that support urban and suburban populations, as well as urban-rural interdependencies. Conference highlights include keynote addresses, educational workshops, poster sessions, and Workshops on the Move. Workshop proposals are now being collected, and registration information will be released soon. Visit canr.msu.edu/nuec for updates.

North American Agricultural Advisory Network & APLU Webinar November 5

Join us on Wednesday, November 5th from 10-11 a.m. MST for the CONVERSATION on NAAAN CONNECT with the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities(APLU). The association represents more than 250 universities and affiliated organizations across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This CONVERSATION will focus on the cross-border efforts of APLU and invite a discussion around new opportunities for collaboration in agricultural extension and rural advisory services for strengthened food security. 

Featured speakers include Waded Cruzado, President of APLU, and Doug Steele, Vice President of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources at APLU.

NASS to release key reports despite shutdown

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will release key data in November for the following reports:

• Milk Production – November 10, 2025 (previously scheduled for October 22, 2025)
• Crop Production – November 14, 2025 (previously scheduled for November 10, 2025)
• Cattle on Feed – November 21, 2025 (as previously scheduled)
• Milk Production – November 21, 2025 (as previously scheduled)
• The World Agricultural Outlook Board will release the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) in conjunction with the Crop Production release on November 14th.

Keystone Policy Center RFP – Due November 15

Keystone Policy Center has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on enhancing agricultural technical assistance (TA) to achieve conservation outcomes and efficiencies. The RFP deadline is November 15, and the anticipated award size is $30,000. The group is looking for a research team to identify the appropriate tools, new technologies, as well as potential opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance TA delivery.  The selected research team will:

• Identify key technology and data challenges that impact TA delivery

• Conduct a landscape analysis of AI applications relevant to conservation TA

• Conduct a landscape analysis of technology and data applications that can streamline delivery

• Engage with Keystone’s working group to refine research questions and share interim findings

• Develop a draft white paper that includes the following: streamlining technical aspects of TA delivery, data access and compatibility, information access for producers, AI tools for producer use, risks/tradeoffs, and potential pilots 

Government Funding Lapse Will Temporarily Halt SNAP Benefits

In an updated notification on its website, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) informed visitors that no benefits will be issued November 1. Earlier this month, FNS signaled that the program would be funded through October. Contingency funds are currently being used to temporarily support the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); school lunch; and other programs. While some states may use state funds to continue benefits, there is no provision under Federal law for those states to be reimbursed for those payments. According to multiple artificial intelligence sources, SNAP benefits are paid once per month to recipients, typically as a single lump sum loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The day of the month for this benefit loading varies by state.

Rapid Response Multistate Committee

The agInnovation Science and Technology Committee requests your assistance with populating the Rapid Response Multistate Committee W525 entitled “Evaluation of Outcomes-Driven, Aspirational Goals to Achieve National Food Security” (available here). We encourage experts in research, Extension, and teaching to join this Rapid Response Multistate Committee by submitting an Appendix E in the National Information Management and Support System – NIMSS.

REMINDER: LEAD 21 Applications Open Until November 15, 2025

LEAD21 is currently accepting applications for Class 22 (2026-2027). The primary purpose of LEAD21 is to develop leaders in land-grant institutions and their strategic partners to link research, academics and extension to lead more effectively in an increasingly complex environment, either in their current position or as they aspire to new roles.

The LEAD21 Board of Directors (BOD) consists of representatives from the various Board of Agriculture Assembly Section's Committees on Organization and Policy (headquartered at APLU) and strategic partners. More information and the link to apply is found here.

The ECOP appointees to LEAD21 BOD are Amy Loader, University of New Hampshire, and Program Chair Quentin Tyler, Michigan State University.

National Extension Award for Innovative Programming that Addresses New Audiences

The National Extension Award for Innovative Programming that Addresses New Audiences was presented to the Neighborhood Leadership Fellows (or the NLF), a program of the MU Extension and the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

NLF is a 9-month advanced leadership training program that works to equip Missouri residents with the necessary leadership skills to invoke positive changes in their communities. With over 170 graduates, NLF trains participants in policy, strength-based leadership, collaboration, and community engagement.

Fellows connect with local leaders, apply data-driven decision-making, and build relationships that support sustainable change. More than a program, NLF is a movement—empowering residents to lead transformation in their neighborhoods.

This award recognizes the impact of investing in community-driven leadership. Dr. Dwayne James, Community Development Specialist for MU Extension, accepted this honor on behalf of the NLF team.

New Administrator Orientation Program Webinar on Oct. 23

On behalf of Dr. Chris Daubert, Chair of the Administrative Heads Section (AHS), we would like to invite you to join an upcoming webinar on the use of social media as a new administrator.  This webinar is part of the 2025 New Administrators Orientation (NAO) program that has a blended format of Zoom meetings and two in-person meetings (the final in-person meeting will be held at the conclusion of the APLU Annual Meeting in Philadelphia PA).  We feel that this topic is both timely and relevant for administrators in today’s social media environment.

Webinar Specifics:

Webinar Title: Effectively Navigating Social Media as a New Administrator

October 23, from 4:00-5:15 pm Eastern.

North American Agricultural Advisory Network

The North American Agricultural Advisory Network (NAAAN) is a North American platform among extension and rural advisory services organizations promoting and supporting innovation, knowledge utilization, and information sharing in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. They share North American best practices and facilitate learning from global expertise.

You are invited to join NAAAN on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 10-11 a.m. MST for the CONVERSATION on NAAAN CONNECT with the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities. This conversation will focus on the cross-border efforts of APLU and invite a discussion around new opportunities for collaboration. Featured speakers include Waded Cruzado, President of APLU, and Doug Steele, Vice President of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources at APLU.

See more information and register.

New ECOP Chair shares implementation recommendations to agInnovation

Via email last week, Lisa Townson shared some recommendations on the implementation of the Research Facilities Act:

It is vital that stakeholders, particularly but not exclusively farmers and ranchers, achieve the maximum benefit from this historic investment. While every institution is different, for most institutions this will mean balancing research facility investments on campus and off campus. These off-campus facilities are an important part of demonstrating an innovation’s relevance to local conditions, including soil types, weather patterns, and ecosystems. They provide context specific knowledge that can directly lead to the next logical adoption step, on-operation trial. Investment in these off-campus facilities has the added benefit of widening the perceived value to a broader cross section of the state’s or territory’s citizenry.

Further, as we invest in off-campus research facilities, it is important that these investments include state of the art Extension facilities, capable of demonstrating innovations in the most effective possible manner. Any investment in research facilities without a clear vision and plan to ultimately communicate the resulting innovation to producers would be short-sighted.

Finally, the implementation of this program should not be rushed. The process for making such a large federal investment should allow time for states and territories to consult with stakeholders of all varieties, particularly farmers and ranchers, and undertake local planning processes to leverage this investment to the maximum possible benefit. 

On campus discussions are encouraged among Agricultural Experiment Station Directors and Extension Directors and Administrators to maximize the ultimate demonstration benefit of this investment. These same sentiments will be communicated with NIFA with the hopes of giving them priority in the call for proposals, which is expected during the first quarter of calendar year 2026.  

Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program

The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program was authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21) and empowers states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem. Through innovative system-wide change, the RHT Program invests in the rural healthcare delivery ecosystem for future generations.
 
State Departments of Health are often implementing the program, and some are involving their Cooperative Extension Service as a subcontractor. Sources have indicated that the deadline for state submissions is November 5, 2025.