ECOP 4-H Executive Director Announced

The ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee Co-chairs Laura Stephenson, University of Kentucky, and Lisa Bouillion Diaz, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, have announced that after a nationwide search, their committee has selected Edwin Jones, Ph.D. (pictured left) as its Executive Director. A former ECOP Chair, ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee Co-Chair, and Trustee of National 4-H Council, Ed is well suited to help support and advance the work of the Committee in this inaugural position. For 18 months he will support the Co-chairs and ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee initiatives. Through its shared leadership model, the Committee is working to develop new partnership and funding opportunities for 1862, 1890, and 1994 4-H programs alike—as well as new revenue-generating opportunities that will support Committee initiatives beyond the initial 18-month phase. Read full announcement here.



ECOP at PILD - ECOP had a high-profile role in this year’s Public Issues Leadership Development Conference. Held from April 3-6, 2022, in Arlington, VA, the theme of the conference was All Systems Go-Navigating National Identity for Local Impact. ECOP-related sessions included ECOP’s New Advocacy & Education Vision for the Cooperative Extension System; ECOP Program Committee's Program Action Team (PAT) breakout sessions; The FY 2022 Extension System Budget Request – What it Is, How to Talk About It, and Why It Matters; and a Capnote Presentation: A System Without Borders. Also at the conference, Extension Directors/Administrators participated in an ECOP Budget and Legislative (BLC) Special Breakout Session that included an introduction to the new APLU Board on Agriculture Assembly advocacy group-Lewis-Burke Associates, establishing a well-timed feedback loop to build year-round advocacy strategies ECOP Strategic Crosswalk and BLC Workplan, and an advocacy update.

Call for Nominations for APLU Food Systems Leadership Award Deadline April 29 - The APLU Food Systems Leadership Award annually recognizes a leader who has made an extraordinary impact on the food system through leadership and service and who exemplifies the core principles established by the Food Systems Leadership Institute (FSLI), including personal leadership, organizational leadership, and food systems leadership. The award also recognizes the leadership, innovation, engagement, and service that APLU promotes through its programs. The APLU Food Systems Leadership Award will be presented at “A Community of Scholars Honoring Excellence" award program at the APLU Annual Meeting in Denver in November. The recipient will be invited to address the current cohort of FSLI Fellows at one of their residential sessions. For criteria, form and the directions, click here. 

Coming June 2022 Family Well-Being - Navigating the Social Justice Landscape is an online, multidisciplinary approach, learning experience to a complex issue facing service providers working with military families. The 2022 Military Families Readiness Academy asynchronous courses focus on individuals’ understanding of social justice and equity (including their own understanding of privilege and oppression). The courses and discussions equip family service providers with the skills to identify barriers that impact a family’s health and well-being and identify opportunities for social justice advocacy in their work. Beginning June 1, the Academy addresses the intersections between engaging a social justice mindset as a family service professional and the ability to support the well-being of diverse military families. The courses offer engaging modules and interaction, with prompts for reflection on this critically important topic. The asynchronous delivery allows working professionals to benefit from the content in the courses at times convenient to their schedules. Continuing education credits available. Extension professionals are invited to learn more sign up for a mailing list at www.oneop.org/mfra for the Academy mailing list to receive additional information and announcements in the coming months.

Summer Pathways Institute for Extension, 4-H, and University Leadership Application Now Open -  The ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee is invites Extension Directors and Administrators to apply to the Summer 2022 4-H Pathways Leadership Institutes. The Institute is an intensive, two-day, virtual leadership program that will take place June 20-21 and August 3-4, 2022, with the goal of driving innovation and developing creative partnerships. Three-person teams that represent State 4-H leadership, Extension Leadership and Land-grant University leadership should apply via this link by Friday, May 6, 2022. For participating, each team will acquire tools needed to achieve the strategic change and growth for 4-H and Extension programs in alignment with the broader goals of Universities. Please review Frequently Asked Questions or contact Andy Turner at ast4@cornell.edu..

Investing in Rural Recovery

Today the nation’s four Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs) released Investing in Rural Recovery: Findings from a Rapid Assessment of Stakeholder Priorities for Rural Development from a national survey of rural development stakeholders. Conducted in the fall of 2021, the survey is part of a year-long Listening Session Initiative aimed at identifying key priorities and critical investments for rural communities’ recovery and growth. The questionnaire served as a rapid appraisal of key informants’ perceptions about priorities, capacities, and potential to expand programming in eight critical topic areas. Respondents also reported the types of programs found to be most valuable and the resources, challenges, and opportunities they perceive for rural communities. The report marks the close of the first stage in the consultative feedback process being led by the RRDCs and will provide a basis for a series of facilitated dialogues in the initiative’s second phase in March and April of 2022.

Prioritizing Nutrition Security - Learn about the latest updates to the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 3-4:30 p.m. ET. The virtual session will be led by the Framework authors and attendees are highly encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback during the live Q&A segment and the virtual breakout sessions. This event is the sixth installment of NIFA’s new monthly Nutrition Security Webinar Series. To register and for more information, visit the Prioritizing Nutrition Security webinar announcement.

New Deadline for 4-H Executive Position - Extended to Friday, January 28, 2022. The ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee (ECOP 4-H) seeks an Executive Director who is passionate about building partnership and policy foundations for future 4-H Youth Development programs and initiatives nationwide. The Executive Director will support the work of the Committee, including a bold vision and plan for engaging more youth in the 4-H program that also reflects the diversity of youth in the United States. The ideal candidate would be an experienced Extension Director/Administrator or State 4-H Program Leader with demonstrated past success in collaborative leadership and coordination of Extension system resources. Full description is here. To apply, send cover letter and resume to ECOP4-H@4-H.org.

Big Idea on Health Event - The ECOP Health Innovation Taskforce will conduct a "Big Idea" virtual event on February 10, 2022 from 2-4:00 p.m. ET to connect the dots of business, education, and health with the Cooperative Extension System. Please share the opportunity with university's colleges of agriculture, public health, and education, and with health industry leaders, and organizations invested in community development or the education pipeline. Task Force member Dr. Erik Porfeli, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, is providing leadership for the event. Read more and register at pages.extension.org/big-idea. Questions may be directed to Cooperative Extension's Health Director Dr. Roger Rennekamp rogerrennekamp@extension.org, or EDA Team member, Ali Mitchell amitchell@northeastextension.org.

Anyone seeking enlightenment about the nexus of the APLU, the Land-grant University System, the Board on Agriculture Assembly, and USDA-NIFA may register here for an orientation starting February 8 and running through February 10, 2022, from 2:30-5:00 p.m. ET. There is $25 fee to cover the sessions for all three days.

2021 Annual Report

The ECOP Monday Minute will be on hiatus on December 27^th and January 3^rd to return on January 10^th. 

ECOP Releases 2021 Annual Report - ECOP is pleased to release the ECOP 2021 Annual Accomplishments Report highlighting the past year of national leadership. Chris Watkins, ECOP Immediate Past Chair, Cornell University, particularly emphasizes the release of the CES Advocacy and Education Toolkit, the development of associated ECOP Program Committee Program Action Teams providing leadership on national CES efforts, the updated National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being, and the ECOP return on investment. Much appreciation is extended to everyone who led these efforts.



Applicants Sought for Executive Director, ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee - The ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee (ECOP 4-H) seeks an Executive Director, an 18-month contractual position funded by Cooperative Extension Section reserves and National 4-H Council. The ideal candidate is an experienced Extension Director/Administrator or State 4-H Program Leader with demonstrated past success in collaborative leadership and coordination of Extension system resources who is passionate about building partnership and policy foundations for future 4-H Youth Development programs and initiatives nationwide. The position location is flexible and some travel is expected. Primarily, the 50% time position:

• Supports the work of ECOP 4-H, including a bold vision and plan for engaging more youth in the 4-H program that also reflects the diversity of youth in the United States. 
  
• Reports directly to the Co-chairs of the ECOP 4-H. 

The full job description is found here. To apply for the position, please submit a cover letter and resume by January 14, 2022 to ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee at ECOP4-H@4-H.org.

Meet Latest National Leaders

ECOP - 

ECOP shall consist of fifteen voting members – three from each of the five regions, elected by

the Regional Associations, each serving a four-year term on a rotational basis. - Cooperative Extension Section Rules of Operation, Article VI.

Southern Region Chooses Damona Doye: An Oklahoma State University (OSU) faculty member since June 1986, Lawton native Damona Doye was named associate vice president of OSU Extension in January 2018. OSU Extension is a state agency, with educators and staff in all 77 counties as well as state, district and area specialists who help Oklahomans solve local and regional issues and concerns. Prior to being named associate vice president, Doye served as OSU Extension farm management specialist for 32 years and held the Rainbolt Chair of Agricultural Finance in the Department of Agricultural Economics. She is a Fellow of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, the highest honor given by the organization in recognition of lifetime achievement. Dr. Doye holds a Doctor of Philosophy, Agricultural Economics, Iowa State University; a Master of Science, Agricultural Economics, and a Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Economics, OSU. In 2020, Damona served on the NEDA Planning Committee.

1890s Region Chooses Allen Malone:  Fulfilling the final 3 years of a 4-year term, Dr. Allen A. Malone (pictured left) is the 4^th 1890 Extension Administrator at Alabama A&M. He is an Agricultural Economics graduate of Prairie View A&M University and holds a dual doctorate degree in Agricultural Education & Leadership from Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University.  Prior to joining the Alabama Extension team, Dr. Malone served as the County Extension Director in Harris County, Texas. Harris County has a population of over five million people and is one of the most diverse counties in Texas. Malone is a former Program Specialist for Agriculture and Natural Resources. He is passionate about youth and served as a 4-H Youth Camp Director in Texas. As a a Specialist he also provided leadership for youth in Agricultural Literacy and Livestock judging. He also coordinated the Urban Rancher Program. Dr. Malone has received numerous awards and recognitions for his visionary leadership to include a Cooperative Extension Program Distinguished Service Team Award and numerous awards as a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi. He also serves as the Chair elect for the Association of Extension Administrators and is a member of several Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) committees. Dr. Malone is married to Tangie Malone. They have 2 sons, Collin, a Sophomore  football player and Marketing major at Alabama A&M University and Chase, a Senior  Accounting major at Alabama A&M. They are blessed with a 2 year old grandson, Camari A. Malone.

Northeast Region Directors Chooses Ken La Valley: As the Dean and Director, Dr. La Valley (pictured left) leads University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension and UNH Professional Development and Training in their mission to address the diverse needs of New Hampshire in the areas of community and economic development, food and agriculture, youth and families, natural resources, and professional education. He was appointed interim Dean of Extension in July 2014 and was hired into the permanent position in June 2015. He comes from a long line of alumni with his Father, two sisters and daughter all receiving degrees from UNH. Ken received his bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of NH in 1993. He received a Master of Science in 1993 from the University of Rhode Island, and doctoral degree also from URI in 2005. La Valley’s research interest is in conservation engineering of fishing gear that improves selectivity while reducing bycatch of non-target species. His Extension work was focused on technology transfer of sustainable fishing strategies as well as improving the capacity of local fishermen to direct market their harvest. In addition to his role as Director of UNH Extension, Ken works collaboratively with academic units across the university and colleges to provide strategic direction for UNH’s outreach, K12 engagement, and non-credit continuing education programs. Dr. La Valley will represent the Northeast Region on ECOP.  

Also of note - The ECOP Program Committee Chooses Brent Hales: Serving on his first 4-year term since 2020, Dr. Brent Hales (picture left) is Associate Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Director of Penn State Extension. He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Brigham Young University, a master’s degree in sociology from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Ph.D. in rural sociology from Iowa State University. Dr. Hales previously served as the Senior Associate Dean and Chief Financial Officer of the University of Minnesota Extension. 

His primary area of research is holistic community and economic development and entrepreneurship.  

Dr. Hales is the founder the Southern Entrepreneurship Program, which teaches entrepreneurship skills to high school and community college students, and to displaced workers throughout the U.S. and across the globe. He is also a past president of the Community Development Society.

Dr. Hales is the father of 6 children and has been married to his best friend Candy for 28 years.  

Thank you to Dr. Ivory Lyles, Oregon State University, for serving for one incredibly banner year as the ECOP Program Committee Chair. Ivory will continue in his national role as a member of ECOP and the Program Committee.

 
ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee - 

Three (3) representatives from each region, elected by the Regional Associations, each serving a 3-

year term on a rotational basis. - ECOP Operating Guidelines, page 8. The BLC is Chaired by Jon Boren, New Mexico State University. 

1890s Region Chooses Allen Malone: Fulfilling the final year of a term of 3 years, Dr. Malone also will serve on the ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee.

Western Region Chooses Cody Stone: As Extension Executive Director, Dr. Stone (picture left) oversees an educational network that stretches into all 56 of Montana’s counties and all seven Indian reservations in the state. Extension applies unbiased, research-based university resources to meet practical needs identified by Montanans in their own communities. Prior to becoming Extension Executive Director, Stone served as Extension’s interim director following serving as associate director from 2014 to 2017. From 2005 to 2014, he served as director and in other development roles for the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development and as an associate professor at MSU. He was an Extension program specialist and regional program director for 4-H and Youth Development for Texas Cooperative Extension from 1999 to 2005, and a Texas Agricultural Extension agent for Gillespie County from 1997 to 1999. Stone received his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and his master’s degree in agricultural education from Texas A&M University. He received his doctorate in education from MSU, focusing on adult and higher education administration. In 2019-2020, Dr. Stone served on the NEDA Planning Committee.

ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee Co-chair - 

The committee will be co-chaired by an Extension Director/Administrator and a 4-H Program Leader
(PL) selected from within the committee by committee members. Co-chairs will serve a staggered two-year term and may be reappointed. - ECOP Operating Guidelines, page 10. 

The 4-Leadership Committee Chooses Laura Stephenson: Associate Dean and Director of the University of Kentucky (UK) Cooperative Extension Service, Laura Stephenson (pictured left) began her duties in 2019, providing leadership for 120 counties in the commonwealth of Kentucky. 

In Dr. Stephenson’s national leadership role, she served on the SNAP-Ed Program Development Team. Her passion for the Cooperative Extension mission began as a youth who participated in 4-H speech, demonstration and food preparation projects. Her professional career with the organization has included serving UK as Clark County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, District 2 Director, and Assistant Director for FCS Extension Field Programs. For six years, she served as University of Tennessee Associate Dean and Department Chair of Family and Consumer Sciences. 

Dr. Stephenson is a strong advocate for county-based programming, building capacity of interdisciplinary faculty/agent teams and engagement of local, regional and state stakeholders. Her vision for Cooperative Extension is to build strong, healthy, economically viable Kentucky communities through campus-county partnerships. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Kentucky University and a doctorate in gerontology from UK and recently served on the 2021 NEDA Planning Committee. Dr. Stephenson's co-chair is Dr. Lisa Bouillion Diaz, 4-H Assistant Dean and Director, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Organizational and Delivery Response Resources

The ECOP Monday Minute will be on hiatus on November 29, 2021. Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.

Organizational and Delivery Response Resources -  As a result of robust national network dialogue by a majority of the members of the Cooperative Extension Section during the 2021 National Extension Directors and Administrators meeting on October 13, 2021, these 2 reports are available for review. 

• Extension Organizational and Delivery Responses - "How the pandemic changed the way we work and lead" and "A System Without Borders"
• Eight national dialogues for Envisioning the future of Cooperative Extension – A System Without Borders – bit.ly/2021_EXTLead

More assets from the the entire 3 day meeting are found at neda.extension.org.

Workforce and Economic Development Programming Uplift in 2 Steps - The ECOP Program Committee, led by Ivory Lyles, Oregon State University, has launched a Program Action Team (PAT) to refine programming and generate resources for Cooperative Extension System's Workforce and Economic Development response for the nation. ECOP, NIFA, and Extension Foundation are investing with implementation-oriented resources; funding, involvement by Carlos Ortiz, National Program Leader, Division of Community and Education, and more. A Workforce Development Fellow will soon be hired to orchestrate strategic planning and programmatic structure geared toward national funding. Today Dr. Lyles invites the rest of his colleagues, all Extension Directors and Administrators, to get involved to lift up Workforce and Economic Development in their state/territory/tribal community in 2 easy steps explained in this important one-page memo. Please review the memo at the link provided and take action today! Thank you.

Executive Director, ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee to be Hired in 2022 - The ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee (Committee) led by Laura Stephenson, University of Kentucky, and Lisa Diaz, University of Illinois, provides leadership for Extension’s 4-H Positive Youth Development Program, by convening national partners on policy issues of national importance, facilitating systematic responses to critical challenges, coordinated implementation of national priorities, and by making timely recommendations to ECOP that inform collaborative efforts. Staffing support is needed for programs and initiatives of the Committee, and to ensure positive impact for the 4-H program nationally and locally. An Executive Director for the Committee is essential to maintaining the significant progress and momentum achieved in recent years. This position will be open for applications in early 2022. This will be an 18-month contractual position funded by both Cooperative Extension and National 4-H Council, reporting directly to the Co-chairs of the Committee. A core deliverable of the Executive Director will be to develop a sustainability plan, i.e., to pursue revenue generating opportunities to support Committee staff and initiatives beyond the initial 18-month phase. More information on hiring process will be shared soon. 



Webinar Addresses Antifungal Resistance - The National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research & Education (NIAMRRE) is pleased to offer a webinar - Starting Conversations: Antifungal Resistance and its Impact on Food Production and Human and Animal Health on December 9, 2021, at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm (ET). Goal: Learn what growers and practitioners are doing to improve antifungal use, and be part of the conversation to assure the continued health around human, animal, and plant sectors. Read more here or proceed to register here.

EDA Team Update

          Lyla Houglum           

Lyla Houglum, Executive Director, Western Extension Directors Association (WEDA), will retire at the end of this month after 16+ years. In her national role as a member of the Executive Directors and Administrator (EDA) Team, she provides leadership and support for activities of the Cooperative Extension Section (CES) and ECOP. She served as Chair of CES/ECOP in 2002. In her 43-year Extension career, Lyla received the prestigious National Distinguished Service Ruby Award and Visionary Leadership Award from Epsilon Sigma Phi Extension Honorary, the USDA Team Honor Award for Excellence, the Alberta B. Johnston Award for Extension Leadership, Oscar Haag Communication Award, the 4-H Distinguished Service Award, J.C. Penny Company Fellowship, and the Florence Hall Award. She was inducted into the Academy of Community Engaged Scholarship in 2017. Lyla is Professor Emeritus of Oregon State University. CES Members will have an opportunity to extend best wishes to Lyla at NEDA, during the Annual Business Meeting on October 14. 

Doreen Hauser-Lindstrom 

Doreen Hauser-Lindstrom, with 30+ years of professional Extension experience at three Land-grant Universities, serving in county, state specialist, and administrative unit leadership positions, follows Lyla as a member of the EDA Team. She started as Executive Director of WEDA on August 1, 2021. She is a LEAD-21 graduate located at Washington State University. For starters in her national role, Doreen will join the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee. Please join the EDA Team and ECOP in congratulating and welcoming Doreen as she transitions to this new role!  Team orientation begins this coming Friday. 

Historical Note: In 2008, CES voted to approve the formation of the EDA Team. In 2015, the ECOP Professional Development Committee (formerly Personnel) conducted a  formal review of the Team with results described on pages 1 and 2 here. The activities and influence of the Team were informally reviewed at the 2021 ECOP Spring meeting. 

National Academies of Sciences Blue Ribbon Panel Nominations due by August 18 - At last week's ECOP Executive Committee Meeting, Extension leaders were reminded to nominate champions of the tripartite University Land-grant System, Extension, research, and education including those from HBCUs for membership to 10-person ad hoc committee (Blue Ribbon Panel) that is best explained here. It is optional but helpful to upload a CV of the individual(s) nominated. The gateway to submit is found here. Direct questions to Robin Schoen, 202-334-2236.

4-H Pathways Institute Opportunity-Apply by August 25 - Cooperative Extension Section members who have not already participated in the 4-H Pathways Leadership Institute, are encouraged to apply for Level 1, an intensive, two-day leadership program that will take place virtually on October 27 and 28. According to its official workplan, the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee formed a Pathways team "to develop a guiding framework for the 4-H system’s efforts to meet the 4-H growth goals and vision of reaching 10 million youth by 2025, in addition to developing pathways for building leadership capacity among current and future administrative leaders of the 4-H program." The team includes National 4-H Council, and Changing Our World, Inc., a social impact consulting firm that advises leading corporations and nonprofit organizations. The institute equips 3-person teams (Specialist, Extension Director or Administrator, and Land-grant University Leader) with tools to achieve strategic change and growth for 4-H programs in alignment with the broader goals of  respective Universities. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions are here or contact Co-chair, Andy Turner, Cornell University, and Apply here by August 25. 

Leading in a Time of Social, Economic and Political Disruption - 2020 NEDA

SAVE THE DATE! Virtual NEDA Meeting: The 2020 National Extension Director and Administrator Meeting (NEDA) will occur September 23-24 (ECOP Meeting on September 22). The theme for this NEDA meeting will be Leading in a Time of Social, Economic and Political Disruption. The meeting will be conducted on a virtual platform for All 76 members of the Cooperative Extension Section and System partners, who are encouraged to save the dates and watch for registration to be open within the next few weeks. Stay tuned for the invitation and other details with registration! 

NIFA Funding Opportunity - 1862, 1890, 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, and others. are eligible to apply for a new program area priority, FY 2020 Rapid Response to Novel Coronavirus (SARS-COV-2): Innovating Formal and Non-Formal Educational Experiences in Food and Agricultural Sciences During the Time of Social Distancing, to address the need to develop and deploy rapid, reliable, and readily-adoptable strategies in workforce preparation through formal K-14 education, as well as in youth development through non-formal education to cultivate interest and competencies in STEM and agriculture during this challenging time. Funded projects are expected to develop tools, techniques, and other practices that can be rapidly adopted at home or by educators and Extension specialists to ensure the effective formal and non-formal education of K-14 students and other youth development opportunities. A web version of this announcement can be found at: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDANIFA/bulletins/2963fd7. The application deadline is Aug. 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Interested applicants are invited to attend an informational webinar on July 28, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Click here for more information and to register. 

ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee Resolution and Commitment to the Deconstruction of Systemic Racism within the 4-H Program - In light of recent events across the nation and the reaffirmation of the core values of the 4-H Youth Development Program, the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee statement on the deconstruction of systemic racism within the 4-H Program can be found here. The document was affirmed by the ECOP Executive Committee last week. 

2021 National Extension Conference on Volunteerism - The National Extension Conference on Volunteerism Planning Committee and Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, have declared April 26-29, 2021, the dates for the National Extension Conference on Volunteerism "NECV” 2021! Plans are underway for an exciting Extension professional conference with a focus on volunteerism at the Hard Rock Hotel and Conference Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma! This conference is ideal for volunteer-focused professionals who are serving within all areas of Extension programs. For more information, visit this website. 

Data and Policy: Responding to Human Services Needs - The Western Center for Metropolitan Extension and Research has released the next white paper in their Leading Edge Dialogue series: Data and Policy: Responding to Human Services Needs. Data is needed for decision-making, particularly around human services and community development, which are complex and intersectional issues. Skill in leveraging and presenting data will position research at the forefront of social policy conversations and decisions; however, retaining current silos of data and research could lead to suboptimal policy decisions and erosion of support for public universities. In fact, in the government human services sector there is a thirst for better data to legitimize and support social policy decisions; this creates a potential for partnerships and interface between Extension and government agencies. Emerging opportunities for collaboration from a panel of experts and participants at the 2019 National Urban Extension Conference during the 90-minute interactive Leading-Edge Dialogue are available here.

New Executive Director Announcement

Dr. Caroline Crocoll to begin 6/1/2020

ECOP Executive Director Mark Latimore, Fort Valley State University, is pleased to congratulate Caroline Crocoll, as Executive Director of the Cooperative Extension System/ECOP beginning June 1, 2020 and to thank Rick Klemme who will stay on as Executive Director to conduct business as usual through May 31, 2020. Additionally, Rick will help Mark, the Executive Committee of ECOP, and the EDA Team through July 31, 2020 to bring Caroline up-to-speed in her new role. Crocoll currently serves as the National Science Liaison for Human Sciences, 4-H, and Community Resource and Economic Development at USDA-NIFA and has dedicated her career to the advancement of Extension since 1993.

Awards Reminder - Nominate by May 1 - $5,000 goes to each winner of the National Excellence in Extension and Diversity in Extension Award. The list of previous recipients is found here. There is no better time like the present to reward Extension Professionals for how well they translate science for application in culturally relevant settings to empower people and improve lives. For complete details go to www.aplu.org/CESawards. Direct questions and concerns to Assistant Director Sandy Ruble, sandyruble@extension.org.




2020 4-H Pathways Leadership Institute - Last Friday, the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee invited Extension Directors and Administrators to apply to the 2020 4-H Pathways Leadership Institute. The Institute is an intensive, two-day, virtual leadership program that will take place on July 14 and 15 with the goal of driving innovation and developing creative partnerships. It will equip teams of 3 from State 4-H, Extension and Land-grant University Leadership, with tools needed to achieve the strategic change and growth that is sought for 4-H and Extension programs, in alignment with the broader goals of Universities. Apply via this link by Friday, May 15, 2020. Frequently Asked Questions are found here. Contact Co-chair Andy Turner at ast4@cornell.edu with questions.




NIFA COVID-19 Webinar Follow Up - NIFA conducted a webinar last Thursday (April 16) on COVID-19 impacts on NIFA programs. The Frequently Asked Questions link has been (and will continue to be) updated at COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions. Check https://nifa.usda.gov/coronavirus to view the webinar slides and recording as it becomes available.

ECOP Activity at Spring Meeting

ECOP met last week for its Spring Meeting at Virginia Tech. Highlights:
• Approved updated ECOP Operating Guidelines including a section on Relationships with Partnering Entities.
• Received an update on ECOP’s decision to discontinue funding for kglobal and next steps on investing in communications and marketing.
• Approved moving forward to hire a full-time Executive Director at the end of Rick Klemme's contract in April 2020. ECOP Executive Committee will provide leadership on next steps.
• Initially addressed the Future of Extension by focusing on three questions: What is our relevance (why)?, What is our opportunity (how)?, and What is desired outcome (what)? ECOP Executive Committee will provide leadership on next steps.
• Approved ECOP Executive Committee (budget availability) and Extension Resource Partnership Development Committee (workplan draft) to continue work on private resource mobilization with reports due for May ECOP meeting and a progress conversation at July ECOP meeting.
• Approved ECOP Program Committee’s recommendation that the National Urban Extension Leaders’ Implementation Plan be adopted with minor changes.
• Approved ECOP Professional Development Committee’s plan to develop draft criteria for an Extension team award.
• Established an International Extension workgroup starting with Directors Jon Boren (New Mexico State University), Beverly Durgan (University of Minnesota), Chuck Hibberd (University of Nebraska), and Lou Swanson (Colorado State University).

L-R: NIFA Director Scott Angle, ECOP Chair Ed Jones,
USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky,
and National 4-H Council CEO Jennifer Sirangelo
at 2019 National 4-H Conference, Chevy Chase, MD

4-H National Partners Renew Memorandum of Understanding - Leaders from Cooperative Extension, USDA/NIFA and National 4-H Council strengthened their commitment to our nation’s young people, and each other, by renewing their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 9, 2019 bit.ly/4H_MOU. The MOU runs through 2024 and outlines each partner’s roles and responsibilities, and recognizes our shared goal to reach millions more youth with Extension’s high-quality 4-H programming. Representing each of the national 4-H partners in signing were: USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky, NIFA Director Scott Angle, ECOP Chair Ed Jones and National 4-H Council CEO Jennifer Sirangelo. The signing was held during last week’s National 4-H Conference at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, MD and was appropriately witnessed by hundreds of young 4-H leaders from across the nation.



SoAR Retaking the Field - The Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation recently released the fourth volume in the Retaking the Field series, which celebrates the advances and explores the potential of food and agricultural sciences. Retaking the Field: Science Breakthroughs for Thriving Farms and a Healthier Nation highlights research projects in the areas that the National Academies identified as the most important fields to advance in agriculture by the year 2030: genomics, microbiomes, sensors, data and informatics, and transdisciplinary research. SoAR leads a non-partisan coalition that advocates for full funding of the USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. SoAR also coordinates FedByScience, a collaboration of 20 universities with the goal of securing increases in congressional appropriations for USDA NIFA’s capacity, extension, and competitive funding.


Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grant Program RFA - The NIFA recently released the 2019 Request for Applications (RFA) for Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grant Program. The Application Deadline is June 10, 2019. NIFA anticipates 8-10 awards with funding amount per award up to $350,000 over a 2-year project period. The Funding Opportunity Page can be found at:

• NIFA – https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/rural-health-and-safety-education-competitive-grants-program-rhse  
• Grants.gov - https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=314715 

Interested institutions may join a webinar on April 25, 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET that will focus on general guidelines for the program, the RFA, and the application process. Click here for more webinar information and add to calendar.