ECOP Working for You

ECOP Working for You – ECOP Chair Delbert Foster, South Carolina State University, hosted ECOP members, liaisons and guests last week in Charleston, SC. Discussion topics focused on private-public fund development, follow-up to a NIFA-CES Retreat, linkages with the National Coalition for Food and Agriculture Research and other partners, involvement with new requirements for SNAP-ED, public release of the impacts database, launching of the Cooperative Extension Innovation Inventory project, and recommendations for additional representation on the NEW eXtension Foundation Board of Directors. Watch the ECOP Monday Minute for details. 

ECOP Chair Delbert Foster, front left, and ECOP Chair-elect Michelle Rodgers, front right,
are joined by ECOP members, liaisons, and guests at the ECOP meeting
March 17-18, 2015 in Charleston, SC.

Food Safety Opportunities for Extension Education – See http://goo.gl/VSpq8F for a webinar invitation from the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) 11:00 a.m. – Noon ET, Thursday, April 30, 2015. The focus will be on how Cooperative Extension can become involved in helping small businesses prepare for and comply with regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act. Registration is required. Questions can be directed to Dawn Johnson djohns39@iit.edu.

USDA Releases Plant Breeding Roadmap – USDA’s Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) thanks stakeholders for input on the new Plant Breeding Roadmap http://www.usda.gov/documents/usda-roadmap-plant-breeding.pdf. It was developed by the interagency USDA OCS Plant Breeding Working Group (PBWG), including ARS, NIFA, ERS, FS, and NRCS, and draws on extensive stakeholder input. Plant breeding is one of agriculture’s most effective tools for adapting to new circumstances. It will be a key component in ensuring versatility and adaptability of agriculture systems, through plants bred for adaptation and productivity in conditions more variable than in the past, with many other characteristics such as pest resistances, cooking qualities, and nutritional value. 

Inform Extension’s Urban Agenda – The National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL) are dedicated Extension professionals advancing the strategic importance and long-term value of urban Extension platforms. NUEL has a 13-member steering committee including representatives from eleven 1862 and one 1890 land-grant institutions. NUEL is creating a national urban agenda for Extension to be more relevant and resilient in our urban and suburban communities. NUEL has begun to create a national urban Extension network where Extension faculty and staff can share ideas and resources to help implement and refine creative programs aimed at solving our nation’s pressing urban issues. NUEL invites you to the 2015 National Urban Extension Conference and to a meeting to set the national agenda on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the Ravinia Ballroom http://www.nuelaction.org/. 

National 2015 Extension Awards Due June 1 – ECOP and USDA-NIFA announces the 2015 nomination process for the national Excellence in Extension and Diversity awards. The due date for on-line nominations is June 1st. Regions are subject to announcing earlier deadlines for their purposes. CLICK HERE for contact information by Region. For details and to access the online nomination forms go to: http://www.aplu.org/CESawards. Questions can be directed to Sandy Ruble sandy.ruble@extension.org, ECOP Staff Associate. 

USDA-NIFA RFA Release Dates – For those who have asked about the general timeframe for RFA releases, Paula Geiger of USDA-NIFA’s Budget Office recommends referencing the end of the FY 2016 Explanatory Notes http://www.obpa.usda.gov/19nifa2016notes.pdf. AFRI appears on pages 19-114, where it states: “The Expected FY 2016 RFA Publication Dates for AFRI are 9/1/2015 through 12/31/2015.” Other competitive programs begin on page 19-120, and run through the end of the document with various estimated RFA dates for many other competitive programs. These are general guidelines. Applicants are reminded that plans change as situations change. 

ECOP Meets in Charleston, SC

ECOP Meets in Charleston, SC – ECOP Chair Delbert Foster, South Carolina State University,

welcomes ECOP members, liaisons and guests to South Carolina this week. Key agenda items are the Cooperative Extension Innovation Inventory, Excellence in Extension and Diversity Awards, the NEW eXtension, and SNAP-ED. ECOP’s national leadership addresses core themes of building partnerships and acquiring resources, increasing strategic marketing and communications, enhancing leadership and professional development, and strengthening organizational functioning. For more information, see www.extension.org/ecop. 

ECOP Chair Delbert Foster
UDSA-NIFA Waterfront Center
Washington, DC - 3.12.15

ECOP and ESCOP Chairs Visit USDA-NIFA – ECOP Chair Delbert Foster, South Carolina State University, and ESCOP Chair Bob Shulstad, University of Georgia spent a day last week at USDA-NIFA. A seminar Research to Application: National Leadership, Local Action was presented to NIFA national program leaders and others. The Cooperative Extension and Experiment Station leaders also met with the NIFA Executive Council and planning and accountability, budget, and grants management staff. The theme throughout the strengthening the partnership with USDA-NIFA. 

ESCOP Chair Bob Shulstad &
ECOP Chair Delbert Foster
USDA-NIFA Waterfront Center
Washington, DC - 3.12.15

EFNEP Conference Features ECOP – The 2015 National Coordinator’s Conference for EFNEP themed Promoting Healthy Lifestyles this week in Arlington, VA features a Tuesday keynote by ECOP Chair-elect Michelle Rodgers on Health in America: A Framework for Extension’s Second Century. Wrapping up the meeting on Thursday will be ECOP Chair Delbert Foster together with L. Washington Lyons, Executive Administrator, Association of Extension Administrators, providing an update on ECOP national leadership and summarizing details of the 1890 universities 125th celebration www.1890universities.org. Cooperative Extension/ECOP Executive Director Jane Schuchardt speaks as part of a Monday panel on Educating, Not Advocating – Hill Visits for a Lasting Impression.

6th Annual Legacy Awards April 23 – The 2015 Legacy Awards, National 4-H Council's largest fundraising event, is April 23, 2015 at the Newseum in Washington, DC. The annual event celebrates the accomplishments of 4-H and Cooperative Extension, including the young people, volunteers and professionals who make life-changing experiences possible for millions of 4-H'ers. Among the highlights will be the introduction of the 2015 Youth in Action Award winner, 4-H'er Nosa Akol from New York. Donations to the Legacy Awards can be made here and tickets to the event can be purchased here. Direct questions to National 4-H Council’s Special Events Manager, Rachel Mentzer at rmentzer@4-h.org. 

Extension Producer Education Update – As a result of Title I of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (farm bill), Cooperative Extension nationwide is collaborating with the USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide producer education related to federal farm programs. An eXtension site http://blogs.extension.org/farmbilleducation/ aggregates information and highlights program efforts.

USDA-NIFA Announces New Web Site – See www.nifa.usda.gov. Note especially the user-friendly navigation and compatibility with mobile devices. Cooperative Extension is highlighted on the site at http://www.nifa.usda.gov/extension. From the home page, go to About NIFA, then How We Work. 

National 2015 Extension Awards Due June 1 – ECOP and USDA-NIFA announces the 2015 nomination process for the national Excellence in Extension and Diversity awards. The due date for on-line nominations is June 1st. Regions are subject to announcing earlier deadlines for their purposes. CLICK HERE for contact information by Region. For details and to access the online nomination forms go to: http://www.aplu.org/CESawards. Questions can be directed to Sandy Ruble sandy.ruble@extension.org, ECOP Staff Associate.

ECOP Monday Minute 3.17.14

See You in Sacramento! – Nearly 100 representatives from most of the 75 institutions of the Cooperative Extension Section have registered for the NeXConf/NEDA meeting next week in Sacramento. Plan to join the pre-session on social networking at Monday afternoon, check out the Extension Centennial exhibit at the reception Monday evening, and engage with colleagues on robust discussions of national interest to Cooperative Extension throughout the week. Daryl Buchholz, ECOP immediate past chair, Kansas State University, and the ECOP Executive Committee, have framed a program that encourages Cooperative Extension Directors and Administrators to participate with the National eXtension Conference main events while retaining the focus of the National Extension Directors and Administrators meeting. In addition, Jimmy Henning, ECOP Chair, University of Kentucky, will conduct the annual Cooperative Extension Section business meeting. For any details, see http://muconf.missouri.edu/nexc-neda2014/.

JOE Extension Centennial Series – ECOP liaison to the Journal of Extension, Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware, announces the first in a series of articles celebrating the Extension Centennial. The article Cooperative Extension: A Century of Innovation appeared in the February 2014 issue of the Journal of Extension (JOE) http://www.joe.org/journal-current-issue.php and was authored by ECOP Centennial Task Force co-chairs Frankie Gould and Doug Steele, and task force member Bill Woodrum.

Videos Celebrate 100 Years -- The Cooperative Extension Centennial team has established a YouTube Channel to display and publicly archive videos related to the Centennial. Videos from institutions across the country can be shared here in one place. The newest post is the video that was used at Ag Outlook in February.  It is a montage of celebration videos across the country including a special happy birthday wish from Reba McEntire.   Check it out here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaOS-47VrJY&feature=c4-overview&list=UU9GyqMs0FKlUKBTxtcyg04w.  If you have videos that you would like to be posted, please contact the Centennial team at extensioncentennial@gmail.com.

Extension Directors/Administrators to Meet with OMB – Impacts of federal funds obtained by Cooperative Extension with a special emphasis on capacity lines will be the focus of a one-hour meeting at 4:15 p.m., Tuesday, 4.8.14 with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget in the PILD hotel in Alexandria, Virginia. Check the PILD program for location. Participants are encouraged to bring impact reports.

4-H Congressional Breakfast --In alignment with PILD, National 4-H Council is hosting a Congressional Breakfast on Wednesday, 4.9.14 from 8:30-9:30am in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill.  Extension Directors and 1890 Extension Administrators received email invitations to attend and are asked to invite one or more of your members of Congress to attend the breakfast with you. In addition Directors and Administrators are encouraged to invite one 4-H youth who will be attending National 4-H Conference in DC that week to accompany you and your member of Congress to the breakfast. The purpose is to thank Congress for their support for 4-H and recognize 4-H alumni on the Hill. Due to space limitations, we must limit attendance by Cooperative Extension to those who have a Representative or Senator from their state attending the event. Please RSVP your participation at www.4HRSVP.org.  If you have any questions, you may contact Kelly Baird at kbaird@4-H.org or 301-961-2852. Additional information was emailed to Extension Directors and Administrators as well as State 4-H Program Leaders.

FY 2015 Budget Proposals – For USDA Budget Summary, see http://www.obpa.usda.gov/budsum/FY15budsum.pdf; NIFA Congressional Budget Justifications see  

http://www.obpa.usda.gov/19nifa2015notes.pdf, and for the US Government Budget Material – posted by OMB -  Agriculture Chapter, see http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2015/assets/agriculture.pdf.

CARET Names Liaison to ECOP – The Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET) has named Susan Crowell as the new liaison to ECOP. Crowell, editor of Farm and Dairy, Salem, OH, replaces Madeline Mellinger whose term expired.

New Climate Communications Initiative -- Climate Voices Science Speakers Network launches this spring as an initiative of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and the United Nations Foundation. The goal is to bring scientists and their local communities together for dialogue on climate science. Materials for context-setting presentations will be offered as will coaching regarding how to begin conversations about climate change with fellow citizens. Volunteers can go to www.climatevoices.org and create a profile. Once you create a profile, you will be kept up to date on Climate Voices progress including construction of the full web site, availability of presentation materials, webinar coaching, and plans for project launch. Questions can be directed to Cindy Schmidt cschmidt@ucar.edu.

ECOP Monday Minute 5.20.13

In observance of Memorial Day, the next issue will be 6.3.13.

SAVE THE DATE: New Directors and Administrators Orientation – Plans are underway for an orientation for new directors and administrators December 3-5, 2013 in the Washington, DC area. The meeting begins with a reception on Tuesday evening, continues through noon on Thursday, and concludes with optional section meetings Thursday afternoon. ECOP will plan to provide a Thursday afternoon session to update participants on national leadership priorities of the Cooperative Extension Section. More details will be provided as available.

New ECOP Communications Tool – See https://www.aplu.org/document.doc?id=4508 for the new handout ECOP is using at various meetings to explain how Cooperative Extension works, outline strategic opportunities, summarize impacts, and announce the 100th anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act. The handout is available for your use.

Subscribe to AgIsAmerica Newsletter – "Why Ag Matters" is a weekly, internal (ECOP and ESCOP recipients only) e-newsletter highlighting some of the stories featured on the Ag Is America website (www.agisamerica.org), Twitter feed and Facebook page. The Ag Is America campaign is part of the AES-CES Communications and Marketing Project, designed to inform federal decision-makers about the measurable values of Research and Extension. Part of this campaign, the newsletter is designed to demonstrate — to ECOP and ESCOP marketing & communications professionals —the types of stories that resonate with a legislative audience as well as the general public. Please email Jenny Nuber (jenny.nuber@kglobal.com) to subscribe to this email or to submit a story that demonstrates the impact of Cooperative Extension on jobs, the economy, national security, or health and nutrition.

SNAP-ED Uses Socioecological Model – A webinar sponsored by the LGU SNAP-Ed Program Development Team “Using the Socioecological Model to Enhance Nutrition Education” on 5.19.13 drew more than 100 representatives from USDA FNS and NIFA, LGU SNAP-Ed and EFNEP Coordinators and FCS Leaders, and other nutrition education partners. The model provides a framework for program planning, reporting, and accountability and for meeting legislative requirements. David Ginsburg of UC Davis and Jamie Dollahite of Cornell presented the information with an introduction by Helen Chipman of USDA-NIFA. The recording can be found here.

More 'Digital Information Broker' Sessions Ahead – eXtension will offer four more train-the-trainer sessions to help support staff become "Digital Information Brokers" through learning to use eXtension tools. Since the training was first offered in 2012 more than 16 states have participated. For more information and to sign up for future sessions you can go to: http://bit.ly/147KrXW.