2022 Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Meeting Begins

Today at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, at least 67 Extension Directors and Administrators plus some member of leadership teams from a total of 56 Land-grant Institutions located in 43 states, plus Territories and Tribes, begin participating in the Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Meeting, Building Trust. Through dialogue and discovery, the delegation of 170+ people will cover 4 topic areas including the future of land-grant universities. The Cooperative Extension Section and the Experiment Station Sections of the Board on Agriculture Assembly will conduct respective business, too. Next week's release will include highlights and resources for the good of all. Check out what is happening here.

Executive Director Search Reminder - The ECOP Executive Director Search Advisory Committee would like to remind members of the Section that the Executive Director position headquartered at APLU in Washington, DC described here will remain open until filled. The Committee recently enhanced their process by asking the EDA Team to solicit topics for System seminars and questions to interview finalist candidates. Members of AEA, ASRED, NEED, NCCEA, and WEDA should send their ideas directly to their Executive Director or Administrator by the end of the week. 

Annual ECOP Meeting Calendar Released - ECOP is pleased to release their 2022-2023 Meeting Calendar. Members of the Cooperative Extension Section are most welcome to ECOP Meetings and should inquire with their EDA Team and/or the National Office to obtain details. Agenda items are typically established in two ways. 1) Contact with ECOP Standing Committees (Executive, Professional Development, Program, 4-H Leadership, Budget & Legislative), and 2) by the 20+Appointees and Liaisons, for example, Extension Foundation, LEAD21, Board on Human Sciences (BoHS), Journal of Extension, Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP), and Council on Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET), working through their EDA Team point of contact listed here. ECOP solicits agenda items and written reports 3 times annually by Appointees and Liaisons. All Members of the Section and 1994 Extension Directors - save the dates for the First Friday events, monthly national conversations, and the week of 2023 NEDA, October 9-12, and watch for more details.

National Leadership 101 and EXCITE Update Recording Available - On September 9, 26 Extension Directors, joined ECOP's latest monthly Friday Zoom event. All 5 regions and the 1994 Tribal Universities were present. To experience the entire 1-hour session, use https://youtu.be/qQT3UaQqNIE. The 15-minute update on EXCITE starts here, and Orientation to the National Extension Leadership and Where Do We Fit in the Scheme of Things? featuring 3 panelists starts here. Check out the Orientation slides here.

Connecting With Amish and Other Plain Communities Conference - Purdue Extension, Penn State Extension, and Elizabethtown College are presenting Working with Amish and Other Plain Communities for Extension and related agency professionals November 1-3, 2022. Participants will learn directly from a panel of Amish leaders about the industry, family life and agriculture in a Q&A session. Attendees will have the opportunity to view Amish life firsthand on tours including furniture manufacturing, agriculture, and family life. To conclude the conference, three local Amish leaders will share their valuable perspectives and summarize the conference’s key messages. Topics covered in the conference include:
· Overview of Amish, Mennonite, and other plain groups across the country
· Relations with the state and the wider English world
· Amish community organization, work, and social change
Registration is found at https://puext.in/AmishConference. 

Registration for Joint ESS/CES-NEDA 2022

Last Friday Cooperative Extension and the Agriculture Research Directors and Administrators received much-anticipated invitation to register for the Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Meeting, September 25-28, 2022. Building Trust is the theme for the event to be held at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. This list of members of the Cooperative Extension Section and those with whom they delegate are urged to review the agenda and to register here for the first in person NEDA meeting since 2019. 

• The Cost to register for all Sessions, Sunday-Tuesday, September 25-27, is $600.
• The Cost to register for the bullet above and post-meeting sessions, Regional Association business, on Wednesday, September 28, is $750.

Either option includes the annual business meeting Tuesday, September 27, 1:30 – 5:00 p.m.

• 1-hour Extension Foundation Meeting
• Networking Break
• 2-hour Cooperative Extension Section Business Meeting, presided by ECOP Chair Wendy Powers, University of California
  

Revisit the registration link after August 10 to book lodging. Listen to 90-second video promotion by keynote speaker, David Horsager, the Trust Edge - https://youtu.be/FjQC8pKXJkM. To register a travel companion for joint meeting meals served at the Marriott, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/392746684907. Direct questions to Ms. Jenn Tippetts at jennifer.tippetts@waaesd.org.

NRCS Releases Climate Change Adaptation Plan - USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has released a new Climate Change Adaptation Plan that works to ensure its programs and services meet the demands of the changing agricultural landscape for farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and land managers, and rural communities. The plan found here evaluates seven current vulnerabilities to NRCS’s mission, operation and infrastructure that may be affected by climate change and prioritizes key actions to address these vulnerabilities. 

Nominations for CARET Awards - The Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET), a voluntary organization of citizens cooperating with the Board on Agriculture Assembly, is seeking nominations for 2 types awards by September 15, 2022. At the March 2023 CARET/AHS Joint Meeting, the Lifetime of Service and the Meritorious Service Award will be presented to individuals who have been extraordinary in their service to CARET. The Lifetime Service Award is given to a longstanding CARET delegate who made significant contributions over many years and concluded their service to CARET. The Meritorious Service Award is given to an individual who has supported CARET and the overall Land-grant University community. Learn more about both awards here. Please submit nominations to fbethel@aplu.org by the deadline. 

FFAR Board Holds Public Conversation Next Month - The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) leverages public and private resources to increase the scientific and technological research, innovation, and partnerships critical to boosting America's agricultural economy. The FFAR Board of Directors will host the Foundation’s annual Public Conversation on September 8, 2022, from 10:00-11:30 AM ET. This year’s event will be held in-person and virtual. The Public Conversation is an opportunity for the public and members of the food and agriculture community to hear from FFAR’s leadership and interact with them during the public comments and Q&A session. At this year’s event, meet FFAR’s incoming Executive Director, Dr. Saharah Moon Chapotin, learn about FFAR, and engage with the Board of Directors. Go here to register to attend the event and/or submit comments to FFAR in advance. 

Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Meeting Reminder

The Cooperative Extension Section members and partners are once again encouraged to Save the Date for our upcoming Joint Experiment Station Section/Cooperative Extension Section-National Extension Directors' and Administrators' (Joint ESS/CES-NEDA) Meeting. The meeting will be held from September 25-28, 2022 at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront. With the theme Building Trust, the Joint Meeting Planning Committee has engaged Trust Edge Leadership Institute to keynote, provide a working session, and detail a summary of meeting conversations and resources for action. The full meeting agenda, details to register, and hotel reservation information will be forthcoming here.

New National Agricultural Statistical Service Highlights Available - The Cooperative Extension Section of the Board on Ag Assembly has an MOU in place with USDA NASS that recognizes the value of partnership and collaboration to share resources and opportunities. Among the many NASS resources are four new survey Highlights available for corn, cotton, and rice chemical use surveys, and the floriculture survey. NASS Highlights provide easy-to-read summaries of key surveys for you to use and share with partners. Other NASS partner tools are located here.

Reaching Women in Agriculture: A Guide to Virtual Engagement - This guide, developed through a partnership between American Farmland Trust and University of Vermont Extension, brings together information, tips and tools to deliver effective and engaging online (and hybrid) education for farm and ranch women on topics related to farm viability, resilience and conservation.



Seeking Nominations for the Board on Human Sciences Awards - BoHS member institutions listed here are eligible to nominate leaders in the human sciences for these awards. Each award has specific criteria for eligibility. Awards will be presented at APLU’s Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, November 6-8, 2022. BoHS will provide travel expenses and appropriate recognition. The APLU Annual Meeting is a gathering of higher education leaders from across North America, with the goal to share best practices and strategies; strengthen community amongst public and land-grant universities; and make lasting connections with colleagues. Learn more about the different awards using the links below. All award materials should be submitted to Kim Scotto, BoHS Associate (bohs@aplu.org), by July 29, 2022.
--> Ellen Swallow Richards Public Service Award

--> Lifetime Achievement Award
--> Outstanding Engagement Award
--> Undergraduate Research Mentor Award

1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program Opportunity - The 1890 CBG is intended to strengthen teaching, research and Extension programs in the food and agricultural sciences by building the institutional capacities of the 1890 Land-grant Institutions, including Tuskegee University, West Virginia State University, and Central State University. CBG supports teaching projects in the food and agricultural sciences in the areas of curriculum design, materials development, faculty development, and others. CBG strengthens research and Extension programs in need areas of studies and experimentation, program development support systems, and more. CBG applications must address at least one of the following NIFA strategic goals: sustainable bioenergy; food security; childhood obesity prevention; or food safety. Applications deadline is August 31. For more information, read the CBG funding announcement. NIFA is hosting a webinar about this program on July 14 at noon EDT.

Save the Date for Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Meeting

The Cooperative Extension Section (CES) Annual meeting, also known as the National Extension Directors and Administrators (NEDA) meeting, will be held jointly this year with the Experiment Station Section (ESS). The meeting theme is Building Trust and in draft will take place September 25-28, 2022, at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront. The Meeting Planning Committee is co-chaired by Chris Watkins, Cornell University, and Matt Wilson, West Virginia University, and consists of equal representation by each Section and Region. Members of both Sections of the Board on Agriculture Assembly, a unit of APLU's Commission on Food, Environment, & Renewable Resources, are encouraged to save the date for this important meeting. Stay tuned to email and during future ECOP and ESCOP organized meetings for more information as it becomes available. Links to registration will eventually be shared here on the APLU website.



Survey Contributes to System-wide Analysis of Vaccine Hesitancy - Thousands of Extension professionals connected with the Extension Foundation wrap-around services to the System and the EXCITE Project were invited last Tuesday to participate in a voluntary, anonymous survey that is officially endorsed and supported by ECOP. For the 20 minutes or so that it takes to complete the survey, responses will inform the aim of EXCITE’s Getting to the Heart of the Matter project to reduce vaccine hesitancy, and increase employees’ willingness to conduct adult learning about vaccinations. This week Extension Leaders from 1862, 1980, and 1994 land-grant institutions are encouraged to share the direct link to the survey https://wsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3jU0g7onaHBbd5k with all of their personnel. More reminders from Extension Foundation are anticipated. Questions/comments about the survey may be directed to Principal Investigator, Dr. Erica Weintraub Austin, eaustin@wsu.edu, or 509-335-8840.

USDA NIFA Live FAQ Session: Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agriculture Systems - The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems (A1712) program area priority is designed to rapidly identify and implement strategies to protect the nation’s food and agricultural supply chains and the people who support them during and after extreme weather events. NIFA invites interested applicants to join on April 25, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. ET to learn more about this program area priority and to meet the team during a live FAQ event. Contact afri-rapidresponse@usda.gov for details.

NUEL 2021 Accomplishment Report Available - The National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL) recently presented a detailed 2021 Accomplishment Report to the ECOP Program Committee, chaired by Brent Hales, Penn State. NUEL focused its work in 2021 around expanding and enhancing communication with Extension professionals working in urban environments, working with Extension professionals nationally to identify a set of priority issues for Extension’s urban work, providing leadership for the development of the new ECOP Urban Agriculture and Food Systems Program Action Team, and continuing to build national partnerships in support of Extension urban focused work. The complete report, along with NUEL accomplishment reports from previous years, can be accessed at NUEL Accomplishments website.



USDA NIFA AFRI Education and Workforce Development Grant Opportunity - Education and Workforce Development focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and Extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. The aim of these grants is to cultivate future industry, government, or academic leaders who can solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21st Century. In 2022, NIFA requests applications for AFRI’s Education and Workforce Development program areas to support: professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals; non-formal education that cultivates food and agricultural interest in youth; workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges; training of undergraduate students in research and extension; fellowships for predoctoral candidates and postdoctoral scholars; and special workforce development topics. Application deadlines varies by program area. For more information, read the AFRI - EWD funding announcement.

2019 Cooperative Extension Section Annual Business Meeting Agenda

The Cooperative Extension Section will convene during the Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Meeting at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University for a full morning of business on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. ECOP Chair Ed Jones, Virginia Tech, will preside. Participants will engage in conversations regarding:
   - 2020 Budget
   - Executive Director Search
   - Opportunities with APLU’s Commission on Economic and Community Engagement
   - 4-H Name and Emblem
   - Well-Connected Communities Wave 2
   - Cooperative Extension as a System
The meeting will conclude with recognitions and the passing of the gavel from Ed Jones to Mark Latimore, Jr., Fort Valley State University. For more information contact Rick Klemme at rklemme@extension.org.


2020 Funding Opportunity for Pesticide Safety Education Programs - The eXtension Foundation is pleased to announce a funding opportunity for Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEP) for 2020. This opportunity is made available through a cooperative agreement with the EPA to establish and administer a national sub-award program in support of pesticide applicator education, and training for certified applicators of restricted use pesticides. The National Pesticide Safety Education Center will continue to support as an unfunded collaborator with eXtension to lead the professional development part of the project and to assist PSEPs in enhancing some of the educational products they develop as part of the expectations attached to the funding. All Land-Grant University PSEP programs are encouraged to apply. Learn more here.


Don’t Miss Out on the Opportunity to Save on the New 2019 4-H NYSD Game Changers Kits - For a limited time, receive one free 4-H National Youth Science Day Game Changers kit for every two purchased at www.Shop4-H.org/NYSD. Co-developed by West Virginia University and Google, NYSD teaches kids ages 8-14 how to use computer science to create games, solve problems and engage with topics they’re passionate about. The challenge kit activities do not require Internet access. 4-H professionals, volunteers and parents should order now to ensure you have your kits in time for the NYSD celebratory kick-off on October 1st. Coding events will continue to take place throughout the month of October. 4-H National Youth Science Day was created by National 4-H Council, USDA-NIFA and Cooperative Extension to ignite an early interest in STEM learning among young people. Visit www.4-H.org/NYSD to learn more about 4-H National Youth Science Day, download event resources and view additional training materials. Don’t forget to spread the word with the new Game Changers promotional video.


Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband - The digital economy accounted for 6.9 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, or $1.35 trillion, according to a recent survey by the Department of Commerce. Understanding how to measure and communicate the benefits of broadband is critical to building support for efforts to expand connectivity and use. Join BroadbandUSA and leading U.S. researchers to discuss their research into the economic impact of broadband deployment and adoption in the United States in a webinar on September 18 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm ET. To learn more and pre-register for the webinar go to registration link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Meeting is Just Around the Corner

The ECOP Monday Minute returns on Monday, September 9, 2019. 

Have a safe Labor Day weekend!

The Joint ESS/CES-NEDA meeting begins 4 weeks from today! Land-grant Extension and Experiment Station Administrators and Directors will convene in Nashville, TN on September 23-26. Joint sessions topics include design thinking, NIFA partnership, personnel management best practices, and value proposition-creating client loyalty. The ECOP and ESCOP Budget and Legislative Committees will meet for a noon luncheon meeting on the 24^th. For partners or loved ones traveling with faculty to Nashville, Guest Registration ($175; individual's personal email address and emergency contact required) is available to attend evening events. Click Here to learn what is included and to register. To view the most recent draft agenda, please go to http://www.cvent.com/d/66qy1n. Mark calendars now for next year - 2020 NEDA is September 22-25!


Learning for Leaders Update - Stay tuned to email for more details on next conversation topic, Trust in Food: rebuilding public confidence in the U.S. agri-food value chain, on Friday, September 6, 2019, 3-4:00 p.m. ET.
Connection details:
      https://extension.zoom.us/j/129450710
      Dial by your location
            646-876-9923 (New York)
            669-900-6833 (San Jose)
      Meeting ID: 129 450 710#


eXtension Seeking Partner & Development Specialist - On behalf of the eXtension Board of Directors, the eXtension Foundation is seeking an individual to design and implement strategies for external and internal partnerships and fund-development relationships. Outside of a longstanding and meaningful contact list of their own, the candidate will be able to identify and execute on unique business opportunities that exist in collaboration among Corporations, Foundations, and nonprofit organizations. In partnership with the Chief Executive Officer, this position is responsible for partnership development and the development of additional funding for eXtension and the Cooperative Extension System (CES). Learn more and apply here.


Farm Foundation Catalyst Newsletter - The Farm Foundation's mission is to connect leaders in farming, business, academia, organizations and government through proactive, rigorous debate and objective issue analysis. The Farm Foundation produces a newsletter that highlights forums and conferences on various agricultural topics. Go here for the most recent newsletter and/or to sign up.

Learning for Leaders - Spotlight on Engagement

Economic Engagement: Benefits of Collaboration among Extension and Campus-Based Outreach is a natural progression from our NEDA session on engagement. The newly formed APLU Commission on Economic and Community Engagement (CECE) provides opportunities for collaboration between Cooperative Extension and CECE member institutions, both land-grant and public. On 12/7/18 Sheila Martin, VP for Economic Development and Community Engagement, met online with 21+ Extension Directors and Administrators. ECOP Executive Committee member Scott Reed (Oregon State University) moderated a discussion of Extension leaders discussing their engagement experiences, unique to each institution. Dawn Mellion-Patin (Southern University), Marshall Stewart (University of Missouri) and Ashley Stokes (Colorado State University) served as panelists. Click Here to view PowerPoint and here for the YouTube version of the recording. Send questions, comments and other ideas for sharing on this topic or any of those listed in the Next Generation Extension - Learning for Leaders archive to ecopblog@gmail.com.

SAVE THE DATE: Next Generation Extension - Learning for Leaders, featuring 4-H Grows!, will take place 3-4:00 p.m. ET, Friday, January 4, 2019.


Campus Engagement Tool for Extension - Thinking of ramping up efforts to enhance campus engagement in 2019? Check out the summary of the work of the Section from NEDA. There are 12 categories that include Relevant Action, Challenges and Opportunities and Resources Needed. ECOP thanks Marshall Stewart, University of Missouri, for this excellent summary to share across the System as one of four Big Ideas from 2018. The archive of all materials from 2018 NEDA in Portland are available at https://ecopmondayminute.blogspot.com/p/2018-neda-meeting.html.


Cooperative Extension Moves Forward on Big Ideas - During 2018, ECOP Past-chair, Chuck Hibberd, worked with the ECOP Executive Committee (includes the past chair and the chair elect and a representative of every region) on four Big Ideas to both mobilize and build capacity for Cooperative Extension Administrators and Directors. The March and July 2018 ECOP meetings focused on dialogue on current capacity and future directions in four areas of adding value to campus mission, private resource mobilization/development, developing and leveraging reporting themes, and internationalizing extension. Stay tuned over the next few weeks to the ECOP Monday Minute to provide updates on the latter three big ideas.


Focus on Mental Health Training: Getting involved in the solution - eXtension Foundation Behavior Health Co-fellows Courtney Cuthbertson, Michigan State University, and Jami Dellifield, Ohio State University, request the assistance of Directors and Administrators to respond to an important 5-10 minute survey by specialists. The survey will help to identify individuals who are working in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)®/Youth MHFA®, Trauma,  a Trauma Informed Approach, or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The survey also will help identify how many Cooperative Extension professionals have attended training or are interested in one of the content areas. Results will be used to help build a national support network and expand or enhance multi-state and individual state efforts. Please forward this request as appropriate. The survey and contact information can be found here.

The eXtension Foundation integrates Fellows to forward their mission of helping Cooperative Extension professionals find more innovative ways to generate local impact. Fellows spend one year advancing knowledge on applied innovation in specific topic areas that move Cooperative Extension professionals & Impact Collaborative project teams forward.

Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Planning Committee: L-R, Chuck Hibberd, Co-chair for CES (ECOP Past-chair),
George Hopper, Co-chair for ESS (ESCOP Chair-elect), Rosalind Dale, representing 1890s,
and Jody Jellison, representing 1862s

Topics for the Joint ESS/CES-NEDA Meeting: September 23-26, 2019 - The Planning Committee thanks all who participated in a recent survey to help identify the topics for the 2019 Joint Section meeting. Click Here to view the summary. Members of the committee are reviewing these result to narrow down the possibilities and come up with a theme. The next meeting is set for December 19. Administrative support is provided by Executive Directors Rick Klemme, Eric Young, Alton Thompson, Robin Shepard, Mike Harrington, Executive Administrator Albert Essel, and Assistant Director Sandy Ruble.