Dr. Rubella Goswami Named NIFA’s New IYFC Deputy Director

Dr. Rubella Goswami joined the USDA NIFA Institute of Youth, Family, and Community (IYFC) as Deputy Director on August 25. Previously, she served as the Division Director for Plant Systems-Protection in the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability, where she was also a National Program Leader. IYFC includes the Division of Community and Education, the Division of Youth and 4-H, and the Division of Family and Consumer Sciences.

With over 25 years of experience across academia, industry and government, Dr. Goswami has a distinguished career in research, Extension, and education.

NRCS Funding Opportunity: Apply to Lead Study Supporting USDA’s Greenhouse Gas Quantification Efforts

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is seeking applications for a $1.9 million, four-year cooperative agreement to support the coordination, implementation, and management of model intercomparison studies in agricultural systems.

The purpose of the research is to assess and advance the state of science for carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emission modeling for agriculture. The awardee will work with up to eight independent modeling groups to implement the study.

Eligibility is limited to institutions in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit network. Applications are due Oct. 4.



Advancing Disaster Education in America Grant Applications open through November 1

The purpose of the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Development Grants Program (“Mini-Grants”) is to invest in the development of innovative educational resources and Extension initiatives that can advance the work of EDEN and support the broader land-grant and sea-grant systems across the nation in addressing the preparation for, response to, and recovery from hazards and disasters. Four focus areas were developed during EDEN’s Strategic Planning process led by the EDEN Executive Committee. This document outlines the 1) focus areas, and 2) process(es) for applying, and 3) review, award, and monitoring processes.

Applications must be submitted by Extension professionals employed by land-grant or sea-grant universities that are members of the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN). At least one individual on any proposed project must be an EDEN delegate or Point of Contact. For (2024-2025), up to six $25,000 grants are available. If you have questions about any EDEN Development Grants Program, please contact Fred Schlutt at fredschlutt@extension.org.



2024 SciComm Identities Project Fellowships Available

The University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute, Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, and the URI Science and Story Lab are now recruiting for the 2024 SciComm Identities Project Fellowship.

The program is seeking applicants for the third and final Fellowship cohort, which runs from Jan-Dec 2025, and focuses on faculty who study food issues (agriculture, aquaculture, and/or food insecurity) related to climate change. The Fellowship includes two one-week immersive workshops, as well as five remote training modules. Fellows receive a $5,000 stipend, travel reimbursement, and editorial mentorship and support to develop and produce science-focused podcast episodes. Pre-tenure faculty at U.S. institutions who identify as a member of an underrepresented racial and/or ethnic group are encouraged to apply by September 23, 2024. To learn more about the program and to apply, visit SciCommIdentities.org.

NIFA Now Recruiting for 2025 National 4-H Conference Leaders

NIFA is accepting leadership applications submissions for the 2025 National 4-H Conference. This conference would not be possible without the Youth Leadership Team, Collegiate Facilitators, and Adult Advisors.

Learn more about the 2025 National 4-H Conference and how to apply for a leadership role. Leadership Interest Form Part A and a resume must be submitted to National4-Hconference@usda.gov using subject line “National 4-H Conference Leadership Interest,” and in the cc line include the State 4-H Program Leader/contact for the Land-grant University you plan to represent. Interest forms are due by 11:59 P.M. EDT Wednesday, September 4.


USDA Appoints New Members to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

USDA announced the appointment of 20 new members to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. This committee is part of USDA’s support for equitable access to USDA’s services and programs and creating more market opportunities for local and regional production. New members include Denis Ebodaghe, long-time NIFA National Program Leader; E'licia Chaverest, Alabama A&M; Greg Goins, North Carolina A&T; and Jon LaPorte, Michigan State.

Committee members represent ranching and farming producers, related state and Tribal agricultural entities, academic institutions, commercial banking entities, trade associations, and related nonprofit enterprises. All committee members have previously demonstrated the ability to serve on behalf of new and beginning farmers, minorities, women and persons with disabilities, and to represent small establishments and geographic diversity.


OneOp Launches 2024 Military Family Readiness Academy to Enhance Economic Security for Military Families

OneOp is a virtual professional development platform for service providers who serve military families. Programming is created in collaboration with subject matter experts from the Defense Department (DoD) and land-grant universities spanning a wide variety of family subject areas. OneOp is proud to announce the 2024 Military Family Readiness Academy (MFRA), a series that includes an online course, webinars, and engagement opportunities focused on nurturing the economic well-being of military service members, spouses, and their families. The Academy launched this month with free professional development resources available to military service providers nationwide. To learn more and register for the 2024 Military Family Readiness Academy, visit https://oneop.org/mfra.

Read more about the appointments and the role of the advisory committee.

Vice President meets with 4-H’ers, Leveraging Extension & University Engagement, Washington Update from Lewis Burke, Time is Running Out: NEDA Registration Reminder

Recently, the White House invited 4-H’ers to join Vice President Kamala Harris on the tarmac of Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield, MA for an official visit. A group of 33 Massachusetts 4-H youth and volunteers, proudly represented the 4-H community, receiving gratitude and encouragement from the Vice President. This recognition highlights the importance of 4-H in nurturing future leaders and fostering a strong, vibrant America.

This opportunity was made possible by the leadership of Dr. Bill Miller, Massachusetts Extension Director, Meaghan McDermott, Massachusetts 4-H State Program Leader, and the support of National 4-H Council.



Leveraging Extension and University Engagement: Developing and Implementing Novel Projects Using Transdisciplinary Approaches

September 9, 2024 | 1:00pm ET | Virtual

You're invited to a webinar series highlighting opportunities and challenges of transdisciplinary approaches within agricultural research. Presented by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the National Agricultural Library, the seminar series will examine strategies for implementing transdisciplinary approaches, team-building and overcoming challenges to encourage the adoption of and training in transdisciplinary systems.

Speakers:

Marshall Stewart (Moderator)
Kansas State University
Senior Vice President for Executive Affairs, University Engagement and Partnerships, and Chief of Staff

Chancellor Robert Jones
University of Illinois
Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Wendy Powers
Washington State University
Dean, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

Jay Akridge
Purdue University
Trustee Chair in Teaching and Learning Excellence and Professor of Agricultural Economics

See more information and register here.



Washington Update from Lewis-Burke 

The most recent update from Lewis-Burke provides states of play for both Farm Bill and FY 2025 appropriations as well as simple messages to use when engaging with your delegation. As always, we strongly encourage you to connect with your campus’s government relations office to coordinate any meetings, visits, or other events that might involve your delegation. Thank you for all your efforts, it is making a difference!

Time is Running Out: NEDA Registration Reminder

Time is running out to register for the National Extension Director and Administrator's Conference. While the deadline is technically August 29th, if you wait until after this week, your access to the River Cruise and hotel options will be limited. Go to neda.extension.org today to register.

National Land-Grant Impacts Database Webinar, Morrill Lecture Nominations, NASS Watersheds Report

On August 2nd, Incoming ECOP Chair Vonda Richardson hosted a team to present an update on the National Land-Grant Impacts Database (NIDB). NIDB is the nation’s most extensive repository of the land-grant system’s collective impacts statements in research, education, and Extension. It serves as a comprehensive and important resource for the land-grant system to tell their stories. 


Nominations Now Being Accepted for Morrill Lecture: Each year, NIFA joins with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) to sponsor a lecture presented at the APLU Annual Meeting. The lecture honors one of the three most important historical figures of the Land-grant University System: William Henry Hatch for research; Seaman A. Knapp for Extension; and Justin Smith Morrill for whom the Morrill Act, which created the Land-grant University System, is named.

NIFA and APLU are seeking nominations to honor Justin Smith Morrill - the U.S. Senator primarily responsible for enactment of the historic legislation establishing the Land-grant University System. The Justin Smith Morrill Memorial Lectureship is awarded to honor outstanding contemporary leadership in teaching and significant contributions as an educator. Nominations will be accepted by August 23. Learn more about the Morrill Lecture and how to submit a nomination.

NASS releases 2022 Census of Agriculture Watersheds Report: USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released recently the Watersheds report, which provides data that supplements the 2022 Census of Agriculture, Volume 1. Watersheds is the first of six Subject Series reports to be released for this Census of Agriculture. The Watersheds report breaks down select ag census data – including farms, land in farms, land use and practices, fertilizer and chemical use, and select commodities – by the 6-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (watershed) boundaries, providing data users yet another way to review and compare ag census information.

The type of data provided in the Watersheds report can be used by researchers, community organizations, policymakers and producers to help assess the impact or potential impact of agriculture on the environment and surrounding bodies of water. The data can help inform decisions about government programs and grants and policies affecting producers, communities, and the agriculture industry. Read more and access the full report.