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Ask Extension In Transition

Ask Extension (formerly Ask an Expert) has been an important national digital service and content asset since 2006. During the peak summer season this year, over 1100 experts handled about 11,000 questions per month. This year, eXtension launched two new projects with funding from its USDA-NIFA New Technologies for Ag Extension Cooperative Agreement:

  • Building an artificial intelligence platform that provides information from a wide range of Extension educational resources
  • Modernizing the current Ask an Expert system. 

The new Ask an Expert system, now rebranded Ask Extension, is live. Existing users need to take two steps (below) and we invite you to join us for a national webinar on December 2nd, 2020 at 2 PM ET:

Join from your web browser:

https://extension.zoom.us/j/97368020175?pwd=MFdCV0hEd3dueUhSMnJlSnFPR25sZz09

Join using your Zoom app:

Meeting ID: 973 6802 0175

Passcode: 991094

Join by telephone:

     +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

     +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

     +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

     +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

     +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

     +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 973 6802 0175

 

 

What to Do

The key actions that anyone serving as an expert in this system must do are outlined at https://askhelp.extension.org. 

  1. A series of “How-To” videos is available at that site covering various aspects of working with Ask Extension, but a key first step is for all experts to “claim” their login or user account.  That is the subject of the first video.  All experts who used Ask an Expert prior to August 12, 2020 should be able to claim or recover their accounts in Ask Extension.  Those who joined Ask an Expert since that time will need to request assistance from a colleague to create a new account–subject of How-To Video #5. 

  2. Because everything in Ask Extension is organized through groups, another major action is to assure that your groups are enabled and ready to receive questions. In doing so, be aware that the group names do appear in the list of groups to which customers can submit questions. So check your group names to be sure they are sufficiently descriptive.

What’s New?

  • Experts can provide responses through email. As questions are submitted, the system generates an email notification to the assigned expert. If desired, through a simple email reply, the expert can provide the answer.
  • Names and email addresses of clientele are available to the experts.  This allows experts to conduct offline follow up with these clientele, perhaps to invite them to other Extension events, to conduct impact surveys, or otherwise include in their institution’s CRM database.
  • Clientele can create login accounts through which they can retrieve an entire history of all the questions they have ever submitted.  And these include the questions they have previously submitted to Ask an Expert.
  • Widgets come to the owning groups unbranded, allowing each group to call the widget what they want, put it where they want, and use their own institutional branding if they wish.
  • Experts can reassign questions only to other members of their own groups, or other experts within their own states. They cannot assign questions to experts in other states, but can assign questions to national groups that might have members in other states. Further, experts cannot view open questions submitted to groups for which they are not a member.  Except for the crossover of groups declaring themselves to be “national” groups, each state operates independently in the use of Ask Extension.
  • Experts cannot filter questions assigned to them based on geography or subject. While groups may constrain incoming questions to a specific state, national groups cannot.  This means that anyone belonging to a national group is subject to receiving questions from anywhere in the country.

Where to find out more and get help

See the website at https://askhelp.extension.org or email to askhelp@extension.org.  

Background

eXtension’s Ask an Expert system began in 2006 as one of the core services provided to all Land Grant universities.  From the beginning, the underlying technology has remained the same, although a number of enhancements were deployed over time. For many Extension programs, this has served as a key educational outreach tool in responding to specific individual educational needs. In the past 14 years, this system was created, hosted, and serviced by eXtension application developers. This has resulted in the creation of a repository of a half-million questions, answered by more than 7,700 experts. Many of these questions are available to the general public to search. In 2019, ask.extension.org received almost 10,000,000 unique pageviews, and for the peak summer season, 1,160 experts handle about 11,000 questions per month.

To leverage this important national digital asset, eXtension launched two new projects with funding from its USDA-NIFA New Technologies for Ag Extension Cooperative Agreement:

  • Building an artificial intelligence platform that provides information from a wide range of Extension educational resources
  • Modernizing the current Ask an Expert system. 

The new Ask an Expert system, now rebranded Ask Extension, has gone live. After all prior questions and answers were copied from Ask an Expert in August, several pilot testing groups began using it in mid-September, providing very valuable feedback that resulted in significant improvements to the system. 

The Transition

All website widgets used with the legacy Ask an Expert system have now been deactivated, and are being replaced with the widgets for Ask Extension as soon as the groups that own the widgets can get them installed.  Further, on February 1, 2021 the ability to submit questions at https://ask.extension.org will be shut down, with users being urged to go to https://ask2.extension.org to submit their questions.  Experts will maintain access to the Ask an Expert system for several months in order to retrieve reports or other historical information. And all questions asked and answered on Ask an Expert between August 12 and February 1 will be copied to the Ask Extension platform to complete the transition and populate the database with the entire history of Ask an Expert data.

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2021 Impact Collaborative Events: Registration Open NOW for eXtension Members!

eXtension Foundation is pleased to announce open registration for several 2021 events in our Impact Collaborative program. This includes registrations for the Innovation Skill-Building Experience and the Impact Collaborative Innovation Facilitator Training. 

These events are for everyone inside eXtension Foundation member institutions. The eXtension Foundation invites all members to participate in the Impact Collaborative program to build skills in innovation, hone project & program development, and leverage national resources that the Impact Collaborative program provides to our members. 

eXtension Foundation members can click the links below to access event registration pages. Members can also find a listing of events on the home page of eXtension.org, on the Learn Calendar in Connect Extension, or in the Impact Collaborative Subgroup in Connect Extension. 

Innovation Skill-Building Experience (ISBE)

Impact Collaborative Innovation Facilitator Training 

Impact Collaborative Summit

Additionally, eXtension Foundation members will have the opportunity to participate in 50-60 other offerings next year made available through our Impact Collaborative program. In 2020, more than 5000 Cooperative Extension professionals leveraged eXtension’s member offerings on topics that were responsive to the needs of the system including remote work, digital engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and more.

2021 offerings will include learnings around leadership development, technology and social media, health, and other customized events created by request from anyone from our member institutions to meet the evolving needs of Cooperative Extension. For suggestions or inquiries on member offerings, please contact impact@extension.org. 

2021 Membership is required to participate in the Impact Collaborative program. For membership inquiries, please contact membership@extension.org. For assistance with registration, please contact impact@extension.org. 

More about Impact Collaborative Events!

Innovation Skill-Building Experience

Do you have a project idea that needs incubation, innovation, and ways to get to implementation and impact faster?

Are you looking to learn about design thinking and lean experimentation combined with Cooperative Extension’s best practices for solving important community issues?

Are you interested in becoming an Innovation Facilitator/Coach for future Impact Collaborative events and to support your institution’s teams and teams across the nation?

Are you already an Innovation Facilitator or a team member who would like a refresher on the Innovation Skill-Building process?

If you answered yes, to any of these questions then join us to explore the Impact Collaborative’s Innovation Skill-building experience in a whole new way: The ISBE  will meet via Zoom for four sessions covering specific ISBE building blocks to spark ideas, increase innovation, and turbocharge implementation to ultimately create local impact.

Innovation Facilitator Training

Are you someone who is always looking for new ways to improve?

Do you like adopting innovative ideas and helping others along the way?

Would you like to be a leader that helps teams design cutting edge programs/projects that make real impact?

If so, please consider joining our Innovation Facilitator team!

Our Innovation Facilitator training provides you new ways of looking at innovation.  Once trained, you are an invaluable asset in helping teams develop projects or programs more quickly, and connect them with national resources. You will use our innovation incubator process to bring fresh ideas aligned with institutional goals to every team you work with.

Today, there are 151 Innovation Facilitators across Cooperative Extension working to synergize innovative efforts in their own states, institutions, and supporting regional & national teams.

Who Should Participate?

We recommend Extension Directors and Administrators select individuals with these qualities:

  • Individuals with program leadership experience
  • Individuals who work effectively with your leadership team
  • Individuals who possess strong confidence in facilitation
  • Individuals who are effective in working alongside leadership teams and program leaders to catalyze innovation across the organization

Impact Collaborative Summit

The Impact Collaborative Summit is a team event. Community partners are encouraged to participate on teams. We highly recommend sending teams that include 3-8 individuals focused on a project or program aligned with state/institutional strategic priorities and/or community issues.

Since 2019, teams that incubated with eXtension’s Impact Collaborative program received $5.7 million in grant and partnership funding. 65 project and program teams participated in the past three national Summits, and 92% of participants reported that they would recommend the experience to others. Learn more at extension.org/success about teams that have participated in our Impact Collaborative program.

The Impact Collaborative Summit helps increase Cooperative Extension’s organizational readiness and capacity for innovation and change by connecting teams with skills, tools, resources and partners that can expand and deepen their impact. Participating teams will receive one on one support from coaches to help identify gaps in their project and program planning, and have access to our network of expert Key Informants to help fill those gaps.

For 2021, our Impact Collaborative program is being delivered virtually. We invite members to take advantage of their membership benefit by sending project and program teams to the Impact Collaborative Summit.

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eXtension Foundation Welcomes Karl Bradley as Leadership Development Specialist

The eXtension Foundation is pleased to announce that Karl Bradley will be serving as eXtension’s Leadership Development Specialist. Karl originally joined the eXtension Foundation team in April 2020 as the Leadership Development Fellow while transitioning from full-time active duty service in the United States Air Force. His internship with the eXtension Foundation was made possible through the Skillbridge program offered by the Department of Defense for active duty service members separating or retiring from the military.  This program provides the opportunity for service members to intern with organizations in the civilian workforce to gain new skills, training, and assist with their transition during their last months in the military. 

Throughout his Fellowship, Karl worked closely with the Impact Collaborative program and its trained Innovation Facilitators from across Extension by offering professional development opportunities and engagements around leadership. He led workshops which were open to all Cooperative Extension professionals and had a critical role with the delivery of the 1890s Extension Leadership Academy in partnership with Fort Valley State University. 

While his internship has concluded, Karl will continue his work with the eXtension Foundation. As part of the New Technologies for Ag Extension program, he is serving as the Leadership Development Specialist to eight project teams from across Extension. Karl is also serving eXtension’s Impact Collaborative program as the new manager for the Innovation Facilitator Network, building upon the five years of leadership and work of Molly Immendorf, Ashley Griffin, and Annie Jones. Additionally, he is offering leadership development services for Cooperative Extension professionals including team workshops and individually-focused services. 

Karl has over 20 years’ experience creating strong, values-aligned partnerships internationally while serving in the U.S. Air Force. He inspires others to find their “why” while connecting passion to profession in his favorite role…coach. He has a lifelong enthusiasm for agricultural leadership growth to help take organizations past what the science of management says is possible.

Originally from Branson, Missouri, he holds degrees in education from Arizona State University & The University of Northern Colorado.  He has led teams ranging from 5 to 250 & held leadership positions in public relations, event planning, fundraising, finance, human resources, corporate training & procurement.  As a collaborative consultant, he secured partnerships across 49 states & 20 countries garnering millions in sponsorships. His areas of expertise include strategic thinking, leadership development & training, public speaking, team building, community engagement & ideation.

Learn more about our leadership development offerings here or by sending a message to:

Leadership@extension.org

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Organizations Partner to Combat the Digital Divide by Launching Searchable Wi-Fi Map for Needed Broadband Connections

American Connection Project organizations launch an interactive tool for users to locate more than 2,300 free Wi-Fi locations in 49 states

ARDEN HILLS, MINN. (October 20, 2020) – Several partner organizations today announced the launch of the American Connection Project (ACP) interactive Wi-Fi map. The map provides a free resource to help the public locate more than 2,300 free Wi-Fi locations across 49 U.S. states. The map includes Wi-Fi locations from Land O’Lakes, Inc. and its ag retail owner network, along with several partner organizations including 4-H, CentraCare, Compeer, Kentucky Farm Bureau, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Polaris, Inc., the Public Library Association, Tractor Supply Company and Watch Communications, and support from Microsoft and Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company.

Today, 18 million Americans don’t have access to high-speed internet – most of them in rural communities. Further, roughly nine million K-12 students and 400,000 public school teachers living in both rural and urban communities lack reliable internet access required for learning. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted health care usage causing telemedicine visits to reach an all-time high as patients seek to avoid exposure at health care facilities.

The Wi-Fi map is an extension of efforts undertaken by the American Connection Project to drive meaningful progress toward closing the digital divide to create opportunities and reduce digital inequality for rural and urban communities in the United States. The map is designed to provide immediate but temporary access for those Americans who lack access to the internet today.

“The launch of the American Connection Project map marks an important milestone in our effort to bring critical services to disconnected communities across America – and a resource for individuals to find broadband access when they truly need it,” said Tina May, Vice President of Rural Services at Land O’Lakes, Inc. “We are enormously grateful for the ongoing commitment of our partners in banding together to advocate on behalf of rural communities throughout a difficult time across our country.”

“More than 18 million Americans do not have access to broadband Internet, making the digital divide one of the greatest barriers to education access and workforce development for America’s youth” said Jennifer Sirangelo president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “Broadband access was already a great challenge for students before the pandemic, so now that so many young people are matriculating from home, it’s imperative that they have high speed internet connections they can depend on. And as the youth development program for Cooperative Extension serving the needs of young people across the country, we are pleased to be a part of this coalition and its mission to make broadband accessible for communities that need it most.”

“All Americans, but particularly rural Americans, will benefit when greater access to affordable broadband internet services is created. This has been a priority issue for Kentucky Farm Bureau for several years now,” said Mark Haney, President of Kentucky Farm Bureau. “Partnering with Land O’Lakes and the coalition of organizations that makes up the American Connection Project aligns very closely to our efforts, and we are proud to offer free outdoor Wi-Fi signals at our nearly 200 locations statewide as part of this noble initiative.”

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve worked with our partners to keep people connected by bringing free public Wi-Fi hotspots to communities around the country–vital links to the internet during a difficult time” said Shelley McKinley, vice president of Technology and Corporate Responsibility at Microsoft. “This map is an excellent summation of that work, and we are grateful for the partnership of so many organizations who are working to bridge the broadband gap.”

“We’re honored to be a part of the ACP’s efforts to find ways to improve rural connectivity. Providing free Wi-Fi from nearly 580 Tractor Supply stores and counting is one of the near-term solutions we can provide to help connect school children, small business owners, farmers and those who need internet access to a vital resource in today’s digital world,” said Glenn Allison, Tractor Supply’s Vice President, IT Enterprise Architecture and IT Solutions.

Throughout the next several months, additional locations will be added to the map. The American Connection Project searchable Wi-Fi map can be accessed at https://www.americanconnection.io/.

About the American Connection Project

Millions of Americans go without broadband internet access—most of them in rural communities. The American Connection Project fosters long-term digital inclusion in support of vibrant and thriving rural communities. Efforts include raising awareness about the critical nature of connectivity; advocating for meaningful policy reform and broadband investment; and, taking decisive action to provide connectivity options where they’re needed most. Land O’Lakes is convening organizations and leaders from across the country in this critical time to build strong rural communities positioned for competitiveness and connection now and in the future. More information can be found at AmericanConnectionProject.com

About Land O’Lakes, Inc.

Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2019 annual sales of $14 billion, Land O’Lakes is one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, ranking 232 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 99 years of operation, Land O’Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including Land O’Lakes Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition, WinField United and Truterra. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O’Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minnesota.

Land O’Lakes, Inc. media contact: Abigail Shilling, ajshilling@landolakes.com

About 4-H

4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.

Learn more about 4‑H at 4-H.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/4‑H and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/4H.

4-H media contact: Ashley Gordon, agordon@fourhcouncil.edu

About Kentucky Farm Bureau

Kentucky Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization dedicated to serving our membership family and their communities. As the Voice of Agriculture, we identify problems, develop solutions, promote economic success, and enhance the quality of life for all. With agents and offices located in all 120 counties across the Commonwealth, Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company is the largest property and casualty insurance provider domiciled in Kentucky. As a Farm Bureau member service, we are committed to serve the insurance needs of local communities, support growth and retention of membership and maintain a responsive presence in all Kentucky counties.

KFB media contact: Dan Smaldone, dan.smaldone@kyfb.com, 502-495-5191

About Microsoft Airband

Microsoft’s Airband Initiative is an effort to close the broadband gap and help communities use new connectivity to improve education, health care, and agriculture, and transform their businesses. The Airband Initiative works with the private and public sectors to invest in new technologies, accelerate broadband deployment, and support policy changes with the goal of bringing broadband access to millions of people in the United States. More information can be found at aka.ms/airband Microsoft Media Relations: WE Communications for Microsoft, 425-638-7777, rrt@we-worldwide.com

About Polaris, Inc.

As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. With annual 2019 sales of $6.8 billion, Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER, RZR and GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; snowmobiles; and deck, cruiser and pontoon boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories, along with a growing aftermarket portfolio, including TransAmerica Auto Parts. Polaris’ presence in adjacent markets includes military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com

Polaris media contact: Jessica Rogers, Jessica.rogers@polaris.com, 763-513-3445

About Tractor Supply Company

Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has been passionate about serving its unique niche, as a one-stop shop for recreational farmers, ranchers and all those who enjoy living the rural lifestyle, for more than 80 years. Tractor Supply offers an extensive mix of products necessary to care for home, land, pets and animals with a focus on product localization, exclusive brands and legendary customer service that addresses the needs of the Out Here lifestyle.  With more than 38,000 Team Members, the Company leverages its physical store assets with digital capabilities to offer customers the convenience of purchasing products they need anytime, anywhere and any way they choose at the everyday low prices they deserve.  At June 27, 2020, the Company operated 1,881 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website at www.TractorSupply.com.

Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-size communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services.  At June 27, 2020, the Company operated 180 Petsense stores in 25 states.  For more information on Petsense, visit www.Petsense.com.

To stay up to date on all things for Life Out Here, follow Tractor Supply on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

TSC media contact: Pat Warner, pat.warner@finnpartners.com, 615-610-0315

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New eFieldbook Available! Using Radio & Digital Advertising for Extension Campaigns

As part of eXtension’s New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) Cooperative Agreement with USDA-NIFA, the eXtension Foundation selected the National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC) in partnership with Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension to pilot a mass media campaign using radio and digital advertising to promote pollinator protection messages to the public. The results and method is published in this new eFieldbook.

Using this eFieldbook, Cooperative Extension professionals can learn more about how they can replicate a similar model for their Extension programs. Topics of this eFieldbook include:

  • Narrowing the Audience – Characterizing Millennials, Reaching the Audience, Creating the Campaign
  • Collaboration Team Demographic Diversity, the Speed of Changes, and Strategic Plan Alignment
  • Campaign Outcomes – Metrics, Behavior Change, and Future Campaigns

NPSEC researched how to tap Millennials—a large segment of the intended audience—with the help of several research resources, including the advertising and marketing students from the University of Missouri School of Journalism’s Adzou program, a capstone course in the university’s School of Journalism. Additionally, NPSEC created a network of media partners for both digital and radio advertising to make this possible. In the spring of 2020, Prairie View A&M University’s Cooperative Extension Program in Prairie View, Texas, became the Extension partner, as they were interested in new ways to reach large audiences. The mass media campaign was then focused on driving the public to Extension resources created in partnership with Prairie View A&M University regarding pollinator stewardship.

 

Key campaign metrics of the work of NPSEC, Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension, and their media partners includes:

  • Over the six weeks, radio messaging through the Texas State Network (which broadcasts across the state) reached 21,411,900 people.
  • Over the six weeks, radio messaging through the Gow Media network (which focuses on the Houston area) reached 1,270,500 people.
  • Banner ads displayed through Learfield IMG on college sports websites generated 1,181 total clicks. People saw the banner ad and clicked through to AgNearMe.com.

Authors:

  • Kara Maddox, Creative Director, Communications, National Pesticide Safety Education Center
  • Tom Smith, Executive Director, National Pesticide Safety Education Center
  • Courtney Weatherbee, Executive Assistant, National Pesticide Safety Education Center

Contributors:

  • Nathan Hermond, Lead Entomologist on the Pollinator Stewardship Pilot, Prairie View A&M University
  • Dr. Carolyn Williams, Executive Associate Director for Extension, Prairie View A&M University
  • Dr. Clarence Bunch, Cooperative Extension Program Leader, Prairie View A&M University

Media Team

  • Herb Hoffman, President, Blackhawk Audio
  • Adam Winters, President, Explore.US and Land.US
  • Juan Rivas Caban, Senior Vice President, Explore.US and Land.US
  • Graham McKernan, CMO, Gow Media
  • Eddie Quagliariello, Learfield IMG Associate
  • Rachel Conrad, Senior Account Executive, Culture Map
  • Braden Kobeski, University of Missouri Adzou Graduate
  • Erica Overfelt, University of Missouri Adzou Graduate

The Mass Media: Sustaining Pollinators eFieldbook is available on the eFieldbook bookshelf at efieldbooks.extension.org, or can be found on the main navigation in Connect Extension at connect.extension.org. 

LinkedIn login is required to access the eFieldbooks. This is similar to using Google or Facebook to log in instead of setting up an account via email. If you do not have a LinkedIn account, you can register for one free here. The purpose of the LinkedIn login is to provide an encrypted ID to the eFieldbook so users can securely interact with that eFieldbook, take notes, and make contributions. The eXtension Foundation is not collecting your personal information. In order to receive notice updates from eXtension, we invite you to opt-in the first time you login to an eFieldbook by providing your desired email address.

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New eFieldbook Available! Kemēcemenaw: Tribal Extension Partnerships That Support Indigenous Food Sovereignty on the Menominee Indian Reservation

“This eFieldbook will serve as a valuable resource to Cooperative Extension professionals that are working with indigenous populations, while focused on sovereign food production.” – Fred Schlutt, New Technologies for Ag Extension Catalyst, Former Extension Director – University of Alaska Fairbanks. 

The US Department of Agriculture 2018-2022 Strategic Plan recognizes it’s role in helping provide access to safe and nutritious food for limited income people, by supporting limited resource individuals and families in their efforts to escape food insecurity and hunger and improve their well-being. These objectives require partnerships between State, local agencies, and Federal, public and private entities to support best practices in implementing effective programs and ensuring eligible populations have access to programs that support their local food needs. One of the USDA’s strategies is to provide Indigenous peoples with traditional foods that are desired.

The Menominee Indigenous food system initiative is a collaborative project between the 1994 College of Menominee and UW Madison Extension programs. The initiative is built on the concept of a sovereign food systems that connects the Indigenous cultural beliefs of spirit, body, mind and heart to the food system. 

As one of four topics within the 2019-2020 New Technologies for Agricultural Extension federal grant, the Menominee food project developed an eFieldbook to be shared with other 1994 Tribal institutions, First American Land Grant Consortium (FALCON)gmail.com, and tribal organizations. This project takes a deep dive into sovereign food production, exploring the impact that workshops and seed and plant distributions have on the presence of Indigenous food being sold at community Farmers Market’s and CSA’s.

This eFieldbook includes:

  • Assessments
    • Defining Menominee Food Sovereignty
    • First Nations Toolkit
    • Menominee Food Sovereignty Assessment
    • Menominee Wellness Initiative
    • Survey Research
    • Stakeholder Analysis
  • Integrating Culture: Indigenous Planning Systems, Cultural Assets, Historical Trauma & Healing
  • Outreach Strategies
  • Cultural Considerations
  • Case Studies of Successful Projects

Authors:

  • Jennifer Gauthier, Senior Outreach Specialist, Menominee County/Nation
  • Brian Kowalkowski, Dean of Continuing Education, College of Menominee Nation
  • Meg Perry, eFieldbook Fellow

The eFieldbook bookshelf is available at efieldbooks.extension.org. Additionally, eFieldbooks can be found in the main navigation of Connect Extension at connect.extension.org. 

LinkedIn login is required to access the eFieldbooks. This is similar to using Google or Facebook to log in instead of setting up an account via email. If you do not have a LinkedIn account, you can register for one free here. The purpose of the LinkedIn login is to provide an encrypted ID to the eFieldbook so users can securely interact with that eFieldbook, take notes, and make contributions. The eXtension Foundation is not collecting your personal information. In order to receive notice updates from eXtension, we invite you to opt-in the first time you login to an eFieldbook by providing your desired email address.

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County Connectivity Landscape Dashboard Announced

For Immediate Release
September 23, 2020
Contact: Aaron Weibe, aaronweibe@extension.org

COVID-19 has sped the adoption of virtual programming in Cooperative Extension across the nation and has highlighted a need for information about connectivity at the county level for use in planning virtual programs. A new tool developed by a team at Purdue University may help. With funding from eXtension Foundation, they’ve created a County Connectivity Landscape Dashboard to help Cooperative Extension professionals as they plan online programming and outreach methods. 

Dr. Roberto Gallardo, Director of Purdue’s Center for Regional Development and a specialist with Purdue Extension led the team. He said that “The County Connectivity Landscape Dashboard can be used by Extension professionals at the local level to inform their program design and delivery, particularly in making choices for reaching audiences with digital formats.”

The dashboard is intuitive and easy to navigate. Users can quickly identify a range of county-level statistics on access to the internet, computing devices, limited English proficiency, along with state-level metrics for comparison purposes. This can be helpful in program planning. Gallardo notes, “If a county’s share of children with no computers is higher than the state average, the Extension professional can plan accordingly by, for example, providing digital devices as part of their digital programming.” The goal of this project is to support Cooperative Extension Professionals in making data-driven decisions as they meet the needs of their communities in new ways in response to COVID-19. The funding comes from the New Technologies for Agricultural Extension cooperative agreement with USDA-NIFA through Oklahoma State University.

The dashboard is accessible here, and is free-of-charge.

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Impact Collaborative Trains 31 New Innovation Facilitators

In August 2020, the eXtension Foundation’s Impact Collaborative program hosted its second Innovation Facilitator training for the year. 31 new Innovation Facilitators representing 12 Land-Grant universities completed the training, joining 153 others that represent 50 Land-Grant Universities.

Participants spent six sessions learning the Impact Collaborative’s Innovation Skill-Building methodology and obtained skills and tools that will help catalyze innovation with local project and program teams and also assist with the delivery of the Impact Collaborative program nationally. Additionally, Innovation Facilitators serve as coaches at the national Impact Collaborative Summit to help project and program teams across Cooperative Extension identify gaps in their project and program planning and connect those teams to resources that help fill those gaps.

All Cooperative Extension professionals can easily find their locally trained Innovation Facilitator on the Connect Extension Platform. The video below provides instructions on how to do that. 

The newest Innovation Facilitators include:

Clemson University

  • Jackie Jordan

Cornell University

  • Roberta Severson
  • Bonnie Collins
  • Kelly Campbell
  • Laura Biasillo

Kansas State University

  • Tom Buller
  • JoEllyn Argabright

North Dakota State University

  • Molly Soeby
  • Carrie Johnson

Oklahoma State University

  • Cheryl Newberry
  • Jennie Till

Purdue University

  • Laurynn Thieme

Southern University

  • Kiyana Kelly
  • Angell Jordan

Oregon State University

  • Deborah John

University of Arizona

  • Patty Merk

University of Hawaii at Manoa

  • Hallie Cristobal
  • Jensen Uyeda
  • Joshua Silva
  • James Friday
  • Judy Scoville-Layfield
  • Jeff Goodwin
  • Mark Thorne
  • Nancy Ooki
  • Kristen Jamieson
  • Christine Hanakawa
  • Roshan Manandhar

University of Idaho

  • Lindsey McConnell-Soong

University of Nebraska – Lincoln

  • Megan Burda
  • Terri James
  • Angi Heller
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Announcement of eXtension Foundation Pesticide Safety Education Funds Management Program (PSEFMP) Funding Opportunity

The eXtension Foundation (eX) is pleased to announce a funding opportunity for Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEP) for 2021. This opportunity is made available through a cooperative agreement (X8-83698001) with the Environmental Protection Agency (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 (NPSEC) will continue to support as an unfunded collaborator with eX 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.

Requirements of sub-awardees for this program to receive funding are as follows:

    • agree to share one educational deliverable for the purposes of enhancing PSEP programs both regionally and nationally. 
    • submit progress reports every six (6) months using a standard online webform. 
    • attend a minimum of one 1-hour training webinars for the reporting system. Anticipated dates are: January 29, 2021 at 3 pm EST; May 6, 2021 at 1 pm EST; September 30, 2021 at 3 pm EST and December 2, 2021 at 3:00 pm EST.  

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for this funding applicants must be affiliated with a U.S. Land Grant University. Only one application per state or territory will be eligible for funding. Please contact psefmp-helpdesk@extension.org if you have any questions regarding eligibility.

Funding Period

The funding period for this subaward will be January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021.

Funding Available

Each PSEP will be eligible to apply for a base amount of $16,625.00 USD plus an additional 5% of the funds divided proportionally based on the percentage of the number of certified applicators in each state or territory. The number of certified applicators in a state or territory will be based on the most recent figures of certified applicators as supplied by the EPA. Additional amounts available to the state or territory will be listed in the budget section of the application. Payments to successful sub-awardees will be made January 3 – 15, 2021.

Key Dates:

Application System Opens: Monday, September 14, 2020 at 8 am EST

First round of reviews: September 28, 2020

Second round of reviews: October 26, 2020

Application Deadline: Friday, November 13, 2020 at 8 pm EST

Final round of reviews: November 23, 2020

Sub-award Notification Announcement: December 14, 2020

Funds distributed by: January 15, 2021

Application Review Process: 

eX will use a multi-step approach in the receiving and review of applications for this program. Each application will be reviewed by eX and an advisory committee including representatives from NPSEC, AAPCO, AAPSE, PERC and the PSEP community for eligibility, compliance, completeness and potential collaboration. 

Application Submission

In an effort to make the application process as streamlined and user friendly as possible, applicants will be able to download, sign, scan, and upload the sub-award agreement from the application site. Applications that have not been signed will not be considered for funding. The average time for completion of an application is 45 minutes.

Applications for this funding opportunity can be accessed at the following link on September 14, 2020 at 8:00 am EST: https://applyextension.smapply.io (Note: Link will not be active until September 14, 2020 at 8:00 am EST).

Online Application System Training:

PSEPs will receive an invitation for optional training via Zoom for September 14, 2020 at 11 am and 3 pm EST for the online application system. During training, eX will provide a step by step walk through of the application site, application and submission. For those who are unable to attend the training, it will be recorded and sent via email to view at your convenience. Additional training sessions will also be held the same week.

Applicants with any questions please send an email to psefmp-helpdesk@extension.org. 

About eXtension Foundation

The United States Cooperative Extension System, with funding from Cooperative Extension directors and administrators, and USDA-NIFA, shares resources and tools through eXtension that enables the Extension workforce to scale up its local and national impact. eXtension is an integral part of the national Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) and is organized as a 501(c)3 non-profit membership organization. Its Board of Directors represents the five regions of Cooperative Extension, ECOP, and USDA-NIFA.

About National Pesticide Safety Education Center

NPSEC seeks to strengthen the national system of university extension Pesticide Safety Education Programs by improving the quality, consistency, and accessibility of educational offerings, promoting collaboration and leveraging of educational resources and learning assessment tools, and increasing revenue generation. NPSEC does not receive any EPA funding under the EPA eXtension Foundation cooperative agreement. 

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eXtension Selects 8 Projects For Acceleration From Cooperative Extension for 2020-2021

As part of eXtension’s New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) Cooperative Agreement with USDA-NIFA, the eXtension Foundation selected 8 projects from 33 competitive nominations across the system for year two to participate in its project accelerator program. The nomination process opened in May 2020 and closed in July 2020. All Land Grant Universities were eligible to submit nominations. The project period is September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021. Requirements included:

  • Projects must be in early stages of maturity and have a high potential for making a significant local impact and providing a model for adoption by other Extension professionals regionally or nationwide. This means the project is likely to have objectives completed, audiences identified, outcomes identified and has had some early stage of implementation. 
  • Each nomination should identify a lead (a Fellow) for the project that will serve as the primary contact.
  • All nominations must have the support of the Extension Director/Administrator.

These projects will receive wrap-around services from the eXtension Foundation to support and amplify the project outcomes. Wrap-around services include:

  • Project/Program advisory support from a Catalyst (current or past senior program or administrative Cooperative Extension Service (CES) personnel).
  • Support to compose a peer-reviewed publication of resources and processes used by the project which might be an eFieldbook or ePub publication.
  • Evaluation support
  • Digital engagement support for digital learning and instructing
  • Leadership support and training for adaptation to a digital environment 
  • Optional Wrap Around Services
    • Market research and messaging
    • Partnership development assistance 

Nominations were reviewed for alignment to the USDA Strategic Goals.  The selected projects are:

  • Community Learning Through Data Driven Discovery: Barriers to Rural Health, Virginia Tech
  • Southern University Jagriculture Emergency Preparedness, Southern University
  • The Juntos Program: Building Common Measures for National Sustainability, North Carolina State University
  • Equipping Western Rangeland Managers to Create Land Management Plans, Oregon State University
  • Oregon State University Extension Fire Program, Oregon State University
  • Wellness In Tough Times Toolkit, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Strengthening Health, Resilience and Farm Vitality through Online Forums, University of Delaware
  • Navigating the Grocery Store Aisle: Understanding Non-GMO Labeling, University of Connecticut

Three of the selected projects that were nominated had incubated their projects through eXtension’s Impact Collaborative program. This includes the Southern University Jagriculture Emergency Preparedness, Wellness in Tough Times Toolkit, and Strengthening Health, Resilience and Farm Vitality through Online Forums projects. eXtension’s Impact Collaborative project incubator program is a professional development experience for Cooperative Extension professionals. It provides learning opportunities geared towards innovation while bringing strategic support and new capacity to the System. These experiences are enhanced with the help of external partners and supporting organizations. Working together, we find new ways to generate visible and measurable local impact. The Impact Collaborative is supported by membership funding and is available exclusively to eXtension members.

Several teams that were not selected as projects for 2020-2021 have been invited to further develop their projects over the next year through eXtension’s Impact Collaborative program to help prepare them for future nomination opportunities. 

eXtension Catalysts providing the program/project advisory support for Year 2 include:

  • Scott Reed, Retired Vice Provost for University Outreach and Engagement and Director of OSU Extension Service
  • Fred Schlutt, Retired Vice Provost for Extension and Outreach at University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • Rick Klemme, Former Executive Director, ECOP
  • Chuck Hibberd, Retired Dean of Cooperative Extension, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

More information about each project will be available in the coming weeks at eXtension.org/ntae.