NCCEA Extension Administrative Priorities for 2004-05

About two-thirds of the adults in the United States now use the Internet, and about 90% of children and teenagers use it. People are searching for knowledge that will help them make their lives better; something Extension has helped them do for years.

Through eXtension—an Internet-based, customer-centered, virtual, and evolving educational environment—we will provide the most current, objective, research based information from the land-grant university system for anyone, anywhere, anytime, on any Internet-ready device. eXtension will be available 24/7/365 to complement the work of Extension staff in more than 3,000 counties in the United States. It will have the national strength of the entire land-grant system working collaboratively, but will maintain local focus. It will integrate and strengthen the portfolio of educational products locally, regionally, and nationally. It will provide aggregated, best of the best information and provide tools and services more efficiently and cost effectively than individual institutions.

Virtual teams of faculty and staff will provide access to current peer-reviewed information. It is the time to begin identifying content priorities and to encourage the formation of eXtension teams.

Write Extension into federal RFP’s

Market research into number of people and what kind of info people will want. (in implementation plan)

Unified database of all Extension staff.

Encourage states to submit FAQ’s

Encourage content people to submit information.

Jerry Warmann

Obesity and food, diet and behavioral-related diseases present a problem that has become national in scope. These diseases are a threat to all age groups of Extension’s customer base. Examples include 4-H youth, aging populations, EFNEP families and many others. In the case of each of the above-mentioned programs, the effort on diet and nutrition has not been focused specifically on obesity and related issues. Yet Extension is especially capable of making great contributions in solving these problems as well as creating a pathway to a more healthy and useful life. Extension’s connection to land-grant research capacities enhances its effectiveness. Land-grants are thus very well prepared to be major players in the national effort to reduce the prevalence of obesity and other food, diet and behavioral diseases.

Funding for initiatives from this area should be sought from USDA and other federal agencies that are incorporating the obesity issue as a part of their mission (e.g. FDA, HHS, INTERIOR).

Keith Smith
Dave Petritz

Historically, Extension programs have typically been connected to colleges of agriculture and human development. The 21st Century Extension report identifies the need for Extension systems to be broader. We are encouraged to extend the research from the entire university and serve as a delivery system for informal education for all citizens. This issue will attempt to identify successful Extension programs that have an academic base in colleges other than agriculture and human development. This information will be shared with each other in an effort to enhance Extension programming beyond our historical base.

Completing the needs assessment – Are there some topic areas that can be identified and pulled out to focused on that shows Extension being responsive?

Research Extension appointments split between two different departments.

Tom Henderson
Duane Hauck

The National Strategy for Homeland Security has identified 13 critical infrastructure sectors including agriculture, food, water and public health. The greatest threats to agriculture, food industries and public infrastructure are disease and contamination. Agricultural industry accounts for approximately 20% of the nation’s GNP and 25% of our export market. This critical sector is particularly vulnerable to a bio-terrorist attack. A terrorist attack or natural disaster impacting the U.S. food supply would have enormous economic, social, and health consequences. As critical as the actual threats from such agro terrorist events would be, a perceived threat of wide spread infectious disease and contamination in the American food system is equally important. Recent surveys have shown that the vast majority of Americans believe that another terrorist event will occur, but most of them also believe it will happen somewhere other than in their region. Extension in collaboration with such partners as the Extension Disaster Education Network, is uniquely positioned to develop a national public education and dissemination effort in the areas of agro terrorism, bioterrorism and emergency management.

Biorefinery, Economic Development/Value Added Interaction with State Departments of Agriculture, etc.

Arlen Leholm
Chuck Casey

Rural communities in the North Central Region face challenges in developing climates that support and encourage innovation, risk taking, and creativity. Those areas that have the largest gaps are likely where the least resources exist. In many rural communities, for example, we know that the challenges include the elements of isolation, culture, demographics, dependency and poor infrastructure and markets. The current economic crisis reveals the fact that practices of sectoral-based economic development are not working for many areas within our region. A new approach focused on building awareness, education, training and community action that integrates economic development into the communities while crossing political boundaries is needed. Extension, in collaboration with the entire spectrum of University resources as well as public and private partners, needs to provide leadership in developing and testing a more holistic approach to development in our rural communities.

Re-engage the Kellogg Foundation in the land-grant universities

Accountability, New Federal Plan of Work

Dave Petritz

Twenty-five percent of the Smith-Lever Extension 3bc funds received by each state are to support multi-state programs. Currently, this requirement is primarily done on a somewhat "ad hoc" basis by individual states. With the increasing momentum of the CSREES "One Solution" approach to program accountability, consideration should perhaps be given to focusing the twenty-five percent.

Denny Campion
Keith Smith
Arlen Leholm

About 80 percent of Americans live in urban areas. As more people become a part of an urban society, Cooperative Extension must reach these new audiences without forsaking traditional clientele. We have a wealth of knowledge associated with youth development, health and wellness, community development, natural resources and agricultural sciences that have relevance to urban audiences. We also have the resources to do applied/adaptive research on critical issues…seeking solutions in a collaborative manner with urban partners and clientele. Successful urban Extension faculty needs to build a political base and nurture relationships with decision makers and community partners that are relevant to an urban society. Extension programs meeting needs of urban clientele present tremendous opportunities to increase the visibility and value of Cooperative Extension and to increase our political support.

Access funding

Conferences:

North Central Urban Conference, Nov. 7-9, 2006- noon to noon Pre-conference – Nov. 6-7, Leadership of urban programs

Texas Conference, Dallas, Dec. 7-9, 2005, youth and family wellness

Formula funds provide the foundation of an externally focused structure of Cooperative Extension. Seeking broader sources of funding that do not put formula funds at risk is a goal of this initiative. Understanding the approaches and aggressiveness in revenue enhancement among state Cooperative Extension Services and seeking broader national opportunities for partnering and ultimate funding sources on high priority initiatives for Extension are the goals.

Work Force Diversity Hispanic Latino Audiences

Daryl Buchholz
Keith Smith
Maggie Bethel

All states in the North Central Region are experiencing significant increases in populations of color. Serving these new audiences as well as Native American populations is a common goal along with diversifying the Extension workforce. Developing and sharing programs that are successful in our respective states can benefit all citizens in the North Central Region. Identifying contacts in each state that have experience working with diverse audiences to share their expertise may be one way to begin this initiative. Sharing successful efforts in recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce would be an important outcome of this work group.

Immigrant, new populations – integration into communities. Change Agents project – ND, SD and MO elevated - increased awareness and collaborative efforts.

Maggie Bethel
Chuck Casey
Keith Smith

CSREES is developing a program and budget initiative on water quantity and supply. The two CSREES funded regional projects (Great Lakes and the Heartland regions) will provide additional information. Also, the regional projects will assist NCCEA in identifying ways to integrate research and Extension expertise across the North Central Region in response to the newly emerging CSREES water quality program.

Stormwater management has been identified as a priority by the six states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. A regional Great Lakes Stormwater consortium, consisting of the land-grant institutions in those states is beginning to emerge. O’Connor is assisting those states to secure federal funding in support of the stormwater consortium.

Keith Smith

Maggie Bethel
Lead - Arlen Leholm
Tom Henderson
Mary Gray

The Family Nutrition Program is the source of substantial program dollars to many states and supports an important focus area making outreach to low income families. The framework and program guidelines are changing, and paperwork demands and transaction costs of the program are high. Improved relationships and communications with regional FNS along with suggested solutions to current issues are desired by the NCCEA directors and the staff working in the program. Concerted effort in relationship building with regional offices, supported by CSREES and other federal Food Stamp partners, will be employed.

Dave Petritz

ECOP has mentioned in their meetings that they have been very concerned over the last few years about funding to support Pesticide Education. They are aware that faculty members on campuses responsible for PSEP specifically are concerned about the loss of budget and support of this important program. North Central directors agree with the concern of ECOP and support efforts by ECOP, the professional association of Pesticide Safety Educators, (AAPSE) and the Board on Ag. Assembly and their advocacy group to establish a line within the EPA budget to remedy the problem.

ANR program leaders are working with ECOP.

About two-thirds of the adults in the United States now use the Internet, and about 90% of children and teenagers use it. People are searching for knowledge that will help them make their lives better; something Extension has helped them do for years.

Through eXtension—an Internet-based, customer-centered, virtual, and evolving educational environment—we will provide the most current, objective, research based information from the land-grant university system for anyone, anywhere, anytime, on any Internet-ready device. eXtension will be available 24/7/365 to complement the work of Extension staff in more than 3,000 counties in the United States. It will have the national strength of the entire land-grant system working collaboratively, but will maintain local focus. It will integrate and strengthen the portfolio of educational products locally, regionally, and nationally. It will provide aggregated, best of the best information and provide tools and services more efficiently and cost effectively than individual institutions.

Virtual teams of faculty and staff will provide access to current peer-reviewed information. It is the time to begin identifying content priorities and to encourage the formation of eXtension teams.

Write Extension into federal RFP’s

Market research into number of people and what kind of info people will want. (in implementation plan)

Unified database of all Extension staff.

Encourage states to submit FAQ’s

Encourage content people to submit information.

Jerry Warmann

Obesity and food, diet and behavioral-related diseases present a problem that has become national in scope. These diseases are a threat to all age groups of Extension’s customer base. Examples include 4-H youth, aging populations, EFNEP families and many others. In the case of each of the above-mentioned programs, the effort on diet and nutrition has not been focused specifically on obesity and related issues. Yet Extension is especially capable of making great contributions in solving these problems as well as creating a pathway to a more healthy and useful life. Extension’s connection to land-grant research capacities enhances its effectiveness. Land-grants are thus very well prepared to be major players in the national effort to reduce the prevalence of obesity and other food, diet and behavioral diseases.

Funding for initiatives from this area should be sought from USDA and other federal agencies that are incorporating the obesity issue as a part of their mission (e.g. FDA, HHS, INTERIOR).

Keith Smith
Dave Petritz

Historically, Extension programs have typically been connected to colleges of agriculture and human development. The 21st Century Extension report identifies the need for Extension systems to be broader. We are encouraged to extend the research from the entire university and serve as a delivery system for informal education for all citizens. This issue will attempt to identify successful Extension programs that have an academic base in colleges other than agriculture and human development. This information will be shared with each other in an effort to enhance Extension programming beyond our historical base.

Completing the needs assessment – Are there some topic areas that can be identified and pulled out to focused on that shows Extension being responsive?

Research Extension appointments split between two different departments.

Tom Henderson
Duane Hauck

The National Strategy for Homeland Security has identified 13 critical infrastructure sectors including agriculture, food, water and public health. The greatest threats to agriculture, food industries and public infrastructure are disease and contamination. Agricultural industry accounts for approximately 20% of the nation’s GNP and 25% of our export market. This critical sector is particularly vulnerable to a bio-terrorist attack. A terrorist attack or natural disaster impacting the U.S. food supply would have enormous economic, social, and health consequences. As critical as the actual threats from such agro terrorist events would be, a perceived threat of wide spread infectious disease and contamination in the American food system is equally important. Recent surveys have shown that the vast majority of Americans believe that another terrorist event will occur, but most of them also believe it will happen somewhere other than in their region. Extension in collaboration with such partners as the Extension Disaster Education Network, is uniquely positioned to develop a national public education and dissemination effort in the areas of agro terrorism, bioterrorism and emergency management.

Biorefinery, Economic Development/Value Added Interaction with State Departments of Agriculture, etc.

Arlen Leholm
Chuck Casey

Rural communities in the North Central Region face challenges in developing climates that support and encourage innovation, risk taking, and creativity. Those areas that have the largest gaps are likely where the least resources exist. In many rural communities, for example, we know that the challenges include the elements of isolation, culture, demographics, dependency and poor infrastructure and markets. The current economic crisis reveals the fact that practices of sectoral-based economic development are not working for many areas within our region. A new approach focused on building awareness, education, training and community action that integrates economic development into the communities while crossing political boundaries is needed. Extension, in collaboration with the entire spectrum of University resources as well as public and private partners, needs to provide leadership in developing and testing a more holistic approach to development in our rural communities.

Re-engage the Kellogg Foundation in the land-grant universities

Accountability, New Federal Plan of Work

Dave Petritz

Twenty-five percent of the Smith-Lever Extension 3bc funds received by each state are to support multi-state programs. Currently, this requirement is primarily done on a somewhat "ad hoc" basis by individual states. With the increasing momentum of the CSREES "One Solution" approach to program accountability, consideration should perhaps be given to focusing the twenty-five percent.

Denny Campion
Keith Smith
Arlen Leholm

About 80 percent of Americans live in urban areas. As more people become a part of an urban society, Cooperative Extension must reach these new audiences without forsaking traditional clientele. We have a wealth of knowledge associated with youth development, health and wellness, community development, natural resources and agricultural sciences that have relevance to urban audiences. We also have the resources to do applied/adaptive research on critical issues…seeking solutions in a collaborative manner with urban partners and clientele. Successful urban Extension faculty needs to build a political base and nurture relationships with decision makers and community partners that are relevant to an urban society. Extension programs meeting needs of urban clientele present tremendous opportunities to increase the visibility and value of Cooperative Extension and to increase our political support.

Access funding

Conferences:

North Central Urban Conference, Nov. 7-9, 2006- noon to noon Pre-conference – Nov. 6-7, Leadership of urban programs

Texas Conference, Dallas, Dec. 7-9, 2005, youth and family wellness

Formula funds provide the foundation of an externally focused structure of Cooperative Extension. Seeking broader sources of funding that do not put formula funds at risk is a goal of this initiative. Understanding the approaches and aggressiveness in revenue enhancement among state Cooperative Extension Services and seeking broader national opportunities for partnering and ultimate funding sources on high priority initiatives for Extension are the goals.

Work Force Diversity
Hispanic Latino Audiences

Daryl Buchholz
Keith Smith
Maggie Bethel

All states in the North Central Region are experiencing significant increases in populations of color. Serving these new audiences as well as Native American populations is a common goal along with diversifying the Extension workforce. Developing and sharing programs that are successful in our respective states can benefit all citizens in the North Central Region. Identifying contacts in each state that have experience working with diverse audiences to share their expertise may be one way to begin this initiative. Sharing successful efforts in recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce would be an important outcome of this work group.

Immigrant, new populations – integration into communities. Change Agents project – ND, SD and MO elevated - increased awareness and collaborative efforts.

Maggie Bethel
Chuck Casey
Keith Smith

CSREES is developing a program and budget initiative on water quantity and supply. The two CSREES funded regional projects (Great Lakes and the Heartland regions) will provide additional information. Also, the regional projects will assist NCCEA in identifying ways to integrate research and Extension expertise across the North Central Region in response to the newly emerging CSREES water quality program.

Stormwater management has been identified as a priority by the six states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. A regional Great Lakes Stormwater consortium, consisting of the land-grant institutions in those states is beginning to emerge. O’Connor is assisting those states to secure federal funding in support of the stormwater consortium.

Keith Smith

Maggie Bethel
Lead - Arlen Leholm
Tom Henderson
Mary Gray

The Family Nutrition Program is the source of substantial program dollars to many states and supports an important focus area making outreach to low income families. The framework and program guidelines are changing, and paperwork demands and transaction costs of the program are high. Improved relationships and communications with regional FNS along with suggested solutions to current issues are desired by the NCCEA directors and the staff working in the program. Concerted effort in relationship building with regional offices, supported by CSREES and other federal Food Stamp partners, will be employed.

The DoE pilot project with NASULGC will conclude at the end of the current calendar year. During the last year, this project has had 5 components: (1) determining how to get better representation from the land-grants on DoE review, advisory and other oversight committees; (2) testing the capacity of the Extension system for delivering products and services which are products of the science program within DoE (i.e. housing energy efficiency products); (3) testing the capacity of the 4-H youth program for delivering educational products from DoE’s research program to children and, at the same time, generating interest in careers in science and engineering; (4) conducting a study to determine if there are aspects of DoE’s contracting and procurement program that limit participation of the land-grants in working with DoE thus limiting access by the agency to talent available at the land-grants; and (5) organizing visits to the DoE Labs by land-grant faculty and staff to familiarize themselves with the Lab’s work and develop opportunities for collaborative work utilizing special equipment available at the labs. A final report on the results of the project and recommendations for continuing the project next year will be completed by December 2004. Plans are already under way for a meeting in January 2005 to develop project Extensions for 2005. The initial year of cooperation resulted in stronger ties between the land-grants and the DoE for future collaborative programming

Want to possibly contract with Extension – in discussion.

Funding now goes through state energy offices.

Stan is putting together a plan (possibly ext. specialists in every state in energy).

Building materials program opportunity for Extension. Resident Commercial Codes ?

Canvas states to see which of the above areas Extension can address. Watch for letter to be invited to be part of partnership in national energy lab – 4-H.

Look for people to attend DOE workshops – wind and Oakridge labs on housing – Stan will send info.

Jerry Warmann

Several exploratory projects are underway with HHS. One is in connection with the NASULGC Food and Society Initiative. Another is a product of the 4-H Youth Development Task Force. A third project is joint with USDA, seeking cooperative programs in the areas of diet, food and behavioral changes that can contribute to reductions in obesity and other health related diseases. These efforts are becoming more coordinated. All are dealing with a Strategic Planning Committee of HHS that is charged by the agency with developing ways to address the obesity problem. It is clear that there are Extension programs within the families and youth areas as well as Land-grant and USDA research capabilities that should be a part of a federal initiative to address the obesity problem. In the near future, the 4-H Youth Task Force and the Food and Society Initiative will sign a MOU with the Strategic Planning Committee of HHS that will lead to concrete steps to engage the capacities of the Land-grants more with HHS for intervention strategies to address obesity and other dietary and health related problems. This effort should be followed closely to determine if there are ways that NASULGC’s advocacy efforts can be utilized to strengthen legislative initiatives that can bring additional funding and focus Land-grants on the central issues of fighting obesity.

Duane Hauck
Jerry Warmann

Reductions in Extension budgets have had significant impact on campus and field staff positions in most states in the North Central Region. At the same time demand for a broad range of new programs has increased. Most states find meeting these challenges extremely difficult.

Identifying Extension expertise that could be shared across state lines has been an ongoing exercise and needs to be continued. ANR leaders have developed a set of principles and action steps that could be used across program areas. NC director support for multi-state efforts will encourage increased program sharing. This will better serve Extension audiences and meet federal requirements for multi-state work.