August 2024

Whether you’re working in Extension, education, the non-profit or government sector, or private business, mid-career can bring exciting professional development and growth, as well as great internal worry and doubt… often at the same time. At mid-career, we begin to trust ourselves (having been around long enough to learn a few things), but we can also have lingering existential questions about whether we’re really on the right path, or if our management and leadership and communication...

New handouts listing foods and beverages that are some of the highest sources of calcium, potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin D, and iron are now available on DietaryGuidelines.gov! These printable handouts focus on the 5 dietary components of public health concern identified in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 . These dietary components are important for health and many people in the United States do not get enough of them. Calcium , potassium , dietary fiber , and vitamin D...

The National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit recently honored individuals and organizations for their exceptional contributions to improving vaccination rates within their communities. The 2024 Immunization Excellence Awards celebrated achievements in several categories, including overall influenza season activities, the Laura Scott Award, and the “Immunization Neighborhood” Champion Award. We are thrilled to announce that EXCITE received an honorable mention for the “Immunization...

Position Title: 1890 Region AgriProspects Workforce Development Network Content Coordinator Application Due Date: Open until filled Application and full position description here: https://registry.extension.org/242135569809162 Summary: The Extension Foundation, in collaboration with the ECOP Workforce Development Program Action Team, is excited to announce an opportunity to become a key player in shaping the future of agricultural workforce development. We are seeking a passionate,...

JCEP Announces Dates and Locations for 2025 Conferences! The Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) provides learning opportunities for Extension professionals. Mark your calendars for the 2025 conferences. ELC (Extension Leadership Conference) will be held February 19-20, 2025 in Savannah, GA. PILD (Public Issues Leadership Development) will be held April 7-9 in Arlington, VA, with April 9 reserved for Hill visits. Details will be posted at www.jcep.org

We just wrapped up the second series of Extension Skills, a monthly professional development offering for Extension Foundation members. The theme for this quarter of Extension Skills was "Elevating Community Engagement," featuring four sessions that delved into various facets of community engagement. These sessions provided skills and tools to enhance our Extension programs’ ability to connect with and serve our communities. We were privileged to host numerous experts who shared practical...

While financial literacy is paramount, families also should look for ways to manage their collective resources. These range from: time and energy, to personal belongings and the spaces in our homes, to relationships. By managing our resources wisely, we are inadvertently managing our stress levels and mental health.

We are very fortunate to be surrounded by so many generous Cooperative Extension professionals throughout our country. Dr. Brian Raison from The Ohio State University exemplifies the concept of "giving as you go" throughout his distinguished career. In that spirit, this guest series launched with valuable insights for early career professionals! The ideas shared in this series are extracted from Dr. Raison’s 2024 book, The Encouraging Mentor: Your Guide to 40 Conversations that Matter . This...

We are excited to share that Vaccines has published an article from the Washington State University EXCITE project! Congratulations to the team and all involved in promoting this valuable project, we are delighted that EXCITE work captured in this scholarly publication! "Integrating Science Media Literacy, Motivational Interviewing, and Neuromarketing Science to Increase Vaccine Education Confidence among U.S. Extension Professionals" by Erica Weintraub Austin *, Nicole O’Donnell, Pamela...