Blog

"Culture" has become such a buzzword surrounding the workplace. People expect to see something on the company's website about it. They ask current employees about it. They ask about it in interviews. The fact is, it's a big deal. It might be THE big deal for any organization. What we've learned about it is it's much more than flexible work hours and bean bag chairs in the breakroom. It's about " the way we do things around here". The way this is answered can be profoundly revealing. Why...

When disaster strikes, knowledge is power. Disaster education builds resilient communities ready to respond and recover. Cooperative Extension plays a critical role in the nation’s disaster education efforts, and a new Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Development Grants Program will enable the Cooperative Extension System to do even more. Applications for the EDEN Development Grants Program – Advancing Disaster Education America – is now open. You can review the RFA here . The...

Introducing the latest offering from the Extension Foundation- a new professional development series open to all Extension professionals wanting to enhance their skills! Join us for monthly sessions from April 2024 to September 2024, in ' Upskilling Fundraising, Grant & Partnership Development For Extension Professionals: An Interactive Workshop Series. ' This is a comprehensive professional development series tailored for Extension professionals. Led by Nate Birt of Silver Maple...

The Extension Foundation released a new research publication titled " A Qualitative Investigation of the Technology Acceptance Model in the U.S. Cooperative Extension Service on the Adoption of Customer Relationship Management Systems ." Authored by Dr. Aaron Weibe, Extension Foundation's communication and engagement manager for his recently awarded PhD, the study delves into the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and its role in Extension adopting Customer Relationship Management (CRM)...

Extension professionals who work with agritourism operators: Please consider helping us spread the word about a national survey! The survey is open to any agricultural or aquacultural operations that welcome visitors, and will remain open until April 30, 2024.

EXCITE: Bridge Access Project: Access the full RFA and application guide here ELIGIBILITY: The EXCITE Bridge Access Project is available for USDA NIFA EFNEP, and EXCITE Implementation Phase teams that submitted an Indication of Interest form for the Bridge Access Project in December 2023. This is a noncompetitive funding opportunity. AWARD AMOUNT: $30,000 for EXCITE Implementation Phase teams and $72,000 for EFNEP teams. TIMELINE: Application Open: March 26, 2024 Application Deadline: April...

The Extension Foundation reviewed 60 applications from all six regions of Cooperative Extension for Year 1 of the New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) funding opportunity. Twenty-four projects representing 18 Land-grant universities were selected by an external review panel for the award. This includes funding for four levels of projects: Incubation ($10,000), Acceleration ($20,000), Expansion ($40,000), and Scaling ($100,000). A complete listing of awarded projects can be found on the...

Join the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) for this webinar on accessibility in online courses and webinars. Accessibility Unleashed: Online Courses and Webinars Thursday, March 28, 2024 2:00pm ET, 1:00pm CT, 12:00pm MT, 11:00am PT https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83585417744 In this webinar we will share how the online course development team at the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program addresses accessibility requirements in asynchronous online...

The Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) conference registration is now open. The conference is being held June 23-25 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This year's theme, "Big Ideas Start Here," encapsulates the essence of what ACE stands for – innovation, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. We are eager to come together to explore the transformative power of big ideas. The conference planning committee has put together a program that features a lineup of keynote...

Why do we wait until March every year to do this? Shouldn't it be an everyday thing? Let's start making recognition one of our most abundant resources. Here's a past pioneer who was a great example of courage & determination. She was one of the coolest for sure! *Picture from www.wired.com Jacqueline Cochran (May 11, 1906 – August 9, 1980) was a pioneer in aviation and one of the most talented pilots of her era. She was an important contributor to the formation of the wartime United...

The University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) is a leading Land-Grant institution providing teaching, research, and Extension programs through University of Maryland Extension (UME) to a diverse clientele in the State of Maryland and beyond. UME seeking to fill a 12-month, tenure-track faculty position in Residential Landscape Ecology. This position will play a key role in connecting our university’s expertise in sustainable landscaping and landscape-scale...

Peter Drucker says regardless of our inherent personality traits, gifts, or talents; we can all become effective leaders. After all, it's this journey that's essential for the success of our communities, organizations, and teams Here's a "handful" of reminders! 1. Leadership is Relational Early in my coaching career, an experienced colleague on our staff told me not to get too close to the players. What became apparent quickly was that this wasn't my style. If you aren't willing to give all...