Funding is First Part of $75 Million Investment to Support a Fairer Food System and Expand Access to Nutritious Food WASHINGTON, June 3, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces significant investments to support urban agriculture, including $43.1 million for grants and cooperative agreements as well as six new urban county committees to help deliver key USDA programs to urban producers. These actions support USDA’s efforts to strengthen the food supply chain and transform...

High-speed internet service is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. But too many families go without high-speed internet because of the cost or have to cut back on other essentials to make their monthly internet service payments. Lowering prices—including the cost of high-speed internet service—is President Biden’s top priority. In early May 2021, President Biden and Vice President Harris announced that they have secured private sector commitments that will lower high-speed internet costs...

Help continue to make urban agriculture the fastest growing segment of agriculture. From the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Extension Directors and Administrators are reminded that the 2022 Census of Agriculture is about people. Every survey response is essential by June 30, 2022 . Ag census data informs policy, research, assistance programs, ag education, community development, and countless more decisions that ultimately affect farms and communities. From cattle...

Some new research coming out of King County, WA (Seattle) around using reclaimed water for crop irrigation versus river water for peri-urban farms. "Fresh water availability is a growing concern as snowpack storage and rainfall decrease during our dry summer months. Access to a stable water source is important for farmers who rely on river water during the summer months to irrigate their crops. Yet this use, impacts the habitat of the aquatic life that rely on the river streamflow to survive...

Get ready to position Extension for the next generation Tired of virtual meetings and conferences? Well, you’re in luck! The 2022 Association of Extension Administrators (AEA) System-Wide Conference will be held this year in sunny Orlando, Florida – the City Beautiful! Orlando is known for its scenic landscapes and tourist attractions, but from July 31-August 4, it will be the destination to network with 1890 colleagues and friends! The nation’s events of the past three years taught 1890...

University of Maryland Extension is seeking to fill two (2) 4-H Youth Development Educator positions, with one position at each of the following county Extension office locations: Montgomery County (Position 103437) - This Office is located in Derwood, Maryland, and provides programming to the Central Maryland Cluster, which includes Montgomery County. Prince George’s County (Position 103358) - This office is located in Clinton, Maryland, and provides programming to Prince George’s County...

Three Urban Area Leaders Are YOU a highly effective leader? Do you know a great leader? The Ohio State University Extension is looking for three area leaders. We are seeking individuals who are ready to make decisions and want a chance to work with some of the best staff, teams, and top coworkers. An area leader provides overall strategic leadership and perform all administrative functions within the county units by serving as administrative head. Area leader positions are available in...

Full USDA press release: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2022/06/01/usda-announces-framework-shoring-food-supply-chain-and-transforming. Goals of USDA’s Food System Transformation framework include: Building a more resilient food supply chain that provides more and better market options for consumers and producers while reducing carbon pollution Creating a fairer food system that combats market dominance and helps producers and consumers gain more power in the marketplace by...

Webinar series: August 18, 19, 25 and 26, 2022, 9:00 a.m.-Noon each day Participants are expected to attend all sessions as they build on each other. Cost $100. To register: https://events.anr.msu.edu/FRDN922/ Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation is a dialogue based program that helps participants explore the impacts of racial inequities and the opportunities to help create more inclusive change and approaches forward. This program is based on a dialogue to action process, and through...

America Walks Webinar on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 from 2:00-3:00 ET. Registration here (gotowebinar.com) Planners, whether urban, transportation, housing, or environmental, have a tremendous impact on the physical and built environment we live in. How can other agency professionals, elected officials, and community members influence planning processes to get more walkable, accessible, and equitable communities? The Centers for Diseases Control and America Walks asked the American Planning...

In 2021, the NUEL Professional Development Action Team continued its focus on enhancing and supporting the professional growth of urban Extension professionals by focusing on opportunities to improve recruiting and retention strategies. The Action Team is excited to expand its understanding of urban Extension professional development needs by administering a new survey to collect data from the 2022 NUEC conference attendees. The survey is similar to one conducted at the 2017 NUEC conference...

The National Urban Extension Leaders subgroup held its first virtual chat on Friday, May 13 titled, Reimagining Our Future…Together with Urban Extension Leaders. During the 1-hour virtual chat attendees discussed topics on Lessons Learned from the Pandemic , Working in Non-Conventional Spaces , Measuring Impact , and Ten Years from Now . Key highlights from the Lessons Learned from the Pandemic discussion were that it seems like there is are still adjustments as we transition from virtual...