WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2024 – Urban and innovative agriculture producers will be able to more easily participate in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs as a result of acreage reporting improvements. These improvements, implemented by USDA’s Farm Service Agency, provide more flexibility for reporting acreage on a smaller scale and identifying innovative planting practices like multi-level planting or vertical farming practices. READ MORE HERE

As more research funding agencies begin to support the use of transdisciplinary and engaged research practices in their programs, to help generate tangible, positive societal impacts, we can take advantage of opportunities to learn from programs that have been early adopters of these modes of research. The increased emphasis on engagement throughout the research process is helping to shine a light on the importance of partnerships, relationships, and trust in moving research into practice...

Join us for a webinar looking at how Land-grant University administration can support faculty and staff in adopting transdisciplinary approaches and leverage the power of engagement. We’ll hear from top University administrators about the challenges of such work and the opportunities to overcome them, and discuss how to navigate multifaceted projects that support inclusivity and diverse perspectives to address the complex challenges facing food and agricultural systems today. Register here.

Improving the quality of life in smaller, and older (legacy) cities (like Springfield, Mass) is something I have been working on for many years with my students as part of my Urban Extension work at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Photo: Springfield, Massachusetts downtown Placemaking project.

The AgriProspects Workforce Development Network, a collaborative effort of the Extension Foundation (EXF), the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) Economic & Workforce Development and Urban Ag & Food Systems Program Action Teams, and USDA-NIFA, aims to bolster the Extension system’s capacity to meet the evolving workforce demands within the food and agriculture sector. To further its mission, AgriProspects is seeking proposals for Round 1 of its Mini-grant Program.

Hi Everyone, I’m happy to share that our next installment in the Transdisciplinary Webinar Series is open for registration ! Details are below. Registration Link: https://www.nal.usda.gov/events/transdisciplinary-approaches-webinar-may2024 Title : Tribal Research Partnerships: Indigenous Agroforestry, Food Security and Sovereignty Date : Weds. May 29, 2024. 2:00pm-3:30pm ET Description : Join us for a webinar series highlighting opportunities and challenges of transdisciplinary approaches...

It's not too late to register for the National Urban Extension Conference in Nashville, TN, May 28-31, 2024. A great lineup of speakers and workshops has been planned for your professional development. Check out the registration link below. Register Here

Interest in keeping backyard poultry for personal and family food security has steadily increased over the past decade. Many cities and municipalities require a certificate for residents to keep backyard poultry. Increased numbers of youth are raising chickens and turkeys for 4-H livestock projects. Maybe you just want to learn more about the keeping of a backyard flocks. Whatever your reason, OSU Extension has you covered with this Backyard Poultry Certification Course that discusses...

Greetings and Happy Holidays to my colleagues and to Extension Directors around the country. I am writing to share a few brief updates as NUEL is working to our momentum and address the needs of our Extension system working to remain relevant, responsive, and recognized in our urban communities. The NUEL Steering Committee held our latest Bi-Annual Face to Face meeting in New Orleans, LA, December 6-8, 2023 . Special thanks to Anthony Tuggle and the Tennessee Extension System for their...

Dr. Chiquita Briley has been selected as the new Assistant Director for Urban Programming at the LSU AgCenter. Chiquita has worked for 23 years in Cooperative Extension with 18 years focusing on urban programming. Working for the University of Nebraska Extension Service, Chiquita, was the supervisor for EFNEP and SNAP-ed programming for Douglas County (Omaha, NE). Over the course of her career, she has served in many diverse roles including NEWS Program Coordinator, SU AgCenter, Nutrition...

As of this fall, Kansas State University is excited to offer an Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Urban Food Systems , as well as our professional track Masters of Science in Horticulture with an emphasis in Urban Food Systems - both of which can be completed fully online or in-person at our Olathe & Manhattan, KS campuses. We have rolling admissions for domestic students and NO out of state tuition fees through our Olathe or Global campus. This is a great graduate program for...

The NUEC 2024 Conference Team wants to remind you to submit your proposal for the upcoming conference which will be held in Nashville, TN from May 28-31, 2024. The abstract submission portal will be open through December 1 , so there's still lots of time left to polish up that abstract you've been thinking about! Proposals will be accepted in any of the five focus tracks: Strengthening Communities, Protecting the Environment, Improving Our Health, Enriching Youth, and Feeding the Future :...