WASHINGTON, June 15, 2022  – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting nominations for county committee members. Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for members. LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction. This may include LAAs that are focused on an urban or suburban area.  County committee members make important decisions about how Federal farm programs are administered...

Southern Region NUEL will again host quarterly Zoom meetings during 2022-23. In addition to communicating the latest NUEL information and updates, these virtual meetings are opportunities for professional development and theme-based program sharing. The dates and themes for 2022-23 are listed below. All times are 1-2:30 p.m. eastern time. August 12, 2022 – Strengthening Communities https://uky.zoom.us/j/84227939510 November 11, 2022 – Protecting the Environment...

USDA NIFA has release a Request for Applications for the new Urban, Indoor, and other Emerging Agricultural Production Research, Education and Extension Initiative (UIE). Anticipated available funding: $9,400,000 Average Award: $50,000 - $1,000,000 Letter of Intent Due: July 11, 2022 Full Proposals Due: September 22, 2022 FIND OUT MORE . . . UIE is a NIFA competitive grant program implemented in 2022 to support research, education and extension activities that facilitate development of...

Helping Youth Thrive + Equity 4-H has made a bold commitment to youth across the country: to reflect the population demographics, vulnerable populations, diverse needs and social conditions of the country and to help close the opportunity gap for marginalized youth and communities to fully thrive. Making good on these promises requires that all those working with 4-H youth critically analyze current programs and deliver 4-H programs through an equity lens. Explore the latest fact sheets...

The National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL) Professional Development Action Team is focused on enhancing and supporting the professional growth of urban Extension professionals by focusing on opportunities to improve recruiting and retention. NUEL is currently seeking input from Extension professionals working in urban and metropolitan communities about their professional development needs and thoughts on how Extension can improve employee recruitment and retention. Please take a few...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The National Urban Extension Leaders are proud to present the 2022 National Urban Extension Conference hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Camden, New Jersey -- part of the Camden-Philadelphia metro area! Situated on opposite banks of the Delaware River and connected by the iconic Ben Franklin Bridge, Camden and Philadelphia epitomize all that is exciting and challenging about urban America. In spite of their close proximity, over the centuries these adjacent cities have developed...

NUEL is thrilled to recognize our 2020 Regional Award Winners! 1890 Region Leadership Award: Misty Layne Watkins , Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent with Tennessee State University Misty Layne Watkins' Homebuyer Education Program has provided 138 counseling sessions and 8 first-time homebuyer classes, resulting in $ 18.8 million in mortgage loans. Southern Region Leadership Award: Diana Doggett , Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent at the University of Kentucky Diana...