Tagged With "evaluation results askanexpert"
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ICYMI - Answering the Call: The Role of Extension After an Emergency
Last week, the Southern Jagriculture team from Southern University Ag Research & Extension center joined us and delivered an EXCELLENT webinar on the role of Extension after an emergency. Utilizing the historic 2016 Louisiana Flood as their conceptual lens, this webinar focused on their individual efforts as second responders, SUAREC’s response to help mitigate future losses, the role and linkage of Extension professional as second responders, and much more. This team has been an active...
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ICYMI: National Action Dialogue, Community Based Development in the Digital Networked COVID-19 Age
Yesterday, 300 Cooperative Extension professionals came together for a National Action Dialogue put together by the eXtension Foundation and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). The dialogue, facilitated by @Molly Immendorf , featured three panelists: @Chuck Hibberd , Dean & Director of Nebraska Extension @Paul Hill , Extension Associate Professor, County Director, Community Economic Development, Utah State University Doug Edlund, Assistant Director of Operations,...
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eXtension Migrates Learn Platform to Connect Extension
Over the past few years, the eXtension Foundation has been migrating its custom technology platforms to commercial tools. This has resulted in providing Cooperative Extension professionals with better technology solutions that are consistent with industry standards and provides greater flexibility, usability, and marketability. To date, the Articles publishing platform (articles.extension.org) and its companion content-authoring platform Create (create.extension.org) where former eXtension...
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The Ins and Outs of the Learn Calendar on Connect Extension
I’ve received a number of GREAT questions about the Learn calendar here on Connect Extension. What is it? Who can use it? What’s the value in using it? I thought it would also be helpful to explain some of the things that are happening on the backend that many might not be aware of - and how you, as Cooperative Extension professionals, can take advantage of that with ease! First - who can use it? Anybody in Cooperative Extension can use it. You do not need to be a member of the eXtension...
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Conversations that matter: Advance care planning for rural families
‘Conversations that matter: Advance care planning for rural families’ is the result of a collaboration be between SDSU Extension, SDSU College of Nursing, and NDSU Extension. This booklet contains a lesson plan to guide participants through a one-hour learning session about advance care planning. The content was recently updated based on the results piloting the materials and feedback we received from other professionals in the field. In addition, content was added to help guide users of the...
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RESPECT
"When employees respect each other and get along in the workplace, it's amazing how productivity increases, morale increases and employees are more courteous to customers." -Maureen Wild Gifford Thomas, the founder of Leadership First & author of The Inspirational Leader, Inspire Your Team to Believe in the Impossible writes... "Respect is the glue that holds teams and organizations together. When there is a high level of trust and respect, in any environment, loyalty is extremely high...
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Recap of Video Production in Cooperative Extension Virtual Chat
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Cooperative Extension professionals are branching out to add simple video production to their skillset.
In our virtual chat “Video Production in Cooperative Extension,” participants across institutions and job roles helped us understand more about training resources and needs related to video production in Extension.
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Interest in Understanding Ecosystem Service Values by Conservation Professionals in the Northeastern US
A multi-state survey was implemented in December 2018 to assess the information needs of natural resource conservation professionals regarding the value of land conservation in their community. Findings reveal that most respondents do not have the information needed to incorporate ecosystem service values into planning and decision-making. There is opportunity for extension services to deliver economic information and training that can advance the management of conserved lands. Read the full...
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Workforce Readiness & Makerspace Team from Oregon Brings Community Partners to Impact Collaborative Summit, Wins Seed-Funding Grant for Western Region
“The Impact Collaborative provided an ideal space for the Malheur Workforce Readiness team to work through a structured process that challenged their thinking and assisted them with building a strong, informed, foundation. It equipped them with critical insights on how to best evaluate their program and the potential impact, and better communicate and engage with their partners moving forward” - Anita Azarenko, Interim Vice President - Outreach and Extension, Extension Director, Oregon State...
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Colorado State Extension Mindful Engagement Project “Ready to go in a way we wouldn’t have been”, thanks to the Impact Collaborative Summit
Mindful Engagement is a newly conceptualized project from Colorado State University (CSU), led by Sue Schneider, an Extension agent in Family and Consumer Sciences and Community Development based in Fort Collins. The team also includes CSU Extension’s Lisa Auer, who serves as the site coordinator for the Larimer County Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI); and Tony Lynch, a community champion who is a member of the 2020 FLTI cohort. The team was one of 25 groups from across the...
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Impact Collaborative Announces Rev-Up Your Virtual Leadership Series for Extension Professionals Leading Five or More Peers
For 2021, the eXtension Foundation’s Impact Collaborative program is hosting a series available to eXtension Foundation member institutions . This series is led by Karl Bradley, Leadership Development Specialist, eXtension Foundation. Last year we all pivoted quickly as we redefined how to accomplish our work almost exclusively in shared virtual spaces. The topics in this series are a result of our work with individuals & teams from across Cooperative Extension wondering: What does...
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A Plan to Stick Together
"So much of what we call management consists of making it difficult for people to work." -Peter Drucker We never really get clarity, we're always seeking it. Here are some points of clarity to help bring people together because... "We don't have to do it all alone...we were never meant to." -Brene' Brown Leadership vs Management Let's stop calling leadership, management & management, leadership. Management is for resources, leadership is for people. The Scarcity of Time When a critical...
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Cornell Extension LIVCO Project Team Finds Impact Collaborative Was “An amazing team building opportunity”
A team from Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Livingston County came together at the recent eXtension Foundation Impact Collaborative Summit. Their association is situated on a park-like campus of more than one hundred acres. They had an idea of turning their campus into a learning laboratory for the community, with demonstration gardens and more. The team was one of 25 groups from across the country that participated in the first ever virtual Impact Collaborative Summit , held in...
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THE QUEST FOR TALENT EQUITY: ENGAGEMENT IN THE REGIONAL TALENT PIPELINE ECOSYSTEM
Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash.com Eric Dunker, Associate for Business Strategies, Associate Vice President and Dean: Business, Technology, and Workforce Partnerships, Arapahoe Community College As our society becomes more diverse, businesses and communities have moral and economic reasons to create systems with talent equity outcomes across the educational and labor market continuum. Higher education is rightly focused on educational equity, but this pandemic has demonstrated large...
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1890 Extension Leadership Academy Prepares Future Leaders To Act As Change Agents, Creates Culture of Innovation
The 1890s Extension Leadership Academy (ELA) is designed to prepare future and upcoming leaders in Cooperative Extension to act as change agents, with the goal of creating a culture that encourages and sustains innovation. The academy seeks to equip leaders to respond to critical challenges proactively. The ELA is offered in collaboration with Fort Valley State University & Extension Foundation , alongside key partners from Kentucky State University and Lincoln University. The most...
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New Grant Opportunities: Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services
New Grant Opportunities: Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services The Administration on Aging | Administration for Community Living (ACL) has released two Innovations in Nutrition (INNU) Funding Opportunities Announcements (FOAs) to establish cooperative agreements to conduct research projects that enhance the quality, effectiveness, and outcomes of nutrition programs and services within the aging services network. Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services – Statewide Research...
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ICYMI: CONNECTING LATINO YOUTH/FAMILIES/COMMUNITIES W/EXT RESOURCES
Contrary with what many think, Latino/x population in the US is not a monolith, far from fitting the one-size-fits-all formula, the 60 million Americans of Latino/Hispanic origin represent over 20 Latin American countries, and a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, education levels, geographic locations, histories, political affiliations. Visit this virtual chat archive to learn what extension professionals across the country have been doing to be successful in reaching the Latino/x...
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ICYMI: USDA Nutrition Resources for Every Life Stage: Then and Now
Last month, we hosted two registered dietitians ( @Marcia Greenblum and @colleen.sideck ) from the USDA National Agricultural Library to share how to access federal nutrition resources for different age groups and how dietary guidance have evolved over time. Marcia and Colleen highlighted life stage resources on the Nutrition.gov and Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) websites that support 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations, and shared a historical...
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Procrastinate now...don't put it off!
Almost every organization would like to remove delays to unlocking their team's capacity to generate & implement great ideas. If you can identify & develop new opportunities quicker, your business model has a better chance to survive. No answers here just some thoughts on how these might be related. I'll procrastinate tomorrow... Graphic from www.jamesclear.com We've all received & given feedback on this topic. For the proactive person, someone who lags a bit can be maddening.
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10 Tips
Re-discovered this article by: Diana Moon from the Defense Centers of Excellence Strategic Communications, November 6, 2012 START The definition of "Resilience" is the ability to withstand, recover & grow in the face of stressors and changing demands. It's a skill that can be learned and sharpened with practice . Building flexible strength is a hallmark of resilience and necessary for getting back to peak performance after stressful events. Each of us face unique stressors which, without...
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It's situational and it's not...
My brother & I talk a lot and it has brought us closer, especially during our "philosophical" discussions. We like to dive deep into our passion areas, share what we've learned from books, articles, Ted Talks, work situations, parenting, etc. We just go with whatever is on our minds in a healthy banter. One thing keeps coming up regardless of topic is leadership & its close relationship with character . We agree on one point...leadership is situational but character isn't. Character...
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3 Naturally Occuring Things
"Three things happen naturally in organizations; friction, confusion & underperformance. Everything else requires leadership." -Peter Drucker Friction happens when people don’t understand one another Interpersonal issues are present Confusion happens as a result of poor communication Team goals are unclear Underperformance happens when people aren’t engaged Skill-set mismatch The thing to keep in mind here is that these things “happen naturally”. It’s nobody’s fault. Take a deep breath!
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Bob wasn't my boss, but...
Received this in my email today from one of my mentors... Only knew Bob for a short few years, but the statements below are the way he lived his life. I am grateful he was able to influence me. He never lectured. He led by example. His example to be a better person. I miss him in my life. He was kind and generous. A man full of grace. "When you help others, your life starts to have meaning and purpose. Real joy comes not from material possessions but from people. When we give our hearts in...
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Job: 4-H Youth Development Food and Agricultural Literacy
UConn (University of Connecticut) Extension is seeking applicants for a full-time (11-month), non-tenure track Assistant/Associate Extension Educator, primarily based at the Fairfield County Extension Office in Bethel, CT. Extension Educators are community-based faculty who make a difference in communities by connecting community needs with university resources. Position level/rank will be commensurate with experience working with Extension. The anticipated start date is January 2022.
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Job: 4-H Youth Development Food and Agricultural Literacy
UConn (University of Connecticut) Extension is seeking applicants for a full-time (11-month), non-tenure track Assistant/Associate Extension Educator, primarily based at the Fairfield County Extension Office in Bethel, CT. Extension Educators are community-based faculty who make a difference in communities by connecting community needs with university resources. Position level/rank will be commensurate with experience working with Extension. Applications should be submitted by January 31st...
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May Is Older Americans Month: Elder Abuse Is a Social Determinant of Health
In this post, the author discusses addressing Elder Abuse to improve health outcomes for older adults and promotes aging in place. The Elder Justice Initiative at the U.S. Department of Justice provides training and resources to help promote the health and well-being of older adults.
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An Important Tool for Strengthening Couples’ Relationships in the Wake of COVID-19
by Karen Shirer, Ph.D. In Brief Relationship education (RE) for individuals, couples and families can provide critical support in recovering relationship health after disruptive events like the COVID-19 pandemic. A new podcast series on RE focuses on three important RE programs and resources — the NERMEM , Healthy Relationship and Marriage Training and Elevate for Couples . Dr. Ted Futris shares examples for applying the model’s components to your work with individuals and families in...
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Youth Livestock & Poultry Biosecurity Learning Modules Updated
Updates to a youth biosecurity learning modules series were released in 2022, and incorporate improvements to interactive elements and accessibility. The modules are appropriate for students in grades 6 to 12, FFA and 4-H participants, college students studying animal science, and other agriculturally related youth groups.
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The SEED Method - Engaging Martinsville Podcast Interview
Communities throughout the nation have been greatly affected by the opioid epidemic, and it was deemed a public health emergency nationwide in October 2017. Since many factors contribute to this crisis, addressing it requires solutions involving every level. Cooperative Extension has collaborated at the local, state, and federal levels to help communities address this critical issue. The opioid epidemic has heavily impacted Southwest Virginia. The town of Martinsville has one of the nation's...
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Extension's Role in Addressing Social Isolation.
At a recent Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Community and Public Health Program Work Team (PWT) meeting, the topic of social isolation was discussed. Groups of Extension educators from across New York State spoke about how their existing work supports people navigating social isolation. There were also a number of ideas on how Extension could play a larger role in partnership with other health-focused community-based organizations to address this issue. What are folks doing in your LGU...
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The Military Family as a Cultural Identity - Supporting Families in Transition
Soldier with children | IStock
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Extension Skills 2022
This past year, the Impact Collaborative's Extension Skills series has provided Cooperative Extension professionals with the opportunity to build capacity with tools, processes, and tech skills training. Each second Thursday of the month, a workshop was led by an Extension expert to give professionals the opportunity to learn new skills and share best practices to help them be more effective and innovative in their work! This year, the workshops focused on topics such as virtual engagement...
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Colorado State University- Online offers you PD in Evaluation & Applied Research in Extension Course & Spring Registration reminder
Greetings Extension friends! Spring 2023 course registration at Colorado State University Online is open through Monday, January 16th. Enrolling in courses is as easy as clicking this orange button and submitting your ESP- Employee Study Privilege form . You do not have to be enrolled in a Graduate program to take individual courses. Graduate courses are a great PD opportunity to enhance your skills and build up your CV. Spring 2023 Extension Education courses NEW!! AGED 600 - Evaluation and...
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The Impact of Deployment on the Parents of Service Members
In summary, most research on the impact of deployment excludes parents of service members and focuses on spouses and military children.
Parents of service members experience military life differently but experience similar emotions as spouses and children. Parental support and closeness has been linked to the mental health and well-being of their adult children. Practical strategies and resources for Extension Educators and service providers are provided to help support the parents of our mil
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Mass Media: Sustaining Pollinators Publication Reissued
The Mass Media: Sustaining Pollinators fieldbook published by Extension Foundation in 2020 is now available in a flipping book format to be consistent with other publications on the Extension Foundation’s new Publication Bookshelf on Connect Extension. The publication is a result of a three-year collaboration between the National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC) and a team from Prairie View A&M University in Texas. NPSEC has been supporting pollinator health since 2017,...
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New Publication: How to Use Digital Dashboards to Improve Program Implementation and Evaluation
How to Use Digital Dashboards to Improve Program Implementation and Evaluation is available on the Extension Foundation’s bookshelf. This case study was written by Amy Patillo, Matthew Pezold, and Karen Funkenbusch from the University of Missouri. It outlines a strategy used by the University of Missouri (MU) Extension to manage and evaluate complex mental and behavioral health initiatives for farmers and rural communities. It highlights the processes and tools used to help a large,...
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"Engaged Program Planning for Impact Collaborative Teams" Publication Available on Flipping Books
Engaged Program Planning for Extension Foundation Impact Collaborative Teams has been issued as a flipping book. First published in October 2018, the publication details how to use the Impact Collaborative methodology and roadmap to help Cooperative Extension professionals design innovative and engaging projects, programs, and initiatives. It also provides context and guidance on community engagement and team building using Impact Collaborative practices. The publication was authored by...
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ICYMI - Recommended Summer Reading from Extension Foundation
The Extension Foundation has recently released several new and previously published titles on various topics, from climate and extreme weather to building farm and farm family resilience. Check out our bookshelf to learn more about what other Extension professionals are doing in their work. ICYMI, here are a few recent titles that may interest you. Program Planning and Team Building: If you’re using the summer to plan upcoming Extension programs, take a peek at Engaged Program Planning for...
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#GoodReads from Extension Foundation
The Extension Foundation has recently released several new titles on a broad range of topics, from climate and extreme weather to building farm and farm family resilience. Check out our bookshelf to learn more about the work other Extension professionals are doing. ICYMI, here are a few recent titles that may interest you. Sustainable Tourism, Agritourism, Outdoor Recreation, and Community Development. Our newest title is The NET Effect . This 57-page ezine contains eight case studies that...
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Evaluating a System-wide Project: An interview with the EXCITE evaluation team!
We are excited to have Isabel Osborne and Laura Downey to discuss their involvement in the evaluation and reporting process for the system-wide Extension Collaboration on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE) Project. Isabel and Laura have been integral in developing a comprehensive and dynamic system for evaluating the EXCITE project's progress and success. Q: Isabelle and Laura, could you please tell us about yourselves and the roles you play in the evaluation team? Laura: Great.
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Unique Strengths of the EXCITE Project: Providing evidence-based information in an understandable form and using multiple delivery methods
The Extension Collaboration for Immunization, Teaching, and Engagement ( EXCITE ) project was created to reduce vaccine hes it ancy in rural and medically unders erved communities . Fund ed by the CDC through an Inter agency Agreement with USDA N IFA and a cooperative agreement with the Extension Foundation , the team has four goals : reduce hes it ancy , increase communication between populations and health systems , increase accessibility to clinics and help implement public health...
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New Publication - The Community Seminar Series Playbook: A model for community outreach and student development
Webinars offer a convenient and engaging way for people to learn and connect with others. As a result, they have become a vital part of Extension's offerings. A new playbook makes it easy to organize virtual Extension programs, providing step-by-step instructions on everything from choosing a topic to promoting your event. "The Community Seminar Series Playbook: A model for community outreach and student development" was created by a team from the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute...
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The Impact of Food Insecurity on Mental Health
When families experience food insecurity, hunger may be only one result. An often-overlooked factor of insufficient access to food is the detrimental impact on mental health. Adults with low food security are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and heightened stress [1]. Socio-economic background, race, culture, and location all play a role in the development of one’s psychological well-being. Historically marginalized groups are already at a disproportionate disadvantage to being...
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USDA Studies Determine that the Way We Treat Our Land Impacts Water Availability
Studies by USDA Agricultural Research Service Determine that the Way We Treat Our Land Impacts Water Availability Media Contact : Maribel.Alonso@usda.gov What impact, if any, do farming and ranching practices have on how much water is available downstream? That was the question scientists at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Agroclimate and Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit in El Reno, Oklahoma, set out to answer in a series of studies conducted in Central and Western Oklahoma.
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Spotlight on Youth Mental Well-Being in Military Families
Edited by: Anna Peterson Written by: Karen Shirer, Ph.D. The popular media continues to draw attention to the national mental well-being crisis among children and youth, including those in military families. The CBS television station affiliate in Minnesota, WCCO-4, recently aired a three-part series on the pandemic’s impact on youth mental health . The reporter, Esme Murphy, interviewed the following national experts on youth development regarding the crisis: Doctor Sarah Jerstad, the...
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Strategies and Tools for Effective Program Evaluation from the Extension Foundation
The Extension Foundation offers a variety of resources that can help Extension professionals develop strategies and utilize new tools for program evaluation, data collection, and stakeholder engagement. On Connect you can find videos and publications that highlight and present various evaluation methods, data collection techniques and tips, and effective evaluation approaches. Resources include webinars on qualitative research, data analysis, survey strategies, and multiple tools for...
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Serving with Pride: The History and Impact of LGBTQ+ Military Service Members
By Dr. Tiffany Lange, Psy.D. (she/her/hers) LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and related identities) people have existed throughout history (e.g., two-spirit in Native American cultures) and are present in every aspect of society – they are the people we know, the people we love, and even the people who serve in our military. In the United States (U.S.), less than 1% of the population volunteer to serve in the armed forces and there are often assumptions about...
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Helping Military Families Inflation-Proof Their Budget
For over two years, U.S. inflation rates have exceeded their long-term average of about 3%. Like all Americans, military families have experienced a loss of purchasing power as their income cannot buy as much as it did previously. Individuals cannot stop inflation but they can mitigate its impact. Below are six inflation-fighting strategies for Extension professionals to discuss with Service members: Needs Versus Wants Analysis - During inflationary times, it is more important than ever to...
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Ten Strategies to Fight Shrinkflation
One cause of food insecurity among military families is inflation. As food costs rise, the ability to make nutritionally sound food purchases and maintain consistent access to food decreases. In February 2023, food prices were 9.5% higher than a year earlier according to the USDA Economic Research Service. Another cause of concern for cash-strapped military families is “ shrinkflation ,” i.e., where food and household product (e.g., toilet paper) manufacturers keep prices the same but reduce...
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Three Ways Service Providers Can Expand Food Security in Their Communities
In 2021, 33.8 million people living in the United States were food insecure (Weeks et al, 2023). Food security is defined by the USDA as, “Access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members” (OPA). Frequent relocations, barriers to spousal employment, and the Basic Allowance for Housing being factored into SNAP eligibility compounds the issue of food security for military families. As a result, one in four service members currently experience food...