Tagged With "alternative control methods"
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Prescribed Fire Basics: A New Training Series from OSU Extension
Prescribed fire is a critical and effective method to help mitigate the risk of wildfires, but there are significant barriers to using this method responsibly. A lack of personnel with the knowledge and operational skills to implement prescribed fires contributes to these barriers as many states do not provide the much-needed education and training on prescribed fires to the public. Oregon State Extension's Fire team is on a mission to meet this crucial need by providing accessible education...
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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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Biodegradable Plastic Mulch: A Climate Smart Agricultural Practice
During the growing and harvest seasons, vegetable producers often begin their day before sunrise and finish as the last light is seeping into the horizon. These long days are normal but varied. Challenges such as pests, disease, climate change, and weather make each day and each growing season unique and unpredictable. Vegetable farmers control some of the variables they face – like weeds and the temperature and moisture levels of their soil – by using a product that comes with pros and...
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Public Health AmeriCorps Funding Opportunity Announced
AmeriCorps recently announced a new round of funding for Public Health AmeriCorps ! Public Health AmeriCorps, launched in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a $400 million investment to engage new communities and individuals in public health, recruiting and building a new workforce ready to respond to the nation’s public health needs. Last year, over 80 organizations were awarded a total of more than $60 million. Funding is open to nonprofit, faith-based,...
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Money-Saving Tips for Uncertain Times
Between a four-decade record high for inflation and rising interest rates, many Americans are being squeezed financially.
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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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REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS: New EXCITE Opportunity
REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS EXCITE: Design Phase ELIGIBILITY: Non-competitive phase available to ALL Land-grant universities (LGUs) (1862, 1890, 1994) by completing a simple online application. Submit only one application per institution. AWARD AMOUNT: $10,000 TIMELINE: Application Open: September 22, 2022 Application Deadline: November 1, 2022 , November 30, 2022, 11:59 PM PST 11:59 PM PST Award Period: October 1, 2022 - March 15, 2023 APPLICATION ACCESS: The deadline for receipt of the...
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Celebrating National Rural Health Day 2022
On National Rural Health Day, we celebrate with the #CDC the #PowerofRural, and the many programs and professionals striving to protect rural communities' health through Extension programming and resources! The Extension Foundation is proud to support the critical work many programs are doing to bring health resources, tools and education to rural communities. Below are projects supported by the Extension Foundation that show the impact Cooperative Extension is making in rural communities...
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Sharing is Caring with Fire Ant Venom
Venom is associated with being harmful, but red imported fire ants are using their venom for its medicinal benefits by sharing the toxic substance with their nestmates, according to a study published in the Journal of Insect Physiology . Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists from the agency's Biological Control of Pests Research Unit and Southern Insect Management Research Unit in Stoneville, Mississippi, discovered a new way that fire ants use their venom to prevent diseases in...
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2023 Leadership & Team Development offerings!
How do you know it's time to do leadership development? What would happen if you thought about it as a habit? Get your calendar out and register today! Personal Leadership Bootcamp This 3-part series invites individuals to get to know themselves, choose a path and take action with the power of their personal leadership philosophy! Register here: http://pages.extension.org/bootcamp From "Me" to "We": Values, Trust & Teamwork Discover the value of your values, how to show you’re...
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ECOP Health Equity Framework Available in Flipping Book Format
Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being has been published as a flipping book by the Extension Foundation. First published in July 2021, the report was produced by the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), Health Innovation Task Force. The Health Innovation Task Force was established in March 2020 by ECOP to "investigate, explore, and provide recommendations in support of extension innovating for system-level change” particularly as it...
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Alignment with a Stop Light?
You've worked hard to come up with a great plan that will make things easier, remove frustrations, and even save time for everyone. You're proud of it. It's thorough. It's researched. You've consulted people with more experience in this area. You've taken criticism. You've been vulnerable. Now it's time for the big meeting to unveil it. You're excited. Even a bit nervous. It's your turn on the agenda and... Your excitement is met with a mild, lukewarm reception from the team. What happened?
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Job Opening: Pesticide Safety Education Coordinator, UC Statewide IPM Program (Davis, CA)
The University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program is seeking an energetic person to coordinate, develop, and deliver educational programs in pesticide safety for users of pesticides in California. In this position, you would provide objective information about pesticide safety and promote sound decision making to reduce pesticide risks to human health and the environment in the context of integrated pest management. You would also serve as the Pesticide Safety...
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Email issues? Read this!
You're wrapping things up for the day & getting organized for tomorrow when a last-minute email pops in. Not wanting to miss something, you check it out. The tone is a bit confusing & leaves you unsure of how to proceed. What did the last sentence mean? Reply? Wait until tomorrow? You decide to wait. The problem is, this little message has now stolen your attention for the next few hours making it hard to move on with your evening responsibilities... This scenario has happened to all...
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RFA Release: EXCITE Implementation Phase *with increased funding amount*
REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS EXCITE: Implementation Phase ELIGIBILITY: Competitive phase available to ALL Land-grant universities (1862, 1890, 1994) by completing an online application. Participation in the Design Phase is not a requirement to apply for the Implementation Phase. AWARD AMOUNT: $100,000 TIMELINE: Application Open: February 2023 Application Deadline: March 15, 2023, 11:59PM PT Award Notification: May 2023 Award Period: June 1, 2023 - November 30, 2024 APPLICATION ACCESS: The...
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The Perfect Meeting
"One can either work or meet. One cannot do both at the same time." -Peter Drucker Darn it! He's right again. Despite our best efforts we can only do one of these (effectively) at a time. Through this, he also reminds us of the multitasking myth. What we actually do is task switch. It takes 40% longer to accomplish two things we're switching on and longer when we add a third or fourth task. One thing we can do to help with effectiveness is to have better meetings. Most HR professionals will...
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Equitable Development: Starts Within Individuals and Emphasizes Well-Being
When you think about how societies have grown and developed in the past, can you identify efforts where, “ good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation,” were prioritized? Unfortunately, most stories of development tell tales of exciting economic growth and ignore the inequity that serves as the foundation for their success. However, some countries are shifting from economic-focused standards of development to factors centered...
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Leadership ABC's
A = Attitude One of 2 things within your control; attitude and effort! Attitude is everything, pick a good one. B = Brave When you believe strongly in something or perhaps it scares you a bit, let your courage shine through. Be brave enough to go first and model the way. C = Character This is your behavior when nobody is watching. You won't always have the training and education for the situations you find yourself in. Your strong character will get you through. D = Dependable You do what...
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FREE Roaming Equids and Ecosystem Sustainability Network hosts a free webinar
Dear Extension Foundation Partners, I am writing to share with you a phenomenal opportunity that facilitated psychological safety and crucial conversations about the sustainable management of free-roaming equids at the 2023 Free-roaming Equid Summit held last fall in St. George, Utah. The Summit brought together stakeholders from across the spectrum of human emotions, values, and perceptions about wild horses and burros and their management. Summit participants engaged BLM and USFS line...
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Let’s talk about nutrition security
By Noelle Harden I recently talked with my mom and grandparents about hunger and food insecurity in the military. My grandpa served in the air force, then worked for the Veterans Administration. My mom spent her childhood moving across the country from base to base. They shared their struggles to be able to afford healthy and affordable food. Food Insecurity in the Military The RAND Corporation released a report last month on food security in the military. They found that 15.4% of active...
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EXCITE Pilot Project Celebration & Wrap-up
The Extension Collaboration on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE) project held its final Strategy Session, marking the last time the EXCITE pilot projects will meet before concluding their projects. This event signifies the end of a two-year effort aimed at bringing Immunization Education to Extension communities. During the session, the EXCITE Program team members, EXCITE teams, and partners gathered together to celebrate the project's efforts. The success of this project is a...
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UBUNTU is the glue: A unifying philosophy
It's the fall of 2020. The covid-19 pandemic is raging. Forced isolation to control the spread of the virus is the norm. Professionals in the entire Cooperative Extension system are working hard to figure out how to serve communities across the nation in new ways. One of our internal support efforts for Extension professionals focused on the nineteen 1890 institutions. Toward the end of a Zoom meeting with the 1890 Extension Leadership Academy design team, one of the team members asked if...
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Dam Safety Awareness Day: How Does a Changing Climate Impact Dams? USDA Scientists are Looking for Answers
How Does a Changing Climate Impact Dams? The Agriculture Research Service is Looking for the Answers Media contact : Maribel.Alonso@usda.gov How do the extreme weather changes resulting from climate change impact the condition of our nation’s aging dams? Do sudden shifts from extreme precipitation events to flash droughts put this infrastructure at risk? These are the types of questions researchers like Dr. Sherry Hunt, a research leader and acting location coordinator at the USDA...
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Registration for the Healthy People 2030 Webinar Series: Strengthening Resilience in Children and Adolescents Is Now Open
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) is pleased to announce its next webinar: Healthy People 2030 Webinar Series: Strengthening Resilience in Children and Adolescents . This webinar will take place on Wednesday, June 28 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET. To register, please visit the Healthy People 2030 Webinar Series Registration page . Continuing Education Credits* (CEs) are available for this webinar. During this one-hour event, ODPHP and the Centers for Disease Control and...
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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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EXCITE Launches Implementation Phase for 33 Immunization Education Projects/37 Land-grant Universities
Cooperative Extension has been given the opportunity to continue immunization education work through the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE). The Extension Foundation, in cooperation with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), through an Interagency Agreement with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are funding the Cooperative Extension System to increase...
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Toxic Leadership
What is toxic leadership? Using coercive, controlling, or manipulative tactics prioritizes personal gain over meaningful goals undermining collaborative achievements. When our actions hurt those we are charged with caring for, it can damage relationships and the whole organization. Common Characteristics Micromanagement Excessive control and monitoring of others leave little space for autonomy or independence. It inhibits creativity and imagination. Intimidation Using threats, humiliation,...
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Strategies to “Liven Up” Financial Education Classes
Extension educators are always looking for ways to increase participation and engagement in their financial education classes. Here are a dozen interactive teaching methods to consider: Case Study Analyses, Current Events, Financial Calculator Debriefs, Gallery Walks, Documentary Debriefs, Guest Speakers, and more!
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Feel the surge? Resist the urge!
A few years ago an assignment came my way due to a lack of personnel with the right experience. It featured a lot of diverse tasks to prepare a team for a challenging assignment involving advanced training, remote communication, outside agency networking/coordination & team building. After months of painstakingly detailed work, my bosses felt I had not asked the right questions, sweat the small stuff enough and let too many “balls drop”. In a one-way conversation, they fired me. This hit...
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We are hiring: University of Minnesota Extension Specialist Faculty Position
The Department of Family Social Science in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and University of Minnesota Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing seeks a tenure track Assistant Professor whose work centers community-based applied research approaches to studying family health, resilience and thriving in the context of social and economic inequalities. The person in this role will contribute through 1) establishing a national and international reputation in...
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Ten Tips for Military Families to Survive a “Financial Tornado”
U.S. consumers haven’t just experienced a “perfect storm” of financial challenges…they have experienced a “perfect tornado!” Challenging financial events include sustained high inflation (and increased costs for food, utilities, rent, gas, insurance, housing, etc.), recession fears, increased interest rates, bank failures and government bank take-overs, volatile stock prices, lower savings rates, and increasing household debt. Extension professionals routinely answer questions from clients...
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CDC Awards $11M to Cooperative Extension to Combat Obesity
Sixteen land grant universities will receive first-year CDC awards totaling more than $11 million to help reduce disparities in US counties with high rates of obesity. The awards are part of the 5-year High Obesity Program (HOP) . Through these awards Cooperative Extension at these sixteen institutions will work to increase the availability of affordable, healthy foods and safe, convenient places for physical activity. HOP serves counties where more than 40% of adults have obesity. Obesity...
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Invitation to Participate in a Vertebrate Pest Management Needs Assessment Survey
Because human and vertebrate pest conflicts are on the rise in urban and rural areas, there is an urgent need to increase awareness and adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in vertebrate pest management. Extension Professionals and others who work in the fields of wildlife damage must possess knowledge and resources to address this need. With that situation known, the IPM Pesticide Safety Education Collaboration Team invites you to take part in this needs assessment survey of...
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Register Today for the next Healthy People 2030 Webinar “Injury and Violence Prevention Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Community”
Space is still available for the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion's (ODPHP) next webinar: Injury and Violence Prevention Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Community . This webinar will take place on Tuesday, September 19 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET. To register, please visit the Healthy People 2030 Webinar Series Registration page . Continuing Education Credits* (CEs) are available for this webinar. During this one-hour event, ODPHP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s...
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Holiday Shopping with a Financial Mind$et
As we approach the Christmas season, be mindful of excessive holiday spending. While Christmas is the season of giving, excessive spending can lead to much regret, depression, and even added financial struggles in the new year. According to Berden and Haws (2012), spending can quickly get out of hand when it is driven by emotions rather than a plan. Have you ever gone to the store to grab a few items, but as you stroll next to the; buy one get one free, the rollbacks, the manager's special,...
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Family Life Educator Position - Illinois
WE TRANSFORM LIVES. Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence. Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and...
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Taking Care of Mental Health: The Significance of National Suicide Awareness Month
Written by: Jason Jowers, MS, MFT September is more than just the transition from summer to fall; it’s also a time when we come together to raise awareness about an issue that affects millions of people worldwide—suicide. National Suicide Awareness Month is a crucial period during which we focus on spreading hope, support, and resources to help those in need. We wanted to fully explore the significance of this month, the objectives of many suicide prevention organizations, and how you can...
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Fueling Hope: Breast Cancer Awareness through Nutrition
In October, the focus shifts to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society (2023), breast cancer stands as the most prevalent cancer in women, and among Hispanic women in the United States, it remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis frequently gives rise to a multitude of questions and anxieties related to diet and nutrition. Register with OneOp on October 25, 2023 as we delve deeper into strategies that assist...
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Available Grant Opportunities for Cooperative Extension!
Each week, the Extension Foundation newsletter dedicates a section to highlight the latest federal grant opportunities available for the Cooperative Extension system. In this blog post, we're excited to share with you a compilation of the most recent funding prospects featured in our newsletter. Cooperative Extension professionals who want to stay informed about these valuable opportunities can easily do so by subscribing to our weekly Connect Digest. You can subscribe to the Newsletter here...
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Illinois Extension Youth Development Educator position opening - closes November 9
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development – Unit 2 The University of Illinois Extension is seeking an individual to provide educational leadership for program delivery in Unit 2 (Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle Counties). Master’s degree related to subject matter emphasis required. To view complete job description and apply, visit https://go.illinois.edu/1020816 . Closing date is November 9, 2023 . The U of I is an EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled http://go.illinois.edu/EEO that participates in the federal...
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Illinois Extension is Seeking a Watershed Outreach Associate
The University of Illinois Extension is seeking an individual to deliver research-based educational programs, developed in cooperation with University personnel and campus-based faculty with an emphasis on watershed management in or near one of the phosphorus-priority watersheds
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National Bullying Prevention Month: What Parents and Providers Can Do To Combat Bullying
Written by: Jason Jowers, MS, MFT, Virginia Tech Every October, communities across the United States come together to observe National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying is a widespread problem in the U.S. that affects millions of children, adolescents, and even adults. Bullying behavior is very common. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 high school students reported being bullied on school property and 1 in 6 high schoolers reported being bullied electronically in the last year (CDC,...
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Invitation to Participate in a Vertebrate Pest Management Needs Assessment Survey
Because human and vertebrate pest conflicts are on the rise in urban and rural areas, there is an urgent need to increase awareness and adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in vertebrate pest management. Extension Professionals and others who work in the fields of wildlife damage must possess knowledge and resources to address this need. With that situation known, the IPM Pesticide Safety Education Collaboration Team invites you to take part in this needs assessment survey of...
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Mental Resilience
Thought you might enjoy a Yogi Berra quote to start... "Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical." Too funny and makes a great point. Life is a constant mental challenge. And we know, heaven or hell, it's between our ears. As you ponder what it will take for you to become more mentally resilient, here are some things to consider. "I don't count my sit-ups; I only start counting when it starts hurting because they're the only ones that count." -Muhammad Ali When the going gets...
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USDA Scientists Work to Ensure Nutritious and High-Quality Potatoes are Available During the Winter Season and All Year Round
Can you help us spread the word? USDA-ARS researchers team up with Chef Mark Mills to create three tasty and easy-to-prepare dishes featuring potatoes. While Chef Mills prepares a vegetable hash, Spanish tortilla, and potato black bean burger, ARS researchers chime in on the history of the potato, its value in U.S. agriculture, and how we are making healthier, tastier potato cultivars that last longer in storage. Click on the link to check out the potato recipes and learn more about ARS...
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Registration now open for Digital Volunteer Initiative Train-the-Trainer Workshop
Register by March 22nd for a three-day in-person intensive train-the-trainer workshop. This workshop is for teams of Extension professionals interested in addressing the challenges of increasing digital literacy by working with local volunteers to provide information technology (IT) training and support in their communities.
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Digital Volunteer Initiative Train the Trainer Workshop
Digital access is vital to community wellbeing. Yet many communities and individuals lacking access struggle with navigating the divide. In partnership with Extension Foundation, the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy's Broadband Program Action Team, and USDA NIFA, the National Digital Extension Education Team (NDEET) is offering a three-day in-person intensive train-the-trainer workshop for teams of Extension professionals interested in addressing the challenges of increasing...
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EXCITE Adult Vaccination Project
The Virginia Cooperative Extension EXCITE Team and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) conducted a symposium on November 3rd, 2023 to discuss the EXCITE project funded through CDC and ways that Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents could get involved in vaccine education! This session introduced our vaccine ambassadors and their roles in their respective localities, provided background on adult vaccinations and the current vaccination schedule, and discussed approaches to communicating...
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Understanding the Cost of Convenience
Our society moves at a fast pace. Most any purchase is available at the push of a button, making delayed gratification a concept of the past. Do you want groceries or merchandise now? No problem. Are you hungry, but don’t have time to get takeout? Don’t worry, it can be conveniently delivered. The question is… what does all this convenience really cost?
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Request for Applications: EXCITE Bridge Access Project Now Available!
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...