Tagged With "solar power investment"
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Tips to Build a Diversified Investment Portfolio
A key theme in investing that never goes out of style is building a diversified portfolio to reduce investment risk. Below are eight key investing concepts for Extension educators to suggest to their clients: Quantify Your Goals - Encourage clients to write down their goals with the projected cost and a time deadline. Doing this will help them select appropriate investments and provide the motivation required today to set money aside for the future. Discuss Risk - Explain that investment...
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Cloudy County Extension - Cloud Training Built for Extension
Hello extension! I'm a systems administrator in Florida supporting our research, teaching, and extension programs. In addition to my regular "sysadmin" duties I've found that I really love teaching our extension agents about the "cloud". Together with my co-worker Joe Gasper we've been holding monthly training sessions for just over three years. In that time much of our university has learned the power of the cloud and ways to use new tools that make your digital life a little bit easier.
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Connecting Communities in Asset-based Community Recovery
Learn about the community-building opportunities that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic and how you can start building the foundation for community recovery for the future.
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Jason Weigle Joins Extension Foundation as New Impact Collaborative Program Coordinator
The Extension Foundation is pleased to announce that @Jason Weigle has joined the Extension Foundation team as its new Impact Collaborative Program Coordinator. In this role, Jason will be leading all functions of the Impact Collaborative program to help implement and assess successful offerings to Extension Foundation members and foster the ongoing development of the national Impact Collaborative Facilitator network. The Impact Collaborative is a bundle of services and events that are...
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Seaweed is on the Menu with Connecticut’s Sugar Kelp Industry
A team from UConn is using innovative research and community outreach to help make this novel food more accessible for consumers and more profitable for producers. When you crave something tasty, seaweed may not be the first thing that springs to mind. But UConn researchers and extension educators want to change that. A team from UConn Extension within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources , and Connecticut Sea Grant are using innovative research and community outreach to...
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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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K-State Research and Extension and Healthy People: Helping Kansans Access Nutritious Foods
This post is part of Healthy People 2020 in Review, a blog series highlighting how organizations across the nation are addressing social determinants of health — and how their efforts have helped us make progress toward Healthy People goals and objectives. The post describes how K-State Research and Extension, a Healthy People 2030 Champion, contributed to progress toward Healthy People 2020 objectives — as well as Healthy People 2030 objectives under the social determinants of health domain Eco
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RFA: ECOP Health and Workforce Program Action Teams: Resilient Economies and Community Health (REACH)
ELIGIBILITY: Competitive opportunity available to ALL Land-grant universities (LGUs) (1862, 1890, 1994) by completing a simple online application. The Extension Foundation in partnership with the ECOP Health and Workforce Program Action Teams, is offering two opportunities to apply and be selected to pilot a community development initiative in a community of their choosing. More specifically, successful applicants will have the opportunity to pilot test how Cooperative Extension can catalyze...
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Not a leader?
Do you consider yourself a leader? What about a global leader? Usually when this question is asked only a few people respond positively to the first question and almost everyone says "no" to the second question. Why? Perhaps they are hesitant to respond positively because "leader" isn't part of their title, position, or rank. Then when the question escalates they're definitely out. John Maxwell defines leadership as influence. If we use his definition (which I totally dig) then we're all...
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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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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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Happiness Power!
Is your goal to have a little success each day? Can probably guess you said "yes"! In one of my favorite Ted Talks , Shawn Achor says every time we experience some success we move the goalpost for what it means to us. AND...if our overall happiness is connected with that success, it's likely we never get there. What? We're undermining our own happiness? In his happiness research, he's discovered our brains work in the opposite way. A "happiness advantage" can occur when we raise our level of...
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More Leadership Theories
The practice of leadership has been going on as far back as we can observe. In a previous offering " 10 Leadership Theories " we looked at where we've come in the recent past regarding thinking and approach to leadership. In one post we can't possibly hit everything related to leadership, so it's a reality we left out a ton of stuff. We're going to continue this journey by looking at a few more influencers in the leadership area from centuries and millennia ago to today. Hang on! Lao Tzu -...
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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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Flip Your Script
Oh, the things we tell ourselves. Sounds a bit like Dr. Seuss; sadly it's not. You have to wait until the end of the post for some of his wisdom! We're talking about how our personal narratives become aspects of things we believe about who we are. Here's one that's been in my arsenal forever: "I'm horrible at math." Big deal you say. Maybe you're not good at math. You have other things you're good at. What's the problem? Telling myself this has made an agreement that has limited my openness...
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Central State University Extension Charters the Dayton Urban Riding Center as the first official 4-H Charter since becoming a Land-Grant Institution in 2014
On Friday, February 3rd, Central State Extension charter’s first official 4-H program with Dayton Urban Riding Center located in Dayton, Ohio According to the National Bureau of Economic Research Between 1890 and 1899, African American jockeys won the Kentucky Derby six times, but by the early 1900s, they were history. In July of 2020 riding clubs like Compton Cowboys and Houston’s Nonstop Riders, shed the spotlight on this disparity when they rode their horses during a protest march. “The...
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ICYMI: 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Holds First Meeting
February 24, 2023 By: Edward McCarthy , Public Affairs Specialist within OASH Office of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Image: 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee with HHS Assistant Secretary Rachel Levine, USDA Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean and Committee staff leads Summary: This blog provides an overview of the events of the first meeting of the Dietary Guidelines Committee on February 9th and 10th, 2023. Rockville, Md. – ICYMI: On February 9 and 10, the newly announced...
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2 thoughts...
When you feel the surge, resist the urge. There are times in our lives when we feel threatened. Some are real. Some aren't. Our bodies process these situations exactly the same. When threats aren't real often we let our fight/flight response take over. In these moments we react as if in real danger. The actual danger here is not having the self-awareness to realize the "threat" is perceived and be able to calm ourselves down. If we succumb to the survival hormones flooding our bodies we...
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Resource Roundup: Recruiting Training and Leading Volunteers in Extension Programs
April is National Volunteer Month , a time to celebrate the impact that volunteers have to strengthen and expand our Extension programming . Not only do volunteers extend our reach in communities , but their perspective and credibility bring a valuable contribution to our projects and program . We all know how valuable volunteers are to our Extension programs! Let us recognize the power and potential volunteers have in helping Extension by enhancing our skills and using resources to help...
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NECI's April Membership Meeting & May Professional Development Meeting
NECI Membership Engagement Meetings Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - and the third Wednesday of each month 12:00 PM (PT) // 1:00 PM (MT) // 2:00 PM (CT) // 3:00 PM (ET) Zoom link to the join the NECI Membership Engagement Meetings: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84440788669?pwd=aTU5a202Si9LeDAxUndaeW9MV3ZOdz09 The April meeting will be hosted by Sabrina Drill, NECI's Climate Fellow. Looking for additional opportunities to engage with your colleagues? Join us on Wednesday, April 19 for NECI’s...
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Future You
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, which is why we call it the present." -Bill Keane Ok, a little bit of a cheesy way to start. Seriously though, tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. Our challenge is to make the most out of every day because each one is an opportunity to move closer to the person we want to be. The journey is the destination. Here's a big thing that gets in the way... Damaging Self Talk When we describe ourselves (to ourselves and others) in...
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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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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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Smart Uses for 2022 Tax Year Refunds
Below are five smart uses for tax refunds for Extension professionals: Debt Repayment- There is probably no better “investment” than repaying consumer debt (e.g., outstanding credit card bills). Paying off an 18% credit card is equivalent to earning a 20.5% return for taxpayers in the 12% tax bracket
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Finding Hope and Confidence by Practicing Connection
Professionals, like you, can make a difference through connection and collaboration. The Practicing Connection initiative is a place for ideas, inspiration, and information on building skills and creating connections that will help support the well-being of military and civilian families. It’s an exploration of the practices that empower us to work together to help each other, our families, and our communities improve our resilience and readiness. So, why should you join Practicing...
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Funding Opportunities Now Featured in the Connect Extension Weekly Digest
Extension Professionals! If you weren't aware, the Extension Foundation has a weekly newsletter to help you stay informed about the happenings within Cooperative Extension. In the Connect Extension digest, you receive a round-up of upcoming events, professional development opportunities, job postings, and more. We provide useful resources to you weekly which now includes a section on federal funding opportunities available for the Extension system, updated regularly with new grants! You can...
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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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Harvests from the Equitable Development Field Leaders Dialogue Series
The Equitable Development Leadership Academy has danced across several iterations seeking to encourage youth leadership, community capacity building, and the well-being of all life. With the boundless support and ingenuity of Solvable , this work has come to life for me, and I am truly thrilled about the unique resources and experiences we are creating. To inspire our work, we drew upon the wisdom of equity leaders hailing from all corners of the United States. We embarked on a spellbinding...
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September 28th: Youth Advocates for Community Health Lightening Sessions
Youth Advocates for Community Health Lightening Session Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 11 AM ET Register HERE Extension Professionals are invited to join on a lightning session focused on how young people are catalysts for improving the health of their communities! Many states have harnessed the power of youth voice and Well Connected Communities, a health initiative funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has demonstrated the effort of 4-H health ambassadors and advocates in addressing...
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Where were you?
The day started out as any other. A pretty normal Tuesday in fact. Put my uniform on, drove through the front gate of the Air Force base where we were assigned, and got to work. After a few minutes, it was apparent this wasn't going to be just another Tuesday... In our military, readiness exercises happen all the time to prepare for events involving natural disasters and domestic/international threats. Awareness of these exercises occurs from internal communication and is posted at the base...
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How to be a leadership "boss"
My first real job where there was a paycheck was at 13 years old at a local pizza joint. It was "the" pizza joint in town run by a graduate of the college where my parents both taught. This meant it was okay to work there as they trusted him. Most of the kids in Branson, MO worked over the summer because it was (and still is) a huge tourist destination. Despite being busy with camps and sports we found a few hours to earn a little money each summer. If you could do it someplace that taught...
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Re: How to be a leadership "boss"
Nice article. Being Missouri born and bred, I understand the power of showing.
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Job Opening: Extension Regional Fire Specialist, Oregon State University
The Oregon State University (OSU) Forestry & Natural Resources Extension program invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, Extension Regional Fire Specialist for northeast Oregon with an academic rank of Assistant Professor of Practice. This position will be based at an OSU Extension County Office in La Grande, OR or Pendleton, OR. The academic home for this position will be in either the Department of Forest Engineering, Resources, and Management, or the Department of...
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GUEST POST: How to Fix the Workplace Through a Culture of Voluntary Influence
By Don Shapiro President, First Concepts Consultants, Inc. University Extension faces the same challenges today as any organization where a group of people are working together to accomplish something significant. You’re challenged with issues such as retention, burnout, managing change, leadership, and collaboration. Each one of these has a huge impact on how well you carry out your mission and serve your communities and constituents. Leadership stands out on this list because it’s not just...
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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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Invest in Yourself During Health Literacy Month
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Health People 2030 defines health literacy as: the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others. Nutrition.gov and the Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) make it easy to find nutrition information to empower you to make well-informed decisions regarding your health. Find resources for every level of health...
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A T T I T U D E
During my senior year in High School, we were fortunate to play in the football state playoffs. Throughout the experience, at home or away games, signs hung up in our locker room with this saying... If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don't. If you'd like to win but think you can't, it's almost certain you won't. Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man, but sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can. We made it to the...
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Empowering voices: The impact of Rural Prosperity Nebraska on a Hispanic women group
Nasrin Nawa | October 18, 2023 Rural Prosperity Nebraska, an Extension program, empowers a dynamic group of Hispanic women in Columbus through biweekly sessions encompassing a wide spectrum of topics, including social, cultural, health, leadership and life skills. Maria Cantu Hines, a dedicated Extension educator, travels two hours every other Saturday to join this group in Columbus since the beginning of 2023. For Hines, it is nourishing to her "soul." "I eagerly anticipate our gatherings,"...
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Extension Foundation Releases New NTAE Titles
The Extension Foundation has added five new titles to its publications library. The brief publications - written as magazine-style feature stories - share project work funded through the New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) program , a cooperative agreement between USDA NIFA, Oklahoma State University, and the Extension Foundation. NATE's goal is to incubate, accelerate, and expand promising work that will increase the impact of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) in the communities...
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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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Trending Topics in Financial Education
Stay current with trending financial topics in order to effectively serve clients. Here is a brief description of five trending financial topics related to current events, economics, legislation, and consumer behavior. Implications for military families are described.
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Unlock the Power of Game-Based Learning with New Mexico State Learning Games Lab - Register Now for Our Exclusive Webinar
Research highlights the efficacy of game-based learning in educating youth. A team at New Mexico State University’s Learning Games Lab is applying that research, using their expertise in game-based learning to make food safety education exciting for the next generation of food handlers and enthusiasts. Youth prepare food for themselves and their families and may have careers in the food industry. It’s important that they learn about safe food handling, cooking, storage, and when food is...
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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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Extension Professionals Unite at Historic Climate Action Convening
As an atmospheric river intensified by climate change bore down on the West Coast, more than 40 Extension professionals from across the U.S. and outlying territories gathered in Tucson, Arizona for Cooperative Extension’s first national Climate Action Convening. A central question guiding the gathering was: “How can we mobilize the U.S. Cooperative Extension system to quickly and effectively contribute to climate change solutions? Hosted by the Extension Committee on Organization and...
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How Innovative Leadership Keeps Cooperative Extension Strong: An Interview with Karl Bradley
Introduction In a rapidly changing world, innovative leadership is critical for Cooperative Extension's success. Leadership development equips Extension professionals with the skills to navigate complex issues, build collaborative teams, consistently adapt, and create programs to meet emerging needs. This ensures Cooperative Extension remains a relevant and impactful force. The Extension Foundation actively supports this goal through the expertise of Karl Bradley, its Leadership and Team...
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Extension's Unique Strength in Immunization Education: Health and Community Partnerships
The Extension Collaboration for Immunization, Teaching, and Engagement ( EXCITE ) project was created to reduce vaccine hesitancy in rural and medically underserved communities. Drawing upon Cooperative Extension System's (CES) many unique strengths, EXCITE teams were able to effectively respond and deliver immunization education to their priority populations. One valuable strength was the strategic cultivation of partnerships, where Extension leveraged its tools, knowledge, and community...
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2024 NACDEP Conference
Join us in person for the 2024 NACDEP Annual Conference on June 17-20, 2024, in Houston, TX. Hosted by Prairie View A&M University Extension in collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, this conference offers a unique opportunity for community development extension professionals to collaborate, grow professionally, and network. Held in downtown Houston at the prestigious Marriott Marquis-Houston, TX , attendees can expect engaging sessions and discussions focused on leveraging...
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Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) Conference Registration is Open
The Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) conference registration is now open. The conference is being held June 23-25 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This year's theme, "Big Ideas Start Here," encapsulates the essence of what ACE stands for – innovation, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. We are eager to come together to explore the transformative power of big ideas. The conference planning committee has put together a program that features a lineup of keynote...
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Celebrating Culture & Pollinators: Animated Series Honors Native Languages, Provides Science Education
Pollinators like bees, bats, and butterflies are vital for human health because they transfer pollen between plants, allowing many fruits, vegetables, and nuts that nourish us to grow and reproduce. Without these busy pollinators, our diets would be less diverse and lack essential vitamins and minerals found in pollinator-dependent crops. Educating youth about the importance of pollinators is critical. It empowers them to become stewards of these vital creatures, ensuring a healthy future...
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Advancing Disaster Education in America: EDEN Request for Applications Announced
When disaster strikes, knowledge is power. Disaster education builds resilient communities ready to respond and recover. Cooperative Extension plays a critical role in the nation’s disaster education efforts, and a new Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Development Grants Program will enable the Cooperative Extension System to do even more. Applications for the EDEN Development Grants Program – Advancing Disaster Education America – is now open. You can review the RFA here . The...