Tagged With "county connectivity landscape"
Blog Post
College of Menominee Nation and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative partner with eXtension through USDA-NIFA Cooperative Agreement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2018-2022 Strategic Plan recognizes its role in helping provide access to safe and nutritious food for limited income people, by supporting limited resource individuals and families in their efforts to escape food insecurity and hunger and improve their well-being. These objectives require partnerships between State, local agencies, Federal, and public and private entities to support best practices in implementing effective programs and ensuring...
Blog Post
eXtension RFP for Climate/Extreme Weather Fellowship
Cooperative Extension is positioned to be the leading national resource with the most experience with on-the-ground implementation of conservation-based programming. The eXtension Climate Coalition proposes creating a Fellowship effort as a short-term project dedicated to the compilation of program data across the Cooperative Extension System (CES). The fellow(s), which could be one or two, will identify programming that is currently being implemented that aligns with Project Drawdown, other...
Blog Post
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,...
Blog Post
May 25th Deadline: Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead Contest
This is just a reminder that the deadline for the monthly Farm Journal Story Lead contest is coming up for the month of May on the 25th ! In case you missed the details about this contest, I've included them below. We look forward to your submissions! The eXtension Foundation, in partnership with Farm Journal, is pleased to bring this opportunity to Cooperative Extension. Each month, we will offer a story lead contest right here in Connect Extension in the new Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead...
Blog Post
National Action Dialogue: Participant Leadership Needed
eXtension has been mobilized to support Cooperative Extension System (CES) during this tough time of social distancing and in response we have started a webinar series to address working virtually and connecting with your audiences through digital technology. You will also find more information at virtual.extension.org and for eXtension members in the Connect Extension Group: Extension Response & Resources for Extension Professionals Working Online . WHAT NEXT? To take this all one step...
Blog Post
NEW Monthly Story Lead Contest! Your Chance to Get Published in Farm Journal!
The eXtension Foundation, in partnership with Farm Journal, is pleased to bring this opportunity to Cooperative Extension. Each month, we will offer a story lead contest right here in Connect Extension in the new Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead Contest group. Monthly winners, along with their Extension Directors and Administrators, will have the chance to work with Farm Journal to further develop their story and have it published in Farm Journal media. Submissions for the contest are simply...
Blog Post
Welcome to Connect Extension & Getting Started
Welcome to Connect Extension. This is the main page that is viewable by anyone. To create posts, add content, or access groups - you will need to register. If you want to post content for anyone to see, this is the place to do it. The calendar on this main page is the next generation of eXtension's "Learn" system. There are a number of options for posting - including blogs, calendar events, and more. If you want to get more specific and post to only a certain audience - try visiting the...
Blog Post
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...
Blog Post
Results from the May 2020 Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead Contest
Last month, the eXtension Foundation launched a monthly story lead contest in partnership with Farm Journal in the Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead Contest group here in Connect Extension. Monthly winners, along with their Extension Directors and Administrators, have the chance to work with Farm Journal to further develop their story and have it published in Farm Journal media. The topic area for the May 2020 contest was about the important work Extension is doing to help farmers and rural...
Blog Post
How To Adjust Your Notification Settings in Connect Extension
I had a couple of people recently ask about adjusting their email notification preferences for Connect Extension, so I thought I'd share this with everyone! You have control over your own settings - how many or how few notifications you wish to receive. 1. On the navigation bar, hover over your name and choose Notifications from the drop-down menu. 2. You'll come to the Notification Settings screen, where you'll see three tabs: Settings, Follows, and Group Follows . On the Settings tab, you...
Blog Post
ICYMI & What's Coming Up! - From "Me" to "We"
In this first of three sessions during From "Me" to "We" the focus was introspective as we looked at how our values help us with our daily decisions, guide our behaviors & inform our beliefs. Our core values are the platform for authentic leadership. They are the way we connect with ourselves & how others' begin to trust us. In case you couldn't join us, you can watch the "Values" video here . Here are some resources for continued action on your journey! KNOW YOURSELF Here's a FREE...
Blog Post
From "Me" to "We" - TRUST
We sincerely hope you will join us on June 18 at 2PM Eastern for our session on "Trust". One of my favorite videos on this topic is from Colin Powell...here's a sneak peek before we're together again! “ The Essence of Leadership ” Invite others to our sessions here & please share your best resources, favorite articles, videos or books on these topics in the comments in these posts. Look forward to seeing you tomorrow! WHAT HAPPENED ALREADY? In our first of three sessions during From "Me"...
Blog Post
Live Stream at 2 PM ET Today! Unpacking the Content Creation Process: How NPSEC Optimizes Existing Cooperative Extension Resources
Open this post in Connect Extension to view the live stream! Launching a state-wide campaign can be daunting, but the content creation process doesn't have to be! In this webinar, Kara Maddox from the National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC) and Nathan Hermond from Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension describe how they transformed existing Pollinator Stewardship Resources into an engaging Pollinator Prep Guide. Designed to engage Millennials and their families...
Blog Post
In Case You Missed It! - Unpacking the Content Creation Process Webinar
Yesterday afternoon Nathan Hermond with Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension and Kara Maddox with the National Pesticide Safety Education Center hosted a webinar on how we transformed existing Cooperative Extension content into an engaging Pollinator Prep Guide designed for Millennials and their families. Click here to watch the recording today! In the webinar, we spoke about the nifty poll featured offered by 99designs - as well as the ability to start a competition among...
Blog Post
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...
Blog Post
How To Find the Recordings for Past Events & Search the Learn Calendar Archive
Last week, I posted about the Ins & Outs of the Learn Calendar on Connect Extension, the different things that happen behind the scenes when you publish an event to it, and how eXtension helps to market those events for you. Another question I often receive is where can I access the recording of a recent event? The short answer : for eXtension-hosted events, we update the calendar items with the recordings. I typically remove the “Register Here” button and replace it with “Recording...
Blog Post
Live Stream Today at 2 PM ET! Start Simple with MyPlate: Your “go to” nutrition resource!
Recording Available Here Learn how Start Simple with MyPlate can help you reach consumers with nutrition information based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Learn about recent consumer insights. Discover easy to use resources to make your nutrition outreach easy.
Blog Post
Market Research: The tool in your toolbelt you didn't know you had...or needed
Join the Weather Ready Farms group on Connect Extension Here We often hear the term “needs assessment” in Extension work. It’s an important pillar in a strong Extension program. As Extension professionals, we need to know about learners’ needs that can be potentially filled by our work. It’s important we conduct needs assessments to identify the “difference, or gap, between what is and what should be – or what is reasonably possible,” (NDSU Extension, n.d.). Conducting needs assessments...
Blog Post
May 2020 Story Lead Contest Winner Published in Farm Journal
On a congratulatory note, the winning story lead from the May 2020 contest has now been published in Farm Journal. The winning story lead came from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and was submitted by @Jeff Goodwin . From there, Farm Journal worked with the team at the University of Hawaii, including Dr. @Koon-Hui Wang , to produce the full story. The full story, Screenhouses Boost Marketable Yields for Farmers , is available here . In addition, Farm Journal featured this story on AgDay...
Blog Post
ICYMI: Connect Extension Chat: Virtual Field Days
More than 50 Cooperative Extension professionals from across the nation gathered virtually to discuss Virtual Field Days. The chat contains a wealth of tips, links and lessons learned. Questions that were posed (and capably answered!) include: What are some ideas to move a Field Days event online? What examples of virtual Field Days have you done/seen/been a part of? Please describe and share links, if possible. For those who have done virtual Field Days, what were some of the challenges you...
Blog Post
Too Many Notifications? Not Enough? Here's How to Adjust Your Settings
A couple of months ago, I wrote a post on how to adjust your notification settings here in Connect Extension. It occurred to me this week that we have many more users now than when I originally wrote that. So, I thought I would share this information again: You have control over your own settings - how many or how few notifications you wish to receive. You can turn them all off entirely, or pick and choose what you would like to receive based upon content type. You can also customize your...
Blog Post
What’s It Like to Work with the eXtension Foundation as an NTAE Project? - Using Mass Media for Extension Messaging
eXtension recently announced the opportunity for nominations for the New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) for Year 2 projects. The nomination form will be available on June 15th until July 20th, 2020. Selected projects will receive wrap around services from the eXtension Foundation to support, accelerate, and amplify the project/program outcomes. Wrap around services include: Project/Program advisory support from a Catalyst (current or past senior program or administrative...
Blog Post
Your Leadership & Culture
These days we don't have to look far for articles on how to positively affect workplace culture. The founder of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher, was once asked by an employee if they could serve sandwiches on their flights. He responded by asking if that would help them become THE low-cost airlines in the industry? It didn't so they don't! Every great leader believes their leadership can make a difference in their organization & helps keep everyone focused on their vision of what that...
Blog Post
Results from the June 2020 Farm Journal Story Lead Contest
In May, the eXtension Foundation launched a monthly story lead contest in partnership with Farm Journal in the Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead Contest group here in Connect Extension. Monthly winners, along with their Extension Directors and Administrators, have the chance to work with Farm Journal to further develop their story and have it published in Farm Journal media. The topic area for the June 2020 contest was about reducing food waste and we received several excellent submissions!
Blog Post
eXtension Welcomes West Virginia State University and the University of Arizona as Newest Members for 2020
The eXtension Foundation welcomes West Virginia State University and the University of Arizona as our newest members for 2020. A complete listing of eXtension members is available here . Institutions that are members of the eXtension Foundation get access to the Impact Collaborative program and Impact Collaborative sponsored events. A listing of member-only events is available in Connect Extension or directly on the eXtension website and includes, but not limited to: Two national Innovation...
Blog Post
New eFieldbook Available! Resilient Agriculture: Weather Ready Farms
As part of eXtension’s New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) Year 1 Cooperative Agreement with USDA-NIFA, the eXtension Foundation selected a Nebraska Extension program called Weather Ready Farms to participate in our program accelerator, receiving several wrap-around services from the eXtension Foundation to help with faster implementation and impact. One component of eXtension’s wrap-around services is the creation of a peer-reviewed eFieldbook about this project and a model...
Blog Post
Livestream Today at 2 PM ET!: Conducting Market Research for Extension Programs: Nebraska Extension's Weather Ready Farms
Open this post in Connect Extension to watch live! As part of eXtension’s New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) Year 1 Cooperative Agreement with USDA-NIFA, the eXtension Foundation partnered with a Nebraska Extension program called Weather Ready Farms to help accelerate their program implementation and impact. In addition to this initiative being documented in a peer-reviewed ePublication, this project received direct support from a third-party marketing firm specializing in...
Blog Post
ICYMI: Conducting Market Research for Extension Programs: Nebraska Extension's Weather Ready Farms
Last week, we had the opportunity to sit down with a wonderful team that has been working as one of eXtension's New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) projects for 2019-2020. The Weather Ready Farms program comes from Nebraska Extension and as an NTAE project, it received direct support from a third-party marketing firm specializing in agriculture to conduct market research into the target audience and create a marketing & communication plan. Our webinar last week included: Ashley...
Blog Post
New eFieldbook Available! Bridging the GAPs: Approaches to Treating Water On Farms
As part of eXtension’s New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) Year 1 Cooperative Agreement with USDA-NIFA, the eXtension Foundation selected a multi-state initiative including North Carolina State University, University of Florida, University of Tennessee, and Virginia Tech to participate in our program accelerator, receiving several wrap-around services from the eXtension Foundation to help with faster implementation and impact. One component of eXtension’s wrap-around services...
Blog Post
June 2020 Story Lead Contest Winner Published In Farm Journal
Congrats @Stacey Stearns from UConn for submitting the winning story lead for the June 2020 Farm Journal Story Lead Contest . And thank you to everyone that submitted last month! The story, COVID-19 Needs Spurs Dairy - UConn Food Pantry Parternship has been published by Farm Journal. You can read the full story here . Today is the deadline for the July 2020 Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead contest here in Connect Extension. Several story leads have already been submitted; if you didn't get a...
Blog Post
ICYMI: Connect Extension Chat: Virtualizing and Social Distancing Horticulture and Master Garden Volunteer Programs
In case you missed it: We had an excellent live chat with 58 participants discussing all the innovative ways to move horticulture and Master Gardener volunteer programs to a virtual platform! Some of the ideas included virtual Ask An Expert sessions, virtual coffee hours, webinar series, podcasts, and more. To see more including tips for marketing virtual programs, best practices and lessons learned, and suggested platforms, check out the chat archive ! Your co-hosts, Stephanie Pully and...
Blog Post
Health and Well Being Subgroup Open to New Members
A new subgroup for Extension faculty and staff working in the area of health and well being has opened its doors to new members. The new subgroup’s Connect Extension platform is designed to serve as a virtual gathering place for members to interact around “all things health.” The group is a diverse community of scholars and practitioners dedicated to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to experience optimal health and well-being across the life span through a focus on both health...
Blog Post
Connect Extension Podcast Now Available
The eXtension Foundation is pleased to announce that our Connect Extension Podcast is now available! Each month in Connect Extension, eXtension hosts a virtual chat on a different topic area to highlight best practices and innovations throughout Cooperative Extension. In June 2020, we hosted a virtual chat on virtual field days, led by @Victor Villegas , Oregon State University Extension Service, and @Rose Hayden-Smith , eXtension Technology in Extension Education Fellow Following each...
Blog Post
August 2020 Farm Journal Story Lead Contest: Soil Health
Get your story lead developed and published by Farm Journal! For this month’s Cooperative Extension feature, Farm Journal’s Trust In Food wants to hear from your county/state/region about an innovative research project, on-farm trial or farmer engagement program you or Extension is leading to help farmers measure, analyze and improve their soil health. Are you ready to pitch your story for a national audience? Post your submission in Connect Extension in the Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead...
Blog Post
Best thing you've shared recently?
Completely out of the blue I asked my son this question... What's the best thing I've ever shared with you? We both moved on to other things & frankly I thought he'd forgotten. Eventually, he came over to me & said the best thing I'd shared with him was.........time! Well, needless to say, this blew me away. We all search for things in which to be proud of our kids but this simple answer struck me as profound for a teenager. The only thing we all have in common is time. A few years...
Blog Post
Ask Extension Pilot Program
The eXtension Foundation is seeking volunteers to pilot the upgraded Ask An Expert platform, dubbed Ask Extension, to test features and provide input on user experience for long term improvements. Historically, Ask An Expert has served Cooperative Extension as a digital outreach tool to connect millions of U.S. citizens with you - their local Extension experts. The upgraded Ask Extension provides significant improvements in terms of enhanced ability for clients to dialogue with the expert,...
Blog Post
Two Health Fellowship Positions Now Open, Deadline August 28, 2020
Position Funded by Molina Foundation Position Administered by eXtension Position Led by @Roger Rennekamp The total amount of dollars available is $20,000.00, divided into two 10K contracts Contract conditions and terms: This will be a fixed term contract (so level of effort needs to be considered). 20K is about 1 day a week of an Extension professional’s time for a year. This is for 2 Extension professionals – 10K each. Contract Timeline – 1 year – September 1, 2020-August 31, 2021.
Blog Post
Results from the July 2020 Farm Journal Story Lead Contest
In May, the eXtension Foundation launched a monthly story lead contest in partnership with Farm Journal in the Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead Contest sub group here in Connect Extension. Monthly winners, along with their Extension Directors and Administrators, have the chance to work with Farm Journal to further develop their story and have it published in Farm Journal media. The topic area for the July 2020 contest was about how Extension is empowering farmers to maximize their use of...
Blog Post
Practicing Connection in a Complex World: Collaboration
In this episode of the Practicing Connection in a Complex World podcast, hosts Jessica Beckendorf and Bob Bertsch explore different perspectives on collaboration. Is there a mindset that leads to collaboration? How can we encourage collaborations that create something new? What makes for a good collaboration? You can stay in touch with us and connect with our Practicing Connection community by subscribing to our email list. Subscribe now. Practicing Connection in a Complex World Podcast You...
Blog Post
New eFieldbook Available! Using Digital Technology in Extension Education
As part of eXtension’s New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) Cooperative Agreement with USDA-NIFA, the eXtension Foundation selected Dr. @Rose Hayden-Smith as the Technology in Extension Education Fellow for year one (2019-2020). Part of her fellowship was the creation of the first version of the Using Digital Technology in Extension Education eFieldbook. The eXtension eFieldbook series provides a digital platform for aggregating content, tools, and engagement, and is available...
Blog Post
Live Stream Today at 3 PM ET! Wrapping Up the Pollinator Stewardship Pilot Program: Outcomes, Metrics & Next Best Steps
Join us here in Connect Extension for a live stream of today's webinar! The Prairie View A&M University Pollinator Pilot has come to a close. Join us to find out how the campaign helped PVAMU's Cooperative Extension Program reach new audience members via radio, digital and social media outreach initiatives. Joining me will be Adam Winters, Chief Innovation Officer for Land.US and creator of AgNearMe.com, as well as Erica Overfelt and Braden Kobeski, Social Media and Engagement Officers...
Blog Post
1 PM ET Today! Connect Extension Chat - Asynchronous Programs
Click Here on August 27th at 1 PM ET to Join the Virtual Chat Each month, the eXtension Foundation will host a virtual chat here on Connect Extension, available to all Cooperative Extension professionals. The purpose of these short virtual chats is to highlight best practices and innovation throughout Cooperative Extension. Each session will be a different topic area. For August 27, 2020, we will be discussing Asynchronous Programs and how we are making our formally face-to-face programs...
Blog Post
Live Stream at 2 PM ET! Healthy Eating, Social Media, & Lower Income Communities – A Research Review
Live Stream Available Here in Connect Extension Gain research insights on how various SNAP-eligible audiences use social media channels, particularly when it comes to health and healthy eating. Find out which platforms are preferred by different lower income populations to more effectively communicate healthy eating messages using social media. Presenters: Jackie Haven/Deputy Administrator, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, U.S. Department of Agriculture Jackie Haven oversees USDA’s...
Blog Post
FOLLOWERS or JOINERS?
My curiosity about leadership & management led me to connect with Don Shapiro of First Concepts Consulting. We had a great conversation about our mutually favorite topic...leadership! Here's his site where you can find out more about his offerings, thought leadership, etc... First Concepts Consulting During our conversation, he had two important insights... *Over the last 20 years (or so), there has been an almost exponential increase in the focus on leadership. Ok, maybe exponential...
Blog Post
September 2020 Farm Journal Story Lead Contest: How Are You Bringing People in Your Local Communities Closer to Farmers and U.S. Agriculture?
For this month’s Cooperative Extension feature, Farm Journal’s Trust In Food seeks your stories about helping bring people in your local communities closer to farmers and U.S. agriculture. Amid COVID-19, many companies are reporting they will redouble efforts related to mitigating climate change, lowering environmental impact & helping consumers make sustainability-conscious purchasing decisions. What are you doing to help local consumers & farmers connect and better understand the...
Blog Post
Results from the August 2020 Farm Journal Story Lead Contest
In May, the eXtension Foundation launched a monthly story lead contest in partnership with Farm Journal in the Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead Contest sub group here in Connect Extension. Monthly winners, along with their Extension Directors and Administrators, have the chance to work with Farm Journal to further develop their story and have it published in Farm Journal media. The topic area for the August 2020 contest was about about an innovative research project, on-farm trial or farmer...
Blog Post
July 2020 Story Lead Contest Winner Published in Farm Journal
Congrats again to @Jason de Koff , Tennessee State University, for submitting the winning story lead for the July 2020 Farm Journal Monthly Story Lead contest here in Connect Extension. Thank you to everyone for your submissions each month! The story, Q&A: Maximize Drone ROI On Your Farm has been published by Farm Journal. You can read the full story here . Photo Credit: Corey Blick
Blog Post
Begin Again
If we don't learn the skill of gratitude we'll never be grateful for what we've learned. Hopefully you appreciate not only the amazing ability we have to learn new things but also the value added to your life. To gain greater clarity & purpose with our knowledge in certain areas it can be helpful to "begin again". This serves as a rediscovering of what it means to us today & how the meaning has changed from when we originally tackled it. Greater self-consciousness & appreciation...
Blog Post
Impact Collaborative Trains 31 New Innovation Facilitators
In August 2020, the eXtension Foundation’s Impact Collaborative program hosted its second Innovation Facilitator training for the year. 31 new Innovation Facilitators representing 12 Land-Grant universities completed the training, joining 153 others that represent 50 Land-Grant Universities. Participants spent six sessions learning the Impact Collaborative’s Innovation Skill-Building methodology and obtained skills and tools that will help catalyze innovation with local project and program...
Blog Post
Digital Technology eFieldbook Webinar Shares Project Info & Findings
More than three dozen Cooperative Extension professionals joined in a webinar to learn more about eXtension's new Using Digital Technology eFieldbook . @ashleygriffin @Jerry Thomas and @rosehayden-smith offered a panel discussion that explored the eFieldbook content and features, the Fellowship project (including professional development activities), lessons learned, and findings from the eXtension Technology Futuring Project. The eFieldbook was produced as part of of eXtension’s New...