Tagged With "Don't take anything personally"
Blog Post
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...
Blog Post
Mental Health First Aid Summit- #BeThe1in15 during Mental Health Awareness month this May
Have you taken a first aid class or been trained in CPR? What about Mental Health Frist Aid? Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. We were fortunate enough to attend the Mental Health First Aid Summit in LA on May 1 st . We spent the day learning from our peers about the importance of mental health and how we can bring the MHFA program to every corner of the country and the world.
Blog Post
ICYMI: 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Held Second Meeting
Rockville, Md. – ICYMI: Last week, on May 10, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee convened in person for its second official meeting. The Committee heard opening remarks from U.S. Public Health Service Rear Admiral (RDML) Paul Reed, Director of HHS’ Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, who thanked the Committee for their service and acknowledged how their work helps promote health, well-being, and resilience through nutrition. RDML Reed also applauded the Committee’s...
Blog Post
Beliefs on the Leadership Journey
Getting clear with ourselves about our beliefs helps connect us to our core values. They will shift over our lives so it's a constant journey of discovery. Here are some things to ponder as you check in on your journey. Your Leadership Philosophy Defining what the huge topic of leadership is to you is of utmost importance. It helps us get clear on our approach, communicate it to others, and measure how we're doing every day. Here's mine right now... It's realizing it's not about me &...
Blog Post
Register Now for the June 27th Annual Meeting of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition
The first public meeting of the Biden-Harris Administration’s President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition will be held on June 27, 2023, from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm ET, at the Hubert H. Humphrey building in Washington, DC. The meeting will also be viewable via livestream on hhs.gov/live. The focus of this inaugural meeting will be for the new Council members , who were nominated to serve on the Council by President Biden in March , to discuss priorities for the remainder of the...
Blog Post
2 Questions...
How do you know it's time to do leadership development? The short answer is it's always time. Developing our leadership is a journey, not a destination. Improving our self-awareness and becoming truly effective takes consistent focus. Here are some clues to watch for on your journey to help stay focused: If you're feeling like some honest and respectful feedback it might be time for leadership development! Feedback is the breakfast of champions. Getting meaningful information from trusted...
Blog Post
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...
Blog Post
Engage your Extension Audience in New Ways
It's important for Extension Programs to stay current on the latest strategies for engaging with their audiences and be able to adapt and create new strategies in order to reach their communities more widely or effectively. The Extension Foundation offers a variety of resources to help you discover new ways to reach, understand and engage with your audience. Through Connect Extension, you can find videos and publications that can teach you new strategies to improve engagement and promotion...
Blog Post
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...
Blog Post
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,...
Blog Post
Ten Personal Finance Capstone Review Activities
Every extension educator has been there. You’ve just taught some personal finance content (e.g., investment basics or wise credit use) and you want to make sure that it “stuck.” You are looking for a fun, interactive activity to reinforce what you just covered. Below is a summary of ten interactive activities to review previously taught personal finance content: Educational Games - Tools that are popular with teachers in a K-12 setting can also work well as capstone reviews with adults. For...
Blog Post
What keeps senior leaders up at night?
Our family had the pleasure of being stationed in Tokyo, Japan while my wife and I were in the U.S. Air Force. While Japan and the other countries we visited were amazing, it was a particularly complicated time in the Pacific region. Most notably, North Korea's leader was threatening war. Additionally, many career fields in the Air Force lacked the people to sustain the operational pace required to maintain peace and stability in the region. Because of these situations, several military...
Blog Post
Beyond the Binary: Understanding and Affirming LGBTQ+ Continuums of Identity
By Dr. Tiffany Lange, Psy.D. (she/her/hers) In a society where conformity is expected and non-conformity must be “explained”, there are many misperceptions about the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and related identities) community. Biology and nature are not binary categories, our world is full of spectrums. Yet, society often oversimplifies people and identities into binary categories: we’re either “this” or “that.” Known as social categorization, this...
Blog Post
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...
Blog Post
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...
Blog Post
Free online/in-person IST on August 8, an Introduction to Community Engagement for Technology Adoption
Please attend my event! It'll be great 🙂 https://connect.extension.org/event/free-online-in-person-ist-on-august-8-an-introduction-to-community-engagement-for-technology-adoption I'm writing to invite you to a free two-hour IST (with online and in-person attendance options) on August 8 from 10 AM to 12 PM ET: "Introduction to Community Engagement for Technology Adoption"! All are welcome, from anywhere in the United States. Purpose and Objectives: 1. To introduce...
Blog Post
Facing Organization Changes with Monkeys, Marathons & Popcorn!
Recently we held a workshop on change where the participants mentioned something they were hearing in their organizations. "That's how we do things around here." This phrase is often used to explain a cultural behavior or process. It seems to provide plausible deniability and deflect blame for the current situation. Healthy organizations know they must deal with the challenges of change versus the status quo. No change and you become obsolete. Change for change's sake means chaos rules and...
Blog Post
Coaching 101
If you're after self-improvement at all you've probably sought out a coach. These days it's cool to have a coach. Whatever your goal, great progress can be made with a coach. What about when someone asks you for help? Or you're in a role that requires you to guide others? What will your approach be? What will your style be? For me, it's helpful to start from the beginning, perhaps it will help you too as you consider how to bring the best version of yourself to the role of coach. I'm just...
Blog Post
Job Opening: State 4-H Program Leader at Iowa State University
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is seeking an exceptional individual to lead its 4-H Youth Development program to enhance the impact of ISU on the lives of Iowa youth. The Program Leader provides strategic leadership and administrative management for the 4-H Youth Development program. Specifically, this person provides motivation, strategy, vision, and coordination for the development and delivery of 4-H Youth Development Extension programs that address the diverse needs in Iowa...
Blog Post
Leadership is...
So often when we think about "leadership" it becomes such a big concept we can't imagine how it might apply to us. It is easier to think that it applies only to people with bigger positions, titles, and more responsibility than we have. As a coach of mine once said: "That's stinkin' thinkin'." When we think leadership is just for those "other people" we've unconsciously decided it's not for us. That we don't have to do it. We've told ourselves what we do every day doesn't really matter. In...
Comment
Re: NIFA Awards $10 Million to Extension Foundation for Workforce Development
Kate at the University of Rhode Island, here. I'd love to get involved with this work. Who is the best person to contact at the Extension Foundation? Kudos on the award!
Blog Post
Job Opening: Agriculture Business Management
This is a full-time, 11-month appointment for a non-tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant/Associate Extension Educator. The successful candidate is expected to develop strong working relationships with producers throughout the state; interact with UConn faculty, state, and federal agency personnel; and develop interdisciplinary extension programs. This is an off-campus, county-based position. Assignment of office location is negotiable in the northwest, central, or northeast part of...
Blog Post
ICYMI: 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Held Third Meeting, Heard Public Oral Comments
Posted on September 20, 2023 by ODPHP Rockville, Md. – ICYMI: Last week, on September 12 and 13, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee convened in person for its third official meeting. The meeting was livestreamed. On the first day of the meeting, the Committee heard oral comments from 83 members of the public. As part of the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture’s (USDA) ongoing efforts to increase transparency, equity, and public engagement in the Dietary...
Blog Post
Holiday Shopping with a Financial Mind$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,...
Blog Post
Treat each other with L.O.V.E.
A team we worked with was doing well except for a couple of team members who didn't get along very well. At the end of their time with us, we asked how their relationship was going. Particularly we asked if they could trust the other person. One of them replied "yes". Initially, we were excited about their progress! They continued to say they could trust them to be a jerk. What?! After some follow-up questions, we learned the behaviors they exhibited to this team member supported predictive...
Blog Post
Recording and Resources: Catch Up on the NAPPC Webinar - Drilling Down on EPA Regulations: What Is the Latest Buzz on Pesticides and Bees?
Explore EPA Regulations on Pesticides and Bees in this webinar. Follow a pesticide's journey from risk assessment to the marketplace, led by host Andony Melathopoulos. Gain insights into the EPA's historical and current approaches, understanding their role in safeguarding pollinators. Since 2010, the EPA has focused on assessing pesticide risks to bees. The key question: Is the EPA effectively protecting bees? This webinar delves into this topic, exploring its impact on our environment and...
Blog Post
Extension Foundation Releases Four New NTAE Titles
Four new titles are available on the Extension Foundation’s website. 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. The goal of NTAE is to incubate, accelerate, and expand promising work that will increase the impact of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) in the communities it...
Blog Post
Emotional Spending 101
Unlike impulsive buying, emotional spending is frequently heightened by stress, grief, or moments of happiness or sadness. Regardless of these triggers, they can impact your finances negatively. For example, you shop to make yourself feel better after a bad day at work. As a result, compulsive shopping and spending stems from an impulse disorder habit that can be addictive for many. The relationship between money and happiness is now seen as complete. Aknin, Wiwad, and Hannibal (2018)...
Blog Post
6-words
On a trip to Delhi, India we had the privilege to stay at a really nice hotel. A really impressive place where the experience began as soon as we arrived. They treated everyone very well and you could feel everyone loved their job. The staff interacted great with each other. The were a team! One evening during dinner I asked what made being at this place feel so special. Their reply was; "We all live by 6 words. People first, wow now, and excellence always." Curious, I asked them to explain...
Blog Post
Scam Prevention Information for Military Families
In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received over 93,000 reports of fraud by Military Consumers. Military families are frequent targets for scams. Explore the reasons for this, discover how you can help clients spot, avoid and report fraud.
Blog Post
Growth!
The hardest part of leadership development is behavior change. It's hard, not impossible. Haven't met a single person who isn't capable of interpersonal behavior change. We all can do it! Step #1 is awareness. If we're not aware we can't put efforts in place to make meaningful growth happen. Feedback is the breakfast of Champions! Step #2 is don't be so hard on yourself. We will all mess up. Great leadership is allowing people to fail but not allowing them to feel like a failure along the...
Blog Post
Extension Foundation Announces New Technologies for Ag Extension Funding Opportunity: Applications Due December 22nd, 2023
Technology-Enhanced Cooperative Extension Hub (TECHExt) Summary : NTAE (New Technologies for Ag Extension) a grant from NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture) will begin Year 1 with the Extension Foundation January, 2024. EXF has the subaward for this grant from the University of New Hampshire who is the prime award for this funding. Within the funding EXF receives from the NTAE grant, one of the grant activity focus areas are the development of projects that lead to local impact...
Blog Post
Plate full?
There has never been another person like you on the planet...ever. And, there won't ever be another person like you again...ever. Inherently then, everything you do is unique. So why do we fill our lives like a Thanksgiving plate? Yes, we have many responsibilities that all need looking after. What we're talking about is YOUR unique contribution to this world. If your "plate" is an inch deep and a mile wide (like your Thanksgiving plate) it's hard to know where your focus should go. You're...
Blog Post
Backyard Poultry Certification Course
Interest in keeping backyard poultry for personal and family food security has steadily increased over the past decade. Many cities and municipalities require a certificate for residents to keep backyard poultry. Increased numbers of youth are raising chickens and turkeys for 4-H livestock projects. Maybe you just want to learn more about the keeping of a backyard flocks. Whatever your reason, OSU Extension has you covered with this Backyard Poultry Certification Course that discusses...
Blog Post
Some reminders...
At an appointment the other day Sesame Street was on the TV in the waiting room. Naturally, everyone from kids to adults was watching it. One of the adults looks over at me and says; "I stopped watching this show years ago, I already know most of that stuff." 🤣 Even if you know all that stuff already, it's still nice to have a reminder every once in a while! Here goes... There's never been another person like you on the planet, and there won't ever be another person like you. Your core...
Blog Post
UNH Extension seeks 4-H Program Manager, Cheshire County
UNH Extension Seeks a 4-H Program Manager in Cheshire County | Extension This position is located at Extension’s Cheshire County office in Keene, N.H. The 4-H program manager will facilitate growth of the county 4-H program and life-skill development of 4-H youth through recruitment, training, support and guidance of volunteers in a community-based, youth organization. 4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, works in local communities to offer youth in-person and online...
Blog Post
Navigating Postpartum Challenges in Military Families: Understanding the Intersection of Race, Ethnicity, and Mental Health
Written by: Jennifer Novak, ZERO TO THREE The period following childbirth can be challenging for many new mothers, particularly within military families. Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), encompassing conditions like postpartum depression (PPD), postpartum anxiety (PPA), and postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder, often pose significant mental health hurdles during this vulnerable time for families. When factoring in race and ethnicity within military communities, these...
Blog Post
Leadership Lessons from Santa Claus
Couldn't resist one more post, especially when it's about the magical, mystical person who is Santa Claus! Here's a summary of how he gets big things done in his workshop all year long... The Leadership Secrets of Santa Claus by Eric Harvey He's delivering right now...follow his journey here ! Thanks @Scott Reed for sharing & for your continued service to Cooperative Extension! *Summary from Get Abstract
Blog Post
New Year Resolutions?
Every year is an adventure we take one step at a time over 365 days. The adventure is up to us, we get to choose. Each January, these choices lead us to resolutions. The thought of these resolutions leads me to recommit to my version of Merlin Olsen's mission statement. Without boring you with mine, here's what he says… “The focus of my life begins at home with family, loved ones & friends. I want to use my resources to create a secure environment that fosters love, learning, laughter...
Blog Post
Health Equity Edit-a-thon with Montana State University Library
Please join the USDA National Agricultural Library, Montana State University (MSU) Library, and MSU's Diversity and Inclusion Student Commons (DISC) on January 24 th from noon to 5:00 pm ET for a health-equity presentation and Wikipedia edit-a-thon. The first part of the program will examine healthcare disparities for historically excluded communities, transitional and transient populations, and those in rural areas who may live in healthcare deserts. Students and other speakers will share...
Blog Post
Intensity & Consistency
The NIKE company is over 50 years old. What? How did that happen? No matter what your preference is on athletic apparel, you have to admit they've been a leader in this arena. They have been very consistent in offering high-quality products people need to get out there and "just do it". They have also had their moments of intensity. The decision to create a whole product line around a single athlete, Michael Jordan. The "Bo Knows" campaign with multi-sport athlete Bo Jackson only to have him...
Blog Post
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.
Blog Post
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...
Blog Post
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...
Blog Post
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...
Blog Post
Search for New Associate Dean and Director of Human Sciences Extension at Iowa State University
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (ISUEO) and the College of Human Sciences (CHS) is seeking an exceptional individual to lead its Human Sciences program to enhance the impact of Iowa State University (ISU) on the lives of Iowans. The Associate Dean and Director, also referred to as Program Leader within the National Cooperative Extension Service, provides strategic leadership and administrative management for the Human Sciences Extension and Outreach (HSEO) program. Specifically,...
Blog Post
UNH Extension Seeks a 4-H Program Manager in Cheshire County
This position is located at Extension’s Cheshire County office in Keene, N.H. Priority application deadline is April 1, 2024. The 4-H program manager will facilitate growth of the county 4-H program and life-skill development of 4-H youth through recruitment, training, support and guidance of volunteers in a community-based, youth organization. 4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, works in local communities to offer youth in-person and online programming through clubs,...
Blog Post
Language "Votes"
Words matter...a lot! What we choose to put out in the world in the many ways we express ourselves is a "vote" for the person we want to be. What these words mean to you become your anchor to your core values. Here are some thoughts for your consideration... Balance and Integration When you think about it, trying to achieve a work/life balance is not possible. There isn't work and life, work is part of life. A big part but not the only thing. What we should strive for is the integration of...
Blog Post
National Online Dialogue on Disability Inclusion in Small Business
We are launching a national online outreach effort to hear from America’s smallest businesses on what we can do to help them hire, keep, and support disabled workers. We would love to hear from the folks that reach out to extension services and businesses in the agricultural sector. Please feel free to distribute this information, below and in the attached flier, to your extension services’ networks. Reach out if you have any questions. Thanks! - Did you know that more than 90% of businesses...
Blog Post
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...