Tagged With "Urban and Suburban Production"
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SAMHSA Training & Technical Assistance Resources Related to COVID-19
The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has put together a list of COVID-19 training and technical assistance resources to help address the mental health/substance use disorder impacts in rural communities. You can access a copy of that list here and attached to this blog post.
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Urban Agriculture Listening Sessions
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently posted a notice that they are taking stakeholder input to help inform and set priorities for $40 million of grant funding for research, education and extension around urban agriculture, indoor agriculture and emerging agriculture. To respond to NIFA with aggregated and organized comments, the Western Center for Metropolitan Extension and Research (WCMER), National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL), and a number of local Farm Bureau...
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Re: Urban Agriculture Listening Sessions
@Brad Gaolach - feel free to add those individual events to the Learn calendar too. Thanks for sharing!
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eXtension Migrates Learn Platform to Connect Extension
Over the past few years, the eXtension Foundation has been migrating its custom technology platforms to commercial tools. This has resulted in providing Cooperative Extension professionals with better technology solutions that are consistent with industry standards and provides greater flexibility, usability, and marketability. To date, the Articles publishing platform (articles.extension.org) and its companion content-authoring platform Create (create.extension.org) where former eXtension...
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REACHING TEN MILLION ENGAGED YOUTH WITH EXTENSION
The Cooperative Extension system has a vision of reaching 10 million youth annually through the 4-H program by the year 2025. The goal is to create opportunities for more youth to access 4-H and benefit from positive youth development (PYD) programs that lead to improved economic prosperity and quality of life outcomes for the youth of our nation. A Leading Edge Dialogue (LED) was held on this topic during the 2019 National Urban Extension Conference. The purpose of this LED session was to...
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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...
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Data and Policy: Responding to Human Services Needs
The Western Center for Metropolitan Extension and Research has released the next white paper in their Leading Edge Dialogue series: Data and Policy: Responding to Human Services Needs . Data is needed for decision-making, particularly around human services and community development, which are complex and intersectional issues. Skill in leveraging and presenting data will position research at the forefront of social policy conversations and decisions; however, retaining current silos of data...
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ICYMI: Healthy Eating, Social Media, & Lower Income Communities – A Research Review
Yesterday, we hosted a webinar led by Jessica Larson - Public Affairs Specialist, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, U.S. Department of Agriculture. She provided a research review that offered insights on how various SNAP-eligible audiences use social media channels, particularly when it comes to health and healthy eating. Participants had a chance to find out which platforms are preferred by different lower income populations to more effectively communicate healthy eating messages...
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Urban Foods Systems Symposium in October will focus on climate, community, security, production and distribution
All things food in and for urban areas will be in focus during the 3 rd Urban Food Systems Symposium scheduled for virtual delivery on Wednesdays in Octobe r and hosted this year by Kansas State University and K-State Research and Extension. 2020 Urban Food Systems Symposium online sessions will be offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT every Wednesday in October. If you’ve got an interest in any aspect of urban food systems there’s a session for you and you are encouraged attend. The...
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Organizations Partner to Combat the Digital Divide by Launching Searchable Wi-Fi Map for Needed Broadband Connections
American Connection Project organizations launch an interactive tool for users to locate more than 2,300 free Wi-Fi locations in 49 states ARDEN HILLS, MINN. (October 20, 2020) – Several partner organizations today announced the launch of the American Connection Project (ACP) interactive Wi-Fi map. The map provides a free resource to help the public locate more than 2,300 free Wi-Fi locations across 49 U.S. states. The map includes Wi-Fi locations from Land O’Lakes, Inc. and its ag retail...
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Urban Green Infrastructure Workshop: Reflections from our last gathering
Green infrastructure is a strategically planned network at the city and even regional scale that includes both land (parks, urban forests, raingardens, bioswales, greenspace, to name a few), and water (rivers, watersheds, etc.). Working in green infrastructure also enables the clear illustration of often forgotten connections between local and regional food systems and water (roof gardens, community gardens, urban farms, fruit orchards, etc.). Other benefits of green infrastructure include...
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ICYMI: The New Nutrition Facts Label: What’s Changed and What’s Been Updated
Last week, we hosted three wonderful folks from the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). They took us “behind the label” to share background on the changes and provide an in-depth tour of the updated Nutrition Facts label. CFSAN staff also shared educational materials and resources on the updated Nutrition Facts label for both health professionals and consumers. If you didn't get a chance to catch this presentation - the recording is available here ! By popular demand,...
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Your Leadership Puzzle (Part 1)
Clues to guide leadership development often prove to be more art than science. Many of these concepts live in the part of our brain that deals with feelings & not language. This fact alone can make conveying them difficult at best (I'll still try!). Here are some of the pieces we can utilize to begin the journey of putting together our leadership puzzle. PASSION We all find time to do the things that are most important to us. What do you spend 5 hours doing & it seems like 5 minutes?
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ICYMI: CONNECTING LATINO YOUTH/FAMILIES/COMMUNITIES W/EXT RESOURCES
Contrary with what many think, Latino/x population in the US is not a monolith, far from fitting the one-size-fits-all formula, the 60 million Americans of Latino/Hispanic origin represent over 20 Latin American countries, and a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, education levels, geographic locations, histories, political affiliations. Visit this virtual chat archive to learn what extension professionals across the country have been doing to be successful in reaching the Latino/x...
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Accelerating Success: Q&A with Dr. Fred Schlutt
Dr. Fred Schlutt is a forty-year Extension professional. He worked in Texas, Wyoming, Maine, and Alaska. Dr. Schlutt served for 10 years as the Director of Alaska Cooperative Extension. He was the 2017-2018 chair of ECOP ( Extension Committee on Organization and Policy ). He holds three degrees from Texas A&M. Dr. Schlutt currently shares his expertise as an Extension Foundation Catalyst. Catalysts are Extension experts who support New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) projects chosen...
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Navigating the Grocery Store Aisle and Creating a Food Marketing Game: An Extension Project Update
Navigating the grocery store aisle is challenging for many consumers—especially those who want to buy the most nutritious food. Food manufacturers and distributors cover their boxes, cans, and bottles of processed foods with labels like “organic,” “all natural,” and “no sugar added” to suggest that their food has certain health benefits. But these labels are intended to improve product sales, not necessarily help consumers make healthy food choices. And when food marketing labels seem to...
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Re: CRISES OF LEGITIMACY OF SCIENCE-WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Excellent blog post (although I am not sure that using French helps with the perceived arrogance of science and the academy😊). Anyway, here’s an editorial that was in the local Madison newspaper a couple of weeks ago that speaks to the challenge of communicating science (around COVID 19) that lays out some self-ownership that the science community needs in connecting with the public. Paul Fanlund | The Capital Times Even before vaccines became widely available, one could have predicted that...
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30 Days Left to Submit Presentation Proposals for the 2022 National Urban Extension Conference!
Proposals for individual presentations, panels, lightning talks and posters are due by November 20, 2021 at 5pm Pacific Time.
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Deadline Extended for 2022 National Urban Extension Conference presentation proposals
We heard you! In response to numerous requests for a proposal deadline extension due to pandemic complications, the Program Committee will accept presentation proposals until December 6, 2021 at 8am Eastern Time.
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DISRUPTING ENGAGEMENT OR ENGAGEMENT, THE DISRUPTER?
Dave King, Professor Emeritus, Oregon State University When the analog-to-digital information evolution began in the mid 1990s, Extension and engagement—as functions of higher education—appeared to be likely targets for disruption. Yet, today, fundamental aspects of Extension and engagement appear to be untouched by disruptive competition. Or do they? “The past is prologue,” wrote William Shakespeare. So a quick review of Extension and the digital evolution, and what we can learn from...
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30% NY Initiative: Opportunities, Barriers, and Pathways to Success
The 30% NY Initiative: Opportunities, Barriers, and Pathways to Success report is a product of Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest NY and Cornell Cooperative Extension Allegany County. The report analyzes procurement data from 53 of the 57 school food authorities (SFAs) that qualified for the 30% NY Initiative during the 2019- 20 school year. In addition to analyzing procurement data, we surveyed successful SFAs to understand how they altered their diversions and use of entitlement funds...
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Understanding Buy Now, Pay Later Services
Keeping up with the latest financial products and services offered to consumers can be a challenge. This month, we look at Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) products, a type of small dollar installment loan that is typically interest-free for consumers. This unsecured loan is often offered to consumers at the point of sale online or in-store, allowing them to pay in four or less equal installments, with typically 25 percent of the total due at the time of sale. When payments are made on time, a BNPL...
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Ecosystem Services in Working Lands Practice and Policy of the U.S. Northeast: Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities for Producers and Extension Webinar
Register for webinar HERE May 24th, 2022 2 PM - 3 PM ET The Extension Foundation and Extension Northeast Ecosystem Services Assessment Fellows invite you to a webinar to discuss their Extension Foundation publication on the recently-completed ecosystem service landscape assessment, which analyzed provisioning programs and policies across the U.S. Northeast. This report documents the results from a regional assessment of over 1,300 ecosystem service provisioning programs and policies across...
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITY - Urban, Indoor, and Emerging Agriculture
USDA NIFA has release a Request for Applications for the new Urban, Indoor, and other Emerging Agricultural Production Research, Education and Extension Initiative (UIE). Anticipated available funding: $9,400,000 Average Award: $50,000 - $1,000,000 Letter of Intent Due: July 11, 2022 Full Proposals Due: September 22, 2022 FIND OUT MORE . . . UIE is a NIFA competitive grant program implemented in 2022 to support research, education and extension activities that facilitate development of...
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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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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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Starting a Food Business Webinar series
What you need to know about selling your home-based and farm-raised foods? Join faculty and educators from Ohio State University Extension for three webinars to help you start your food business!
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Smart Holiday Spending and Debt Repayment
In December, many Extension educators field questions about holiday shopping and subsequent debt repayment. Check out these tips to share with clients.
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New Publication: How to Use Digital Dashboards to Improve Program Implementation and Evaluation
How to Use Digital Dashboards to Improve Program Implementation and Evaluation is available on the Extension Foundation’s bookshelf. This case study was written by Amy Patillo, Matthew Pezold, and Karen Funkenbusch from the University of Missouri. It outlines a strategy used by the University of Missouri (MU) Extension to manage and evaluate complex mental and behavioral health initiatives for farmers and rural communities. It highlights the processes and tools used to help a large,...
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Urban Extension Professional Development Guide Reissued as Flipping Book
An Urban Extension Professional Development guide has been reissued as a flipping book by the Extension Foundation. Initially developed as an offering for the 2019 Impact Collaborative, the publication is jam-packed with information and resources curated and reviewed by a national team of experts. Note : Registration for the next Impact Collaborative - which will be held October 4-6th, 2022 - is now open. Information about the all-virtual event can be found here . The publication’s editors...
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Sorghum: The Unlikely Food Source for Pollinators
Sorghum bicolor , a pollen-rich grass species cultivated for grain and forage, which looks similar to corn, can be an important food source for pollinators and other beneficial insects during times when pollen and nectar are scarce. Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources found that sorghum, commonly called milo, served as a pollen food source...
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University of Arizona job opening - Extension Specialist (Associate/Full) and Director of SNAP-Ed & EFNEP
The School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness and Cooperative Extension at the University of Arizona welcome applicants for a twelve-month, continuing-track Associate Specialist or Specialist position responsible for leadership, strategic planning, and program direction of statewide nutrition and physical activity programs. Minimum qualifications include: a doctorate degree in Nutritional Sciences, or a related discipline; a record of scholarly accomplishments; and a record of managing...
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Special Urban Extension Issue of the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension
The latest issue of the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension is now available online (Volume 10, Number 2). To access it, visit JHSE’s website at https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/jhse/vol10/iss2/ . This special issue of JHSE focuses on Extension engagement in urban communities. The 35 authors who contributed to this issue represent a range of geographic and programmatic viewpoints. Insights shared in this special issue demonstrate that diversity in our cities is multidimensional,...
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NIFA Invests $9.4M in Urban Agricultural Production REE Initiative
NIFA has announced funding of more than $9.4 million for 12 projects through the Urban, Indoor, and Other Emerging Agricultural Production Research, Education and Extension Initiative. This initiative provides grants for research, education and Extension work to solve key problems of urban, indoor and emerging agricultural systems. The awardees are: University of Alabama, Birmingham; University of California, Davis; Cornell University; University of Delaware; University of Florida;...
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Helping Military Families Inflation-Proof Their Budget
For over two years, U.S. inflation rates have exceeded their long-term average of about 3%. Like all Americans, military families have experienced a loss of purchasing power as their income cannot buy as much as it did previously. Individuals cannot stop inflation but they can mitigate its impact. Below are six inflation-fighting strategies for Extension professionals to discuss with Service members: Needs Versus Wants Analysis - During inflationary times, it is more important than ever to...
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Ten Strategies to Fight Shrinkflation
One cause of food insecurity among military families is inflation. As food costs rise, the ability to make nutritionally sound food purchases and maintain consistent access to food decreases. In February 2023, food prices were 9.5% higher than a year earlier according to the USDA Economic Research Service. Another cause of concern for cash-strapped military families is “ shrinkflation ,” i.e., where food and household product (e.g., toilet paper) manufacturers keep prices the same but reduce...
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Announcing GROW Urban Agriculture Conference
Announcing the inaugural Generating Research Opportunities Workshop for (GROW) Urban Agriculture Conference. This is a virtual three part conference for researchers, extension professional, educators and stakeholders designed to build interdisciplinary teams and support their efforts to secure funding for research, extension and education (REE) that supports and expands urban agriculture. Phase I is November 1-3, 2023. This virtual session will focus on connecting participants with similar...
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WCMER Deep Dive Fellows Want to Hear from You!
WCMER Deep Dive Fellows are collecting data to inform the development of an Urban Extension Toolkit focusing on the skillsets and competencies of Extension professionals. Two surveys (for Extension professionals and Extension administrators) aim to investigate the essential skills that Extension professionals require to effectively work across the urban-rural continuum and identify the obstacles they encounter in this process. The surveys are being distributed to Extension professionals and...
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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...
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WCMER Deep Dive Survey - One Week Left!
WCMER Deep Dive Fellows want to hear from you! The data collected will help inform the development of an Urban Extension Toolkit focusing on the skillsets and competencies of Extension professionals. Two surveys (for Extension professionals and Extension administrators) aim to investigate the essential skills that Extension professionals require to effectively work across the urban-rural continuum and identify the obstacles they encounter in this process. The surveys are being distributed to...
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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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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...
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"Cheesy" Advice
On some recent trips, my wife was administering health screenings at two of the factories in the largest cheese-manufacturing company in the world, Leprino Foods has 5,500 employees in 19 locations around the globe. You've probably eaten their product without even knowing. Hang on to your organizational health hats! One of the leaders in this area, Patrick Lencioni, would be proud! Back to my wife's experience... Her time at their factories was very similar despite the locations being far...
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UNH Extension seeks Field Specialist, Urban Forestry and Ecology
This position is based at the Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension office in Goffstown, N.H., and leads UNH Extension’s educational, technical and volunteer programming in urban forestry and ecology. New Hampshire is becoming more urbanized, with urban areas projected to increase to over 10% of the state by 2060. Urban and community trees and forests provide a variety of ecological, social and economic values including reduced stormwater runoff, air pollution mitigation, noise...
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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...
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MSU seeking Urban & Regional Planning Academic Extension/Outreach Specialist
The Michigan State University School of Planning, Design and Construction (SPDC) invites applications for a full‐time, 12‐month Continuing Academic Specialist with a 85% extension/outreach and 15% teaching assignment. The desired position start date is May 1, 2024. This position will focus on adaptive strategies to enhance the sustainability and resilience of communities with an emphasis on climate change and development regulation. Activities will include creating educational programs and...
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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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Celebrating Black History in Agriculture & Extension: Stories from the Field
For Black History Month, we're shining a light on the achievements of Black leaders who have shaped Extension work in food, farming, and health. Dive into our curated collection of resources and learn more about their valuable contributions to agriculture, Extension and below. Stories from Cooperative Extension In honor of Black History month, Cornell Cooperative Extension shares the contributions of Black individuals who helped to set the standards for Cooperative Extension. Tuskegee...